This year’s Species event was fishing for smoothhound from Haslar Marina, Gosport, fishing the waters to the East of Isle of Wight.
On Saturday morning the 20 anglers mustered outside unit 16 office, Haslar Marine, the base for Kelly’s Hero Charters who’s two boats were to stage the event. Breakfast baps were delivered to the office for those that ordered them and the “Street Bean” coffee van was there where Karl served up fresh brewed coffee or tea. So, while anglers fortified themselves for the day the Registration of anglers took place, then it was time to get on the boats for the first day.
Day 1 on the boats, Kelly’s Hero 3 and 4. After the draw for positions the bait was distributed. Bait was frozen squid, frozen hermit crab and live hard back crab. Thanks to Matt Osborne for the latter as he brought 600 with him from a local supplier.
When boats were in position angling commenced with most favouring uptide casting with grip leads, and soon the first Smoothhounds were brought to the boat, they were then measured before quickly being returned to the water. The competition was fished to length, so the greatest combined length over the two days would be the winner.
All anglers caught the required species but some a lot more than others! Day 1 and it was Matt Osborne out in front with a total of 9 fish for length of 834cm and Gary Geoghegan next with 6 fish for 541cm.
Day 2 and similar format to the previous day. Again, we were blessed with another day of light winds and sunshine. Also, the fishing was better than the Saturday. On Saturday there were 68 Smoothhounds boated, Sunday there were a total of 105 boated and released. So, over the 2 days the total was 173 Smoothhounds boated and released.
There was no doubt as to our Champion as Matt Osbourne boated a further 12 fish and was top angler on both days.
For the presentation the Lightship Jetty Bar in the Marina made us welcome. Our skipper Bex got them to put some nice platters of food to nibble on while the anglers had a relaxing drink and discuss what went right or wrong with their fishing.
Kim Bowden hosted the presentation while Barrie Senior handed out the rewards. Kim started by thanking the anglers for taking part, and thanking the Skippers, Bex, Ian and Matt, who made us welcome, kept us supplied with refreshment and kept us on the fish.
Top Skipper both days was Bex, skippering a different boat each day!
Longest Smoothhounds for the weekend were caught by Paul Hart 118cm, next Billy Cann 117cm and Matt Osborne 116cm, all very close.
Full results are published below but special mention to our Species pin winners, Mark Smith for the bronze, Gary Geoghegan for silver and in a class of his own Matt Osborne the Gold pin, whose score was well in front of everyone else.
Kim finished by thanking all those that help make this a great Championship and hope to see many of the anglers at future events.
Results
Gallery
