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BOAT ANGLING

2013 Report - Thursday 4th July, Weymouth. 

Thursday morning on the Isle of Portland dawned to a misty start which seemed to bode well for the day as the previous night's forecast had been for strong West to South Westerly winds. However upon driving down to Chesil Beach we emerged into bright sunlight. Looking back there was a strange sight of the cheese wedge shaped Isle with an angled layer of cloud around it's upper level that you would normally associate with a tropical rain forest scene, but thankfully this day it did not rain.  

This meant that the boats were restricted to Weymouth Bay and the Eastern side of Portland. They did venture out onto the sandbanks for plaice and turbot but the two metre seas soon had many competitors providing plenty of groundbait.

This year we added an extra four points for every species caught to encourage competitors to actively target different species. To make it easier for the stewards we lumped some of the mini species into their family groups (ie. corkwing and goldsinny were just recorded as mini wrasse). Strangely on later investigation this would have only resulted in a reversal of the fifth and sixth placed teams. Maybe this was a result of the late start to the season combined with the previous days weather stirring the sea up and that on the day of the final preventing the skippers getting to many of their other marks. We will carry on with this system next year and review the results again.

Many thanks to both Tony Hiscock and Mike Patten who gave up their time to come along and act as stewards, Mike even made up rigs for competitors and provided advice on the day (without compromising his impartiality of course).  We must also record our thanks to Ivan Wellington for providing another catamaran at short notice caused by a double booking.

Report from Mike Patten, stewarding on Meerkat -
The brave souls on Meerkat, skippered by Dave Gibson, rapidly struck into fresh Mackerel for bait close to the harbour entrance at Weymouth. However, it was the tide which directed that drift fishing close to shore over rough weedy ground for Wrasse and Pollack would commence the serious part of the day. Sadly, the Pollack were noticeably absent for our boat, with only one recorded. The varying species of Wrasse though were steadily accumulated for most anglers and this proved the mainstay of the first hour or more of the competition. 

Deteriorating weather caused Dave Gibson to alter the initial plan (to head off to deeper water) to return into the relative calm of Weymouth Bay for some fishing on the mud in some eighty feet of water. A good call indeed, as soon Ray, Dogfish, Gurnard, Smoothound and Dragonet hit the score sheet with regularity. However, as the tide eased so did the fish and another move was called for. Off for some Sandeel fishing next! Small patches of these fish were located but pesky Mackerel proved problematic. 

Next on the agenda was some Plaice fishing. This proved to be good and bad. Good in that we immediately hit into fish but bad due to the sea conditions. The best fish of the day was captured at this mark by William Watt (Scotland) recording a 5lbs 9oz Plaice -  a really magnificent specimen. 

We endured wind against tide for some time and this took a toll on the anglers. One retired 'injured' quite quickly after a spell of leaning on the side rail. He bravely put up with the sea for a while and even caught a Plaice but unfortunately later in the day was blissfully unaware of his catch until reminded - such is the impact of motion sickness. Several others on the boat were by now looking off colour. This, coupled with a slowing in the fishing, directed another change of venue so we set off for a rough ground mark closer to Portland in slightly more sheltered circumstances. 

By now the two top anglers on the boat from Midlands and Wales were clearly in the lead so all still to fish for. The last mark was to prove decisive for Mitch Johnson (Midlands) as he returned a string of bottom feeding fish, mainly Dogfish and Huss, the latter being high points scorers. Aled Daniels (Wales) clearly established himself as 'king of the Dogfish' though , (an accolade not necessarily high on everyone's agenda) as the Huss eluded him. 

Good news also for the 'injured' competitor as he returned to his rod to stare manfully at the horizon and breathed some fresh air for another hour after his physio session in the cabin! In all a challenging day that the anglers toughed out. The better prepared came out on top but to the credit of all it was fished in good humour and spirit. 

Report from Tony Hiscock, stewarding on Wild Frontier -
Wild Frontier, skippered by Clem Carter, slipped her mooring and ventured down river with the other two boats making up the CSSC party. Our first stop was just outside the inner harbour where we managed to find a few Mackerel. (A feat not possible this time last year as this area was in the middle of the Olympic Yachting course).

The competition was starting at 10:00am so we moved out to an area near Church Hope Cove on Portland. We made several drifts along this rocky coast where the anglers managed to find some Ballan Wrasse, Pollack and several 'mini' Wrasse. At times we were as close as twenty-five metres from the rocks. Proven when the skipper's wife waved to us from the coastal path whilst walking her dog.

From here we motored out towards the Shambles Bank where we spent a few drifts catching Sandeels. Pouting and Poor Cod were the next target on a small wreck before we headed back onto the bank to try for Turbot. Two were caught, the largest, about 5lbs, falling to Dave Holmes (Eastern). Further drifts yielded a blank so a move to the Plaice grounds was made. Here, in worsening sea conditions, several Plaice up to 4lbs, came aboard along with a Red Gurnard.

After three or four drifts and with some anglers starting to get a bit green around the gills in the two metre waves, a move to an area with a more settled sea was made. here, Dogfish and solitary Red Gurnard, Conger and Black Bream were brought aboard.

Fishing finished at 16:15pm and we headed back to Weymouth. By now everyone on board was feeling, to different degrees, the effects of the lumpy conditions.

My thanks to Clem and his mate, Luke, who helped make my job much easier with their knowledge and experience. 

The 2014 final is at Cork, Eire on the 10th July. 

Please note that accommodation for these finals is booked at least a year in advance and numbers are based on the regional teams that we know will be taking part. If you want to bring your partner or make the event a family holiday you must contact the angling council first, do not approach the hotel.

There is more to preparation for these finals than sorting out your tackle and ordering bait. Unless you know who you will be sharing a room with get yourself a decent pair of earplugs just in case! Despite forecasts the weather is very changeable so bring seasickness tablets even if you have never been sick before and take them the the night before! 

Whilst competing in the national finals on special leave you are deemed to be at work and are governed by normal Civil Service rules, as such you are expected to turn up at the boats to compete, occupy the room allocated to you and attend the presentation meal. Failure to comply with this timetable could cause you to be charged for unoccupancy of rooms, charged for an evening meal and may lead to disciplinary action by the Civil Service Sports Council or your employer. 

Team Results

Top Cat III

Meerkat

Wild Frontier

Individual Results

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