WALTON Sea Angling Club held their annual Boxing Day match on Walton Pier.

For a change, the weather and tide conditions were perfect on the day.

Seventy-four competitors took part in this two-hour morning match and, with high tide at the start of the match, there were always going to be plenty of fish to be caught and so it proved, with all anglers catching plenty of whiting, dabs and pouting.

Most of the fish caught were under-size, but a few anglers did manage to bring some fish to the weigh-in.

It was also great to see so many people who had come down for a stroll and to say hello to the anglers on the pier.

Top spot went to Chris Mills, with 1lb 12oz, and his catch included whiting, dabs and pouting.

Second place went to Rob Tuck, with 1lb 10oz, and Rob had the only dogfish of the match.

In third place was Craig Bradshaw, with 1lb 7½oz.

Fourth spot went to Richard Burt, with 1lb 6½oz, and fifth to Peter Brock, with 1lb 5½oz.

The top ladies were Jemima Johnson and Caroline Lawrence, while the junior winners were Jemima Johnson and George Deakin.

This week's fishing on our part of the coast has been very slow, although there have been lots of anglers fishing over the festive period.

Small whiting and dabs are dominating and the sea seems to be full of them, but alas there are still no cod showing. In fact, I have had no reports at all.

The only place that has seen a few bigger fish is Clacton Pier.

Those thornback rays are still showing, although not in any numbers.

The boats have also been very quiet.

Some rays have been caught, plus dogfish and whiting.

Hopefully as spring approaches, we will see a few plump spring codling turning up.

If you have any fishing reports you can contact me at popplewell1@btinternet.com

The high tides for the weekend are 7.01pm on Saturday and 8.11pm on Sunday.