Bob shows the way to get ray at the bay

ROBERT Harwood Brown joined the growing number of anglers to catch a thornback ray from the Kent shoreline.

Bob, competition secretary of Folkestone Sea Angling Association, was fishing at Sandwich Bay – near the Yacht Club slipway is the hot spot – and beached his first ever ray of 6lb.

He was using a frozen sandeel on a pulley rig and the fish was measured and returned alive.

Other rays reported from Sandwich and Sandown region include a 3.45kg specimen for Dave Andrews, of Broadstairs, during a Deal 1919 AC beach competition which he won.

Sean Pilbeam, of Folkestone, also beached a ray of 2.1kg in the same event.

All the local angling clubs were out midweek fishing their evening competitions and the beach was busy between Sandgate and Folkestone.

In the Fountain SAC event, Ceiran Bull, of Hythe, was the winner with nine dogfish for 5.150g, fishing from Sandgate beach.

I was second, also with nine dogfish, and including a best of 960grams with 5.05kg.

Nice to see some bigger fish grabbing the baits – even dogfish, because most competitors suffered from baits being ripped apart by the small whiting hoards.

At Folkestone Phil Tanner took the top prize with a 1.4kg dogfish ahead of Alan Rickards with 1.37kg and Robert Harwood-Brown on 1.15kg.

Several undersized codling, plus a wrasse, were reported by competitors fishing the Lower Sandgate road rocks and Matt Perry beached a lobster which doesn’t count in the event but on a plate is a tasty bonus.

The Martin Walters SAC anglers fished later the same night and their winner was Josh Mockridge with five dogfish for 6lb 7oz.

Second was Jimmy McMurray (4lb 14oz) and third Andrew Gibson, with 3lb 15oz.

One of the competitors landed an eel – this is now a protected species and should be returned.

It can be counted and released though several of the local angling clubs, including Fountain SAC, have banned eels from being weighed.

Other club events include the Folkestone SAA senior citizens’ competition and that was won by Alan Rickards with 1lb 5oz. J Wellard was second on 10oz and Barry Wright third with 3oz.

Other sea results include the Dungeness Angling Association’s Saturday series event fished at Dungeness.

Winner on a difficult day was member Jeff Hyman, who included a 2lb bass and a dogfish in a 3.02lb winning total. Second was Matt Sommerfield with 2lb and third Mike Burke with 15oz.

The crabs are peeling along the North Kent coast and that should improve the fishing in the region over the next few weeks.

Coarse fishing catches include a 42lb and an 18lb catfish for Shepway angler Tony Round.fishing at Charles lke at Kingsnorth near Ashford.

A reminder about the Nick Puncher Memorial competition being fished at Hartley Lands Farm Fishery, near Cranbrook on Saturday, July 2. To book your peg contact Mark on 07990 526242.

The event attracts some of the top match stars and all money raised goes to the McMillan cancer nurses and the Weald of Kent hospice.

The planting work at Radnor Park lake has been completed, except for two beds of lily pads which will be installed later.

Anglers should be aware that the plants are on top of wire fish protection cages which provide protection for the fish from cormorants but it’s possible to snag the cages so take care casting.

Radnor opens to members only on Sunday week – after that day it can be fished on a day ticket but the first week only one rod. Competitions start on May 5, draw at 6pm.

Cottington lakes at Deal have a couple of competitions arranged over the coming Friday bank holidays.

There’s an open on Good Friday and on April 29 there’s a special open which has nearly sold out as the men flock to the waterside to get away from the wedding! Details from 01304 380691.

Sea angling open events coming up include the Anyfish Anywhere sponsored competition being held at Sandown (Chequers) on the Sunday (fishing 2.30-7.30 pm). Pre-book on 07765 278579.

If you have caught a big fish, won a match fresh water or sea, why not let us know about it? Contact me on 01303 250017 or 07790 132656 or email alankyates@aol.com