A record-breaking boat trip produces superb fish for South Devon angler
What has been described as a “monster day on the reefs” produced a recordbreaking, boat-caught spurdog weighing 27lb 3oz, and the same angler lost another estimated at 25lb.
Having been weighed at sea on certified scales and then released, it remains to be seen if the ‘record’ fish will officially eclipse the current best of 25lb 4oz caught in 2017.
The latest big spurdog fell to 42-year-old builder Paul ‘Wes’ Westaway, from Kingsteignton, South Devon, who was fishing aboard Crusader, skippered by Kevin Lavis, out of Plymouth.
After a struggle for fresh mackerel bait, the skipper and crew still stuck to their plan of fishing for the big spurdogs that are on the Devon reefs in the summer. The result, said Kevin, was a “monster day on the reefs” producing between 60 and 70 spurdogs, including the big one.
“Never any question about bringing it ashore and the angler released it straight away after weighing and a quick photo,” said the skipper.
Wes took his huge fish on a live pouting, although many of the crew’s other spurs had fallen for frozen mackerel. He fished a running leger with a 2ft long 80lb hooklength, size 10/0 circle hook and 10oz lead weight.
MAYHEM
Skipper Kevin said it all happened “amid the normal mayhem that ensues with this type of fishing”, with lots of fish of 15-18lb and a couple of twenties. The trip was one of highs and lows for Wes though.
“Things were getting seriously exciting,” said skipper Kevin. “Then Wes strikes into what was clearly a decent fish. After a decent scrap, a 25-ish sized beast is in the net, then jumps out, parts the trace and is gone! Gutted doesn’t come close.”
The action continued with more decent spurs and the occasional conger eel. Then Wes hit into the biggest fish. At first Wes noticed a few knocks on his rod, so gave the fish a bit of line and waited. Soon he had the fish on. “It was pulling a lot of line and at first swam along the bottom before coming halfway up. Eventually, I got it to the boat and it saw the boat and swam off again. They certainly have a lot of fight,” he said.
Excited skipper Kevin added: “This spur was possessed, running well, and a cracking scrap later she’s in the net, no error this time and she’s quickly weighed in the sling with a couple sets of scales, all 27lb 3oz of her. To say I’m buzzing is an understatement.”
Wes, who caught at least 15 spurdogs, added: “We were hitting fish every drop, I didn’t even have time to make a roll-up.”
South Devon is noted for big spurs from the shore and boat, including the shore-caught record of 23lb 2oz taken by Gary Mitchell in 2018. The existing boat record of 25lb 4oz was caught off Hastings, East Sussex, by Shane Salmon in 2017.
Summing up the day, skipper Kevin said: “Every now and then as a skipper you get to witness one of those awesome moments that will stay with you for life.” ■