After the usual multiple postponements it was a relief when the 29th December was forecast to be calm, if rather misty. Everyone was probably desperate to get out fishing after the festivities and we had a tremendous turnout of 82 anglers fishing from 44 boats. The on-line entry option proved very popular for the Hayling, Portsmouth and Island anglers attracting 34 competitors from further afield.

The target was cod, and failing that a decent whiting but both have proven elusive in previous years. However this year was a record with 10 cod weighed in leaving only five places to be made up with whiting. None were huge specimens but as long as they were above the MLS they counted!

We fished between 8am and 4pm with weigh-in at Southsea Marina by 5:30pm. The Marina Bar had kindly stayed open just for us, and we made good use of the facility while waiting for the results to come in. And here they are!

  • 1st place: Liam Smith, cod 6lb 8oz
  • 2nd place: Jamie Eyes, cod 4lb 4oz
  • 3rd place: Neville Merritt, cod 4lb 3oz (and Best Placed SMAC Member)
  • 4th place: Steve Kelly, cod 3lb 6oz
  • 5th place: Tim Challinor, cod 3lb 5oz
  • 6th place: Joseph Challinor, cod 3lb 4oz
  • 7th place: Tony Connor, cod 3lb 1oz
  • 8th place: Jon Challinor, cod 2lb 15oz
  • 9th place: Tim Ward, cod 2lb 12oz
  • 10th place: Luke Scott, cod 2lb 10oz
  • 11th place: Josh Reynolds, whiting 1.88lb
  • 12th place: Dennis Fuller, whiting 1.46lb
  • 13th place: Jim Taw, whiting 1.44lb
  • 14th place: Neil Glazier, whiting 1.30lb
  • 15th place: Chris Jewell, whiting 1.24lb

There were no claims for Junior or Ladies Bonus Prizes.

We would like to thank all of our sponsors who donated prizes: Premier Marinas; SMDAC; Baits ‘R Us; Victory Gas and Heating; Cosham Angling; Prestige Plumbing; Southsea Marina Bar; Fish-On Tackle; British Big Game Fishing; Sportsman’s Knight Charters, Newnham Builders and Mark Oldfield Plumbing and Gas Service.

We would also like to thank the Marina Bar staff who stayed on to serve us both days this weekend, Ruper Bremer of Southsea Marina who also stayed around to help manage the berthing of a lot of boats, Steve Kelly for all the organising and most of all, the anglers who made this competition such a great event.

Watch out for three SMAC Open Competitions in summer 2025: Bream, Species and a new one – Bass!