Well finally! After postponements due to the weather then nearly a postponement due to the World Cup (won’t say too much about that), the SMAC Annual Open Cod Competition was held on Sunday 11th December. A total of 76 anglers fished from 34 boats, braving some very cold conditions which is quite a change from the mild weather we have been experiencing. We were delighted that the first eight places were taken by cod catches, the remaining prize table going to whiting.

Here is the full list of prize winners.

1st Dan Lumsden, 13lb 10oz cod

2nd Steve Tambling, 8lb 14oz cod

3rd, 4th tied Simon Connor and Chris Jewell, both 3lb 11oz cod

5th Tony Connor, 2lb 15oz cod

6th Tim Warren, 2lb 12oz cod

7th Darren Price, 2lb 9oz cod

8th Mick Hardy, 2lb 4oz cod

9th Mick Beaty, 31.5oz whiting

10th Lee Smith, 29.5oz whiting

11th Wayne Comben, 25oz whiting

12th Paul Farrel, 20.0oz whiting

13th Dick Stubbs, 18oz whiting

14th Charlie Gattrill, 17oz whiting

15th, 16th, 17th tied Tony Allen, Jim Atkins, Ray Plomer, 16.5oz whiting

18th Lee Swire, 15.0oz whiting

19th Pete Churchill, 9.5oz whiting

There were no weigh-ins for Junior or Ladies prizes.

First prize was a cash prize of 60% of entry fees. Second prize was a cash prize of 30% of entry fees. Other prizes were kindly donated by Premier Marinas; Baits’R’Us; Victory Gas & Heating; Fish-On; British Game Fishing; Normark UK; Sportsmans Knight Charters; Newnham Builders; SMDAC; Cosham Angling; Anglers Edge charters; Marina Bar.

There are a couple of nice stories to share too. Ray Plomer, who won the prize of a day’s fishing on board Angler’s Edge charters is gifting his prize as a treat for a friend who is fighting cancer. On his way back in, Chris Jewell in Reel Affair noticed a boat in trouble. He stopped to set up a tow, so Steve Kelly took his cod ashore to be weighed so the delay providing a good turn didn’t cost him his third prize!

Thank you and well done to all competitors, and congratulations to all the prize winners. Until next year!