Last Sunday it was the final match in the HCA winter league. It has been the closest finish since the HCA boat section has been formed. It was between Mark Briggs and Richard Stanley for the top spot with around ten anglers fighting for third spot. It was made easier for some of the anglers with Chris Banks deciding to go to Skegness and fish this area as it is fishing very well at the moment. Any way back to the match it was a lovely day to start off with and most boats went to the boundary limits in search of different species.
The only problem was that the weather decided to change and it got a little nasty out these and many of the small boats came in side in search of shelter. There had been reports of a few fish. Most of the anglers were either struggling with the conditions or trying to get fish in quick before the seals got them.
There were reports of thornbacks being caught and a few cod. Back at the beach I managed to get 26lb 6oz this was the best weight from the beach boats with John Major the next on 10lb 13oz.
The dock boats had yet to weigh in and the over all picture was not clear what the league would look like. Mark Briggs was second overall on the day with 24lb and this gave him 156 points for the year and the top spot in the league. Richard Standley was second with 136 and then with yours truly winning on the day it gave me third spot in the league with 130. Then it was Chris Banks with 114 points and also with 114 points was Tim Burgess. Olly Call and Paul Secker both had 110 then it was Richard Johnson 104 and Peter Spendleow 102.
On the beach front loads of matches to go through so here we go, Humber SAC had a fantastic match on the Humber bank wall there was a good number of fish and those anglers who had below 4lb did not figure in the prizes.  Top man was Bill Sheppard 16 fish for 6lb 13oz, next was Karl Nangle 10 fish for 4lb 6 oz and third Adie Cooper 16 fish. The biggest round fish was caught by Derek Miles a 27cm bass and the biggest flat Bill Sheppard a 34cm flounder.
I am very pleased to say that the club also had a junior winner Daniel Dunham he had a single flounder and beat his dad Chris again. Come on Chris, I bet you are going to get some stick at home. Well done to Daniel and keep it up. The clubs next match is on Sunday at Barton and fishing 12 to 4pm.
George Smith has asked me to mention that all local matches can be SAMF qualifier as the final is on the Lincolnshire Coast and he wants as many local anglers to qualify for the final. If you have not been to the masters final before it is a great experience and a fantastic weekend. If you want to know more please contact George on 693771. He has also asked me to remind everyone that the wild king ragworm is now coming in and it is of very quality but you must order it a week before you want it, so he can get the correct orders in.
Grimsby SAC fished last Saturday the latest match had a change of venue because of poor yields, it was fished at Killingholme instead of Ralph Williams. Ten members fished and first place went to Rick Leek with 2lb 8oz ahead of Chris Mack with 2lb 4oz in second and third placed John Atkinson who weighed in 2lb 1oz. Biggest fish was a flounder of 32cm landed by Brian Tuck. Next match is Courtaulds Straight on Sunday May 10th fishing from 17-30 till 21-30, pay in at Novartis gate at 16-30.
I had another report in this week from a gentleman I have not heard from for some time it was Colin Fines from the Holbeach club they fished a match at Skegness. Top angler was Roy Smith with 4 flounders 2lb 12oz all on peeler at distance including biggest fish 14 oz flounder, second went to Colin Fines 1 flounder for 7ozs just ahead of Stephen Bainbridge with a 5 oz eel and Ken Thrower 4 oz eel.
After a blank last time, normal service was resumed for Kettering’s Dave Shorthouse in the latest Skegness Pier Angling Club (S.P.A.C) match held from Jackson’s Corner. Dave won the Frank Parkin’s Shield with a five fish catch weighing in at 2lb 14oz, well ahead of Corby’s Paul Marshall in second, whose silver eel and whiting catch tipped the scales at 1lb 4oz. Kettering based junior angler Phillip Speight caught his first ever sea fish in only his second match, to take third place with an 11oz silver eel. Shorthouse and Marshall also won the the heaviest flatfish and round fish prizes respectively, with a 7oz flounder and a 9oz whiting. A welcome aspect of this match was the catch and release of four silver eels. They used to be prolific off the local shoreline, but the species is in worldwide decline and unfortunately may be beyond recovery.
Next S.P.A.C open match will be held on Saturday 23 May from 4:30 to 8:30pm at Wolla Bank, Chapel, with club members competing for the Stan Marvin trophy. Contact Club Secretary Chas Tibble on 07984 967988 or chastibble@hotmail.com for further details.
One final thing Neville Charlesowrth has confirmed the dates for the Summer series they are
31ST MAY EAST HALTON 10.15AM TO 2.15PM
19TH JULY SPURN ROAD 1.00PM TO 6.00PM
2ND AUGUST BARTON 3.00PM TO 7.00PM
16TH AUGUST HESSLE 1.00PM TO 5.00PM
60 PEGS ONLY PRE BOOK ONLY
The series is going under the banner of the Angling Trust Yorkshire Division.
