2025 HALL of FAME
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2025 HALL of FAME
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2025 Fish of the Quarter
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2025 HALL of FAME
* Nothing Reported *
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Boat Species 2025Clive Boniface - 2Nick Bown - 2 Dickie Davis - 3 Paul Grossmith - 2 Steve Lewington - 3 Ben Newnham - 2 Jamie Privett - 3 Jason Weller - 4 |
| To see the base data chart of the boat species hunts click HERE |
Shore Species 2025 | To see the base data chart of the shore species hunts click HERE | ->
Competitions2025 Boat Competition * Nothing Reported * 2025 Boat Competition Speciers * Nothing Reported * 2025 Beach Competition * Nothing Reported * |
Boat Angler of the Year 2025Jason Weller - 24 |
| To see the base data chart of the boat angler of the year click HERE |
| British Records
(via the Angling Trust) AND also Specimen Fish |
How trophies are awarded2 Boat Angler of the Year(BAOTY) points per club member present for catching the biggest fish- 1 BOATY point per club member present for the angler(s) catching the most species - BAOTY points for Club Competitions depend solely on competition positions (overall and in boat) one BAOTY point for each competitor beaten in each case. - Only the BEST FIVE trips/comps for each member count towards Boat Angler of the Year. - One (1) species competition point is awarded for each species caught during the year - If members take charter boat spaces on an "individuals basis" or enter competitions, as long as at least two club members are present and a report is promptly submitted to the Fish Recorder, the trip will count towards the "Annual Species Hunt" and the "Boat Angler of the Year" competitions. - To make it easy to record trips we often use a prepared Trip Record Sheet which anybody is welcome to download and print for their own use. All and any fish caught during the year by a currently PAID-UP member are eligible for most of the other annual trophies (Cod Cup, Tope Tankard etc.).Please report any such to the fish recorder promptly. If the report is delayed too long it may become impossible to verify and therefore not be allowable. For comservation reasons our Boat competitions are points based (see Competition Score Sheet with no minimum size limit. Boats and positions are drawn at a club meeting or on the morning of the competition before any boat(s) set off. |
2024 HALL of FAME
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2024 HALL of FAME
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2024 Fish of the Quarter
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2024 HALL of FAME
* Nothing Reported *
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Boat Species 2024Simon Mann - 17Dickie Davis - 14 Steve Lewington - 13 Ricky Nethersole - 13 Jason Weller - 13 Phil Evans - 11 Jim Grant - 11 Gavin Thomson - 11 Peter Cousins - 10 Gary Ochoa - 10 Farooq Shah - 10 Nigel Cross - 9 Alan Lane - 9 Russel Lewington - 9 Jamie Privett - 9 Haroun Shah - 9 John Hamilton - 8 Nick Bown - 7 Ian Tooley - 7 Simon Bedwell - 6 Colin Dale - 6 Stacey Farmer - 6 Chris Anderson - 4 Paul Harcus - 3 John Hutchinson - 2 Chris Jarrett - 1 |
| To see the base data chart of the boat species hunts click HERE |
Shore Species 2024Simon Mann - 24Jamie Privett - 8 Stacel Farmer - 9 Paul Harcus - 5 Steve Lewington - 4 Russ Lewington - 3 Chris Anderson - 2 Peter Badger - 2 Peter Cousins - 1 Dan Mallia - 1 | To see the base data chart of the shore species hunts click HERE | ->
Competitions2024 Boat Competition * Nothing Reported * 2024 Boat Competition Speciers * Nothing Reported * 2024 Beach Competition * Nothing Reported * |
Boat Angler of the Year 2024Dickie Davis - 80Steve Lewington - 66 Jim Grant - 39.5 Haroun Shah - 33.25 Phil Evans - 28 Simon Mann - 25 Paul Harcus - 24 Jamie Privett - 24 Alan Lane - 21 Jason Weller - 18.5 Russel Lewington - 16 Farooq Shah - 10.5 John Hamilton - 8 Chris Anderson - 7 Gavin Thomson - 7 Ricky Nethersole - 6 Ian Tooley - 5 Nick Bown - 2.25 Nigel Cross - 2 |
| To see the base data chart of the boat angler of the year click HERE |
All members - Please send in a report of your fishing trip (Boat or Shore)
preferably by email. |
This Year (2025) Reports |
Saturday January 18th - Littlehampton - Holdfast (Gary EdwardsAhoit Ahoit - First trip of the year |
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An inshore ground trip saw one drop out thought it was Sunday ? So the eight of us including three new members Clive , Ben and little paul boarded holdfast for our days action out of Littlehampton. We were not out the marina long when that tell tell sign of lots of sea gulls and gannets working an area had us all casting out lures and feathers where lots of bass were had by all including lots of keepers . Our first mark at anchor see another fest a whiting fest in which there was thousands to be had for table and bait use . Wouldn't be a trip without dogfish in which new member Clive had the secret tatic in catching them . We moved a few times without much but a single conger did make an appearance for Jason weller of around 12lb ish which was biggest fish and also had the most species of four . It was cold at times with the easterly wind even for our skipper who supplied us with hot beverages and biscuits and hot sausage rolls that went down well . Our afternoon kit kat is another one of our customery snacks that we love to have . We are spoilt guys Thanks Gary much appreciated on everything. [Steve lewington. B O boat organiser] |
Reports from Last Year (2024) |
Sunday 3rd November 2024 - Littlehampton - Holdfast (Gary Edwards)! Let's all catch a conger ! |
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Unbelievable weather greet the five members leaving on a Sunday remberance day certainly not a day for sail boats .
It was if the sea had been tamed to being a giant lake . We soon anchored at a deep water mark where member nick bown took an early lead with dogfish and pouting and a lovely bullhuss into double figures that certainly had an additude problem on board ....very aggressive... New member lan tooley was also into species including Mr tope still around they are . As was boat angler of the year Jason weller. It was supposed to be a blonde ray hot-spot but they weren't playing ball and the fishing became slow so a move was called for . Newish mark more inshore became what I called the Woodie wood pecker show....pouting to be precise...must be some shoul down there. But made for some nice bait in which the reasonable size conger decided to join the party notably a mid thirty conger that was the first and biggest of the trip by our Jason. Think we all caught good size conger to be fair . End of the day saw lan tooley just grab the most species with help of a wrasse to make seven species just pipping Jason on six . Biggest fish Jason weller with his conger and most species by lan tooley. Big shout out to our skipper Gary Edwards who never likes to disappoint us and keeps us in refreshments with teas , coffees and now the much loved soup with biscuits and our afternoon kit kats. [Boat Organiser Steve Lewington.] |
Sunday 3rd November 2024 - Littlehampton - Holdfast (Gary Edwards)Remembrance day . |
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Just the three of us turned up for this club trip / individual trip in which another two were added by Gary Edwards our skipper.
It was apparent that once outside the calm of the marina the open sea was rather lumpy to say the least. Bit of drifting and casting of lures for bass resulted in nothing so we soon anchored at a known blonde ray hot-spot. It wasn't long before boat angler of the year 2023 Jason weller was into our chosen quarry a nice blonde ray of six or seven pound . Wasn't long after that my rod slammed over and I was also into a blonde ray that took some pumping up in movement of boat and wind but once on board a nice double figured ray of 12lb caught on a cocktail bait of a wrap and a single sandeel. It was suggested by our skipper Gary Edwards to up anchor and move more inshore with less chop in which we did but not much happened apart from a few dogfish that was added by the three of us . It was soon called lines up lads let's head for home as myself and Jason had two species each and I had the biggest fish. Thanks go as usual to our skipper Gary Edwards who supplied us with teas and coffees and various soup flavours as well as selection of biscuits and the customery kit kat. [Boat Organiser Steve Lewington.] |
Sunday 27th October 2024 - Littlehampton - Holdfast (Gary Edwards)Pump it up ! |
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General bottom fishing with just the five board holdfast at Littlehampton.
With three dropouts the weather was good to say the least sunny, blue skies, and no wind . All we wanted now was the fish to play ball . Some drifting at first around by the wind farm see a few fish notably a treble shot of bream and pouting for member Gary ochoa. We soon settled at a deep water mark and it become apparent that a large shoal of pouting were down there . Gary the skippers mate Chris was on board and he was soon into double shots of pouting. It wasn't long before yours truly and dickie davis would be using these for bait . Fishing was slow but the conger did put in an appearance dickie with two one a particular nice fish of around 36lb . It was soon after a move was on the cards but the anchor on the boat was playing up so there wasn't to be any fishing regards anchoring . About a mile away Gary our skipper with xray vision eyes see birds and what he calls big mackerel (blue fin tuna)working . We fancied a peek at these beautiful creatures and we slowly pulled aside watching a vast number go about catching there food source . We all stood quietly watching a spectacular sight ...a david Attenborough moment indeed. We did do some more drifting but nothing really so we headed back to the marina where by now the sun had truly made way for darkness. Most species was dickie with three and biggest fish was dickies conger. Thanks as always to our skipper Gary Edwards for always keeping us all topped up with teas , coffees , soups and assortment of biscuits and our usual kit kats . [Boat Organiser Steve Lewington.] |
Sunday 13th October 2024 - Littlehampton - Holdfast (Gary Edwards)Pump it up ! |
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A full crew of nine left the marina at Littlehampton for a day's general bottom fishing . No signs of mackerel on way out so our first stop and mark was rather successful in which a number of species was caught notably tope in which a fish of around 18lb to dickie davis would go on to be biggest fish of the day . It was then Decided shall we shan't we go to another mark ..The hole ...50metres to be precise in which father and son the shah's went head to head . Pump it up they did with farooq (father) leading the way with most species on day with eight including a sizeable bass of 5lb . Maybe next time haroun great result with six species thou . It was a good trip all round everyone caught at least 3 species each the weather was also kind to us (mild) not much wind . Talking of kind ..thank you to our skipper of holdfast Mr Gary Edwards who really is the best around . We are spoilt with coffee's, teas , biscuits and kit kats , and the in thing soup of the day . Also got to mention thanks to Chris Gary's right hand man for his help and advice . [B O boat organiser Steve lewington.] |
Sunday 1st Sebtember 2024 - Littlehampton - Holdfast (Gary Edwards)No plaice for us |
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Eight doughty souls set off early (7:30) in the morning to do battle with mackerel, plaice, bass, gurnards and dogfish
We tried shallow bits and deeper bits but the mackerel were not exactly suiciidal(did have a few) We tried for bass with lures with limited success. We had three smoothounds on hardback crabs. We dragged worms across a load of gravelly sand (and kelp) but that only produced three small gurnarsan and a littlet thornback skilfully hooked in the edge of the wing by yours truly. Finally we tried again or mackerel with (very) limited success despite investigating several marks inshore. Eight species were recorded (bass, bream, dogfish, red and tub gurnards, mackerel, pollock, smooothhound, and thornback ray) Simon and Jason, with a couple of sizeable fish each, were the bass experts. Russ had the biggest fish (smoothhound) and I was the only one to get five species. Fishing was hard, the company was great, The weather was OK (dry). the tea and coffe were plentiful. The biscuits and kitkats were appreciated Thanks to Gary (who is now starting to believe that "When the wind is in the east, the fish bite least" (we have told him!). [Jim] |
Sunday 18th August 2024 - Littlehampton - Holdfast (Gary Edwards)Bass no Blonde |
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I thought this was a bass was the only target but the night before we found out that blondes were also in the sights so quickly added a bit of bait, a heavier rod and some heavy traces to the kit.
As it turned out the mackerel were not co-operating Then the blondes did not turn up. Finally, heading inshore we saw the birds working over the shallows. Artificial lures of many types and colours were thrown at the bass but it was our guest Simon who had the secret killer so most of us changed to something similar. Most of us got bass, only one for me, but it was the biggest fish of the day. John Hamilton had every one of the five species caught whih were bass(acouple of dozen), bream (a few mostly small), conger (VERY small), one garfish and two mackerel. It was the Shahs who were by far the best at bream but not bass. Hard day Thanks to Gary and Chris. [Jim] |
Sunday 11th August 2024 - Littlehampton - Holdfast (Gary Edwards)MINES THE BLONDE |
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Yes indeed the clubs first trip this year for the blonde ray see the crew of seven leave the marina for the open sea.
A stop for mackerel see more than usual with scad , bass , etc before we anchored in a spot for the blondes. A variety of baits on board the favourite being the sandeel, mackerel, squid and also wraps of squid and sandeel. Most of the crew were into rays a pb for nick bown of 13lb , a pb for Stacey farmer of 15lb and it was when I was taking a few pics of Stacey's that I was bringing up one and also pb of 17lb . It then after that went quiet and so we moved to a new mark but very quiet there as well so Gary Edwards the skipper decided to return to the scene of the crime in which it was slow but delighted to say everyone caught a blonde ray. We decided on way back to drop for mackerel and maybe bass on the drift in which there was plenty to be had . Dickie davis and yours truly both had five species each and share of the points and I had the heaviest fish a pb blonde ray. Big thank you as always to skipper Gary Edwards for his refreshments of tea and coffee and odd cup of soup for me and his box of biscuits that always are welcome for a dunk or two and not forgetting take a break kit kat what a touch . Must also thank him for his advice throughout. [Steve lewington - boat organiser] |
Monday 5th August 2024 - Littlehampton - Holdfast (Gary Edwards)RNLI 200 charity trip Dickie and Jason |
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Gary held a trip for the rnli which raised £1000
When we got on the boat it was decided it would be a species competition First we went over to Bognor to get our smaller species Then went and anchored down It was an excellent day I won the smallest fish prize and the most species points I caught pollock pout scad black bream conger ballan wrasse 6 species Dickie also had 6 species And I had biggest fish an eel in its teens [Jason] |
Sunday 4th August 2024 - Littlehampton - Holdfast (Gary Edwards)Just two old ones |
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Nigel rod-mender Cross and myself Jim forgetful Grant represented the club and seven other individuals were aboard.
We worked hard hunting mackerel but but only found TEN (and one bass) so we decided to conserve them as as best as we could (ten big mackerel = 50 ray baits) so it was off to the banks looking for blondes First ray up was a thornback though. I persisted with big baits while Nigel banged out a few bream, Then there was a bit of a wait until a couple of smooth houunds and finally a 16lb blonde came over the stern, Late on I got fed up of dogfish gnawing the ends of my big mackerel head bait and tried a squid/prawn cocktail. Straight in to a good fish, definitely a blonde and then the braid parted Just time to get a new leader attached, rebait and lift it over the rail when Gary said time to go beacause we were already cutting it very fine. So it was anchor up double quick, hold on tight, throttle wide open. We got over the bar with about 2 inches/ 2 minutes to spare with everybody right up front to lift the stern off the gravel, All good fun. Thanks to Gary - looking forward to the nexr one [Jim] |
Wednesday 31 July 2024 - Littlehampton - Holdfast (Gary Edwards)Is Dickie going for gold |
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Just six of us (Dickie, John H, Chris J, Steve, Gary O, and myself) set of again to hunt the tope.
Again very few mackerel found despite us zipping about looking for them so we had to rely on the fresh ones skipper Gary had in the coolbox (we also had in reserve of a coolbox of frozen which is now back in my freezer) The mark we anchored had produced lots of tope and rays over the last few days but it didn't produce for us this time. We had a long discussion about the shy and infrequent bites which could be summarised by the saying "When thewend is inn the East, the fish bite least" There were three tope (2 for Dickie) and one small-eyed ray for John. There were a number of (tope?) takes. Dickie had several line breaks. Other species caught were - a couple of small pollock (caught while trying for mackerel), a conger (biggest fish of the day), a few bream and as far as I was concerned the best of the day was Steve's delicious (I ate it) 15oz red gurnard. I myself have had better days, caught very little, lost fish that were "hooked", tangled up, breaking off in snags and finally breaking a tip ring Dickie had the biggest(conger) and the most species and thereby increased his lead in BAOTY as well as moving him up to third position in the boat species hunt. Thanks Gary for all your hard work, tea, coffee, biscuits kitkats, leader replacing and vigilance in spotting bites. [Jim] |
Sunday 21st July 2024 - Littlehampton - Holdfast (Gary Edwards)Dickie an Haroun share the honours |
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There were nine anglers aboard including the four clUb members (Dickie Davis, Farooq and Haroun Shah and yours truly)
One of those really nice days to be out at sea even though there was a bit of breeze but we had to work hard for fish. We whizzed around looking for a shoal of mackerel (two does not a shoal make). Seven scad did turn up but thats not much bait between nine. We anchored on a rough area known for hounds, but if any were there they did not want the hardback crabs although one did deign to take a squid bait. The bream seem to have decided that its the end of the season so only a few small ones were caught. Of course there were a number of congers. A couple of dogfish and just one thornback topped. At the end of the day we tried a couple or six drifts for mackerel again with exactly nil success. Dickie had the biggest (25lb) conger and Haroun managed six species. A trying day. I don't know what could have been done differently butb imts called "Fishing" not "catching" Thanks Gary for all your hard work, tea, coffee and biscuits. [Jim] |
Friday 19 July 2024 - Littlehampton - Holdfast (Gary Edwards)Dickie shines |
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Five members and one guest leave Littlehampton marina for an evening / night trip in anticipation of something big in the dark .
Dickie was soon in to dogfish and followed this up with 10lb underlute ray, couple of hounds , and a silver eel . Giving him most species and biggest fish . Admiral Jamie Privett had dogfish and silver eel . Stacey farmer and yours truly had dogfish and guest angler Simon brown had a couple of hounds and doggie. Wasn't great fishing but a first time experience at evening /night. Thanks again to Gary Edwards for taking us and for cups of tea and coffee and biscuits and for the chicken soup that went down a treat for all . [Steve lewington Boat organiser] |
Wednesday 17 July 2024 - Littlehampton - Holdfast (Gary Edwards)In search of the very elusive tope |
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We staerted off with assuming that mackerel for bait would not be a problem. We sought them here, we sought them there but all we found were a few lonely strays. We watched the birds feeding but it was little bass chasing baitfish underneath them. We stared at the monitor as we zoomed about stopping whenwe saw likey signs with little success. Finally after over an hour and a half a dense shoal. Half a dozen drifts over them filled the icebox. Now for the tope. Off to where the big tope live. Unfortunately the tope were all out. Not one tope There were a few congers (not very big), A couple of thorbacks, an undulate, a few little bass and of course mackerel and some scad. On the way back we stopped for some fresh mackerel and filled our coolboxes Biggest fish was Dickie's conger and Rickie had the most(6) species. [Jim] |
Sunday 14 July 2024 - Littlehampton - Holdfast (Gary Edwards)Tope disaster |
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Me and dickie ventured out on another tope trip, the weather was good and the day looked promising. We spent the normal hour obtaining the essential bait. Dickie was the mackerel king as he was bring up full strings, the rest of us was playing catch up but wasn’t to far behind. We soon had over 200 mackerel.
We then ventured out to the land of the giants. When we anchored up, the tide was slack. I was using a 3 ounce weight with a jumbo mackerel flapper, the boat was swinging around so I swapped places with John to my left. As the bait hit the floor, the rod just doubled over and the reel losing line. I put the reel on full drag and there was no signs of it slowing down towards the anchor line, the unthinkable happens. I was trying to untangle my line from the anchor rope, without the saving grace of the skipper Gary Edward’s I would have lost the fish. When she was on the boat, I was absolutely gazed at the size of her as I knew it was a new PB for me, weighed and pics taken (thanks Dickie) She was on her way, with seeing the potential of fish that could be caught, everyone was enthusiastic with getting there baits down. Unfortunately we didn’t see another tope that day, I finished the day off with a 49 lb tope,11 lb undulate ray and a 15 lb conger and mackerel. Dickie had mackerel and the dreaded doggie. [Jamie Privett] |
Sat/Sun 12/13 July 2024 - Weymouth - BCC Members ChampionshipThat’ll do - Jason Weller does us proud |
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Had a good weekend in Weymouth for bcc
I was the joint winner with this eel Weighed in at 48 lb We also came second in the four man team (Jason weller mick doody David Lee Kim Mcgreevy) We were beaten by the England team [Jason Weller] |
Sunday 3 March 2024 - Littlehampton - Holdfast (Gary Edwards)A pair of pollocks… |
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What a day…out with Gary today and we had a red letter day on pollock, every pollock on board was over 10lbs, both chests full and were still being plucked out. The new reel ( okuma cavella two speed ) performed above expectations, the two speed function came in to its own and I was lucky to take home a 11lb and a 13lb pollock for dinner. [Jamie Privett] |
Sunday 30th June - Littlehampton - Holdfast (Gary Edwards)Individual day cum club trip for three |
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Admiral James Privett, Steve and Russ Lewington on board holdfast for tope .
First stop was for fresh bait and mackerel but they were hard to find to say the least. We did catch some and after a couple of anchorings we finally settled on a mark for our intended quarry the tope. Admiral Jamie Privett led from the front and started to catch tope and other species of which were mackerel, scad ,bream and thornback ray (he was well pleased with that) Russ had mackerel, wrasse cuckoo) conger , and tope . Myself had mackerel, scad ,pouting, conger and best for me a 11lb underlute ray. Biggest fish went to the Admiral a tope around 16lb / 17lb . It was one of them days because yours truly catching a tope try as I might it wasn't to be . Thanks again to our skipper Gary Edwards and best mate Chris for advice , teas and coffees , biscuits and take a break kit kat nice touch greatly appreciated as always by the three GCSAC AKA the salty crew. Regards [Steve lewington] B O .. boat organiser. |
Sunday 23rd June - Littlehampton - Holdfast (Gary Edwards)Steve Maxxes out |
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Good day by all lovely weather and everyone caught. Had a battle with haroun shah on the species front today ...he is learning fast that lad and has adapted so well considering its not even a year since he took up the sport . I did just enough to beat him with six species of which were Bream , mackerel, skad, pouting, tope , and conger . Biggest fish of the day was my conger of 12lb that took honours over my tope of 11lb . Although my scad was apparently quite big over a pound. Haroun had five species and rest of crew had at least four each . Thanks to Gary Edwards our skipper and best mate Chris for always being on hand at all times great team . So lucky to have a boat like holdfast. [Steve but retitled by Jim] |
Sunday 9 June - Littlehampton - Holdfast (Gary Edwards)What a day |
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Club trip with seven actually making it (no names, no pack drill) so it was Chris, Nigel, Dickie, Gary, Farooq, Haroun and myself who set off to do battle with the bream. Beautiful day start with but it blew up to a force 5 in the mid afternoon, for about an hour. Straight to fish Most of us concentrated on the bream, Dickie successfully targetted the bigger stuff and bagged 5 congers (to 22lb) and a tope, Chris produced a tompot blenny and a cuckoo wrasse to go with his pout abd bream to give him the four species. Harouns 2lb 12oz bream was the biggest so far this year (GCSAC and Holdfast) but his pout and ballan only gave him three species. Brilliant day. Fantastic fishing and tea, biscuits, kitkats, ice. Thanks to Gary and Chris. [Jim] |
Friday 7 June - Littlehampton - Holdfast (Gary Edwards)What a day |
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Indviduals day but Farooq and Haroun were aboard again as was Barry Handley. I took up a station on the Starboard side where I could keep a beady eye on those three, Beautiful dayo start with but it cut up a bit rough at lunchtime As we are coming to expct, Gary took us straight to the fish (well one small adjusment because we hadn't really started hitting them in the first ten minutes} It never stopped, loads of good sixed bream for everyone. One of the best days bream fishing I have ever had (in 62 years), At one point the lead was not getting to the bottom ad I even managed to catch more than one good fish at a time (5 double shos and a treble) There were of course 9 "BAOTY" points up for grabs and Haroun snaffled them all with smoothie, bream, dog, pout catches. Haroun and Farooq, I believe, are now considering a larger coolbox to transfer the fish to their recently purchased freezer. Fantastic fishing and tea, biscuits, kitkats, ice. Thanks to Gary and Chris (who was riding shotgun) [Jim] |
Tuesday 4th June to Thursday 6th June 2024 - Penzance - Bite Adventure( Robin 'Chippy' Chapman )What a load of Pollacks |
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Tuesday
Not perfect conditions today with stiff westerly winds confining us to Porthcurno Bay. Then to top it all, pink plankton affecting the fish feeding & annoyingly clogging up our lines. Notably commercial boats calling it a day & coming in early. Bait fishing was hard work but we managed to catch 11 species between us. Alan lake was top dog today with most species (7 no.), heaviest fish being a bull huss of 7lb & a specimen greater weaver of 1lb 3oz (contender for fish of the quarter?) Wednesday Wind dropped to offshore North Westerly’s meaning we could venture further South Again, bait fishing was hard work and with no mackerel but again we managed to catch 11 species between us. We spent an hour on a wreck pollack fishing catching 40 plus between us All good sizes, the biggest being 8lb by Simon Mann Phil had most species @ 7 no. and a bull huss of 8lb Thursday Lovely day & regrettably our last day. Armed with lots of ragworm today so off we went Again, bait fishing was hard work and with no mackerel yet again but we again managed to catch 11 species again between us. We did some wrasse fishing where Ricky Never Regions caught a 4lb 1 oz ballan (contender for CGSAC wrasse trophy ?) We spent an hour on a wreck pollack fishing catching 40 plus between us All good sizes, the biggest being 9lb by Phil Gavin had most species today @ 8 no. Summary A great 3 days considering the conditions. Special thanks to the CGSAC team (including personal carers Gavin & Ricky ) & Chippy I had been very unstable on my feet during the trip only for the MRI to reveal while we were away that I had 2 no. fractured vertebrae! ![[]](images 2024/2024 06 04 3.jpeg)
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Dates for next year now booked for June 10 to 13 2025 (4 days Species fishing) [Phil] |
Sunday 2nd June - Littlehampton - Holdfast (Gary Edwards)P b - Personal bests !!!! |
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Sunday 2nd June saw seven anglers leave Littlehampton marina in search of our quarry the tope .
Fresh mackerel was the key to hooking up to one of these big females. Gary Edwards our skipper told us drop lines and up lines for must be an hour and half looking for the elusive mackerel. Gary's best mate Chris who was on board with us managed a few as did our chairman sir jim . With six or seven fresh mackerel and plenty of frozen with bream from previous trip we anchored not a million miles from shore . First blood went to capt James Privett with his okuma multiplier going into melt down as braid and sound of the ratchet was an all to familiar sound for the first tope of around 30lb and pb for Jamie. It wasn't long before yours truly had that same sound of a pick up and dropped and picked up again which in turn then decided to take me on a Sunday stroll aboard holdfast. The power of this fish was incredible to say the least and what seemed an age around ten to fifteen minutes a big tope and personal best of 43lb was on board what a feeling of joy and arm aching to have. There wasn't time to reflect when the rod was off again and another fight and tope of around 25lb was had . Not to be out done was russ lewington whose rod and reel went into over drive and his tope hit the surface to say hello something that Gary's mate Chris hadn't seen before as it arched the rod over and the fight begun and ended with another pb tope of 35lb . Most species on club trip was by Jamie who included underlute ray and dogfish. Russ had dogfish, John and dickie had dogfish, jim our chairman had mackerel .biggest fish went to Steve lewington a tope of 43lb . Big thanks to our skipper Gary Edwards and his best mate Chris for advice throughout the day and the teas and coffees given to the thirsty crew that is greatly appreciated by all Thank you Regards [Steve Lewington (Boat Organiser] |
Saturday 25th May. - Sandy point hayling island Hampshire.Beach report |
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Very small window of opportunity at this venue . A must for low water see 7 anglers take to the beach . Fishing was hard to say the least but 2 anglers did catch. 1st place was Paul harcus with overall length of 74cm 2 species a conger eel of 53cm and a bream of 21cm . 2nd place was Peter cousins with overall length of 56cm 1 species dogfish. [Steve Lewington] |
Sunday 19th May - Littlehampton - Holdfast (Gary Edwards)Seven go in hope for tope . |
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What a lovely day with the early morning sunshine it looked promising to say the least on our anticipation of a big tope .
We were away at 8.00am to try for mackerel as bait . We tried several spots and had a few but they were thin on the ground to say the least . We had frozen though including bream that had been caught on a previous trip. Twenty odd tope were caught between us all with the best going to that man Simon Mann with a 22lb fish that when on board seemed to end up with its head caught in straps on my cooler bag. Most species was boat angler of the year 2023 Jason weller with four species including mackerel, dogfish, bass,and tope . Think it probably was still to early to nab a big female but a really enjoyable day on board holdfast and it's skipper Gary Edwards who supplied tea , coffee and biscuits and kit kat to all . His general knowledge is also so helpful and greatly appreciated. Thanks Gary. [Steve L] |
Thursday 17th May - Littlehampton - Holdfast (Gary Edwards)Out for the bream again |
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What a great day to be out on the water, warm, calm and great company. All nice guys and amongst them were Farooq and Haroun as well Barry (who used to own/skipper Malaki) and his son Jason. The fish were co-operating too, Gary stuck us on them right from the start. We never moved. There were bream under the boat and as we swung round we found more. Gary never had to do anything with the anchor < As each angler decided that they had enough bream for the table, bigger baits were tried. Tope runs resulted and after much good humoured banter, a couple were boated. Farooq had a little one, mine was aboout 20lb but the biggest oft the day would have gone 30-35 on the scales. All thanks to Gary for his expert skippering, ice, tea, coffee and kitkats. Two of the party were "rod hires" and I am afraid they may have been spoilt because its not always as good as this (even on Holdfast). Another great day! [Jim] |
Sunday 12th May - Brighton - Yellowfin (Kurt Lander)Change of scenery |
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I was invited by Bex (remember Kelley Heroes) to join her on a bream trip out from Brighton.
Bex herself could not make it but I met up with Brooke, Chis, Emily Jessica, Kev and the others in the multi-storey and on to the boat for 7:00 Very nice at sea (not too hot) We did a bit of drifting along the edges of rocks then dropped anchor when the tide started running. When the tide died again it was back to drifting to end the day There were a few bream caught, I had half a dozen or so, as well as pout, a plaice that was too small (really thin too) and a ballan wrasse. . A couple of tiny dover soles put in an appearance but I do not repember who got them Another enjoyable day with old friends. [Jim] |
Thursday 9th May - Littlehampton - Holdfast (Gary Edwards)Jim after the elusive big bream |
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Very civilised start time - meet 8:20 sail 8:40
Weather was dry and sunny enough to give me a red nose, We went to the Kingmere and tried several marks. Bream present but not the really big ones (best was one that weighrd in at exactly a kilo (2lb 3.5oz?) We came in later and tried another couple of marks looking for ray etc. twhere we did finda few smallish congers, and a couple of smoothhounds. Iended up with a nice trio of bream to take home and caught my first tope of the year as well as my share of congers and a dogfish. It was an excellent day out in the sunshine. [Jim] |
Thursday 9th May - Selsey Bill East BeachLewingtons on the beach |
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New venue see the Lewingtons rock up at Selsey bill east beach. Short walk from the car was ideal considering what we had just tucked into at the local chippy. We settled into a set of groins and cast into the sunset with wraps of sandeel and squid on two rods and crab on a third looking for an early hound . It wasn't long before russ had that familiar knocking on the tip and a doggie soon come a shore . Not to be out done my rod tip was doing the same and a small conger eel was soon on the beach . Dogfish and a slightly bigger conger of a couple of pounds was had in a session that ended in the early hours. They weren't our intended quarry of a undulate ray but it was good just to be out doing a bit in a very calm sea that almost resembled fishing a big lake . We intend to get back out some time soon. We spoke about hillhead on the spit at low water for another ray the thornback. We feel you have to have some sort of plan of attack watch this space . Lewingtons wrapping up Steve and Russ . [Steve Lewington] |
Sunday 5th May - Littlehampton - Holdfast (Gary Edwards)Bream Bream Bream |
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This was an EARLY start - meet 5:15 sail 5:45
Weather was dry, a little overcast but pleasant, Gary did not mess about. Thought about trying the bass but no birds working so it was off with the lures and on with bream gear. We never moved very far all day, but Gary re-anchored several times to keep on the bream. The fish were biting tentatively at times and then swallowing 3/0 hooks ten minutes later. Paul and Chris both had a go for smoothounds but the only thing Paul's crab attracted was a smallish conger. Anyway everybody got plenty of nice sized bream for the table. Paul took the honours with a conger for the biggest fish and was the only one with all three species (bream, conger, dog). [Jim] |
Saturday 27 April - Littlehampton - Holdfast (Gary Edwards)I was in Selsey Friday evening for some beach fishing. When I saw there was a space so booked myself on. Jamie also managed to get aboard.Weather was dry until late afternoon but a stiff north easterly was blowing most of the day. First mark there were plenty of bites. We noticed they were a bit finicky but as we were catching put it down to the easterly wind. Gary set up the rod hire guy with hard back crab and had a smoothound almost straight away. We moved to a few marks but no more smoothound after myself and jamie riged up with crab. The bream were about from start to finish and lots for everyone for the table. we both had doggie and bream. [Simon Mann] |
Wednesday 24 April - Littlehampton - Holdfast (Gary Edwards)The bream are IN |
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I booked a place witH Gary on an individuals btream trip. Who should I end up parked next to but Haroun and Farooq and waiting on the boat was Dickie Davis making four club members. 7:45 for 8:15 start with a clear but cold day. Staight to the inshore mark where we found bream. Gary did have to do a bit of clever jiggery pokery with the anchor but only actually moved a very small distances or adjusted the anchor warp to keep us on the fish all day. Everybody had lots of bream and if there was anything else down there it probably couldn't get much of a look at the baits Dickie had the biggest fish (his one conger) and I had the most (3) species, lots bream, one tiny conger, and one dogfish. Great day - great company, thanks for the tea, coffee biscuits and the KitKat Gary and not forgetting marking and icing down all the fish during the day (makes a differenc). Be seeing you again soon. [Jim] |
Saturday 20 April - Hove West SussexStacey hits te beach |
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New member Stacey farmer from Worthing decided on a trip to local beach and was rewarded with dogfish, plaice, pouting, and a couple of underlute rays.
Stacey joins our hunt for most species on the beach 2024 in which our Simon Mann leads the way with 19 species to date . We also look forward to seeing him on the boats welcome aboard Stacey. [Russell lewington] |
Thursday 18 April - Littlehampton - Holdfast (Gary Edwards)Dickie and Jim at Littlehanpton again |
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Just the two of us from the club on this individuals trip. A more sensible (7:30 for 8) start with a clear day and a light but chilly breeze. I started out fully insulated ("Guy Cottens", thick fleece, Big fishing jacket) A neap tide so the boat was at the mercy of what little wind there was. First mark was close in and sstraight away one of the other guys had a bream double shot.Early promise was not upheld however, so after a couple more smallish bream and a few dogfish we headed out to the "Kingmere", Things improved and it there were a few more (and better) bream.The sun was quite warm so gradually shed big jacket followed by fleece and then the "Cottens". At time went on the bites got scarcer, we moved back inshore, temperatures fell it got windier, fleece and jacket back on. Although a little tope and a spurdog was caught Dickie and I just had conger, dogfish, and bream and I didn't even get a dogfish. So most species and biggest fish (a conger) for Dickie Another good day - many thanks Gary - looking forward to my next trip. [Jim] |
Sunday 14 April - Littlehampton - Holdfast (Gary)First club trip to actually make it to sea |
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Nine men booked for fishing. Alarms were ringing from ten-to-stupid (Four-something a.m.). Dickie, Farooq, Haroun, Gary, Jason, Jim, John, Nick, Nigel all parked up ar the Mainaa and then assembled on the boat for roll call for 6:45 and off we jolly well went. Nice day and, despite a bit of banter from the skipper (Gary Edwards) I was quite happy that I was n my shorts (Jason wimped out!). A neap tide so Gary had a few problems getting the boat to settle in the desired location but wewere spot on the money because we soon started finding fish and other boats were buzzing around the area and re-anchoring several times, Bream came in steadily throughout the morning but bites dried up duriing the afternoon even though we did try a couple of other marks. The only other species were: The ubiquitous dogfish for everyone except John, a tiny smoothhound for Dickie, a lonely mackerel for Haroun, and pouts for Nick and myself. The Shahs were the breaming stars with Farooq reeling them in two at a time and Haroun taking the largest of the day (not actually weighed). Most species was a 4-way tie with the points shared between Dickie, Nick, Haroun and myself Great day with constant coffee and tea - many thanks Gary [Jim] |
Shore Fishing News to date (April 7th)Think it deserves mentioning that Simon has amassed these species for 2024.plaice , flounder, turbot, bass , *mullet, small eyed ray , Gurnard, dogfish, whiting, conger , pouting, mackerel, garfish, wrasse, codling, and gilt head bream . With Herring, sardine and anchovy it could be 19 species (Still waiting for confirmation on them ). *His mullet was thick lipped It's a long way to go yet But most species off the beach so far for 2024 is . 1st place - Simon Mann 2nd place - Jamie Privett 3rd place - Paul Harcus [Steve Lewington] |
30th March - Shoreham - Beach matchResults Ist place - Paul harcus - 4 species - Total pts - 290 2nd place - Peter badger - 2 species - Total pts - 167 3rd place - Jamie Privett - 2 species 1 under 20cm - Total pts - 33pts 4th place - Dan mallia - 1 species - Total pts - 20 Biggest fish - paul harcus - conger - 75cm [Russel lewington - Beach Secretary] |
Some day in January - Littlehampton - Holdfast (Gary)Dickie,Jason and Gary Edwards |
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Dickie and myself wet fishing on a hold fast indivuals day We had the boat to ourselves Dickie had the starboard side and I had the port side We anchored a couple of wrecks looking for some good eels and the went to some rock work I managed to loose a couple but then got my act together and managed to catch a couple and Dickie had eels too We also had pout and dogfish I had most spices with 3 and biggest fish 15lb eel (not the big ones we were looking for) Dickie had eels and dogfish Fishing was hard but we had a lot more fish than Jennifer’s pride2 the day before with a crew of 6 I also had the smallest fish a translucent baby eel Many thanks to Gary we had a great day [Jason] |