ANGLING

ILFRACOMBE Match Group enjoyed some thrilling sport in their Christmas fixture at Harepie Fishery, writes Wayne Thomas.

The mild weather encouraged the fish to feed hard and Neilson Jeffery caught 14 carp for a bag of 98lb 3oz – the best a cracking common carp of 15lb 8oz.

All were tempted using pole-fished luncheon meat tight to the island.

Runner-up was Kevin Wilton with a bag of 42lb 11oz that consisted of 12 carp totalling 24lb and 17lb 11oz of quality roach.

Peter Slade finished third with 25lb 1oz and won the silvers bag with 23lb 9oz.

The owner's prize for the best roach of the day was won by Paul Morris with a crimson-finned fish of 13oz.

Kevin Wilton was named Ilfracombe club angler of the year and qualifies for the Garbolina club angler of the year fish-off at Tunnel Barn Farm, in Warwickshire, in April when a top prize of up to £1,000 will be on offer.

Furzebray Carp Lakes has reopened following netting and the transfer of smaller residents to the new lake, which is due to open in the spring.

It has been stocked with 270 carp up to 14lb, which should pack on weight as they feast in the newly-flooded lake.

Top specimens in the main lake, such as Charlotte (35lb 8oz) and Peanut (30lb 8oz), are likely to continue to grow with the stock density reduced.

Before the netting, Martin Cox landed seven carp at Furzebray – the best scaling 20lb 4oz and 21lb 8oz.

At Angler's Paradise, Jamie Millar caught a brace of 20lb specimen carp.

Simpson Valley's Lower Fuzzy Lake has been giving great perch sport with one angler landing six perch to 3lb 12oz and three other fish topping 2lb in a single day.

Sea anglers have had success searching for cod and the first of the season's spurdog have been landed from shore marks.

Diary dates

January 8: Bideford Angling Club Rover.

January 8: Combe Martin SAC monthly meeting, Braunton Cricket Club, 7pm.