WATERSIDE angler Arran Harmer was rewarded with a personal best pike of 23lb 2oz when he tackled a Southern Stillwater.

The Lymington club member caught the oversize predator on a mackerel tail presented on barbless hooks, writes CHRIS CLARK.

It gave a really good account of itself when entering the shallows.

Despite rough conditions, the 22-hour charity open shore competition hosted by Ventnor AC attracted 75 competitors with 36 returning fish to the scales.

Top prize Aidan Asher from Yarmouth won the £300 top prize with 30lb 9.5oz followed by Steve Cooke with 25lb 12.5oz who collected £100 for his efforts and then Liam Smith with 23lb 7.5oz.

The ladies section was won by Naomi Hobbs with 6lb 3.5oz while the £75 prize for the best specimen was won by Aiden Asher. The £75 prize for the heaviest fish along with the conger rod donated by Scotties was won by Spenser Simpson while Adam Reed won the bass rod donated by Ryde Tackle with a fish weighing 6lb 8oz.

Eastney Beach was the setting for the penultimate round of the Solent League, which is supported by Allan’s Marine.

Whiting dominated, although Paul Stevens – who was the overall winner – included a 3lb 4oz spotted ray in his catch.

Results: A zone, 1st Paul Stevens 19lb 5oz, 2nd Dan Mogridge 12lb 8oz, 3rd Dave Ware 11lb 5oz. B Zone, 1st Malcolm Penny 9lb 8oz, 2nd Wayne Perrett 9lb 2oz, 3rd Ray Pope 8lb 8oz l Cold and blustery conditions greeted the 14 youngsters who turned out for the third round of the Wessex Junior Flounder League.

Twelve-year-old Michael Leech from Poole topped the podium with a trio of flatties weighing 3lb 3oz.

He was followed by 12-yearold Riley Price 1lb 14oz, eight-year-old Layton Jenner 1lb 6oz and 10-year-old Samuel James from Gosport, with a solitary flattie weighing 1lb 7oz which was the night’s heaviest fish.

l Poole Sea Angling Centre, in conjunction with the Marina Club, are staging an open boat cod competition on Sunday, which will be fished for the heaviest single fish from a charter or private boat.

There will be a number of cash prizes subject to the entry.

Registration on the day at Poole SAC is between 7am and 8.30am with tickets £15.

The weigh-in will take place at the Marina Club between 4.30pm and 5.30pm.