The recently run competition held by Manx Boat Fishing was held in glorious weather here on the Isle of Man on Sunday 12th June 2016. The format for this competition was 10 species drawn out of the hat which were:BALLAN WRASSE, CUCKOO WRASSE,GREY GURNARD, HADDOCK,DOG FISH,MACKEREL,PLAICE, POUTING, SPUR DOG AND WHITING, all of which had to be 20cms or above to count and had to be photographed and the released. However there were twoo pool fish for the day and in the event of a tie on species caught it would be the combined weight of the pool fish that would decide the winner, the pool fish being Cod and Haddock.

The number of boats fishing this comp numbered only 4 as skippers of other boats were away on business or pleasure but 15 anglers in total took part in what turned out to be a hard faught comp.

WE all met at the Battery Pier at 9am, but the day did not start so well for the Skipper of Trampie John Maddrell who had forgotten to bring the keys for his boat so a hurried 26 mile round trip ensued so that he was able to leave on time with the rest of us.Boats left douglas harbour at 09:55 and fishing commenced at 10am.

Merit 1 now back in the water and seemingly running quite smoothly headed off to the back of Douglas Head in search of Mackerel whilst King Fisher II, Trampie and Bones II fished at the entrance of the harbour in search of a Ballan Wrasse and maybe a Cuckoo as well. Bones crewman Sam Clarke got a wrasse 2nd drop and quickly followed this up with a Cuckoo which was unfortunatly just under size. These three boats all moved to the Back of Douglas head and fished for fresh Launce and Mackerel.

Merit I moved from here and headed out to the Paddle Wheel mark to get Pouting before moving on out to the 6 mile mark in search of Haddock and Spur Dog on the drift. Bones II headed for the same marks along with Trampie and King Fisher II.

Merit I eventually headed South to Port St Mary in search of a Plaice, whilst K F II headed towards Laxey. Bones II headed for a mark off the Laxey area which has produced Plaice in the past but all that was on offer on this occasion was plenty of Dabs.Bones even went into Laxey Bay in search of a Plaice but to no avail and with time now running out they headed back towards Douglas for the weigh-in at 6:15pm.

There had been a little doubt at the start of the day as to wether the comp was going to be too easy and that the 10 speciies would be caught in the 1st hour, this proved to be wrong as no boat managed to get all 10 with some getting a species that the others did not get and vice versa. Trampie being the only boat on the day to find and catch a Spur Dog but were unable to catch a Plaice like Merit I, in the end it made it all the more interestin g at the weigh-in to decide the winner.

With both Trampie and Merit I tied on 9 species the combined weight of the days two pool fish determined that the winner on the day was reigning Manx Boat Fishing Champions Trampie with a combined pool weight of 4lb.10.25ozs, with Merit I's combined weight of 2lb.14.5ozs putting them into 2nd place.

RESULTS:
1ST : TRAMPIE  9 SPECIES WITH A COMBINED POOL WEIGHT OF 4LB.10.25OZS

2ND : MERIT I   9 SPECIES WITH A COMBINED POOL WEIGHT OF 2LB.14.5OZS

3RD : KINGFISHER II WITH 8 SPECIES

4TH : BONES II WITH 7 SPECIES

POOL FISH :

HEAVIEST HADDOCK : MERIT I  1LB.13.125OZS

HEAVIEST COD : TRAMPIE 3LB.8.875 OZS.

The start of the day may not have been a good one for John Maddrell and his crew on Trampie but the end result was, well done to skipper and crew on their win.

Every one had a good days fishing on the whole with people catching a whole veriety of species not required for this comp but it all made for a great day out.
My thanks to all who attended and I hope to see more of you out at the next comp.

HERE ARE SOME PHOTOS AND A SHORT VIDEO TAKEN ON BONES II

















https://www.facebook.com/jamie.hinchliffe.18/videos/1642571246065113/