The Penn Final is the most prestigious event on the British shore match calendar

The man who helped launch the Penn Sea League in 1999 ...because it is an invitation event for the top anglers in the two divisions of the year-long national Penn Sea League, which is organised by Sea Angler magazine.

Anglers earns points at open competitions fished throughout the country, and the League produces its own champion. There’s a second bite of the cherry for most if they qualify for the Final.

My interest in organising sea angling events started with the Irish Pairs in 1980. This event stemmed from the formation of SAMF and the need for a change in match rules. I was the secretary of both and spent a lot of time putting together the Pairs format and rules which, at the time, included it being a qualifying event.

Later I started the SAMF UK Masters, with my priority being the desire to make events truly national. At this time, I was also fishing internationally for England.

The Penn Sea League came about after I had pressed then Sea Angler magazine editor, Mel Russ, for a national event run through the magazine. It came to fruition in 1999 after he secured sponsorship from Penn, aided by the connection of casting giant Neil Mackellow, who was a consultant for the American company and also worked for Sea Angler at that time.

TRULY NATIONAL

The event quickly gained popularity among match anglers with its points scoring format throughout the year, followed by a grand final that was fished around the country. It produced the Penn Sea League champion and a Penn Final winner, as well as providing a ranking list for sea anglers that influenced national squad selection.

Later it expanded into two divisions, with promotion to the Premier Division, and the ability to stay there, being coveted by match anglers.

The history of the Final venues and winners proves it to be a truly national event, of which I am proud to have been part of. It involved lots of hard work by myself and then deputy editor, Cliff Brown (now editor), and, thanks to a dedicated team of event organisers and the magazine, it continues to this day.

I’d say the Penn Sea League is perhaps one of the biggest things I miss since being forced to retire from match fishing due to rheumatoid arthritis.

The Penn Sea League is still a true guide to the best match anglers fishing in the UK and Ireland. Getting your name in the leaderboards, published in this magazine each issue, really is a true indicator of how you are performing. Even better is it is free to be in the Penn Sea League.