PENN SEA LEAGUE

The latest results from Britain’s biggest event for shore match anglers

Latest results from our shore contest.

SAMF MASTERS

In tough, very challenging conditions, England International George Smith became the 2018 UK Masters Champion with a cracking performance on both days to finish with three penalty points.

Runner-up was Welsh International Shane Russell, who finished on five points.

Clacton’s Rob Tuck put in a consistent performance that also earned him five points, but his slightly lower total weight meant he finished third.

The match, with 85 anglers competing each day, was fished in four zones at Cley and Kelling.

Day 1 was fished in a strong onshore wind with a big sea, and the resulting swells pushed the majority of the usual flatties offshore, to be replaced by dogfish, smoothhounds and bass. Fortunately, there was plenty of water throughout to prevent any white water, but as the tide receded, so did the number of fish. Altogether 978 fish were recorded on Day 1.

Zone A was won by George Smith at peg 5 with 28 fish for 10-7-0, which included six bass and one of 2lb 5oz. Zone B was taken by Charles Bettinson (peg 37) with 15 fish for 7-12-0. Zone C went to Ian Dancey (peg 68) with 14 fish for 13-12-0. Zone D was won by Shane Russell (peg 93) with 22 fish for 21lb 3oz – he was also the day winner.

Heaviest fish was an 83cm (5lb 13oz) smoothhound for Paul Denholm on peg 1, which he caught on his last cast.

The wind and swell increased on Day 2, and the lump on the sea pushed the flatfish offshore while the hounds made a hasty exit. This meant an increase in dogfish numbers, but they were not close, which played into the hands of the big casters. Fish numbers were down to 280.

Zone A was won by Rob Tuck (peg 4) with 13 fish for 5-2-0. Karl Nangle (peg 46) won zone B with 6-15-0 (six fish). Zone C was a real struggle with 12 anglers failing to find a fish. Simon Drayton (peg 66) took top spot with seven fish for 9-8-0, with George Smith second on 7-12-10. Zone D winner was Nathan Elliott (peg 87) with 13-13-0 (nine fish), which also made him the Day 2 winner.

Heaviest fish was a 65cm (2lb 5oz) dogfish to Simon Drayton, who was on peg 66 at Kelling.

Ladies winner was Kimberley Lawn with 30 points, with Heather Lindfield second with 43.

■ 1 George Smith, Grimsby, 3pts (17pts); 2 Shane Russell, Old Colwyn, 5 (16); 3 Rob Tuck, Holland on Sea, 5 (15). Zones – Day 1, Charles Bettinson, Diss, 7-12-0; Ian Dancey, Waterlooville, 13-12-0 (both 6). Day 2, Karl Nangle, Grimsby, 6-15-0; Simon Drayton, Gainsborough, 9-8-0 & Nathan Elliott, 13-13-0 (all 6). Heaviest fish – Paul Denholm, Grismby, 5-13-0 smoothhound (6).

GWENT SAC OPEN

Fishing was tough at St Brides, with only 19 of the 113 competitors catching fish.

Winner was Ray Christoforato (pictured below left), owner of Holton Road Angling Centre in Barry, with a single thornback ray for 2.76kg, which earned him the £300 top prize and an extra £56 from the pools.

Second and third were decided on fish count. Phil George, of Cardiff, caught five silver eels and two flounders for 2.40kg to take second. Mike Mather, of Cardiff, caught the same weight, but made up of two strap conger eels, so he was third.

■ 1 Ray Christoforato, Barry, 1

fish, 2.76kg (11pts); 2 Phil George, Cardiff, 7, 2.40kg (10); 3 Mike Mather, Cardiff, 2, 2.40kg (9).

MARYPORT & DISTRICT SAC SPRING OPEN

Tony Tinkler, of Workington, won this annual heaviest flatfish event with a

1lb 13oz 12dr plaice.

Best roundfish was a 10lb 12dr thornback ray for Ivor Crowther, of Millom.

Kevin Corrie, of Senhouse Street SAC, caught and released an 8lb 7oz bass.

■ Result: 1 Tony Tinkler, Workington, 1-13-12 plaice (7pts); 2 Gareth Griffiths, Barrow, 1-9-4 flounder (6); 3 Ged Stevens, Barrow, 1-7-8 flounder (5). Heaviest roundfish – Ivor Crowther, Millom, 10-0-12 thornback ray (2).

WELSH FSA EAST REGION SHORE LEAGUE

The fish turned up in style, mainly dogfish and four species of ray, with winner Daniel Crump, of Barry, taking 30 of the former for 18.86kg while fishing at Sker.

Former Penn Sea League winner Joe Arch, of Llanishen, was second with 30 dogfish and a small-eyed ray for 18.86kg, taken from the high ledge at Ogmore Deeps.

Sker was also the chosen spot for Milo Bjegovic, of Barry, who caught 30 dogfish for 17.01kg to secure third place. ■ Result: 1 Daniel Crump, Barry, 30 fish, 18.86kg (6pts); 2 Joe Arch, Llanishen, 31, 18.68kg (5); 3 Milo Bjegovic, Barry, 30, 17.01kg (4). Nominated species – Paul Worsley, Penarth, 0.19kg whiting (2).