STRONG winds at the weekend saw most of the boats either not launch or stay in close.

Those that did fish once again reported plenty of rays to be caught, plus whiting and dogfish and the first of the baby smooth-hounds.

That is always a sure sign spring is on its way!

For the beach angler, St Osyth beach has been the place to be, with anglers catching thornback rays from all areas.

They all seem to be on the small side, but there are one or two bigger ones among them.

Clacton Pier has had a steady week with rays, whiting and dogfish on both daytime and night tides.

The Holland beaches are also following suit, although there have been less rays caught here.

Walton Pier has picked up, with thornback rays being caught from the top as well as some on the sides of the pier too.

Lots of small whiting are making it difficult to get a bait through to those bigger fish.

Plenty of dogfish are being caught in the coloured sea, also after dark.

Walton Sea Angling Club headed for the local pier for their midweek evening match.

They fished a flood tide in calm and warm conditions.

There were plenty of small whiting caught but it was difficult to catch a sizeable one.

Dogfish made up the main catch with an incredible 18 caught in the three-hour match.

The top angler on the night was Rob Tuck, with 5lb 9oz.

Second place went to Bill Paquette, with 5lb 1oz, and third to Dave Collett, with 4lb 7oz.

The heaviest fish prize was tied, with two dogfish both weighing 1lb 14oz caught by Terry Quartermaine and Dave Collett.

Colchester Sea Angling Club held their annual presentation night at the Grapes pub in Colchester.

It was a great evening to celebrate everyone’s achievements over the past angling year.

The prizes were presented by Kevan Martin, the proprietor of Colchester Bait and Tackle who also sponsors the Evening League.

Main winners: Boat League champion: Chris Mills; Boat Championship: Terry Chapman; Chairman’s Cup: Stephen Yallop; River Championship: Olly Yallop; Pier Championship: Vic Pearce; Beach Championship: Stephen Yallop; Beach League champion: Stephen Yallop; Colchester Bait and Tackle Evening League winner: Stephen Yallop.

The inter-club match between CSAC and Maldon SA was also won by CSAC.

Two members set three new club records - Malcolm Wright with a black bream and Neil Cocks with an undulate ray and a red mullet.

Thanks went to all who had donated prizes, including Colchester Bait and Tackle, Wasses and KD Radcliffes Tackle Shops.

Don’t forget the clocks go forward at the weekend so the high tide for Sunday will have jumped an extra hour!

The high tides for the weekend are 9.49am on Saturday and 11.34am on Sunday.