Angling

More than 600 junior competitors turned out in sunny but breezy conditions as the Herne Bay Angling Association held their annual Monster Crab Competition on the Pier. The largest crab contest was won by eight-year-old Tia Earnshaw with a specimen weighing 0.20lbs caught on bacon and crab stick. All competitors caught crabs but for the first time in five years, Alisha Keeley, eight, caught one of the 10 marked crabs released before the competition to receive a prize. The weigh-in took place at the HBAA headquarters and all crabs were released unharmed after the weigh-in. The eventual winners in each age category were awarded their prizes from chairman Michael Chalk. Results: Monster Crab Champion – Tia Earnshaw – 0.20lbs Up to six years in age: 1 N. Brewer – 0.145lbs, 2 S. Ellan – 0.125lbs, 3 L. Mullholland – 0.115lbs. Seven to 10 years: 1 J. Philps – 0.1951lbs, 2. C. Webber – 0.195lbs, 3. L. Mount – 0.16lbs. Eleven to 16 years: 1 E. Watkeye – 0.135lbs, 2. C. Fox – 0.13lbs, 3. O. Stephens – 0.125lbs. Marked Crab – Alisha Keeley.