On Friday 29th November, we met at the The Old Ship Aground to register for the two-day EFSA England Species event fishing for conger eels and rays. Other fish over 5lb in weight would also count. After registering, we drew for our boat positions, instead of waiting until we were on our boat, which was how it had been done previously. This seemed to meet the approval of most of the anglers. We also entered the team events. After registration a chance to catch up with old friends in the bar.
Saturday Day 1
07.15 muster at the harbour so the four boats could leave at 07.30. With only a light breeze forecast until late in the afternoon the conditions were good. The boats motored out to the grounds to the east of Minehead were we fished the falling tide and then out to the three-mile grounds to find more tide before it turned. Fishing was steady with the target fish gradually being caught, eels and conger plus a couple of smoothhounds making the 5lb minimum size. Fortunately, we weren’t plagued with dogfish. Back on shore and the results calculated it was Ash Currier in top spot with 11 counting fish for 55 points, second was Richard Russell with 10 fish 50points and Matt Osborne and Barrie Senior in third both with 9 fish and 45 points. Barrie Senior had the best ray of the day, a blond of 71cm across the wings.
Sunday Day 2
After a blustery and rainy night, we mustered at the later time of 07.45 to leave at 08.00. Fortunately the wind had abated, and the rain stopped and apart from a couple of very light showers it was again a good day for fishing. Like the previous day we went to similar grounds, but fishing was a bit patchier. However, there was still a good number of counting fish caught.
The final result for the two days saw Richard Russell at the top to take the gold pin with a total of 17 fish for 85 points. Matt Osborne took the silver pin with 16 fish for 80 points. There was a tie for the bronze pin with both Andy Smith and Gary Dennis having 15 fish and 75 points. On count back both Andy and Gary had 10 rays, but Gary had fish in the over 5lb category to take the pin.
The presentation was held at the Old Ship Aground where there was a raffle followed by a short speech by our Chairman Neal Bryant, who then went on to present the prizes and pins to the winners. Neil also presented the prizes of tackle vouchers to winners of the other categories.
Top Senior, Richard Russell; Day One winner Ash Currier; Day Two winner Simon Norman; Four Man team Andy Smith, Barrie Senior, Kim Bowden, Richard Russell; Two Man team Andy Smith and Barrie Senior; Four Man Drawn, Kevin Preston, Jonathan Law, Perry Dack, John Hiles: Best Fish Barrie Senior: Top Boat Fulmar.
The number of scoring fish caught on Day 1 was 143 and Day 2 160. Over the two days 165 of the fish were rays with the rest mainly congers and a few fish over 5lb.
Our thanks go to all the following: The skippers of the boats, Golden West, Fulmar, Osprey and Sofiya. To Mike Webber for arranging the quality bait. To the staff of The Old Ship Aground for their hospitality. To Rosie for opening her café early so we could get breakfast baps and takeaways. Finally, to the committee members who helped with organisation especially Andy and Charlotte.
Results
- Senior Overall
- Individual Overall
- 2 Man Team Overall
- 4 Man Team Overall
- 4 Man Drawn Team Overall
- Longest Ray, Day Winners and Top Boat
Gallery
