Good sign that!

 

Definitely

 

looks sardineish good to see

 

Yeah, the sea was alive

 

We’re back in the caravan at Devon Cliffs after a lengthy lay off and I decided to have a walk down to the beach this morning. There were literally thousands of these little guys being chased by mackerel and presumably bass right up onto the beach itself. The gulls got in on the act and a seal even appeared too who was after the predators. Great sight to see and as usual I had no rod. Maybe next time.

is that a baby bluefin tuna pmsl.

 

Yep happen all along east Devon at the moment last night it was blowing gales down seaton water was chocolate weed everywhere and peeps were still pulling out strings of macs and the odd bass axe harbour was full of whitebait macs were beaching themselves absolute chaos mad to see

 

Wish I had a rod with me now

 

Did you bring them with you if not go buy a cheap set up form tackle shop

 

Same thing happens at Chesil, the mackeral chase them onto the beach. So you pick them up and put them on the hook then chuck them out to catch the mackeral.

 

@Damion Fryer

I didn't realise it was that time of year until you posted.

 

Surely a good sign - I couldn't resist:

They look a little bit like Whitebait. What do you need for Whitebait? A Fryer! :BigGrin: :BigGrin:

 

Serious question here. If whitebait is just very small fish of various species, is it not undersized fish being taken? If so how is this legal? Would really like to know the technicality of this.

 

Did you bring them with you if not go buy a cheap set up form tackle shop

I’ll bring them next weekend and leave them on the van

 

I always thought that they were baby herrings???? Not sure to be honest?

 

But don't herrings have a minimum landing size?

 

There washed up dying on the beach don’t see how takeing some for eating can be an issue but I do see your point

 

Surely commercial whitebait isnot just dead fry scooped from the beach? Like I say I'm genuinely curious as to the legality/technicality of it.

 

thats good 2 hear im down friday can't beat fresh bait was that at high tide mate ???

 

I’ll be there Thursday till Sunday too. It was three hours after high, so halfway down.

 

Serious question here. If whitebait is just very small fish of various species, is it not undersized fish being taken? If so how is this legal? Would really like to know the technicality of this.

I've raised this point before, though not on WSF. If somebody has caught a prime fish like Bass, Pollock. Cod etc., " Oh you must put it back quickly if it's undersize". But the same people seem to have no problem with catching small Mackerel, Pouting, Whiting and baitfish to use as live or dead baits. There are size limits for Mackerel (20cm) & Whiting (27cm) but they often get ignored! Seems to be double standards.

 

But don't herrings have a minimum landing size?

Herrings minimum size 20cm, from the attached chart, but the way I read it, the minimum sizes for some species only seem to apply to commercial fishing, and vary between different IFCA's, I've only referred to Cornwall IFCA as I had the link to it saved.

https://secure.toolkitfiles.co.uk/c...uk/clients/17099/sitedata/Information_Literature/General-Information-Sheet7.pdf

 

If they are being caught as herrings then yes obviously,whitebait might be a species in its own right,some say they are the young of a mix of species.

Only took a quick Toe-Rag paced trip to Google/Wiki! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitebait#United_Kingdom

 

So, from that, whitebait is illegally landed undersized fish. Or am I missing something? Still genuinely curious.

 

I stayed at Devon Cliffs last October -- the weather was awful.
The beach at Devon Cliffs was a very shallow angle and it looked like a 200yd cast was necessary so I didn't bother
The river was flooded, so again there was so much fresh water coming through Exemouth, and the river was so coloured I didnt bother.
Fished Budleigh Salterton Beach instead, lures during daylight, and i had garfish, mackerel and bass.
I had a couple of night sessions, and caught a Pout a chuck, and nothing else got a look in they were so quick on the baits.
If i went back again, I'd definiately be looking to fish the estuary a bit more (if river conditions were normal)