********* THE AUTUMN FLATTIE FISHING FOR TURBOT,BRILL AND PLAICE IS NOW IN FULL SWING - SO DON'T MISS OUT BOOK YOUR PLACE NOW. Yes we are still catching Plaice in October as well as Turbot and Brill.*************
FEATURE - CHECK OUT THE FLAMER III FLATTIE FEATURE IN THE AUGUST ISSUE OF BOAT FISHING MONTHLY.
COME and CATCH some FLATTIES,Like Turbot,Brill, and Plaice. The Famous Shambles Bank is reknowned for it's Turbot and Brill Fishing,come and catch a Flattie of a life time like the Turbot weighing 28Ib caught by Kim Mace and the 26Ib 4oz Turbot caught by Steve Wells and the Brill weighing 10Ib 2oz caught by Andy Smith,these are just the size flatties that you can catch on Flamer.Specimen size Brill are regularly caught.Also there are other areas were Turbot and Brill are caught as well.
Good size Plaice feature on The Shambles in the Spring,and also on mussel beds during Spring,Summer,Autumn,with plenty of fish over 4Ib being caught and 5Ib plus fish are often caught.All the time new area's are being found,tried and pionerred with a good deal of success.
Tackle - Rods of 12Ib and 30 Ib class are needed as several types of tactics and methods are used,some drifting some at anchor. Line 15 to 30Ib B/s.Hooks 2/o to 4/o. There are several types of traces that can be used for Plaice (contact me and I will send you a picture of the one I recommend).For Turbot and Brill use a trace, 5 to 6 foot long of 30 to 40Ib B/S,Hooks 4/o to 6/o.
RICK LANDS FOUR - Rick Hawkins laded four Autumn/October plaice while drifting a mussel bed.Rick had a double shot of plaice on one drfit.The successfull bait being ragworm and squid strip.Rick is pictured with two of the fine autumn plaice he caught.Rick also caught a brill when we drifted the Shambles bank after the plaice fising.
GARY POTTER CONJURES UP HIS FIRST PLAICE - Gary Wallace - Potter landed his first ever plaice which weighed 4Ib 8oz and is just one of the nice autumn plaice being caught at present.
EDDY GETS A SUMMER SIX POUND SPOTTIE - Eddy Leatherbarrow from Oldham landed the second 6Ib plaice to be caught on Flamer III in 2008.
MARK GETS A SIX POUND SPOTTIE - Mark and his mates by passed the Dartmouth Skerries Bank plaice hot spot and came to Weymouth in search of big plaice and Mark Warne from Plymouth landed his biggest ever plaice weighing 6Ib.
If you want to catch a Turbot and Brill and havn't, NOW is the Time, Call me and book your trip/place.DON'T MISS OUT.
PLAICE - the plaice on the mussel beds seem to be up for it again after a quiet couple of months.On a recent big tide which allowed only a small window of slowish flow saw three nice plaice in the 4Ib range caught.So it's got to be worth another look on the smaller tides.
BRILL CATCH FOR DAVID - Pictured is David Rigby age 59 from Somerest with his personal best Brill weighing 8Ib 8oz he cauight while drifting the Shambles Bank.David was using an up tide rod and bait was mackerel strip on a size 3/0 hook.This Brill is a suberb specimen of approx 170%.CONGRATULATIONS - That's Flaming Brilliant,David.Who said brill were now harder to catch from UK shores?We did!But there are still a few hot spots mapped by a good charter skipper.That's how Somerset's Dave Rigby,from Chepton Mallet,scored a personal best with an 8Ib 8oz beauty on a drfit from Weymouth's Flamer III over the natorious Shambles Bank,near Portland.Dave,59,wins a Penn Affinity boat rod fron the Suinday People best fish competition.
GRAB A GRANNY JUDY DOE'S IT WITH HER SON - No seriously folks granny Judy on the day before her 70th birthday landed her first ever turbot on the same drift as her son Owen landed his first ever Turbot.Bait was mackerel strip presented on a 5 foot trace and 4/0 hook.They were both pleased with their catches.Judy even gave me half of her turbot for my wife and me to enjoy for tea.I promised Judy a free trip on her 80th birthday.
LES GETS SHAMBLES TURBOT - Les Whiteman from Newick landed a fine turbot weighing 10Ib while drifting the famous Shambles Bank.Les was using 20Ib class tackle and Bait was mackerel strip.
AUTUMN PLAICE - October - Plaice will still be caught on the mussel beds.The Plaice caught will all be in mint condition.
CLIVE LANDS DOUBLE SHOT - Clive from Ipswich landed a double shot of Autumn/October plaice while drifting over a mussel bed.Bait was ragworm and squid strip presented on a plaice rig he had purchased from the tackle shop that morning.Clive is pictured with his plaice double shot.Clive's friend Mick Rutter landed his first ever turbot on the Shambles bank which we drifted after the plaice fishing.
DAMIEN LANDS AUTUMN PLAICE - Damien Evans from Wiltshire landed his first ever plaice weighing 4Ib 2oz.Bait was ragworm and squid strip.
SUMMER PLAICE QUALITY NOT QUANTITY - is how the Plaice fishing is in the Summer months. Some realy good size fish in the 4 to 5Ib plus bracket.The winning bait combination is usualy ragworm and squid strip.
SUMMER 2008 - Scott Smy from Plymouth landed a fine specimen plaice weighing 4Ib 10oz while drifting a mussell bed.Bait was Cornish ragworm tipped with a squid strip.
SPRING 2008 -
ANGUS IS PLEASED WITH HIS BIG ONE - Angus Gale age 36 from Warwickshire was very pleased when he landed his biggest ever plaice which weighed 4Ib 12oz.Angus was using 10Ib class tackle and a two hook flattie rig baited with ragworm and squid strip.
TREVORS GETS OFF TO A FLYER - Trevor Lockyer age 60 from Dorset landed two plaice which weighed 4Ib and 4Ib 6oz on his first flattie trip of 2008.Trevor was using 10Ib class tackle and bait was ragworm tipped with squid strip.
JAMES BRILL - james Mccarthy from London landed a 5Ib Brill while drifting the Shambles Bank.James also landed a plaice on the same drift.The successful bait for both flats was launce fillet.James is pictured with his Brill catch.
ANDY GETS HIS FIRST - Andy Vickers age 26 from Reading landed his first ever Brill weighing 5Ib while drifting the Famous Shambles Bank.Two Turbot were caught on the previous drift by two of Andy'e companions.Mackerel strip bait accounted for all three flat fish.
EDDY HAS BRILL CATCH - Eddy Drayton aged nearly 70 was well pleased when he landed his first ever Brill while drifting the Shambles Bank.The Brill was the first Brill to be caught on Flamer III this year.Bait was mackerel strip.
GARY'S GANG - Gary Bushell and gang on there annual three day trip had to put up with a fresh easterly wind while drifting the Shambles Bank but they stuck to the task and are pictured with their flatty catch.Mackerel strip bait accounted for the flats.
DAVID GETS HIS PRIZE- David Trevarthen from Plymouth was well pleased to land his first double figure turbot weighing 12Ib while drifting the east end of the Shambles Bank.Bait was sand eel and mackerel fillet.David is pictured with his catch.
ROB GETS HIS FIRST - Rob Pearce landed his first ever turbot weighing 13Ib while drifting the famous Shambles Bank.Rob was using an uptide rod and bait was mackerel strip.
TERRY GETS BIG SPOTTIE - Terry Stone age 61 from Bristol landed a 5Ib plaice which is his personal best and a potential new record for the Clevedon Pumpers SAC which Terry is a member of.Terry was using 10Ib class tackle and a fklattie trace with a vibro spoon.Bait was ragworm and squid strip.
DEAN LANDS PERSONAL BEST - Dean Epton from Warwick landed his personal best plaice weighing 4Ib.Bait was ragworm tipped with squid strip.Dean was very pleased with his catch.Dean sent me an e - mail which read - Hi,Colin,thanks for forwarding the photo of me with my personal best plaice so far.I managed to fillet it when I got home and had it for tea sunday night - it was delicious.Thank you for providing us with an excellent day as always.Everyone enjoyed it and we are looking forward to booking another trip with you soon.Take it easy and look after yourself. Regards,Dean.
THE TURBOT AND BRILL ARE HERE - DON'T MISS OUT - BOOK YOUR TRIPS NOW.
WARREN GETS BIG TURBOT - Warren Knapp age 37 from Kent landed his personal best Turbot weighing 23Ib 8oz while drift fishing the Shambles Bank.Warren and his three mates had booked Flamer to go flattie fishing they landed some Plaice in the morning session and then after realy trying hard to catch a Turbot their patience was rewarded.I suggested they put down a spare rod with a trace I gave them and see what happens,so Warren did this and sure enough the Turbot came on the spare rod. Bait was double mackerel strip on a 4/o hook.Warren is pictured with his prize catch.Over the past few years consistantly realy big Turbot have been caught in the month of April,just something I have noticed.
STUNNING 23Ib 8oz TURBOT CAUGHT KNAPPING - Warren,37,an HGV driver from Swanley,Kent,scored his personal best on a drift fishing trip over the notorious Shambles Bank off Portland,in Flamer III,skippered by Colin Penny.He baited with a double mackerel strip on a 5ft trace and 4/0 hook and wins a Shakespeare SALT Sporting braid boat rod and a SALT FDX REEL.
SRING PLAICE FISHING - DON'T MISS OUT - BOOK YOUR SPRING PLAICE TRIPS NOW - IN MARCH and APRIL,Come and catch a big spottie.
SUMMER PLAICE FISHING - although you will catch the occassional one on the Shambles Bank,most of the Summer Plaice are caught from the mussel beds,some nice 4 to 5 pound plus fish can be had.
AUTUMN PLAICE FISHING - a few Plaice trips have been/and can be aranged to see how far into the year Plaice can still be caught.OCTOBER PLAICE - Yes the plaice are still caught in October.
GEORDIE LANDS A BIG ONE - John Elder age 65 known as Geordie a member of the infamous Leighton Buzzard Tanglers Club landed two plaice.To start with a nice 4 pounder and then Geordie finished of with a plaice weighing 5Ib 4oz to record the first five pound plus plaice to be landed aboard Flamer III in 2008.Geordie's bait was ragworm tipped with squid strip.Geordie was well pleased with his plaice catch. Geordies two plaice were part of a steady days flattie fishing aboard Flamer III.A nice run of flatties including Turbot are now being caught from the Weymouth area.
SPRING PLAICE 2008 -
PETE BEATS HIS PERSONAL BEST - PETE EDWARDS from Cornwall beat his personal best by 2Ib when he landed a plaice weighing 5Ib 8oz.Pete was using 8Ib class tackle and a long trace with lots of coloured beads on.Bait was ragworm and squid strip.PETE RETURNS - Pete has since been back fishing on Flamer III and on this occassion landed two Turbot.
SIMON BROWN from Dorset landed his personal best plaice weighing 4Ib.Simon's plaice is just part of the steady stream of nice spottie catches now being made out of Weymouth.Simon was using 12Ib class tackle and the successful bait was ragworm and squid strip.
Bait for Plaice - Ragworm,Lugworm,Squid strip,Sandeel strip.
Bait for Turbot and Brill - Mackerel strip,Launce fillet,Sandeel.
SO if you want to catch some Flatties,Catch a Personal Best or Set/Break a club record or even a British Record ,Weymouth is the place to come. Contact me to Book your place/trip now,Specialised flattie trips for Individuals,Small Groups,Clubs and Groups.( Flamer Angling Spaces )
MONSTER TURBOT DOUBLE pictured - on one magic drift in April 2007 on the Shambles Bank two monster Turbot were landed.First Peter Welfare caught a Turbot weighing 24Ib 8oz and if that was not good enough within five minutes Kim Mace landed a 28 pounder to complete a magical monster Turbot double. Bait was mackerel and squid strips.This is the best two Turbot I have seen to come up on one drift.Kim's 28 pounder is a Flamer best and beats Steve Wells 26Ib 4oz turbot caught in 2002,incidently Steve's big turbot was caught in the month of April as well.Another coinsidance Kim,Peter and Steve are all from Sussex.
WHAT MAKES IT ALL WORTHWHILE - a nice e - mail sent to me from Sean White after his first trip out on Flamer III - "Thankyou for the photo of me and the plaice I caught on the boat trip last Sunday.It was a great day,a bit slow to start with but I was pleased as punch to catch my first plaice after years of trying.I couldn't ask for better company either with the party from Manchester,they made me feel most welcome and even passed on a few tips to me.They were a great bunch and I hope they did well in the competition the following day.Rest assured I will be looking to book further trips aboard Flamer III in the near future and you never know I might be able to drag my dad along as well.Like I said I can't thank you enough,so tight lines for now,All The Best from Sean White."
HALIBUT - an 8Ib Halibut was caught by an angling boat on the Shambles in March 2006,so you never know what flattie may be down there.
My Celebrated West Country Trips are proving more popular than ever,and of course we shall give the famed Skerries Bank off Dartmouth a serious look at for Plaice and big Dabs,with very light tackle you can have some real good fun.Also there's the chance of the occassional Brill and Turbot as well.
"Come on give it a try". Contact me for details,also take a look at my West Country Trip Web Page.
POL,S PLAICE - on one of my West Country Trips,we were fishing the Skerries Bank,with one Plaice on the first drift and then nothing for the next hour,Pol's mates were getting a bit disspondant.I told them that there were Plaice there to be caught but concentration was needed to detect the bites.I could see there was disbalief amongst the ranks,so I borrowed Pol's rod,baited up the two hooks with ragworm tipped with Squid strip and lowered it over the side.After about 3 minutes I had a bite and gave it some line,telling Pol I had had a bite,he didn't beleive me,so I said I woul'd leave it down there a bit longer and see if I coul'd catch two. I left for a couple of minutes and then started to wind in,I felt the weight of the fish and with it starting to fight,I gave the rod to POL,and said wind the fish up then.He took over and a 4Ib 4oz Plaice which had swallowed both hooks was brought on to the boat.See lads I told you they were there,which was followed by the sound of resounding cheers,no probably jeers and a comment of spawny *astard.Pol's Plaice ( or was it technicaly my catch).
HEADS AND SKELETONS - I was drifting the Shambles Bank and during this drift I was cleaning some Mackerel for my customers and throwing the heads and frames/skeletons over the side.On the next drift a Turbot was caught.I asked the angler if he would like his Turbot cleaned, on doing this and looking in the stomach contents,I found two Mackerel heads and a Mackerel skeleton.I thoght this was interesting and called up Chris Caines skipper of Tiger Lily who had been driftng just behind me and told him of my find.One of his anglers also caught a Turbot on the same drift and on inspection of the fishes stomach contents,it to had Mackerel heads in it.So I said to Chris I think we have been usuing the wrong bait all these years and perhaps we should be using Mackerel Heads instead of strips.Makes you think doesn't it.
Last Updated: Tue Oct 21 2008