Bumper-sized Thornback Rays were reeled in by Burnham-On-Sea fishermen when they took part in the town’s first sea angling competition of the year on Sunday (January 6th).
Thirty four members of Burnham Boat Owners Association took to the waters of Bridgwater Bay in a flotilla of 15 boats for the group’s annual Christmas competition and Presidents Cup.
Very few cod were caught, but plenty of Thornback Rays were reeled in by the anglers – and it was a bumper-sized 16lb 14oz specimen from Mark Draper which won overall first place.
Second spot was given to John Chin with a 15lb 3oz Ray, third was Chris Evans with a 13lb 14oz Ray, fourth was Wayne Latham with a 13lb 12oz Ray, fifth was Neil Flay (pictured above) with a 12lb 14oz Ray, and in sixth place was Martin Hathaway with a 12lb 8oz Ray.
The Thornback Pool was won by Mark Draper, while the Cod Pool was won by Andy Georgiou. The junior trophy winner was Anthony Georgiou with a 10lb 15oz Ray. The fish were returned to the sea soon after the weigh-in.
The overall winner was Mark Draper with this 16lb 14oz Thornback Ray.
John Chin (right) won second place for his 15lb 3oz Thornback Ray, while fourth spot was claimed by Wayne Latham (left) with a 13lb 12oz Ray.
Martin Hathaway took sixth place with this 12lb 8oz Thornback Ray.
The 34 anglers gathered at the beach weigh-in to see how they had fared.
