The last one-day competition of the 2022/3 season, the Mandela Cup was finally fished on Saturday 28th January. We usually try and fish this Club competition during the Christmas break but, perhaps predictably, the weather wasn’t cooperating. However, Saturday was a huge improvement with almost no wind initially and calm, clear conditions. A northerly wind kept it chilly but it is January after all.

The Mandela Cup is a simple, winner-takes-all competition for the largest single cod, and if no cod, the largest whiting. There were 16 entries fishing from 7 boats, giving a prize pool of £40. Usually at this time of year we would expect the last run of sizeable whiting before the much smaller fish stay around to raid our baits. However, this was not to be. Despite the rod tips nodding to conger, dogfish, small whiting and even plaice, the large whiting were scarce and the cod scarcer still. Most anglers assumed other boats were landing larger whiting and small whiting were being thrown back. In the end, the largest whiting actually weighed in was 12oz making Tim Andrews the Mandela Cup Winner.

Although winning is one thing, the social aspect of our club competitions is another. Helped by an early finish time for this competition there was plenty of time for celebration and reflection in the Marina Bar afterwards. Our thanks to all competitors who took part, Michelle Plomer for handing out the cup at the prize ceremony and Steve Kelly for his immaculate organisational skills, as usual.

Until next season!

Next SMAC Event is the AGM on Tuesday 7th February at 6.30pm in the Marina Bar.