NFSA PM Boat Festival
Despite the severe weather conditions, Poole Harbour threw up some good fish for the 2002 NFSA Personal Members Boat Festival. Sizeable wrasse up to over 4lb, pollack, plaice, bass and pouting were all caught in numbers. Gurnard, bream and two codling weighing a little under 3lb were also taken.
A huge thank you has to go to Steve Porter and the skippers from the Poole Charter Skippers Association who pulled out all the stops to everyone afloat and then find the fish.
Day one was scratchy and the boats had to keep on the move to find fish. However, there was enough fish caught to allow the anglers to enjoy a competitive day¹s fishing.
Bad weather on day two forced the competitors to fish within the shelter of the harbour. However, despite the conditions, it soon became obvious that there were plenty of fish to be had with some boats finding large shoals of school bass, wrasse and pollack.
As midday approached and conditions worsened to near gale force, it was no surprise that a decision to reduce the fishing time by two hours to a finish of 2pm was made.
The fish, although slower, continued to feed however and when lines up were called it was clear that most boats had recorded plenty.
As the dust settled the results confirmed that Glen Milligan had won the event being the only angler to achieve the perfect 200% over the two days and in doing so collected the £150 first prize. Ray Ashby crept in to collect the £100 second prize with 197% and Jim Pressley on 195% took the third spot and £50. Heaviest fish was an 8lb undulate ray caught by Tony Spridgeon.

Total Sea Fishing