Despite the recent appalling conditions, whiting are still in abundance on the local sea scene as Pitsea sea angler Herb Childerditch discovered when he fished a four-hour session in the Blackwater.

Herb, accompanied by companion Mark Walters, fished a mark half-a-mile north of the baffell to catch over 30 fish to just over 1lb.

An unexpected pouting also graced Herb's haul, which were all taken on a lug/squid cocktail.

Another pleasant addition to the pair's day was the appearance of several seals who proved inquisitive throughout the afternoon.

Herb Childerditch displays one of 30 whiting taken from a Blackwater mark

Steve targets carp with cagey tactics

Gloucester Park regular Steve Collier hit the jackpot when his latest session at the lake saw him land eight carp.

Steve fished the big bay where he included carp to a best of 9lb in a 40lb plus haul. All of his carp fell to sweetcorn bait fished in conjunction with a quivertip rod and cage feeder.

Brian Harris fished the Gloucester Park cockle bank to include six different species in an estimated 40lb plus bag.

Fishing a quivertip and red maggot, Brian landed four carp to a best of 14lb 4oz, six tench, four chub, two bream, two barbel, and a number of quality roach.

His companion Steve Beeston fished a pole to take 12lb 14oz of quality roach on caster and chopped worm baits.

Basildon matchman Dave Hemmings added yet another win to his list, taking first place at Sunday's Gloucester Park Open.

At the scales Dave weighed in 8lb 8oz of roach, with five tench adding a further 9lb 0oz for a total of 17lb 9oz.

Dave fished a peg in the little bay, tempting his fish with pole tactics and chopped worm baits.

Second place in the match went to Dell Smee who weighed in 10lb 15oz.

Dell fished the beginning of the canal stretch using pole tactics to take 8lb 6oz of roach, adding two tench for a further 2lb 9oz.

Steve Daniels finished the match kicking himself after taking 10lb 7oz of quality roach for third place.

For the first half of the match Steve had fished the quivertip from his cockle bank swim. When this produced nothing he switched to the long pole, but this only produced two roach.

With less than two hours of the match remaining Steve tried an inside line using the top three sections of his pole.

This produced an immediate response, and for the rest of the match Steve had a bite every time he dropped his bait in!

Steve Collier shows one of his Gloucester Park carp.

Park Open date

The next Gloucester Park Open will take place on Sunday. Meet at the Western end of the lake from 7am for a 7.15am draw and walk off.

Fishing time will be 8.15am till 2.15pm. Entry will cost £6, 100 per cent payout, with the usual day ticket payable on the bank. Matchmen should note that a separate keepnet is required for silver fish, and that barbel cannot be weighed in.

For more information ring Mick Toomer on 01268 282317.

Cafe serves-up a treat

The Northlands Park caf lake produced the goods for Kelvin Steele when he tried pike fishing for the first time. Using ledgered lamprey on his carp gear he tempted pike of 14lb 2oz and 8lb 8oz. Companion Colin Woods used eel section to take a pike of 12lb 8oz.

Eddie Bingham stole the glory at the Northlands Park Pike Open netting two pike for a total of 11lb 2oz.

Eddie fished the road lake taking his pike on ledgered lamprey.

Second spot in the match went to Terry Rance who float fished sprat to take a fish of 6lb 8oz from the caf lake.

Graham Reed took third with a small pike of 4lb 4oz.

All quiet at Doggetts

Westcliff angler Chris Green took the only catch of note at a very quiet Doggetts' lake.

Chris fished the Rochford water's north bank to land a cracking pike of 17lb 12oz.

Due to the appaling conditions, fishing has been almost non-existent with only a few jack pike being taken by the more dedicated anglers.

Top trout at Billericay

Fly fishermen have been braving the wet and wild conditions to take some quality trout at Billericay's Greenoaks fishery.

David Stubbs, from Basildon, landed ten good fish - the best of which scaled 6lb 9oz - with a modified catswhisker.

A damsel tempter proved lucrative for Pitsea's Tommy Steele. Tommy's haul consisted of eight fish to 4lb 4oz.

Ray Barrett took the best fish of the week - a 7lb 8oz fish - in a four fish haul.

Barry Rooney made the trek from Brentwood to catch seven trout. Barry fished a catswhisker in the shallows with his best fish scaling 6lb 4oz.

Change of hands at Pipps

The angling future looks bright for Basildon's Pipps Hill lake after being acquired by experienced fishery management firm Prayel Enterprise.

Prayel, who run several fisheries throughout France, have secured the rights to Pipps Hill with the view to restoring the lake back to its very best - starting with an immediate ongoing litter clearance as well as work to some of the banks.

In order to do this, the Stanford-based company are keen to hear the views of regular anglers at the lake. They are also looking for suitable bailiffs to oversee fishing at the Cranes Farm Road sight - again regular visitors to the water are sought.

To fulfil Prayel's plans, new charges are being introduced from January 1, 2000. Day tickets and night tickets will be £5 with season tickets on offer at £50.

Concessions will be available for juniors and pensioners.

Day and night tickets will be available at the lake, with season tickets needing a postal application.

There also are no plans to charge children under-12.

For further enquiries, contact Prayel Enterprises on 01375 401928.

By Stuart Hillis

Reporter's e-mail: stuart.hillis@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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