Photography by Andy Carter.
There be Sea Monsters... S
By Philip Watts
kimming the waves aboard ‘The Salt Wind of Dart’, I am heading into the English Channel with a motley band of fellow anglers in search of the Monster Cod said to be found in the shadowy depths around the deepwater wrecks that are the legacy of two world wars and many natural disasters in this treacherous piece of ocean.
This annual trip has been organized by lifeboat man Andrew (Squiffy) Howitt on behalf of the RNLI and is essentially a fundraiser. We have all paid our dues. The unpredictable British summer weather has dealt us a fine July day as we steam out with our companion angling boat, ‘Warrior’. The RT crackles as Owen (skipper of Warrior) plots our course due south east with Dave Riddals of ‘Salt Wind’.
There is much banter and a cheery air of expectation as we share our breakfast on the deck. Our team of eight are mostly local men; Johnny Chick, Steve Saunders, Nick Shillabeer, the two Mikes, a paramedic Marine Captain from Exmouth , John from Brixham and myself. ‘Warrior’ has Martin (Beeny) Keen, Squiffy, Darren (The Fish), Jim Brent from the Ship in Dock and others from Brixham and Paignton.
Owen and Dave have planned carefully to take us to the fish. Two and a half hours and 25 nautical miles put us over wreck number 1. There is a competition for the best fish and a fine shield as the trophy. We drift the first wreck……….. Objective, Jumbo Cod. These elusive shoal fish are said to migrate from the Atlantic and up the Channel, where they stop to shelter and feed on the numerous wrecks. They then move on into the North Sea. This year there are reports of some very large specimen fish up to 45lbs being landed by successful anglers. The fish are hard to catch and very strong. We are fishing in 225 to 250 feet of water and the fish are feeding on baitfish hard on the bottom. To catch these deep water monsters you need a sturdy boat rod, 35 to 45 lb line (braided line is popular), a heavy 5 or 7 : 1 ratio multiplier reel, two fathoms of 15 to 20 lb leader, a10oz (or so) lead weight attached by a boom or Portland rig (this stops the whole business getting tangled up) and the latest in rubber imitation bait fish or imitation worm attached to a 2,0 cod hook. All available from Rod O’Reely’s tackle shop in the Historic Market! The boat is positioned two hundred yards up tide of the wreck and the lines are dropped to the bottom. As the wreck shows on the echo sounder the lines are worked
“My rod bends fiercely, keep winding... a huge tug follows...”
upwards to make the lure swim and attract “a take”. Too long on the bottom can snag the wreck and you lose all. Fish too high and other species like pollock take the bait. Not easy, and you need your sea legs, as there is usually a swell out there on the drift which creates a pitch and roll effect on the deck. Rods bend on the ‘Warrior’ - they are into fish. Respectable cod of 6 to 8lbs are landed, together with a few pollock. Our turn next as Mike1 lands a fish of similar size. No monsters yet. Wreck number 2 is unproductive. We steam another 30 minutes south to wreck number 3, which proves to be full of snags and we all lose gear. To my right a rod bends with heavy promise as Johnny Chick is into a big one. The fish takes line and won’t budge. We are on the wreck so anything can happen. Johnny gets in touch and after an immense struggle a fish weighing more than 10lbs is landed. We have fished five wrecks. I have caught some good pollock and most of us have caught cod up to 10lbs, numerous summer pollock, 2 red gurnard, a large dogfish, mackerel and pout whiting. Owen reports that after a good start the anglers on ‘Warrior’ have not done so well.
The excitement builds as we come to the end of our fishing with only three more drifts to go. We are now nearer to Alderney than Dartmouth. My rod bends fiercely, keep
winding.. a huge tug follows. A big fish! There is much encouragement as the great battle in the depths begins. Ten minutes later the fish appears from the azzure sea, golden yellow and milk white gleaming in the afternoon sun. A big fish!
Last drop lads, calls Owen. I am exhausted and happy to watch the others. Nick, an experienced and usually very lucky angler, has not had a fish all day. Things are about to change .A vicious take is followed by a seriously doubled over rod. Nick is a strong lad and battles the fish skillfully. The last minute of the last drift has produced the winning fish, and it is a monster 20 pounder!
Later that evening at a BBQ hosted by Jim Brent at The Ship in Dock Inn, praises and prizes were given and over £500 is raised for RNLI funds. The cod league table.
Nick Shillebeer 20lbs 1oz: Johnny Chick 18lbs: Philip Watts 18lbs
The catch of cod is estimated at 240lbs and destined for the pot.
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