FISHING at Mutton Cove, Terry Carter set a new Seafarers SAC record for pouting with a superb specimen of 2lb 14½oz and the same area produced a fine grey mullet of 5lb 2oz for Paul Burnett of Roving Rods SAC.

THE British Conger Club has announced its provisional results. The year’s heaviest conger, an excellent fish of 96lb 4oz by Plymouth’s Robert Easton, won the Eileen Hunkin Memorial Cup for the heaviest qualifier.

Another Plymouth eel of note was the 83lb specimen taken by Matthew Watson, believed to be the heaviest ever to top the junior category. The BCC’s fish records and cup custodian Kath Lavis had the heaviest fish by a woman, the 33lb 4oz rough ground specimen that gained her the Bill Shapland Memorial Trophy and the Fuller Cup for the heaviest in the ‘own boat’ category.

The Skipper’s Wheel for the most qualifiers went to Richard Matthews of the Plymouth boat Crusader.

The Angling Magazine Cup (heaviest eel by a member) went to Kim Bowden (72lb 7oz), with the Saltwind Cup (heaviest by a life member) was claimed by Steve Holyer (71lb 7oz). The Geoff Flores Trophy (most eels returned) was won by Paul Maris (42).

The Solitaire Cup for the heaviest fish single-handed and the 20lb, 30lb and 50lb line class trophies were not claimed.

The presentation of awards will be part of the club’s 50th anniversary celebration, scheduled for Plymouth’s Marina Club over the weekend of June 15-17.

Commencing on the Friday with the AGM, the following two days will be taken up by the Conger championships. Boats will be based at the event’s pontoon close to the Mayflower Steps.

BRIXHAM SAC, who will be celebrating its centenary in 2013, has offered to host the Conger Club’s individual championship and affiliated club’s event as part of their event-filled year.

TONY VALLACK, as dedicated an angler as ever was, and much into new developments, brought around some of the new lures, principally from Japan, which he says are absolutely irresistible to pollack and bass.

Although unsophisticated in appearance being no more than worm-like, they are so heavily impregnated with a variety of fish flavours my hands were still carrying the odours after five washes. Swing Impact, Keitech, Megabass, and Sakura Snoop are among those he has used with devastating effect while fishing from his own small boat in the breakwater area.

“The fish just leapt on,” he said.

Their cost is relatively high at around £12 for five lures but clearly worth every penny. Tony also showed me new types of braid line that have an unbelievably thin diameter while being incredibly strong. It proved impossible to break a length of 10lb test. I also handled two newly-introduced 10ft ultra-thin and so light rods, probably of Kevlar by Mitsubishi. Although primarily designed for lure spinning both would be devastatingly effective for rough ground pollack.

They were a far cry from the one-piece 10ft-long pollack rods anglers made up themselves half a century ago. In some, what might be termed modern circles, long rods are unfashionable but reef pollacking and long rods with a smooth action go together like jam and Cornish cream.