John Harvey takes Kelling match

With smoothhounds and bass making an appearance at the Bass Festival on the 14–15^th May, it was an excited group of 19 anglers who turned up at Weybourne for the Club’s latest match. But half of Norfolk also decided to take advantage of a beautiful evening and so mess up our opportunity to get 19 pegs on the beach without walking all the way to Kelling.

So, without further ado the venue was quickly changed to Kelling via the Collection. We were joined by Alin Hantig and Michael Craske for their first match, and Max Goodchild returning for his second match, welcome guys hope you enjoy the evening.

With the tide peaking at 19:27pm and the last minute switch of venue we decided to kick off at 7:00pm. Pegging was either side of the car park path and the stage was set.

As soon as lines were in the water the bites started coming with Andrew Turk (peg 19) and Simon Bottomley (peg 18) picking up pouting, quickly followed by hounds arriving to certain pegs. But the highlight of this initial flurry of activity was a magnificent bass caught by Richard Craske (peg 16). Weighing in at an impressive 65cm, 260 weight points (5lb 7oz) actually 6¹/₂lbs on the scales.

This was quickly followed by John Harvey (peg 17) picking up a 76cm smoothhound and the hounds kept coming with Cain Plumb (peg 8) landing the biggest smoothie of the night, a magnificent 88cm specimen, just pipping another hound from John Harvey of 86cm.

With his usual consistent catch record Nathan Drewery picked up three hounds between 51–76 cm. In summary 12 smoothhounds were caught, congratulations also to Ian and Jamie Childerhouse (family hounds pegs 2 & 10) and Eamon Finch (1). Also well done to Michael Craske who opens his NAC account with an impressive 59cm dog. Woof woof all.

Richard with his bass

The lasting impression of the night goes to Richard Craske with his bass, who’s photo makes him the new poster boy for NAC. It’s a sorry state of affairs that even with such an impressive fish that he did not get even a top three position, managing 4th.

Well done John Harvey for an excellent result, clearly showing how its done. While last week’s winner Cain Plumb on his favourite beach picked up a decent second position, and landing the biggest flatfish and round fish at the same time together with the lucky peg…..nearly, but not quite a clean sweep.

It is starting to become quite a tussle in the last matches of the league between John, Nathan and Cain and not forgetting Ian Childerhouse and John Spalton. However, John Harvey’s first place does come with some reward, the NAC Eamon Finch Monday night trophy, which he’s allowed to keep for 1 week, thanks Eamon, so who will win in next week?

Match Result

1. John Harvey peg 17 11 fish 896 weight points (18bs 11/16oz)

2. Cain Plumb peg 8 3 fish 424 weight points (8lbs 13/16oz)

3. Nathan Drewery peg 14 3 fish 314 weight points (6lbs 9/16oz)

4. Richard Craske peg 16 2 fish 284 weight Points (5lbs 15/16oz)

Match average 3 (was 8 fish last week) / angler

• Biggest round fish – 88cm smoothhound Cain Plumb (peg 8)

• Biggest flatfish – 33cm flounder Cain Plumb (peg 8)

Lucky peg Cain Plumb (peg 8)

Next week’s match will at Gt Yarmouth on the North Beach, fishing the ebb with low water at 22:20hrs.