SUNDAY SUN SEA ANGLING MARCH 29th

SUNDAY SUN SEA ANGLING MARCH 29th

Angling bodies and individuals are having great problems getting an answer to a simple question from Joe Borg member of the European Commission European. All we are after is what is the difference between a recreational Sea angler and a hobby angler, to me they are both the same? However because of European Bureaucracy and terminology to those not acquainted with angling think there is a difference. Take the statement below by Joe Borg

“Let me emphasize that our proposal would not cover either shore anglers, including those wading in the sea, or anglers fishing from a pier or from a canoe. It would in fact only cover recreational fisherman who from a vessel in the open sea and who catch fish, which are under multi-annual plans that are threatened by extinction. The hobby angler, who catches a few kilos of fish every time he goes out fishing and uses it exclusively for his private consumption, will not be covered by control regulation, even if he catches fish like cod which is under a recovery plan.” Does Joe Borg not contradict himself? Unfortunately, hobby or recreational anglers would need to worry at the moment as catches have been fairly low. Boat anglers are picking up four or five fish each with the best around 4lb, but most are in the 1-2lb and not really worth keeping. Some nice plaice have started showing along the sandy beaches, with anglers fishing from kayaks taking a couple a trip, with most as usual falling to ragworm. Sadly only handful of codling have been taken along the shoreline, in many club matches not s single sizeable fish where weighed in. Some of the clubs south of the Tees have relied upon the humble rockling to give a bit sport, although one or two thornback rays to 4lb have been taken. With the way things are going we will be targeting Oarfish, as another has turned up last Monday at Seaham, this one was only a baby measuring nine feet long, still handy in a measure and release match.

Sadly there was a poor turnout in Eastenders Charity competition with only sixty two anglers taking part, with only eleven weighing in 12 flounder with only an ounce between the winning fish. Bill Jackson taking the biggest at 1lb 5oz and the fourth biggest at 1lb 2oz, from the Queen Alexandra Bridge, with Neil Cutler taking one of 1lb 4oz from Marsden. Steve Rackstraw came fifth with one of 1lb 3oz. The junior winner was six year old Thomas Rutherford with a flounder of 1lb taken at South Shields small beach.

A meeting regarding the “possible” implications of Marine Conservation Zones to recreational sea anglers could be taking place in the next month or two. If you belong to an organisation or club along the NE coast, The Northern Federation of Sea Angling Societies would like to know if you would like to be represented. If you do you can contact me via, e-mail alancharltonsea@blueyonder.co.uk

4th April Sea Angler Anyfish Anywhere Road show, 10-4pm

5th April Hornsea Anyfish, Anywhere Open (Penn Points) . Fish 10-4pm. Reg from 7.30am Floral Café and Commercial Hotel, entry £10, jnrs £4, Organisers of both M. Colman 07768342169 J. Aylward 01964 534245

Workington & District SAC (Whitehaven Piers) 16snrs 3 jnrs f, 9 w.i. 4flr, 3dab, 5 r/ling 4-3-0. 1st L Murphy 2flr 1-9-8, 2nd P Eppy flr 0-9-4, 3rd A Stweart 1dab 1 r/ling 0-8-0, jnr 1st & h/f L Murphy flr 0-15-8.

Ryhope Sweepstake 25f, 5 w.i. 2cod, 4flr, 1st & 2nd R Walton cod 4-2-0 & 3-8-0 (Bents) 3rd L Burton flr 1-0-0 (Wear)

East End & Hendon Sweepstake 12f, 3 w.i. 1st G Murray flr 0-14-0, 2nd J Ford flr 0-14-0, 3rd A Stirk flr 0-12-0.(all Wear)

Seaham SAC (Age Concern) 47f, 5 w.i. (6) 4.57lb. 1st I Ainsley d/fish h/f 2.18lb (Nth Pier) 2rd A Byrom wht/dab 1.01lb (Blast) 3rd D Swan wht 0.84lb (Nth Pier) 4th H Hogwood wht 0.7lb, 5th Rita Clark dab 0.27lb. Pairs 1st I Ainsley, 2nd A Byrom & Sue Hope (2) 1.01lb

St.Mary,s A.C. 1st match 16f, 7 w.i. 1st J Fairbridge 17r/ling 1 dab 3-8-0, 2nd D Miller 12 r/ling 2-1-0, 3rd D Lister 8 r/ling 1-14-0, h/f S Preston flr 1-0-0.

St Mary’s 2nd match 18f, 12 w.i. 1st J Fairbridge 17 r/ling 2-14-0, 2nd D Lister 16 r/ling 2-13-0, 3rd D Miller 7 r/ling 1-7-0.

Amble SAC 1st I Harrogate 6flr 3lb 6.75oz, 2nd T Cook 4flr 1lb 14oz, 3rd A Taylor 2flr 13.75oz, 4th C Dawson 2flr 12oz, jnrs 1st R Oliver 1flr 7.75oz (all fish Warkworth)

Longbenton & Seaton Burn (Tynemouth pier) 15snrs, 2jnrs 1st L Harris 1.02lb, 2nd K Reid h/f pl 1.00lb, 3rd P Nathan 0.15lb, 4th T Brennan 0.13lb, 5th C O’hare 0.06lb