Greg Posted June 30, 2015 Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 Those of you that may have a nervous disposition about entering a popular fishing competition and being beaten by a couple of 11 year olds, I suggest you turn your computer off now. We have taken part in Dog Fish Dave's competition for many years and this year Brad wanted to invite his school friend Tom to take part who had never fished before. I agreed and we picked him up from his home 07.30 AM Saturday morning and set off for Cobbs. On the journey down to Cobbs I resigned myself to the fact that I would have to take a back seat this year and become a Gilley for the day. But as there were not many Juniors taking part in the competition I thought I was doing my bit in boosting the numbers. So the pressure was off. Or so I thought!!!! Leaving the Birth at 08.15 for the 08.30 bridge lifts we saw Mike and George on Frisky Fox. It was nice for the kids to see George in the Basin catching a Goby. Upon leaving the quay I decided that this year we would do something different and fish the harbour first for a Bass and possibly a Flounder. I knew this was going to be a tall order as we hadn't had a Flounder on board this year. We arrived at our mark by Brownsea Island at 09.00AM and I baited up Brad's rig first for him to cast out. I then turned to Tom and said 'right lets get you fishing'. I hadn't even got the bait on his rig and at 9.05AM Brad said 'I got a fish on'. Up came a Flounder (10 points) at this point I then thought perhaps we might have a slight chance in the competition. I showed Tom how to cast the rod and he was soon Fishing. At 09.20 Brad then brought in a Bass. Job done within 25 minutes we had 15 points. We then set off for Shore Road to ease tom into fishing for Wrasse. After setting the hook and the boat swinging completely in the wrong direction we caught nothing but Ballan Wrasse. However, Tom was catching and it was good for him to cut his teeth on getting fish aboard. For a complete beginner he was doing very well. Knowing that were beginning to lose time I said to the boys that we would go to Bmth Pier and try for Smoothound, Plaice and Gurnard. Within in minutes we Brad had caught a plaice and Tom had caught a Tub Gurnard. The points were then beginning to mount up. Unfortunately, we could not get a Smoothound so we set off to Bournemouth Pier for a Red Gurnard. As we motored off I probably made one of the most important decisions of the day. It was 11.15 AM and in the back of my mind I knew that the tide was ebbing out of the Harbour, so I suddenly did an about turn and set off for the Swash Channel. After anchoring I set up the heavy gear for the Rays. Tom was first in with a Small Eyed Ray and Brad followed shortly after with an Undulate Ray. The boys were getting hungry at this stage and they went inside for lunch. At last I was left alone with my rods and soon had two Smoothound on Board. We hade gained 45 Points in less that half an hour. For once my decision had paid off. The seas were chopping up at this stage and we could not get round to Swanage Bay to try for a Spotted Ray as I knew it would be too uncomfortable for the boys who were beginning to tire. So we set off for the patch. Soon after setting the anchor Brad was bringing up the mini species. Goldsinney Wrasse, Corkwing Wrasse, Gobby, Tompot Blenney and a Rock Cook Wrasse. Tom managed a few wrasse too and I finished our tally with a Black Bream. As a boat we had achieved 16 Species, Brad caught 11 of these, Tom caught 2 and I caught three including a Baillons Wrasse that was not mentioned. Our best ever result for this competition was 15 species about three years ago, we then came 5th in the competition. So on our way into Cobbs I was quietly optimistic that we may have a chance of being in the top five again. Not knowing that this was a record turn out with 19 Boats entered and approximately, 70 Anglers. I had forgotten about the Junior section of the competition. Dave Wilson began the presentation by announcing the Top Junior Prize. With 49 Points scored Brad deservedly won this prize ( a spinning fishing rod and reel) and well chuffed he was. The Top women's prize was then mentioned ad it was the soon on to the Winning Boat Positions. It was good to see Chris and his team on Kingfisher win for the fourth time as I know he puts a lot of effort into the competition and I am a great believer that you reap what you sow. Fred Smith's boat Sea Wolf was then announce in second position. After they had collected their prizes Dave Wilson then announced that the third place with 96 points was Marlin. My jaw dropped and I looked to the kids and they cheered. I was in complete shock, all that was going on in my mind was how could a couple of 11 year olds (including one that had never fished before)come above at least 60 anglers in a competition. To say that I was a proud dad was a complete understatement. The boys had fished out of their skins and deserved the credit that was givento them. One final nice and decent gesture was made by Fred Smith. In the line up of winners Photographs (of which we were part of) Fred Smith could see that Tom was the only person without a rod. So upon leaving the line up he turned to Tom and gave him his winning rod, a beautiful 6 to 12ld Shimano. What a great Bloke. I know this is quite a long report but I hope it inspires juniors to take part in these events as you never know where Lady Luck is going to shine. Hooky, Brian, Kingfisher 126 and 17 others 20 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted June 30, 2015 Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 that is a great report Greg and it sounds well deserved to end up in third place after your efforts, nice to see the generous gesture from Fred, I bet Tom was made up, should I look forward to seeing Tom added to the list for the Junior Comps? well done and a nice read sam Kingfisher 126, Greg and Mal Thomas 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick Martin Posted June 30, 2015 Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 Great report Greg and thanks for taking the time to write it up A very well done to the boys that was excellent angling skills and well done to you for being their top skipper. You have just confirmed what I have always thought Crazy to be, a top bloke, what a lovely gift for Tom, is he hooked on fishing? Greg, Mal Thomas, Kingfisher 126 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niggle Posted June 30, 2015 Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 Brilliant report,ace result Greg and Mal Thomas 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Posted June 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 Sam, I will ask Brad if he would like him to join us again. I think I know what Brad will say. Martin, Tom had a great day. They gave their all, and you don't normally do that if your not interested in the sport. He and his parents thanked us greatly and he said he would like to go again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingfisher 126 Posted June 30, 2015 Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 Well done Team Marlin, great Result. Top report too Greg. Mal Thomas and Greg 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted June 30, 2015 Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 Thanks for the write up. Do you mind if I take an extract to send to a couple of the sponsors? Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Posted June 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 Hi Martin and Rob Yes Please do. Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlieannear Posted June 30, 2015 Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 Very well done you guys! And to think we thought we'd done OK! Did you weigh any of the boys catches? Might be some entries for the Wessex Angling Trust Junior Fish of the Month... Greg 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted June 30, 2015 Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 Great report. Greg 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich185 Posted July 1, 2015 Report Share Posted July 1, 2015 Great report greg, very well done. Rich Greg 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuie Posted July 1, 2015 Report Share Posted July 1, 2015 Great report Greg and very well done to you all. You're definitely a top candidate for press officer.... Greg 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ark Posted July 1, 2015 Report Share Posted July 1, 2015 Well done team marlin, sounds like a top day Watch out the rest of juniors the Marlin boys are the team to beat Good read Greg 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Posted July 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2015 Stuie - Thank you for your kind words and fortunately for once there was nothing fanciful about this report!!! Cheers Kev - we had an unexpectedly good day. I entitled the report 'Lady Luck' for a reason - Don't think we will be able to repeat that one for a very long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oli Posted July 2, 2015 Report Share Posted July 2, 2015 Congratulations Greg, really enjoyed the report - just goes to show if you put the effort in you get the rewards. Well done Oli Greg 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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