Venue Spotlight – Fremington Quay, N Devon

Different one for me….No carp!

Directions

From Barnstaple, take the B3125 to Bideford until you reach the Cedars roundabout (big pub on right surrounded by Cedars!) and go straight on (if coming from the link road, take the Roundswell roundabout, past Sainsbury’s, over the next roundabout and you arrive at the cedars – turn left) signed Fremington and Bickington. Carry on through Bickington, and just as you leave the speed restriction after the speed camera (which does work), you’ll see a right hand turn on the bend at the bottom of the hill. Follow this road along to the end, watching out for walkers, cyclists and me going home late! Park at the car park at the end (not the restaurants unless you are going to eat there).

View from the Quay

The Lake (sorry estuary!)

Classic estuary, almost dry at low tide, probably rises 12ft or so on the tide. Get down at low tide and suss out the sandbanks. The rock you can see that is dry in the picture, is the same rock in the ‘ambush’ photo – about two hours up – and is about 8 ft under water at high tide!

The Stock

Excellent flounder venue early in the season, lots of mullet and bass. They do get a run of salmon and sea trout as well. There are hundreds of small bass (up to a pound or so) with one or two big ‘uns to spice things up.

The Cost

Free! You can dig small rag (that the flatties, bass and mullet love) on the foreshore and there are plenty of crab to be found as well.

Bass ambushing spot

The Fishing

I find it fishes best from low upwards for an hour or so for the bass – they do seem to hold around there before dispersing. Flounder get caught at most stages of the tide. Look for the way the slack water moves around and you’ll actually see a lot of fish show themselves. There is a rock about 150yds from the quay, and the bigger bass hide behind it – or so I’m told! The quay is a tourist spot so it can get packed, so a short walk up or down the tarka trail will get you some peace and quiet. Just be wary of the tide, it does race in so make sure the mud is firm and the escape route is easy.

Methods

Light sea set-ups (carp/pike rods are fine) with long flowing traces. One of the guys that does really well swears on lots of flouro beads – like 20 or 30 – on the trace, and he catches a lot of big flatties. Another friend of mine says its rubbish, just tip the bait, and he catches loads as well!

Trotting with float gear and worms can produce well (eh dad!).

Favourite flies

My favourite method is fishing for the bass on the fly – I can time my trips to be on the best bit of the tide and get a couple of hours in. Others use plugs and spinners. If you are going to fly fish, don’t bring your newest lines and most expensive rods as the sand and salt will eat them! I normally use a WF8 floating line – delicacy isn’t that important – with an 8ft 6lb leader, and a 20yd cast is normally ample. The bass normally show themselves as they crash thru the fry, or as they move into the newly covered gullies. Short jerky pulls are normally effective for me (ooo-err!) with the shrimp patterns, or stripping back the sandeel ones. I’ve even had the odd flatfish on the shrimp ones (very odd ones!).

And you thought baitboats were a problem?

Pop into the Kingfisher (Barnstaple) or Summerlands tackle (Westward Ho! do a google) for bait, advice and reports. Be nice to Nick at Summerlands and he might even tell you how and where to catch some real biggies….

So if you’re down this way and want to give the family a day out, let them go to the visitor centre, have a meal, hire a bike and go for a ride whilst you get a couple of hours in!