GOSPORT & DISTRICT youngsters stole the show during the latest junior fish of the months awards presented by the Wessex Division of the National Federation of Sea Anglers with their members picking up all three awards.

Twelve-year-old Ross Eggleton picked up the top prize sponsored by Hansford with a 1lb 7.50oz doggie followed by Ashley Haggard, 14, with a 10.50oz pouting and then his younger brother Aidan Haggard, 11, with a 1lb 7oz dogfish.

The March award was won by nine-year-old Paul Barclay from the Fords Club with a 1lb 12oz flounder caught from Weston shore.

The first Wessex Champion of Champion boat heat held out from Lymington produced a mixed haul of black bream, wrasse, smoothhound, rays and conger, with four anglers qualifying for the finals to be held later in the year.

Andy Cleve was the top performer with 111 points to book his ticket for the finals along with Ray Barron from the Waterside with 84 points, and also Bob King and Steve Spencer, who are both members of Bisley & District SFC with 75 & 82 points respectively.

A first round leg of the CIU beach knockout competition held between Wootton & Bashley B and Hamble held along the White House section at Milford during daylight proved to be something of an anti-climax with just one fish landed by the eight anglers. Travis Webling, fishing for the Hamble squad, was the successful angler landing a 10oz flounder.

The Lymington Spring Open to be staged between Taddiford and Hurst Castle has been set for May 25 which is a couple of weeks later than usual with fishing from 7pm to midnight.

Smoothhound, rays, bass and dogfish are expected to figure during the event, which has a £200 top prize.

Tickets have been set at £7 plus pools and a two man team event. There will be a separate junior event with tickets costing £3. For full details, contact Robin Lane on 01590 676711.