EVENT OF THE MONTH
The Police Sport UK National Boat Champs took place out of Hayling Island, Hampshire…
Police boat anglers raid the Solent.
Alarm bells started ringing when the first words I heard on my arrival at Hayling Island Sailing Club were: “We must be mad!” The weather in Hampshire had been pretty dreadful leading up to the Police Sport UK National Boat Championships. Nevertheless, the final decision to go ahead was given a clear thumbs up by match officials and organisers.
Police forces from all around the UK entered teams of four anglers to compete in the species, catch and return event.
Twelve charter boats were involved and these were: Sea Juicer, Warrior, Private Venture, Indie, Amathia, Valkyrie Six, Valkyrie Eight, Bossy Boots, Kelley’s Hero III, Dawn Venture, Predator and Angler’s Edge. Sponsors were Tronixpro and Sidewinder, with each competitor receiving a pack of Sidewinder lures.
ROUGH CONDITIONS
I joined the competitors aboard Valkyrie Eight, skippered by Glen Cairns. The ride out from the pontoon was smooth and uneventful, but conditions changed drastically once out into the Solent.
A stiff westerly wind made conditions uncomfortable and rough, but we soon arrived at our first mark. Lines went down at 9.30am, with a full six hours (weather prevailing) of fishing planned.
On his first drop, Les Twynholm (Warwickshire Police) kicked off his competition in style with a superb red mullet. He promptly followed up with a cracking pouting.
Bites were coming thick and fast, especially for those anglers who were using long, finetipped rods, which showed the most delicate of nibbles in the rough conditions.
Andy Simpson (Hampshire A) was doing well and soon filled his quota of wrasse. Mick Hassen (Northumbria Police) bagged a few wrasse, pouting and small smoothhounds, and backed these up with a scad.
When he switched to a peeler crab bait, Les Twynholm was immediately rewarded with a decent smoothhound.
Conditions were now deteriorating and a number of skippers had decided to up anchor and leave the open water of the Solent and head for the relatively sheltered marks inside the harbour.
Valkyrie Eight stuck it out and headed for the Nab Tower for the final 30 minutes in an attempt to locate a bonus bass or pollack. The fact that this charter boat was a new purchase for skipper Glen, and there was no galley fitted – the lack of a hot cuppa was certainly a downside to my day.
I was glad when 3.30pm eventually came, and I reckon the rest of the lads will agree when I say I was relieved to get back to Hayling Island Sailing Club.
PLACINGS
Top team on the day was West Midlands, represented by Don Campbell, Roger Symonds, Dave Hawkes and Mike Davies, with a total score of 350.6 per cent.
Second was Metropolitan A, consisting of Chris Adams, Vernon Allen, Tim Ashman and Simon Norman, with 341.8 per cent, while third place went to Devon and Cornwall team members Steve White, Al Manaton, Ed Anning and Alex Johnstone, who scored 317.4 per cent.
Top angler on the day was Roger Symonds, representing West Midlands, with a score of 496. Second was Andy Simpson (Hampshire A), who scored 486. Third was Iain Fryatt (Dorset) with 473.
The top charter boat was Valkyrie Eight (Glen Cairns), with Valkyrie Six (Zac Cairns) in second place. Third place went to Predator (Laurie New). ■