Five record rod catches confirmed at AGM

FIVE new records were approved by the Bailiwick of Guernsey Record (Rod-caught) Fish Committee at their annual general meeting - three for shore-caught fish, one boat-caught and one for freshwater. John Holdaway has gained the shore salmon record, his 5-4-5 fish removing Dave Saunders' 5-0-13 that had stood since October 2002.

Tim Cotterill has taken over the smallest record on the shore list and by the smallest possible margin.

He now holds the shore rockling record with his 1-0-5 specimen, which was just one dram heavier than Shane Huxster's

1-0-4 fish caught in June last year.

John Dunne has bettered a 20-year-old shore-caught record. His 2-11-4 three-bearded rockling ousting the previous best, a 2-10-10 fish landed in Alderney in December 1987.

The only new boat-caught record was that magnificent 6-9-7 Couch's sea bream caught by Raymond Fallaize in April. He absolutely annihilated the former record, a 4-8-2 specimen landed by Colin Truffitt in August 2006.

All three of the committee's officers were re-elected: chairman Mike Weysom, secretary/recorder Len Le Page and treasurer/assistant recorder Joe Gomez.

In his short report the secretary confirmed that eight claims had been received, three down on the previous year. For the first time in three years, British claims had been submitted on behalf of Bailiwick anglers - Lynton Carre's 2-15-1 shore-caught Couch's sea bream, which had been approved, and Raymond Fallaize's 6-9-7 boat-caught couch's sea bream, which was pending.

The committee issued the latest record list pamphlet in February.

It is on sale from tackle dealers at 50p.

Anglers are urged to get a copy for it not only contains all the Bailiwick and Channel Island records, it also include a claim form and a list of current committee members, one of whom must be contacted if you wish to make a claim.

Fish of the month

A LOW score of 63.52% was enough to give Daryl Butcher overall victory in the May fish of the month competition.

His 5-8-3 shore-caught ballan wrasse gave him the Shakespeare monthly angling award for the best overall fish and the J. Meerveld and Sons Tankard for the top shore specimen.

The Boat Exchange Tankard for the best boat-caught fish went to Kevin Lemmon for his 1-10-5 garfish, which scored 59.37%.

Colin Patch must be delighted, for he won both runner-up prizes of Bucktrout's Bass beers. His winning fish were both shore-caught bass, a 10-5-15 specimen worth 56.38% and a 7-9-11 fish worth 41.34%.

The Aval du Creux Hotel junior award went to Jack Robilliard for his 15-9-10 boat-caught turbot, which scored 61.57%.

The winning percentage scores were the lowest for many years and this, coupled with the disappointing number of only five entries, confirmed the below-par fishing experienced in May.

It would appear that June is likely to be a far better month - entries in the first week are almost up to May's overall total.

Kevin Dunn has entered a

17-4-0 turbot that had been tempted by a legered sandeel on the Great Bank. It will be judged against the 30-4-0 Bailiwick boat record.

Eddie Osborne has submitted a 2-8-0 pout. This was caught on a wreck mark north of Guernsey on a legered mackerel strip. It will be assessed against the 3-6-12 boat best.

Scott McMillan has entered a 13-15-0 boat-caught bull huss. The big doggie had been tempted by a whole mackerel bait legered over a mark east of Sark. It will be judged against the 16-5-0 boat record.

Guernsey Mullet Club

THE Guernsey Mullet Club bucked the trend during May. While many anglers struggled to find fish, enthusiasts had a great month, with nine members weighing in 40.

Mick Dowinton topped the catch list with 12 for a total weight of 44-8-0. His haul including the heaviest of the month, a 5-1-0 specimen.

Other top catches were Sam Robins' nine fish for 29-13-0, Mike Weysom's six for 17-8-14 and Gary Le Poidevin's four for 13-6-0. Paul Carre had three for 9-7-0, Tim Cotterill two for 8-5-0 and John Holdaway two for 7-13-0. Anglers with a single fish were Mark Hooper with a 3-12-0 and Peter Frise's 2-8-0.

The club championship is decided on the member's best fish of each month.

Only three have weighed in fish in each month from January to May and consequently fill the top three spots on the championship list. Current leader is Mike Weysom with five for 24-10-7. Gary Le Poidevin is on 21-6-11 and Tim Cotterill 19-9-2.

Bailiwick Bass Club

COLIN PATCH easily topped the Bailiwick Bass Club catch list in May. He landed five for 34-14-10, the individual weights being 4-5-0, 6-0-0, 6-10-0, 7-9-11 and one of 10-5-15, which gave him the Collenette Jones bass-of-the-month award.

All the other members could land only three between them - Jon Collenette had one of 8-1-2, Jason Brouard 6-7-10 and Mick Damarell 5-6-12.

Patch's catch meant he has risen to second in the overall shore championship and leader Damarell has seen his previously healthy lead reduced considerably, from 24-0-11 to 10-14-13.

It's no surprise that Patch and Daryl Butcher have taken over the lead in the shore pairs championship. They have recorded 11 for 67-8-1, while the previous leaders, Shane Branquet and Mick Damarell, have dropped to second with 11 fish for 62-4-1.

The club's Summer Cup was won by Ben Mahy, his 5-5-3 bass being the only one caught during the weekend-long competition.

The club has confirmed the date of its open children's competition. It will be held on Sunday 9 September, from 3-5pm, on St Peter Port breakwater.

Bass open

IT'S bass challenge weekend. The Quayside Marine and Leisure event, organised by the Bailiwick Bass Club, starts on Friday at 6pm and runs through to 9.30pm on Sunday.

Registration and all the weigh-ins will take place at the control hut at Bulwer Avenue, opposite Channel Television.

There is the usual comprehensive range of prizes in both the shore and boat sections, with £400-worth of fishing tackle and a salver going to the heaviest in each section.

It's open to all anglers, including women and juniors. There are optional pools in both sections and a pairs competition.

All the prizes will be awarded at the event's presentation evening to be held at Les Rocquettes Hotel on Thursday 21 June at 8pm.

Tope

A group of anglers out with Richard Keen on the Margaret K caught eight tope in the 20-0-0 to 30-0-0 range on a mark near Alderney.

One of the party, John Hatton, had tags from the UK Shark Tagging Programme and as a consequence all the tope were tagged and released.