Angling

FISH RECORDERS REPORT – 2007

Global warming is blamed for changes to our weather patterns and the promise of more to come.  Whether or not this is the cause there is no doubt that the weather during 2007 was different from recent years.  Early spring saw some excellent weather, calm and warm, and plenty of boats were able to capitalise on this.  The fishing was also good and numbers of specimens were recorded.  Everyone started to get excited about the summer with long range forecasts indicating scorching temperatures, plenty of sun and light winds.  However, the wind and rain that blighted early summer in particular allowed few trips so sport suffered dramatically.  Fortunately the weather had another trick up its sleeve and anglers enjoyed one of the calmest autumns for many years.

 The statistics for the year are as follows (last year’s figures in brackets).  Total number of specimens recorded was a commendable 192 (151) representing xx (18) species.  In addition to numbers of fish there was an increase in ‘good’ fish with 15 (6) fish achieving NFSA minimum weights.  Beach anglers again recorded 25 (25) specimens while juveniles excelled with 11 (6) specimens weighed in by six members.  As I predicted last year the Smooth Hound record was again bettered with Peter Wiseman’s fish of 14 lbs 9 ozs and I suspect that this could well stand for a number of years.

Inshore sport was again dominated by plaice with a number of boats finding between 20 and 40 fish per day.  Autumn showed a slight resurgence of dabs followed quickly by an influx of codling in the 2-3 lbs class.  These also provided a bonus for beach anglers with 9 fish being recorded for the Robertson Cup.  The usual run of winter whiting failed to materialise and most winter beach anglers struggled to find more than a handful of fish.  Offshore boats again concentrated on wreck marks and were rewarded with good numbers of Pollack early in the year and anglers taking advantage of the calm autumn weather finding an incredible run of autumn bass.  However the numbers of conger eels weighed in sank to 3 which is the lowest for many years.  The few boats to fish open ground marks enjoyed mixed fortunes although several thornback ray were landed and cod and black bream could be found on rough ground marks.

For the second year running the Sole Competition was not fished but all the other events went ahead and saw some excellent specimens and bags of fish brought to the scales.  The Club Champions titles were a family affair with John Walter winning the overall title and his son, Simon, taking the juvenile crown.  The Winter Beach series enjoyed its usual mix of fine and stormy conditions but an average of 23 anglers braved all conditions throughout the 8 match series.  The shortage of whiting meant that bags were often smaller than in previous years but Jesse Crouch consistently found fish to take the overall title with Daniel Warne taking the junior honours.

And so to 2008.  With the winter coming to an end there is increased activity on the beach as owners get their boats ready for the season.  With the weather likely to continue with its unpredictable trend it will take a brave person to forecast what sort of year anglers will enjoy.  What is certain is that forecasts seem to change from day to day and the wise angler will keep his options open till the last minute.  Its amazing how many times a few boats can enjoy a superb day when others have been put off by a conservative forecast by the Met Office.

Graham Furness – Fish Recorder

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