Chris is a Banker!
Boats: Fantastic weather ensured an excellent turnout in the Humber Cruising Association Boat angling section Thornback Match. There were a few rays caught, and the biggest of 7lb 5oz fell to club secretary, Chris Banks. Wally and Tim Burgess both had rays of 6lb 5oz, while Tim also caught the best cod of 5lb 10oz
There are lots of whiting around and things look promising for this Sunday’s first winter league match. It will be interesting to see how anglers tackle the day. The dilemma is whether to go with multi-hook rigs for whiting, or stick out bigger baits for cod and rays? The weather looks liveable at the moment but Saturday could be bumpy.
Tackle talk: It’s been two years since I replaced the braid on my reels and although it is still perfectly serviceable, I feel two years is long enough and it’s time to renew. My braid of choice is the Daiwa multi-coloured Accupdeth line which is extremely hard-wearing with excellent knot strength, and that’s what I’ll be spooling up with.
I like fluorocarbon lines for hook-lengths – fluoro does’t tangle like other line. I have waded through goodness knows how many different fluoro’s and I am currently using Grauvel Teklon which displays a good diameter and knots well.
With some good cod expected from both boat and shore in the weeks ahead, strong, reliable hooks are something every angler should carry. I have some excellent Gamakatsu wide gape hooks but I am struggling to find anywhere that stocks them – answers on a postcard!!
Shore: The Millennium Open was won by in form Simon Drayton with 33 fish for 3lb 7oz – mainly whiting. Tackle shop owner George Smith was second, with Steve McGregor third. Steve also caught the biggest round fish, with the biggest flatfish going to Mick Kinnaird.
Prospects look promising with bigger whiting reported this week on the higher tides, and reports of good numbers of fish just outside the Humber.
Thanks to Chas Tibble for the following Skegness Pier AC reports
Weather conditions affected catches accordingly in the latest S.P.A.C. matches held from local beaches. The Sheffield Cup event was fished at Wolla Bank, with anglers struggling to catch in a rough sea and strong North-Westerly wind. Thirteen year old Josh Shorthouse was in the money again, easily winning on this occasion with a 1lb 6oz bass, which also took the heaviest round fish prize. Bob Foster managed to extract a 6oz flounder for second place and the heaviest flatfish award, whilst Dennis Stirling came in third with a tiny 2oz flounder.
Light winds and a flat calm sea greeted anglers in match 14 held from Drake Road. This match incorporated the annual Mixed Pairs event, with lady anglers faring well against their male counterparts. Lincoln’s Rosie Jackson was a very popular winner, catching a silver eel, a small flounder and a whiting at close range for 15oz and her first ever match win. This gives Rosie exclusive ‘bragging rights’ over her husband Neil, who once again failed to catch! A half ounce behind in second place was Northampton’s Dennis Stirling, with two tiny whiting, a small dab and a 31cm coalfish, which also took the heaviest round fish prize. The only local to frame was consistent Alan Steadman, who took the heaviest flatfish award and third place, with a nice 14oz flounder. Alan partnered Jessica Thomas to win the mixed pairs event for their second year in succession, with a combined weight of 1lb 11oz. Jessica looked certain to be in the top three in the early stages of the match, but eventually finished a creditable fourth, with a decent silver eel and a small flounder.
Next S.P.A.C. match will be held on Sunday 12 Oct from 2.30 to 6.30 pm at North Shore Road for the Dave White Cup. If the weather conditions are favourable, the whiting should start to show in this one, with lugworm tipped with mackerel or squid taking over from peeler crab as the favoured bait. Contact S.P.A.C. Secretary, Chas Tibble on 07984 967988 for further details.
