The Trust echo what FishingMagic sea angling columnist Alan Yates suggests in that February can be a virtual close season for many clubs as the winter species are thin on the ground and spring still seems months away. It is, however also the time of year when your scratch fishing skills can shine through and with good fish still coming from boats you could be in with a chance of scooping a top prize and some big money!
The ATr Website lists the following contests for February:
Weston Outcasts SAC Cod Open (05 February)
Cod caught from the beach are always special and with the heaviest cod on the day claiming £100 in cash and the heaviest bag claiming £250 it is well worth making your way to Somerset on Sunday February 5th for the second staging of this cod-only open in the Bristol Channel.
Last year’s inaugural event saw nearly 70 anglers enjoy the day and this year’s event promises to be even bigger. Fishing takes place from Clevedon Pier to Portishead Steamer Pier (fishing of the piers at your own expense) with roving stewards on hand between the boundaries. Get to the Moon & Sixpence pub for breakfast from 07:00 and enjoy the day!
Date: Sunday 05 February 2012
Registration: Breakfast at the Moon & Sixpence Public House on Clevedon Seafront from 07:00.
Fishing Times: 09:00 – 16:00.
Entry Fee: £10 Pay on the day.
Contact: For more details contact Dan: 07974792767 or: 01275 340720.
Fountain SAC Open (12 February)
Looking for something to get your competitive juices flowing? Why not head to the beaches of Seabrook and Hythe in Kent where the Fountain Sea Angling club is hosting the 24th staging of this winter open. Between 150 and 200 anglers are expected on the day from all over the country. With the slim pickings that February can bring from the shore this event will test anglers’ ability to target the smaller species. Whiting, dabs and pout will be the main target species but if conditions are right don’t count out a late codling or the occasional bass!
Date: Sunday 12 February 2012.
Registration: The Fountain Public House from 08:00.
Fishing Times: 11:00 am to 16:00 at Seabrook & Hythe beaches
Entry Fee: £15, £5 optional pool.
Contact: Brian Barnes on 01303 260875.
New Milton Sea Fishing Club (25 February)
Fancy a Saturday night out with some mates? Head to the Christchurch area where the New Milton Sea Fishing Club is holding a night Open. Anglers having a crack at grabbing the £250 top prize on offer will be targeting all sorts of winter species including pout, rockling, flounder and dogfish – with the odd bass a possibility too. Fishing will take place in three zones between Avon Beach and Highcliffe.
The club supports junior entries by offering a prize for all those who enter with juniors under 16 years-old. A separate junior entry fee of £3 entitles the winner to take the junior prize but some will of course want to pay full entry for a crack at the £250 top prize. Two man teams and heaviest fish pools are also available and the event is a Penn points qualifier too.
Date: Saturday 25 February 2012
Registration: The Sunken Car Park, Avon Beach, Island View Road, Christchurch from 17:00.
Fishing Times: 19:00 to 00:00.
Entry Fee: £12, optional £3 junior.
Contact: Secretary Bob Goodyear on: 07879474975 or 01425 272267.
Humber Cod Championships (26 February)
This big money boat event is one of the largest on the East coast with over 270 anglers fishing from over 120 boats last year.
Organised by the Humber Cruising Association Fishing Club and sponsored this year by Baitbox, and in association with Total Sea Fishing magazine, anglers will be targeting cod with prize money totalling a whopping £1,750 – £1000 to the heaviest cod, £500 for the second heaviest and £250 for the third heaviest cod. There will be prizes for at least the next heaviest 22 cod. Tractor launching is available for trailered boats and entry forms need to be in by February 19th!
Date: Sunday 26 February
Registration: Entry forms must be submitted by February 19th.
Fishing Times: 09:30 to 17:30.
Entry Fee: £15, £5 optional pool.
Contact: For further details contact Chris Banks on: 01472 814622 or by email: banksy.63uk@btinternet.com
Website: www.humbercruisingassociationfishingclub.co.uk
