There were several boats missing from this comp with either work or previous commitments but for those who did compete it was a very close run thing with only 1 species separating the 1st three places. from the booking -in in Douglas Trampie headed straight South whilst Merit 1 wicked Hen and Bones 11 all made their way out to the paddle wheel. Fishing at the Paddle Wheel was frantic with a large shoal of small  mackerel plagued you trying to get to the bottom. However the boat on form Merit 1 soon had their desired species including 2 Black Bream and headed off to the 6 mile mark followed by both Wicked Hen and Bones II. All Three boat anchored up at this mark and all steadily were catching fish.

Merit I had a Thornback Ray here caught by co Skipper Lee Graham on  a lure of all things whilst other members of the crew weighed -in with Tope Bull Huss and Whiting . Wicked Hen under the leadership of veteran  Denny Moore were doing their best to keep up with Merit I . Bones II also caught fish here at a steady rate including Tope and Grey and Red Gurnards.

Meanwhile down South Trampie with guest crewman Steve Quilliam were also making steady progress catching a very nice 40lb+ Tope along with Conger Eel and both Plaice and Dabs. Having being spoiled during the recent Fishing festival Skipper John Maddrell found it a little hard having to sort out his own gear for a change.

Merit I upped anchor and moved South in search of Flatties and were followed soon after by Wicked Hen . It was at his point that Bones II hit mechanical  problems and was forced to slowly head back towards Douglas and so basically retired with 11 species.

Fishing continued with the other boats down the South end of the Island before a mad dash back to Douglas for the 5pm finish.  All  the catch cards were counted and verified with pictures and it was Merit I who took the victory with 20 species with both Wicked Hen and Trampie finishing on 19 each but Wicked Hen took 2nd place due to having and weighing-In the pool fish of the day which was a Haddock.

It was then a quick dash home for every one and then back to Douglas Yacht Club for the Festival  presentation.


RESULT FOR THE DAY

1ST MERIT I 20 SPECIES + £100
2ND WICKED HEN 19 SPECIES +£70
3RD TRAMPIE  19 SPECIES +£40

POOL FISH
MERIT I  HADDOCK +£30

NEXT COMP WILL BE A LURE ONLY COMP SPONSORED BY KELVINS TACKLE AND WILL BE HELD IN EARLY SEPTEMBER

Jamie
CEO@MBF

Here are a few piccys of this competition: