Kelling Sunday 11th November 2012 – J Long Shield & Teams of 5

Kelling Sunday 11th November 2012 – J Long Shield & Teams of 5

With the rain of Saturday having past and the wind back in the west the weather gods were at last looking favourably upon us.  Back to our favourite haunt of Kelling for the 2nd round of this season’s North Norfolk Sea League teams of 5 and for some practice for the National Sea League Final to be held at this venue along with Salthouse & Cley on the weekend of 1st/2nd December.  Don’t know so much about the practice as we have so many matches at this location that practice is just an excuse to be there.  For a change TT was there early to open up the camp gate before others had even risen, no names mentioned.  However,  it wasn’t long before a rather sore “class act” came moaning along with his mate “chig”, ladders are generally used for going upwards.  Anyway in the absence of “young “ Henry TT was soon off doing the pegging but unfortunately a little dyslexia had set in and he got the stretch pegged around the wrong way, sorry about that lads just too keen! Pegging was just west of the small cliff, under the cliff and towards the wreck with easy access for all.

With most arriving early on this bright but cool and calm morning there was plenty of banter contemplating if the whiting would make appearance in the bright sunshine.  Even “captain nimmo” Randell had managed to make it in his rebuilt Piaggio although it’s now lacking a few horses or should one say whale power having to leave home in darkness in time to get there once he gets it to fire up.  The usual regulars were soon drawing their cards including DC who was making a surprise appearance after his cracking whiting bash at Skeggie the previous day wanting a break from the southern venues or just the travelling.  The stragglers finally arrived only to be disappointed that other team members and taken all the good pegs.  All were soon off to their pegs, well nearly all, no sign of MW with under an hour to go but he duly arrived, never knew Ely was so close after a failed alarm call, he said.

Fishing bottom up on a smallish tide meant a short low water mark so everyone opted to camp on top of the high water shingle bank.  However, it was soon apparent to most that the small tides had built up a significant steep bank so tripods were soon dispatched to the lower reaches. At the whistle it was apparent that all had got the message that all you need at Kelling was a gentle Kelling lob as everyone followed suit.  A monster bull seal patrolling in the range of the falling leads soon realised he might be under attack and quickly retreated.  However, this did indicate to all that if he was there then so were the fish.  This was soon demonstrated as Mike (W) (peg 19) hauled in a small dab within minutes of his first cast as did Peter (M) (peg 12) in the middle of the stretch.  Also into his act was Tony (T) (peg 24) who started to reel in a small dab every cast for the 1st hour  but not so for adjacent pegs Peter (L) (peg 22) and Tom (G) (peg 21) who were having a very slow start.

At the other end Ramon (C ) (Peg 1) and John (C ) (Peg 2) were also finding small dabs with Ramon latching into a nice 27cm specimen and John a good points earning 32cm flounder.  Next peg 3,  Dene (C ) was still dreaming of previous days whiting fest as he started to record a few small dabs.  For once Sam (A)’s (peg 5) luck had deserted him as he was finding just a few dabs although some were quality and well into the 20cms.  Likewise, Richard (E ) (Peg 6) was into a few small dabs but a nice 29cm version helped to boost his total.  However, a man on a mission was Paul (T) (Peg 9) although despite sore back, ribs or whatever was into a serious number of fish although not large they were good points scoring fish.  At a slightly slower rate his travelling partner “chig mushroom” on next peg 10 was also finding the fish with some well into the 20cms.  For once, things were rather slow for Ivan (A) (Peg 11) as he was only able to register just a few small dabs early on.

As 11:00 a.m. approached we all did our remembrance day duty at the whistle which presented a slight dilemma to Peter (M) (peg 12) as a nice 41cm Bass took his bait and 2 hooks, it was not going to escape!  Whatever happened we honoured our silence and the bass was recorded on his card although the strain of this may have got to Peter later as he was observed trying to return an empty bucket to the sea.  No such problem for Bill (B) peg 14 who was back on form and on fire.  Unlike, those around him he was hauling in dab after dab in singles, doubles and trebles and was soon mounting up a formidable score which was going to take some beating.  In contrast,  two accomplished club members in the same locality, John (N) (Peg 15) and Dick (E ) (Peg 16) were having a torrid time and only finding the odd small dab although Dick did find a nice 27cm flounder.

Whilst there was tide there was fish but as the flood got underway and slack arrived they just switched off and to make matters worse the vermin who should be on the way out by now switched on, striping hooks in minutes.  For most this was the case except for Bill (B) and Paul (T) who continued to catch throughout, they knew the recipe! With just over an hour left the tide came back on and the whiting at last began to show with a number in the 31cm range and one nice one of 38cm to Ivan.  This made the duel between Tony (T) and Tom (G) even more interesting as a commanding lead for Tony was hauled in and overcome by Tom with some good dabs and a couple of small whiting.  Tony regained the initiative with a series of 31cm whiting only for Tom to snatch victory on his 2nd to last cast with a 29cm whiting. 

In the end it was consistency and steady catching that won the day with Bill Beeton taking the honours with 6lb 15 2/3oz from 32 fish followed by Paul Thorburn with 4lb 15 2/3oz from 21 fish.  The adjacent competition helped Tom Gibbs to the final podium spot with 4lb 7oz from 20 fish.  The club’s heaviest flat points was shared by John Carter and Paul Thorburn with their 32cm (13 1/3oz) flounders and heaviest round points to Peter Morse for his 41cm (1lb 6 2/3oz) bass which is also the Sea League’s heaviest round to date.

On the teams front,  Bill’s and Paul’s success helped  their team North Norfolk Lads to victory with just 5 penalty points, followed by Holt Crack Offs with 7 points and The Gutter Bashers on 11 points.  This puts North Norfolk Lads narrowly in front in the league on 16 points followed by The Gutter Bashers  on 18 points and Holt Crack Offs on 19 points. 

A thoroughly enjoyable match for most where for once the weather played ball although the fish could have switched on for longer more particularly the whiting.  Even so a total of 247 fish were recorded with 218 dabs, 9 flounders, 19 whiting and 1 bass weighing 56lb 7oz. Unfortunately, all the North Norfolk teams now comprise solely of club members and it’s a pity we could not attract other non-club  teams to join us on what is an excellent match venue but that’s life these days.  In 3 weeks time on 1st/2nd December the club will be hosting the National Sea league Final on the shingle ridge and with 29 teams (145 anglers)from around the country participating and with HQ at Kelling Holiday Park it promises to be an outstanding event.  If the whiting make a daylight appearance along with the dabs and odd bass we could have a cracking competition.

The next club match is for the Nite Shield at WEYBOURNE on SUNDAY 18TH NOVEMBER fishing 4:00-9:00.

This is followed by the match for the Woodward Cup at KELLING on SATURDAY 24th NOVEMBER fishing 10:00-3:00.   

Club & Teams Individuals Match Result Top 5
1st   Bill Beeton          6lb 15 2/3oz       (32 Fish)
2nd  Paul Thorburn    4lb 15 2/3oz       (21 Fish)
3rd   Tom Gibbs          4lb 6 2/3oz         (20 Fish)
4th   Tony Thomas     4lb 3oz                (18 Fish)
5th  James Pearce      3lb 15oz              (19 Fish)

Teams Result Top 5
1st  North Norfolk Lads       5 points
2nd Holt Crack Offs               7 points
3rd  The Gutter Bashers     11 points
4th  Holt SAC  A                   14 points
5th  Holt SAC  B                   20 points

Please use this link for full set of club match results … Holt SAC Match Results (11Nov12)

Please use this link for current league table… Holt SAC League Table (11Nov12)

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