There was plenty of local interest during the flatfish-only open shore competition held along the West Bexington section of Chesil Beach.

Mike Taylor from Southampton notched up his second major open win within the space of a few weeks at the event, organised by the crew at Weymouth Angling Centre.

Taylor seems to be turning into a flatfish expert. He collected the £1,000 top prize during the Allan's Marine open at Southsea after landing a brace of plaice and a flounder three weeks ago.

This time he scooped £500 for his win, fishing to the measure-and-return systemand landing two plaice and two flounders together measuring 134cm.

To round off a memorable day, Taylor teamed up with Steve Mould to collect another £150 for winning the pairs section.

The event attracted more than 130 competitors although the action was far from good with just 25 plaice, 12 flounders and a brace of dabs recorded.

Ben Stockley from Weymouth came second with three fish measuring 91cm, followed by Kevin Buckler from the Isle of Wight with a plaice and flounder measuring 67cm.

Pete Taylor was fourth with 65cm and Lee Cullen from Netley tooki a brace of plaice measuring 64cm. The £250 prize for the longest flattie was won by Darren Taylor with a 42cm plaice.

A number of local anglers travelled to Hayling Island for the Total Sea Fishing meet, organised by ardent Saints supporter Adrian Farley, formerly from Southampton. Generally the fishing was poor with just a few school bass around, although Darren Williams did better than most to beach a 3lb 3oz bass which snapped up his ragworm bait fished around the 50-yard mark.

l Fish were conspicuous by their absence during the first round of the four-a-side inter-club Neptune League at Hengistbury Head where a few sole, shore rockling, pollack and five bearded rockling were caught.

The winning team on the night was Hamworthy RBL, mainly due to their captain, Mike Sansom, who included a 12oz pollack in their 14oz total catch while Boscombe & Southbourne B came second with just 9.5oz. Wessex Angling Centre were third with 6oz, ahead of Lymington & District 5oz, Christchurch Angling Centre 3oz, Wessex Hawks 2oz, Christchurch & District 1.5oz and Christchurch Shore 1oz.

The other six teams, which included Bournemouth & District who won the league last year, and the powerful Boscombe & Southbourne A team drew a complete blank.

The next round will be on May 8 along the Milford Shingle Bank (fishing 7.30pm to 10.30pm) where the action can only get better. Dogfish and smoothhound should supply most of the action, along with the odd pout and pollack and a ray - if you are lucky!

l Variety was the key during the Allan's Marine midweek pegged open at Eastney where pout, rockling, pollack, bass, silver eels and scorpion fish all figured. Dave Edwards from Fareham won with 11 fish weighing 4lb 1.5oz, including the night's heaviest fish, a 1lb 2oz silver eel.

John Brown from Southampton came second with 3lb 7.75oz, followed by Steve Carter (2lb 12.5oz) and Michael Chandler (2lb 0.5oz).

Next match in the pegged open series will be along the West Beach at Selsey on May 9 where early smoothhound could figure, along with pout, bass and the odd ray. Fishing will be from 8pm to midnight with tickets strictly pre-book (full details from the crew at Allan's Marine 023 9267 1833).

l All eyes will be on Swanage beach on Saturday evening when Swanage & District AC stage their charity pegged open shore competition in aid of Save the Children and the Swanage Pier restoration project.

Fishing is from 6.30pm to 10.30pm with tickets costing £12 plus pools if purchased on the day. There is a saving for those pre-booked.

The event will be fished to the measure-and-return system with all fish returned to the sea at the point of capture.

Registration starts next to the Fisherman's Catch from 5.30pm, with last-minute details from the crew at Swanage Angling Centre (01929 424989) or Ray Jarvis (07763 235208).