AT Wessex Boat Championship 2017 Report

May 20th was the date for this year’s Angling Trust Wessex Region Boat Championship out of the port of Langstone. This competition is open to Angling Trust members and members of affiliated clubs.

The 34 anglers entered in this year’s competition met up at Nelsons Bar, Southsea Holiday Home and Lodge Park to register and enjoy a full English breakfast or just a coffee before heading off to the boat pick up. This year’s boats were Dawn Venture, Predator and Starfish out of Langstone and Valkyrie out of Chichester harbour.

Despite the light wind as we got on the boats the forecast for the day was not favourable with the wind due to increase by midday so it was decided to fish Bullocks Patch, a mark just to the South of Hayling Island. From here not too far to run to the Solent where there would be shelter from the increasing South East wind.

The first mark for most boats was Bullocks patch and we were soon in to the target species there which were Wrasse and Pouting. One wrasse caught by most boats was the Baillon’s, a species we are seeing more of out of Langstone, unfortunately it is a mini species which do not score in this competition.

So with the anchor down and kettle on the competition got under way, As planned on Dawn venture we were straight in to Ballan Wrasse and Pouting and in lesser numbers Bream, Garfish and Dogfish and Richard Day on the stern had a Spotted Ray, but more about Richard’s Ray catching later.

The wind increased steadily as the morning progressed so with most anglers on board having reasonable numbers of Wrasse and pouting on the score sheet it was onward with the plan and a change of position and head up the Solent where the Isle of Wight afforded a bit of shelter from the wind, at least with the wind the only shower of rain blew swiftly on its way to main land England.

On the sandier mark it was small Smoothound the target plus Bream and Dogfish and soon the rods were into the target Hounds, small but still good fun on the rods we were using. Ben Prosser next to me had a nice double shot of Smoothound and near 10 pound Undulate Ray. I did say more on Richard Day and Rays and on this mark he caught 2 Undulate Rays and as no one other than these 2 anglers had caught a Ray, Richard was in the lead on our boat.

The other boats had similar game plans but no one was giving away how their boat was doing so there was a lot of speculation on how each boat was catching, that would have to wait till we got in. On our boat at lines up it was very close between Steve Batchlor and Steve Dailey but the difference between their score and Richard Day’s with his 3 Rays added gave Richard a clear win on the boat.

So once off the boats it was back to Nelsons bar where we started the day where the anglers could have a drink and chat about where the day went well or not so well while waiting for the presentation.

The presentation was preceded by a raffle, the only chance for many of us to win something on the day. It was then down to how the day went with Kim Bowden reading the results. Top skipper in the competition was Ross Burnett on Dawn Venture having the highest average score.

The optional pool was for most different species on the day and was a 4 way split all on 7 species, Mark Smith, Richard Day, Pete Bailey and Martin Bobbett so the money was shared

Then angers from 5th to 15th were announced and each in turn came forward to select a prize off the prize table. It was then on to the 4 Boat winners for the day who each get a cash prize. As the 4 boat winner all had 100% the winner is decided on count back on fish points. This year’s Champion was Richard Day who won the top prize of £200. In Second place Perry Dack who won this event last year. The other 2 boat winners were Mark Smith and Dave Oliver.

The trophies for this event for the top 2 AT members were awarded to the Winner Richard Day and runner up Perry Dack. The trophies for Club Champion of Champions were Richard Day of Warren Boat Angling Club with runner up Ray Barron of the Individual Boat Angling Club.

Kim Bowden closed by thanking everyone for taking part and hoped they enjoyed the day even if not fortunate enough to be in the prizes. Next year it is proposed to host the 2018 Angling Trust Wessex Boat Championship out of Poole. It only remains for me to wish everyone a safe journey home and then said if everyone moves back to the bar there are 4 tables laid up where curry and rice will be served before you leave.

Report by Kim Bowden