MARKS just off the Needles continue to provide some superb action with a number on unseasonal specimens being landed.

Peter Pressey from New Milton sampled some typical action when he fished from the Keyhaven-based boat Sea Quest skippered by Tim Doswell.

Pressey baited a 4/0 hook with mackerel tipped off with squid to tempt a fine thorneback ray weighing 13lb 8oz but not content with the ray he went on to land a mighty cod which weighed in at 28lb.

During the depths of winter landing cod of this size is always a worthy achievement but to land one towards the tail end of April is quite exceptional.

Several other cod up to 18lb were also taken during the same trip along with numerous doggies. Other boats have also reported some good bream from Christchurch ledge along with a run of spurdogs.

Rovers stage a midweek pegged open on May 13 at Eastney with fishing from 8pm to 11.30pm. The event, which is strictly pre-book only, has a £5 price tag with a 100 per cent payout. Full details from Paul at Rovers on 01329-220354.

The heats for the Wessex Division of the National Federation of Sea Anglers Champion of Champions boat competition get under way in a few weeks' time with heats being organised out from Poole, Lymington and Weymouth.

The shore anglers will also be in action during the next few weeks. For full information or if you want to check that your club secretary has entered you as your club champion into the event contact Norman Berry, the Wessex competition secretary on 01705-253025.

The NFSA junior roadshow held at Weymouth was an outstanding success with youngsters travelling from all over the Wessex Division to leave the clubhouse bulging at the seams. There were a number of experts on hand to coach the youngsters in the finer art of trace making, tying knots, boat fishing and general tackle accessories.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.