Walton Sea Angling Club held their annual Boxing Day Match on Walton Pier and for a change the weather and tide conditions were perfect for the day.
74 competitors took part in this two-hour morning match and with high tide at the start of the match there were always going to be plenty of fish to be caught. The predictions were right, with all anglers catching plenty of whiting, dabs and pouting. Most of the fish caught were undersize, but a few anglers did manage to bring some fish to the weigh in. It was also great to see so many people that had come down for a stroll and to say hello to the anglers on the pier.
Top row left to right, Craig Bradshaw (3rd) Chris Mills (1st) Rob Tuck (2nd) Caroline Lawrence(Ladies) Front row Junior winners George Deakin and Jemima Johnson
Top spot went to Chris Mills with 1lb 12oz, his catch included whiting, dabs and pouting. 2nd place went to Rob Tuck 1lb 10oz, and Rob had the only dogfish of the match. In 3rd place, Craig Bradshaw 1lb 7.5oz. 4th Richard Burt 1lb 6.5oz and 5th Peter Brock 1lb 5.5oz.
Top ladies: Jemima Johnson and Caroline Lawrence
Junior winners: Jemima Johnson and George Deakin.
The fishing this week on our part of the coast has been very slow although there has been lots of anglers fishing over the festive period. Small whiting and dabs are predominating and the sea seems to be full of them, but alas still no cod showing, in fact I have had no reports at all.
The only place that has seen a few bigger fish is Clacton Pier and those thornback rays are still showing, although not in any numbers.
The boats have also been very quiet, some rays have been caught plus dogfish and whiting.
Hopefully as Spring approaches we will see a few plump spring codling turning up.
If you have any fishing reports you can contact me at popplewell1@btinternet.com
The high tides for the weekend are Saturday 19.01 and Sunday 20.11
