Guildford City Sea Angling Club

Trip Reports 2009

Saturday December 30th 2009 - Hayling (Langstone) - Valkyrie (Glenn Cairns)

Instead of not fishing in the cold and wind, we fished in the cold and WET. 7 Club members fished out near the Nab and caught loads of Whiting and a couple of Cod and one Spotted Ray.
Biggest fish was a 9lb cod for me (Jim) and Peter had most species (4).
[Report by Jim]

Sunday December 13th 2009 - Hayling (Langstone) - Valkyrie (Glenn Cairns)

Its VERY cold but there are fish about at this time of year. There were plenty of Whiting, (with Pout and dogs) 3 Cod (Biggest 8lb for Roy) and a small conger completed the bag.
Most species was a 4-way tie (Simon, Roy, Peter and Alan)
[Report by Jim]

Thursday December 10th 2009 - Littlehampton - Jenifers Pride (Steve Hipgrave)

Cold but calmish and plenty of whiting about (up to 3lb). All 3 club members on the boat all caught plenty of Whiting (and Pout and Dogfish). Farooq showed us how to pick out the biggest ones.
[Report by Jim]

Sunday November 29th 2009 - Littlehampton - Jenifers Pride (Steve Hipgrave)

Cancelled - Horribly windy.

Sunday November 22nd 2009 - Hayling (Langstone) - Valkyrie (Glenn Cairns)

Cancelled - Nasty windy weather.

Sunday November 15th 2009 - Weymouth - Tiger Lily (Chris Caines)

Cancelled due to bad weather.

Sunday November 8th 2009 - Hayling (Langstone) - Valkyrie (Glenn Cairns)

Its NOVEMBER, Its COLD so its Cod and Whiting fishing in the Solent. The North wind did blow but we were quite comfortable sheltered by the Land and we found loads of Whiting(up to 2.5lb) as well as a Cod, lots of Pout and a few doggies. The tea flowed like uuuummmm Tea I suppose (virtually on tap) Another great day out with Glenn.
Best fish was the Cod (7lb 4oz) for Alan who also bagged all of the 4 species caught.
[Report by Jim]

Sunday October 25th 2009 - Hayling (Langstone) - Valkyrie (Glenn Cairns)

Cancelled due to bad weather.

Sunday October 11th 2009 - Littlehampton - Jenifers Pride (Steve Hipgrave)

A colder autumn day (well it is now October) and the wind kept us inshore. A trip to the east found us using the strong breeze to drift for plaice. Two drifts having only produced a small tub gurnard, the anchor was dropped and when that was also unsuccessful we headed for another small inshore rock mark, which unfortunately was already being occupied by a small boat with two spear-fishers. Plan C (or was it D) sent us back toward home and we fished the rest of the day at East Ditch. The fish were not very obliging but fishing hard did produce a Bull Huss, a few bream and a Cod. The final bag consisted of small Bream, a Tompot Blenny, one Cod, one Bull Huss, a couple of Tub Gurnards, a Pout, and three types of Wrasse (Ballan, Cuckoo and Corkwing.
Biggest fish was the 10lb Bull Huss (Simon Harding and C and Jim had the most species (5).
[Report by Jim]

Sunday October 4th 2009 - Littlehampton - Jenifers Pride (Steve Hipgrave)

A breeze when the day started, but the weather man predicted that it would get less as the day went on, by lunchtime we knew he had been wrong, but as we stayed fairly well inshore it was not too bad. Still plenty of Bream in the 1-2lb class and a few wrasse and pout to add variety as well as a surprise red mullet. In summary, everyone caught Bream, and most had Pout, there were also Ballan, Goldsinny, and Corkwing Wrasse, as well as one Dogfish, one Tompot Blenny, and one 15oz Red Mullet.
Biggest fish was a 1.75lb Bream caught by Mick C and Jim had the most species (5).
[Report by Jim]

Saturday/Sunday September 26/27th 2009 - Plymouth

British Conger Club Affiliated Clubs Championship

Not QUITE as successful as 2008 BUT one our lads still got into the prize list with the biggest fish of the competition 64lb 13oz.
Unfortunately he did not enter the pool for the biggest fish so missed out on the prize money.
Our man Chris is the one in blue on the right of the photo.

Well done Chris

Fuller report to follow

Sunday September 27th 2009 - Weymouth - Tiger Lily (Chris Caines)

A bit less frantic start than Saturday because eight of us had left all our tackle ready aboard Tiger Lily and there was only one other who drove down in the morning. Apart from that it was a similar tale to the previous day. The mackerel fishing went a bit better so we wasted less time on them. The bank again produced some nice fish. This time there were Bream, a Bull Huss, lots of Conger around 20lb (and one of 30), a nice Cod, Dogfish, Garfish, Mackerel, Poorcod, Pout, Scad, Tope and a Starry Smoothhound.
Biggest fish went to our guest Richard with a 30lb Conger (just beating Mick`s 28lb one) and the most species was taken by Jim (8).
[Report by Jim]

Saturday September 26th 2009 - Weymouth - Tiger Lily (Chris Caines)

This was the first day of a weekend event for us, and as most of the crew were fishing both days, seven of us were booked into the Monarch hotel for 2 nights where Trish and Eddy looked after us in their usual excellent manner. After an early breakfast we were all on the boat for 7:30 a.m. where we were joined by the other three. After sorting out parking, packed lunch, bait and the last minute tackle purchases we were on our way out at 8 o`clock start (when the town bridge opened). We started at the Bill for mackerel, which were a bit scarce and then off to a bank for mixed bottom fishing. Although we did have a bit of a slow start due to a lack of tide and we did have to re-anchor a couple of times, there were fish coming in for most of the day and some were real quality. Quite a few Bream, Several Bull Huss (to 10lb), Congers (biggest 60lb), Garfish, Dogfish, Mackerel (of course), Tope (to 29lb), Poorcod, Pout, and one small John Dory. Another great days fishing and the sun shone too.
Biggest fish was Simon`s 60lb Conger and Mick had the most species (8).
[Report by Jim]

Sunday September 20th 2009 - Hayling (Langstone) - Valkyrie (Glenn Cairns)

A warm day with a big tide and light winds had the boat straight out and anchored out on the banks for Rays. Down went squid and mackerel baits but the sport was slow. Several attempts were required to get a few more mackerel for bait and the rays, bream and triggerfish were not really biting although a nearby boat had a couple of triggers and Blonde Rays as we jealously watched.
A couple of moves did find a few rays. What we were lacking in numbers was made up for by the quality of the fish although there was a problem controlling rays in the strong tide but only one got away and that was only temporarily, as when Farooq`s line parted Jim`s line was already tangled in the trace and the fish was still brought to the boat. The final bag consisted of Blonde Rays including one of 25lb and another just on 20lb, Spotted Ray, Undulate Ray, Mackerel, Bass, Bream, a Weever and a Brill.
Biggest fish was Simon`s 25lb Blonde and he also had the most species (4).
[Report by Jim]

Saturday September 12th 2009 - Littlehampton - Jenifers Pride (Steve Hipgrave)

This trip was re-scheduled (originally Sunday 14th)
Strong NW winds decided that we would fish inshore. We started with a few mackerel for bait and with them a few Scad also appeared. At anchor there were a few Bream, Dogfish and Pout with a couple of Cuckoo Wrasse and a nice (1lb) Red Gurnard for variety. Perseverance with a bit bait was rewarded wit a Thornback for Mick C. When the tide slackened drifting gave us more Bream, Pout and Cuckoos. Biggest fish was Mick Cs Thornback and Mick D had the most species (6). (none of any great size)
[Report by Jim]

Monday August 31st to Friday September 4th 2009 - Minehead - Aly Kat (Dave Roberts)

The original plan was that we would be fishing some days locally to Minehead for Rays, Bass, Triggerfish etc and some days getting an early start for longer trips down to Lundy for the Tope and other deep water fish. Alas not to be!. Having looked at forecasts ourselves we were not surprised after arriving in the middle of the Minehead Lifeboat Festival when Dave told us that we would not be going to Lundy at all. We were a bit disappointed but determined to make the best of it and fish locally. Interestingly the forecast was giving strong winds going round to the northwest (the worst direction)

Day 1 Monday

A fine(ish) day with a be brisk south-westerly wind meant that we could not do better that stay fairly close to the shore but we did manage to get to marks well down past Porlock. Mackerel were scarce but other baits produced a few fish and we ended up with 11 species including Bass (5lb) Smoothhounds, Conger and Triggerfish (the last being one of our main targets on the trip). Biggest fish was a 7lb Smoothhound (Simon) and the Peter and Alan both topped the species count with 5 each.

Day 2 Tuesday

Similar weather with a little more wind. More inshore fishing again produced eleven species of fish. No triggers but Smoothhounds, Comer and a number of rays (Blonde, Small-eyed and Thornback) all featured. Best fish was Peter`s 16lb Smoothhound and the most species went to Mick with 7. Interestingly the forecast was predicting gale force winds from the Northwest

Day 3 Wednesday

More wind and going westerly. To add to the fun it also got showery as the day went on. A bit of excitement early in the day when Peter managed unbelievably to get a hook stuck into his TONGUE. Consideration was seriously being given to calling the lifeboat when Roy managed to extract it. Again eleven fish species turned up including Pollack to 8lb, Conger and a Bull Huss (6lb) and a small octopus. Biggest fish was Alan`s 30lb Conger and the most species was Mick (7) again. The forecast was still predicting gale force winds from the Northwest
[Minehead weather]

Day 4 Thursday

More wind now and more northwesterly and with the forecast getting worse. Dave gave us the option of cancelling the day but we went to Minehead to go fishing and the trip was on. However for different reasons Brian and Roy decided that they would miss out the day. We did try, against the wind and driving rain, to get down the coast into Porlock bay bur there was no shelter at all, even there, so we turned round and headed back (a lot quicker with the wind) ending up just out from Minehead harbour. There was still a fair old sea running but it was fishable (in a cat). This is ray country and the rays were there. The bag for the day was 36 rays (Blonde, Small-eyed and Thornback) as well as small Conger, baby Tope and dogfish. The sun did come out in the afternoon. Biggest fish went to Simon with a 15 lb Blonde (he had a pair) and most species was shared by Jim and Alan (5 each).

Day 5 Friday

The weather was even worse but we were still going out (apart from Alan who was feeling a bit under par). We were pretty sure that we must have been the ONLY charter boat out in the whole of England. The only option was the same area as the previous day. During the day we heard a Gale warning on the radio ("Strong gale Force 9, decreasing Gale force 8, IMMINENT"). The water was now really thick with great chunks of weed floating on the surface. Unsurprisingly the same species turned up again but mo Thornbacks and not so many fish. Biggest was a 15lb Blonde for Roy who also took most species with 5.

Summary

All in all despite the weather it was still a great trip. It started with a fireworks display, we were well looked after at the Old Ship Aground (Thanks Mel for getting us breakfast at unearthly hours). We went out for some great meals. We had some great food on the boat (Thanks Dave, for the bangers, and cooking the Bass and Pollack).

We have already booked our trip for next year!
[Report by Jim]

Sunday August 16th 2009 - Littlehampton - Jenifers Pride (Steve Hipgrave) and Lynander (Dickie Legget)

Club Competition
It was the usual points based club competition with points varying by species and no size limit, all fish scored no matter their size. We are currently intending to review the scoring system to encourage the targeting of the species which return to the sea most successfully, such as rays and the dogfish (club members - your opinion please). The sea was nice and flat to start with but the wind did get up a bit later in the day. Some lessons had been learnt from the Barnes brothers at Weymouth and the most successful anglers on the day were those using small hooks and light tackle. The there were no fish weighed but there were Pout, Pollack, and Wrasse caught around the 2lb mark on both boats so the prize for the largest fish was not awarded. Mick (on Lynander) won the competition with 295 points, followed up by Steve with 240 points just ahead of Roy on 235 points.
[Report by Jim]

Sunday August 9th 2009 - Hayling (Langstone) - Valkyrie (Glenn Cairns)

A warm day with light SW breeze. Excellent fishing drifting for Bass over offshore banks with small live sandeel. First drift we were assured of Bass. Roy and Peter immediately caught one but Dave landed a Brill of about 5 lb - nobody read him the script!! Everybody caught Bass which was great. We anchored for two hours on the slack and a good number of decent blondes were caught. Good quality fishing which everyone thoroughly enjoyed. Mick was champ for the day, but we were all a little envious of Dynamite Dave. Glen`s new tea making facilities were also much appreciated.
[Report by Roy]

Sunday 2 August 2009 - Weymouth - Tiger Lily (Chris Caines)

[Photo 5 Guildford members and the Barnes Brothers]

Our first ever five-a-side competition. We were up against the Barnes Brothers (Oxford) who all seem to specialise in species competition against each other. Three of our members had fished the previous day against Berkshire and we were mistakenly confident. Fishing off Portland for mackerel we were disappointingly inept, and then we were given a lesson in how to target the mini-species. Barnes stormed ahead as they used their specialist small fish traces to tempt the tiny Wrasse and Gobies. Then we moved offshore where we hoped we might be more successful. Not a chance, nails were efficiently driven into the coffin of our hopes as they hauled in three Congers, a few Bream, Tope, and an Undulate Ray. We did manage to pull back a little at the end but still ended up over a 100 points behind. Prizes from Tiger Lily sponsors (Mercedes and Fladen) were distributed to the winners and there were even small consolation prizes for the Guildford team. An excellent day and the Barnes Brothers spent a good bit of their sweeps win on beers in the Sailors return afterwards. Another great day and we have promised to organise a return match in 2010 even though they quite cheerfully gave away information about their special traces and methods (after the competition). Our team managed between them to catch Pout, Dogfish, Pollack, Bream, Mackerel, Conger, Tope, Ballan Wrasse, Rockcook Wrasse, Goldsinny Wrasse, and Poorcod.
[Report by Jim]

Saturday 1 August 2009 - Weymouth - Tiger Lily (Chris Caines)

Three club members took places on board to join in with the RCBDSAF (Royal County of Berkshire Deep Sea Angling Federation) annual species hunt competition. We have to report that Mick was our star and did the business on the day with a score of well over 300 points and and was therefore the winner and received a valuable prize donated by one of the Tiger Lily sponsors (Mercedes) and no it was not one of their latest cars. Lots of species caught Pout, Dogfish, Pollack, Bream, Mackerel, Conger, Tope, Ballan Wrasse, Corkwing Wrasse, Goldsinny Wrasse, Poorcod, and Tompot Blenny. Good fun and good company and we have intend to arrange a 4/5 aside competition next year against RCBDSAF.
[Report by Jim]

Saturday/Sunday 18/19 July 2009 - Hayling (Langstone) - Valkyrie (Glenn Cairns)

Cancelled due to horrendous (and accurate as it turned out) weather forecast - no chance of crossing the channel.

Thursday 16 July 2009 - Littlehampton - Jenifers Pride (Steve Hipgrave)

Another of those warm calm summer days when it is so nice to be out to sea. Four club members (of a crew of five) were aboard. The mackerel were hard to find again (although a nice red gurnard came up on the feathers) a and we dropped anchor near a small wreck with only five to use as bait. The action was not exactly fast and furious but there were a few bites (Breamish) a few lost fish (Tope and/or Conger?). Feathers produced some more Mackerel and Scad and a there were a couple of Tope caught as well as Pout. When the tide turned, re-anchoring on the other side of the wreck, the story was much the same, Tope biting through traces, Conger breaking traces, large Pout venturing out from the wreck to snaffle baits not intended for them. Two Bream were caught of the two Dogfish that turned up, one did have us wondering about the club record but, at 2lb 9oz, it was over half a pound light. A very enjoyable day.
[Report by Jim]

Monday 13 July 2009 - Sandy Point, Hayling Island - Beach Competition (1st Leg)

The evening was forecast to be dry and warm with a pleasant breeze. It was dryish at times, warmish and there was a stiffish southerly breeze. Start time was 8pm and the competitors were all there in plenty of time. Due to the tidal flow (and the accompanying weed) the venue only became realistically fishable at about 8:15. The fishing was slow with very few bites but some of the regulars found Smoothhounds (largest 11lb 6oz) and one small Bream also landed. At 10:00 as the tide started to ebb strongly and darkness fell, we all started to pack up and head off home. Official results will follow at a later date.
[Report by Jim]

Sunday 5 July 2009 - Littlehampton - Jenifers Pride (Steve Hipgrave)

What a lovely day be fishing. Shame that the fish did not want to play. No mackerel to be found, well there were TWO caught on the drift. Anchored over a bank there was a wait of 2 hours before the first proper bite (small tope). Listening to the other boats on the radio, they were doing no better. We kept at least one set of mackerel feathers in the water all the time but even then we only manages to get a couple of dozen mackerel. t Eventually a few more Tope turned up and then a few rays. The final bag was about 20 small tope, five small-eyed rays (to 5.5lb), a couple of pout and a little spotted ray. Still it was sunny, warm(ish), and dry and there were a FEW fish.
[Report by Jim]

Thursday 2 July 2009 - Hayling (Langstone) - Valkyrie (Glenn Cairns)

Wow! Gorgeous weather, reasonable sea to start with and getting flatter as the day went on.
Q. What was the Plan?
A. Glenn promised a special day going right out to a distant reef (well over 2 hours even on this fast cat) and then on to a wreck even further away.
Q. Did he deliver?
A. Yes he did.
[Photo Chris Cod]

Masses of nice fat cod on the ground to artificials and then off to drift the wreck - Bigger cod, Ling, Pollack. Glenn THEN anchored the wreck spot on and we fished mackerel just in front of it for Conger and more Cod and Ling. When the tide slackened and turned, the boat swung away from the wreck but by then we were all more than happy to call it a day and the boat headed off back toward home as we started filleting the Cod, Ling, and Pollack. [Photo Filleting]

6 members and 2 guests fished on the day and between us we had plenty of Cod (to 23lb), Pollack (to 16lb), and Ling (to 20lb), Mackerel and even a couple of Bream to take home. Everybody caught Cod and most got at least one Pollack, one Ling and one Conger. Not the cheapest trip but more than worth it.
Brilliant, Fantastic! Glenn gets 9.9 points out of 10 (loses 0.1 for running out of teabags so coffee only after the first round of hot drinks.
[Report by Jim]

Monday 29 June 2009 - Littlehampton - Jenifers Pride (Steve Hipgrave)

Only 2 Club members aboard (out of a crew of 7)on this trip. Weather F4 Easterly. Warm. Sunshine.
Fishing was slow to start , Alan had the first Ray - A blonde of 4lb. Mick had a Small-eyed of 6lb. Alan had an Undulate of 9lb which was biggest. Both of us had 5 species and between us, as well as the 3 species of rays, we found Mackerel, Scad, Tub Gurnard and small Tope. Good days fishing with lots of rays in the end.
[Report by Mick]

Saturday 27 June 2009 - Littlehampton - Jenifers Pride (Steve Hipgrave)

A very warm day with light winds and little tide. Slow fishing, but better after we moved. Small bream in abundance with only a couple over 2lb. Mackerel in abundance and the highlight of the day was a very welcome barbecue from Stevie the boatman! We all enjoyed mackerel at its best (straight from the sea). Best fish of the day was a conger estimated at 20lb.
[Report by Roy]

Sunday 21 June 2009 - Hayling (Langstone) - Valkyrie (Glenn Cairns)

A warm day with light NW breeze. Excellent fishing with Smoothounds showing well and fish were caught all day. Our two novices (Tom and David) showed everyone the way early on with big hounds and an excellent brace of Thornback to David. But by lunchtime when they had learnt what they were doing things slowed up considerably for them and they did no better than the rest of us!
[Report by Roy]

Sunday 7 June 2009 - Littlehampton - Jenifers Pride (Steve Hipgrave)

Cancelled because of the weather.

A Trip to Florida by a party of 3 including 2 of our members

Hi Everyone.

Tom and I and Lewis are back from Florida.
We had what could be described as a back-water fishing expedition as opposed to deep sea fishing.
Never the less we caught various species every day. Great fun..
Snapper-redfish-grouper-ladyfish-spanish mackerel-jacks-sea trout-pufferfish-lemmon shark-nurse shark-and two species of catfish.
I got into a tarpon but did not land it. (b*****r).
The biggest brute was the nurse shark. Easily 200lb plus.( Estimated.) It was biggg.
Great time was had by all, hope to do it again sometime.
Did I mention we had a lot of Rain and Thunder Storms. Wow !

Regards Steve.xx

Sunday 24 May 2009 - Littlehampton - Jenifers Pride (Steve Hipgrave)

This was lunchtime start and had been carefully planned to hit the smoothhounds and the Bream. Not everything goes to plan unfortunately. Parking at this time in Littlehampton on a Bank Holiday Sunday is a nightmare, causing a delayed start. Also the breeze was slight but had a bit of EASTERLY in it and all anglers know what that means. The result was that the mackerel were difficult, the Smoothhounds not around at all and the Bream were pretty shy too. Final result - 8 anglers between them caught a few Mackerel, some Bream (up to 3lb) one Bass, two double figure Undulate Rays, one Thornback ray, Pout, Dogfish and a Garfish.
[Report by Jim]

Thursday 21 May 2009 - Littlehampton - Jenifers Pride (Steve Hipgrave)

Three club members turned out for this trip and one of these also brought along a guest (Duncan). The weather man advertised this as a nice day and to be fair we did see a bit of sun, BUT the 10 mph wind gusted up to 26 mpg and it was CCCCCold for May. The Bream were difficult and it took 4 moves to finally find a few decent size ones. One of the other anglers on the boat had a nice Bream of 3lb 12Oz but this was topped by Duncan`s (first ever) Bream of exactly 4lb. The biggest fish of the day was a 10lb Smoothhound and there were also the usual Pout and Mackerel and one Bass

[Report by Jim]

Sunday 17 May 2009 - Hayling (Langstone) - Valkyrie (Glenn Cairns)

Cancelled due to the forecast of high wind, bumpy sea, and pouring rain.

Thursday 14 May 2009 - Hayling (Langstone) - Valkyrie (Glenn Cairns)

Farooq and myself were on an `individuals`. We fished several wrecks 50 to 60 miles off. The weather was very good. Both of us caught a lot of fish, I caught pollock, cod, mackerel and pout and Farooq caught pollock, cod and pout. The best fish of the day went to a non-member and was a 28 1/2 lb cod, I caught a 25 lb cod, a 12 lb cod and among my pollock (7) was a 12 lb one.
[Report by Nigel]

Sunday 10 May 2009 - Littlehampton - Jenifers Pride (Steve Hipgrave)

There was a bit more wind and it was from the East, but having done so well the previous day, Steve headed out to the same marks again. The fish were a little less keen and had to be teased onto the hook. Both Bream marks produced again but not in the quantities of the previous day. The Bass also had to be worked for quite hard but everybody caught at least one. The biggest Bream was (4lb 1oz) the biggest Bass about 3lb and there was a Ballan Wrasse of 3lb 14oz. We also had Dogfish, Garfish, Pout, Cuckoo Wrasse and Mackerel.
Another good days fishing.
[Report by Jim]

Saturday 9 May 2009 - Littlehampton - Jenifers Pride (Steve Hipgrave)

Lovely day, flat sea, cold to start but the sun came out later. Being now well into the season for Bream, they were the main target and they did not disappoint us. At our first mark Bream were biting quite shyly but everybody managed to connect with a few, and in the majority they were decent sized fish. When the tide slackened the boat swung over some clearer ground and some tried for hounds and rays with little success so the anchor was upped and off we headed to toward another Bream mark. On the way the birds were spotted working a Bass shoal and therefore not being able to resist we had a (successful) drift for them. At the second mark we continued to connect with Bream and ended the day with everybody having at least one good Bream and a Bass to take home. Looking at the final bag, we had Bream (to 4.5lb) Bass (to 6lb) Ballan Wrasse (to 3lb 12oz) Smoothhound (6lb 4oz) Dogfish, Garfish, Pout, Poorcod and Mackerel.
Credit must go to Steve Hipgrave for putting us in the right place at the right time.
[Report by Jim]

Thursday 7 May 2009 - Littlehampton - Jenifers Pride (Steve Hipgrave)

Club members took three spaces on this Jenifers Pride Individuals day.
There were plenty of Bream but none of any great size, the biggest fish weighing in was a Smoothhound, as usual there was also dogfish, pout and Mackerel.
[Report by Mick]

Saturday 2 May 2009 - Hayling (Langstone) - Valkyrie (Glenn Cairns)

This was booked as a Smoothhound and Tope Trip. We were offered the chance of going out for Cod in the deeper water with artificials but as bait had already been arranged it was decided that we should stick to the original plan. A couple of drifts at the Nab for Mackerel only produced a few for bait, but there were also a number picked up on the feathers as the boat was anchored. On the ebbing tide we were soon into the good size Hounds with both Starry and Common coming in. As the tide dropped some swapped to Mackerel baits and a few Tope were caught. The slack of the tide found some targeting other species and as the flood tide built it became more difficult to connect with any fish so the last hours fishing was spent over a sandy hole a bit further inshore. During the day there were over thirty Smoothhounds (best 20lb) and about ten Tope (best 28lb) caught, which were all released. The other species caught were Bream, Dogfish, and Pout.
[Report by Jim]

Sunday 26 April 2009 - Littlehampton - Jenifers Pride (Steve Hipgrave) and Lynander (Dickie Leggat)

The first of the 2009 Club Competitions.
Excellent conditions with a little wind from the land (NE) A lot of fish caught with many anglers recording maximum points for Bream. Those aboard Lynander wisely husbanded their limited supply of ragworm which allowed them the option of moving onto the rock to target the Wrasse later in the day when Jenifers Pride went inshore looking for Smoothhounds (with little success) ALL the prizes went to the Lynander crew except for the Largest fish. There were 12 species of fish recorded - Bream, Dogfish, Garfish, Mackerel, Pout, Poorcod, Starry Smoothhound, Ballan Wrasse, Cuckoo Wrasse, Corkwing Wrasse, Goldsinny Wrasse, and Tompot Blenny.
First Prize - Roy Hebburn (240 points)
Second Place - Mick Doody (214 points)
Third Place - Pete Talbot (194 points)
Fourth Place - John Hamilton (185 points)
Prize for the largest fish - Paul Harcus (5lb 2oz Smoothhound)

[Report by Jim]

Thursday 23 April 2009 - Littlehampton - Jenifers Pride (Steve Hipgrave)

Club members took three spaces on this Jenifers Pride Individuals day.
Excellent conditions with a little wind from the land (NE) Bream were slow in coming at the start but as the tide increased they fed better so that all three of our members took fish. The final bag consisted of Bream (up to 2.5lb), one Bass, a couple of Garfish and of course the usual Dogfish and Pout.
[Report by Mick]

Sunday 19 April 2009 - Hayling (Langstone) - Valkyrie (Glenn Cairns)

First club trip on the new Valkyrie (Number 5), yet another improvement in the layout, it just gets better. The weather started off cold and blowy but improved as the day went on, until the heavy jackets were abandoned at lunchtime. The target was Smoothhound and we got about twenty, some small, but a couple of larger ones weighed in at 12lb 8oz and 14lb. There were also Pout, Dogfish, Poorcod, Tope, Whiting, Bream Cod, and Mackerel. Another excellent day.
[Report by Jim]

Sunday 14 April 2009 - Littlehampton - Jenifers Pride (Steve Hipgrave)

Another lovely day on the KIngmere. The Male Bream have arrived but they were not concentrating on feeding, Obviously something else is uppermost in their minds. We did get nearly thirty in the day, all a good size with the biggest going over 3 lb. There were of course plenty of Pout, a couple of Garfish and a Poorcod. It looks like summer fishing is on the way.
[Report by Jim]

Sunday 5 April 2009 - Littlehampton - Jenifers Pride (Steve Hipgrave)

A lovely day to be out there on the sea, Not exactly summer but sunny and dry and not as cold as it has been. The Bream have arrived (well some of the males anyway) - Not in great numbers and they are not exactly suicidal but the trip produced 17, most of which were of a reasonable size, the biggest turning the scales at 2lb. There were also a few Wrasse (Ballan and Goldsinny), Pout, Garfish and Dogfish.
[Report by Jim]

Sunday 22 March 2009 - Littlehampton - Jenifers Pride (Steve Hipgrave)

Reports that the spurdogs had arrived offshore, a flattish sea, and the neap tide encouraged an extended trip to the deeper water. Two hours saw us anchored at the bank and fishing commenced. Unfortunately the spurs either were not in the mood or had decided to feed in another area. There were plenty of Dogfish and Pout and the consolation of s two Cod taken at the end of the day. Perhaps the majority of the spurs have still to arrive?
[Report by Jim]

Saturday 14 March 2009 - Great White (Sean Heath)

Nice day weatherwise but not a brilliant on the fishing front - spent a fortune on worms for the plaice but after a couple of hours no sign of plaice at all (not even bites) so up anchor (one dab did hang on the bait as we left) and over to the Nab. Not much of anything but all told there was a Spotted Ray (3lb 6oz) A Thornback (5lb) a couple of Starry Smoothhounds and a Common one, a few Whiting, Pout and Dogfish and one little Dab.
Roll on the summer!!
[Report by Jim]

Sunday 8 March 2009 - Littlehampton - Jenifers Pride (Steve Hipgrave)

Another cancellation due to horrible cold, wet, windy weather.

Sunday 22 February 2009 - Littlehampton - Jenifers Pride (Steve Hipgrave)

It was cold and we went out to catch a cod but no cod. We did catch a lot of (smallish) Whiting and some pout and dogfish and two little dabs, which was better than most boats did on the day. There was also a mystery ray (male) caught which weighed 4.4 lb and we had trouble deciding what sort it was. Various possibilities have been put forward including Sandy, Cuckoo, Blonde and Starry. The jury is still out but currently the experts seem to be coming down on the side of SPOTTED ray. Still a good size specimen spotted ray.
[Report by Jim]

Sunday 1 February 2009 - Hayling Island - Great White (Sean Heath)

Cancelled - The weather AGAIN

Sunday 18 January 2009 - Littlehampton - Jenifers Pride (Steve Hipgrave)

Another cancellation due to adverse weather.

Sunday 11 January 2009 - Hayling Island - Great White (Sean Heath)

Cancelled - Force 7 wind forecast

Sunday 4 January 2009 - Littlehampton - Jenifers Pride (Steve Hipgrave)

Just five club members on the boat, it would have been a full complement but I wont embarrass anyone by going into the reasons for the three no-shows.

Bitterly cold but apparently not as bad as the previous day when there was a nasty easterly wind to cope with as well.
Although most of the other boats headed off to the west we went after the bass.
It was the end of the ebb so there was not a lot doing to begin with so we anchored up a little way from the rock in the hope of a cod while we waited for the flood tide.
No cod, just dogfish and when the tide started we went back to drifting over the rock.
The fish were still a little shy but we ended the day with every one catching at least one bass (the three biggest were 8lb. 7.5lb and 5.5lb) and of course no one had missed out on the dogfish. We also had a surprise from one mackerel which took a bass lure.
[Report by Jim]

(2008 reports Here )

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