Chris Ellis topped the standings at Lymington & District Sea Fishing Club’s 11th club shore competition after landing an 8lb conger eel.
Strong south-westerly winds at Milford-on-Sea forced organisers to change the competition to a rover format, allowing anglers to choose their fishing location.
Chris Ellis with the conger eel that helped seal his win
As the wind gradually eased, nine club members signed on, with six weighing in catches comprising black bream, conger eel, dogfish and small-eyed ray.
A total of 13 sizeable fish were weighed in, with the combined catch reaching 24lb 5oz. Undersized fish also counted towards competitors’ points, with bass, black bream, conger eel and small-eyed ray eligible for scoring.
Ellis claimed first place with 14lb 3oz and 75 points, while Malcolm Stote finished second with 5lb 3oz and 50 points. Steve Monckton took third with 4lb 4oz and 65 points.
Malcolm Stote finished second
Bruce Samber placed fourth with 2lb 7oz and 60 points, followed by Shane Samber in fifth with 1lb 4oz and 55 points. John Hitchiner finished sixth with undersized fish and 60 points.
Roland Blomfield and Summer Monckton shared seventh place, both recording undersized fish and 25 points, while Martin Pink finished ninth with no fish but five points.
The £105 best specimen fish pool and £9 best flat fish pool were both rolled over to the next competition.