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The Erme Estuary, Devon

Mike Thrussell 01 January, 2006 10:05:00

SPECIES
Thornback and small-eyed ray show late May and June, but appear in bigger numbers from September on. Bass are resident all year round along with flounders and eels. Big mullet show from April right through to Christmas in mild years. Occasional stingray have been hooked and lost here in May and June.

BAITS
Mackerel or sandeel picks up the rays, though the thornbacks will take crab and the small-eyed squid as well. For the flounders, bass and eels stick with fresh peeler or soft back crab. King rag worm is only a fair back up bait. The mullet take tiny bits of rag or mackerel flesh under a float, or surface fished bread.

TACKLE & TACTICS
The estuary offers beach fishing with the beaches shallowish and backed by low cliffs. It can produce fish on all tide sizes but fished best on the bigger tides. The ray's show three hours before high tide, but the bas scan be caught both on the flood as they move in, and on the ebb as they head back for open sea.

For the rays and bass a 5-6oz beachcaster and 6500 reel loaded with 15lb line and 50lb shock leader helps get a little more distance out in to the deeper water. A good rig here is a clipped down one hook rig carrying a size 3/0 to 4/0 hook. Leads need to be 5oz grips.

With the flounders and eels generally feeding tight to the shoreline a bass rod and just 12lb line with a light 30lb shock leader is perfect. Fish a simple flowing ledger rig with a 2ft 20lb hook trace and a size 2 Aberdeen.

For the mullet looks for rocks that edge out in to the water and groundbait with bread around these. The mullet show very close in, so be prepared to keep well down out of sight. Fish an Avon type rod, 6lb line and a 4lb Fluoro carbon tippet to a size 10 hook under a loaded waggler float with just enough shot to get the bait down.

LOCATION
Take the A379 Plymouth to Knightsbridge road and then head for Holbeton and the estuary. Roadside parking in places.

WSF Tackle
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BERKLEY FRENZIED POPPER £3.91 Each
Berkley PopperThe most versatile topwater bait ever produced. The Frenzy Popper just might be the best ever! Its unique balanced design allows it to be fished several ways. Chug it or pop it, and it spits water like a big fish chasing little ones. Slow it down with soft twitching actions, and it walks with the best of 'em.

TIDEWATER LURE RIGS 83p Each
FeathersAs any boat or shore angler will tell you, lure rigs when used alone or with bait are great for catching all manner of species. We've selected the very best rigs from the Shakespeare TideWater range that are idea for boat and some shore work.

7" WSF Jelly Worms
Berkley Power WormsDeadly 7inch jelly worms that are deadly for all manner of predator fish, especially pollack. We allow you to buy individual colours so you can mix and match what you want!
Jelly worms are 30p each!

Get ready for the new Plugging Season, Buy 3 get one of them for free, Blue Pilchard Divers
Blue PilchardBuy 3 Devil's Own Diving Plugs you get one of them for free in our 3 for 2 offer.
Check out our Devil's Own Lures.
These lures are ideal for bass and other predatory species. Price: £2.74 each. or £5.48 for 3.

WSF NOW STOCKS SAKUMA HOOKS
Sakuma HooksSuper strong Japanese Hooks from Sakuma. We now stock the 545 Manta Extra, 540 Manta, 560 Stinger and 543 Pennel Manta Extra hooks. All hooks are supplied in boxes of 30.

Bass PoppersBASS POPPERS! FROM £3.67
These excellent long range casting popper lures are ideal for numerous saltwater species including Bass. Berkley Frenzy Poppers.

SALTWATER FLIES FROM FULLING MILL FROM £1.25
Saltwater FliesWSF Now stocks the high quality range of saltwater flies from Fulling Mill. We have picked out a deadly selection from the Fulling Mill range that will help any saltwater fly angler this season.

BACK IN STOCK PENN CAPTIVA CV2 REELS
Captiva ReelsPRICE FROM: £37.18
Sea spinning reel, ideal for use with the Shakespeare Salt Spin Rod. Packed with features including an ultra smooth front drag, permanent instant anti reverse and a metal spare spool. The 5000 is idea for use with spinning with heavier nylons between 12 and 15lbs and Braid.

BACK IN STOCK SALT / CAPTIVA SPINNING COMBO DEAL
Captiva Reel DealsIdeal spinning combo from Penn and Shakespeare. Featuring the hugely popular Salt Spin 10ft, 3 piece spinning rod, and the fantastic Captiva 5000 CV2 Spinning Reel from Penn. PRICE: £73.39

BACK IN STOCK ABU CARDINAL 304FD PRICE: £37.18
Abu CardinalThis Front Drag version of the popular Abu Cardinal range of reels is an ideal reel for braid. Each reel features 7 bearings (1AR) Bearing, Instant Reverse and a spare spool. It holds 210/10lb line. Each reel comes with a free Abu Cardinal Reel Bag.


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