31st August 2008 saw our first annual event. We planned and held a celebratory competition on Princess Pier, Torquay for members to mark our first successful year. The event was sealed with a host fantastic prizes donated by Brixham Bait and Tackle.
The weather on the morning was nothing short of miserable. Most of us arose at about 04:30 to see heavy rain, blustery wind and an impressive thunder and lightening storm. Less than ideal conditions to be fishing, but we all carried on regardless. Upon arrival, our fears of a poor turn out were quickly forgotten as there was an impressive amount of people carrying a host of fishing gear, all looking ambitious!
Once we'd all congregated on Princess Pier and got all of the gear set up it was a matter of idle chat until the 06:00 kick off. Shortly after we started, our youngest competitor, Tom hooked into the first of many fish. His catch further inspired the rest and the concentration increased. Tom's initial catch was quickly followed up several other fish and the competition was well under way.
By the middle of the morning we'd seen a good variety of species and some impressive fish caught. Most of us were expecting 5 or 6 different species owing to the poor fishing of late but our pessimism was speedily quashed. In all 15 different species were caught. The favoured baits appeared to be rag or mackeral strip, the more elaborate baits appeared to offer nothing else! A variety of different styles were adopted and many different casting distances were tried.
For most of the competitors there was at least one fish per person. However, there has to be one who blanks and this competition was without failure. However, for some reason there is no photographs of the spoon being handed over so the anonimity is guaranteed for mth.
Janee, together with bait man and fish unhooker Phil, had a good constant supply of Wrasse throughout the session with a Blenny to boost her already impressive score. Eventually as time rolled by and her score kept rising it was a foregone conclusion we'd all been beaten, even Den's late rush with a Bass wasn't enough.
The final results are as follows:
1st Janee 218 points - wrasse galore! 2nd Den 125 points - last minute bass! 3rd Richard 95 points - Massive scad 4th Mono 79 points - Micro-pout and gilthead bream 5th Phil 71 points - Lovely mullet
Most species - Richard with 5 (Mono also caught 5 but Richard caught more fish) Best fish - Lowrider with a stunning mullet!
Many thanks to Dr Sheff for organising such a successful event and Brixham Bait and Tackle for supplying us with outstanding prizes and a lot of support. This is the first of many annual events we will be holding and hopefully we'll see more of you next time!
Just for your perusal here are some pictures taken from the event.
The collective!
Overall winner, Janee.
Den's dogfish.
.
Richard's Gar.
One of Janee's many Wrasse.
Richard's Wrasse.
Mart's Mullet.
Tom's Blenny (in motion).
Wolfie's Pipe fish
Mono with his Bream.
Den's last minute Bass.
Lowriders Mullet.
Tom's Bream.
SDF hogging Princess Pier.
Richard's Scad.
Many thanks to Putty, Dr Sheff, Phil Jays, Mackie_basher07, Nemesis_SLR and everyone else who contributes to the continuing success of this website.
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