Competitors in Bembridge Angling Club’s 2018 special Open Bream Competition from boats experienced far calmer conditions than the forecast from the previous day had predicted.

In the interests of conservation of this vulnerable species, the club had set a maximum bag limit of 2 fish per competitor.

Ongoing excessive commercial netting close inshore in Sandown Bay was almost certainly the reason why a large number of competing boats struggled to find bream on the traditional marks close to shore.

A few skippers were able to locate numbers of bream in very localised spots, albeit that the maximum size of fish fell well short of the size that was being experienced several years ago.

Alan Deeming managed to locate one of the elusive shoals for a good day’s sport and his two fish bag weighing 5 lbs 9 ½ ozs was enough to see him receive the first place prize of £250 kindly sponsored by Sydenhams (Builders Merchants) of Newport.

Martin Dye took the second place prize of £150 sponsored by Pascall Atkey (Cowes) with a two fish bag of 5 lbs 4 ½ ozs

Liam Smith took the third place prize of £100 sponsored by Nick Challen Building Renovations with his two fish bag of 4 lbs 15 ozs.

Martin Dye’s bag included a single fish weighing 3 lbs 1 oz which was, incredibly, identical to the weight of one of Andrew Ellis’ fish with them both being equally the heaviest single bream weighed in. Under the circumstances, officials decided that both should receive the advertised £50 with BAC contributing £50 to add the £50 already sponsored by member Charles Smallman.

Fishing with Alan Deeming, Phil Lewis made a significant contribution to their winning combined pairs bag of 9 lbs 14 ½ ozs to each take £45 jointly sponsored by members David Gawn, Peter Knight & Ross Staplehurst.

Callum Smith took the prize rod donated by East Cowes tackle for the best bream by a junior with his fish of 2 lbs 4 ozs in his total bag of 4 lbs ½ oz.

Such was the extent of the prizes available that every competitor who weighed in was awarded a prize.

The club is very grateful for the support of all the sponsors & donators of prizes plus East Cowes Tackle, Odessa Angling Centre & UK Hooks for assistance with entries and Kev Basham / IW County Press for publicity.

See below following poster for photos of winners.

Alan Deeming (left) receiving first prize from chairman Ross Staplehurst.

Martin Dye (right) receiving second prize £150 sponsored by Pascall Atkey

Liam Smith receiving third prize. 

Martin Dye & Andrew Ellis receiving prize for joint heaviest single fish

Callum Smith receiving best junior prize rod 

CONTENT WARNING

 And finally: A budding bromance ???