Skegness Pier Angling Club held its biggest-fish match on Sunday 25 October. Fifteen anglers fished beaches along the Lincolnshire coast to compete for the Kingsley Cup.
The match stretch at Trunch
A rough sea and strong offshore wind, although the dry weather kept conditions comfortable. Despite the recent spring tides and gale-force westerlies, there was little weed or debris, although a strong sideways drift remained requiring heavier leads at Trunch Lane to hold against the tow. Whiting dominated the catches, with a few dogfish and haddock also landed. Each angler returned to the shop with their largest fish for the weigh-in. Keeping their largest fish alive in buckets of fresh seawater or taking them home for the table.
Match winner John Spalton with the biggest fish of the rover a 60cm dogfish at 1lb 15oz
Mark, Russ, Kev, Nev, Gary and Tony Burman fished behind the shop at Trunch Lane, catching whiting from the outset, often three at a time. Mark Bradbury also landed a 40 cm haddock on marsh worms donated by Russ Parsons, using a three-hook flapper rig. The group continued catching good-sized whiting in doubles and trebles throughout the match.
Mark Holmes, John Abbott Rik Jarvis and Steve Delmer fished the same beach near Chapel village, catching whiting steadily until bites eased after high water. Mark landed a 36 cm haddock, while John caught a 37 cm whiting at long range on worm and fish. Rik and Steve had several whiting around 35 cm, but none large enough for prizes at the the scales. Fresh marsh worm and fish strips were the most effective baits.
Mark Bradbury in second place with a cracking 40cm Haddock weighing in at 1lb 7oz
John Spalton and Paul Denholme chose sheltered Huttoft, for easy access, where the beach can produce bass, dogfish and rays. They found huge amounts of whiting to 37cm. John landed a haddock and a 60 cm dogfish early on, then changed a dongle rig with large herring and squid baits, soaked for at least 20 minutes, to purposely target a bigger dogfish or ray. Paul continued with match tactics and caught loads of whiting and several dogfish, often with a meter of fish per cast, on fresh lugworm and fish baits. Fishing close in with fresh worm produced no bass.
Scott Emm and Lee Williams fished Boat Compound/Drake Road targeting bass and dogfish. Lee unfortunately lost a larger fish that was clearly not a whiting, while Scott caught plenty of whiting.
Paul Denholm caught loads of fish at Huttoft, mostly treble shots of whiting and small dogfish but landed this 1lb 2oz doggy for third place
Tony Dunk fished at Winthorpe, a venue that has produced larger-than-average flounders in the past. He caught several flounders, but all were small. Whiting also provided plenty of bites, and he took his largest fish back to the weigh-in. Nathan found just whiting at Norh shore and small dabs.
Many thanks to Russ for running the match a to Chas for organising the weigh in many thanks to Steve for providing the shop for the HQ and providing teas and coffees afterwards. The next match is at Chapel Point on November 7th. and returns to the usual format. We look forward to seeing you all then.
