FishingGuernsey

It's from Thursday 10th August through to Sunday 13th August. And yep, it is unfortunately quite expensive to get here but even more expensive if you want to leave... I can't say much about the bassing with all the news recently other than catches seem to have dropped right off across the island with not that many fish being captured, but then not that many people are trying and the weather has been pretty bad. We will have to wait for the water to warm up a bit before we know what it might be like later in the year. It's still pretty cold for Guernsey at the moment.

The best they came up with was a gill net ban within a 0.5Nm radius of the reef which is next to useless as the fish all move off the pinnacle when the tide slackens off. SFC also tell me that this ban is under review as they have had complaints even though the reef is really difficult to use these nets and subject to appeal at privy council. I will be pushing for more for next season, most of the Bass will have moved on by now, it's getting a bit late in the season. I am working on getting some info together with s stronger argument but they keep referring to some study by a uk "expert" who said there was no problem as this mark was such a small percentage of the UK/Channel biomass. What about the local biomass is all I can say...

I definitely agree with that. The SFC are listening it's just what they can do with their limited resources and the several things they have on their plates. Some of (not all) the commercial boys locally are very protective and for some reason bully and harass anyone who speaks against them. I don't want to have to write to the Guernsey Press again and say "I told you so" but unless something is done before the year end I think i might be saying that in the not too distant future.

It doesn't but the commercial boys will continue to push the law to the limit and take up to the limit (which in the case of Bass is 5 tonne per week or 15 tonne per month, pre-chosen before the fishing is started). We need to educate them and make them realise that while they make a big profit/quick buck now, they will be jobless in 5-10 years time as there will be no fish left to catch. i strongly beleive that and I know not everyone does. The big problem with government run departments is proof. until they get some conclusive proof or whatever from say their tagging program, they are loath to upset the commercial boys by doing whatever it is they will do. The other problem is because it's government department funding isn't the best and manpower possibly is a problem. I am currently working direct with Guernsey SFC and have managed to get one of the fisheries officers talking to me and he is willing to keep me "in the loop" on any developments and proposals of which there are several in the pipeline (quite how useful they are is up for debate). I won't post it all here since I already did on my site. I am preparing responses to him and to some of the issues he has informed me of. Andy I think that's a big part of it Sam but it seems much more complex and "political"

Harris Angling can be cheap for lures. Not sure on the ones mentioned, you'll have to do a comparison. My favorite surface lures and the Cotton Cordel and the Chug Bug in blue. Andy

Had that happen with a spool of Red Ice before. Think it was 18lb, you could break it with your hands. Just dump the spool and start again. Some companies are OK to admit that there was a fault in production or whatever but some are too big headed to think it could happen to one of their products. If they get enough complaints from Anglers they will have to listen or go bust.

They must use a lot of bait!!

I think you should stick around Stavey even if not full time. You are one of the more outspoken members on here but you also are one with some very valid opinions and viewpoints for consideration.

This is exactly what we want them to do but they don't want to listen or act when it's mainly locals complaining. I don't see a total ban as best measure except perhaps in some circumstances. I feel that most islanders would be in support of a reasonable bag limit but only if adequate other measures were put in place to control commercial takings. Guerns are pretty stubborn and their stubbornness often outweighs logic and common sense. Charter boats do bring something to the local economy but only if they stay overnight and use the hotels/B&B's. Mark up in Alderney does best with his excellent tackle shop in a van down on the quay. If you want to express you opinion to the States of Guernsey, one of the most effective ways is through the local paper by emailing newsroom@guernsey-press.com with your (short) letter. Most of the local politicians will pick up on these and quite often the editor will approach the relative authority for a response to go alongside in the paper. The more noise that is made the better.

I'll second that.

Asked around today (not the man himself as I don't know him) and a reliable source (someone I trust) tells me that he is most definitely commercially registered. He also sells most or all of the catch that is not wanted by paying anglers and for some reason not returned. I am told that he often takes a group of anglers to fish for the boat where he will take no money from them but will sell all of the catch commercially. Andy

Hi Sam, I think good angling and paying for a sea license are two different things but since the topic is Good Angling I'll go on that one. For me it is being able to go fishing, relax, decent company, no screaming kids, bite or two every now and then and if a fish comes along then that just tops the day off.

Well done. What use are all of those small pollack etc that people seem to keep anyway. Taste like pants and generally people just chuck them. Bass are different but how many can a single person eat?

The men in white coats will be along for you shortly . If only they would!!

And I thought a 1.5lb Gar went well

Richard is a very good charter skipper and as I understand he is also licenced to sell fish commercially. Whether the anglers are paying customers and on that particular trip i don't know but I do know that it does happen that anglers "fish for the boat", do not keep any fish themselves and don't pay for their trip, the skipper who is commercially licenced cashing in on the catch. Andy

I thought you were talking about Alderney until... Have to get me up there for some fishing at some time when I can afford to get the missus and son there as well (better take them really...)

I have a subscription with TSF and don't actively buy Sea Angler unless I happen to see it on the shelf. TSF seems to have the better articles and follow conservation a bit more. plus I got a nice free gift for subscribing to TSF and you get nothing out of sea angler. not that i'm cheap or anything

Quote from the Guernsey Sea Fisheries Committee: "In accordance with The Sea Fish Licensing (Guernsey) Ordinance 2003,and similar legislation in Sark and Alderney, British fishing boats are prohibited from fishing within British Fishery Limits adjacent to the Bailiwick of Guernsey, unless authorised by a licence. Licences are administered by the Sea Fisheries Section of the Commerce and Employment Department, and may be issued to holders of valid licence entitlements and upon application to the owners of UK registered vessels that hold full DEFRA licences. Vessels of over 17 metres registered overall length and 373 kilowatts (500 Horsepower) will not be licensed. This restriction has been introduced on conservation grounds and reflects the type of controls exercised by many Sea Fisheries Committees around the coast of the United Kingdom."

I wish they weren't!! Then we would have protection for the fish by now.

Absolutely right Sam

Think it's more the thought of Harwich for a week!! Spent a day there and considered it a long time IMO

Wurzel, I don't think that Bass Anglers are a "small group of stakeholders". There are more than one or two of us and I reckon a darn sight more than commercial fishermen number.

Me too mate. All 13 boats in the second pic are full of shortsighted "fishermen" and lots of bass. Wurzel, the bit you need to fish is right under all the boats Sorry but I got to try and lighten it up a bit eh?! Don't anyone go and take offense to this post.

He has to find it first!! Though I have to admit it ain't difficult. Just look for the other boats... Will see If I can find you a piture and a map. Photos now below. They are Toerag's, hope you don't mind mate!! The response from Wurzel (sorry Wurzel), is exactly what I would expect from someone who is obviously needing to feed his family.