The much-anticipated smoothhounds failed to turn up in numbers for the annual Skegness Pier Angling Club (SPAC) Lincolnshire Pairs match at Trunch Lane, with only one small hound being weighed in. There was a good variety of other species caught on the day however, with bass, flounders, dabs, turbot and sole all featuring in anglers’ catches. Croxton’s Dave Burr and Corby’s Paul Marshall came second last year but went one better on this occasion, winning the match with 3 zone points and a combined weight of 8lb 6oz. Paul also shared the heaviest round fish award with Skegness local Dave Bradley, each weighing in a 1lb 14oz bass. Dave is enjoying a rich vein of form at the moment and teamed up with his superstar daughter Helen, to take second place in the pairs with 5 zone points and 6lb 4½oz total weight. Helen also won the heaviest flatfish prize for the second match on the trot, sharing the prize this time with Grimsby’s Brett Bartram, each with 1lb 3oz flounders. England international angler George Smith was the only angler to catch a hound, taking first place in Zone B and teaming up with Mablethorpe’s Kevin Bebbington to take third place in the pairs with 8 zone points and a combined weight of 8lb 3½oz.
A note for diaries is the Humber Sea Angling Club annual Smoothhound Open, which will be held from local beaches on Saturday 20th Jul from 1:30 until 6:30pm. The match is pegged and pre-book only; contact Mark Taylor on 07500 112515 for full details. The next SPAC match will be held on Sunday 21st Jul from 3pm until 7pm at Trunch Lane, with SPAC members fishing for the Festival Cup. There is also an open section, which non-members are welcome to participate. For further information please contact SPAC Secretary Chas Tibble on 07984 967988 or chastibble@hotmail.com
