Snow storms to victory

The offshore wind calming the sea was quite cold, but with some decent sunshine, conditions were not bad at all.

Plenty of fish were caught, with most just undersize, but nonetheless some very decent bags were recorded. Flounders and a few dabs represented the flat fish, with some codlings and dogfish being bonus fish.

Overall winner and picking up the £300 first prize was Chris Snow from the harbour section with 29 fish for 11lb 12oz. Akios 625CTM reels went to Mark Hinxman for the heaviest flat fish - a flounder of 1lb 4oz - and Ralph Crosby picked up heaviest round fish with a codling of 4lb 1oz.

Junior winner Martin Payne weighed in 12 fish for 4lb 7oz. Veteran winner Kerry Saint also had the second heaviest bag at 8lb 7oz. Glynis Jones took the ladies’ prize, and the team prize was won by Kerry Saint and Rex Palmer.

Section winners: A - 1st A. Methven 8lb 4oz, 2nd D. Checksfield 7lb 7oz, 3rd H. Rathbone 7lb 0oz. B - 1st K. Saint 8lb 7oz, 2nd N. Elliott 7lb 12oz, 3rd Mark Hinxman 6lb 14oz. C - 1st B. Arnold 8lb 4oz 1dr, 2nd B. Green 7lb 12oz, 3rd P. Parsons 7lb 10oz. Teams - 1st K. Saint & R. Palmer, 2nd T. Royal & C. Snow.

A very big thanks to Mark Hinxman, and Colin and Ralph Crosby for organising the event so well, and to Hastings & St Leonards AA for hosting it and to all the anglers for taking part.

The next open beach match is the Reg Willis Memorial Trophy on Sunday January 24. Details from Hastings Angling Centre on (01424) 432178.

The Town Festival AGM will take place at the East Hastings SAA clubhouse on Sunday January 18 from 9.30am.

The Hastings & St Leonards AA raised £250 for local charities from the Christmas Day morning ‘Black Cat’ match. Dave Checksfield won with 5lb 10oz, second was Mark Hinxman with 4lb 2oz and third was Steve Martin with 3lb 4oz.