This was supposed to be an eight hr comp , but was reduced at the last miniute to a six hr one to accomodate Trampie who was out early morning with a charter group.With this in mind the competition was therefore zoned from Onchan head in the North to as far South as Langness, with the option to go out as far as boats wished to do so.

The wind was coming from the N/W whic h is normally a good wind for us here, but the sun was shining and all anglers were keen to get started for our last official species hunt competition of 2014.

Boats left douglas harbour just before 12am and headed straight for Port Grennaugh fishing area in search of Cod, Ling, Conger and Bull Huss.

The Afton wreck which can produce the likes of Pouting and Poor Cod were visited on the way, but on this occasion proved not to be very good.

Merit 1 stopped off at Bear Rock to see if they could catch a decent Cod which along with Callig were the two separate fish pools of the day. This not being too sucessful they soon joined the rest of the boats anchored up at Port Grennaugh.

Kirsty 111 put down a mountain of ground bait here which immediately produced fish such as Cuckoo Wrasse, Bull Huss, Dog Fish, Callig and a very nice Conger Eel for Michael Emery which was just over the 23lb mark.

The other boats were having some success but fishing was proving to be some what slow. Kirsty 111 left here and went to a mark which normally is alive with Gurnards and although there were plenty of Red Gurnards to be had, Tub and Grey seemed to not be wanting to play at this mark.

Merit 1 had moved to the Afton wreck with little sucessand so set off for the Paddle Wheel mark 3 miles off Douglas, Falusi 11 moved to Bear Rock in search of Cod with Trampie not far behind. Kirsty 111 headed striaght back to the entrance of Douglas harbour and captured a nice Ballan Wrasse before heading out into the Bay where there was plenty of Codling to be had.

From here K3 headed out to the paddle Wheel where Merit 1 were actually anchored on it searching for Poor Cod and although they caught plenty none of them were of the catch size of 20cms.

Falusi11 had headed out to the 6 mile mark at this stage in seach of Tope and Gurnardsand did get some reward with a Tope and a Tub Gurnard. They then headed to join the rest of the boats at the Paddle Wheel. K3 caught sizeable Poor Cod very quickly here along with a Pouting and so headed off to the five mile mark and deployed the anchor for the last time in the day.

Big baits were put down immediately along with more ground bait trying to get Tope and with success along with Massess of Grey Gurnards and Dog Fish, with little else showing at this mark. The only boat to join us at this mark was Merit 1 and with time nearly up anchors from both boats were raised for the last time and the run for Douglas started at 6pm.

On arrival back at Douglas the full tale was told of how i had lost one of Michaels Quantum Uptide rods along with a Shimano Torium reel over the side of the boat when we were traveling to Douglas to get the Ballan Wrasse, (second time i have done this, did it a couple of years ago fishiing with Rob Rennie for Blue Sharks) what a plonker, i was and are still gutted.

The scales were got out to wiegh the Pool fish of the day which were Callig and Cod, and although there were no great size in the fish caught , they were both worth a little money.
Falusi11 took the honours for the heaviest Callig with a fish wieghing in at 4lb.3.375ozs, and Kirsty 111 to the honours for the heaviest Cod of the day at a mere1lb.2ozs.

On the day there was a total of 18 different species caught and they were, BALLAN WRASSE, BULL HUSS, CALLIG,COAL FISH,COD, CONGER EEL,CUCKOO WRASSE,GREY GURNARD,LAUNCE, DAB, DOG FISH,MACKEREL,POOR COD,POUTING,RED GURNARD,TOPE,TUB GURNARD AND SCAD.

Final standing for the day are as follows:

1ST  MERIT 1         16 SPECIES

2ND  KIRSTY 111      14 SPECIES

3RD  FALUSI  11       12 SPECIES

4TH  TRAMPIE          8 SPECIES













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