ANGLING: BIG BASS ARE STARTING TO SHOW, WRITES ALAN YATES

Several big bass have been landed in the region this week and that is a sure sign of autumn as the species move south through the English Channel into the Atlantic. An increase in species is also a sign that the season is changing as the summer species and winter species cross over and during the next month or so, apart from the improved bass fishing, there is a good chance of a rare species. The best bass reported this week came from an inshore boat mark of Sandgate and was landed by Brabourne angler Keith Chandler while he was feathering for mackerel. It weighed in at 10lb. Several other bass have been landed with a 9lber reported from the turret area of the first section of the Admiralty pier at Dover. The club evening sea angling competition results include Martin Walters SAC, who like others, have had to switch their pier competitions to the beaches since the closure of Folkestone pier – which might not reopen until October. Winner of the event was Thomas Judge, of Folkestone, with a codling and dogfish catch of 5lb 4oz. Second was Phil Tanner with 3lb 12oz and third was Melvin Lee with 3lb 8oz. The Folkestone sea anglers switched their pier event to West Parade at Hythe and the winner there, again including a codling, was Lee Heaver with 1.680kg. Second was Ray Coyne and he included two soles, the best 550 grams for 1.1170kg and third was John Wells, of Hythe, with two whiting and a rockling for 400g. The heaviest fish was Lee Heaver’s codling which at 400 grams is about the average size of those being landed and not 3lb as some angler keep telling us! The Fountain SAC fished their latest competition all day at Samphire Hoe where despite calm conditions, catches were poor. Winner was John Wells with three pouting and a wrasse for 2lb 3oz ahead of Herbie Tyle on 1lb 13oz and Ray Smith with 1lb 9oz. Freshwater results include the latest competition at Radnor Park where the lower temperatures slowed the carp action with lots of the competitors struggling for bites. Winner was Stuart Joy of Ashford with 32lb 14 oz from peg 13. Second was Alan Yates on peg 19 for 18lb 12oz and third Mick Milton on peg 13 for 15lb 7oz. The pool for the biggest goldfish went to John Williams snr of Cheriton and that weighed in at 1lb 6oz. At Cottington Lakes, Dymchurch angler Paul Musson banked a personal best carp of 26lb 9oz from Lake Christine. He fished three nights totalling 330lb of carp with most falling to the Cottington’s own Red Bait boilies. Open freshwater competitions coming up include an event at Eureka Fishery, Ashford, on August 30. Prizes are for the top three weights, with a special prize for the biggest carp. Entry is £20 and fishing takes place between 9.30am-4.30pm. You can pre-book by calling 07935 697961.

Keith Chandler from Brabourne with his 10lb bass