BIG bass are very much in the news with some large specimens coming from the boat and shore as they chase the mackerel shoals, writes Alan Yates.
From the shore, a big attraction to the bass is the number of mackerel heads and guts that are tipped back in the sea from the local piers and beaches as the mackerel anglers clean and gut their catch before leaving for home.
Hot spot has always been Dover's Admiralty pier, with the end pegs the place to fish with a fresh mackerel head, fillet or whole mackerel.
Dover angler Brian Price has been among those bass this week from the end of the Admiralty pier extension.
Fishing alongside the wall with fresh mackerel, Brian landed bass of 4lb 12oz, 8lb 11oz and a best of 10lb 5oz.
Other spots worthy trying this method include Samphire Hoe and most of the deep shingle beaches in the region, including Folkestone, Sandgate and Dungeness.
AROUND the beach competitions there is only one result this week and that was the Seabrook Angling Associations Super Comp which was won by Thanet angler Steve Harvey with 2.10lb. Second was Dean Thomas with 1.40lb and third Jake Duncan with 0.60lb.
Catches included school bass, whiting, flounder and sole, with Steve Harvey recording the heaviest fish.
Freshwater results include the Cinque Ports Angling Society's latest competition for the Wagstaff Shield, fished at Aldergate on the Romney Marsh section of the Royal Military Canal. Competitors usually struggle on the venue, although there are some big tench and slab bream among the roach shoals.
Winner was canal specialist Laurie Webster, of Hythe, who landed two tench in his 4.590kg total. Runner-up was Neil West, of Hythe, with 3.170kg and third Bill Usher, of Hawkinge, with 3.0kg. The junior winner was Sam Webster, of Hythe, with 1.16kg. The next CPAS fixture is against Maidstone Victory at Moat Park.
The Cinque Ports AS disabled section held a competition at Beachborough Park Lake for the Andy Lewis Trophy. Paul Fagg, of Hythe, came out on top with 17lb 12oz of bream and carp. Ben Goss was the runner-up with 2lb 4oz and Paul Goss was third with 1lb 8oz.
OTHER competition results include the latest Ashford Angling Society match at Singleton Lake which was won Bill Postlethwaite, of Ashford. He was fishing single maggot on the pole and netted 23lb 11oz of bream and roach.
Nickolls Lake at Palmarsh are hosting a charity match and barbecue on August 27. All-in entry fee is £20. More details are available from Derek Weller on 07970 704584.
Other events coming up include the second of the Deal 1919 Angling Club junior festivals from Deal pier on August 12. Fishing is 11am until 3pm and the event is open to all juniors. Ring Pat Heath on 01304 361248.
There is a Kent Open at Samphire Hoe on August 26 and fishing is 5pm until 9pm. Details from Lee Heaver on 07983 401368.
IF you have caught a big fish, won a match, freshwater or sea, why not let us know about it. Contact Alan Yates on 01303 250017, 07790 132656 or e-mail alankyates@aol.com.
