IT was a bumper weekend for our anglers with many hauling in some incredible weights for this time of year.
I was at Saltfleetby, which was really well attended.
Those at the fishery had pegged it so the opposite bank was free, giving the angler more choice with what they could do.
This suited Grimsby angler Gavin McGuire who decided to fish the method feeder over to the far bank, using a highly visible pellet and it certainly worked.
He had an incredible weight of 72lb – he would have been pleased with this haul in the summer, never mind in the depths of winter!
I actually thought that Matty Benwell was going to take the honours on the day.
He was on the end peg and had all of one side and the corner to himself, which he used later on with the pole to catch some quality carp and finish with an impressive 59lb.
Jack Holmes also brought in another excellent weight to finish third with 49lb.
Some of the carp that were brought in were real lumps – well-known angler Nathan Watson had a 16-pounder!
The main pond at Saltfleetby is deep and it seems to be a good winter venue.
This should bode well for the Open Match which is being held there tomorrow.
At Wold View, there was another eye-catching haul.
Chris Mack, catching on the far bank of the Ultimate Lake, landed a fantastic 89lb.
Next in was Trevor West, who had 12lb off peg ten, with Chris Legdon in third with 7lb off peg 12.
The following day, Legdon went even better and won the match on the Canal Lake with an excellent total of 32lb from peg two.
Following him in second was fishery manager Terry Jackson, who had 31lb off peg seven.
Mack was third, with Dave Mountford in fourth.
All of the anglers that took part had fish and it was an enjoyable match once again.
On Boxing Day, the anglers were on Ultimate again and Ryan Lidgard took the honours with 29lb – just one pound in front of Andrew Hutson.
On the same day, there was another match taking place at Messingham Sands on the Merry Pond.
It was organised by well-known Grimsby angler Andy Bryant, better known as Chippa.
Gary Hansford finished top with an incredible weight of 98lb.
His bag was made up mostly of carp but there was also some silver fish in that total weight.
Ian Thomsen came second with another excellent weight of 40lb.
Following him was Mack, who used the bomb and pellet to catch carp and silvers for 32lb.
There was a match at Swan Pond at Messingham on Thursday.
I was surprised with the low turn-out and I thought there might have been more there especially as it was the pairs match yesterday.
The carp did not show so silver made up all the weights with a gentleman called Ken, who is regular at the venue, taking the honours.
Second was Grimsby angler Martin Young. He had 17lb all on the pole and also he used the rod to good effect as well.
Yours truly came third with 8.11lb of mainly roach and perch.
Before I sign off for this week, I would just like to wish you all the best for the New Year – hopefully we'll enjoy some better weather in the summer – and lots of fish of course!
