The annual boat and shore competition staged by Paignton Sea Anglers Association in aid of the Torbay Branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution was fished in a short-lived good weather window, and a number of high-class specimens were recorded.
Nick Best of Torbay and Babbacombe ASA reached the scales with fellow member Sallie Date and struggled with a large water container holding two very lively bull huss. Best's weighed a magnificent 16lb 3oz 5drm and was the competition's best overall specimen, winning a cash prize of £120.
The tub's second fish of 14lb 7oz 8drm gained the best fish boat prize for Date. They were taken on to another competition being staged in Torquay, and then released into the harbour.
Blonde rays made a good showing, with the heaviest of these a fish of 22lb 14oz brought in by Tim Bird of the promoting club. He took the Best Selachii prize.
The heaviest conger recorded was an inshore fish of 19lb 0oz 7drm by eight-year-old Sam Jordan, and this won the species prize. The boat section junior overall award went on percentage to Nicole Allen for a lesser spotted dogfish of 2lb 10oz.
The Torbay Lifeboat station's Deputy Launching Authority, Stuart Elliman, received a cheque for £1,084 from Paignton SAA's fishing chairman, Mike Johnson.
Carnhell Green SAC's Annual All-Night Open Competition on September 15-16 is the next major event for saltwater anglers in Cornwall, and the competition is also a heat of the Western Morning News Shore Championship.
The sign-on points include West Cornwall tackle shops from 4.30–5.30pm and the Blackwater lay-by (4.30–5pm). First prize is £100 and this, with other awards, will be presented at 10.30am, following the weigh-in at St Michael's Mount Inn, Barripper. A donation for the RNLI will also be made.
Carp anglers have been faced with most unsatisfactory conditions, but have still recorded some very fine catches.
Sam Billings, who is just 15, had a most successful 48-hour session at Halwill's Paradise Lakes Fishery. He recorded four mirror carp, including a new personal best of 31lb, and a 28lb linear that fancied a pink fruit-tella pop-up over a bed of chilli hemp and mixed pellets.
Richard Williams had a good common of 25lb 9oz, which was sweet-toothed as it accepted a white milky toffee pop-up.
Pallatrax Jungle Baits and Mainline Cell pop-ups had much success at Loddiswell's Emperor Fishery.
Dave Reekie, who was on the Specimen Lake, took his second 38lb mirror in just three visits, while Dave Land had a brace that weighed 34lb 6oz and 28lb 4oz.
The venue's biggest catfish, a heavyweight of 52lb 4oz, was a worthy opponent for Kevin Daniels and took a fair length of time to come to the bank.
From April next year, the venue's Syndicate Lake will have open access, and day tickets are already on sale and being taken up fast.
Emperor is sponsoring a 12-year-old, Jamie McMahon, who will represent the fishery at various events across the South West.
He is the first junior individual to be honoured in this way for his application, consistency and angling skills.