Tom Travers and James Trevett both of Honiton SAC took the long drive to Oban in Scotland in search of the Common Skate, a fish not found in our waters.

Both landed fish up to 199lbs with James also managing another rare fish, a Black Mouthed Dogfish, something he was very pleased with. Closer to home Exmouth SAC, fished their Coronation Cup competition in and around the local estuaries, harbours and rivers with Tim Parsons coming out the winner.

His catch comprised Bass, eels and flounder. Pleasure anglers have been targeting the hard fighting Smoothhound again with Nick Dustin and Tristan Rowe, while the best of the week fell to the rod of Cormorants SAC member Tim Hulme weighing in at 10lbs 8oz.

Paul Salmon of Honiton SAC found Bass feeding on an east Devon Beach, whilst another Cormorant member Rob Travis was fishing a Torbay rock mark and landed an unseasonal Spurdog tipping the scales at 14lbs 8oz. Junior Milo Jay Harvey fished with his father and caught his first ever Conger Eel.

The boats have been a bit quieter this week with a few Pollack and plaice being recorded. I managed to get a trip aboard Lorna Doone out of Watchet on a very showery day and managed seven species, including Smalleyed Rays and Tope. The boat is very spacious and comfortable with a knowledgeable skipper and at £50 for a local trip is very reasonable.

South West Lakes Trust held their annual Peninsula Classic bank competition at Kennick reservoir, with the winner being Darren Penfold. Andrew Gooding and Mike Western took the next two places.

A date for the diary is the Seaton Carnivsal shore fishing competition on September 2, sign on is at the Spot On Café at 6pm with fishing from 6.30pm to 10.30pm. The entry fee is £5 with an optional pool of £1.

This month’s Fish of the Month winner is Rob Travis with his Smoothhound of 14lbs 8oz caught from a Torbay Rock mark, congratulations to him. Please email your entries for July’s competition to johnsherlockfish@gmail.com, thanks go to our kind sponsors Sidewinder Lures and Newbarn Angling Centre.