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Sunday 11th July -  "Samuel Irvin 3" John Dory, Pollack & Cod on the Mid-Channel Wrecks - I was at sea again today, aboard Ian Noble's Dartmouth charter boat, the big white and blue Blyth 33 catamaran, "Samuel Irvin 3", together with a diverse group of friends, some old and others new, from across the UK. 

Over recent days we had struggled to catch fish consistently, probably due in no small part to tides which had little drop or rise between high and low water.  Fish rarely feed consistently when there is little or no water movement.  They would use more energy chasing their prey than they would derive from it, so they "switch off" and wait for the right opportunity.  Some recent days, we had struggled to catch a single Cod in a whole day, on others we had visited 6 or 7 wrecks to catch 2 or 3 Pollack.  Don't take this the wrong way.  We have caught fish , but often in difficult circumstances.  Today, there was a consistent run on the tide, which caused the fish to feed in a frenzy after several days of comparative fasting.

Today we were in the right spot to take advantage of this.  We fished throughout the day on the flood and ebb tides.  Apart from a lull over the slack water period when the tide turned, the fish greedily seized the anglers lures throughout the day.  We stayed on the same mid-Channel wreck mark and thoroughly enjoyed catching Pollack and Cod for the anglers' home tables.  Today was an exceptionally productive session.

The very first fish of the day, caught on a "Rhubarb and Custard" coloured Sidewinder soft lure was a John Dory, caught by Rodger Leviston.  A welcome variation to our more usual catches.

Rodger Leviston from Clevedon caught his John Dory on a rhubarb and custard coloured 6 inch "Sidewinder" soft lure from a mid-Channel wreck aboard Ian Noble's Dartmouth charter boat "Samuel Irvin 3" Sunday 11th July 2010 Photo courtesy of Mike Concannon

The best Pollack of the day weighed 18 lbs 12 ozs and was caught by Rodger  Leviston from Clevedon, Somerset.  That was a huge fish by any standards for this time of year, particularly when measured against a 100% specimen weight of 16 lbs.

Rodger Leviston from Clevedon caught his specimen Pollack 19 lbs 12 ozs on a soft lure from a mid-Channel wreck aboard Ian Noble's Dartmouth charter boat "Samuel Irvin 3" Sunday 11th July 2010 Photo courtesy of Mike Concannon

The heaviest fish of the day was a Cod which weighed 24 lbs exactly, caught by Steve Harwood from Bath.  The 100% specimen weight for Cod in our area is 23 lbs.  It was a personal best for Steve.

Steve Harwood from Bath caught his specimen Cod 24 lbs on a  soft lure from a mid-Channel wreck aboard Ian Noble's Dartmouth charter boat "Samuel Irvin 3" Sunday 11th July 2010 Photo courtesy of Mike Concannon

Enough of my chatter.  I shot a few video clips which I have edited together for your enjoyment.  Why not join me and my friends on YouTube and watch some of the action for yourself to see how our day fared.  It is around 4 minutes long.  It proves that today's fishy tale is more than angler's exaggeration.  Enjoy.

Thanks chaps for your excellent company once again.  Thanks Ian for another exceptional day "Fishing Dartmouth".