This year saw the exciting prospect of our event return to Milford Haven. The inshore fishing here is normally very good. However, those with longer memories recall that the weather gods have not looked kindly upon us in the past. Luckily though, to date we have not been confined to the Haven.

Well this year again showed that as far as the weather is concerned, not much has changed! The ever kind BBC forecast 13mph SW winds but this was a slight understatement and the journey from the entrance of the Haven to the fishing a few miles to the north west proved somewhat lively and wet due in no small part to the opposition of wind and tide!

The first session took us on to the reefs on the sheltered side of an island. Here there were wrasse and pollack on the drift, coalfish and codling mixed in as the boats move off the shallows into slightly deeper waters supplemented by the odd poor cod and pout. Some tackle loss was to be expected but the fishing was lively and the score sheets rapidly ticked over. The second session was anchor on sand in the hope of dabs, dogs and gurnards with the possibility of a ray. This aspect of the fishing recently had been impacted by the presence of a large pack of spurdogs as those anglers who had taken the time and effort to research the venue would have discovered. As a consequence the fishing was slower than usual but perseverance paid off for those who stuck to the task, mainly resulting in dabs and dogs as the gurnards seem to have taken a holiday!

Towards the end of the day the boats returned to either drift fishing or anchor on rock marks. This proved to be slower than the previous rock fishing but never the less rewarding for some. Indeed one boat recorded 18 bull huss.

In summary Milford again demonstrated its value as a venue for the national boat final, with overall good numbers of fish being caught and returned.

New blood to the North West region in the form of Wales Internationals Jon Law and Kev Preston ably backed up by Ashley Robertson led them to a clear team win with Jon taking individual honours as well. Well done lads, a really good performance!

Our thanks to all the skippers who again did us proud by putting us on the fish and also to the hotel for its hospitality plus Angling Corner tackle shop  for bait and tackle. Special thanks must go to the Port Authority who provided free tea and welsh cake at departure and again on return, a very welcome gesture to warm us up as the rain started just before we returned to harbour.

Back on shore, the scores were checked and rechecked and after an excellent presentation meal the trophies were presented by Nick O'Sullivan, skipper of Celtic Wildcat. In first place with six points were the North West region followed by the  Midlands and South West regions, both tied on eight points but second place went to the Midlands by virtue of them having caught twenty-one species compared to South West's twenty.

In the individual event Kevin Preston (NW) came came third with 147 points and Bob Poole (M) was second with 148 but in first place was Jon Law (NW) with 149 points..

The 2017 final is at Weymouth on the 6th July. 

Previous year's results - 2008  2009  2010  2011 2012  2013  2014 2015

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. This also applies if you are retired as you are representing the CSSC.

Team Results

Celtic Wildcat

Excel II

Atlantic Blue

Lady Gail

Individual Results