Angel Shark (Monkfish)

[Reaper-NG]

Angel Shark are my fav fish, have been since i first saw one when i was a child and saw one at me local aquarium.

Thing is ive never caught one and would love to, so what i want to know is, is there anywhere on the south coast of Devon or even Cornwall that is a good spot or are they strickly for boat fisherman. What time of year is best? What kind of set up is best? I have a wide range of gear as been fishing for 23 years. Strange really, been fishing that long and still my fav aloods me.

P.S. quick thing, also annoyed at the fact people dont seem to be able to tell the difference between a Monkfish and a Angler Fish, just type Monkfish in to google images and u will see what i mean lol.

[Spinner64]

I know exactly what you mean mate, monktail that is bought from the fish shop comes from the Angler fish and most people do just call it Monkfish. The Monkfish is like a cross between a ray and a shark and the Angler fish is the chap with the big ugly head and his little light on top of the head for attracting prey.
Cant say i,v heard of anyone catching or targeting Monkfish around here i would imagine it could be a near impossible task from the shore (imo).
Think i,l have a look through the web to find any info as i,m now curious about this

[Spinner64]

Just looked on our club record list and there is a shore caught Monkfish, 18lb caught back in 1951 but no boat record.

[Reaper-NG]

Thank you for the replies. so it can be caught from shore then Steve, awesome, I just need the info on where, how, what gear, and when is best time. I know its a lot to ask but I do think they are stunning Fish and would love to catch just one in my life, make me life worth the effort lol.

[TURBOTAKER]

I hope you catch one but if i am honest i reckon they are way too rare to actually target them,i know commercial fishermen whove never caught one in years of netting,was told by an old boy that he had caught them years ago(he is over 70) and you had to be carefull with them when you got them on deck because they will actively try and bite you ,i think they are now a protected species.

[Reaper-NG]

MONKFISH
Type lbs ozs drms kilo-grms Date Captor Location
Boat 66 0 0 29.936 1965 C.G. Chalk South of Shoreham, Sussex
Shore 52 14 0 23.982 1984 G.S. Bishop Llwyngwril Beach Gwynedd, N. Wales.

I found this, so they can be caught from the shore, just been awhile.

[Spinner64]

Hi Neil

Just been looking on the Cornish Federation record list and the shore record is 52lb caught in 1965 and again no boat record so maybe they are or were more of an inshore species rather than deep water, just a thought although not looked into much yet.
Decided to go out an thrash a few plugs and spinners down my local cove today instead of doing my Monkfish research lol!
PS. Weeded out and horrible sidewind so time for a beer and a new plan for my next sesh.

[Spinner64]

Looking at this mate you could be spending a long time in your quest for a Monkfish!
http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Rare...ail/story.html

[MRG2000]

Monkfsih used to be caught of the Nash sand bank in S.Wales a couple of miles off Monknash beach. Heres a piccie of a 50Lber caught off my old charter boat Lady Helen ,a few years ago...



Very much differant from the Angler fish, here`s a juvenile Angler i found washed up a few months ago walking the dog..



Not heard of one being caught in the last 10 years tho unfortunatly ,but maybe ,now thet dredging has stopped a few might make an apperance ...

[Spinner64]

I think they are both very rare to rod and line now Mike although the commercials still seem to land plenty Anglerfish.
Never seen a Monkfish caught but did see one Anglerfish caught back in the 70's fishing with my dad on the once famous Gantocks in the Clyde.