15th March

Alan's Marine Open - Southsea beaches

Over 200 anglers pegged at 10 meter intervals.

The day began very early indeed for Nick and myself, as to have the best edge ion competitive fishing, the freshest and best of bait is a big advantage. Hence we found ourselves out on the West Sussex rag beds at 07:00. On arrival, a chap was leaving. Also fishing the Alan's Marine, he had popped down to bump up his maddie collection. A quick and friendly chat and introduction, and he very kindly revealed the source of his maddie bed, which Nick topped up from on the way off the mud. An awfully nice chap, and further evidence that most match anglers are a long way from the secretive and selfish reputation that sometimes follow' them around the match circuit. On arrival, the pegged event was very well organised and very smooth indeed, which was no suprise as the Hampshir tackle shop, Alan's Marine has been hosting these big events for many many years. We drew our pegs, drove off and I deposited Nick at his peg, 128 I seem to remember, whcih was about 800 yards West of St Georges road, the favoured area. My own draw, peg 67, put me about five hundred yards or so East of the Soldier monument, not a terrible area, and indeed the area I think that the biggest reported shore plaice so far this year was caught, a fish in excesss of five pounds. Another friend of mine , Steve (I really do have lots and lots of friends called Steve and Dave....) drew peg 79.

Pea Crab. This and a huge whelk were my only catches of the day

The fishing was, as expected, very slow indeed. Part of the attraction of this big money match, is that if you get so much as a fish you stand a very good chance of getting in on the prizes. Trouble is, I and the vast majority of the 200 anglers, including Nick and Steve, failed completely to catch a fish. The top prize went to a single bass of 2lb 14.5 oz. That fish was worth a total of £1190 in prize money!! I did thoroughly enjoy the day out, as I think Nick and Steve did. In such a big competition I found myself trembling like a teenager on a first date at the beggining, so much so that I totally fumbled my first cast and cracked off!! Well done Alan's MArine forhosting what I would have to say was, despite the lack of fish, a most enjoyable event. Long may they continue!!!