World OF Angling Spirit 2022 Official Magazine by Angling Spirit

Contents.. 5

ROSS HONEY WELCOME

An introduction from the founder of the Sea Angling Classic

Making of a masterpiece

From vision to reality.. how the SAC Trophy brings past artefacts and modern craftsmanship together

56 ACTION STATIONS

What do you do when you want an on-board bait station? Build one yourself!

16 GLEN MILLIGAN

Sea Angling Classic Marshal gives a brief overview of the event and the five species you’ll be looking for

20 ALIVE & CLICKING A quick quide to the Angling Live app

22 ON YOUR MARKS Some of the fishing zones of interest and the species you’re likely to find there

26 KNOW YOUR COMPETITION

All the boats and anglers you’ll be up against

BIG THANKS TO

Marianne Guilois Honey: Fellow Director and Owner of World of Angling Spirit

Lucy Allsopp:Art Director/ Editorof the magazine

32 It could be yours..

Full Prize Table for the event, but be careful ... you’ll only have 60 seconds to choose!

34 EXTREME MEASURES

From start to finish, The Extreme 745 Game King prize boat offers stability, safety, excellence and much more

40 DISCOVERING PORTSMOUTH

Famed for its maritime history, we give you the background to some of Portsmouth’s most iconic landmarks

Man on a mission . .

EFFTA CEO, Olivier portrat TALKS ABOUT HIS DETERMINATION to make A DIFFERENCE TO ANGLING CULTURE

102

Breams can come true. . Local hero Dan Sissons knows these waters well and offers some valuable words of wisdom

120

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

INSIOE YOUR WORLD OF ANGLING SPIRIT MAGAZINE . .

WORLD OF ANGLING SPIRIT

135

Welcome to the World Carp Classic

A welcome to the event from Dynamite Baits’ Daryl Hodges

136 PRIZE TABLE

Minimum £70,000 prize table up for grabs!

144 IN THE RUNNING Full list of this year’s WCC participants

148 KAREL NIKL

2016 WCC Champion believes you gotta have faith to take the trophy

200 184 WCC ROLL OF HONOUR

We celebrate past champions from 1998 to 2021 .. who’s name will be added this year?

193 YOUNG GUNS

WCC Junior Event: How we’re making sure the next generation are ready to take on the mantle

ENDLICH MEISTER

World Predator Classic Champions 2021 It’s been a long time coming for Thomas Engert and Marc Ptacovsky

218 FULL LIST OF COMPETITORS ‘22 226 OFFICIAL MAP All the pegs, all the sponsors of the WPC

228 WELCOME TO HELLEVOETSLUIS Host venue to the WPC

206 THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS

The Nitro Z18 Prize boat ticks all the boxes when it comes to performance

154

210 UP FOR GRABS!

It’s been emotional ..

2021 Champions make WCC history after catching a 30.4kg – the largest carp ever caught since the start of the event

There’s Everything to play for with this amazing Prize Table package

212

252 2021 STREET FISHING CHAMP

A last minute decision played out well for German Jamie Parkins

168 ANGELO VIOLA

Fishin’ Canada’s presenter takes on the government fish lords

176 LAC De MADINE Your official map to the World Carp Classic event

264 A LO0K AT THE FUNNY SIDE . . POWER CRAZED

The 150 Pro XS Fourstroke engine will be the power behind your success

We thought we’d share a few lighter moments just for fun .. every one a Classic!

FOUNDER ROSS HONEY . . THE SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

INSPIRED BY THE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FUTURE . . At home, during COVID, I was thinking about the events that we run and that all of them were abroad. Pre COVID, I was constantly travelling to different events and different countries. Thinking about how COVID had changed the travelling landscape and wondering about the future, I decided it would be a good idea, with my love of the sea, to study again. So, I took the exams and qualified as a Commercial Captain. This led me to spend a lot of time out on the water, in and around the Solent where I live and it dawned on me that this area offered an amazing potential for a fishing competition, right on my doorstep. In March 2021, I came up with the idea to establish a UK based recreational boat angling competition. There were several recreational boat angling competitions already, but there was nothing with as big a high profile prize table and nothing that compared to the theatre in line with the events we staged abroad. With our events, we like to have a big opening ceremony, boat parades, flags, music, a festival atmosphere and to include the local communities around the fishing area. As time went by, I quickly realised that Portsmouth had everything I needed to create a world class event; the maritime history in Portsmouth, which is second to none, an incredible infrastructure complex – enough to support an international event– the unique facilities and most importantly, the prolific waters with great fishing. In June, 2021, I ran a pilot event based out of Northney Marina. Very quickly, everything gathered great momentum and just 12 weeks later, the SEA ANGLING CLASSIC was born! This was so much more than just a fishing event, as it involved shoreline clean-ups, crabbing competitions for children, children’s angling tuition, poster design competitions

and in the middle of 2021, when COVID had stamped out most of the fun, there was a light at the end of the tunnel with our event. Literally, the day before the event began, the government altered the tier level restrictions so that we were able to go ahead. As you can imagine, the weeks leading up to the event were nailbiting and crazy. After months of lockdown and as restrictions began to get lifted, there was an extra special atmosphere ... a sense of anticipation and excitement by everyone involved. We had great support and encouragement from

The event was such a success, it highlighted the excitement and appetite for a recreational sea angling competition in the UK

Shaping Portsmouth, the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, Portsmouth City Council, Northney Marina and the angling Trade. Everybody was up for this event. The opening party was a total celebration – including a brilliant live band, Mermaid Gin providing fantastic cocktails for everyone and stands from the event partners. It was great to be back meeting people again, face to face. It took just over 12 weeks from the initial idea to actually running this event! It’s amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it and have great support from those around you. The initial event was run as an individual competition using the live leaderboard app that we’ve developed over the years. Anglers on charter boats and recreational boats competed for a share of the huge prize table provided by our event partners. The event was such a success, it highlighted the excitement and appetite for a recreational sea angling competition based in the UK. With the experience gained by running the invitation competition, we were able to fine tune some of the rules in preparation for the inaugural event this year. This included having a dedicated category for Charter boats and a

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

PAST

Portsmouth had everything I needed to create a world class event

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

FOUNDER ROSS HONEY . . THE SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

INSPIRED BYTHE PAST LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FUTRE

seperate one for Recreational boats. Another fine tune and probably the most import modification, was that the competition would be fished as a pairs event on Charter boats, fishing a maximum of two rods per pair. On the recreational boats, a minimum of two anglers and a maximum of four with each boat being allowed to fish a maximum of four rods. Having successfully built an online live leaderboard in 2014 for the World Predator Classic – which has been used at all of our events ever since – we wanted to pioneer the way forward and use the app in the world of sea angling. Of course, there had to be some modifications, as some fishing areas had little or no internet. We also needed to let anglers get familiar with the app, so we sent out test codes where they could practice in advance of the event and also run live tutorials. The App developer was also on site during registration to give one to one assistance if required. It really is cutting edge technology and we really excited to be developing it.

The format of the event has been adapted from our other events to make the competition exciting and challenging for those taking part and also for those following it. We decided that 5 species would be a good number – selecting Tope, Smoothound, Skate, Bass and Bream – and that the length of the three longest of each species per day would be a great format. The total length of what had been caught from the longest three of the five species per boat on Day 1, would be added to the same total from Day 2, which would give a total overall length. The winner being the boat with the greatest combined length over the two days and the Pair in the Charter boat Category. The Sea Angling Classic is open to all and to encourage the next generation of anglers, competitors can be as young as 10 years old, providing they are accompanied by a parent or guardian. There are in fact lots of activities for children, including Poster design competitions, shore line clean ups, crabbing competitions, angling tuition, educational programs linked to school curriculums and safety on or by the water. On the educational side, we have linked with Portsmouth University Marine department, who will be conducting a profound scientific study with data that we will provide from the event. Ecologically, this is particularly fascinating and links perfectly with the sea grass replanting initiative we have. To achieve what we have this year, has involved an incredible team of people working together for countless hours over meetings and planning.

Child friendly... Young people are always at the front of my mind, as they will be responsible for keeping the sport alive The opening ceremony will be spectacular. If there’s one thing I really love, it’s flags flying and the Sea Angling Classic will be no exception. To begin with, the streets of Portsmouth will be closed specially to mark the occasion and allow for the flag parade – a marching band leading 150 children from the local area, waving Sea Angling Classic flags, followed by hundreds of competitors, event partners and the Portsmouth community. This really will be a momentous occasion as the parade enters Gunwharf Quays which will be fully decorated with flags and banners. And thats just the start of it ... On the following day, there will be a Boat Parade of all competing boat anglers. This will be led by a WW2 gunship into Portsmouth Harbour – again, specially closed for us by the Queens Harbour Master. This will truly be exceptional and Gunwharf Quays will be buzzing!

Two days of the actual competition will follow and, unlike most events, the Prize Giving will take on the day after the final at the Historic Dockyard with HMS Victory as the spectacular backdrop to the occasion. Live bands will be playing and Express FM will be broadcasting live from the stage area, all of which will be open to the public and the Portsmouth community. BT Sports will be there too, filming and producing a twopart programme. With all of these activities happening over two hours, that’s a lot of coverage! It doesn’t stop there of course! There is the huge prize table to be presented. This includes the incredible first prize of a fully equipped Extreme745 Gameking boat. I love that sound the Mercury motor makes when you start it up and then the roar of the V8 4.6L engine when you power away . . it’s exhilarating. The Lowrance Ultimate fishing system is

everything an angler needs on a boat and I can’t wait to shake the hands of the winners as they are crowned Sea Angling Classic Champions. The winners of the Charter Boat category will also enjoy a host of fantastic prizes. These include trips abroad, Mermaid Gin, fishing equipment and more. As a big samba band leads everybody from the prize table arena to HMS Warrior, the prize boat will be launched into the water and the winners of the Charter Boat category will have the honour of boarding one of the historic ships – normally reserved for royalty – as they do a tour of honour in the harbour. At this stage all invited guests will board HMS Warrior for a celebratory drinks reception and live music. Once back on shore, the Champions will be led aboard HMS Warrior by a guard of honour to join the other guests and show off their amazing trophies. And these trophies are really quite something .. Not only are they unique, they are created from recycled material like no other ... the Nelson Flag Ship HMS Victory, the aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales. They are undoubtedly works of art. BAE Systems apprentices along with those from Hythe Marine Group have painstakingly created these masterpieces whilst demonstrating what world class skills they possess. Having crowned our Champions, we will be looking forward to launching the 2023 Sea Angling Classic event. This will see the introduction of the European levels allowing national champions of other countries to come to Portsmouth to compete for the European title. And in the years to follow, as with the other events that have been created, we will ultimately introduce the Global Champion of Champions. I am immensely proud that from the idea that I had last year that Portsmouth and all that is incredible about it will be seen by people all over the world though the Sea Angling Classic. Thank you to everybody that has shared the vision that I have had and helped in making the Sea Angling Classic a reality Tight lines everybody and please, have a great time, keep safe and enjoy the event! n Ross Honey

these trophies are created from recycled material ... the Nelson Flag Ship HMS Victory, the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Middleton

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

LABOUR OF LOVE . . THE SEA ANGLING CLASSIC TROPHY

MAKINGOFA MASTERPIECE

One of Angling Spirit’s key initiatives is the before and after event shoreline clean-up. Competitors and locals are encouraged to get together to remove any debris and any other BAE Systems met with Ross Honey on the 25th of January to discuss the potential of designing and manufacturing the trophy for the Sea Angling Classic competition.

First thoughts... the beginnings of the vision, sketched by Daryl Hodges, then moved on to an artists impression

Danny proceeded to reach out across BAE Systems to those with an interest and passion for the world of fishing and as it happened, many of them were taking part in the event – more importantly, including the manufacturing team of the Thunderer Workshop at BAE Systems Portsmouth. It was decided that this project was to be apprentice driven. Very early within the design phase, the team agreed the trophy would incorporate features from both the Sea Angling Classic – from the honeycomb hexagons to the open mouth fish and links to Portsmouth’s legacy – from the historic ships to the iconic landmark, the Spinnaker Tower. After that, several meetings took place in the historic dockyard, which also brought on board Hythe Marine Services. These meetings were to discuss initial designs of the trophy and brainstorm how the trophy would be manufactured and with what materials. It was agreed that we would utilise recycled materials from Royal Naval platforms, incorporating one of Portsmouth’s oldest flagships, Nelson’s HMS Victory and the latest flagship of NATO’s Marine operations, the HMS Prince of Wales. An initial sketch of the trophy, by Daryl Hodges during one of the earlier meetings, was passed to Ross Honey who then arranged to have an artist’s impression drawn up. Once the impression returned, a series of conferences between BAE Systems and Hythe Marine Services.

It’s all hands on deck as the Trophy’s journey begins . . Project kick-off was initiated mid-march with Cymi Atwal and Jordan Craven from BAE Systems appointed as joint Project Managers. The apprentices from Hythe Marine Services set to work manufacturing a steel mock-up of the trophy, whilst BAE Systems used CAD to design 3D models and generate dimensional drawings and printed a small scale 3D model. Once these designs were completed, both teams collaboratively presented them to Ross Honey for initial concept acceptance. Once approved, it was time to bring the vision to life. The project team sat down to discuss the different capabilities and how we could use these to our advantage. It was agreed that Hythe Marine Services would manufacture the final design for the tower, whilst BAE Systems would manufacture

Throughout the project’s lifecycle, many prototypes were brought together to ensure both teams were working parallel toward the same outcome

Step by step... throughout the design process, numerous protypes were produced, tweaked and adjusted until the trophy met the exact standard required

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

MAKING OF A MASTERPIECE THE SEA ANGLING CLASSIC TROPHY

the base plates. Throughout the lifecycle of the project, numerous prototypes were brought together to ensure both teams were working parallel toward the same outcome. Although we had the initial design and vision, the meetings encouraged attendees to express freedom of creativity and design and as time went on the trophy evolved into something even more unique, bringing with it a greater level of passion to the project by everyone involved. With this freedom of innovation and expression, the project has allowed our organisations to really show off the workshop’s capabilities. Mentors like ex-apprentice George Clayton, were given the opportunity to teach the upcoming apprentices the possibilities and potentials of what their skills could create without limitations or restrictions on freedom of creativity. The largest aspect of creating this trophy was that everyone involved wanted the final piece to stand out and have a high standard of detail and craftsmanship from every angle. Throughout the whole process, the two organisations were in close communication, not only with each other but also with Ross Honey. Ross was able to provide us with the wood from HMS Victory and the Portsmouth Lord Mayors’ crest which was incorporated into the design and whilst we understood our capabilities, we were also experimenting and learning. Thankfully Lee White of the workshop had experience with resin and was able to offer support. Similar to the construction of a Naval ship, there were a lot of teams providing support, right down to the smallest of tasks. There were points within this project where efficient project management was required and decisions had

Ross was able to provide us with the wood from HMS Victory and the Portsmouth Lord Mayors’ crest which was incorporated into the design

to be made in order to meet the customer’s deadline. Through the dedication and hard work from different areas of both organisations including Joiners, Machine operators, Engravers, Constructors, Fabricators and Welders plus subcontracting polishers in the end it was brought together to create the final product on time. We would also like to give a special shout out to the polishers M M P Electrovibe UK Ltd. who dropped everything to help out. During the analysis of the artist’s impression, it was agreed every aspect of the trophy was to be manufactured in house, right down to the machined HMS Victory copper rivets engraved with the Sea Angling Classic logo.

LABOUR OF LOVE . . THE SEA ANGLING CLASSIC TROPHY

Attendees were encouraged to express freedom of creativity and design bringing a greater level of passion to the project “We took the artist’s impression and made a decision on a measurement to make the final product, this was 750 mm. We then decided to make the spinnaker in 2 parts, one being the cage and the other being the back piece. This made it easier to polish and get the mirror finish. We then used brass to add contrast and depth to the stainless. Some of the problems we ran into when building the final product were the distortion caused by welding, where the prototype was made of mild steel and the final product was made of stainless steel it possessed different characteristics and pulled in different directions, so to amend this we made sure it was clamped tightly in the position we needed

Recycled components used . . The round bar was recycled material from a job completed on the HMS Prince Of Wales in 2020. n The stainless was an off cut from a job taken place on HMS Middleton in 2021. n The Oak and copper were salvaged materials from the HMS Victory’s refurbishment. n

Of course we could not have an event with out a trophy ... Words can never do justice to the phenomenal work of art that carries the name “Sea Angling Classic trophy”. To see the pride on the faces of everybody involved in the making of this trophy when it was revealed with HMS Victory as the backdrop, is something that I will never forget. I would profoundly like to thank everyone for making this happen and congratulate BAE Systems and The Hythe MarineServices for hitting every single deadline on time. This work of art, is so much more than a trophy. It represents skill, commitment, cooperation, education, vision patience and dedication. The Sea Angling Classic Trophy will be seen by millions of people all over the world for many years to come. BAE Systems and Hythe Marine Services have helped create something very special and demonstrated why they are companies that work at a world class level in what they do. To have the trophy made in Portsmouth at the home of the Sea Angling Classic is something I am very proud of. ROSS HONEY FOUNDER OF THE SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

What is it made of? n n n n n

250-Year-old Timber Government approved mahogany Aluminium, copper and brass Resin inlay Stainless steel

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

A piece of history... After months of maticulous engineering and collaboration between Hythe Marine Services and BAE Systems, the Sea Angling Classic Trophy now stands proudly by Portsmouth’s iconic and historic landmarks

LABOUR OF LOVE . . THE SEA ANGLING CLASSIC TROPHY

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

LABOUR OF LOVE . . THE SEA ANGLING CLASSIC TROPHY

MAKING OF A MASTERPIECE

THE SEA ANGLING CLASSIC TROPHY

it to be. Another problem we ran into was when bending the round bar, when getting it out the power rollers we had to make little adjustments to make sure it replicated the spinnaker tower and matched the template we had before on the prototype.” – Lleyton Hussey - Hythe Marine Services Apprentice

Hythe Marine Services and BAE Systems . . It is fantastic to see two reputable, respected companies coming together to provide exceptional work experience for the next generation of marine engineers. Through a partnership between BAE Systems and Hythe Marine Services, apprentices are often given incredible opportunities to work on real-life, important projects with real responsibilities. This collaboration was taken one step further

through the Sea Angling Classic event where the apprentices got to work together to use materials from some of the most iconic vessels of our time to create what can only be described as a stunning masterpiece. Finally, the apprentices would like to thank the following people: Ross Honey: Sea Angling Classic Lead representative, Thank you for allowing us this opportunity. Luke Fitzgerald and Alister O’Neill: from Hythe Marine Services Darren McKell, Rob Cox, Danny Thompson, Darryl Burges, Paul Scantlebury, George Clayton, Lee White, Nick Carter, Dave Locke, Paul Webster, Callum Williams, Mark Williams, Jim Dickson and Patrick Holmes: from BAE Systems we thank you all for this great opportunity. Whoever wins this trophy will not only be taking home a piece of history but a clear and present representation of the skills Hythe Marine Services and BAE Systems are building as the talent of tomorrow.

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

A BIG THANKS TO THE APPRENTICES: n Cymi Atwal: 5th Year Project Management Degree Apprentice n Jordan Craven: 2nd Year Project Management Degree Apprentice n Beau Greenwood: Higher Engineering Apprentice n Alfie Westrope: Advanced Engineering Apprentice n Owen Dunn: 2nd Year Pipefitter Welder Apprentice n Lleyton Hussey: 3rd Year Pipefitter Welder Apprentice n Bradley Franks : 4th Year Fabrication Welder Apprentice

the apprentices got to work together to use materials from some of the most iconic vesels of our time . . creating this stunning masterpiece

GLEN MILLIGAN . . SEA ANGLING CLASSIC MARSHAL

Hello Anglers and WELCOME to this incredible event, the Sea Angling Classic 2022!

My name is Glen Milligan and I am the Head Marshal of the Sea Angling Classic 2022. From its inception, I have worked with Ross and his team in planning and creating, what is without doubt, the single biggest sea angling event in UK history. Throughout the event, you will see and hear a lot from me, so let me give you a brief background to the experience I will bring to the event and some helpful advice to get you started. Like many of you, I have been addicted to this amazing hobby since I was a young boy. Born to a fishing community on the Essex coast, it has been a huge part of my life ever since. In the early 90’s, I relocated to the Isle of Wight and then Hampshire where I really got stuck in to boat fishing around Portsmouth. I soon became involved in fishing competitions and had major success, winning individual, national and European titles with the England team becoming World Champions! A career change followed, as I took to the water full time, firstly owning an angling charter boat and then a commercial boat, which has been used around the local Portsmouth area. I know the area you will be fishing very well! My own competition days are now well behind me. However, I am very proud to be offered the opportunity to get involved in this event. The Sea Angling Classic is more than just another fishing event. What a wonderful opportunity to show off our sport in this historic dockyard city. The event has profound support from the local councils, schools and businesses, unlike any other! This will be more of an angling festival, that the whole city will be behind!

This will be more of an angling festival, that the whole city will be behind!

LOOKOUT! THERE’S ANEW MARSHAL INTOWN Best known as a successful competition angler, Glen Milligan has been boat fishing in and around the Solent for the past 20 years – this gives him all the right credentials to marshal the Sea Angling Classic

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

GLEN MILLIGAN

TOPFIVE LOWDOWN The Sea angling classic is focusing on five species from the bigger Tope to the small Bream. Here’s my top tips on bagging a beauty!

Tope: handle with care Large packs of Tope traditionally arrive inshore with the Mackerel shoals in the Summer months. These fish are feeding on the baitfish, which is why fresh fish baits, particularly Mackerel, are effective. A word of warning, Tope have teeth and they are absolutely razor- sharp! So, handling the fish correctly is really important! My advice is to be sure to wear tough gloves, and to restrain the fish by holding the upper snout and either a fin or the wrist of the tail! With the fish incapacitated, leave your partner to remove the hook. I recommend using circle hooks, size 6/0 using a chunk of Mackerel as bait. This results in less deep-hooked fish, it also means that you can use lighter hook length line because the fish do not get to bite through it. Otherwise, minimum 80lb hook length or a wire trace will be needed. Again, fishing a flowing trace away from the boat will result in more bites! The fishing areas are the same as for the Smooth-hounds, although the deeper water can sometimes be more productive. Smaller Tope will be found throughout the competition fishing area, these smaller fish are less fussy about bait and will often take smaller Bream baits.

RAYS: Dig deep for these bottom dwellers ... Our fishing grounds around Portsmouth hold several varieties of Rays. There are subtle differences between all the varieties, but essentially, they could and do all turn up all over competition area. Thornback Rays, Undulate Rays, Spotted Rays. I have grouped these three varieties together because generally they are all caught on similar marks, they are often not that fussy about where or when they feed, and they all take on most commonly used baits. They often taken accidently and indeed can be difficult to specifically target. Squid and fish baits are the most productive and these must be presented hard on the bottom on a flowing trace. A point to remember is that if one of these rays gets caught then be sure that there will be others down there and it may well be a good time to go for them as they are often caught in 2’s and 3’s! Spotted Rays are the smallest averaging just a few pounds, Undulate Rays are much bigger, typically 10-20lbs!

bass: Look out for divers TO specifically target the Bass, then there are marks where the large shoals often feed specifically, around the shallower banks of Boulder Bank and the Middle grounds South of Selsey. Also, on the edges of the main shipping channel between the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth. These fish feed hardest as the tide is running hard. A clue will be the presence of plenty of birds on the water or diving. Plastic lures, small metal jigs will all catch fish by casting away from the boat and working the lure from the bottom up. If the tide is really running hard then just holding the lure near to the seabed can be effective! The odd Bass will also be taken on baits that are meant for other fish, particularly fresh mackerel.

BLACK BREAM: small

SMOOTH-HOUNDS: Always ready for a fight The fishing waters around Portsmouth are well known for the amazing Smooth-hound fishing during Spring and Summer. These fish really are a treat for anglers as they are easy to catch and fight really hard! In June, Smooth-hounds should be found throughout the entire fishing area of the competition. The most prolific area starts about a mile East of the Nab tower and runs up towards Boulder bank in about 60’ of water, and then up to an area called ‘The Streets” in the shallower water. Exact boat positioning is not necessary as there should be fish throughout this area. The size of these fish is between 5-20lbs. The smaller fish will often take Ragworm and small squid baits. The larger fish like squid baits but the absolute No1 bait is crabs! If you’re feeling brave and want to target the biggest fish, then hardback shore crabs and velvet swimming crabs are the way to go. Peeler crabs in any form will often produce a fish a chuck, but you’ll catch small and large fish, along with pests such as Dogfish. As Smooth-hounds don’t have teeth, then a 50lb mono hook length fished on a flowing trace hard on the bottom is the way to go. If you can cast this away from the boat (either uptide or downtide) then you will get more bites.

l but perfectly formed .. The black Bream shoals normally arrive inshore during May each year. Popular marks for them will be all along the rocky marks around Boulder Bank, the shallow rock marks in Bracklesham Bay, Bullocks Patch and the rocky areas Between Bembridge on the Isle of Wight and the Nab Tower, specifically Princessa and Nab Rock. Most of these marks will produce rays, Tope and Smooth-hounds too! Bream will also be taken throughout the competition area, often they will take the baits meant for other fish. A clue to their invasion will be rattling bites on the larger baits. Bream are not difficult to catch but I’d recommend to fish as light as possible to catch more fish. Using 12-15lb hook line and small squid baits is a typical local technique. If the tide is running then fish this on a flowing trace, as the tide eases then small, baited feathers often work well.

Get familiar with the App ... The Sea Angling Classic is unlike any other fishing event that’s ever been staged in the UK. It is a catch and release event with fish welfare as a priority! But this is a fishing competition, and so we needed to establish a scoring system for the anglers, a system that looks after the fish and is also 100% reliable. The Angling Live App has been created especially for the Sea Angling Classic. Tried and tested, the App is regularly used at other Angling Spirit events such as the World Predator Classic.

The App was expertly adapted for our use in this event after hours of testing in varying conditions in our fishing grounds. You will have plenty of time to use it and test it. If you have any questions before, please ask questions. We are here to help! The App records your catches and submits them to the leaderboard. As a fisherman, I know how important your catches are to you. So, please familiarise yourself with the App and make sure you submit each of your catches correctly. Mistakes will lead to rejection!

ANGLING LIVE! HOW IT WORKS .. PAGES 20 & 21

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

ANGLING LIVE ... HOW IT WORKS

LIVE & Clicking.. Introducing the smartphone angling app where live captures, reports and results all happen in real time

How does the system work? Every competitor is given a username and PIN to allow them to log into an event. Once logged in the competitor can do various things including add a fish, view their scorecard, view the overall leader board, view notifications and view pending, approved and rejected fish.

What does Angling LIVE look like?

What is Angling LIVE? The angling match scene has been growing every year and now you can’t avoid being drawn into the exciting competition, whatever your angling discipline. Angling LIVE is a smartphone application that takes away the manual process for recording fish captures and reports in real time. Having this facility means everything is ‘as it happens’ and the event organisers can display live leader boards to a vast audience, run statistics through a fish log database and eliminate the need for any paper.

The system has been developed to be intuitive. The app runs in-line with other popular apps such as Facebook and Twitter with a bottom menu bar providing the content in a viewing window. It remembers where you left off so you can quickly switch between tabs without losing data and having to repeatedly log in. All matches will run in the ‘live’ tab and this is where competitors will be able to log in and submit their catches.

Should I trust Angling LIVE?

The app has been running since 2017, albeit in its simplest form. Over 10,000 competition fish have been logged through the system with an accuracy of 100% over 16 different match formats. Due to the way Angling LIVE records fish captures means the system is bullet proof. All competition leader boards are generated from complex coding that interrogates the fish log. Each piece of coding is tested, then tested again to ensure what is going to be displayed is the truth. From standard cumulative totals to points conversion over multiple days, the system can do it all with impressive accuracy.

How many have downloaded the Angling LIVE app and viewed the leader boards? The app has over 12,000 downloads from countries all around the world. The split is about 50/50 between iOS and Android devices. The statistics on viewing data is somewhat incredible. Angling LIVE has had over 15 million transactions since going live in 2017 and 32,000 concurrently users at the same time. Since 2017, Angling LIVE has upgraded the server 3 times to keep things running smoothly.

The future Angling LIVE is a development project and will remain so for the foreseeable future. The AL GPS API is currently under trial and provides GPS positions for all competitors whilst fishing an event. The app will ping the server every four minutes with a GPS location and also logs the GPS location of every fish submitted for

approval. It proved to be a great success in the World Predator Classic 2020 and it looking to be rolled out in the near future.

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

3 4

How do I submit my catch and view other catches? The details required to submit a fish will vary from event to event but the process will be explained within the app and will follow the rules given by the event organisers. The app is designed to be intuitive and easy to use whilst fishing. It is to make life easier, not a burden! By clicking the ‘Add Fish’ button will allow the details of a catch to be entered. Once a fish has been submitted it is immediately set to ‘pending’. At this stage the fish is not considered for any of the generated leader boards but does sit within the competition fish log database. The event organisers have access to a separate web administration panel where they can carry out numerous tasks, one of which is to review submitted fish. They will look at all the submitted details and images and review the fish against the

competition rules. Should the fish not meet the requirements it will be set to ‘rejected’; sitting within the database but not considered for any scoring. Should the fish be correct and in line with the rules it will be marked as ‘approved’. Immediately after this has happen the fish is a scoring entry and will be considered by all live generated leader boards. Each stage of this process can be viewed by competitors from the user panel by notifications at the bottom of the screen labelled ‘Pending’, ‘Approved’ and ‘Rejected’. Competitors can click each notification to see all the fish in each stage and remarks as to why each decision was made.

How does the system generate the leader boards? This is the clever bit! Each competition has multiple database tables in order to provide live generated leader boards but two are extremely important. The competitor tables hold all of the details relating to a reference, whether that be peg, boat or individual angler. This is how the system knows who is fishing where or in what vessel. These details are extracted to input data into the fish log table when a fish is submitted. The competition leader board is generated based upon the format of the event. Complex coding queries the fish log to place the competitors in a winning order by reference. This reference is then used to extract data back from the competitors table to display country, team, sponsors etc etc.

When Angling LIVE was developed it was decided that data extraction was the best way forward for accuracy. The leader boards are produced ‘on the fly’ using a single point of information. As long as the fish is in the fish log database and marked as ‘approved’ it will be incorporated into the angler’s total.

Where can I download the Angling LIVE app?

The app is available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. There are no restrictions by country.

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

KNOW YOUR MARKERS

! S K R A M R U O ON Y E

M. NEW GROUNDS The new grounds is a large area of ground that is easy to fish with depths around 50’ with clean ground. This area fishes on both tides and all the species can be caught here although in general it may be that they may be smaller fish. Fishing the edges or contours can produce. The ground away from the new grounds, East towards the Nab Tower can also be good. To the south is ‘Nab Rock’, which often holds good shoals of bream, with smoothounds and rays on the edge.

E. HORSE TAIL This is a relatively easy inshore mark to fish that can produce all of the species although any tope are likely to be small in size.

G. BULLOCK PATCH Bullock patch is an isolated area of rock. It is best known for holding good numbers of specimen black bream and as such is a popular local mark. This can make it a busy mark and can have a significant impact on catches. On the flood tide boats anchor just to the west and fish into the rock. On the ebb tide boats anchor on the top of the rock fishing down it. Fishing around the edges of the rock can produce rays, smoothounds and the odd bass and tope.

The five species chosen as scoring fish for the Sea Angling Classic can be caught throughout the entire permitted fishing zone for the event, particularly during the month of June when fishing is at its best. There are some areas that are more well known for particular species, it is these marks that we have highlighted and offered a brief insight into.

L. BUTTERFLY: RAY BANKS N. PRINCESSA

This is a rocky area that often holds good numbers of bream. Like many of the other marks, fishing around the edges can produce all the other species.

Easily identified on charts these banks are obvious to see. Fishing down these banks can often produce not just rays but all the other species. At the bottom of the banks in the deeper water larger tope can be caught.

NEED SOME MOTIVATION? FIND OUT WHAT PRIZES

B. HAIRY BALLS This is a shallower mark that is rock and shingle, it can be very snaggy. Although shallow it has significant tide flow. This mark produces black bream, smoothounds and some rays.

F. HOUNDS & BRACKLESHAM BAY

This entire area is shallow water and easy to fish with substantially less tide than most of the marks. It holds large areas of rock which hold good stocks of specimen black bream. This area also produces some rays, small tope, and some smoothounds.

A. BOULDER BANK

C. LOO CHANNEL

This is a rocky reef, clearly visible on the chart. A very snaggy mark; it is easier to fish on the flood tide anchoring into the reef. During the ebb tide caution should be exercised as the tide runs hard and anchoring can be very difficult! It is very shallow at its highest points and should be avoided by travelling boats. There’s a clearly marked navigation channel with distinctive green and red marker buoy! The reef holds good quality specimen size Black Bream. Best to anchor away from the reef and lines fished into it. Along the edges of the reef the water is 50-60’ in depth. This area is also good for targeting smoothounds, tope, and rays. If there are birds working on the reef, the presence of bass will be obvious.

This general area consists of shingle. This is a consistent mark for smoothounds and Ray

D. MEDMERRY BANK

A shingle and sand bank that holds some rays, smoothounds, tope and bass around the edges.

I. BOULDER

The southern corner of the rock can often throw up a variety of good fish swimming around the bank. On the actual rock you will still catch bream. This corner can often hold large shoals of bass that can easily be caught by casting and retrieving lures.

K H

K. PULLAR

H. HARD GROUNDS These cover a large area made up of shingle bottom. It fishes on both tides and can be very good for smoothounds particularly. The tide can run hard but as the depth is around 60’ it is manageable. All the other species can be caught here. This could be a wise choice for boats in this event. One mark that you could fish all day long!

The deep water can be very good for specimen tope and often holds mackerel shoals. On the shallower edges smoothounds, rays and bass can be caught.

J. MIDDLE GROUNDS The middle grounds is an area of shallow sand banks. Shoals of bass are often found there when the tide is running, again cast and retrieving lures is effective. Fishing at anchor on the southern side often produces good specimen blonde rays.

ARE UP FOR GRABS ON PAGES 32&33

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

CLEARING THE DECKS

One of Angling Spirit’s key initiatives is the before and after event shoreline clean-up. Competitors and locals are encouraged to get together to remove any debris and any other discarded waste

Very rewarding way to spend a few hours. Felt it was particularly important to pick up the polystyrene.. fish often mistakenly eat it. Not seen a Shippams Paste jar like that for a while! WAYNE COMBEN

ANGLING SPIRIT . . MAKING A DEFFERENCE RESPONSIBLY

Luke and I launch our boat from Calshot so it felt the right place to carry out the clean up ..there was a sense of well-being, looking back over the ground we had cleaned up Darren mckell

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

SAC PARTICIPANTS 2022 RECREATIONAL BOAT CATEGORY Boat Name

PARTICIPANTS

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

LUNA-C Bad Boyz Miss Molly Go For It Wahoo Shorething Marijeta Oneday Big G Victors Vessel Avonhurst Bang Tidy Well Plumbed Tequila Pebbles Debbie-ann Motley Crew Too Reel Deal Life of Riley Captain Sherri Lucky Strike ii Billy Bouy Thresher Messy Deep Blue 2 Blue Destiny Sophia Marie May Queen New Dawn KID-N-ME No woman no cry Paintball Hot Pursuit Squidward 3 Sea Jay

Captain

Angler #2

Angler #3

Angler #4

Sponsor

Ashley Godwin-Eyles Phillip Godwin Martin Fisher Luke Fitzgerald Martin Fitzgerald Nick Wallis Chris Ellis Steven Tipples Alan Woodage Daniel Read Adam Kirby Ashley Dowdswell Charlie Gatrell Steven Manning John Baggs William Baynes Robert Groves Paul Chapple Kim Bowden Dick Prosser Tony Dickson Steve Andrews Tony Allen Martin Allen Jason Williams Liam Smith Jimmy Lemon Aled Nicholas Awesome FW Gary Mead Paul Want Bob Lawrence Richard Herbert Jon Challinor Kelvin Hindmarch Steve Stefanou Jeanette Stefanou Andrew Gerstel Liam Gerstel Jamie Eyers Mark Oldfield Ryan Sibbons Lee Parsons Terry Wallworth Graham Dickinson Ben Ralph Wayne Moth Ben Carter Dave Chidzoy Thomas Baker Aidan Ely Wayne Comben Grant Childs Neil Buckett Alan Brand Gareth Williams Geoff Williams Terry Walden Jason Gillespie David Mordecai Dean Kilford Clint Jewar Steve Kilford Eric Binding Tim Newcome Michal Newcome M Newcome Garry Sharp Daniel Pipe Ben Coleborn Steve Coleborn Joe Ansell Trev Stefan Eppelein Kevin Hare Adam Kirby Dan Sissons Peter J Baker Darren Mckell Luke Mckell Caroline McKell Dan Lumsden Bill Arnold Coronado Kevin Long Dave Shappott Tony Burrows Extreme boats 7.45 Dave Wilson Mark Quilliam Sam Quilliam Stuart Jones Extreme Boats Jackobie Mark Bryant Matt Boast Lowrance Lady Margaret Mark Fairhurst Danny Lowrance Smartfish Will Parkinson David Loony Aaron Barrett Pantaenius Ryan Thomas O’Grady Challenger Geraint Thomas Moaning Mertyl Wayne Balchin John Valentine Time Out Terry Leach Chris Karimzandi Eva Mai Dave Collins John Locker Sea Witch 2 Robert Shefford Gareth Protheroe Ray Eyers Island Son Jim Dickson Vincent Harris Mark Williams Raymond Gattrell Sowley Jack Coombes Shane Coombes Chelle Tim Ralph Tom Emmence Pippin Michael Hardy Craig Hardy Jim Brewer Paul Robbins Golden Girl Tom Hendersen Lewis Hendersen Adam Hendersen

SAC PARTICIPANTS 2022 RECREATIONAL BOAT CATEGORY Boat Name

Captain

Angler #2

Angler #3

CHARTER BOAT CATEGORY Sponsor

Aquaholic Shaun Barnett Matt Barnett ECA Alex Hawks Pedro Clive Newnham David Newnham Lovecat Phillip Lovegrove Ricky Collier Ricky Christmas Sea Jet Fred Creamer Jack Austin Snowflake Darren Mockford Ben Stevens Bob the Magnificent Lawrence Sargrove Gega Guillaume Fourrier Kira Darren Kirby Bradley Gattrell Scott Fitzgerald Orkney Strikeliner 16 + Andrew Mears Lewis Lemarquand Chiggsy Steven Eves James Franklin AV Boats BLUEFIN Jason Cock Victor Kmec AV Boats JACK THE LAD Ross Stewart Harry Templeman Paul millman Sea Angler SUPERSMOOTH Ben Wallis Kyle Waterhouse Liam Fasey Penn

Charter Boat

Angler#1

Angler #2

Sportsman’s Knight Sportsman’s Knight Harvest Moon Harvest Moon Valkyrie 6 Valkyrie 6 Kelly’s Hero III Wet Wheels Solent Wet Wheels Hamble Dotty Valkyrie 6 Kelly’s Hero IV Kelly’s Hero IV Deep Blue Deep Blue Anglers’ Edge Anglers’ Edge Valkyrie 8 Wet Wheels Solent Wet Wheels Solent Wet Wheels Hamble Kelly’s Hero III Kelly’s Hero III Deep Blue

Trevor Sutch Kevin Preston Stuart Newell Steve Batchelor Peter Stotesbury David Havers Mike Bays Geoff Holt Luke Loudon Peter Atkinson Colin Morley Arthur Machoney Neil Deluchi Anja Heppner Torben Boelter Darren Westrope Adam Houghton Hookpoint Andy Beadsley David O’Donnel Alan Rackett Simon Adams Millie Dale Mike Wimbridge

Steve Clemens Jon Law Peter Churchill Colin Searles Stephen Dobbins Ben Bream Chris Hawkins David Rodgers Dean Loudon CB Richard Kitney Simon Adams Robin Heppner Marko Smitt Max Jump Matthew Crook Iam McCoy Trevor Stewart Neil Deal Bex Florence Deano Ryan

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

THE SAC ROADSHOW

LETTHE

GAMEKINGBEGIN SEA ANGLING CLASSIC KICKS OFF WITH AN EPIC NINE-DAY ROADSHOW The Sea Angling Classic Roadshow build-up began on Saturday 19th March at Gunwharf Quays with the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth in attendance. From there, Ross and his team headed to Weymouth to embark an epic nine-day tour up and down the country – prize boat and trailer in tow – to promote the Sea Anglng Classic event, get the nation excited about the competition and inspire young and old anglers to get involved. The next day, it was off to Plymouth and then Bristol, Cardiff, Nottingham,

Glasgow, Edinburgh, Grimsby and finally Eastbourne before heading back to Portsmouth for the launch of the big boat reveal. During the Roadshow, visitors could get up close and personal with the prize boat, the amazing Extreme 745 Game King kitted out with all the lastest tech and a Mercury V8 Pro XS 250 engine. They also got the chance to meet expert anglers for advice on the best bait, rods and reels to use, with event partners Penn, Rapala and Okuma. Other partners included insurance

Coast to coast... Sea Angling Classic founder, Ross Honey and his team took the Roadshow the length and breadth of the country to promote this year’s event.

experts Pantaenius and Wetwheels, who provide specially adapted boats for disabled people . Fishing electronics specialist Lowrance® joined the tour with their Technical Support Unit and provided advice on the best electronic equipment to use, how to use it, and gave free software updates to owners who already have Lowrance units. All in all, the Roadshow was a huge success and generated a lot of attention. from the public and the press. Next stop ... Portsmouth for the start of the Sea Angling Classic 2022 event.

MADE IN BRITAIN

SINCE 1959

SBS trailers have been manufactured in the heart ofthe West Midlands from the very beginning. We carefully handpick our suppliers to ensure we are using locally sourced, premium materials whenever possible, whilst maintaining our superior quality

We cut, weld and assemble all trailers. As all fabrication work is carried out on-site, we are able to employ rigorous quality control throughout the entire trailer build process

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We manufacture, trailers for dinghies, jet skismotorboats, RIBs and yachts. We have a standard range of trailers to suit, however, we can customiseall our trailers or produce fully bespoke builds toensure the perfect fit and support for your boat

An SBS trailer will provide you www.sbstrailers.com with the confidence,durability and safety you want when towing, storingor transporting your boat. They’re so good, you won’t even know you’ve got one

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We know what it takes to produce a great product and we do all that we can to ensure that each and every trailer we sell is epic

We make boat trailers. We only make boat trailers. We have been making boat trailers for over 60 years

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

PRIZE TABLE

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

THE PRIZE TABLE . . Recreational Category Champions n Title “Champions of the 2022 Sea Angling

Classic” and trophies. n 60 seconds to decide between the amazing

boat or £50,000 in cash. The boat prize comprises of a fully rigged Extreme 745 Game king with Mercury 250 Pro XS, Lowrance Ultimate Fishing system and trailer. T&Cs apply The cash option includes the use of the prize boat and entries at various competitions throughout the UK.

L L A R E OV ES.. THE PRIZRALL OF EACH OF VE ’ PRIZE TARGE ACED LADIES NDER U PL H BEST LACED 6.7M P H BEST ATEGORY BOAT C

O H BEST T SPECIES

Second Overall winners

n A Seakeeper system installed by Osmotech

Third Overall winners

n Penn equipment and a Lowrance fishfinder unit n Isle of Wight Sea Angling Classic VIP Tour to

include a custom-fitted Spinlock life jacket while visiting their factory followed by a Mermaid Gin meal at the distillery where the winners will be invited to choose their favourite gin to the value of £2000 RRP. n 4 Reuben Heaton set of scales; trophies

Fourth Overall winners

n Penn equipment and a Lowrance

fishfinder unit, trophies n Isle of Wight Sea Angling Classic VIP

tour to include a custom-fitted Spinlock life jacket, a visit to their factory followed by a Mermaid Gin meal at the distillery where the winners will be invited to choose their favourite gin to the value of £1000 RRP.

Fifth to 9th Place

n 4 Spinlock life jackets provided by Pantaenius;

Penn equipment; 4 bottles of Mermaid Gin plus event support prizes and trophies

10th to 30th Place

n A bottle of Mermaid gin per angler; a local

partner’s experience for 4 persons to include Historic Dockyards pass; The Alchemist meals and cocktails; Spinnaker Tower experience plus event support prizes, trophies.

Small Boat prize – under 6.7 meters

n 2 Spinlock life jackets; 2 bottles of Mermaid Gin;

Reuben Heaton set of scales; trophies

CHARTER BOAT CATEGOTY PRIZES n Title “Winner of the 2022 Sea Angling Classic Charter

category” and trophies. n A trip to Finland with a day fishing on the Baltic sea –

includes flights and hotel accommodation. n Okuma and 13 Fishing equipment and garments to be

chosen by the Champions during a visit to Normark UK HQ n The opportunity to become part of the Okuma fishing

team – to be discussed directly with the sponsor. n Isle of Wight Sea Angling Classic VIP tour to include a

custom-fitted Spinlock life jacket; a visit to their factory followed by a Mermaid Gin gourmet meal at the distillery where the winners will be invited to choose their favourite gin to the value of £2000. n Lowrance fishfinder; 2 Reuben Heaton set of scales

Second Overall winners

n Isle of Wight Sea Angling Classic VIP tour to include a

custom-fitted Spinlock life jacket; a visit to their factory followed by a Mermaid Gin meal at the distillery where the winners will be invited to choose their favourite gin to the value of £2000. n Okuma and 13 Fishing equipment and garments to be chosen by the champions during a visit to Normark UK HQ n The opportunity to become part of the Okuma fishing team – to be discussed directly with the sponsor. n Lowrance fishfinder; 2 Reuben Heaton sets of scales; trophies

SAC EVENRYT .. ITINERA Wednesday 15th June 2022

12:00 - 16:15: Registration at Gunwharf Quays 17:45: Official Opening Ceremony and start of entertainment at Gui ldhall square 18:15: Lord Mayor’s official Ope ning Declaration at Guildhall square 18:30: Opening Flag Parade with marching bands. Guildhall squ are to Gunwharf Quays 19:15: Live entertainment at Gun wharf Quays

Thursday 16th June 2022

10:00 - 14:15: Registration at Gun wharf Quays 16:00: Captains’ briefing, Historic Dockyards at Action Station thea ter 18:00: Boat on parade assemb ly at Muster Point 18:30: Boat parade commence s from Portsmouth harbour

Friday 17th June 2022

08:00 - 16:00: Day 1 of compet ition in The Solent (designated fishing grounds)

Saturday 18th June 2022

08:00 - 16:00: Day 2 of compet ition in The Solent (designated fishing grounds)

Sunday 19th June 2022

Third Overall winners

n Isle of Wight Sea Angling Classic VIP tour to include a

10:00: Prize giving entertainme nt commences at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyards by HMS Victory 12:00 - 14:00: Prize giving at Portsmouth Historic Dockyards by HMS Victory 14:30: Champions Boat Parade in harbour, Portsmouth Historic Doc kyards by HMS Warrior 14:30: Champions celebration party Portsmouth Historic Dockyards on HMS Warrior

custom-fitted Spinlock life jacket; a visit to their factory followed by a Mermaid Gin meal at the distillery where the winners will be invited to choose their favourite gin to the value of £1500. n Okuma and 13 Fishing equipment and garments to be chosen by the champions during a visit to Normark UK HQ n The opportunity to become part of the Okuma fishing team – to be discussed directly with the sponsor. n 2 Reuben Heaton set of scales; trophies

Fourth Overall winners

n Okuma and 13 Fishing equipment; 2 Spinlock jackets; 2 Reuben Heaton sets of scales; 2 bottles of Mermaid Gin; trophies

Fifth to 9th Place

Okuma and 13 Fishing equipment; 2 Spinlock jackets; 2 Reuben Heaton sets of scales; 2 bottles of Mermaid Gin; trophies n

10th to 15th Place

Okuma and 13 Fishing equipment; 2 bottles of Mermaid Gin plus support prizes and trophies

Charter Boat Skipper prizes

n 1st – 3rd place: prizes will be awarded to the charter

boat skippers with the top three best pairs in this category. Only one prize per boat is allowed. n Trophy and Okuma/13 Fishing equipment; Stainless Steve custom-made landing nets in colours of bronze, silver and gold and disgorgeous

BOTH CATEGORY PRIZES.. The following prizes will be awarded regardless to which category the angler comes from

H LONGEST FISH OVERALL H BEST LADY one prize in each of the 5 target species: (Ray, Tope, Smooth-hound, Black bream, and Bass); A trophy; Rapala lures; equipment from 13 Fishing or Okuma; a set of Reuben Heaton scales and a bottle of Mermaid Gin

A trophy, a set of Reuben Heaton scales; two bottles of Mermaid Gin and a Sea Angling Classic cocktail for 4 at the Alchemist Gunwharf Quays.

H BEST JUNIOR

A trophy, a set of Reuben Heaton scales, Rapala lures and equipment from 13 Fishing/Okuma

H SPORTSMANSHIP Trophy and a bottle of Mermaid Gin

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

TAKING IT TO THE EXTREME

FROM START TO FINISH, THE EXTREME 745 GAME KING PRIZE

EXTREME BOATS . . PROUD SPONSORS OF THE SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

THE “GOOD OLD DAYS” Extreme Boats is a family owned and operated business that has been producing high quality aluminium boats for over 20 years. From a small shed on a rural property Glenn Shaw combined his engineering skills with a passion for fishing and boating to produce a few Aluminium Boats in what was a market heavily dominated by Fibreglass. From the early stages Glenn could see that Aluminium Boats had a lot to offer. Durability, lighter towing weights and the ability to customise the boats to better suit clients needs were just a few of the many advantages Aluminium Boats held over Fibreglass. This began a journey of innovation and refinement which still continues today. “Every boat is a compromise, and there is no such thing as the perfect boat - but we are always trying to close that gap in search of what we believe are the best Aluminium trailer boats available”

TO WHERE WE ARE NOW!

Extreme Boats currently employ over 200 staff and produce more than 600 boats per year in their Whakatane based factory. With an in house design team, admin staff, CNC operators, fabricators, painters, upholsterers, and marine technicians the crew at Extreme Boats carry a diverse range of skills which combine to produce a high quality product second to none. Extreme Boats now have an extensive dealer network through out New Zealand as well as Australia, Europe, New Caledonia, and the United States meaning we can now get boats to most parts of the world and have a great support network to look after you.

Friendly reminder of how things were through a clients eyes! My association with Glenn Shaw and Extreme boats goes back to 2006 when I decided to replace a Fyran 600 Horizon with an Extreme 650 Game King. With 3 boys in the family and all getting bigger by the day I wanted a boat that could go out wider after game fish, but also double as a family boat at the lake enjoying water sports. In those days Extreme operated out of a shed on their dairy farm at Whakatane. To pick up your new boat you had to watch out for either a milk tanker or a herd of dairy cows wandering down the access road when you arrived. That boat fulfilled all my expectations of what I wanted, catching numerous marlin at Waihau Bay and also great to wakeboard and waterski behind at Waikaremoana. In 2010 I also purchase an Extreme 460 to keep at our bach at Waihau Bay for weekend use as easy to launch and retrieve solo and always there for family members to use. In 2015 I replaced the 650 with a new 795 Game King with an enclosed cabin and really appreciated the new design features and the extra size~ Mark Gemmel

BUILT TO LAST

We do not only design and build boats that perform and look great - we build them to last and back them with a 5 year hull warranty! Where possible we use Aluminium components such as rod holders, bungs, cleats, hand rails to name a few and we weld them in place ensuring a strong product that will stand the test of time. With all of the Extreme Boats range from the 545 and up we also choose to use a minimum hull plate thickness of 5mm with 6 and 8mm upgrades available, and use 4mm plate everywhere else.

WE LOVE FISHING AND BOATING TOO!

Not only do we build boats - we USE boats! Being keen on fishing and boating ourselves has enabled us to understand what is required in a boat to not only perform and look great - but also be functional on the water. It is by spending time on a product that you get to KNOW a product.

BOAT OFFERS STABILITY, SAFETY, EXCELLENCE AND MUCH MORE

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

EXTREME BOATS . . PROUD SPONSORS OF THE SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

TAKING IT TO EXTREMES “PROUDLY ALUMINIUM” Aluminium Boats have come a long way over the past decade or so and today it can be hard to tell the difference in appearance between an Aluminium Boat and Fibreglass boat. High quality finishing and design incorporating curves and athstetically pleasing lines give you the appearance of a Fibreglass boat with the lighter towing weight and cutomisation offered by an Aluminium Boat. Aluminium is the major component to our business and due to that we choose to use high quality Marine grade Aluminium for all the plate work ensuring a product that lasts. As well as being lighter to tow, more robust and easier to customise than Fibreglass, Aluminium offers many other benefits when it comes to building boats. Aluminium is the most abundant mineral on earth after oxygen and silicon. Aluminium is also infinitely recyclable which means it can be melted down and reused without loosing its strength and structural integrity and thanks to recycling over 75% of all Aluminium ever made is still in use. This is great for our planet and the environment we love to enjoy.

EXTREME BOATS EU

Extreme Boats Eu limited, was established in 2018 based off the success and phenomenal growth rate of the factory in New Zealand, it wasn’t long before we started to see a sizeable growth rate in interest levels in Europe and the UK, we needed to establish a distribution Hub within Europe and the UK that clients could rely on. It was with this in mind Mark Divito established our EU Hub, based out of Leicetershire UK serving all EU states, with a state of the art showroom facility backed by Manafacturers such as Yamaha. Our the team in Leicestershire are able to cater for our clients exacting needs and more importantly provide instant support that exemplifies our brand qualities and values which we have successfully built our company on to date. We look forward to serving you. We have Demo boats available in the UK and a full support and rigging team to cater for your every need. Please contact Mark anytime 07920 453990 if you would like any further information on our ranges, to arrange a visit or take a sea trial, Mark

FROM START TO FINISH Extreme boats are built completely on-site allowing us to have full quality control over every aspect of the build

and his team are always happy to help. info@ extremeboats.eu.

THE EXTREME ADVANTAGE When you purchase a boat you will no doubt have needs and wants which will differ from other people. This is due to everyone wanting to do the things that THEY enjoy with their boat and lets face it - we all like to do different things in different ways while we enjoy time on the water! There are a few features that come standard with all Extreme Boats however - and it is these things that have made Extreme Boats the success that it is today!

Predictability:

One word that is not often mentioned to describe a boats behavior is “PREDICTABLE”, yet it is something that is very important when you find yourself crossing a bar, or caught out in rougher seas. Large reverse chines are built into all Extreme Boats which make them track very well in following/beam on seas and restrict broaching. They also ensure a dry and comfortable ride deflecting spray. Predicatability cannot be “seen” in a boat - but it can certainly be “felt”

From start to finish:

The build on an Extreme Boat is carried out on site from start to

DISCOVERTHE EXTREMERANGE.. 645 Game King The 645 Game King is the perfect balance between an inshore and offshore boat with seating options for up to 4 people and a large enough cabin for overnight trips away. Whether you are after a family boat, or serious fishing boat this boat will have you covered.

605 Game King

745 Game King PRIZE BOAT Enclosed wheelhouse, or open configuration - you decide! The ultimate inshore and offshore trailer boat that has you covered from an inshore day with the family, to a serious day game fishing offshore.

finish including the design, cutting, folding, fabrication, painting, upholstery and fit out. This enables us to be in control of the product the whole way throughout the build ensuring all aspects of the build are completed to the highest of standards.

Safety: All of our Extreme Boats are designed

to have a huge amount of reserve buoyancy. Large underfloor air tight chambers are located either side of our central fuel tanks acting like life rings to keep a vessel afloat if it was to take on water. Reserve buoyancy is something not to be taken lightly and will keep you afloat until help arrives should you find yourself in a worst case scenario.

Stabiliity:

A self flooding keel is built into our Extreme Boat range which enables a large volume of water to enter the central vee of the hull adding extra weight down low when at rest. This adds a huge amount of stability, and combined with a wide beam and large reverse chines ensures your fishing platform is a very stable one! When underway, the self flooding keel will rapidly empty to ensure you are not carrying that extra weight around saving fuel.

The 605 Game King is the smallest member of our hard top family. Extremely versatile and capable boat offering family fun at the lake skiing one day and a serious trip out to sea fishing the next.

795 Game King When it comes to offshore adventures the 795 Game King has you covered with a massive 2.80m beam giving you plenty of room on those extended trips.

Reputable:

Reputation is something that is not given - it is earnt! Over the past 20 years we have been on a constant journey of refinement and improvement driven by a desire to be the best. This has led to Extreme Boats being New Zealands most awarded Aluminium Boat manufacturer in what is a very competitive industry.

Built to Standard:

Extreme Boats are built to CPC standards & CE Certified. Displayed on the helm bulkhead a CPC & CE certificate means your boat is designed and built to a safe standard giving you confidence and peace of mind that your time on the water will be safe and enjoyable.

Quality: At Extreme Boats we pride ourselves on our build quality and producing a finished product second to none! We build our boats with passion and back them with pride.

915 Game King When only the best will do! The 915 has room to burn and ideal for getting the configuration that suits your needs and wants. A serious offshore boat that will let nothing stand in its way! The 885 Game King is one serious offshore weapon built

985 Game King

The father figure of the Game Kings! With room to burn and ready for what ever comes its way the 985 Game King has been designed for serious adventures and comfort.

1185 Game King The King of the game! The 1185 Game King is the largest boat in our Game King range and ready for what ever comes its way. Custom seating and layout configured on application.

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

GUILLAUME FOURIER. . THE FRENCH CONNECTION

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Guillaume Fourrier and I am a Frenchman with a serious passion for angling .. in fact, my life revolves around fishing. I am so excited to be attending this year’s Sea Angling Classic. This is an area I’ve never fished before and there are so many reasons for me to be there … the species, the fact the tournament is open to both lure and livebait, the waters and of course, the prize table! Actually, Portsmouth is over 100 nautical miles from my home town in Dieppe, so I’ve decided I’ll sail directly to the competition by boat – a Beneteau Barracuda 7 with 200 HP which is fully-equipped with Simrad electronic gear and navigation software onboard, so hopefully I won’t get lost! My passion for fishing all began as a child. Growing up, I was always close to water and loved to swim so took part in various swimming

CHANNEL CROSSING competitions. I was also a lifeguard for a while. One day, a friend invited me coarse angling and ever since I have been infected with the “fishing” bug – spending any time I had learning and refining my fishing techniques. At 18, I bought my first boat so I could experiment with fishing in different ways and when I was 19, I caught more and more big fish in the English Channel and that made the local news. As the passion grew, I began working on a website, PecheWeb.com – where I could share my progress and everything I was learning along the way. This website turned out to be a real springboard for my career. I started making documentaries, writing articles and soon gained a large audience as well as sponsorship. In 2005, I sent Pêche en Mer, France’s most

Having written and published multiple books on angling, Guillaume’s list of achievements makes for an impressive CV 1998: Started my own website PecheWeb.com 1999 - 2002: Gained Coast licence and Deep-sea licence 2005-2006: Writer for Loup&Bar, a magazine about european Seabass 2006: Writer for the french magazine about sea angling, Pêche en Mer n PecheWeb.com receives 3000 visits

a day and becomes FisherMag.com® 2009: Caught a 9,8kg Pollack - French record. Wrote book on Lure Fishing 2010: Catch of 4 cod French records. 2011: Wrote the book Boat fishing.

n Caught about 10 fish – mostly

seabass – French and European records.

2012: Wrote the book The Seabass fishing. n Marketing & Communication Director at DAIWA 2013: Wrote the book The Livebait fishing and The Shellfish picking 2014: Caught a 7,070kg Seabass – Europe record. Wrote “Vagnon” of Sea angling popular sea angling magazine, some photos of fish I’d recently caught and before long I gained the editor’s confidence and became a regular contributor to the magazine and in 2006 I joined the editorial team full-time. I also now write for the Le Chasseur Français, which is a popular magazine about hunting and fishing in France where I offer advice on the easier ways to fish, both saltwater and freshwater. In 2007, I collaborated with Sakura’s launch of new rods and lures for the EU market and since 2012, I have been in charge of marketing in Southern Europe for Daiwa. To date, I’ve also written several books covering everything from lure fishing to shellfish picking. In fishing, as in my life, I like a challenge, so for a few years I was hell bent on going after huge fish

– notably seabass – during which I broke several records in both France and Europe. My biggest seabass was in the summer of 2015, where I caught an 8.6kg monster. I’ve always tried to understand the way fish live and and I never tire of discovering new fishing techniques. I love how sea fishing is increasing in popularity in Europe – every day the sport seems to gain a little more kudos and considered a littl more cool by the younger generation. And as long as there’s a keen interest out there, I am happy to pass on the driving forces behind my passion for the sea and for fishing: a world of escape and adventure, an encounter with nature, the mix of advanced technologies with the elements and yes, a lot of fun. I look forward to meeting you all on the Solent and good luck at the event.

2015: Catch a 8,63kg Seabass – World record on 8lb class line. n Wrote 50 Easy Fishing Techniques in the Atlantique Vagnon and The shore angling, Vagnon 2016: Wrote Fishing rigs & knots 2017: Wrote Easy shore angling: 40 species, rigs and knots. n Catch a 4,825kg Ray - French record 2018: Wrote The “Vagnon” of Sea Angling, 2nd edition and The Shellfish Picking, 2nd edition. n GUILLAUME FOURRIER

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

DISCOVER PORTSMOUTH WELCOME TO THE HOST VENUE OF THE SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

DISCOVER PORTSMOUTH A BRIEF HISTORY OF THIS MARITIME CITY

Portsmouth is unique in being largely an island city, with a rich and diverse history, shaped largely by the strategic advantages of its excellent deep-water harbour and its association with the Royal Navy, stretching back almost a thousand years.

Evidence of Bronze Age activity has been found on Portsea Island, along with archaeological finds from the Palaeolithic period in Langstone Harbour and from the Neolithic and Iron Ages on and around Portsdown Hill. The first well-documented human presence was at Portchester Castle, where the Romans and then successive medieval kings maintained a fortification. As the upper reaches of the harbour became silted up, settlement moved to the mouth of Portsmouth Harbour, in the area now known as Old Portsmouth. Sometime between 1170 and 1180 Jean de Gisors, a French merchant, purchased the manor of Buckland and founded the town of Portsmouth, including building what would later become Portsmouth Anglican Cathedral. In 1194 Portsmouth was granted its first Charter by Richard I. The city continued to develop in importance and in its role in national and international events. The town’s fortifications were developed, including the Round Tower and Square Tower, built in the 15th century. In 1545 Henry VIII watched the Mary Rose sink in the Solent during an engagement with the French Fleet, and in

Lights fantastic... illuminations at Hotwalls in Old Portsmouth

Early defence strongholds... Porchester Castle (top) was initially occupied by the Romans and successive medieval kings. Additional fortification for the city, the Round and Square towers (above) were built in the 15th century 1628 the Duke of Buckingham - the de facto Prime Minister - was murdered at what is now Buckingham House. During the English Civil War, Southsea Castle was stormed by Parliamentarians. In 1662, Catherine of Braganza landed in Portsmouth prior to her marriage to Charles II at the Garrison Church. It is believed that Catherine of Braganza brought with her the first tea to be drunk in England. During the mid-19th century Southsea began to develop as a middle-class suburb and seaside resort, home to naval and army officers and retired professionals. In the 19th century, the city cemented its status as the pre-eminent naval base of the world’s leading maritime and commercial power. Admiral Lord Nelson left Britain for the last time from Portsmouth in 1805, shortly before the Battle of Trafalgar. The expansion of the Royal Navy and the dockyard led to an expansion of the city’s population. Among the workers drawn to the city were Charles Dickens’ father John who worked in the Pay Office. The expansion of the Dockyard continued during the late nineteenth century with the introduction of ironclad and steam-driven warships, leading a huge expansion of the facilities at the yard. This created one of the single largest industrial sites in the world.

It is believed that Catherine of Braganza brought with her the first tea to be drunk in England

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The identity of Portsmouth as the “home of the Royal Navy” means that it also hosts a number of historic ships: n HMS Victory: Nelson’s flagship, the

visual centrepiece of the Historic Dockyard and the UK’s only surviving Georgian warship. n HMS Warrior: UK’s first ironclad warship. n The Mary Rose: Henry VIII’s iconic flagship. n M33: a ‘monitor’ launched in 1915. In 2020 the city also became home to Landing Craft Tank 7074, one of few surviving D-Day landing craft of her type. The Dockyard continued to be busy during the ‘Dreadnought race’ of the early 20th Century, when the yard was launching on average one battleship a year. Although Portsmouth’s industries have been dominated by the dockyard and shipbuilding, a significant supportive infrastructure grew around this. Brewing was a notable industry - Portsmouth traditionally had one of the highest concentrations of pubs in the country. Other traditional industries included ironworks as well as Chubb locksmiths. The city also had a long-established corsetmaking industry. In more recent years the city has become more known for its high-tech industries, still linked to the role of the city in national defence, including aerospace, with companies such as Airbus and BAE Systems having a presence in the city and providing employment for hundreds of residents. It has also become a key tourist destination within the UK, welcoming millions of visitors every year who head to the island city to enjoy coastal scenery, outlet shopping, top attractions and a yearround programme of events.

n IMAGES COURTESY OF PORTSMOUTH MEDIA STORE

Light fantastic... Portsmouth Cathedral (far left) built by Jean de Gisors in 1194. Nelson’s flagship, HMS Victory (left) is the UK’s only surviving Georgian warship

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

ASEASIDE ATTRACTION

Portsmouth is steeped in maritme history, so when your rods are at rest, we suggest taking some time out to experience this wonderful coastal city and it’s fascinating attractions Put the wind in your sails with a visit to Portsmouth. With a perfect location on England’s south coast, Portsmouth is home to world-class attractions, fabulous shopping, amazing events and a fantastic cultural and creative vibe. Add to this an array of evening entertainment, mouthwatering food and great places to stay and you can see why Portsmouth is the top choice for a short break or day visit. Enjoy the breath-taking views from the iconic Spinnaker Tower, then stay on the waterfront with a visit to Gunwharf Quays to shop at over 90 premium designer outlets and eat at one of 30 cosmopolitan bars and restaurants - many with a sea view. A short walk takes you to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, home to the finest maritime heritage in the world, including the historic ships HMS Victory, Mary Rose, HMS Warrior 1860 and M.33, along with the National Museum of the Royal Navy and boat trips around the harbour. Stroll through the cobbled streets of Old Portsmouth, visit Portsmouth Cathedral, Hotwalls Studios and the Garrison Church, and explore the historic fortifications including the Round Tower and Square Tower. Continue the walk along the waterfront into Southsea, where you will find miles of beach and seafront attractions. Visit Henry VIII’s castle and The D-Day Story - now including the massive landing craft LCT 7074. Southsea boasts not one but two piers, packed with family fun. Blue Reef Aquarium and Exploria indoor soft play at Portsmouth Pyramids are further great options for family visits, along with the Canoe Lake area, home to Southsea Model Village, play areas, pedalo hire and the nearby Cumberland House Natural History Museum. You will also find plenty of places to eat and drink, both on the seafront and in nearby Southsea town centre, which is also home to an

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n IMAGES COURTESY OF PORTSMOUTH MEDIA STORE

array of independent and antique shops. Treat yourself to a bite to eat and purchase a unique Portsmouth gift to take back home. Enjoy Portsmouth’s great open spaces, harbours and nature reserves - ideal for blowing away the cobwebs and getting closer to nature. The seafront’s green spaces - Southsea Common and Castle Field - are the location for many of the city’s year-round events, with something happening most weekends throughout the summer months. For more entertainment head to one of the three theatres in the city - Kings Theatre, New Theatre Royal and Groundlings Theatre - or take in a show at Portsmouth Guildhall. A range of other venues host comedy and live music events throughout the year, check online before visiting to make the most of your time in the city. Portsmouth has great literary connections. Discover more about the city’s Sherlock Holmes connection at Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery and visit the birthplace of the great author, Charles Dickens, open on selected weekends throughout the year. As the UK’s only island city, home to great sailing, the Royal Navy and an unparalleled collection of maritime heritage, Portsmouth has always had a love affair with the sea. HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, the Royal Navy’s new aircraft carriers, are both based in Portsmouth. If you are lucky, you may time your visit when one of these is in port and available to view from the water. n For the most up to date information on all things Portsmouth go to: visitportsmouth.co.uk. If you need some additional assistance, contact our Visitor Information Service: vis@portsmouthcc.gov.uk. n

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

KSM . . PROUD TELECOM SPONSORS OF SAC Testing the waves .. KSM Telecom’s MD, Michael Thornton and SAC Event Founder Ross Honey

Staying connected during the Sea Angling Classic will be of key importance for the event team and anglers alike .. thankfully KSM are on board to keep the airwaves open South coast based KSM Communications Limited, T/A KSM Telecom, is to sponsor and provide the communications network for the Sea Angling Classic. KSM Was founded in 2016 by owner and managing director, Michael J Thornton, along with his wife Suzanne and daughter Karleigh, hence the KSM. They now have a team of nine people, and the company is very much operated on a family culture with their customers being at the centre of everything they do. Michael is very focussed on the local community with a lot of things that he undertakes through his businesses and the most important one of those is his community and charity work. KSM provide charities with a costplus proposition on very shortterm agreements. This allows charities to access the very latest in communications and IT services at a near zero cost of entry and very low monthly running costs. KSM Telecom are a leading provider of hosted voice, internet connectivity, IT services and a wide range of other products and services such as mobile SIMs, CCTV, network installations and much more. The company is proud to be a Certified Microsoft Silver Partner and are Cyber Essentials accredited. The company can save businesses up to 60% on their current IT and telecommunication services and provide a dedicated help desk and on-site engineers free of charge should they be needed to attend a customer’s premises. The Sea Angling Classic has, by the sheer nature of being a water born event, challenges with comms in keeping the control and management teams on board the control craft in touch with the shore-based team. Setting up a wi-fi network onboard the control craft, Express FM can report live during the start, ongoing coverage of the event and finals day where the event will come to an end. Having tested the solution with Darren Gamblin they are excited about the live coverage that Express FM will be providing. At Sea Angling Classic’s control and media suite KSM Telecom will be providing dedicated networks for voice, data, and broadcast services. This will provide dedicated bandwidth allowing each of the services to ultimately perform at optimum capability. Through hosted voice applications for smartphone KSM will also provide a dedicated voice network allowing the organiser to communicate effectively amongst

SHIPTOSHORE themselves and away from the traditional GSM network which will no doubt be very crowded with the huge influx of competitors and spectators alike. Michael J Thornton, Managing Director, KSM Telecom commented “we could not be more excited than we are to be chosen by Ross Honey of Sea Angling Classic to be the communications partner of choice for this very exciting event. This is a game a changer for Portsmouth and this first event will be the first of many, of that, I am sure. To be involved in the inaugural event is a real honour and everyone at KSM Telecom is very proud” Michael is very much a person focussed on his community and charity work. Along with

being the managing director of KSM Telecom Michael is also a Non-Executive Director of Shaping Portsmouth, a Trustee of Pompey in The Community and more recently appointed as a Governor of Havant & South Downs College. Community runs through his veins and KSM Telecom also provides free telecom and IT services to several local charities. Giving something back is very much in Michael’s and the companies DNA. Michael added “working with Ross has opened my eyes to many more opportunities where we can make a difference and I look forward to working with Ross now and well into the future. Ross is making a significant contribution to the City of Portsmouth, and I know that many people are very grateful for that”

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

A MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

It’s going to get a bit ‘Rocky” outthere There’s going to be a real party atmosphere rocking the Sea Angling Classic event this year. Ian James, Morning Show breakfast presenter and Darren Gamblen from Express FM, will be broadcasting their show live from the Sea Angling Classic prize-giving stage. In addition, there will be fantastic local bands performing, including Mixed Tape and Frank and Glo and this will culminate with a samba band leading everyone at the end of the prizegiving to the jetty by HMS Warrior. Here, you will be able to watch the newly appointed SAC Champions head out on the water for the first time in their Prize boat. Express FM is an incredibly popular radio station in and around Portsmouth with over 45,000 listeners. To have them broadcast a live show and share the exciting evolution for Portsmouth and its community is tremendous. Mix-Tape, one of the hottest, indemand party bands on the South Coast, have performed on some of the largest stages in the area, including Portsmouth Guildhall, Southsea Bandstand and are a regular at The Victorious Festival. Performing classic anthems from the last 50 years, they cover everything from Bruno Mars to Madonna and Elton John to Aerosmith. They set up in 2017 with one goal – to entertain – something which they’ve done with great success and critical acclaim! Lead vocalists Will Maxted and Tasmin Escott said; “ We can’t wait to have a party with Sea Angling Classic, it’s going to be a fantastic event.”

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

Welcome to everyone on this great historic occasion! Portsmouth has always been affiliated with sailing, fishing and many great maritime events. We are so proud and privileged to be hosting this inaugural sea angling event and we know, that Portsmouth will not disappoint all those who have travelled far and wide to compete. 5 Portsmouth is one of the world’s best known ports. Her Majesty’s Naval Base in Portsmouth is the largest dockyard for the Royal Navy and is home to two-thirds of the UK’s surface fleet. Our city is home to some famous ships, including HMS Warrior, the Mary Rose and Horatio Nelson’s flagship, HMS Victory! Indeed, the Trophy is actually made from some recycled artefacts of these actual ships! I would also like to thank the schools, scouts and the bands who have come together to welcome and bring together this community in celebrating this occasion.

As a City, we are particularly pleased that this event has brought about many shoreline clean-ups and has involved the University who are able to do a profound scientific study with the data that this event will provide. Finally, welcome to the Sea Angling Classic competitors and all involved to our City. We wish you a great competition and look forward to seeing the inaugural champions crowned! Without further ado, I hereby declare the First Sea Angling Classic competition officially - open! Let the parade begin. Councillor Canon Dr Hugh Mason, Lord Mayor of Portsmouth

A brief history of Gunwharf. . Gunwharf Quays has enormous history. In the 12th century, Richard I first started construction in the area, developing a dock for Royal Galleys. By the 1500s, it had become the site of Portsmouth’s defences, and by the late 17th century, its stature had grown further, when Gunwharf was established as a main ordnance yard, storing weapons for the navy and for the army to help fortify Portsmouth. After the Ordnance Board was disbanded in 1855 the Gunwharf fell into disuse. The site was re-established as HMS Vernon when it was taken over by the Navy in 1923. It continued as a naval base, until it was decommissioned in 1986. All mine divers were trained here, and the site was integral in D-Day preparations. After HMS Vernon was no longer needed by the Navy, the Ministry of Defence sold off the redundant land. Portsmouth City Council were keen that the land was used to build and grow the prosperity of the city. Their goal being to regenerate a derelict City Centre site, to open up the waterfront for public use, to create jobs, to improve the attractiveness of the city and therefore increase visitor numbers, and to attract further inward investment. The development was not straightforwardas the site offered huge challenges above and beyond the norm due to its location and its previous use.

WHAT’S IN STORE? Uniquely positioned in a cultural harbour front location in the heart of Portsmouth, Gunwharf Quays is the South’s leading designer shopping outlet.

Set on the beautiful Solent waterfront, the Marina offers immediate access to some of the best sailing and cruising on the South Coast. The iconic 170m tall Emirates Spinnaker Tower is also ideally situated just a stone’s throw away and provides spectacular panoramic views of the event. Visitors are invited to explore Gunwharf Quays’ fantastic shopping during the five-day event – over 90 incredible outlet stores offering a blend of high-end women’s and men’s fashion stores, childrenswear, shoes and accessories, sportswear, homewares and lifestyle and beauty stores, all offering up to 60% off regular retail prices. Top tip for shoppers: Gunwharf Quays has partnered with Dropit to launch a carry to car and home delivery shopping service, offering guests a new level of convenience during their trip to the South Coast’s biggest outlet shopping destination. Most stores at Gunwharf Quays are participating in the scheme, meaning visitors can enjoy a bag free retail experience whilst at the event. The Dropit service is also available for Isle of Wight customers to enjoy. Visitors can also find a vast collection of over 30 restaurants, bars and coffee shops to suit all tastes, day or night. Those looking for other activities will be spoilt for choice with a 14-screen Multiplex cinema, bowling alley and casino, there’s something for everyone. If you’re looking for culture, Gunwharf Quays’ location is ideal to get a real taste of Portsmouth. Nestled amongst the city’s Historic Dockyard, a short stroll from the outlet centre will take you to the Mary Rose Museum, the world-famous HMS Victory, HMS Alliance and HMS Warrior ships. With excellent customer service, on site security and all berthing within a pontoon stroll of the centre, a friendly and professional team are also on hand to making your stay an enjoyable one.

GUNWHARFQU waterfront venue IS THE HUB OF CULTURE, HISTORY AND OF COURSE 48

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UAYS .. GREAT SHOPPING!

With more than 1,500 anglers estimated to take part, The Sea Angling Classic will draw in hundreds of people for the event and will create a huge boost in tourism for the South Coast city. Promoting the support of local businesses is a key priority in the city of Portsmouth and the Sea Angling event coincides nicely with this. The VIP Function at the Spinnaker Tower on 15th June is in collaboration with local Isle of Wight gin supplier ‘The Mermaid Gin’. Buying and supporting local suppliers in the event will help to build a stronger economy and community in Portsmouth. The ethos of Angling Spirit is to promote angling in a responsible manner; to organise and stage events with the betterment of angling as the focus. In line with this ethos, the event will be environmentally

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

responsible and staged accordingly. The event will see participants taking part in a shore clean as a condition of entry, helping to benefit the environment. The Angling Trust has also teamed up with Angling Spirit to help deliver a vision by organising a Get Fishing event for new anglers at the competition and supporting events commitment to be part of their Angler Against Litter campaign. In a further show of support, five competition entry places will be on offer to The Angling Trust and for everyone they sell, all proceeds will go to fund the work to get more young people sea fishing. Overall, the Sea Angling Classic will be a fantastic competition in Portsmouth and will bring together the community to support sustainable fishing. Make sure to head down to Gunwharf Quays on Thursday 15th June to catch the opening parade.

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HISTORYIN THE MAKING PORTSMOUTH’S HISTORIC DOCKYARD

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

Take a journey through time and step on board the HMS Victory to walk in Lord Nelson’s footsteps. Experience the plight of the sailors who went down with the Marie Rose and marvel at 350 years of the Royal Navy ... the rest, as they say, is history Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is the UK’s premier destination for naval history and features a uniquely impressive collection of historic ships including HMS Victory, the legendary ship of ViceAdmiral Lord Nelson, the Mary Rose, the flagship of none other than Henry VIII and HMS Warrior, a trailblazer in ship design. Galleries and museums enhance the offer even further, with two in Gosport alone, Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower, housed in a former armaments depot, and the Royal Navy Submarine Museum, which contains Britain’s last surviving Second World War era Submarine. Both these museums are easily accessible via waterbus during peak period. Other attractions include Boathouse 4, which is helping to train a whole generation of traditional boatbuilders, and the Harbour Tour which brings you even closer to the modern Royal Navy. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is the only place in the world to see the Royal Navy past, present and future. Read on to discover all there is to experience from our world-renowned collection of ships, museums and activities when you visit this remarkable venue.

HMS Victory

One hundred years ago, HMS Victory was brought into dry dock. Since then, over 30 million visitors have been wowed by her story, the bravery of the men who lived and often died onboard, and by Nelson, who led the British fleet to victory at Trafalgar. Victory is one-of-a-kind, and now also includes the ability to walk down into the dry dock under the enormous hull on a dedicated walkway. Visitors get to experience HMS Victory through Nelson’s eyes, as the drama of the battle unfolds, deck-by-deck, hour by hour, as the ship sets sail on September 14th, 1805. The Nation’s Flagship gallery just across from HMS Victory tells the extraordinary story of this remarkable survivor from acorn to Icon. The gallery explores the lesserknown history of the oldest naval ship still in commission in the world. One of stunning objects on display is a section of HMS Victory mainmast, damaged at the Battle of Trafalgar, which is on display in an exhibition in Portsmouth for the first time. W. L . Wylie’s panorama of the battle of Trafalgar has also been redisplayed and digitally reinterpreted so visitors can get even closer to it.

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

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HISTORYIN THE MAKING PORTSMOUTH’S HISTORIC DOCKYARD

Mary Rose

The Mary Rose is the only recovered sixteenth century warship on display anywhere in the world. Built in 1510 for King Henry VIII, she sank on 19 July 1545 in the Solent off the coast of Portsmouth, defending England from a French invasion fleet. When the ship capsized, its starboard side became embedded in clay below the soft sediment of the seabed, enabling it to survive intact. By extraordinary human endeavour, the ship was excavated from the bed of the Solent in 1982, watched live on TV by an estimated worldwide audience of 60 million. The hull of the ship was returned by barge to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard dry dock and 36 years of ground-breaking conservation treatment commenced. During that time, an awardwinning building was erected around her, creating a state-of-the-art new Museum. Excavated with her were 19,000 artefacts, providing a time capsule of everyday life during the reign of King Henry VIII. This unparalleled

collection consists of items made by or used by the crew in the course of their personal life and work. The museum tells the stories of the 500 men who lived, worked and died onboard. Listen to the sounds of the past, smell real Tudor smells and see the ship brought to life with cutting edge technology telling the emotionally compelling stories of what life was like onboard when she sank in the Solent in 1545.

When the ship capsized, its starboard side became embedded in clay below the soft sediment of the seabed, enabling it to survive intact HMS M.33

HMS M.33 is one of only three British warships to survive from the First World War, and the only one from the Gallipoli Campaign and the Russian Civil War. Built on the orders of First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill, she was part of a new fleet of small ‘monitor’ gunships designed to operate in shallow coastal waters. M33 lost no crew to enemy action and gained a reputation as a ‘lucky’ ship. As you explore this lucky ship, keep an eye out for her four-legged crew, and the attractive dazzle paint designed to mislead enemy spotters.

National Museum of the Royal Navy Portsmouth

Showcasing treasures from the past 350 years and examining the common threads which link the sailor of England’s ‘Wooden Walls’ to the professional crews of today, the National Museum of the Royal Navy Portsmouth is bringing history to life. The museum’s major gallery, Hear My Story, tells undiscovered stories from the ordinary men and women of the ships which

The Royal Navy Submarine Museum

have shaped the navy’s amazing history over the last 100 years. Hear My Story brings you closer than ever before to the real Royal Navy; cutting edge interpretation lets you see and hear the stories of the navy in war and during peacetime. The museum also contains a recently conserved original copy of Arthur Devis’ Death of Nelson, as well as the recently opened Her Majesty’s Service,The Queen’s Role at the Heart of the Royal Navy Family exhibition.

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2022 marks 40 years since the Mary Rose was raised. An often-unrecognised aspect of the navy’s The Mary Rose was brought to power, find out more about submariners the surface on 11 October 1982. and life under the waves at the Royal Navy Amateurs and Naval Royal Engineers Submarine Museum in Gosport. alike were dedicated to the cause, Climb aboard HMS Alliance, Britain’s only and the project broke new ground in remaining Second World War era submarine, learn more about the work of modern diving, under water archaeology and submariners, and see HMS Holland 1 the conservation techniques. first submarine commissioned by the Royal A huge team of divers, Navy. 2022 also marks the 40th anniversary archaeologists and scientists returned of the Falklands conflict, and the museum the Mary Rose to the surface on live offers unique artefacts about life onboard a television, an event seen by around 60 submarine during this event, including the million people worldwide. Captain’s cabin from HMS Conqueror. The 40th anniversary of the raising of the Mary Rose is being celebrated Waterbus with a new 4D experience bringing Travelling to our Gosport sites and back again the story to life. Tudor Detectives is is made simple by the Waterbus at Portsmouth a new AR game families will be able Historic Dockyard, located next to Boathouse to play together in the 4 and across from HMS Warrior. Look out museum to see across the harbour as you travel to either the Royal Navy Submarine Museum, why they think Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower. In a matter of moments, the Mary The Waterbus runs during the second Henty VIII’s favoutite 34-year-old Rose sank. half of the year and during holiday periods, and is completely free with an Ultimate Explorer ticket, allowing visitors to explore beyond Portsmouth.

naval ship, the Mary Rose, collapsed on its side spilling 500 crew into the murky depths – 0nly 35 survived. The vessel sank deep into the ocean’s floor where it would sleep for over 400 years until scientists and conservators dredged her up in 1982.

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HISTORYIN THE MAKING PORTSMOUTH’S HISTORIC DOCKYARD

A TRIBUTE TO HER MAJESTY To mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, a new exhibition celebrating Her Majesty’s loyal service to the Royal Navy, both official and personal, is now open at the National Museum of the Royal Navy.   Her Majesty’s Service, The Queen’s role at the heart of the Royal Navy family, takes a fascinating look at both her role as ceremonial head of the Royal Navy and as granddaughter, daughter, wife and mother of naval officers. Photographs record the decades of service when, as a princess aged just 18, she launched her first naval ship, HMS Vanguard in 1944. Since then, she has launched many others, including HMS Dreadnought, the navy’s first nuclear powered submarine, on 21 October 1960. Included in the display and recently donated to the museum by the Her Majesty The Queen, is a naval uniform belonging to the Duke of Edinburgh alongside his Admiral’s cap. It joins other uniforms worn by the Princess Royal and a flying suit of the Prince of Wales. n Entry to the exhibition is free with a valid ticket.

PREPARE FOR BATTLE When planning your day out, remember to check out Laser Quest Portsmouth at Action Stations for the ultimate adrenaline fuelled experience. Set in a pirate stronghold and hijacked container ship, groups will work together to defeat the opposite team through billowing smoke effects and an exhilarating atmosphere. Based on our action movie, Command Approved, each session will transport those who dare to a deserted pirate base. Laser Quest at Actions Stations is available for groups and birthday parties with a minimum of 6 players. Pre-booking is essential. n Timeslots can be booked at www. historicdockyard.co.uk

HMS Warrior

Launched in 1860, this famous warship is an engineering marvel, bigger and faster than any other ship of the time. An icon of both steam and sail, explore her four decks and encounter costumed interpreters each portraying a colourful character who may have been onboard. Visitors can experience the captain’s cabin, galley, engine room, and more. All areas of the ship are packed with historically accurate details – as if the inhabitants have merely stepped out for a while, so come aboard and experience a genuine slice of naval history.

Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower

Housed at the Royal Navy’s former armaments depot at Priddy’s Hard in Gosport, Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower tells the story of the weapons made and stored there for over 200 years. From cannons to torpedoes the museum also tells the stories of the people behind these weapons, from designers and makers, to ordinary seamen. First-hand accounts of the munition workers who dealt with these dangerous materials are front and centre. New to Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower learn about the remarkable and littleknown story of the Royal Navy’s Coastal Forces, which made such an extraordinary contribution to both world wars in The Night Hunters: The Royal Navy’s Coastal Forces at War. Taking centre stage are two Second World War historic boats, Coastal Motor Boat CMB331 and Motor Torpedo Boat MTB71. The stories of the small band of young men, often reservist volunteers, as well as the Womens’ Royal Naval Service who managed and worked the shore bases from which the boats operated, are commemorated.

All areas of the ship are packed with historically accurate details – as if the inhabitants have merely stepped out for a while

Harbour Tour

Portsmouth is the home of the modern Royal Navy. The Harbour Tour offers unrivalled views of Britain’s modern frigates, destroyers and the new aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales as well as historic buildings, sights and ships. A Harbour Tour takes 45 minutes and enables visitors to enjoy fascinating views across the harbour whilst listening to a lively commentary. Please note that Harbour Tours may not operate every day during the winter months. Navy ships in port will vary daily. Dockyard Apprentice and Boathouse 4 Free to the public, Dockyard Apprentice tells the story of 200 years of history through the eyes of the workers who created the dreadnought battleships of the 20th century. Learn about boatbuilding techniques, handle traditional tools, have a go at knot-tying and more. Once you’ve seen the history of boatbuilding, see the future of these traditional techniques at Boathouse 4.

PREPARE FOR VICTORY The National Museum of the Royal Navy will begin the next phase of major conservation works to HMS Victory, intended to ensure the ship is protected for the next half century. Rotting planking will be removed from the hull and replaced with new oak, repairs made to the ship’s structural framework, and she will be fully re-rigged, in a process lasting 10 to 15 years and costing £35 million. The project will provide visitors with a oncein-a-generation opportunity to see beneath Victory’s skin and experience a First Rate line-ofbattle ship being taken through a great repair. Since opening as a museum ship to the public by King George V on 17 July 1928, Victory has welcomed a host of famous visitors including Royalty at dinners and balls. She remains the flagship of the First Sea Lord & Chief of Naval Staff, and is the oldest commissioned warship in the world.

Also free to the public, Boathouse 4 combines an exciting interactive exhibition, traditional boat building training and a brasserie overlooking the harbour under one roof. Boathouse 4 is home to the UK’s largest collection of small Royal Naval craft. Discover the heroic stories of their crews at the sharp end of naval operations and see traditional boat building skills in action. The International Boatbuilding Training College (IBTC) Portsmouth is training a new generation of students in the techniques of traditional boatbuilding, passing on skills vital to the ongoing preservation of Britain’s historic vessels.

BECOME AN ULTIMATE EXPLORER Portsmouth Historic Dockyard has a range of tickets on sale which give visitors extraordinary access to its world-class attractions. The Ultimate Explorer Ticket is the best value option for 12-month entry to all attractions. It includes the Mary Rose, HMS Victory, HMS Warrior, HMS M33, the galleries and exhibitions of the National Museum of the Royal Navy, the Royal Navy Submarine Museum, Gosport and Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower, Gosport and Harbour Tours. An Ultimate Explorer is valid for multiple entries throughout the year, with family tickets available. Here’s even better news ... We’re offering an Ultimate Explorer money-off deal for all Sea Angling Classic participants. Please sea the voucher below! n Find out more on-site or online at www.historicdockyard.co.uk

EXCLUSIVE SEA ANGLING CLASSIC OFFER! Enjoy this exclusive offer for Sea Angling Classic 2022 attendees, from Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, where you could enjoy up to £30 off Ultimate Explorer tickets. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard’s Ultimate Explorer tickets entitle the holder to unlimited entry to over 10 attractions for a full calendar year. This Sea

Angling Classic 2002 offer gives £15 off individual tickets and up to £30 off a family ticket (up to two adults and three children). Terms and Conditions: This is a walk-up only ticket, that cannot be redeemed online. This voucher entitles the user to one discounted Ultimate Explorer ticket only. Voucher cannot be redeemed during school holidays and is valid until October 31st 2022

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

Sure to catch on .. Luke Fitzgerald testing the waters

After noticing a gap in the market for a catch-all storage and bait station, engineer Luke Fitzgerald set about creating a bespoke fishing bait solution for his own boat. As Director of Value Engineering at Hythe Marine Services (HMS), Luke has extensive experience in fabricating bespoke solutions for the marine industry. He leads the team at Hythe on anything from small-scale projects to supporting the Navy’s warships and composites for luxury superyachts. And as a keen fisherman, he knew there was nothing widely available that would be suitable as a customisable solution for a fishing rack. As a result, Luke created a bespoke fishing bait station from scratch – a complete custom design to suit the boat and the needs of the fishermen.

What Was The Problem? Nobody is selling tailored bait stations, so bespoke boat storage is hard to come by. Luke told us: “Bespoke custom-made boat equipment and things like that just aren’t on the market.” The aim was to create a fishing workstation that would fit a toolbox, fishing rod holders, a chopping table, brushes and all the necessary equipment and organisation needed in one place.

What was The Solution? Nothing like this existed for the customer’s Offshore 2000 fishing boat. And so, Luke wanted to create a central workstation that would tailor to every need when out fishing. Spending his free time fishing in coastal waters, as well as offshore fishing targeting wrecks and sandbanks, Luke knew this onestop-shop would provide more time to enjoy the actual fishing. With a career in fabrication, Luke knows what he’s doing when it comes to bespoke solutions for boat owners. He explained, “I’ve done a few similar projects in the past.

ACTION STATIONS When Luke Fitzgerald spotted there was a distinct gap in the market for on-board storage and bait station, he quickly set about creating his own ..

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

HYTHE MARINE SERVICES... PROUD SPONSORS OF SAC

pretty much anything the customer dreams up for their boat can be made. The sky’s the limit

Dream team .. Luke Fitzgerald and MD of Hythe Marine Services, Josh Mathias, put his invention to the test With custom solutions – pretty much anything the customer dreams up for their boat can be made. The sky’s the limit.” Using 316L stainless steel tube and fittings, he designed, constructed and fitted this custom-made fishing bait station.

What is the Process For Building A Bespoke Fishing Bait Station? These bespoke units are very appealing to boat owners, marinas, and anybody with an interest in fishing or the marine industry. We asked Luke what the process would look like for customers interested in a similar solution. He explained, “If someone’s looking for something similar, we can make anything they

want, but finding out what their needs are is the first step.” Once the team has a good idea of what the customer is looking for from their bespoke unit, they can work backwards from there. The Hythe team will then produce a drawing and use CAD software to get the dimensions and create a 3D image of what it will look like. This enables the customer to visualise the unit in their own boat. Finally, the customer approves the look of the design, before the team begin the work. Of course, no project like this would be complete without testing out the fishing bait station in person! So Luke and MD, Josh Mathias, went out and tried it for size, purely for product testing purposes of course!* *Hythe returned all catches to the sea. n

Mission accomplished .. Luke’s aim was to create a fishing workstation with toolbox, chopping table, rod holders and cool box ... everything the modern day angler needs in one unit

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

AHOY MATEY. . ALL IN THE SPIRIT OF ANGLING

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

JUST PLU LUCKY.. M Last year, we were lucky enough to be invited to the Sea Angling Clas sic trial event, out of Northney Marina. We’re based in Eastbourne, East Sussex, so we moved the boat down to Chichester marina the week befo re. The whole team were looking forward to the event but as we all know, when there’s a prize table, you don’t get any tips or advise from the locals! On arriving at Northney Marina, we moored up in the allocated bert h and looked around in anticipation at all the competitors and officials getting ready – everyone was very helpful, but very busy. We started prepping Well Plum bed for the boat inspection, when we notic ed a boat (Bad Boyz) heading to the berth next to us. As always, your there to help anyone berth, but they needed no help (experts in boat handling). We started chatting and as the day went on, we just seemed click – like minded chaps, work hard and play hard. We asked the guys for any tips on areas that we should fish and the good guys from Bad Boyz, suggested we follow them and they would put us on the fish, so we did. The sportsmanship from team Bad Boys – who we had only met the day before – was top notch.Howev er, although the mark they led us to did produce a lot of fish, none of them were on the list, so this gave for some great conversations after the day’s fishin g. Over the next couple of days we fished, drank a couple of beers and enjo yed the banter with the guys. Since then, we’ve all kept in touc h and enjoyed the build-up banter for this year’s event. Having said that, when the starting flag drops this year, were in competit ion mode. Regards Gary

Z Y O B BAD ! D O O G E N O D Most competition anglers will tell you events like these are less about the Prize table and more about friendships made ... like the beautiful moment the Bad Boyz met Well Plumbed We were invited to attend the sac opening last year at Northney Marina and upon arrival we were given the wrong pontoon number so we were moved twice until we ended up next to team Well Plumbed (Gary Mead) who were all alone. As soon as we turned up, we hit it off and started to chat. On the first night of the opening event, Bad Boyz had a BBQ and decided to invite Well Plumbed over so that they felt part of the event and to give them a warm welcome. What a amazing bunch of people and what a great night! As we got to know eachother better, it turned out that Well Plumbed had already been in Portsmouth for a week or so before the opening event and, due to no knowledge of the local area, had little or no luck catching any decent fish. Over the course of the weekend, we all became really good friends. We shared fishing marks and suggested Well

Plumbed follow us – we just wanted to make sure they all had a great experience and received a warm reception at the Opening. This competition is long overdue in Portsmouth, the city and its surrounding areas are the perfect location. All the local fisherman have got behind this event and it’s been on everyone tongues for some time. Personally, the Sea Angling Classic is an opportunity for me and all the local angling competitors to showcase their skills in our local waters. I love that the event is not only a fishing competition, but so much more. It’s a way to meet new people (Well Plumbed as a great example), share experiences and learn from others. On top of that, the backing of all the sponsors is something else and Portsmouth should be proud in hosting this event. n Luke FitzGerald

The Boyz are al Plumbed side by right .. Bad Boyz and Well Well Plumbed side (top); Gary Mead and the Te Classic trial even am at last year’s Sea Angling t above

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

PORTSMOUTH . . SAC HOST VENUE

ABOVE &BEYOND Considered to be the most iconic structure on the South Coast, Spinnaker Tower rises proudly above Portsmouth’s landscape at an incredible 170 meters tall offering breathtaking views of the City and beyond Built as part of the centrepiece during the Renaissance of Portsmouth Harbour Project and designed to reflect the billowing sail of a ship in honour of Portsmouth’s famous maritime history, Spinnaker Tower opened to the public in 2005 and has welcomed millions of visitors. Three viewing decks sit at the top of the structure where visitors can sit and relax among the clouds, take High Tea or a morning Brunch whilst soaking in the uplifting views from the best vantage point. However, for those seeking an adrenaline rush, the Tower also offers the abseil challenge: a 100m descent down the side of the Tower – not for the feint-hearted! Spinnaker Tower is the perfect location for the Sea Angling Classic competition thanks to the breathtaking 23 mile views of The Solent. The outlook is never the same on two visits as weather conditions change and different boats sail in and out of the harbour. The Tower is the only place where you can

see all the action as it happens, making it the ideal location for the filming of the event. In conjunction with the Sea Angling Classic Event, Spinnaker Tower is hosting a VIP event, where the Tower will be transformed into a gigantic flag to mark the occasion. We are delighted for Portsmouth to be hosting the Sea Angling Classic 2022, as it’s an amazing opportunity for the city. We’re super excited to see 100 boats stretch the length of the harbour. Bringing an event of this magnitude to the city is going to help showcase the amazing features that Portsmouth has to offer. The event will to put Portsmouth proudly on the map. Although Spinnaker Tower is already the icon of Portsmouth, this event is sure to cement it. General Manager of Spinnaker Tower, Tony Sammut, says: “In my eyes it could only ever have been the Tower, we are the icon for the city, owned by the city, for the people of the city.” n

SPINNAKER TOWER IS A PROUD SPONSOR OF THE SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

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SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

SHAPING PORTSMOUTH .. PROUD SUPPORT PARTNERS OF SAC

IT’S ALL ABOUT

TEAMWORK Our mission is to create sustainable collaborations and innovative programmes to ensure Portsmouth becomes the UK’s premier waterfront city in which to invest, live, learn, work and visit

Shaping Portsmouth are proud to partner with Ross Honey and his team, and we are all passionate about Portsmouth. We are bringing Education and Community together under one event scheduled over five days across our Waterfront City (15th – 19th June 2022). This partnership ties in perfectly with Shaping Portsmouth’s values and vision. Our mission is to create sustainable collaborations and innovative programmes that make Portsmouth, Britain’s premier waterfront city, to invest, live, learn, work, and visit. The Sea Angling Classic event could not be better suited! Shaping Portsmouth has been involved with the SAC since June 2021, helping Ross with the event’s promotion, logistics and sharing vital contacts to ensure everyone is behind making this a huge success. The event will bring so much to Portsmouth in terms of tourism, with people coming from all over the country and even the world to stay in our city’s hotels and use all that Portsmouth has to offer from Gunwharf Quays, the Historic Dockyard and many more attractions. It can also bring exposure to our city’s marine

SUPPORT PARTNER HAMPSHIRE CHAMBER Launching new partnerships .. Members of Shaping Portsmouth and the media Team at the Sea Angling Classic Boat reveal

conservation, such as the Solent Seagrass Restoration and the Solent Oyster Restoration projects, which are currently active. The event will partner with our city’s schools and encourage our young generation not only to be part of the event but also to learn about marine conservation. Shaping Portsmouth are very excited to be involved, and we are looking forward to this fantastic event being hosted in our wonderful city. We are looking forward to showing everyone what Portsmouth has to offer! Our CEO Stef Nienaltowski said: ‘With the greatest respect to other cities along the south coast, I believe we are the best city to host this with our heritage and culture. We hope that anglers will come and see our city in all its glory – the tourism aspect is incredible, and we think this will grow and grow. ‘It’s just the start of a brilliant long-term partnership, and I think the city will benefit tremendously from this. It will bring significant prosperity to the area and income to hotels along the coast. I’m looking forward to putting on a world-class event and in the long future ahead of us.’ n To find out more go to: https://

shapingportsmouth.co.uk and to get in touch, please email contactus@shapingportsmouth.co.uk

Hampshire Chamber delighted to support the Sea Angling Classic

Hampshire Chamber of Commerce is a business community that represents over 1500 organisations across the County. Our purpose is to support businesses by forging connections within our network, promoting their services and representing their needs as the ‘voice of business’ in Hampshire. The Chamber of Commerce network through its British Chambers of Commerce membership stretches out across the globe. We are delighted to support the Sea Angling Classic 2022 in Portsmouth and to represent the businesses in the region throughout the event. Hampshire Chamber has a history of partnership with major events across the region, which includes the Southampton Boat Show, which Hampshire Chamber has partnered for 50 years through its annual ‘Boat Show Brunch’. Between the 15th and 19th June the Sea Angling Classic will become another chance for businesses in the Solent to come together in a new setting and event format in celebration of Hampshire’s wonderful maritime heritage. Hampshire Chamber has a longstanding relationship with the City of Portsmouth and through its Portsmouth Business Strategy Group it brings together leading local businesses together with the City Council, University of Portsmouth, Shaping Portsmouth, The News, Havant and South Downs College and many others.

Recently, the Portsmouth Business Strategy group launched the Portsmouth and South Coast Business Week 2022. This involved key organisations across Portsmouth hosting events to support local businesses Local business leaders are excited that such a significant event is coming to their City. Sea Angling Classic is a great opportunity to establish a major event giving new focus and bringing fresh perspectives to the business world, inspiring new thinking from all those organisations participating. Hampshire Chamber has seen growing interest around the Sea Angling Classic from within the business community and will be in attendance at the VIP launch alongside our members and partners. The Sea Angling Classic is so much more than a fishing event. It not only shines the spotlight on Portsmouth but also shares a commitment on real current issues such as sustainability. Sea Angling’s ‘Friends of the Solent’ initiative includes groups such as Solent Seagrass and Chichester Harbour Conservancy whose aim is to protect the Solent for future generations. This reflects Hampshire Chamber’s key strategies of sustainability at the centre of growth. Businesses are enthused by major events coming to their region and by supporting this prestigious event it also opens an avenue to demonstrating a shared commitment to clean growth. Hampshire Chamber looks forward to seeing you at this celebration of the wonderful coastal environment of the Solent.

The Sea Angling Classic will become another chance for businesses in the Solent to come together in a new setting to celebrate Hampshire’s wonderful maritime heritage

SUSTAINABLE ANGLING ... UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH

Now, FORthe Sciencebit..

BIOLOGISTS will BENEFIt FROM ‘CITIZEN SCIENCE’ during Sea ANgling Classic

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

of species caught within the Solent, but also provide important data on size ranges for each species. Georeferenced location data collected for each fish caught will then enable us to link the species to a specific habitat and map the spatial distribution for each species. Finally, using cutting edge DNA sampling methods (see Figure ??) we will be able to gather data on the genetic structure of each species i.e. are there genetically distinct stocks. By developing and testing these protocols using the Sea Angling Event, we will improve the quality and quantity of long-term baseline data necessary to sustainably manage the five data-poor species/groups across the UK.

Sustainable management of capture fisheries requires ecological and biological data for target species. However, for many in the UK appropriate data to make evidencebased management decisions are limited. This leads to unreliable local and national quotas and, ultimately, an unsustainable catch. Collecting ecological data requires significant investment (people and money) so one increasingly popular approach is to use members of the public (citizen scientists). Sea fishing is a globally popular activity with hundreds of thousands of people regularly participating in the UK alone. Recreational sea anglers are a substantial group of highly motivated and engaged potential citizen scientists. Whilst recreational anglers are being increasingly used in citizen science projects to support fisheries management and collect data, the popularity of fishing competitions has also risen sharply, with international competitions attracting hundreds of participants. These competitions have been restricted to freshwater, but Angling Spirit has now established the first annual sea angling competition in the UK. Starting in 2021, the 2-day event attracted 40 teams who caught (and released) hundreds of fish from five target species/groups (sea bass [Dicentrarchus labrax]; black seabream [Spondyliosoma cantarus]; skates & rays [Rajidae]; tope [Galeorhinus galeus]; smooth hounds [Mustelus spp.]. Our approach is to use the newly established annual sea angling competition, Sea Angling Classic, located in the Solent, to develop and test citizen science data collection. These novel methods will focus on three key themes that require data to help develop sustainable fisheries management. Using the images from the fish caught during the competition we will be able to collect data on the diversity and abundance

One of the habitats that we believe to be important to the species targeted in the Sea Angling competition is seagrass. There are two recognised species in the UK: common eelgrass (Zostera marina) and dwarf eelgrass (Z. noltei). Both are found from the intertidal to subtidal areas on sandy and muddy shores. Globally, seagrass habitats have declined significantly and this is also reflected in the UK where there has been extensive seagrass loss over the last 100 years. Recent estimates suggest at least 44% since 1936 has been lost, with 39% of those losses occurring since the 1980s. The Solent has extensive areas of seagrass (see figures) in many locations, but these areas have also been degraded by multiple human impacts including poor water quality, increased nutrient inputs from agricultural run-off and sewage, damage from boating and fishing activities. Seagrass meadows are critical habitats because they provide many ecosystem services and are, therefore, of high ecological, social and economic value. It is now recognised that seagrass stores significant amounts of carbon; storing carbon at rates faster than many terrestrial ecosystems and so contributes to tackling climate change. However, from a fisheries and recreational angler’s point of view, seagrass importance is linked to its high biodiversity value. Globally, it supports the productivity of 20% of the world’s biggest fisheries. This can be as a source habitat for food, or as nursery areas for juveniles of the target species, whilst some species also utilise them as breeding sites.

No, it’s not a Monet! Seagrass habitats in the UK have declined significantly over the last 100 years Seagrasses also provide a range of other ecosystem services, such as coastal protection through the stabilisation of marine sediments, nutrient cycling and water filtration. For example, in the Solent alone we estimate the seagrass provides water quality services (removes nitrogen) worth an equivalent of £37 million per year. Following growing recognition that the ecosystem services provided by seagrass habitats are being lost, efforts have now turned to protecting and restoring these sensitive habitats. Over the last three decades, progress has been made throughout mainland Europe and globally in recovering these critical ecosystems. Restoration is now at the forefront of UK coastal management with seagrass planting in the Solent just one example of how this habitat could be restored and supported. We expect that data collected from the sea angling competition will confirm our hypothesis that many species are preferentially found associated with seagrass areas in the Solent. This will add more scientific data to the calls to do more to protect and conserve these critical habitats and in so doing help protect the fish species, and the anglers that depend on them. n PROFESSOR WATSON UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH

We expect that data collected from the event will confirm that many species found are preferentially associated with seagrass areas in the Solent

WETWHEELS ... PROUD INCLUSIVITY PARTNERS OF SAC

Working with Wetwheels as the event’s Inclusivity Partner means the Sea Angling Classic is truly open to all 66

P X E F O S E V A W ERVES S E D E N O ES EVERY V IE L E B Y IT ELS CHAR E H W T E W Most of the vessels carry rods and tackle,

Wetwheels is a UK based powerboating charity providing barrier-free boating to all disabled people of all ages.

Now in its 11th year, Wetwheels has six boats in the UK taking 8,000 people a year on the water. Disabled participants can come aboard with friends and family and everyone has the opportunity to drive the boat. Offering a range of activities, sea angling is a firm favourite. All Wetwheels vessels are Cheetah Marine catamarans powered by Suzuki engines and are capable of speeds up to 30 kn. The large open deck is perfect for sea angling, especially for those in wheelchairs.

many with electric reels for those disabled anglers with limited hand movement. We also have state-of-the-art marine electronics including fish finders although our professional skippers always know the best marks. Geoff Holt MBE, founder of Wetwheels comments; “We are absolutely delighted to be working with the Sea Angling Classic (SAC), coincidentally, our Wetwheels Solent boat is based in Gunwharf Quays Portsmouth, home to this year’s SAC. When I first heard about the SAC, I immediately made contact with Ross Honey to say we would love to be involved. As Inclusivity Partner, two Wetwheels vessels will be providing the opportunity for six

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E C N E I R XPE

HE WATER T N O D E ET INVOLV G O T E C THE CHAN disabled anglers and their buddies to fish in the tournament. For disabled anglers to have the opportunity to fish in an international tournament alongside some of the world’s greatest anglers is going to be awesome. As we all know, fishing is more than just catching, it’s about the camaraderie, it’s about the mindfulness and, perhaps most importantly, an opportunity to step away from your daily troubles and to pit your wits against nature. Disabled people need that opportunity just as much, sometimes more so, than able-bodied anglers and what better way to do that than as part of a disabled angling team in one of the biggest angling competitions”. Wetwheels was promoted as part of the SAC UK roadshow and enquiries have come in from around the country from disabled anglers hoping to secure their place aboard a Wetwheels vessel in the competition. Not everyone will be

successful for a competition place however Wetwheels vessels around the country run fishing trips throughout the year so for more information contact enquiries@wetwheelsfoundation.org Ross Honey, Angling Spirit and Sea Angling Classic founder, added; “This will be an event like no other, we are not only going to see top-level fishing but also encourage newcomers to the sport and inspire the next generation of anglers. Working with Wetwheels as the event’s Inclusivity Partner means the Sea Angling Classic is truly open to all. Throughout the event the Wetwheels vessel will be taking people afloat, many for the first time, to experience the world of fishing and all the accompanying emotions, from the thrill of landing a fish to the peacefulness of being out on open water.” n

ods r y r r a els c electric s s e v t Mos ackle, with isabled and t for those d ited reels rs with lim angle movement hand

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

ENABLE ABILITY ... PROUD INCLUSIVITY PARTNERS OF SAC

G N I L L , I W Y D A E R E L B A D AN

ENABLE ABILITY are thrilled to be a local inclusivity Sea Angling partner for the Classic n our home port

o share our rate with others wh e charity to collabo ed in an event that provides th involv st known love values and gets us competition. We ic city may be be a more inclusive th e wi While our histor ng has long been in the th th e ou ak m m rts to Po hi ng Classic is doing as a naval port, fis the event’s work the Sea Angli t e or th pp su ly ful d. ive, and we community’s bloohave been landing their bounty event more inclus through beach ues it is promoting t that disabled iss of r tal ne en m ow e Commercial ships on th vir s en wa e fac n de Gisors, who ry excited about th ngside in 1180 here ever since Jea cleans. We are ve nity to compete alo . The fleet decided rtu ips po sh op nt e th ha ve erc e ha m th mer, ll s m wi wa su le r is op a fleet of be th pe m rs Ca gle e an harbour at Th rld’s greatest sea g wo din e such tra th ies of of e nit e os m that the sheltered rtu rp so pu ung people oppo rt a port with the ll as giving our yo fun days fact about our we ideal place to sta ing ic as bb tor cra his s, ng ter ati wa a fascin e Solent with Normandy as boat trips in Th cleans and angling ster Castle, beach r he ou rtc of Po le d op un hometown! t to the young pe e aro so much - not jus we know that th s. This all means diverse as the At Enable Ability, as ard , including t ity aw jus un m are , m ies co e ilit tir ge of ab lar privilege but also for the en cu le rti e social care op city, and their ran pa th pe r d ou an s is It our waters. the local authoritie s, as s, ilie ult fam ad d fish that swim in eir th an disabled children rtner of to work with local ovide a range of network. ing an inclusive pa s and carers, to pr ilie fam eir th our hope that be services. We is hometown, ial r It well as nt ou de in nfi ce co pla d ssional an ale event taking and -sc re ge lfa lar abled we a dis re, ch high-quality, profe of ca su s eir ed te tirelessly for th areness of the ne t also across severe disabilities work and advoca will help raise aw th bu it wi th le ou op m pe rts g Po tin ppor t only in the advancement, su more mild to young people, no sing the profile of ose needs are at a untry; as well as rai imately by co ox ed pr ole ag ap ur wh th as well as those wh e co wi th en rk ly ogether, we wo were particular rk that we do. We at reveal at moderate level. Alt wing range of 15+ wo bo gro ize a h pr e ug th ro th by s d adult create ich took 700 children and the opportunities the roadshow wh l ays in March and the cia Qu so ing rf ly fly ha , ek nw rts different services. we po a Gu g e hin services includ to many other fis all g e, fla s m ty’ ram ari Examples of our og ch e pr th ay le and a daily holid pride. e community, activities schedu disability flag with ng Classic ment either in th on vir en e whole Sea Angli fe th sa a to arity u in Thank yo delivered ve done for our ch redible services of ha inc u e yo th ing ing th us or ery , ev for are g er ity nin liv un gin de m be m in local venues we e s co t th esses. All activitie We hope this is jus y and teers. independent busin in recent months. ly for Enable Abilit d staff and volun on t ine no tra , lyial ful ec sp by s, m ing of ea eth str ole m rk wh so supported e wo of th ted for or t, lude supp work with bu s Other services inc n the 700 families we placement setting a. rk are g wo of din ty un rie rro va a e the su providing skills in offer a one-to-on Portsmouth and l employment. We 276422; 311-313 fit greatly ne be to gain meaningfu ers us ce gistered Charity rvi Re se r y; ou ilit at Ab th le ce 2 671846 ab n rvi e En befriending se ity centre in th th, PO3 5EG 0239 our own commun Road, Portsmou or ve tiv ha pn Ac o Co ter als In , We . ise m pr fro Enter where our Social ams to heart of Landport variety of workstre a ers off ce rvi se taining ob in t or is based. This pp ilities who need su ab dis th wi s. le on op pe ficati ent skills and quali in relevant employm s first established wa ty ari ch r ou s had a ha y Ever since ilit Ab le 70 years ago, Enab er ov this th ds ou m un rts rro Po that su n with the water le we work op strong connectio pe g un yo e th y. In fact, e beautiful island cit ity that involves Th mfort in any activ en oft we , ple am with find great co r ex orts in general. Fo Centre, Solent or watersp pson Watersports Sim ew dr An e Th get to y nit rtu partner with po op e people have th and ng rfi su nd where our young wi to thing from sailing just how rve se involved in every ob to ing az always am paddle sports. It is vertheless, more ve on the water! Ne nal and life skills much fun they ha rso e how practical, pe importantly, we se re that help our nt ce ts or sp the water are developed at manage life’s daily d an e w in confidenc young people gro challenges. t opportunity for Classic is a brillian The Sea Angling

Today, we know that the majority of disabilities are complemented by a very special and unique talent or intellectual quality

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

Y T I L I B A S I D F O E C A F G N I G N A H C E TH

t tivities tha ch new ac rm our next n u la to ly es to fo reative which ase c change young liv important ways in ce to to showc ill n y re w it re a n e u iff se rt e d o h ke a n. T nt opp generatio ommunity can ma we know many an excelle c s; r e e s provides t. dy do ced to the wid ave alway a nt arity alrea e well-pla exactly th hips like this one h ut they are hat our ch g this article will b with you. ery differe e term v w a b , rs is e ty y n ri a rt a rk Pa din t y tod en th ur ch of you rea e would love to wo le; we invite is no secre Thankfull e days of old, wh avoided, ortant to o dw l ab been imp crucial than ever. It s been hit e th n e b a to fe to lp on, u re e g o h y in tu y a h pic eth er wa e a donati now more tish charity sector Ability is no ’ was som ame. In whatev olved. Please mak uss an idea ri le B b ‘disability or spoken with sh e a s c v n th n t in ic; E ctio or dis that f d you to ge time, redu e pandem ing event, ople to be majority o whispere hard by th this. At the same d competition create a fundrais ire our young pe u to visit w that the d by a very o n k e w to se sp , elp in rage yo Today lemente quality exception nt funding, increa risis have at could h We would encou rg.uk) or email th are comp nt or intellectual you c e s g m e in ti rn ili . e liv t. b v f rk a n ty.o e dis tale r wo in go ost o es, independ (www.enableabili rg.uk d unique r disabiliti and the c us and ou te .o si special an ver your abilities o for grants jor challenges for is, partnership ty b ili e our w ling bleab a y ther@ena e Sea Ang and, whate be celebrated. brought m r, as vital as mone . It is also us at toge e that you enjoy th city of tion and a is e to is v th e e m . n ti rv w d a ic o rl se v th H de re er We hop at you’ll love our odern wo , bullying, much mo lock furth Exclusion ill happens in our m nce for the working is ing together to un ependence ssic and th st as much. la ta st C p t e n d rk c e in o g judgem ourage s total ac nd this can only about w in c k n e ild smouth ju e u rt se b to o ty P s d ili n ie pportunit lace, developing a orating Enable Ab ple we work with, a reness of just o p a o llab young pe d by spreading aw can be. Our in the work g projects, and co le e olunteerin be achiev ible disabled peop g Classic event v d lin how incre with the Sea Ang ip h rs e n part

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

ANGLING TRUST . . PROUD SUPPORT PARTNER OF SAC

LET’SGET INVOLVED As a non-profit organisation, Angling Trust relies on it’s members to fight for the rights of anglers and the protection of the sport

To protect and preserve .. Increasing amounts of litter are ending up in our oceans and negatively impact the health of ecosystems, killing fish and other wildlife. The Angling Trust’s Anglers Against Litter campaign acts as the voice for anglers and outlines practical ways the angling community can get involved to reduce plastic pollution. This includes supporting anglers to undertake beach litter picks and installing Anglers National Line Recycling Scheme (ANLRS) bins along the coast to enable old recreational fishing line to be recycled rather than going to landfill. Dr Emily Smith, Angling Trust Environment Manager, said: “This campaign is something that all anglers can agree on, and we encourage everyone to pledge their support for Anglers Against Litter and call on more action to reduce litter waste.” n The campaign is supported by Shimano and you can find more information on the Angling Trust website: www.anglingtrust.net We rely on the income from membership to fight for the rights of anglers, get more people into fishing and protect fish and the environment. Join the Angling Trust today in the knowledge that your subscription will help to protect the sport you love. As a member, you will receive public liability insurance and discounts on a range of tackle and other goods and services. Membership costs from as little as £30 for adults (£26 for senior citizens and young adults). n Find out more at www.anglingtrust.net

The Angling Trust are proud to support the Sea Angling Classic which will not only be an amazing competition for top anglers but offers a fantastic opportunity to showcase our work and gives families and individuals the chance to try sea fishing for the first time. Jamie Cook, Angling Trust CEO, said: “The Angling Trust has seen strong growth in both individual membership and trade support thanks to our work over the past year. As a not-for-profit organisation, every penny is re-invested to increase our influence across all disciplines of angling, including sea angling. “The area I am most excited to see develop is in grassroots participation where our seven regional officers now have an opportunity to actively engage with sea fishing clubs to run participation events and introduce more people to fishing. “One of my first fishing memories was catching a small plaice off the pier on the Isle of Wight during a family holiday. My fishing journey continued in freshwater closer to home, but that gateway was there, and we must utilise the coastline and the fishing opportunities it offers to bring new anglers into the sport. “These are exciting, but challenging, times for recreational sea anglers in England and Wales and the Angling Trust will be fighting hard to ensure the interests of sea anglers are considered by the Government and the contribution we make to managing and protecting the marine environment is valued. “With more members we can do more to protect fish, fishing and the environment and I urge sea anglers to get behind the work of the Angling Trust by becoming a member. “We are delighted to be supporting Ross Honey and his team at the Sea Angling Classic and look forward to what promises to be a fabulous few days of fishing, fun and exciting competition.” n JAMIE COOK

CEO OF ANGLING TRUST

Fighting to protect the interests of sea angling The Angling Trust are a not-for-profit organisation that represents anglers from all disciplines and fights on their behalf for fish, fishing and the environment. They are recognised by the Government as the National Governing Body for angling in England and partner

Get ‘em on board and Get Fishing!

with Visit Wales and Natural Resources Wales to promote Fishing in Wales. That campaigning includes working at all levels to protect and promote the interests of sea anglers, whether fishing from the shore or a boat, are passionate about bass, mullet, sharks, or even the prospect of fishing for bluefin tuna returning to our waters. Recently, the Angling Trust successfully campaigned to have a ban on sea fishing removed from Dover’s Admiralty Pier and are lobbying Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs) on their latest byelaws to ensure sea anglers are not unduly restricted. There are further battles ahead with the Trust already lobbying the Government to ensure the forthcoming fisheries

management plan, which will be emerging in the coming years now we have left the EU, ensures the interests of sea angling are protected. Stuart Singleton-White, Angling Trust’s Head of Campaigns, said: “If we want thriving coastal communities, a healthy marine environment and a greater understanding of our fisheries, our message is clear: sea angling needs to be at the heart of decision making at all levels. “Anglers are key champions in the protection of our marine environment, major contributors to the understanding of our fisheries and the science that sits behind it, and important economic contributors to the economies of coastal communities.”

The Sea Angling Classic provides the perfect opportunity for the Angling Trust’s Get Fishing team to give non-anglers the chance to try sea fishing for the first time. Have-a-go sessions will be run between 10am and 3pm on South Parade Pier on Friday and Saturday (17-18 June) with a further session taking place on Sunday morning (19 June) in the historic dockyard, prior to the closing ceremony. The participation event will allow families and individuals to complete the Angling Trust’s Get Fishing Bronze Award and enjoy an introduction to recreational sea angling while being under the supervision of qualified and licensed coaches and qualityassured volunteers. All sessions must be prebooked via the Get Fishing website and bait and equipment will be provided on the day. Graham Mabey, Regional Development Officer for the Angling Trust, said that the beauty of the Sea Angling Classic is that it is not just a world class competition. “It’s important to not lose sight of how participation sessions such as these engage with the anglers of tomorrow. Our Get Fishing Awards allow coaches and volunteers to help people take their first steps into angling and it is a pleasure to work with Ross [Honey] and his team on this exciting project.”

Join the Angling Trust today in the knowledge that your subscription will be helping to protect the sport you love.

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

SUPPORT YOUR LOCALS..

Lock Stock and Tackle ready for action The team at Lock Stock and Tackle have been providing anglers with fishing tackle for more than 20 years. We pride ourselves on having an extensive range of sea angling equipment for Boat and Shore and are able offer equipment from the most recognised leading brands in the industry such as Shimano, Penn and Daiwa. We are also recognised across the south coast for our supply of handdug Ragworm and other fresh baits which include Peeler Crab and Black Lugworm – all of which are sourced from the best companies along the coast, Ammo Baits and Riot Baits. As joint owners, Callum and I, have more than 50 years experience fishing The Solent and Mid Channel Marks and we’re both advocate Bass Anglers Lock Stock and Tackle can’t wait for the Sea Angling Classic Competition to begin. It’s a great idea and we know it will be a brilliant, well-organised event for those who take part! Being that it is hosted in the historic city of Portsmouth, it’s landed right on our doorstep so we feel we have a duty to help wherever we can. The competition’s generated a massive hype within the fishing community

and is a positive push for the sport and industry within the local area. And, with a £120,000 top prize boat up for grabs and televised on Sky Sports, says it all really – how big the The Sea Angling Classic will be! Our Tackle Shop can provide the contestants and all anglers with the correct and reliable information for the area, giving you the upper hand and best chance of catching fish in this event. We do this everyday along with an excellent, friendly service. We wish all anglers good luck and tight lines and thank the team at Sea Angling Classics for hosting the event.

n Check out our 5 star Google reviews and get in touch with us on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.

com/lockstockandtackle or contact us on 02392812478 and email us at Info@lockstockandtackle.co.uk Better than that, in person @ Lock Stock and Tackle 26 Elm Grove, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO5 1JG.

Fishon hopes to reel in the customers A new fishing tackle and bait shop, aptly named Fishon Bait N Tackle, is hoping to offer the everyday fisherman premium fishing tackle at a price they can afford.

Situated in the heart of Portsmouth, they offer a large selection of fresh and frozen baits, a huge selection of rods, reels and tackle from a variety of the leading brands within the fishing business. Owners Ashley Dowdswell and Steve Manning pride themselves on providing the best, fresh bait in the area because of their expert knowledge and commitment. Ashley said: ‘We have over 20 years experience fishing from shore and boat and came second in the invitation competition last year, so we have all the knowledge to help those entering this time. ‘The Sea Angling Classic means a lot for the shop and all the local business in Portsmouth as a whole – it’s bring-

ing the whole community together and the buzz in the shop is like nothing we have ever witnessed before. ‘Being involved last year has given us a sneak peak on how big this event is going to be and the impact it is going to have on us and everyone here in Portsmouth. We’ve already started stocking up with all the quality baits you will need – mackerel, squid, hermits etc – just to make sure there’s enough to go around! Ashley encourages anyone with an interest in fishing to pop in for a chat, have a look around and to discuss everything fishing. ‘Please pop in store, meet the team and hear about our experiences last time around.” n Find us at unit 10 Bourne Road, Paulsgrove, Portsmouth PO6 4JS or call us on 02394 007684

Fishon and fish well.. Ashley Dowdswell, co-owner of Fishon Bait n’ Tackle, n Picture: Chris Moorhouse/The News Portsmouth

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

SOUTH PARADE PIER.. FUN, FOOD AND FISHING!

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

As the venue for the Sea Angling Classic’s children’s fishing courses, South Parade Pier would give Blackpool a run for it’s money ... so come on down!

COMEJOIN THEPARADE Portsmouth’s famous South Parade Pier will host the Sea Angling Classic’s fishing tuition classes on June 17th and 18th. The courses will be run for local school children in conjunction with Angling Trust and their qualified instructors.

This is a great opportunity to encourage youngsters to get familiar with all the different aspects of angling and hopefully develop an appreciation for the sport. South Parade Pier is a fantastic venue for fishing and suitable for new and

experienced anglers, young and old and those with limited mobility. This very popular fishing spot is good all year round. During the summer there’s mackerel, garfish, pollack, bass, mullet, bream, smoothhounds, scad and flatties and in the winter, codling, whiting and flounders. All fishing works well off the pier, hence its popularity but the best fishing is during late evening / night at high tide. Generally a light spinning rod with a float fish or simple rig will suffice but if you want to catch something larger try some crab or worm bait! The pier itself has had quite a colourful history. It was originally built between 1875 to 1878 at the point where Henry VIII watched his beloved flagship the Mary Rose sink, taking over 500 men down with her. Since then, it has been destroyed by fire 3 times – the most infamous being in 1974 during the making of the film ‘Tommy’. It was then requisitioned during World War II for the preparation and embarkation of troops for the D-Day

landings during which it was partly dismantled and temporary piers were built from scaffolding alongside South Parade Pier to increase the number of troops that could be loaded. In later years, Southsea South Parade became the entertainment venue of choice for many famous names, such as, Frankie Howerd, Peter Sellers, David Bowie and Genesis. After years of neglect, this much loved Victorian structure has been restored once more, ready for it’s next historical adventure! Today, as a traditional seaside pier, South Parade has plently for the all family to enjoy – a fabulous new amusement arcade, take away fish and chips, licensed restaurant, ice-cream parlour, The Gaiety Bar Venue and of course the perfect spot to sit and watch the world go by with open views to the Isle of Wight and Southsea & Portsmouth’s coastline. Definately worth visiting for a relaxed stroll, a spot of fishing or a pile of family fun! n

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

PANTAENIUS . . PROUD SUPPORT PATNERS OF SAC

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

PANTAENIUS: ALWAYSBYYOURSIDE The Sea Angling Classic are delighted to be working with a family of supporting partners and sponsors. Managing director of Pantaenius UK, Mike Wimbridge who is a keen amateur angler will be competing in the charter boat category. Mike commented “I’m looking forward to some great fishing in this fantastic competition, having taken part in the media launch last year. I wish all the competitors the best of luck and can’t wait to see who bags the amazing Extreme Game King 745 from what is a huge prize table! The Sea Angling Classic is a great opportunity for us to introduce ourselves to the fastest growing sector in the marine market. Recently we introduced a policy aimed at many of the boats that will be competing in this year’s event. Being anglers ourselves we have included extensions in cover to ensure that your fishing gear is adequately protected along with the usual damage and liability covers ” Pantaenius UK, part of the Pantaenius Group, has been providing insurance solutions to boat owners for over 30 years and today has offices in Plymouth and Southampton. Over 100,000 boat and yacht owners place their trust in the Pantaenius brand and enjoy the peace of mind that our unique and comprehensive policies provide. With 35,000 trusted partners around the world, Pantaenius is well placed to provide the best support offering 24-hour emergency claims assistance, 365 days of the year. Whether you opt to glide through the waters on a sailing yacht or power your

way to your next destination, we are always by your side. Pantaenius UK also offers insurance solutions for private and professional skippers who sail on borrowed or chartered boats. n For more information, please get in touch: hello@pantaenius.co.uk 01752 223656 - pantaenius.co.uk

I can’t wait to see who bags the amazing Extreme Game King 745 from what is a huge prize table! 75

ANDREW SIMPSON FOUNDATION ... PROUD INCLUSIVITY PARTNERS OF SACTHE SAC I took my first sailing course mid-pandemic in the summer 2020. I was so happy to find an joyed and looked activity that I really en more sailing of forward to the promise opportunities. become a great Since then, sailing has arn new e, le way for me to get activ w friends from ne skills and make lots of ub has become Cl around the area. Sailing y routine. I feel kl a valued part of my wee only discover a t no that it has helped me, in self-confidence new activity, but grow her people. ot and interact with lots of a Murray, age 13 Frey

A new additio..n to the family

Yachting Andrew Simpson t addition to the es lat r ou )is SY (A ily, creating Foundation fam Andrew Simpson -enhancing life te ople to crea pathways for pe ies in the nit d career opportu experiences an s. ASY offers trie us ind g yachtin watersports and ting, power ch ya practical RYA the full range of ry eo training, practical and th and motor boat packages, own ed lis na ting perso whilst also crea extend your to y the opportunit As another boat tuition and ts. en ev er ild bu r Mile you book e horizons with ou tim y er ev , ganisation e work of th not-for-profit or g tin , you are suppor a course with us g people in un yo to ck ba giving the charity and unity! your local comm

WELCOME HELP US TO TRANSFORM MORE Our mission is to transform lives through sailing. To do this, we need your help. Everything we do is driven by our belief that all young people have the ability to excel and succeed in life and work. We believe that the challenges of Sailing and Watersports do this by promoting health & wellbeing and building essential personal skills. The Foundation enables our Centres to deliver our charitable activities. And our Centres donate surplus profit back to the Foundation to help it to continue to grow. All our centres are not-for-profit, so everything surplus to the running costs of the Centres goes straight back into the Foundation to support us in our work to transform the lives of young people through sailing. In addition to the charitable delivery, they also run commercial courses to those looking for their next outdoor adventure, with a range of watersports on offer all year round. This includes sailing, windsurfing, foiling, kayaking, paddleboarding, instructor training and even taster sessions! Our vision is to build an engaged, global community of accessible sailing and watersports and is underpinned by our ethos of “Sailing for All”. Our not-for-profit Centres enable

people from all backgrounds and abilities to gain access to the thrills, challenges and life-long skills gained through Sailing and Watersports. We are based in Birmingham, Haslar, Portland, Portsmouth, Reading and Lake Garda, Italy!

Working with the Sea Angling Classic The Andrew Simpson Foundation (ASF) and it’s local not-for-profit Andrew Simpson Centre in Portsmouth are delighted to be part of the Sea Angling Classic event, alongside the Portsmouth Sail Training Trust (PSTT), who look to transform the lives of young people through sailing and raise aspirations, respectively. We are delighted to have the opportunity to enable some of the young people we work to be part of the competition itself. This exciting and unique experience will be open to local young people engaged with our PSST programme and Diploma students from our Marine Education Hub. This event provides an invaluable platform for us to raise awareness of the impact of the Andrew Simpson Foundation on transforming the lives of young people across the UK and the many opportunities available to young people in our local Portsmouth Community to get on the water and do the same. n

g.org simpsonyachtin

n Visit andrew

Our Community programmes 2021 was a hugely busy year for the Andrew Simpson Foundation. Over 30,000 people participated in our wide range of Watersports and activities, many of whom wouldn’t have otherwise had this opportunity. Here’s how we’ll get even more people out on the water this year through a carefully thought out charitable programme of opportunities:

Access & Participation Community Clubs: regular access for all across our centre’s. We deliver a variety of Community Clubs incuding BYS

Windsurfing Club, Race Club, Sailing Club and Paddle Club. Discover Sailing: inspiring participation. Bringing taster sessions to children from all walks of life to help increase their activity levels, learn water safety and provide opportunities to progress. Bart’s Bash: Connecting the global sailing community. The Andrew Simpson Foundation’s flagship fundraising race which connects sailing communities around the world.

Health & Wellbeing Aiming High: Physical and mental wellbeing. A sailing and watersports programme which supports young people living with a learning and/or physical disability. Sail Fit: Focused on tackling inactivity in young people, teaching them new skills and inspiring them to eat a healthy & balanced diet.

Careers & Education Young Leaders: Equipping the next generation. Focused on those aged

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

ABOARD!

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

LIVES THROUGH SAILING

D NA PLAIO ING N SAT ILINGIS .. Help supp

16+, providing an opportunity to attend a leadership training programme where they learn key skills and prepare for the Dinghy Instructor qualification. Skipper: Providing opportunities. Delivered in Mossel Bay, South Africa, ‘Skipper’ focuses on providing opportunities for disadvantaged young people from local townships. Aspire: Portsmouth Sail Training Trust (PSTT) - Raising aspirations.

The Aspire PSTT programme provides opportunities for disadvantaged young people from Portsmouth who are struggling to engage with mainstream education. Volunteer Instructor Training: Training the trainers. In partnership with the RYA, we deliver a national programme of Volunteer Instructor Training across all RYA Sailing Regions.

ort th transform liv e Foundation and es JustGiving pa by donating to our ge: www.ju stgiving. com/assf n £35 covers the co st of on Sailing Sess ion for one yo e Discover ung person n £150 suppor term of Sailin ts the running of one g Club or Rac e Club n £600 Gives one as piring young leader the ch ance to acce long progra ss our yearmme n £2,10 0 pays for on e bloc sessions of Aiming High k of 6 for 10 young people n £8,4 00 allows 40 young pe benefit from the Sail Fit pr ople to ogramme Find out mor e www.andre visit w org or call us simpsonfoundation. on 0300 22 4 0449

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

ANDREW RACE. . ANGLING TRADES ASSOCIATION

When I took over over as chairman of the Angling Trades Association (ATA) in April 2020, I had a list of goals that I wanted to achieve for both angling and the ATA. Thanks to Covid, I had time to devote my thoughts to the industry and the factors affecting it’s future. In 2023, the ATA will celebrate its fiftieth anniversary in an industry far removed from that of 1973. The ATA mission statement “to promote, represent and protect the angling trade”, encompasses many aspects and whilst some have remained constant over the last 47 years, others have been dramatically refocussed by climate and societal change. Recent developments within angling’s governing bodies however, have produced the greatest potential for progression of both sport, industry, and environment. For the first time in many years, we have ATA, Angling Trust and Environment Agency working together on a shared vision for angling, and it is the ATA’s intention to bring about a closer working relationship with more and more of the industry’s stakeholders as we progress. Angling Spirit, the first major independent event organiser to join the ranks of the ATA, came on board in April of this year. Ross Honey and his team have long championed a positive attitude to both aquatic and societal environments through their events, and this ethic fits well with ATA. Being involved in the National angling strategy, ATA actively engages with issues affecting the aquatic environment yearround, something that is paramount in protecting future populations of aquatic species that we depend on. Angling Spirit events like the Sea Angling Classic (SAC), represent a new breed of angling competition giving back to the environment, through projects such as the Solent Seagrass and beach clean-up initiatives. The ATA’s remit covers both salt and freshwater. One of our aims is to see sea angling and sea anglers better represented as part of the angling community. Freshwater angling is well documented due to the legalities of the licencing system, but much less is known about the sea angling community and its needs. Events like the SAC are important to coastal communities, bringing a much-needed boost to local businesses, bringing those communities into focus for a wider audience. UK inshore fisheries are a vital resource

TRADE SECRETS Since taking the position as ATA Chairman, Andrew Race has had a goal to encourage more people in to angling from all communities and played a big part in the marketing campaign for National Fishing Month and Take A Friend Fishing

for the industry and ATA needs to be proactive to invest in its future. Events such as the SAC give us a window into that sector and a point of contact with the sea angling community which helps us to develop policies and products. Small angling related businesses are many in coastal communities. From the tackle shops providing focal points for both resident and visiting anglers and their community, to charter boats and bait firms, and the ATA

is working to provide a supportive structure tailor made to angling related business as well as a focal point for careers and career pathways into angling and the wider industry. We also have a thriving community of small manufacturers around our coast, supplying many of those retailers. I have a passion for British manufacture, and I will be championing this through ATA as much as I can. UK manufacturing offers the prospect of a much lower carbon footprint as well as

I have a passion for British manufacture, and I will be championing this through ATA as much as I can.

quality, flexibility and competitive pricing and I would urge all brands to look at British manufacturers as a first choice. ATA also remains committed to making sure that the UK angling industry evolves in harmony with Europe as the effects of Brexit evolve. ATA has also been active in the recruitment of anglers for many years, with brands like National Fishing Month and Take A Friend Fishing. Our task as a trade is to support growth in the market for fishing tackle and

encourage more people in to angling from all communities. Events like the SAC are now actively helping ATA to do this with their own initiatives. Engaging with local communities through projects like the Spirit of Angling and the School of Minnows, connecting the next generation with the aquatic environment and the joys of fishing, and we look forward to working more with Ross and his team in the future. Pulling together the skills of stakeholders

within the industry is vital. Extending our reach to all those who might engage in the sport, parents who make the choices of what pastimes they teach their children or adults who just want to relax. Getting fishing on that vital list of potential pastimes is key, for their wellbeing as much as the trade. n ANDY RACE CHAIRMAN, ATA

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

POWERTECH MARINE ... PROUD EVENT PARTNERS OF THE SAC

WE’LL KEEP YOUR

MOTORS RUNNING Powertech Marine have been helping to keep engines moving for over 60 years and as event partners you can be safe in the knowledge that the team will be out on the waters this year to help any struggling boats

Powertech Marine are proud to be event partners in what is sure to be a fantastic weekend on the water across the south coast.

It was great to be involved with the launch event last year and to see the spectacular flotilla of boats with all the flags at the start of the event. Last year Powertech were on the water and land supporting the event for the whole weekend and only had a couple of minors engine issues that were resolved in good time to enable the anglers to continue in the competition with only minimal time lost. This year Powertech were honoured to be asked to do the full rigging including installation of Mercury 250 Pro XS and the full Lowrance Ultimate Fishing System to this year’s prize boat. Powertech Marine have been trading for 18 Years from Northney Marina, Hayling Island servicing and repairing outboard engines with the team offering over 58 years experience in the outboard engine trade. We are main dealers for Mercury Outboards and can offer complete refit, refurb or repower of any ribs and motorboats. During the Sea Angling event in June this year we will again be out on the water and land based supporting the fisherman with any engines issues that may arise over the weekend. We will be there to aid with the smooth and safe running of the event across the south coast. n

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

LOOK OUT FOR THE FASTEST MAN ON THE WATER .. Also on the water during the Sea Angling Classic event, will be Powertech Marines Keith Whittle, better known as “The fastest Man on the water” as Ross likes to call him. Keith is the World Water Speed Record Holder for the fastest Formula 2 speed, with an average of 132mph. He narrowly missed death as he flipped going across the finish line on his final attempt. Sam Whittle, Keith’s son, now heads up Powertech’s race team. This year Sam will be competing In the Uk Formula 2 British Championships and in 2023 will compete in the Formula 2 world Championship. Sam will also be attempting to smash Keith’s speed record at Coniston Water in November to keep the record in the family. n To stay up to date with all the racing news please head to our website www.powertechmarine.co.uk

KIETH narrowly missed death as he flipped going across the finish line on his final attempt 81

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

FOCUS ON ... RBS MARINE

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

ULTRAMARINE

RBS Marine are an official support partner of the Sea Angling Classic 2022 and are delighted to be involved in such an exciting fishing event for the South Coast.

To find out more about new and used Rodman boats, be sure to visit www. rbsmarine.com and you can contact info@rbsmarine.com or call 01243 512101. n

RBS Marine are the importers and distributors of a range of leisure craft, but are probably best known in the UK for their Fisher and cruiser models. Spanish shipyard Rodman are renowned for producing boats with a reputation for their strength of build and quality of sea keeping, along with many features that make them great for fishing; large cockpit space, deep walk around side decks and built-in live baitwells. RBS Marine staff have many years’ experience in the marine industry, and indeed with the Rodman brand, as well as enjoying fishing themselves, so are ideally placed to help recreational and charter fisher men and women alike find their perfect boat. RBS Marine have also assisted with supplying and rigging boats for the Tuna tagging programme along the South West. Based in Birdham Pool near Chichester, just 30-40 minutes’ drive from Portsmouth, RBS Marine have a great local customer base, but have also supplied boats all over the world as far afield as Singapore and Mauritius. They help to run an active Rodman Owners Club, which organises social events

and cruises each year (usually from the Solent), as well as keeping owners up to date with all the latest Rodman news and events with regular e-newsletters and via a Rodman Owners Club Facebook page. Through the Rodman Owners Club and their Rodman sales activities, RBS Marine are able to continue their relationships with Rodman owners throughout their boat ownership (and most owners will have had more than one Rodman in their boat owning life!). Through these relationships they have been able to see the keen interest from Rodman Owners to be a part of the Sea Angling Classic 2022, with many wanting to compete and some offering to take part as media support boats. RBS Marine will be delighted to welcome Rodman boats from as far afield as Poole and Essex coming to be a part of the action, as well as local boats from Portsmouth Harbour. Be sure to look out for Rodman boat teams in the competition and the supporting media boats. There will be a range of boats represented, from the smaller end of the range with the Rodman 810, up to the flagship Rodman 1250. n

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

MERCURY BARRUS . . PROUD SPONSORS OF THE SAC

THETURNOFTHEC It all began in 1917 when Ernest Prouty Barrus set up a company in the UK to supply Starrett precision tools including micrometers and measuring equipment and distribute them throughout Europe. Barrus entered the marine market during the late 1920s and were pioneers of the concept that became known as the ‘package boat’; a series of boats already fully equipped at a range of prices to suit most pockets. Powerboat racing has always featured throughout Barrus’s long history enabling the company to showcase its engine brands under the most extreme conditions. Ernest Barrus established a Barrus Powerboat Racing Team in the 1920s, and again, in the 1970s and 1980s Mariner outboards were promoted through powerboat racing. Throughout its long history, Barrus has constantly adapted to new opportunities and challenges and today its broad scope across multiple sectors includes Marine, Garden, Industrial and Vehicle. Since its centenary celebrations in

Oxfordshire-based E. P. Barrus is a centenarian with a rich heritage behind it and now plans are underway to take the company through the next equally memorable 100 years

CENTURY

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

MERCURY BARRUS . .

At the company’s headquarters you can see everything from custombuilt marine and industrial engines, inflatable boats and outboard engines to garden machinery and wellington boots

THETURNOFTHE CENTURY 2017, Barrus has introduced new Sales Divisions, expanded into different market sectors and secured numerous supplier partnerships to develop a portfolio of market-leading brands, whilst being committed to the highest levels of customer service. At the company’s headquarters in Bicester, you can see everything from custom-built marine and industrial engines, inflatable boats and outboard engines, garden machinery and tools, wellington boots and gardening gloves to electric utility vehicles. The impressive line-up of brands includes Mercury and Mariner outboards, Zodiac inflatable boats, marine equipment including Talamex, Barton, Blue Gee, Glomex, Lowrance, Simrad and International Paints, Yanmar and John Deere marine and industrial engines, Cub Cadet garden machinery, Wilkinson Sword and WOLF-Garten garden tools, Town & Country garden equipment and clothing and HiSun UTVs and ATVs. Barrus aims to add value at every level of its

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

relationship with supplier partners, dealers and customers. From extensive, modern engine test facilities, to its substantial engineering development and maintenance capabilities, to rapid shipping of spare parts, running free onsite training and supporting its extensive dealer networks. Engineering excellence has always been a strong focus with expertise in specialist applications engineering support and the most modern custom-engine building facilities based at the company’s headquarters in Bicester. Proudly ‘Built-in Bicester’, Barrus designs, develops and builds engines for customers across the UK and overseas. In support of the engineering side of the business, Barrus continues to encourage young students to take up a career in engineering, and over the years the company has offered apprenticeships and work experience placements through Oxfordshire colleges, universities and schools. n

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

DARREN McKELL ... A FAMILY AFFAIR

SQUIDWARD BOUND Darren McKell could never have imagined that when he bought his first boat 12 years ago, he had just adopted a fourth member of the family Caz and I have been beach fishing together for over 15 years but our boat fishing journey started when we made a cheeky bid for a fishing boat in a blind auction some 12 years ago. The 18ft Maryland cost us £75 for boat and trailer and we were both amazed when the flat tyres inflated so we could bring her home – we had a good idea the boat was watertight as she was full to the brim with rain water. Over many weekends we got her ship shape and ready for sea, all the boat needed was a name. With my two boys obsessed with SpongeBob on TV, Squidward got the family vote, something to do with the character being a bit grumpy? Luke started fishing with me on the boat at age 4 year, launching out of Calshot, We Fished in and around the Solent, our favourite spots Where it all began... A young Luke on the McKell’s very first being the brambles bank for Cod in the winter, boat, Squidward I, an 18ft Maryland Lepe and Sowley boom for bream and smoothhounds , she served the family well, with over 7 very happy years of boating adventures and she still holds our PB COD of 25Lb. Caz had ventured out a couple times on the flat sunny days and it became apparent that we had outgrown our current vessel as we had gained and extra crew member that wanted to start fishing. We made the plunge to purchase Squidward 2 after a visit to Southampton boat show, she allowed us to expand our reach to Portsmouth and south of the Needles and with the added tow bar Luke learnt how to knee board later progressing to wakeboarding. 2 years later and a strategically placed bottle of Prosecco for Caz we purchased Squidward 3 )an Admiral Pro Fish 560) from Bates wharf at the Poole boat show. She’s not just our fishing boat but a part of the family, She gives us quality family time together and an adventure every trip form water sports, fishing and overnight stays.

Fishing is more than a hobby to us, it takes planning, it comes with risk and adventure but most of all its quality time spent together with friends and family enjoying the same passion, and when you drop your line you never really know what size of fish is going to take the bait. Last year Luke and I gained our open water PADI qualifications, which has added another insight to the underwater fish environment we love spending our time around. We use Daiwa kenzaki 20-30 & 30-50 with Fin-nor lethal 20 2 speed reels for most of our bottom fishing they cover most of the ground and tides that we fish. They have the power needed for the bigger fish but also have great bite detection. We also like to up-tide using Daiwa tournament rods 6-15lb with Penn Spinfisher reels and when we are bass fishing on the backs we like to use lethal lures on a light combo Nomura never crack lure rods with fixed spool Fin-nor 30 We tend to find that early morning flood tides can be the most productive fishing times but we also like the bigger tides when targeting bass over the banks We love fishing the brambles bank, east lepe and Sowley , but if the weather permits its out past the Needles from Freshwater to the St Catherine point looking for features and banks on the hunt for our next PB. Last year Luke managed to land a 50lb Tope which wet our appetite for shark fishing and we took a trip out on a charter boat to learn how and what equipment was needed catch and release sharks safely so that one of our mission this year. Most of our fishing is for sport but we do take the occasional fish for the table you cannot beat fresh fish to eat, noting better than catching your dinner and treating the ingredients with respect it deserves. Last year we fished our first fishing competition the Sea Angling Classic, it was a fantastic experience and a well organised event where we met some great people and made lots of new friends. Following on from this event Luke has become an Ambassador for Lowrance as they could see he had real passion for the sport and his fishing knowledge continues to grow. n DARREN McKELL

Luke who’s talking..

Luke has a growing fan base on Instagram and has just started a YouTube channel @ Squidward 3 fishing adventures.

A family affair ... Darren and son Luke (above and far left) both gained their Open Water PADI qualifications last year. Darren’s wife Caroline (centre) and the McKells’ latest addition to the family, Squidward III

FOCUS ON ... MATT BOAST

LUREOFTHE COMPETITION

Matt is a lure fishing enthusiast focusing on freshwater predators in the UK and Europe from both bank and boat. A Lowrance Ambassador with years of experience under his belt.

Over the years Angling Spirit has hosted some fantastic events that I’ve been very lucky to compete in. My first event began with the 2014 Street Fishing event in Hellevoetsluis, Holland. That was where I got my first taste for European-style competition fishing – it was like a drug. I was instantly hooked. I became addicted to the rush of catching fish against the clock and against other top anglers from all over Europe. The buzz of catching multiple species over several days, is a true test of skill for an angler of any ability. The whole behindthe-scenes camaraderie that is involved in these competitions brings a totally unique atmosphere and a real mix of emotions. This ‘buzz’ is created by the event organisers, the relaxing chilled-out environment and socialising with other excited competitors who have the same principles and are driven by the same goals. Since that first Street Fishing event, not only has the World of Angling Spirit grown, but it has allowed me and so many fellow passionate competition anglers a platform to grow at the same time. I’ve always said, if you wish to raise your own angling ability, you need to fish with people better than yourself. These events allow you to do just that. In 2015, I moved on to the Kayak Fishing Event which was again held in the Netherlands – another exciting challenge with a slightly different twist. I made more great friends and learned some very humbling lessons along the way! As 2016 rolled in, I decided it was time to bite the bullet and enter the main event cometition – The World Predator Classic. This is the jewel in the crown of boat events. Since then, I’ve competed in the World Predator Classic every year without fail, gaining more and more valuable knowledge and experience in fishing alongside and against some of the best anglers in Europe. This year now sees the opportunity to fish in the first ever angling run, sea fishing tournament – the Sea Angling Classic. This is

going to be a truly remarkable event, backed by some of the most respected sponsors offering a vast prize table and it’s all taking place on my very own home shores on the south coast. The location chosen to host the Sea Angling Classic could not offer a better backdrop for such an event and provides some of the most stunning fishing grounds in Europe. I was very privileged to attend the Sea Angling Classic media launch last June, where I was given the chance not only to work with the sponsors and partners of the event and experience that thrilling buzz of the main competition, but also to be involved in some of the more important work that goes on behind the scenes – such as cleaning up the beaches, rivers and lakes that we enjoy spending our time on. This is an obligation that Angling Spirit takes very seriously. Part of my involvement will be to drive this initiative home to all participants, sponsors, partners and the wider public taking part in the event. Another initiative I’m very proud to be part of will be to encourage the younger generation coming through at these events to get involved and get excited about all types of fishing – whether it’s the basic thrill of summertime crabbing in the harbour or casting their first line from a boat ... whatever the motivationw, we want to build the platform for the growth and preservation of our sport from an early age and instill a healthy, caring and enjoyable past-time for all involved. The Sea Angling Classic may have started life as a tiny acorn, but it’s obvious to see it’s transformation into a mighty tree – the prize table alone is staggering! Having experienced the success of the Street Fishing, Kayak and World Predator Classics in the Netherlands, there is no doubt that during this year’s prize-giving held at the iconic Gunwharf Quays, the Angling Spirit team will put on a fantastic and memorable show. I truly cannot wait. n MATT BOAST LOWRANCE AMBASSADOR

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

ADAM KIRBY .. BRAND AMBASSADOR LOWRANCE

E T A M I T MY UL M E T S Y S FISHING e Crisis f i l d i M

If you’re going to have a midlife crisis, make it a good one.

I think most of the Sea Angling Classic competitors would agree, owning a boat is almost entirely irrational. Certainly from an economic perspective. But that doesn’t stop us loving them and the wonderful experiences gifted to us each season, being afloat, at sea. My current love, ‘Hot Pursuit’, is an Americanmade, 25ft centre console and in many ways, she owns me. The story of how she came to be my pride-and-joy is worth sharing. In 2016, I was lucky enough to be invited by Sea Angler Magazine to fish a Tarpon tournament in Fort Myers, Florida. Those 4 days in Florida were some of the most enjoyable not-catching I’ve ever experienced, in over 30 years of angling. Despite the unseasonable lack of Tarpon present during the competition, the experience was set to leave a lasting impression on me. My other-half all too readily highlights how the guy she picked up from the airport was not the same as the one she dropped off. For clarity, that’s not a good thing! Florida will do that to you. Before I visited, I genuinely believed I had done alright in life. I was comfortable. Florida altered that perspective! Having spoken to other anglers about their own trips, I don’t feel like this ‘Floridian phenomenon’ is unique to me. Where my story differs perhaps, is coming back home and insanely, trying to do something about it. Enter stage left, Hot Pursuit. For me at least, a boat purchase of midlife crisis proportions! In Florida, I was privileged to spend a couple of days on fully-fledged centre consoles. Six-figure sports fishing boats with all the trimmings. It was all part of the bewildering experience. So when I’d found Hot Pursuit and brought her home, the next decision was what electronics to install. I was already stretched financially, but thankfully in this case, midlife crises don’t leave much room for careful budgeting. I was so smitten with Hot Pursuit that it would have broken my heart to skimp on the electronics. So I went ‘all-in’. If you’ve been lucky enough to see me bounce around Gosport marina, struggling to manoeuvre my boat into the simplest of berths on a flat calm day, you would have already observed that I am an

angler first and a ‘boaty’ second. Therefore, when it came to choosing which electronics brand to adopt for my install, the decision was easy - Lowrance. Lowrance has the pedigree in powering anglers to catch more fish. They’ve been leading angling innovation through electronics for over 60 years. Lowrance has something called ‘The Ultimate Fishing System’. It basically means a connected system of electronics that when combined together offer features and benefits greater than the sum of the individual parts. Take my Lowrance Link VHF Radio for example. It’s a very decent standalone VHF with all the features you would expect and a load more. But when you connect it to your Lowrance display via an onboard network, the display has the ability to pull through the VHF’s AIS vessel tracking data and plot it right there on your marine chart. Right where you’re looking and right where it makes most sense. When I discovered this feature it was a real shock. It hadn’t come up in my extensive product research and was one of those rare moments in modern life, where a product over-delivers on expectation. I consider the plotted AIS data on my charts to be an excellent proxy for the more expensive investment of a full-blown radar. Certainly a nice-to-have failsafe in case I was ever to lose use of my radar in poor visibility. But of course, it can’t be considered as a replacement for the real thing. Hence, when I was deciding which electronic items I was going to invest in first, a radar was near the top of list. For me, moving from an 18ft Raider to the 25ft Pursuit was mainly about getting out fishing more often in a greater range of weather conditions. That’s the return I got for my money and in the same sense, that’s what you get in a good radar, like the Lowrance 4G Broadband Radar I chose. You won’t need its use every time you go fishing, but occasionally it will get you out fishing safely, and home again, when you would have been a fool to venture out without one. Ignoring the obvious added security it brings when getting caught out in fog, to me a good radar is about extra fishing days afloat. My favourite radar-themed benefit from Lowrance’s Ultimate Fishing System is the Radar Overlay, which takes the radar output and accurately transplants it over your electronic chart, hosted on your Lowrance plotter. Again, once

when I was deciding which electronic items I was going to invest in first, a radar was near the top of list

that important information is in the realm of your marine chart it just seems to make much more sense. You understand that this small blob on the radar is the fairway buoy and that other blob isn’t charted and is therefore worth showing some caution. It’s amazing what the 4G radar can pick up if installed correctly. On a calm summer’s night I’m glad of fair warning of even small pot-buoys. Fish-finder, plotter, Multi-Function Display (MFD). They all mean the same thing. It’s the heart of the system, offering display screen, controls and processing power for the entire network of devices. One of the core principals of The Ultimate Fishing System is that any Lowrance add-on can be controlled from the MFD without the need for separate interfaces. Lowrance offers three different series of display aimed at ‘casual’, ‘avid’ and ‘serious’ anglers. Of the three, both the ‘Elite FS’ and ‘HDS Live’ families offer the networking capability to drive the various integrations we’ve spoken about here. After my Florida experience, I was desperate to recreate what I’d drooled over on the professional’s boats, and having the room on my console I opted for two 12-inch units side-by-side. I split navigation and fish-finding duties between the two. It’s an epic set-up, draws admiring glances, and does everything I ever want in a heartbeat, but it’s overkill. The point here is that

you only need a single display to run the expansive array of options and add-ons. Speaking of fish finding, a fish-finder is only as good as the connected transducer. I run two transducers on the transom of Hot Pursuit. First up is the P66 transducer by Airmar. This traditional 2D sonar offers a good balance of power, for deeper water, and detail for my inshore fishing. I fish depths between under 10 to nearly 300ft. Although the P66 is made by a third-party, it’s how the data is computed in the Lowrance display unit that sets it apart. In the world of competitive angling, Lowrance is renowned for first class 2D sonar. As a fishing tool I’m reliant upon, I’m very happy and I’ve never felt the need to change it since day one. Next to the P66 I have run a couple of different options for Structure Scan - the sonar technology that offers photo-like imagery including Sidescan and Downscan. Originally I ran Lowrance’s pioneering StructureScan 3D which offers a unique three-dimensional view of the seabed and any fish below. It’s a fascinating view, but for me the key strength of StructureScan 3D is the power of its dedicated transducer. It is the most powerful sidescan transducer I have used to date. The reason that you probably won’t see SS3D hanging on my transom come the Sea Angling Classic is that power has been superseded by newer

technology. Namely, Lowrance’s Active Imaging. By comparison, what Active Imaging lacks in raw power it makes up for with clever processing. I’ve graphed some beautifully accurate sidescan images with Active Imaging since swapping out the transducers and haven’t turned back. This is great news if you are considering spec’ing out your boat, as Active Imaging is a third of the price of the 3D transducer and the additional module box it requires to run it. If you don’t need 3D images, it’s a much simpler install because you won’t need to install the additional module. Plus, Active Imaging is also available as a 3-in-1 variant giving you sidescan, downscan and traditional 2D sonar in a single transducer. Less holes to drill and cables to run! Lastly on transducers, I have been trialling the new-kid-on-the-block - Lowrance’s amazing Active Target. The technology is best defined as live sonar. Yes, you guessed it, live, moving images of fish around your boat. It’s the next big leap forward in sonar technology for pleasure and tournament anglers. What’s more, it’s a directional transducer, meaning you can aim it, a bit like pointing a torch into the darkness to illuminate the detail. It sounds like a gimmick but I find it fascinating as a feedback tool. Watching how different fish species react to your bait or lure as you move it.

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

ADAM KIRBY .. BRAND AMBASSADOR LOWRANCE

It’s not video footage by any means, but the tool does have more than enough clarity to identify different species and their behaviours. We’ve had some great fun watching how Black Bream react to moving baits and lures. One of the target species for the Sea Angling Classic of course! An addition that I’ve added along the way is the Suzuki engine interface. This Suzuki branded part interfaces perfectly with my HDS Live units displaying a range of important outputs directly from my outboard engine including, RPM, voltage, temperature and so on. I tend not to focus on the fuel economy reports these days! Sob, sob. Later additions to the network, like this interface are easy installations to the Ultimate Fishing System. You just connect an additional tee-piece to the existing NMEA network, attach the new device which will be recognised by your display, and at worst maybe run through a few settings to setup how you would like the new data source to be displayed on screen. It’s been that simple at every stage. Plug and play. If you’re still with me, I’ve saved the best two components to last. One, a true game-changer for angling, and the other, a misunderstood and undervalued component that really does improve your fishing and boating. Let’s start with the latter. The Lowrance Point-1 is a GPS Antenna and to be fair, it looks a bit boring. You may ask yourself, why would I need to shell-out more of your hard-earned cash on a GPS antenna, when there is one built-in to the display unit. The answer is three-fold. Firstly, the dedicated Point-1 antenna is more accurate than the integral device in your display. Think of the Point-1 as a precision instrument. Accuracy can be paramount to reliably hitting your marks and consistently finding fish. Secondly, as a separate device it can rather obviously be mounted almost anywhere on your boat. As I see it, that’s important for a couple of reasons. More obviously you can locate it away from obstruction, giving it a clear lineof-sight to the satellites hurtling around in orbit. That will improve both connection speed and accuracy. In addition you may decide, as I did, to think a little left-of-the-middle and if you’re able to do so, mount the antenna as close to the transducers, as possible. In my case, the Point-1 is mounted just in front of the splash-well, in-line with my transducers. When you consider that most people would automatically install such a device on the cabin roof or console, granted, it does look a bit weird. But taking full advantage of yet another feature of the Ultimate Fishing System, I want my depth and sidescan data from the transducers to be assigned the most accurate GPS position possible. So that when I hit ‘waypoint’ on the display, just as that rock pinnacle or fish appears on my sonar image, the assigned GPS coordinates will be more accurate, not 5, 10, or 15 feet forward, where you’ve installed the antenna. This effect also improves two other functions, namely StructureScan Overlay (sidescan imagery overlaid on charts) and Live Mapping (creating your own contour charts using your sonar logs). You may be thinking that the rather unsexy Point-1 is already punching above its weight. But it has another trick up its sleeve. It also features a heading sensor. This means that it always knows which way your boat is facing. The most common question I get from Lowrance owners is how can you stop the map from spinning

the biggest advance in boat angling technology in recent times? I’m going to say, C-Map Reveal! around when you’re sat at anchor. This is caused by the display not knowing which way it is facing without the boat moving forward. With a heading sensor connected to the network the system always knows which way the boat is facing. This extra situational awareness catches more fish. We’ve proved it. Especially when drift fishing and lure fishing where an appreciation of which way the boat is facing compared to the drift line or boat position can pay dividends. We use this a lot for inshore bass fishing - another Sea Angling Classic species - where understanding exactly where the reef high spots are, compared to our boat position, improves our casting accuracy. And finally, the biggest advance in boat angling technology in recent times? I’m going to say, C-Map Reveal! C-Map, a sister company of Lowrance has a relatively new addition to its already excellent portfolio of mapping and marine chart views. It’s called Reveal, and the technology behind it is known as ‘shaded relief’. Think of shaded-relief as images of the seabed, accurately positioned on your chart plotter. While they didn’t go as far as to ‘drain the ocean’ and take photographs, you certainly wouldn’t know it. If you have Reveal coverage in your chosen fishing area there’s no more interpreting the contours of bathymetry. The finer details are there, plain to see. And while certain types of banks and substrate do tend to move around over time, the majority do not. Any kind of fixed structure like rocks, reef and substantial banks has been proved, through experience, to be extremely accurate in the two seasons I’ve been using the product. Even the

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

plotted wreck positions don’t appear to move all that much. C-Map Reveal removes all the guesswork from the areas that have coverage. The majority of time you don’t even need to use your sonar for anything other than determining depth. I can anchor exactly where I want to be on a bank without first having to motor over it and plot the high and low points. I can just see the whole bank right on the chart. Plus, there’s great news if you’re a Sea Angling Classic competitor. The competition area has full coverage for Reveal and will certainly assist in finding suitable habitats for all five of the target species. It’s a genuine game-changer from my perspective and that is why I’m going to be bold here and state that C-Map Reveal, combined with the accuracy of the Point-1 antenna, is our biggest advantage in the Sea Angling Classic. There, I said it. If you already own a newish Lowrance HDS or Elite unit then I would strongly advise you to consider purchasing the C-Map Reveal card. If you don’t have a compatible unit, then I believe the most affordable new option, is the Elite FS 7-inch display. If you don’t want to make that kind of investment just yet, you can dip your toe in with C-Map Reveal by subscribing to the paid service on the Lowrance smartphone app - available on both Apple and Android phones and tablets - which gives you access to view the shaded relief imagery. Just be aware that the accuracy of your phone or tablet’s GPS is not as accurate as a dedicated plotter, or better still, one with the Point-1 antenna combined. With the Lowrance phone app closing off the list of Ultimate Fishing System features I’ll be utilising in this year’s Sea Angling Classic, it just leaves me to wish all competing anglers the very best of luck. Tight lines everyone. See you out there. n ADAM KIRBY

LOWRANCE AMBASSADOR

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

RAPALA & DYNAMITE ... PROUD SPONSORS OF SAC

Creating Sufix’s Recycline Monofilament – The World’s First 100 % Recycled Fishing Line 100 % recycled. 100 % recyclable. The first of its kind. Recycline Monofilament by Sufix is made from what others have left behind – and judging by the product’s popularity, the angling community is ready to embrace the new, sustainable direction for the sport. Pioneering is never easy. There are no trodden paths to follow. No giants’ shoulders to stand on. Only unknown. Pioneering, by definition, requires doing what none have done before. When Sufix started developing Recycline Monofilament, the world’s first 100 % recycled monofilament fishing line, it took about two years until the product that had

once been a sketch on the PD table was ready to hit the shelves in the Spring of 2021. It’s no wonder that Taneli Väisänen, Rapala VMC’s Research and Sustainability Manager, is quick to point out that creating products like Recycline Monofilament is no walk in the park. “There are so many things to consider – starting from the acquisition of the right raw materials. We’re known for the high quality of our products, and that’s something we won’t compromise upon,” Väisänen points out. Indeed, when designing Recycline Monofilament, one of the critical steps was finding the right raw materials. There are many recycled materials already available on the market, but most of them are limited to textile products. And with Recycline Monofilament, the performance had to be on point – the product had to have the perfect viscosity and the same reliability as other monofilaments. After excessive research and extrusion tests, the group found the right candidate. Econyl is a regenerated nylon manufactured by the Italian synthetic

ECO

Amazing things can fibers and polymers company Aquafil. The company has found a way to harvest industrial and post-consumer waste – such as ghost nets lying in the ocean – and purify it into a regenerated nylon. In an industryfirst partnership, Aquafil agreed to provide Sufix an exclusive supply of the regenerated nylon. And from Econyl, Sufix was able to manufacture Recycline Monofilament. Wrapped around a spool made 100 % from repurposed plastic, Recycline Monofilament is packaged in fully recycled paperboard packaging – to show the group is taking no half measures when it comes to sustainability. This is a feat Väisänen calls “a truly remarkable step.” When talking about Recycline Monofilament, Väisänen points out that the product is not only a fishing line anglers can depend on but also a token of Rapala VMC’s commitment to the group’s sustainability goals. “This is something concrete.

WARRIORS

happen when two leading brands wage war on waste. .

Something that anglers can hold in their hands. A high-quality product produced in an environmentally friendly manner,” Väisänen says. “When it comes to sustainability, it’s so easy to string pretty words together and tell beautiful stories about the environment. But what we have here is a product that is part of the solution. A concrete action for a more sustainable tomorrow.” Indeed, Recycline Monofilament aligns well with Rapala VMC’s new sustainability strategy. Launched in 2020, the strategy lined out the group’s ambitious target: to be one of the leading fishing tackle company in terms of sustainability in 2024. The bar is set high, but for a good reason. Rapala VMC ranks among the biggest players in the industry, and the group is ready to leverage its position and lead the industry towards a more sustainable direction. At the same time, the company is pushing itself to keep exploring new and sustainable alternatives to traditional materials and methods. And, as Väisänen points out, the group is taking other remarkable steps in implementing the sustainability strategy. “For example, all the Rapala hard bait production units in Europe are running on 100 % renewable energy! And many of our lures – like the CountDown Elite – are lead-free and made from responsibly sourced, FSCcertified balsa wood,” Väisänen explains. “For us, sustainability is an ongoing process. We’re extending our new sustainability strategy to business units step by step and looking at our products with a critical eye to see if there’s anything we can do to make them more ecological.” It’s products exactly like Recycline Monofilament that make sustainable choices easier for anglers. And now, Rapala VMC has made recognizing those choices even simpler. With the launch of EcoChoice, the group’s trademark for sustainable products, Rapala VMC is distinguishing its ecological products – products just like Recycline Monofilament. Because, as Väisänen so aptly points out: “Angling is not only about the thrill of the catch. It’s also about exploring, preserving, and respecting the outdoors.”

As anglers, we often like to think of ourselves as the guardians of the waterways and coastal fisheries. After all, our way of life is completely reliant on nature’s wellbeing. But when it comes to where we get our products from – and how they are made – we are miles behind some of the other outdoor industries in terms of being environmentally friendly. That’s why the innovative team at Rapala VMC has decided to do something about it! 2022 will see the launch of EcoChoice, Rapala VMC’s very own eco-label. The label is being headed by Rapala VMC’s Research & Sustainability Manager Taneli Väisänen, who’s involved in everything sustainable in Rapala VMC. And lately, he has been overseeing then project that will play a significant role in the company – and hopefully, the angling world’s future. “When we were working on our company-wide sustainability strategy, we set different goals for all our brands. But we felt like something was missing – something that extends across all our brands and is, quite literally, tangible to the angler. That got us thinking: what if we had a corporate-wide label to help anglers make sustainable choices?” Taneli recounts. That’s how EcoChoice, the fishing tackle industry’s first-ever sustainability label, was born. A pioneering step for the industry, the label is Rapala VMC’s commitment to change. Found on the packaging of EcoChoicelabeled products, the trademark is designed to act as a signifier of a highquality product manufactured with responsible raw materials. “EcoChoice is our promise of a better tomorrow. And when you choose an EcoChoice product, you’re contributing to that tomorrow yourself. Simply put, EcoChoice stands for a sustainable product,” Taneli explains. But what does ´sustainable’ exactly

Rapala & Dynamite launch ‘Eco’ label as the brands promote sustainability

We plan to conduct a thorough sustainability check for our brands each year, maybe even twice a year

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

RAPALA & DYNAMITE ... PROUD SPONSORS OF SAC

ECO WARRIORS

Amazing things can happen when two leading brands wage war on waste. . mean? With the word getting thrown around every so often, a definition is in order. Or, in this case, definitions. “Since EcoChoice is a company-wide label, we had to define what an ‘ecological product’ is. And then we had to do that for other brands, as well!” Taneli tells. “Let’s take a Rapala hard bait for an example. A wooden bait consists of numerous components: wood, weights, and diving lip. We reviewed each of those components and explored ways of making them more ecological. At the end of the process, we have a hard bait with a core made of FSC-certified balsa wood, leadless weights, and a diving lip made of either recycled or bio-based plastic – in a package that is recyclable or completely plastic-free. Only after meeting those requirements, it can be called an EcoChoice product.” And then that process was repeated for other brands – since every brand is different. Now, Rapala VMC has laid out the EcoChoice prerequisites for Rapala, Dynamite Baits, and Marttiini. The requirements set by the company include other certificates, as well, since EcoChoice is designed to complement, not replace, well-established eco-certificates. And, as the sustainability strategies for other brands come along, so will the EcoChoice criteria. But the requirements won’t be set in stone. Quite the opposite.

For Dynamite its not just about the new recyclable packing being introduced to their ranges but also the brand’s choice of ingredients which are all fully certified and purchased with the environment in mind.

The brand who’s HQ is based in Nottingham, UK is also like their parent company Rapala, aiming to go carbon neutral in the next few years and have introduced a raft of recent changes on-site including solar power, LED lighting and improved waste management. “We plan to conduct a thorough sustainability check for our brands each year, maybe even twice a year. That also provides us the opportunity to review and update our EcoChoice requirements. This, in turn, will also guide our product development. Our current goal is to have approximately 30 % of all our brands’

products EcoChoice-labeled – in the future, we hope to get that number even higher,” Taneli explains. For Rapala VMC – and, especially for Taneli – all this means a lot of extra work. While it’s no secret that manufacturers and retailers are getting more and more eco-conscious, Taneli points out that EcoChoice is not meant as a competitive advantage and will not affect the prices of the products whatsoever. Instead, it is the company’s way of safeguarding the future of the sport. “Angling is one of the few hobbies completely reliant on nature’s wellbeing. Without healthy waters, there is no fishing. In my opinion, EcoChoice is a sign of goodwill from us. It’s not market-driven; it’s our contribution to ensuring that the upcoming generations can enjoy angling the way we have,” Taneli says.

Ultimately, EcoChoice is more than a sustainability label for Rapala VMC – it’s a paradigm shift for the company, a mentality that guides different sustainability initiatives across the Group.

Among these initiatives are the EcoChoice Challenge that encourages employees to propose ways of making their place of work more sustainable, or the EcoChoice Program that drives societal change and contributes to the wellbeing of waterways. Taneli points out that initiatives like these are just the first steps on a long journey. “We aren’t taking any high roads here. We still have a lot to learn, and if there’s something we could be doing better, feel free to call us out! Our annual sustainability report is published on our website so that everyone can see it – because, without accountability, there’s no progress. For us, sustainability is a life-long journey of constant improvement.”

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

EcoChoice is our promise of a better tomorrow. When you choose an EcoChoice product, you’re contributing to that tomorrow yourself

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC Background to a local hero .. Growing up by the sea in his home town of Portsmouth, Dan has been fishing since the late 80s. His father, Bob Sissons introduced him to sea fishing and he soon became an active, junior member of Southsea Sea Angling Club, where he developed his angling career from both boat and shore. Most recently, Dan has become smitten with modern lure fishing techniques and has an ethos to maximise the enjoyment from all species big and small. While predominantly still a saltwater angler, Dan’s fascination with lure angling has seen his skills transition over to the freshwater competition scene, culminating in second place in the grand final of the 2015 British Lure Angling Championships, fished by 60 of the country’s best lure anglers. Dan has also won the coveted Species Hunt section of the Cornish Lure Festival. Dan is a contributor to the UK’s largest sea angling publication, Sea Angler.

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DAN SISSONS ... A GAME OF TWO HALVES

BREAMS CANCOME TRUE Forgive me for starting my column in a magazine that shines a light on sea angling and the biggest sea fishing event the UK has ever seen with a few words on another love of mine, football. It may come as no surprise that as a Pompey fan I am a strong advocate of the phrase ‘going to football has nothing to do with football’. You may well be confused, but I’ll explain: Going to football is about a shared experience, meeting up with mates, a little bit of meaningless drama that adds some excitement and offers something to look forward to throughout the working week and at least this, for the most part is how I feel about it. However, every now and again there’s a proper game, under the lights at Fratton park a game that has some real meaning, gets the adrenaline flowing and dominates the days before and after. Fishing is no different (told you I’d get to the fishing bit), as it’s a pastime for most that gives us a reason to beat through that working week, spend a day on the water with friends and grab a beer afterwards. Fishing is often nothing to do with fishing, indeed some of the best days afloat hold memories that don’t involve fish. As with football it’s the shared memories, the preparation, pure escapism. But … now and again, a competition with some real meaning, bragging rights and serious prizes comes around and for me, a Pompey lad, the Sea Angling Classic is akin to Fratton park under the lights at the business end of the season and as with any big game the pressure is starting to build, because someone reading this will be crowned champions. Two days of full-on competition fishing is about to begin and the stakes couldn’t be higher. This isn’t escapism and the beers will hopefully be consumed while celebrating a memorable win. Having lived on this little island for over forty years I like to think I know a little bit about the

place. Most of what I know is far too dull for a glossy magazine though, such as Portsmouth being the birthplace of Amanda Holden or that Wayne Sleep was the celebrity in attendance when the Hayling ferry was reopened. No, this place is for fish, fishing and the love of fish and fishing! I can tell you where Goldsinny live if you’re interested? I could tell you the right time of the year to find Allis Shad or that how I have developed a knack of knowing what state of tide suits targeting Sea-Scorpions on lures and yes, these are all very useful facts, but they’re only things I have learned as a result of spending an unhealthy amount of time wandering about the

Bream look great, they fight hard and can often be found in shallow water

shoreline or indeed racing around in boats in, on, or certainly within sight of Portsmouth. These little snippets of info make me care about the water that surrounds and defines Portsmouth. If more people shared this love and curiosity of the sea then I’m sure we would see less rubbish and general ambivalence towards the coastline. I may be old fashioned, but I still believe that anglers are the guardians of the water – we rely upon it for what we do – and whilst I understand that it’s not for everyone we, as anglers, should make a bigger deal of what can offer a community because if we don’t bang our own drum no one else will do it for us. I am so pleased that the Sea Angling Classic will

not just take place in my home town but also show the local populous that we can play a big part in the protection of the marine environment, the beach clean is a very visible aspect of this. All environmental impacts aside the winners of SAC will be the ones that successfully manage to locate and catch the target fish and my ‘patch’ doesn’t want for ground to find these fish. I have heard of potential record breaking specimens of both Tope and Smoothounds that have been caught and released over the years and June is a particularly good month to get that monster. Rays will present a different challenge, as these bottoms dwelling members of the shark family differ from species to species and we have lots to

choose from. Spotted, Small-Eyed, Undulate, Thornback and Blonde Rays are all available and there are even a few more rarities. I suspect that the Blonde rays may be on the list of a few competitors as they’re comfortably the biggest around of those that are likely to be caught and here’s where the catch and release format really pays off as I haven’t wanted to keep a Ray for many years now-they’re just too cool! We have had something of a population explosion in recent years of a fish that anglers and diners covet and that’s the Bass. Thanks to some stringent regulations and some blind luck we can now “walk to the Isle of Wight” on the

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

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DAN SISSONS ... A GAME OF TWO HALVES backs of Bass as my old friend and charter boat skipper Pete Kilshaw would phrase it. So, if you’re not sure where the Bass are then just follow the big yellow boat and the sound of the squeeze-box as that’s like catnip to our silver friends. Last but certainly not least is by far my favourite fish on our list this year and that’s the Black Bream. Sadly we have seen a very slight downturn locally in the past few years but they will still around in numbers even if it’s not the 4lb+ specimens that we used to see more of. While this competition may not be the best time to really scale the tackle down and enjoy some wonderful fun catching Bream, I’m sure some visiting anglers will return to spend a few days Bream-ing as everything about them epitomises what angling, for me, is about. Bream look great, they fight hard and can often be found in shallow water so tick all the boxes for light line boat fishing and we’re lucky to have them. I hope a little more is done to protect their fragile breeding grounds. I cannot divulge too much more info for fear of giving away some key secrets, but needless to say I am looking forward to catching up with some friends old and new amongst the hullabaloo that will be SAC22. I know that Portsmouth will be a great host and I’m confident that the fishing grounds where I have spent the last 45 year playing in will give up some of its secrets. Best of luck to everyone that is taking part, I hope you are just 1cm behind me and my teammates!!! n DAN SISSONS

Ever fancied having a go at fishing but don’t know where to start? Here’s my five tips to get you going. 1

Start small

To get the basics of fishing in place target the smaller fish that hug the coastline. There are literally dozens of species well within reach of the novice and experienced angler alike. Light Rock Fishing is the perfect place to start with light rods, small reels and you’ll only need a small bag to carry your tackle. Anglers can dip in and out for a few hours at easily accessible places like piers and jetties so it’s safe for kids. Hone your knot-tying skills and fish care while safely on dry land and learn about tides and weather – this will all pay off and the best part is that LRF is all about imitation baits or ‘lures’ so you don’t need to get involved in the smelly bait just yet!!

Tackle.

Weather.

The Sea angling classic is focusing on five species from the bigger Tope to the small Bream and different rods, reels, line and terminal tackle will be needed to efficiently fish for each species. General fun fishing is no different, so get the right tools for the job and balance your outfit to suit what you do. Feeling the ‘bite’ and enjoying the capture is only achievable if your tackle is balanced correctly and if you start off with the small species you will learn really quickly that the more you feel the more you catch. This seems obvious but if you’re feeling cold and miserable you won’t fish well and this can also be the same with fish. On warm summer days fish will be more active and more likely to want a moving bait or maybe a lure to chase. A sudden cold spell will slow the fish down and can sometimes shut them down altogether so you may need to let your baits soak a little longer. If you get enough hours in different conditions you’ll instinctively know how to best approach your chosen target depending on the weather conditions.

Location, Location, Location

The sea is a big place and an hour spent in the right place is worth ten wasted in the wrong place, so take time to study the charts. Lowrance and Navionics both have resources available as apps and you can see where the water is deep or shallow, where the structure is as well as tidal flow. Anglers have never had so much up-to-date information at our finger tips so take advantage and plan ahead. Just as important is time spent on the water to watch the Terns and Gulls, note the ebb and flow of the tide and affect this has Competitions on the fish. With enough time the Whether it’s a few friends meeting up for a conditions and the fish will start to friendly comp, a local club event on a boat or beach tell you what to do. No time with a or a full on tournament you will learn so much from rod in your hand is wasted. competing. Watching how the winners win is invaluable information and don’t be intimidated as we have all started at the bottom. Most anglers are happy to share information freely and there’s a camaraderie in a competition that can help tease out hints and tips from even the most seasoned competition anglers.

and finally .. use your local resources to help

you out. Local tackle shops, fishing clubs, charter boats and online groups are all great places to get new and experienced anglers together to share information. Most (not all!!) men and women that love our sport will love nothing more than to talk about angling so listen and learn. Most importantly be safe, no fish is worth a risk. I hope to see you on the beach or boat soon. Find. Fun. Fishing.

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OKUMA ... THE MAKAIRA SERIES

A TROLLING REEL WITH THE DURABILITY, STRENGTH AND POWER TO TAME ANY FISH THAT SWIMS IN THE OCEAN! 106

MAKAIRA MULTIPLIER REEL ..

TOURNAMENT DRAG ..

Nothing shows up the weaknesses in any reel like Big Game fishing, and the four cornerstones of any weakness lie in Design, Drive, Drag and Durability. Okuma embraced and addressed these four cornerstones and it’s multi-national design team, in cooperation with Tiburon Engineering, set out to reinvent the offshore reel, and the two-speed Makaira series is the result. A trolling reel with the durability, strength and power to tame any fish that swims in the ocean. Okuma’s flagship reel!

The Makaira’s drag really is something behold. The TDC or “Tournament Drag Cam” is designed with a more gradual ramp in the cam system that is intended for anglers fishing light line and toumament IGFA line classes. The standard cam that is installed in the Makaira reels is engineered to be compatible with braided line and offers aggressive drag ramps in order to output heavy drag ratings. Makaira’s are engineered to output extreme drag pressure, but this is not required by all anglers.

REACHFOR THEMAX

Okuma had one goal in mind when designing the Makaira Series and that was to build every component to withstand the pressures of harsh environments

These reels have been designed to offer customization and with the TDC cam system, Okuma is offering anglers a reel that is versatile for a wide range of fishing applications, allowing a more gradual increase in drag settings. The drag system was specifically engineered to be mounted in the right side of the spool in order to bring all the mechanical workings closer together to maximize alignment and durability. The Makaira 2 (gold) version is available in a variety of sizes from 16,000 up to a monster 130,000 and with topless or crossbar frame options.

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

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OKUMA ... THE MAKAIRA SERIES

REACHFOR THEMAX

A Reel for life ..

REACH FOR THE MAX ..

Like it’s sister multiplier version, Makaira spinning reels are derived from the Okuma 4D Concept which focuses on Design, Drive, Drag and Durability. Constructed from the finest materials available, these reels truly are the toughest and most durable reels an angler can own. A Ferrari of the reel world! Whilst Makairas are developed to pursue big game fish like Giant Trevally, trophy-sized tuna or large sharks they are still light and responsive enough to tame smaller species like big rays, congers and hounds too making them a great allrounder!

The Makairas feature a forged stainless steel, machined MaxGear. While most reels in this category feature bronze, aluminium or machine-cut stainless steel gears, Okuma’s Makaira reels feature the only machine-cut forged stainless steel main gear. The brand ported the main gear and incorporated other design elements to keep it light weight enough to fish all day. The reel also features a unique high output drag that can achieve extreme max pressures over 65-lbs, and this can be easily adjusted to suit the species you are after!

OCEAN PROOF .. Engineered to withstand the most brutal conditions the ocean can offer Okuma accomplished this, by equipping the Makaira series with 23 different oilretaining o-rings and gaskets. Their engineers made this reel impervious to the elements, and by making it water tight, all the internal mechanisms are sealed and protected from salt. The result is the best-of-the-best when it comes to big game fishing reels. Makaira spinning reels are available in left and right-handed versions in 10,000, 20,000 and 30,000 sizes. If you want a reel that will last you a lifetime ask at your local Okuma stockist for availability. n

MAKAIRA SPINNING REEL FEATURES .. n Forged aluminum, machine cut

n Carbonite high output drag with

n Machined aluminum, 2-tone

n Forged aluminum, machine cut

n Customized pre-set drag system,

n Machined aluminum screw-in

body/sideplate

Cyclonc Flow rotor n Forged stainless steel main gear for ultimate power and strength n Precision machine cut 17-4 grade stainless steel pinion gear n Oversized 17-4 grade stainless steel spool shaft reduces flex n Hydro Sealed Body and DFD system for maximum protection

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Cal’s drag grease on full DFD

works like a lever drag reel n 9HPB + 1RB corrosion resistant stainless steel bearings n Dual anti-reverse system for maximum strength and reliability n Quick-Set stainless steel German anti-reverse roller bearing n CRC: Corrosion-resistant coating process

anodized spool with LCS lip

handle arm for added strength

n Right and Left handles are

designed differently: Order by Rt/Lt

n Heavy duty, solid aluminum bail

wire with manual trip function

n Rotor brake system works in

conjunction with manual bail trip

n Machined aluminum handle knob:

Custom options available

Visit Okumafishing.com

THE RESULT IS THE BEST-OFTHE-BEST WHEN IT COMES TO BIG GAME FISHING REELS

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

SEAKEEPER .. PROUD SPONSOR OF THE SAC

STEADYAS SHEGOES

Seakeeper eliminates up to 95% of boat roll, changing your experience on the water ... once you feel it, you’ll never boat without it

The Sea Angling Classic is the first of its kind in Europe, and Seakeeper is excited to be the official stabilizer partner for the tournament. In competitive fishing, you often go out in less than ideal sea conditions. Many of our most passionate customers are anglers who rely on Seakeeper to keep them stable even in the roughest conditions. As we always say, Seakeeper helps you fight the fish, not the roll.

What does the Seakeeper do? The Seakeeper is designed to eliminate up to 95% of boat roll on vessels 23 feet and up. It requires modest electrical power, has no outside appendages, and can be installed virtually anywhere on board. Since coming to market in 2008, Seakeeper has revolutionized recreational boating by making it more accessible and enjoyable for everyone. The company now supports nearly 20,000 customers on the water worldwide.

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

How Does Seakeeper Work?

Inside a vacuum-enclosed sphere, a steel flywheel spins at speeds of up to 9,750 rpm. When the boat rolls, the Seakeeper tilts fore and aft (precesses), producing a powerful gyroscopic force to port and starboard that counteracts the boat roll.

Does Seakeeper Work on Your Existing Boat?

In most cases, the answer is YES, you can put a Seakeeper on your boat! With our global dealer network, there are expert installers nearby that are equipped with the knowledge and skill to refit almost any boat with a Seakeeper. Nearly 25% of our sales are refits, and we’ve completed more than 3,000 individual refits already. So, there’s a good chance we’ve already refit your boat make/model. With many builders now taking Seakeeper into account when designing their new models, refitting is getting easier every day.

Can you option a new boat with a Seakeeper? Purchasing a Seakeeper for your new boat is also a great option. Seakeeper is partnered with nearly every major boat manufacturer globally, who offer Seakeeper as either standard or optional equipment for new boats.

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DIVE DEEP FOR THE

TREASURE YOU SEEK

MERMAID GIN

ooted in the natural landscape of a unique island, the Isle of Wight Distillery creates premium, hand-crafted spirits, working in connection with nature. The distillery’s signature spirit, Mermaid Gin, delivers a smooth yet complex blend of fresh organic lemon zest and peppery grains of paradise, with a hint of sea air from locally foraged, fragrant rock samphire. This coastal botanical, wild-foraged from the island’s cliffs, is known locally as ‘mermaid’s kiss’. Being plastic-free, the distillery proactively strives to protect the environment, supporting seagrass meadow restoration projects locally and overseas. Ingredients are ethically sourced or wild-foraged, with the Mermaid and HMS Navy Strength ranges inspired by the

SEA ANGLING CLASSIC

ocean and island’s natural elements. We are delighted to be involved with the Sea Angling Classic, with our maritime heritage and our dedication to protecting our coastline by restoring seagrass around our island home. We will be actively supporting the run up to the event as well as being involved in the competition in June. With our support we will be providing a selection of prizes for individual winners including a visit to the Isle of Wight Distillery, the home of Mermaid Gin on the Isle of Wight which will include a tasting of our signature spirits, plus a choice of delicious food from our Mermaid Bar, all hosted by Malcolm, our Sales Director. For individual categories we will also be supplying Mermaid Gin for the lucky winners.

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

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JAMES MASDEN... PENN PRO TEAM MEMBER

Putting Penn through it’s paces Why do I use PENN? As a saltwater angler I choose PENN because they are high performing products which have been designed and tested by some of the best anglers in the world. In fact, every product in the PENN range has gone through a vigorous testing process which allows constant improvements in each generation of their fishing equipment. The PENN products I use are not only built for salt water purposes, they have also been designed for catching big fish, which means they will not let me down when I hook into something special.

What are my favourite products? Seeing as I’m such a big fan of PENN products it is difficult to pinpoint an exact favourite. Personally I love all the new products which have been improved and updated. What I will say, I like the fact that many of the products in the PENN range are so strong and versatile. Take the new Penn Slammer IV for example; you could see me bass fishing from the beach with this reel one day and then battling with a tope from a boat the next. PENN have also just released a new range of luggage which is also worth a mention. Within the new luggage range you will find a very useful carry-all that is big enough to fit in everything needed for a day’s fishing on the boat. The carry-all has a reinforced base, they are waterproof and have saltwater resistant zips. I also love the new PENN Waterproof Rollup bag, ideal for all of your more delicate equipment like cameras and mobile phones.

How does PENN help me? Strong and reliable are two key words which spring to mind when I am fishing with PENN. Seeing as I am a very keen saltwater angler, who goes fishing all of the time, ultimately I need fishing equipment that won’t let me down. A lot of hours on the water means I really do put all of my fishing equipment through its paces and in the past I’ve found saltwater can quickly erode inferior products. I think fishing reels take the brunt of the abuse caused by saltwater and PENN reels have been designed to cope with this very well. In my mind, the saltwater sealed ball-bearings and carbon fibre drag systems found in PENN reels are second to none. Add to that PENN is now using CNC gearing technology which has added even more strength and precision to their reels. At the end of the day, I need fishing equipment which is fit for purpose, strong enough to handle whatever the sea throws at me and that is why I choose PENN.

I need equipment which is strong enough

allabout James.. As a Pro Team Member at Penn Fishing, James concentrates all of his time into saltwater fishing and has a keen eye for the correct tackle choices. His main stomping ground is the Bristol Channel where specimen hunting is a firm favourite, however, he also travels around the United Kingdom as a keen match angler, which when combined gives him a very diverse range of sea angling skills. The highlight of his angling career so far was fishing for England in the World Pairs at the 2019 World Angling Games in South Africa where he came home with the bronze medal. Boat and shore, James enjoys and has experience in many different forms of sea fishing – from lighter beach work to much heavier disciplines over rough ground.

to handle whatever the sea throws at me and that is why I choose PENN

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FISHING 13... PROUD EVENT PARTNERS OF THE SAC

NEW KIDS ON TH

The US are famous for their innovation and quality of products when it comes to predator fishing. One of the latest brands to arrive on UK and European shores from across the pond is the super trendy 13 Fishing

Featuring some featurepacked and stylish baitcaster reels and a variety of fast action lure rods that have been earning plaudits from those who have already discovered them, the brand caters for both freshwater and saltwater anglers alike. 13 Fishing offers a variety of choice from hi-end reels like the groundbreaking Concept Z SLD baitcaster with is SLIDE cast control system to more affordable options such as the origin with its smooth operation and handy features. For rods

there are so many choices of lengths and casting weights across the models which cover everything from the hi-end lure angler to the middle market and those who just want an affordable but good-looking, nice actioned rod. For saltwater lure anglers the Concept TX, Inception Z and Origin TX reels are designed to survive the rigours of sea fishing whether that be using on a boat or for LRF’ing. These cool looking green coloured reels are super-durable and packed with innovation. However, showcasing the

company’s unique flair for engineering gone wild, 13 Fishing’s best-selling Concept Z reel is the one that has really rocked the industry and raised the bar for innovation. ”The Concept Z SLD showcases the level of bold innovation that our team is bringing to the sport,” says Matt Baldwin, 13 Fishing’s Director of Product Development. “In the Gen 1 design, we challenged the idea that reels need ball bearings to deliver elite performance. We wanted to take that innovation to the next level.”

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HE BLOCK And that is exactly what 13 Fishing did. Adds Baldwin: “The Concept Z SLD features a 20lb drag system with six-fold durability when compared to carbon fibre. We also developed a new 100% corrosion-proof cast iron carbon material to create a super-lightweight chassis.” For saltwater fans the company also cater with rod ranges. All three ranges Muse, Defy and Rely include saltwater spinning models, they are easy to identify by the letter ‘S’ next to their name. The Defy for example,

is the perfect example of a dynamic combination of casting performance and fighting ability rely on the reactive Japanese 24T blank equipped with Fuji Fazlite guides. With a very wide range of lengths and actions that will provide Sea bass anglers the ultimate in this long casting technique. Untamed performance for all midsized saltwater species give you the option of soft or hardbaits. If you are on the market for some new lure gear this kit is well worth a look. Prepare to be wowed.

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REUBEN HEATON.. TOTAL WEIGHING SOLUTIONS Both weights and lengths are at the mercy of time and must be recorded within the correct time frame Reuben Heaton has been the official weights and measures sponsor for Angling Spirit events for more than twenty-five years now and when it comes to competition fishing in particular, we know that it’s all about the length and weight. Weighing and measuring fish is what Reuben Heaton is best known for. From the humblest of pocket measures and spring balances to high performance match scales and officially calibrated competition measures, from highly accurate Specimen Hunter analogue dial scale to the latest in digital technology with its 7000 and 9000 series digital scales. The Reuben Heaton brand is synonymous with weighing and measuring products that provide the reliability and performance to handle a personal best catch or weigh in at world class events and perform under pressure when thousands of pounds can rest on a few grams or centimetres. With most leading events now introducing bass tournament style rules on fish catches, runaway marks no longer steal the show. The chance of success is now a much wider one and most competitors have that opportunity rather than the few who have found better locations. With this change in event format, it has become ever more likely that overall weights and measurements will be close right to the final whistle. Reuben Heaton provides many topclass events with highly accurate calibrated fish measures that perform the same role as its legendary scales in terms of length measurement. Whereas coarse anglers talk in kilo’s or pounds, sea anglers converse in meters and centimetres, or maybe feet and inches if you are older or hail from the US. Events are won and lost on length and, because of the species involved and the angling styles employed, catches in such events often result in high numbers of smaller fish being caught. During such events, the recording of high multiples of catches down to the last centimetre or even less, puts forward its own logistical and physical challenges especially when measurements are being taken by competitors in different surroundings and those results have to be transferred by phone app to officials. Like the scales, the measures must perform well under use and, like the scales, Reuben Heaton made fish measures are gaining a similar reputation for going the distance, quite literally. One thing that you probably didn’t know however is that Reuben Heaton is very often the official timing sponsor for many local, national and international events. We know all too well that every gram or centimetre counts

when it comes to competition results, what we tend not to consider as a first thought though is that both weight and length count for nothing without the correct timing. Both weights and lengths are at the mercy of time and must be recorded within the correct time frame. Even when we hook into that fish of a lifetime seconds before the final whistle, the clock is ticking to make sure that fish is landed and recorded, weight or length-wise, within the correct time frame. Expanding on the traditional more visible role of weighing and measuring sponsor to include timing as well, has made the Reuben Heaton brand the definitive all-round weights and measures provider. The company first became involved in timing of events at the inaugural British Carp Angling championships (BCAC) over 20 years ago. Having developed a clock design based one of its more traditional aluminium match scales some years previously, the company inherited the role of time keeper for the BCAC

IT’SA WEIGHTING GAME

AS PROVIDERS OF ACCURATE FISH MEASURES, Angling Spirit has been relying on REUBEN HEATON FOR OVER 25 YEARS

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quite accidentally when it was approached to fulfil the role of official scales for both the BCAC and subsequent inaugural World Carp Classic. Fast forward to today and the latest incarnation of the Reuben Heaton clock is now available through retailers alongside the scales and calibrated measures. Based on the body work and interior design of Reuben Heaton’s highly successful 4000 Series analogue scale, the latest scale clocks come in Classic and Specimen Hunter formats, the latter mimicking our most successful specialist scale the Specimen Hunter know the world over.

Unlike earlier models, the 2022 clocks come compete with external hook and handle features as per the actual scale and are the perfect product to suit any man cave, anglers’ cabin, or club house. But enough of the sales pitch, the new 2022 scales clocks will be in action keeping time at the 2022 Sea Angling Classic event. The official clock sets ticking away at event headquarters, will be the ones that ultimately determine who found the time to win and who was slow off the mark. n ANDY RACE

DIRECTOR, REUBEN HEATON

it has become ever more likely that overall weights and measurements will be close right to the final whistle 119

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FOCUS ON . . OLIVIER PORTRAT

livier Portrat’s biography reads like something from the pages of a David Livingstone memoir. He has led expeditions to 45 countries including a year spent on the Nile, four years on the Ebro in Spain, testing the waters in Patagonia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Iran and let’s not forget to mention the Amazon. All this, to satisfy his passion for recreational fishing and his commitment to animal welfare, nature conservation and the preservation of the way of life of indigenous peoples, such as the nomads in Mongolia. For over 30 years, he has documented these worldly experiences through photography, the written word and TV production, both as protagonist and director. This love of angling and photography go hand in hand and has helped to fund his obsession – nobody has published as many photos on recreational fishing as Olivier has – over 600 shots in some of the most wellknown angling and non-angling publications including National Geographic, FHM, Men’s Health and, surprisingly, Penthouse.

Captured.. Olivier with a pike in Laponia, northernmost Sweden (above) and a more relaxed shot taken in a remote base-camp, Mongolia (right)

Born in Saarbrucken, Germany, Olivier studied law at the University of Saarland and went on to become an IT consultant, translator (he speaks more than three languages) and journalist. It was during 1989 Portrat began putting his fishing, journalistic and photography skills to the test – not only in Europe, but worldwide and by 1992 made the decision to

leave the IT world behind him and make his living through documenting his recreational angling experiences through Angling magazines, books and film productions … needless to say, this has been hugely successful. He now spends six to eight months a year following his passion and sharing his discovery of new venues, new fishing techniques and new standards in both freshwater and sea predator angling. Olivier is a true believer in sport fishing working in harmony with nature – and vehemently fights for water and species protection. He also supports numerous initiatives that aim to preserve the habitat of the people who live and work on the banks of the waters. On his last expedition to Mongolia, he documented the appalling exploitation of nature and portrayed the changing lifestyle of the nomads there, which is largely endangered by the upcoming exploitation of the huge natural resources that have been discovered in the past years. It’s no surprise therefore, that in 2019 Olivier was elected CEO of EFTTA (European Fishing Tackle & Trade Association) and in this capacity he represents the interests of the European angling industry at the European Commission and the European Parliament in Brussels. In this interview with The World of Angling Spirit, Olivier explains his role as EFTTA CEO and his hopes on securing the future of angling in the best possible way. One can only be certain sport fishing couldn’t be in safer hands.

CALL OF THE WILD CEO OF EFTTA IS A MAN ON A MISSION

Olivier is a true believer in sport fishing working in harmony with nature – and vehemently fights for water and species protection.

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CALL OF THE WILD OLIVIER PORTRAT Q

Olivier, you have been travelling all over the world in quest of great sport-angling in the past 30 years. You made your living by publishing articles, photos, books, calendars on the subject of recreational angling. Nobody has published more photos worldwide on this topic than you, you are the father of over 600 cover-shots from all over the world. How does it come that you now invest your time and energy for EFTTA (European Fishing Tackle & Trade Association) in Brussels?”

I always tried to promote angling in the best possible way. On my photos, you do not see any blood or dead fish. I always wanted recreational angling to be considered as an activity that is modern and up to date. If we do not manage to do that, recreational angling will disappear rather soon. In Brussels, I now have the opportunity to promote that at a decisive European level. Together, with our colleagues from EAA (European Anglers Alliance), we do the lobbying work for us anglers. Lobbyists are usually people that – in exchange for money – promote the interests of thirds, not their own interests. If you are mean, you can qualify this as prostitution. With me, things are somewhat different, as the people I talk to in Brussels quickly notice that I really believe in what I’m saying. That gives us precious credibility. This is why the industry of recreational angling has chosen me to represent their interests in Brussels.”

Would you please explain to our readers what EFTTA actually represents and which (also political) functions it holds? The meaning and effect of the pan-European functionality of an association probably seems very far off for the individual angler.

EFTTA represents the interests of the European angling industry. The main focus of this work is to cooperate with the EU (Commission & European Parliament) in order to secure the long-term future of angling in the best possible way. This is important because the future of the angling industry has never been so threatened as it is today. These dangers are of political, economic and ecological nature. If the EU were to make appointments with private individuals, it would be suffocated in a confusing flood of appointments. Therefore, the EU is calling for interest groups to organize themselves into an association. This will provide a clearer overview of the

Life through a lens.. Olivier has photographed the wierd and the wonderful for over 30 years in over 45 countries situation. The positive aspect is that we anglers can also be heard in this way. But the same applies to our opponents. By listening to both sides, European decision-makers can get their own picture of the situation and thus make wellfounded decisions on this basis. Without our own association, we anglers would not be heard in Brussels. An association such as EFTTA is therefore essential for a sensible continuity of angling within the EU. In addition, EFTTA’s role is also to promote recreational angling in general. Therefore the EFTTA-Board is proud to have Ross Honey as a member: the angling events that Ross organizes here in Europe are amazing and up-top-date, they give angling a new & modern image. Moreover, Ross always makes efforts to integrate the youth in his events. I wish we could have more “events” like this in Europe …”

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

FOCUS ON . . OLIVIER PORTRAT

I want recreational angling to be considered as an activity that is modern and up to date. If we do not manage to do that, recreational angling will disappear rather soon

What is your assessment of the ecological situation of our planet and therefore the inevitably of the future situation for us sport fishermen, who are all dependent on ecology? So what do you think is a future-oriented, contemporary angling, if we want to include factors like climate change or environmental and habitat destruction in this vision?

The ecological situation of our planet is unfortunately disastrous. For 150 years we have been systematically overexploiting and raping nature – and now we are paying the price in the form of rapidly advancing climate change, among other things. On the part of EFTTA, we in Brussels are fighting for free migration routes in our rivers and are vehemently resisting additional waterway construction, while at the same time promoting the dismantling of power plants. But in the context of the nuclear phase-out and the search for “sustainable“ energies, thousands of new hydroelectric power projects are in the planning phase! For us at EFTTA, any hydroelectric power associated with damming is an ecological disaster and anything but sustainable. Massive, mostly agricultural caused insect losses make it difficult for many fish species to thrive. Invasive species, some of which are extremely protected (cormorants, otters!), make the situation even more difficult – unfortunately there are countless construction sites here too. I try to make myself heard by the decisionmakers in Brussels by always pointing out that we anglers have a vested interest in healthy biotopes, as only then can our angling sport be crowned with success. We anglers are nature conservationists and not nature users!”

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FOCUS ON . . OLIVIER PORTRAT

CALL OF THE WILD OLIVIER PORTRAT Q

The fishing industry itself seems to be developing rapidly, despite the crisis it has been called. It is estimated that the European fishing sector has a turnover of at least 20-25 billion euros a year (sea fishing alone generates 10.5 billion euros in turnover and 100,000 jobs within the EU – see the study by Kieran Hyder), and in the USA this figure could be quadrupled again. How can we make our hobby sustainable and naturefriendly?“

This is in our very own interest, today more than ever before, because the EU has declared war on plastic waste. We at EFTTA welcome this “war“ – it is unfortunately necessary. Whoever expresses a different opinion, I would ask them to ask their children about this issue and the answers regularly that such a “war” is essential. The youth of today are aware of this problem, often more so than the older generations ... Whenever possible, I urge the industry behind the angling business to be more ecological and “greener“ on its own initiative. Currently, research is underway to find out what percentage of the plastic waste in the European oceans we fishermen are responsible for. Unfortunately, these investigations are currently based on the number of pieces and not on the weight of the plastic found. If a 300 kilo synthetic fishing net is found on a beach (which professional fishermen often deliberately dispose of in the sea, because it is cheaper than any professional disposal!), then this amounts to as much in the statistics as a few centimeters of angling line! This is of course extremely unfair towards us anglers, that‘s what I am fighting against in Brussels. Would the plastic waste that we anglers dispose of - against our will! – be rated by weight when fishing, we would hardly appear in these statistics as waste producers at all. A plastic bottle contains far more plastic than what the average angler loses in his life in fishing line over getting snagged. No angler is out to lose his equipment, because he has to pay a lot of money for it! The EU Commission is currently working on a list of banned disposable plastics – the first edition became valid in June 2021. During winter 2019/20, plastic fishing line was suddenly on this list! It is important to know that not only nylon lines are made of plastic, but also braided lines are made of plastic-polymers. In short, if the plastic fishing line remains on this list and the list becomes legally binding after a vote in the European Parliament & Council, then the

Animal fights! Olivier wrestles with a crocodile on Rio Xingu use of modern fishing line would suddenly be banned throughout the EU, to which we anglers have no sensible alternative! That would be the end of fishing and for about 300.000 jobs in the EU! We have therefore made representations to the Commission and have convinced them to take plastic fishing line off this list of banned products. In return we promised that we will gladly give up plastic fishing lines as soon as we have a reasonable alternative (which does not exist yet!). This is only a stage win as the plastic line may be back on the banned list at some point – it is EFTTA‘s job to stay on top of it and stay on the ball. By underlining that the amount of plastic lures (Hard- & Softbait!) lost by anglers is insignificant compared with the quanties of plastic discarded in our waters, we avoided until now to see plastic lures on that list. Also other substances are in the scope of the commission – for example lead, but also additives for boilies & groundbait. I am a little less concerned about these issues as there are very environmentally friendly alternatives – for example soft plastic baits without plastisols and without other toxic substances (Phtalates, Bisphemols and so on…). As mentioned at the beginning, I am pushing “my” industry to become “greener” on its own initiative, even before any laws require us to do so. The echo is very positive – the proof is in the many environmentally friendly soft plastic baits that are now on the market, and many manufacturers now offer alternatives to lead.”

Q A

“What are the other topics that will keep you busy the next years?”

Oh, there are various “construction sites” for us, but these are the two I regard as the most important ones: Firstly, the so-called “CFP” is the “Common Fisheries Policy” of the European Union. This policy is there to find a fair and equitable way to share the resource “fish” that we have along our European coasts.

For the moment, the only stakeholders that are being listened to in this regard are the commercial fishers and the aquaculture industry. We from EFTTA have invested a lot of time and efforts into convincing the European Commission that in this regard, we recreational anglers should also be respected at equal footing with our commercial and aquaculture colleagues. Things develop in the right direction for us and I guess that we are on a good way to be treated as an equal stakeholder within the future “CFP”. Secondly, in frame of the current EUPrograms (Natura 2000, Biodiversity 2030) it is planned that 30% of the EU become “Protected Areas”. When I started my work in Brussels in 2019, we were regarded an “extractive activity” and it was therefore not foreseen that angling will be allowed within these future protected areas. That means that if we do not manage to convince the Commission that we are not an extractive activity, we would potentially lose 30% of our angling waters! This is why I kept underlining at every meeting with the Commission and at every event we organized and organize in the European Parliament (RecFishForum) that we are not an extractive activity! On the opposite of hunters, we are free to release our catch! That is a very modern aspect of angling that deserves to be underlined! Nothing has been decided, but due to catch & release we are not regarded as an extractive activity anymore and it looks good that we anglers will be welcomed to fish within these future protected areas. To me that is great news: we will soon have a quality of angling there that we never had before. Just 2 or 3 years after the establishment and implementation of these protected areas most fish stocks will recover significantly offering us better angling opportunities than ever before. Angling tourism will thrive, but also all the activities that go along with it: guiding services, boat rentals, accommodation of anglers and much more. It looks as if our industry will not be shrinking, but thriving in the future!”

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PLUS! FISH’N CANADA’S ANGELO VIOLA ON HOW HE TOOK ON TH

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D R O C RE ! S R E K BREA THEYSAY LIFEBEGINS AT30 ! WCC history was made last year as proud Poles Artur Butynski, Adam Zawistowski and Robert Jakimiuk not only set a new record for the competition but were the first to catch a carp over 30kg SEE PAGE: 154

HE FISH LORDS . . PLUS! WCC FULL COMPETITOR’S LIST 2022

If it was SO easy.. everyone would be doing it

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

STEVE HOWARD .. A BACKGROUND TO THE WCC

WORLD CARP CLASSIC

Such is its personal importance to me, I would dearly love to be able to claim that I took part in the inaugural World Carp Classic at Lac De Madine, but, in 1998, I had other commitments that prevented me from attending. That’s life, I guess, but nonetheless, I followed the event with great interest. I finally managed my first trip to fish at Madine in 2000, but not in the competition. I felt that I really needed to “cut my teeth” on a large inland sea before venturing into fishing it in a competition, up against some of the finest anglers on the carp scene. On paper, with almost 20 years carp angling under my belt at that time, I possibly should have had enough belief in myself. Although I had belief in my watercraft skills, I knew that the nature of competition angling turns that on its head. I was no newcomer to competition angling, however, although my previous experience was largely gained by way of beach and boat sea angling. In 1968, at the age of 16, I qualified for the heats of the Southern TV deep sea angling championship, and represented my Angling Club, finishing 18th out of 140 competitors (each of whom were club champions). A couple of years later I went on a run of 7 consecutive annual club championship wins, to further represent the club in the Southern TV events. I was completely hooked on competition angling by that time, and made it to the Southern TV final in 1980. In 1981, I took up carp angling more seriously and, although I was no stranger to freshwater angling, or carp, becoming more proficient in catching big carp presented a whole new learning curve for me. I finally entered the carping calendars biggest event in 2001 on the first edition of the WCC’s appearance at Lac de Amance. Arriving at the lake and seeing bivvy city for the very first time, walking shoulder to shoulder with some of the sport’s true legends, I was completely blown away by the experience and the electrifying atmosphere being generated was jaw dropping! As I was to discover, the excitement of that experience was not a one-off… in the early days of the event, It was often referred to as the “Madine buzz” but, the fact is, it happens every single year no matter where the event is held! I lack the words to adequately express the almost overwhelming emotions and excitement that taking part in the event breeds in everyone!

Lago Di Bolsena... Ardy Veltkamp dressed as a gladiator for the incredible parade through the town’s ancient pilgrim’s way! Lac de Madine is the spiritual home of the WCC, of that there is no doubt, but, the event and those participating in it carry that very same ambience to every venue that I have taken part in. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have taken part in the event on so many occasions. From Madine to Amance, to Lac D’orient and Lago Di Bolsena in Italy, I have accrued 15 appearances, and have been fortunate enough to go up onto the stage to collect prizes on several occasions. I am proud to say that I have been a section winner at Lac D’orient, twice, and Lago Di Bolsena and they came alongside one or two other prizes along the way.

By now, everyone recognises that Ross Honey absolutely adores flag parades… and boy have we enjoyed waving them! When representing your country in a huge international event such as the WCC, there is nothing that raises your awareness of its importance than parading your national flag. As spectacular as the many WCC parades have been (and many there have been!) the procession at Lago Di Bolsena was simply incredible! Who else but Ross could pull together such a spectacle? My good friends Ardy Veltkamp and Frank Warwick were respectively dressed as a gladiator and Roman legionnaire for the occasion, with Ardy in particular looking every bit the part whilst astride the original Chariot (used in the Benn Hur film) as it was spectacularly drawn by two feisty, snorting white stallions through the cobbled streets of the ancient pilgrim’s way! Ross is a visionary and a creative mastermind. With his enthusiasm and a penchant for creating memorable moments, he knows no bounds. “If you can think it, it can be done” is his motto, I’m sure! Beyond that, though, when all is said and done, Ross is unquestionably a philanthropist. His input over the years to create a legacy wherever he can that benefits others, is simply

astonishing. Ross has created environmental clean-up campaigns and more, to involve local communities in whatever way he can. Most impressive of all, Ross is very keen to encourage and involve the next generation of youngsters into angling, by creating events, funding foundations and supporting charities. The incredible evolution of the WCC has been nothing less than remarkable and a joy to see, but Ross will never consider it “job done”, and we should all know by now that the next rung is just one more step in the evolutionary ladder of the event. There are very few people throughout the entire history of angling who have contributed in a more succinct and meaningful way than Ross. Wholeheartedly, I thank Ross without reservation for the truly classic events that he stages! n STEVE HOWARD

It was often referred to as the “Madine buzz” but, the fact is, it happens every single year no matter where the event is held! 129

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LAC DE MADINE . .WCC HOST VENUE 2022

MAGNIFICANT MADINE

As the spiritual home of the World Carp Classic, Lac de Madine is up there as one of the favourites with carp anglers .. here’s a brief overview of this beautiful lake

This beautiful lake located at the border between Meurthe-et-Moselle and Meuse, sits within the Grand Est – a vast new region in France. Visitors are attracted to the area by the natural, unspoilt beauty of its surroundings and anglers are drawn by the fabulous fishing as this giant lake holds some fantasic carp. The geographical location of the Grand Est itself, which borders Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, and Switzerland, makes an interesting cultural melting pot which can be clearly seen in its architecture and tasted in its gastronomy. One of Madine’s noticeable landmarks is the Butte de Monstec, which sits on the highest point of Montsec, Meuse, overlooking the lake. The memorial, commemorates the achievements of US soldiers who fought in the region during the latter part of World War I. As you’re immersed in Madine’s unspoilt landscape, it’s easy to forget the savage history of the area and the 6,500 killed in action during the conflict, but the magnificant structure of the memorial that seemingly keeps watch from atop is a stark reminder of the events that took place here just over a century ago. If you’re curious to explore a little further afield, you don’t have to go far to experience some amazing sights. Just over 30km north of Lac de Madine is Metz Cathedral – a beautiful and majestic gothic structure built with yellow Jaumont limestone and studded with fantastic stained-glass windows that dates from the 13th century. Head south to Colmar and you’ll discover La Petite Venise, a town with many charming

Still waters run deep ... (inset picture) the Butte de Monstec war memorial; the view down the steps from the memorial to the magnificant water (above); Swans are common visitors to the lake as are beautiful fish; Metz Cathedral (far right) and La Petite Venise in Colmar (right).

hotels, restaurants and pastry shops and one of the best preserved old medieval towns in France. Apart from the canal connection, this picturesque district doesn’t resemble Venice at all, but it’s truly lovely in its own right – whether explored on foot or rowboat. But back to the fishing bit ... as every past participant who has fished on Lac de Madine knows, the lake holds some fantastic monster carp and in fact, now holds the World Carp Classic biggest fish record three times over. The first, a 28.9 kg carp caught by German angler Axel Wacker, was back in 2009. 10 years later in 2018, it was Austrians Jasmine Schuster and René Jauker who took the title with their monster of a 28.9kg. These remarkable catches have now been exceeded by the 2021 WCC Champions from Poland with an incredible 30.40kg mirror. As stunning as Lac de Madine is on the surface, you’ll be amazed at what lies beneath this huge lake’s hidden depths. n

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SHIMANO .. PROUD SPONSORS OF WCC

SHIMANO: CASTING A SPELL INTRODUCING THE NEW LONG RANGE ULTEGRA

The Ultegra XTE and XSE are based on Shimano’s best selling long range casting models and are set to redefine the midpriced long range reel market. Containing many of Shimano’s leading ‘long cast’ technologies, in sleek monochromatic bodies, these reels exceed expectations and are set to become best sellers throughout Europe.

Value that’s impossible to ignore . . Only Shimano has Super Slow Oscillation, which is reason enough for you to buy the Ultegra XTE and XSE. But consider all of the other technologies contained in these long range superstars and they are impossible to ignore. Not only will these reels enable you to cast further, they will also play fish better, last longer and look great on whatever rod you pair them with. If you are a carp angler and prefer dark ‘stealth-like’ colours go for the XTE, if you are a surfcaster, or prefer lighter colours, the ‘silver’ XSE should be your choice. Whichever you choose, you can be sure that you have made a great decision.

What’s it like inside?

OF N O I S R E V D REDESIGNE BEST SELLING SHIMANO’S ANGE REEL LONG R

Hidden inside the lightweight, rigid, CI4+ body of the Ultegra is a selection of Shimano’s most advanced technology. HAGANE Gear and X-SHIP combine with Infinity Drive and Silent Drive to deliver amazing smoothness and lightweight rotation. However, don’t be fooled. Put the Ultegra under pressure and it will produce all of the power you need, and more. And whilst the internal engineering is a work of art, it’s the casting performance that you will be buying this reel for.

The long range secret . . The Super Slow 5 Oscillation generates amazingly smooth line lay that is proven to reduce friction and increase casting potential. But there are other features that contribute too. Rigid Cast reduces spool deflection at the moment of release during a cast and Parallel Body sends the line at the perfect angle towards the first guide. And as the line flows over the lip

of the aluminium AR-C spool it ‘coils down’ to reduce friction. The result is casting brilliance never seen at such an affordable price.

perfectly with braid, mono and fluorocarbon lines, and reduce the line capacity, enabling you to load exactly the correct amount of line required. An interesting fact is that the spool reduces are so lightweight they actually weigh less than the line they compensate for.

No corners left uncut . .

Feel it, Believe it!

A matching spare spool is also supplied, and to aid efficient line loading, the new Ultegra XTE/ XSE is supplied with three spool reducers in 3500, 6000 and 10000 sizes. These fit securely onto the spool, work

To fully appreciate the new Ultegra you really do have to get your hands on one. You’ll immediately notice the lightweight construction, the modern understated graphics and the remarkable rotational smoothness. And

Not only will these reels enable you to cast further, they will also play fish better, last longer and look great on whatever rod you pair them with

don’t forget the Super Slow Oscillation that will give you spectacular casting performance. If you take your fishing seriously, Ultegra will give you the confidence to reach further than ever before.

ULTEGRA KEY FEATURES . . n HAGANE Gearing plus Infinity Drive, Silent

Drive and lightweight CI4+ Body n Remarkable value combining modern trends

with advanced technology n Available in black (XTE) and silver (XSE)

colours. Retail price €209,95.

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DARYL HODGES .. WELCOME TO MADINE

WORLD CARP CLASSIC

WISHING YOU ALL A

DYNAMITE EVENT

As 2022 unfolds it appears to be the start of normality in terms of events and covid – let’s hope so! One thing is for sure we have two great events from Angling Spirit to look forward to this year and on behalf of all the sponsors I’d like to extend a very warm welcome whether you are fishing the WCC this Autumn or the new exciting Sea Angling Classic in June. The SAC looks set to be a superb competition as hundreds of boats and anglers take to the water, battling for the main prize of a fantastic fishing boat along with bags of top fishing tackle! With a number of different species to target, knowing where to go and how to catch won’t be easy – I participated in the ‘trial’ event last year and can honestly say watching some of the top boat anglers and

how hard they had to work to catch fish like tope and rays in all conditions was an eye opener. One thing is for sure whoever wins the event will have deserved it, especially if the weather doesn’t play ball! When I heard Ross was organising an event for sea anglers - we just had to be involved! Across three of our major brands - Okuma, Rapala and 13 Fishing, we offer an array of sea angling products and this is a great opportunity to get closer to saltwater anglers and understand how we can work closer together. It’s certainly an event we are looking forward to very much. Carp fishing continues to be as popular as ever and its testimony to Ross and his team that the WCC continues as a sell-out event – now in its 24th year, and once again we are back on the banks of the mighty Madine. For Dynamite and Carp Spirit it’s a great arena to show and put to the test some of our latest products – this year the new Dynamite Belachan range and Tuna and Shrimp extract liquids will be of great interest to some. Carp Spirit

has a great new line up of reliable alarms – Blax and HD4 added to the range, which some of our team members will be hoping see plenty of action! The new Magnum 100 bivvy shelter is really something else – quick to erect and solid as a rock – very capable of combatting those strong winds that Madine is famous for! As always the WCC is a great opportunity for us and all the other brands to meet you and chat about everything carp - and anything and everything else related (or non-related!) and I look forward to seeing you all this Autumn. Finally, just to say good luck and tight lines to everyone involved in either of this year events. Looking forward to seeing who this year’s champions are! Best regards Daryl n DARYL HODGES Brand Marketing and Export Sales Manager

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PRIZE TABLE

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UP FOR GRABS . . 2022 WCC PRIZE TABLE

E L B A T E PRIZ M U MINIM AN ANGLING E B . . S U PL World Carp Classic 2021 Champions n Title: “Champion of the 2021 World Carp

Classic”. Trophies and a £15,000* cheque, n Plus! Unique golden Reuben Heaton scales n Plus! Sponsors’ prizes from .. Shimano Tribal; Lowrance; Bear Creeks; Nikel Carp Specialist; Dynamite/Carpspirit; Meus; PB Products; Cap River and Jochym Marine n Plus! A year of international PR and Marketing as the World Carp Classic Champions. Invitations to guest appearances at international anglings shows.

Second Overall winners

Third Overall winners n Trophies and a £2000* cheque n Plus! Sponsors’ prizes from .. Shimano

Tribal; Lowrance; Bear Xreeks; Nikel Carp Specialist; Dynamite/Carpspirit; Meus; PB Products; Cap River and Jochym Marine

n Trophies and a £3000* cheque

7 Section Winners

n Plus! Sponsors’ prizes from..

n Trophies and £2,000 in sponsors products

Shimano Tribal; Lowrance; Dynamite/ Carpspirit; Bear Creeks and more.

* For Dynamite prizes please follow the link to get details and T&C’s – link will be available later in the year * Cash prize based on pro-rata entry basis

2022 EVENT ITINERARY

EVENT FOR GOODIES E! EVERYON ill

icipant w Each part event n recieve a e itemand ti ra o v commem e Bag prizes Welcom rs by sponso provided

Friday 23rd September n 10:00: Bivvy City at Lac de Madine

Dynam ite Baits ‘No Fish Prize’ Any angle

enough to rs unfortunate week wil ‘blank’ during the lh be drawn ave a chance to £250 RRP at random to win * from the of Dynamite Bait ir full pro s d Competi uct range Web dra tors. w3w post-eve eeks nt.

! 0 0 0 , 0 7 £ ! OF AR E Y A OR F ND LEGE

opens its doors to welcome WCC18. (By sports hall at 55210 Heudicourt Sous Les Cotes) n 15:00 – 19:00: On-site Participants

Registration

Saturday 24th September n 09:00 – 18:00: On-site Participants Registration n 18:30 onwards: Pre event welcome party with catering and look back through the years with WCC family and friends

Sunday 25th September n 09:00 – 12:00: On-site Participants

Registration

n 16:00: Official Official Picture followed

by official Flag Parade

n 17:15: Official Opening Ceremony n 17:30: Official Peg Draw

Monday 26th September n 07:00: Anglers invited to go to their

swim

n 14:00: Start of the competition – 114

hours non stop (from WCC17 defending champions’ swim)

n 20:00: Broadcast of daily event up-

date

Saturday 1st October n 08:00: End of competition

Team Event CATEGORY First Place

Team Event Trophies Plus! Holiday at the Lake De Der Resort from Carp Connections.

Second Place

Team Event Trophies Plus! Holiday at the Lake De Der Resort from Carp Connections.

Third Place

WCC22 Biggest Fish Biggest Fish Trophy Plus! Dynamite products up to the retail value of £500 RRP*

n 14:00: Closing Ceremony followed by

Prize Giving.

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Team Event Trophies Plus! Holiday at the Lake De Der Resort from Carp Connections.

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WCC QUALIFYING EVENTS .. SOUTH AFRICA

THEDAM BUSTERS WORLD CARP CLASSIC

QUALIFIERS

Nailbiting stuff at the South African WCC Qualifiers, as It all came down to the last day between Molli & Wors and Team Fishing

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The World Carp Classic is one of the premier Carp Fishing events in the Carp Fishing World that takes place every year in Europe where almost every Carp Angling Country is represented.

In this tournament only the three biggest fish count which makes it very exciting and gives any team the opportunity to showcase their ability to single out only the biggest specimens in the lake. South Africa has a rich history of competing against the world in this prestigious tournament but have had to sit on the sidelines for the past two years during the Covid pandemic. Even Though we were not able to compete in France last year, we have had the privilege of hosting our local World Carp Classic South African Qualifier event at Roodekoppies Dam. The winner of the World Carp Classic SA Qualifier tournament secures his place in Team SA and wins a paid trip to France to compete against the rest of the world. This year’s opening ceremony was certainly one to remember not only because of the anticipation of the competing teams who finally get a shot at the title but also because of the great number of sponsors that were involved in this year’s event. After the opening ceremony came the ever important Peg draws which determined where each team will be spending the next 6 days on the bank. Like any venue there were certain pegs and areas that were favoured above others. One of these areas was peg 1 right against the dam wall which was drawn by Team Fish who also happened to be one of the main sponsors of this years event. Other good

SOUTH AFRICA

Roodekoppies Dam pegs were the pegs on the ends of each zone that had a small inlet or other structures and margins to fish to. But those who know Roodekoppies Dam knew that the big ones could be found anywhere in open water as well so it was anyone’s game to win. Day 1 started with the boat inspections where the marshals needed to sign off each boat that was used in the tournament. Boats needed to be equipped with all the necessary safety equipment and be cleared to go onto the water. This was shortly followed by a boundary marker session where teams were able to mark their swims on the water using h-blocks and other markers so that everyone knew in which direction they were able to fish to. As the starting hooter blew teams were eager to get bait into the water. Most of the teams opted for a heavy feed approach and we saw hundreds of kilos of freshly cooked bait go onto the spots in the first hours of the tournament. Team Fish on the dam wall were the first to log a qualifying fish of over 10kg and put their team into a good positive position from early on. Any fish under 10kg would not count as a weigher in this year’s tournament which meant that the anglers needed to work hard for the larger specimens. The action continued on Peg 4 where Team FTA had managed to climb into a school of big fish landing multiple double ups. Team FTA lead the field on day 1 and

A massive 15kg bumped Molli and Wors into 2nd and Hannes van der Merwe was once again giving his everything

1998

WORLD CARP CLASSIC

2022

Out of Africa ... Dirk Booysen from FTA managed to land a massive 13.8kg common which was the biggest fish at that stage of the tournament. (far left); Then it was team Specimen Junkies with a 14.5kg (middle) narrowly topping FMS’s 14.4kg (left). On the final day, Hannes van der Merwe (above) caught a massive fish of 15kg putting his team into 2nd

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POLAND NEKIELKA LAKE

SOUTH AFRICA ROODEKOPPIES DAM looked to be unstoppable. Jurassic Carp on Peg 6 were also getting into the action and soon landed a stunning 12kg common. Specimen Junkies who were right on the other side of the bank started landing bigger fish and were sitting in 3rd overall as we headed into the first evening.

Last minute decisions turn the Polish Mivardi Cup result on its head The Nekielka Lake once again hosted teams fighting for a trip to France for the World Carp Classic.

On May 26-30, Polish qualifying rounds for this prestigious competition – which were also an integral part of the Mivardi Cup – took place. During these few days, 22 teams struggled with the weather and the whims of the carp. We all know very well what this year’s spring was like (we didn’t have one!). As it happens, the weather during the competition turned from bad to even worse. At night, the air temperature dropped to 5 ° C, so the water cooled down significantly. You can only imagine what influence this had on carp feeding. The fish were taking very chimerically. In the first 2 days, the mats landed carps no larger than 12 kg. It was only on the Friday evening that we had our first twenty, on Peg no 6. Saturday morning brought a beautiful specimen for the table – 24.20 kg. The whole day was a concerto of the Krawczyk /Chlasta team, who were constantly increasing their result. However, the difference between the top teams was minimal at all times. The carp showed their presence only in the central part of the lake and did not appear in the vicinity of the reeds at all, so only less than

half of the teams had a chance to come into contact with the fish. On Saturday evening, it seemed that the classification would not change, but as a last gasp attempt, the team from Peg 16 joined the fight. Rafał Wlodarczyk moved one of the sets to a completely new place during the final hours and in the middle of the night, just an hour apart, hauled two 20+ carps , including the largest fish of the competition – 24,5 kg. It was a real “night of miracles” that turned the classification upside down. There was no doubt who the winners were. Rafal Wlodarczyk and Bartlomiej Spala went ahead of the second team by 5.7 kg. So, they will be heading off to France in October to Lake Madine and take part in WCC

Day 2 was a warm sunny day packed with action. Most of that action came from peg 4 where Team FTA were tearing up the field catching fish every hour. Dirk Booysen from FTA managed to land a massive 13.8kg common which was the biggest fish at that stage of the tournament. But his title lasted only a few minutes. Specimen Junkies on the far side of the bank were locked into a school of bigger fish and they managed to get a fish of 14.5kg on day 2. This fish had a beautiful round potbelly shape and kept the title of biggest fish for the next 2 days. Meanwhile on peg 3 Team Fish had started to catch a few bigger fish as well including a 14.4kg common and were climbing towards the top. On Day 3 the weather had changed completely. After a rainy night we entered a cold and wet spell for the remainder of the tournament. And in some spots the bigger fish seemed to come out of their hiding spots. Peg 2 which had Team Fishtec all the way from Durban landed a nice 13kg fish. Leslie Barnard using incredible fish finding skills with the Lowrance fish finders to locate the bigger fish in the Dam wall section. After the mornings action we headed over to the other side of the bank where Team Masterclass from Limpopo were also constantly landing good fish on peg 2. At midday the fish had moved more towards the middle section of the bank. Teams like Chunky Monkey and Rooispan were getting in on the action as well. Day 4 started with a bang. Louis Brits and his team from Rustenburg Team Specimen Tackle were getting the odd bite when suddenly out of the blue Louis had a screaming take on a rod that has been lying dormant for more than 12 hours. Louis jumped on his dingy to go get the fish and what played out was a moment I will never forget. Louis spent 25 minutes on the boat battling with this fish as we looked on from the bank. One could see that this was a better fish and as it slipped into the net it was confirmed purely because of the big celebration that Louis had on the boat from afar. The fish pulled the scales at 14.8kg and brought tears to the teams eyes as they realised that they had a chance of winning if they could keep this up. Later that day we saw some bigger fish arrive at Peg 9 Team Fishing Game and Peg 10 which belonged to previous champions Molli and Wors. We knew that Hannes van der Merwe could easily pull out something special at the last minute as he usually does. Both these teams had 13kg fish and were climbing the leaderboard slowly but surely. Later that afternoon we had a call from Peg 17 who had landed only their 2nd fish of the tournament but it was a monster. Fishing Myself Single had landed a stunning 14.4kg

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

WCC QUALIFYING EVENTS .. SOUTH AFRICA & POLAND

Day 5 started cold and misty on the bank. Big fish weather was upon us. The underdog team Molli and Wors had a sleepless night and had managed to land a new biggest fish during the night. A massive fish of 15kg bumped them into 2nd place overall and Hannes van der Merwe was once again giving his everything. Chunky Monkeys also landed a monster 13.5kg that morning caught by the oldest angler at the tournament oom Pierre Kemp. Team Fishing Game on Peg 12 had also been lucky with a few decent fish and managed to land a 14.3kg common just before sunset which pushed them into 3rd overall ahead of Team Specimen Tackle. The final morning was a nail biter as Molli &

Wors had once again pushed right through the night to try get a bigger fish. Just before the final hooter they managed to get a huge fish that looked like it could push 13kg and all they needed to win was a 12.9kg fish. Unfortunately the fish pulled the scales at 12.6kg and and that semented the win for Team Fish on peg 1 with Molli and Wors on peg 13 in 2nd and Team Fishing Game in 3rd place overall. The zone winners were Team FTA in the Cold Factor Zone, Chunky Monkeys in Brits GWM Haval Zone and Specimen Junkies in the Ridgemonkey zone. Big congratulations to all the teams that competed and fished their hearts out. Stay tuned to the WCCSA Facebook page for the highlights video to be released end of April. And follow the page to see how Team SA takes on the World at the World Carp Classic 2022 in September. n

The final morning was a nail biter as Molli & Wors pushed right through the night to try get a bigger fish

WORLD CARP CLASSIC

common which was to me the most beautiful fish of the competition. That evening it was Dries Bezuidenhout on peg 1 that landed 13.7kg for Team Fish which put them into the lead.

QUALIFIERS

WORLD CARP CLASSIC

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WORLD CARP CLASSIC

WCC QUALIFYING EVENTS .. NETHERLANDS & DENMARK

FATLADY? IN THE NET! WORLD CARP CLASSIC

QUALIFIERS

PROOF THAT IT AIN’T OVER TILL IT’S OVER

1998

WORLD CARP CLASSIC

2022

NETHERLANDS RESORT DU DER Ever since the first ever World Carp Classic qualificaton was organised twelve years ago by Carp Connections in Amsterdam, these sub events to win one of the last available tickets for the sold out World Carp Classic finals have improved enormously. Last year’s Dutch Qualifier ‘21 at the French Fishing Resort Du Der, delivered us an experienced team, Rob Tijs and Roy Beekmans. A member of the Dutch team drew a peg on the PENN section – one of the four lakes at the Carp Connections’ Resort Du Der – and after sudying the lakes, decided to keep this first draw. On Day two, their first BIG 3 carp they caught a stunning 55lb. A healthy mirror and in perfect condition. What a joy ... a fish of this size will be hard to beat. But, they needed two more to get themselves in the World finals. It took them two days to catch the next worthy fish to ajust to their BIG 3 total. A lovely 41 lb. common caught by Captain Tijs gave this team even more confidence, so lines were tightned and hooks sharpened! Then the peg went quiet. Or, perhaps it was because all attention was now on another team at the JRC section on Peg One. Several 40’s passed in front of the media team which pushed Rob and Roy away from first position. It was obvious that on the last night a good fish was needed – even bigger than their first mirror. Another team at BERKLEY section were on the fish and came closer. To win the event and secure their ticket for Madine, an even better fish as their 55lb. was needed. Impossible ? No, the PENN section has plenty of big carp of which several are sixties, so as they say, it’s not over till the fat lady is in the net !

At the JRC section, the team on Peg 1 had started to celebrate. They were sure their BIG 3 score should be enough to win

After a long night with hardly any sleep and no fish, Beekmans and Tijs started counting the last minutes of the event. With plenty of experience they knew how to stay sharp until the very last second.. At the JRC section, the team on Peg 1 had started to celebrate. They were sure their BIG 3 score should be enough to win and after watching all the marshalls, including organiser Hans Sissingh, race to their cars and drive from the Resort’s clubhouse towards their peg, they were convinced the trophy was theirs. However both marshalls and Sissingh passed Peg 1 and moved on to the PENN section... Tijs had never been so proud of his buddy – Beekmans had just caught another good fish, which at first glance, should bring them to victory. The 57lb. mirror took the team straight to a BIG3 score of just 70 kg. , enough to win the event and collect their prizes. Rob and Tijs couldn’t have been happier with their prize, their honour and their dream of netting the rarely available tickets for the WCC21 finals, was a dream come true. Bring on Grand Est France, at Lac de Madine! n

DENMARK Sorø Lake

Heavy Carpers are heading for the Classic Tough pre-qualifier, but great action in the finals. The Danish qualifier really was exciting. In June 2021 the final of the official qualifier took place in the middle of Sealand at Sorø Lake – one of the best venues in Denmark. 14 teams from all over came to win the ticket for the World Carp Classic and become the official Danish national team. There was only one team that had caught fish in the pre-qualifier, in Lake Tuel, which gave them a head start on points and a great chance of winning with only having to catch one fish in the finals. However, there was immediately two other teams that could put themselves in the lead with two fish of 10.2kg and 9.5kg respectively already on Friday night. Team Heavy Carpers, consisting of Morten Rasmussen and Paul Bräsel were able to catch another carp on Saturday morning, which threw them into the lead. On Saturday afternoon, the lead changed again, with Team Spyline catching a beautiful common carp of 8.5 kg. On Saturday evening, Team Heavy Carpers were again in the lead after they had caught a common of 10.0kg. The winning team from the pre-qualifier still hadn´t caught any fish, which would not change until the end on Sunday noon. During that night, several of the teams caught fish. Team Arvinger was able to present the largest carp at 16.4 kg. Even though they caught one more later on, this was not enough to catch up with the leading team, which was now seriously ‘on the fish’ in their peg. With only four minutes until the end at 12 am, Paul Bräsel from Team Heavy Carpers was able to land another to confirm their victory, with six carp on the mat. Six out of 14 teams caught some great carp and got points in the finals. With a total weight difference of 8.7 kg, divided into 2 and 3 fish respectively, it ended with a victory for the local team HEAVY CARPERS, Paul Bräsel and Morten Rasmussen, who ended with a total weight of 31.0kg. The team was delighted with the result and couldn’t wait to compete at the WCC in October. Later, at the World Carp Classic, Paul Bräsel and Morten Rasmussen ended up with an impressive 13th position – what a great success for the team and for Denmark.

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WCC PARTICIPANTS LIST 2022

AUSTRA WCC22-037 WCC22-053 WCC22-064 WCC22-068 WCC22-069 WCC22-071 WCC22-074 WCC22-085

Captain Florian Fuchs Christian Mauerhofer Armin Eibl Bernhard Klug Markus de Buigne PP Stefan Eisenberger Franz Weis

CZECH REPUBLIC Vice Captain Christoph Haas Florian Mauerhofer Florian Probst Dominik Kreiner Andreas Papesch

3rd Angler Alexander Grabner Bernhard Putz

Stefan Strasser

Gernot Hofer Patrick Weis

Alfons Brezina Benjamin Faustmann

WCC22-058 WCC22-072 WCC22-075 WCC22-079 WCC22-102

Vice Captain Bart Van De Poel De Ridder Christian Gilbart

Laurent Mortellet

Mickael Croughs Justin Vanschepdael

Michel Maes Arnaud Schockaert

3rd Angler

BULGARIA Captain WCC22-007 Pencho Zlatev

WCC22-025 WCC22-038 WCC22-051 WCC22-052 WCC22-063

Vice Captain Jan Dadak Nikl Carp Specialist Nikl Carp Specialist Petr Korbicka Jiri Hanel Jaroslav Vesely Roman Hub

3rd Angler Jakub Kumsta

Roman Vanek Karel Racak Petr Spalek

DENMARK

BELGIUM Captain Tom Mertens Patrick Toubeau Frederic Van Rysseghem Joel Wauthia Bruno Gailly

WCC22-024

Captain Karel Nikl Nikl Carp Specialist Karel Nikel Jr Nikl Carp Specialist Tomas Slavik Miroslav Sima Radek Bis Jaroslav Randus

Vice Captain Peyo Peev

3rd Angler

Vice Captain Jarryd Monahan

3rd Angler Fred

Captain WCC22-016 Qualifier Denmark

Vice Captain

3rd Angler

ENGLAND WCC22-008 WCC22-040 WCC22-043 WCC22-044 WCC22-047 WCC22-054 WCC22-060

Captain

Vice Captain

3rd Angler

James Pither Colin Gray Paul Sharman Lee Jackson Bryan Houghton David Mark Pendegrass Mark Bines

Bruce Larg Dan Moorcroft Paul Butler Stephane Gentile Lee Merritt Craig Outram David Bacon

Matt Eden

Captain

Vice Captain

3rd Angler

Daniel Peter Cedric Giacon Bear Creeks Michel Rothe Cap River Jerzy Zadara Thierry Payet

Alexandre Braiek Thierry Fricker Sebastien Henrotte

Stephen Payton Nicolas Fagot Judith Houghton

CANADA Captain WCC22-105 Andrew Walker

FRANCE WCC22-002 WCC22-027 WCC22-030 WCC22-066 WCC22-073

Jarek Dabrowski Jacek Wojciuch

GEORGIA Captain WCC22-010 Zviadi Pitskhelauri

Vice Captain Daniels Cebotovs

3rd Angler

GERMANY Captain WCC22-049 Ronny Luft WCC22-059 Thomas Muller WCC22-083 Stefan Oberhauser WCC22-092H Christian Reese

Vice Captain

3rd Angler

Christian Albrecht Stephen Freeland

Florian Halder

Boris Reese

Julian Schneider

HUNGARY Captain WCC22-048 Gyula Somogyi

Vice Captain AnnaMaria KolloGooch

3rd Angler

Vice Captain Dan Hopgood

3rd Angler Oli Griffiths

IRELAND Captain WCC22-057 Daren Buck

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

WCC PARTICIPANTS LIST 2022 ITALY Captain WCC22-031 Silvio Bussoni WCC22-100 Manuel li greci

POLAND Vice Captain Paolo Meneghelli Diego Marani

3rd Angler

Vice Captain Tom Duncan Dunlop

3rd Angler

KENYA Captain WCC22-097 Rob Tough

WORLD CARP CLASSIC

WCC22-093 WCC22-094 WCC22-104 WCC22-098 WCC22-099H

Captain Bartosz Celny Daniel Plaga Marek Krawczyk Przemek Sydor Bogdan Dobaczewski

Vice Captain

3rd Angler

Bartosz Trabka Michal Kaleta Jaroslaw Soloch Marek Grodowski Przemyslaw Jedroszyk Andrzej Sochocki

PORTUGAL LATVIA Captain WCC22-076 Aivars Rudzinskis

Vice Captain

3rd Angler

Captain WCC22-078 Bruno Pratas

Vice Captain Sorinel Cirdei

3rd Angler

SCOTLAND LITHUANIA Captain WCC22-039 Audrius Karpavicius Wild Carp Care

Vice Captain Mindaugas Lenikas

3rd Angler

Captain WCC22-082 Rod Bird

Vice Captain Mark Barton

SLOVAKIA Captain

MOLDOVA Captain WCC22-096 Nicolae Buliga

Vice Captain Maria Paslerova

3rd Angler

Captain Vice Captain WCC22-061 Christophe Senechal Jonathan Rothe

3rd Angler

WCC22-056 David Darnadi WCC22-028 Jochym Jochym Marine WCC22-091 Peter Laczko

MONACO

NETHERLANDS Captain

Vice Captain

WCC22-015 Michael Smith Wouter van den berg WCC22-018 Qualifier Netherlands21 Carp Connections WCC22-019 Qualifier Netherlands22 Carp Connections WCC22-022 Hans Sissingh Richard Storm Carp Connections Carp Connections WCC22-023 Maarten Gommers Carp Connections WCC22-045 Michel van Bokkem WCC22-046 Gerwin Kempers WCC22-050 Rob Tijs WCC22-055 Paul van Lipzig WCC22-081H Maurice van de Loo WCC22-086 Jacob Bakker

Melchior Sissingh

WCC22-001 Artur Butynski 30,4+BB WCC22-003 Mariusz Posmyk WCC22-004 Krzysztof Charmuszko 30,4+BB WCC22-006 Aleksander Sokolowski WCC22-017 Sebastian Tuszynski WCC22-020 Qualifier Poland WCC22-042 Krzysztof Mroz WCC22-062 Jaroslaw Gulej WCC22-067 Marcin Mrowinski WCC22-070 Marcin Kulig

Vice Captain

3rd Angler

Peter Darnadi

Richard Holecek

Jan Bernat

SOUTH AFRICA Captain

Vice Captain

3rd Angler

WCC22-011 Charles Horlick WCC22-012 Arno Potgieter WCC22-013 Arno van Rooyen

Hennie Steyn Riaan Opperman Divan Potgieter Andries Bezuidenhout Immanuel Janse van Rensburg

WCC22-014 WCC22-021 WCC22-029 WCC22-095

Pieter Nel Franco Marais Mollie van der Merwe Stef de Bruto

3rd Angler Shaun Bamford Geoffrey Marais Hannes van der Merwe Pieter de Bruto

Frans Claassens Jaco Cornelius Andries Smit Emildo Sada

SPAIN

Daan Uijen Randy vd Haterd Carp Connections Gert-jan vd Wildenberg Pieter Hoekstra Roy Beekmans Ralf van Herpen Joey Derix Jaimy Vorstenbosch

Captain WCC22-009 Ramon Sola Sola Varots Baits

Vice Captain

3rd Angler

Adam Zawistowski

Robert Jakimiuk

Captain WCC22-080 Pavlo Matviienko

Jerzy Czogalla Tomasz Kwasniak

Lukasz Skrzypiec Karol Olejnik

Vice Captain 3rd Angler Joan Josep Castro Sala

WCC22-041 Alvaro Hernandez David Coto Cabrera Dominguez Varots Baits WCC22-090 Jose Manuel Gallardo Ruben Gomez Omella WCC22-080 Pavlo Matviienko

Francisco de Borja

UKRAINE

POLAND Captain

3rd Angler Mark Gooch

Tomasz Sadlak AK Krzysztof Lazienkiewicz Leszek Rutecki Robert Budzinski Mariusz Bajor Kamil Gora

Vice Captain

3rd Angler

Vice Captain Bence Matisz

3rd Angler

USA Captain WCC22-005 Mark Metzger

1998

WORLD CARP CLASSIC

2022

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SHIMANO .. PROUD SPONSORS OF WCC

TRIBAL INSTINCT At the time of its launch Tribal was a game changer. Carp fishing had grown massively throughout the previous decade, but larger companies had failed to capture the imagination and support of the carp fishing fraternity.

In fact, for a time it appeared that being a large company was most definitely a disadvantage - although Shimano dominated the carp fishing reel market in the form of the Baitrunner. Yet on one fateful night, the stars would align for the late Jan Porter, one of Shimano’s most respected and long serving ambassadors. Jan had always been a visionary. He made his mark in match fishing and the ‘Man In Red’ fished at the very highest international level. In the ‘90’s he had turned his attention to carp fishing, drawn by the ethos, beauty and almost spiritual nature carp fishing delivered. Fishing one evening during an international football match, he couldn’t help but notice how many of the anglers on the bank of the large water had begun to gather in groups, listening to the commentary and cheering every goal. Fishing rivalries were dismissed, as anglers young and old banded together to support their national team. Before darkness fell new friendships had been made and more importantly Jan had seen the future, and its name was Tribal. That was the night the Shimano Tribal concept and brand was conceived. The perfect solution to what seemed an impossible riddle. A brand that met the demographic head on and perfectly captured the identity of carp anglers new and old. Fortunately two other influential Shimano employees agreed that the Tribal concept had potential and within 6 months the new brand was ready.

Launched in March 2002, this year sees Shimano Tribal celebrate its 20th birthday. The brand was the brainchild of visionary Jan Porter who had a hidden talent for knowing what carp anglers want

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

WORLD CARP CLASSIC

With a range of high quality clothing and luggage, Shimano were the first company to launch a high definition camouflage under the Tribal banner. Back in 2001 it was a daring move and one that was met with a certain amount of resistance by the tackle trade. But it captured the imagination of carp anglers and the huge demand quickly broke down any barriers and reticence. Carp fishing apparel changed forever. The almost instant success put Shimano Tribal on the map, as a truly dedicated carp brand, and a market leader. The phenomenon

quickly spread across Europe, leading to the launch of additional products, including rods in 2004 and the formation of Team Tribal. But it nearly didn’t happen, as Gerard Bakkenes remembers. “I had only been with Shimano for one year when Tribal was conceived. As the soft goods product manager it was my responsibility to source, develop and deliver the new Tribal clothing and luggage, my job literally depended on it succeeding. At the time the Shimano European MD wasn’t convinced it would work, and gave it just one year to succeed! Now, 20 years later Shimano Tribal is part of carp

fishing history and folklore. Not bad for an overnight success!” Unfortunately Jan passed away in 2016, but his memory and vision continues through Shimano Tribal. The other member the fateful Tribal trio was Shimano UK MD Craig Brew, who left the company a few years ago, but still remains good friends with many of the Shimano staff. n

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A T T O G U O Y ! H T I A HAVEF e most ng muse, then th e If there is a fishi m e to me. She mad ve a powerful came ha d an love them understand fish, hip with the water ns tio la re l rfu de won ound the waters. ering ar re tu and the na been wand

d, I have Since my boyhoo d lakes. With a rod, or an s er riv s, nd po to go out around day, when I have to en Ev lk. t always os just for a wa alm er for a while, we rface and su with my daught ere I see the water go somewhere wh h. ht fish, I I can observe fis family ever caug As no-one in my . I did elf ys e fishing skills m to catch had to learn all th ed us I , kid a As ickly. very well and qu fishermen did. more fish than old happened to me that it ce More than on top spots got up, left their rs do ata m e m e catch the ho m en se d ha ere they and sat down wh ll a teenager at the time, I s sti carp before. I wa sat down at ing about it and yth an do ’t dn ul co . e to them em at first, the nearest plac ry angry with th Although I was ve e day and th ut hing througho kind of while I kept on fis e m e ad m it g, ythin they didn’t do an for fishing pleased. nstantly looking As a kid, I was co compete to try to ed nt d wa competitions an almost forty ng. At that time, in anything fishi itarian regime tal to we lived in a years ago, when ren’t many we munism, there under heavy com ions. took fishing competit hing competition , which Once a year, a fis e river Elbe th by lín Ko of y place in our cit hermen. As I two hundred fis was attended by is event and th to d ar ked forw have always loo ions, I began tit pe in these com always excelled prestigious bigger and more looking for even tournaments.

. IT’S A RISKY BUialSIisiNEngSSon. big carp fishing, I

When I was spec idea of the WWC had even the don’t even think on while I was ney’s mind. I reck Ho ss Ro d sse cro that stage at s wa ss Ro t, spor immersed in this rone levels were at their ste in life where testo itely engaged efore he was defin highest and ther ”. in other “activities se, but it’s now been an ur I’m joking, of co the first World ars since the day incredible 21 ye t took place. Carp Classic even

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

KAREL NIKL . .DREAMING IS BELIEVING

Hold on to your dre am

WORLD CARP CLASSIC

... Karel and WCC tro phy in 2016

When I first hear d about the WCC keen to take part , I was and test my fishi ng skills again. I didn’t succeed until 2005, when Carp Classic wa the World s held on Lac De Aman it was the beginni ng of my professio ce and career. In 2001, I nal fishing decided to make a big life decision and ch ange my professio n. Until then, I was in the constructi business and in on dustrial chemist ry. My friend and I shared a su cces company develop sful a business, but as the ed rapidly and I was a nice living, I sta rted to think abou making t whether to start another business that wa s more challenging. I had a family, sm income. When yo all children and a decent u have a family, it is much harder to leave th at security. Howe ver, almost 20 years later, I kn ow now I made the decision and alt hough starting ou right t on a new fishing career wa s not easy, I was finally able to do what what I re ally lov At first, no one kn ed and fullfilled me. ew who I was an have much mon ey so I started slo d I didn’t wly on my own. I mixed my first boilies with my hands in the bathtub in m y mom’s block of flats! How different th ings are today – I now employ ninetee n people, we ha ve a beautiful retail store, sepa rate warehouses , an amazing factory and we ru n a wholesale, ex port and import business. On in the fishing indu top of this, my success stry won me seco nd place in the prestigiou s En competition at th trepreneur of the Year e national level ac ross the business spectru m.

THE WCC JOURNEY . .

I didn’t catch an y carp at my first WCC on Lake Amance. Only on e small fence. Yo u could say I lost, but I don’t se e it that way. I don’t see the W CC as just a com It’s a big occasio petition. n for me where I can attend the beautiful op ening ceremony, enjoy all these carp perso nalities in one pl ace and the atmosphere is ju st amazing.

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World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

WORLD CARP CLASSIC

KAREL NIKL . .DREAMING IS BELIEVING

YOU GOTTA HAVE FAITH. .

ng in the joyed participati I have always en it’s enough t bu n, wi to nt I wa event, of course moments as e and enjoy the for me to be ther g new carp tin ally enjoy mee they unfold. I re ys where I’d da rly ea e th in lly anglers, especia t only about no on ati rm l info at the time, gain a lot of usefu ld he re e events we the area where th venues around the world. her but also about ot foreign lakes y fishing trips to m e ad m er lat This easier.

CES . . THE WCC EXPERIeEN matter WCC is another

Fishing itself at th es of any different typ – it involves so m rent fishing ffe di y an m so gs in rience in emotions and br pe ex e on r remembe experiences ... I th partners particular: adine in 2017 wi It was at Lac de M hart. At the time, we Er ub Jan Dadák and Jak island in an actly half of the were fishing in ex d ever caught ha where no-one unpopular part, r team reOu . CC W e th ry of carp in the histo rted pulling sta we as t this poin the end of wrote history at re fo be s than a day carp here, but les rp ca over 20 kg , we lacked one the competition e. of leagu e muchto get on the top ernoon we had th At four in the aft our vests, on w , we quickly thre anticipated shot to the water. on d lle ro d an boat jumped into the and I stood colleague Jakub After a while, my heading to s ere the line wa over the place wh eal situation id an t no – sin ba the bottom in a e of the at on the other sid could be at all. We knew th le, nd bu behind the line, somewhere od 15 minutes go a r fo so , ed the carp we need to catch the anchor and tried we used a rescue ain line. e and bundle, or our m g amount of tim After an increasin e the last os ch I s, pt em att many exhausted eters from the e about thirty m option. We drov ve the line at t that we did no ha problem area so e the bundle. a right angle abov to two sides and try to get go ly on d ul co We side we were ked Jakub which the line out. I as left ?! going to? Right or we set off, s on the right, so wa er sw an e Th arc and g bi a e ad t line, m cut,” I tell with a slightly tau it’s t, hi e relaxed... “S suddenly, the lin t ripped Jakub. ’t it? Dude, it’s no “But wait, wouldn “ off, there’s a fish! fish had deo started – the And then the ro teen fif r he ot an ter gth. Af pe that incredible stren ho t los we r fighting, leading minutes of powe re we gan to think we it was a carp. I be d the fish an s ou m or en s wa catfish. The force

thanks to Tim tournament that year ove). We didn’t win the t at my very first WCC (below) (ab it d che clin t tha pions ... The fish the only carp I caugh Champions of Cham o stole the lead on the final night. And ) wh left p (to m tea y’s Paisle for catfish, m and typically kept to the botto surface. e th appear on bubbles began to fish finally e th , es ut in m e After a few mor y pulled it wl slo I d an , ength began to lose str to a proper in nt be d had the ro went to the surface. I ten of of the front eye bow and the tip nges of the lu er rth fu g rin du below the surface rn of the boat, waiting e ste fish. I stood at th y wound the catfish. I slowl Little by to see the head of reel. e th to in e lin k oc other pieces of sh am up. little, the fish sw when ter with my eyes I pierced the wa ly realised en dd su d an h fis I finally saw the rp. “You a giant mirror ca it was the body of across the ted ou sh I rp, carp,” cow, it’s carp, ca dry leaf a e lik ent, I shook lake. At that mom line flew on a scale of five rena on a branch. Ad insanely hundred. I was so large hundred out of a a at wh of well aware nervous as I was . us g in br d th to enough carp coul at the carp’s mou I’d keep glancing I begged the carp not ok fits. check that the ho down, all the carp finally lay to be cut. When e last few Th . up it ck pi to s that remained wa carp from the landing net. the inches separated it looks him and just as I reached out to landing net e th , up m hi ck pi like I’d be able to my hand! handle fell out of d brain ugh my body an ro th nt What we e an electric lik s wa it – ed can’t be describ e landing net quickly caught th shock. Luckily, I

d I reached out to himleanto e ab just as it looks like I’ddinbg net handle pick him up, the lan! fell out of my hand

Team spirit pecially at y fishing skills. Es w, ... 2016 WCC ne g and improved m in eth m so s take away g Champions Karel, in rn lea y the start. I alway pl sim , a gimmick, or Jan Dadák and whether it’s trick to WCC, ’t know. Thanks dn di I g in Jakub Kumsta eth I had at som th es lak ul tif w, beau (above) I‘ve discovered ne Bolsena in Italy, stands re. ly ete pl never fished befo m em. That was a co out from all of th normal d a place, under an e nc rie perienced. new expe ex ve ha r would neve circumstances, believing! g, dreaming and I’m still learnin most of it tra l ra a natu Being the best is to the very WCC nt we I en wh , se people. Of cour but I had to eat desire to win, event, I had a gr ’t like that, sn wa It it. s to do gh faith. wait over ten year ou en d e, a dream an me but I had a desir co t tors that mus There’s a lot of fac e WCC – excellent th ry at together for victo aw, weather, neighbours, s, lucky dr ate m m tea ds! much more. han slipped out of my experience and al night, ments before the net your own fishing you have fin mo e ... ... g th n in on sio th e kg ten or 25 the m er Feel other carp ov ver, there’s one ground. an we e . s in the th Ho ve up to lie in ed be ep ck o pi de s wh lly . I am a person pling our dream rp was successfu ve m ca lie tra e dreams. be th to ble d ssi an re po pu ain ag ive thought and of pure relief and sit e po ur of ixt r e reach, m we a th s po in y wa th Ugh, it can’t reall ur dreams wi the same time. I When you see yo ty, but it takes humility, enthusiasm all at s of joy we felt. e a reali e perfect ion they can becom that es spent with th d a lot of work. explain the emot over 23 kg and at y, it’s the great tim have no chance at gness to learn an ed stl llin igh Fir wi , we th rp fai ca e ts u Th Lo ng is my life and e. yo hi ac ich fis pl st at wh t th fir t ou to . ted us in team, with For me, the fac Secondly, is the e. siz is th is proof enough moment catapul victory as the WCC was of on pi ion us all at a competit me a WCC Cham mpetition ca co ve a be ha I r e ch fo th su ed at on t sh of people wished ild gh wi ni u bu at I have glers. still had a whole relationships yo Other dreams th that this will d fellow carp an to so close, but we y life and I believe g new people an great fishermen h m tin of ac in ee re e lot m d a – tru ul d e an wo m I go co ow kn I r, banks to tte be sh If I knew Engli the lly carp continue. contend with. cided on people – especia win the WCC for the winner is de t to many more t such dream is to os ou e of On on alm pi r em am Ou th . k Ch In recent years, en as e u can true th become th d d the same was personalities. Yo second time or to liging people an That’s why I’m cond e. ob se y e tim the last night an th all r re nd fo co ’re p se ey Cu e th the WCC anything. Th ctures with g. Champions for dream of holding , Tim Paisley answer or take pi ing and I believin t by Lee Jackson always happy to learning, dream ll sti ht ug ca e time was cut shor Le n KAREL NIKL me nig-Fisherlauser. you. WCC has pushed e and Benji Petutsh th at th is it y, Finall

N ME . . WHAT THE WCC HAS GIVE

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GIVE YOUR BEST A

BOOST Just over a three years ago Dynamite made the decision to bring all their particle cooking operations in-house in order to allow more flexibility over product development and quality control.

The move meant the Nottingham based company became the only UK based bait brand that create and cook all of their own preservative free particles in the tin or jar and on site and one of only a handful who do it in Europe. “Having all the kit on site has allowed us to experiment with a number of exciting bait concepts” says Dynamite Product Development Manager, Mark Baker. “In 2021 we brought out three new meats which have been specifically made for fishing - Robin Red, Marine Halibut and Meatcorn. They all contain real pieces of Robin Red, Marine Halibut and of course sweetcorn. No one else has ever done anything like this and they have proved to be a huge success“ he added. Dynamite’s particles are renowned for their quality with products like Frenzied Tigers, Hemp & Snails and Maize used by hundreds of the World’s top anglers including the likes of Terry Hearn. But the company haven’t rested on their past successes. This year they have further added to the list of innovative particle creations and decided to introduce four new varieties of boosted nut hookbaits. Like all their Frenzied range, Black Tigers, Peanuts, Naked Tigers and Jumbo Tigers are preservative free and cooked in the jar they come in using a environmentally friendly process which involves recycled water being heated to create steam. Mark Baker said: “We’re really excited about these nuts. They come in their own boosted syrup and can easily be hair rigged just like a normal tiger. The baits, which come in handy 500ml jars have already accounted for several monster fish and PB’s. They are designed to stand out but with a natural edge” added Mark. Watch this space for more fantastic creations from the Dynamite team. n

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Taking part in such a prestigious competition as the World Carp Classic is a great experience and honour for everyone. So many years of tradition, great lakes hiding big carp and a competition with the best carp anglers from all over the world, only makes you dream to be there! However, it is also a sport. Participation itself is of course important, but everyone wants to prove themselves and simply ... catch some carp. It’s easy to say, but anyone who has ever taken part in any fishing competition knows that it is not that easy. We have no control over drawing. Our experience, knowledge and skills are often brutally smashed at the very beginning. You need some luck – and we had it this year. Peg 40 offers a lot of opportunities and when you look at previous years, it always gave some results, but never on the podium. After drawing, our first thoughts were generally that we should just catch some carp, but then we thought that caught fish wouldn’t be big enough to count in the final table. Lac de Madine is a huge lake, but the bay where we were fishing gave us some confidence. It looked similar to our well-known lakes where we grew up and have been fishing for many years. So picking the right spots

The difference on the scoreboard was very small. So

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and placing our setups was not difficult and we believed that these were the best spots. Our confidence was put to the test, because for the first two days we didn’t get any bites. Our neighbors on the side already had two small carp, and we unfortunately had nothing. We started to consider changing the location of our setups, we became nervous and we felt perhaps we had made the wron decision. After a discussion we decided to leave things as they were. This belief in that decision and choosing to stick to our tactics brought us three fish, with the biggest weighing 26 kg. And unexpectedly, we were in the lead on the scoreboard. For the first time, we realized that we stood a chance in this tournament, not a win yet, but we’d come back with a very good result. Up until the last day of the competition, we kept to our game plan. We didn’t have many fish – only five in total – but almost all of them were big, exceeding the magical 20 kg. Unfortunately, we had lost the current Big Fish prize and our colleagues from Poland were getting dangerously close to us, catching a very large number of carp. As the last night of the competition approached, we had no bite at all, but there was still just enough belief in ourselves that we could do it. Here was the chance of a lifetime, an opportunity we may never get again and this raises a big question mark. We felt that there was nothing more we could do, that we had no control over the future and that nothing was dependant on us anymore, we could only wait and hope ... and stick to our strategy to the end. We hadn’t slept for two days, we were terribly tired, uncertain and there was only a few hours left to the end of the competition. Could we make it? Or, would we lose the lead in the last hours? The difference on the scoreboard was very small. So what if we played a great game, it could all be lost in the last minute - after all, it’s only the winners that people remember. And then... The sound of the alarm triggers our emergency mode. We are doing everything mechanically, our acts and moves learned on the water over the years allow us not to make any stupid mistakes. Quickly we move close to the fish and we see a carp ... but this carp was so big that we already knew – we had just won the World Carp Classic 2021! To win this competition is unbelievably hard, but, it is possible. A bit of luck in the draw, wellchosen tactics and a good team is our recipe for success. We would love everyone to experience this joy of success. The joy that is indescribable. It can be shared by each of you! The next chance is in a few months - see you at WCC2022! n

The final morning was a nail biter as Molli & Wors pushed right through the night to try get a bigger fish

My adventures with big carp at Lac de Madine started in 2020. It was then, for the first time, I took part in the WCC and saw this beautiful lake. During this event, my partner was Jacek Kuzmicki and the fact that we didn’t have a third member with us, made fishing very difficult. Madine is a big and unpredictable water. Strong winds give a better chance to meet with a big carp, but technically they make fishing very difficult. It is quite a struggle to fish alone from an inflatable boat in such conditions. The WCC tournament requires teams of three members. One has to be on the bank, two others can be in the boat and do everything on the water.

We only caught one carp in the last hours of the competition. It might have been out only fish, but due to its size it brought us a lot of joy. As the wind was so strong on the lake, we couldn’t swim and change setups or look for new spots too often. A bit against our will, nature forced us to keep the setups in one place for a long time. And it worked to some extent, giving us a carp weighing 28.4kg. That happened to be the fifth largest carp ever caught in a World Carp Classic tournament. We arrived at the WCC2021 as a team of three members. The weather conditions were very good which meant we could spend time on the water without any restrictions – we could do anything. But we made a different decision ... as long as there is no bite, we won’t change boilies, there’ll be no more baiting and we won’t swim. Of course, this is not always a recipe for the success. It’s just one tactic among a whole range of different possibilities. So, keeping to this strategy we got five carp on our four different rods. Some of them over 20kg. Including my fish, which for a long time was

the biggest fish of the competition – 26kg. Only two rods failed to produce results. However, we decided to move one of them – which was against our game plan – in the last days of the competition. We changed boilies for new ones and added more bait to our swim. The last rod was left without any changes, which meant that it was put there on Monday and stayed there until Saturday. Now take a guess ... which which rod was used to catch the huge, mystical 30+ carp? Yes, yes - you are not wrong. This carp was caught on that rod that had not been touched for almost a week! It was a dream fish, giving us victory in the few hours before the end of the competition and giving me the title of being the first angler ever to catch the magic carp over 30kg in the whole history of WCC! By the way, it is important to know that in this competition the crucial point is the team. Teamwork contributes to every individual success. I would like to say a big thank you to Adam Zawistowski and Robert Jakimiuk! n

READ ABOUT ARTUR’S RECORD BREAKING EXPERIENCE IN DETAIL ON PAGES 160 & 161

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Przemysław Mroczek, managed to peg down Artur Butynski, who caught the first carp over 30 kg in the history of this legendary competition, to get the lowdown on how it feels to break the WCC Big Fish Record

Congratulations. The victory in the WCC is an incredible success, the more so because you set a new record for the competition of 78.4 kg and you were the first to catch a carp over 30 kg. What attitude did you go to the competition with?

Artur Butynski: Of course, like everyone else, we were going to win this competition. But let’s face it, you say that, because believing is a bit like letting go of a lottery ticket. We were focused on work, on the fact that there was a chance, but even from the moment of the draw, we drew stand 40 and, because we had no experience at this lake, we had no idea if it was a good, weak, better or worse place. I was there for the second time, Adam Zawistowski for the third time, and Robert Jakimiuk for the first time. We were told it was a good position. However, there was no euphoria. We were more happy that it was an extreme position, we had free space and didn’t have to jostle with anyone. This is how it looked at the very beginning.

Q A

When you first went out to investigate the water, did anything tell you that there might be a fish there?

The only drawback of this site was that the water was not really visible, because the space between the reeds was very long, muddy and relatively narrow. In fact we saw the water only 2 meters wide. Whether there were any floats or fish walking, we couldn’t see it. Plus the wind and so on – even listening ito see if you were getting off something was not possible. Nothing could be figured out in this regard. I have to admit that we were really hoping for fish. We felt that we would catch here, but more likely there would be a lot of the so-called small fish, i.e. within 15 kg, but that doesn’t win you the competition.

Q A

What was the sounding like, what was the bottom covered with?

Q A

Did you put sets in these squares And how was it with take-ups?

Looking at Google satellite maps we could see that there was a very wide strip of weed at the shore and then theoretically the weeds ended and it was very nice to the other shore. When we set off, it turned out that it didn’t look that great. In front of us, at a third of the distance, i.e. about 100 meters, there was grass and nothing to look for, but then the dense weed ended, and the bottom was overgrown, but such squares begin. There was no clear space there, so you just had to look for those plant-free places.

We found cut-offs from dense vegetation, let the underwater camera in and if it was even a little empty, we selected these places. We were fishined in these ponds. At the beginning we stood next to the fishing rods, because we were sure that there would be a bite soon, but we had no bites on Monday, Tuesday and half of Wednesday. I mean, the bites were there, but they were just bites. After all, we were fishing among the plants, and there were a lot of swans, the area was white with swans. Fortunately, the birds did not bother us, but the braids ran over the vegetation and when we went out in the evening, we saw two catfish near the surface – one carp of 5 kg, so various fish were rummaging around there. The probability that any of these fish would hit the braided line was very high. We had a couple of so-called “strikes”, which we thought were real strikes, but when we reached the sets, it turned out that they were false strikes. So our faces fell a bit because we had no fish until Wednesday. The neighbours on the left, from Monaco, already had two fish, admittedly small, 8-10 kg, but they had fish. We were theoretically in a better position, but we din’t get those fish.

FIGHTINGFOR

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But just then, on the Wednesday, everything changed. Tell us about it.

Q A

Weren’t you afraid that in order to keep this lead, you would have to increase this result?

On the Wednesday, around 2 p.m, we decided to focus on one specific area directly in front of us, where we weren’t really expecting a catch. But there is a bite, so we swim, we have a carp, it’s almost 20 kg and we’re filled with joy ... we have a fish! We return back to weigh, enjoy the monet and then two hours later, there’s another bite from a different rod. This carp is smaller, around 13kg. We now have two fish, which is great, but another few painful hours pass and around one o’clock, if I remember correctly, we get another bite – this one is a 26 kg carp. At this point, it dawns on us ...crap .. we may actually have a chance in this competition. We exchanged the smallest fish for probably a 21 kg and it turns out that we are the first.

Ross Honey came over. He said: it’s beautiful, but ... if you’re going to catch another carp, at least make it a 25kg, then it will be GREAT.”. Indeed, anything is possible. Other teams were choking the fish, so it turned out that our result was good, but not a foregone conclusion. W Unfortunately, the German team, who were fishing near Krzysiek Charmuszko’s position, caught a 26,2kg, so we lost the Big Fish, a moment longer and we would also lose the overall lead. Later, we exchanged another carp, but gained little. You know, at the very beginning you downplay these grams, those half a kilos, 400 grams, they don’t seem to matter, but very often it turns out to be exactly what matters. We’re talking about 50 or 60 kg and suddenly that one kilogram more or less is essential. It was OK, the extra kilo helped, but the bites stopped and we lost contact with the fish for 24 hours. By the last night, I think we lost faith in that there would be any more fish for us. We would be lucky enough that no-one overtook us.

Q A

And then? ...

And then ... we were sitting in the tent, the mood was OK, but the stress was overpowering. You could say that we even prayed a little ... and that’s saying something! It’s 1:30 am, Saturday. We are awake and terribly tired, but we got a bite. First thought? Maybe just a swan that got tangled in the line. Although we were learning to distinguish these false bites, due to the characteristics of the bottom, vegetation etc, these typical bounces were absent. There was a beep - beep and that’s about

it. So before we grabbed the rod, we looked at the tip, how it was bending, then we jumped into the pontoon. Our first words: “please let it be a fish and let it not be a small carp”. As per usual, we had 3-4 stops to unhitch the plants before we sailed. By the way, it should also be noted that if someone wants to go into such waters with a rod longer than 3 meters, they’ll have enormous problems. It must be a short rod for easy handling. We reach the fish and it’s standing there among the weeds – these carps didn’t run far away at all, because they had nowhere to go. It’s head was covered by a seaweed cap, but when we shone the headlamps towards it, we could see that something big and shiny. The only way to describe it was a monster. We had no idea how big this fish was. We returned to the shore, we weighed and right then, we knew we had won the World Carp Classic! This carp weighed 32kg! Of course, this was just our instant weights told us.

And so it began. I must aplogise to our neighbours from Monaco, because if they were asleep, our screams had to have woken them up! The joy was amazing. A marshall behind us near the camp, approached, and his small weight showed 31 kg. Initially we went with this amount, but as other judges came, more and more people were gathering minute by minute. more, official weights were brought and as it turned out, this carp was officially 30.40 kg!

Q A

I’m sure that the film crew and organizers showed up soon after that?

Yes, everything happened lightning fast. Crowds were gathering, even the French television team appeared immediately. But where was Ross? Well, apparently, Ross had been at a concert, so decided to take an early night to rest before the final day’s big events. He was then woken up by a call from one of the judges, but didn’t

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WCC RECORD BREAKER

Q A

So, in the morning at 9am was it finish the fishing and start the champagne?

Before 9:00 am we already knew we had won. It turned out that even this 30kg carp would not be needed for this. The Posmyk team, as we used to call them, who were the second Polish team with Mariusz Posmyk and the rest of the boys, approached us at the last moment and the decider was less than a kilogram. There was a lot of nailbiting and emotion right up to the last minute, but the 30kg sorted that. We were so tired that probably each of us wanted this competition to end – we simply didn’t have the strength anymore.

Q A

And there was the official ending ahead of you.

Yes, the end, but before that, there was also the ‘jump into the water’ photo opportunity ritual. Our hearts wanted us to jump in and out shouting ‘hurray!’, but you have to remember that it was October, the lake temperature is not known for being easy to bathe in. Of course, we jumped in and we would have screamed when we surfaced, but our body’s reaction to the temperature meant we couldn’t utter a single word! The film crew, who were in warm clothes and galoshes, wanted these great shots and there we were, up to our waists in freezing water – every second was mercilessly prolonged. But may only such discomforts happen in life.

Q A

really believe what they were saying. As he later told us, he heard it was a big fish, so he replied, “Okay, okay, but don’t wake me up for any reason. There has already been a big fish today!”. Only after a while did it sink in that this big fish was over 30 kg, which in the history of WCC, no one had ever caught. He soon turned up. We didn’t mind the wait ... we enjoyed the waiting game. Then came the official photos and the filming. As for this catch of mine, it means so much to me and that is from the heart. I’m not sure how the the other guys would feel, but if I was asked to choose between this carp and winning the championship, I would choose this carp. Breaking through the 30kg was so magical.. Perhaps next year, no one will remember us because there will be new champions, but we will not give up the title without a fight, I promise you that. Catching a 30kg carp may never happen again.

Q A

A bit of tactics matters - how and what did you use for attracting?

Of course there was a plan. We agreed before we left that we would not take any grains, pellets or tiger nuts with us. Absolutely none. We only had marbles. So we only lured with balls and we didn’t even cut them. Robert was making these 22mm balls and we only used about 5 tablespoons for one set. It wasn’t much. We had balls in two colours, yellow and brown and we made sure that when luring with brown balls, we used a yellow ball on the hair and vice versa. And that’s basically the whole secret of attraction. No PVA or anything, because we put each bait out exactly on the same mark, in the right place. The depths were also small, so there was no need to combine, It was very easy to fish this way.

How did you perceive this year’s WCC and its atmosphere? It’s hard for me to compare to previous years, because we were new. But there is such a feeling of gravity about this

ROSS was woken up by a call from one of the judges, but didn’t really believe what they were saying

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FOCUS ON: ARTUR BUTYNSKI event. We treat this competition as a world championship, official or unofficial, but it is the most important competition of the season. This competition is a celebration. It’s emotional. The significance of this event makes you just want to be there. And after winning, for a short moment, you’re in the spotlight.

It’s pretty amazing that for the second time in a row, the Poles have won the WCC and another Polish team is in 2nd place. This is a very big deal for Polish carp angling.

That’s right. It is noticeable that Poles are very visible at these competitions. You can see that the boys arrive pumped up. This is a celebration for Poles, for Polish teams. We stick together, it was evident from the very beginning. We are strong, cool nation and we stand out with cool people. We are emotional and perhaps these emotions do not always go in the right direction, but generally I feel that we live it. Certainly, teams from other countries have more subdued emotions. There are a lot of Polish teams, but it’s hard to get into this competition. We are Poles, we fight for ourselves, for Polish carp anglers, for the history of Polish carp fishing, this is how we perceive it and we ask others to perceive it that way. For example, the fact that we started from the German side does not boter us, we don’t feel like we’re making some terrible faux pas. I live in Germany and this is important because it is said that getting to WCC from another country is easy. Not true. Certain conditions must be met. I met these conditions because I am registered in Germany. After all, I had to present the relevant documents from the German side to be able to compete in this competition. A little discomfort, but no tragedy. There were no national anthems at the closing ceremony – perhaps due to the pandemic – but I recall Ross Honey saying during the closing ceremony that it was the Poles living in Germany that had won. I went on stage with the German flag, because it is no dishonour for me. I should even say thank you that I had the opportunity to win under

these colours. On the other hand, Robert and Adam left with the Polish flag, which of course, is closer to our hearts, but I respect the German flag and every other flag, for every other nationality, for every other person.

I remember years ago, when you took part in the WCC qualifiers organized by Karp Max, on the penultimate day without a bite, you joked that you probably need to change your hobby. Maybe start collecting stamps. Lucky you didn’t.

I am glad that I have such a hobby. Because people with different financial status, with different education, with

different levels of intelligence, with different professions all meet by the water. People who you would normally miss on the street, meet on the water. The love of catching these carp and this passion, binds us so much that we have a common language. And it does not matter whether it is a Pole, a German or a Spaniard. Whether he is dressed more or less tastefully. It does not count. I am glad that we are in Europe, that we are Europeans and that we are united by the same passion. I’m proud to be a carp angler and no hate or frustrated people can break that.

.. D L O G E R U .8kg OF P

ord when the last rec It was back in 2018 ic. ss Cla rp Ca d orl W was broken at the Schuster and René Austrians, Jasmine gest fish in WCC big Jauker caught the ter of a Whacker’s mons history since Axel evious. 28.9kg 10 years pr drawn Big Island, having the on n ga be all It uld be wo s thi y, all Norm Peg 50 on Madine. mmer days su t ho the t bu ot, a favoured sp s and ated weeds, weed of that year had cre more weeds. with a t on the first night The pair lucked ou kg, 40 14. at h fis er anoth 19,30kg mirror and y an ut tho passed wi but the next 2 days

day that til 9pm on the final action. It wasn’t un that h fis the ... nt a mome there was a Eurek the on + 29 rp exceeding made history ... a ca al result fin a , ing igh we l cia scales! After an offi 29,80kg! was announced ... on there y had a little luck René believes the some e tak to in ed dropp side: “Pete Castle oned pti ca he e of which ‘memory shots’, on t wasn’t a tha if ll, we ... h’ fis ‘A Big Kiss for a Big premonition!” ’s on and the record However, two years d with lan Po am Te by been broken again the wonder just how big their 30.40kg. We that! at be to be to ve next fish will ha

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

WORLD CARP CLASSIC

BEARCREEKS

TAKING

THE BAIT BearCreeks have over 20 years of experience in building some of the best bait boats available on the market today. Their latest system, the NAVISON takes the bait boat to another level

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Founded in 2017, BearCreeks GmbH is the exciting new brand of Germany’s fishing scene and it’s growing internationally every day. The owner started the fishing business in 1995 and designed the first bait boat in 2005. Since then, five different models of bait boats have been created. They are currently sold worldwide under various names such as KINCARP, Anaconda, Navic, Carponizer, Carpboat and others. We are now developing the BearCreeks brand across Europe and UK BearCreeks is proud to be one of the main sponsors for the biggest fishing event, the World Carp Classic and this season we are extremely excited to introduce our latest system, the NAVISON, which has been specially designed for this year’s WCC competition. The NAVISON system operates with an app, making our product innovative, modern, and allows you to operate the boat easily with integrated joysticks and get full information

PROUD SPONSORS OF THE WORLD CARP CLASSIC

about the status of the bait boat as well as the fishing site. Launched by BearCreeks, NAVISON combines a sonar fish finder, GPS navigation and smart bait boat functions all in one App. With the system installed in a bait boat, your boat will be equipped with the GPS, compass, gyroscope, sonar, and other sensors. The NAVISON Bait boat can be connected to the NAVISON app which supports map display, detects route planning, enables setting of the fishing spots, releases baits and hooks, alarms when the voltage of boat´s battery is low among many other functions. The Sonar system can also locate fish in your fishing spot, detect its size and show the bottom surface on your screen. Additionally, the system can detect depth, temperature, and weather conditions. How amazing Is that? n For more information about

BearCreeks and the Navison system, please go to www.bearcreeks.com

ONEROD ONERULE ONEBIG BATTLE IT’S TAKEN ANGELO OVER 21 YEARS

TO CHANGE THE THINKING BEHIND

CANADA’S CARP FISHING INDUSTRY.

BUT THANKFULLY IT LOOKS LIKE ..

THINGS ARE A CHANGIN’ Some of my fondest memories of growing up as a river rat along the banks of the Oshawa Creek include chasing giant carp through the shallow rapids just south of the Mill Street dam. Although I didn’t realize it back then, I believe carp may have actually played a major role in steering me towards a career in the fishing industry. Now here we are some 60 years later, and Carp are once again playing a major role in my life. Only this time I’m not chasing them through the sparkling rapids of a creek, I’m trying to shepherd them through the dark murky water of bureaucracy.

You see, up until a few years ago, Carp fishing was completely ignored by the Canadian angling community. In my opinion, this is largely because Carp have never been considered a gamefish in this country, constantly getting outshined by the Walleye, Bass, and Pike that grace the top of our country’s gamefish list. Originally introduced to Canada in the late 1800s as a food source for railway workers, the Common Carp were quick to expand its range. Today, it’s estimated that the common carp makes up 45% of the marine bio-mass by weight in the Great Lakes and their tributaries.

FISH’N CANADA’S ANGELO VIOLA

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

WORLD CARP CLASSIC

allabout Angelo.. Angelo is one of Canada’s most recognised and respected outdoor enthusiasts. His passion of the outdoors and skills as creative director/producer have served him well, crafting a broadcasting career in television and radio that spans over 30 years. Co-host of The Fish’n Canada Show, his ability to share moments with his audience landed him the ‘best jobs in the world’ award. In 2010 he was inducted into the Canadian Angler Hall of Fame making him a true fishing legend.

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World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

FISH’N CANADA’S ANGELO VIOLA

WORLD CARP CLASSIC

Carp fishing in Canada is still limited to a very select group of anglers. Most of them of European background where Carp are revered and Carp fishing is the biggest show in town

ANGELO VIOLA

FISH ‘N SHOW CANADA

Despite this, Carp fishing in Canada is still limited to a very select group of anglers. Most of them of European background where Carp are revered and Carp fishing is the biggest show in town. In fact, today as much as 75% of the total angling efforts, in both continental Europe and the UK, are focused solely on Carp. Whereas here in Canada, as of 2012, Carp fishing represents less than 2%. All of this to say, “things are a changin.” In 2005, a few carp enthusiasts started lobbying both provincial and federal governments to rewrite a fishing regulation that affected the number of rods permitted to be used while carp fishing - one rod per angler when fishing from shore. The goal was to bring Canada in line with other

established carp fisheries which frequently allow 2 or 3 rods per angler. Heading this endeavour were avid carp angler Len Perdic, then Director with Ontario Tourism Jim Grayston, and then president of Shimano Canada Tom Brook. They worked feverishly wading through the bureaucratic cesspool in hopes of getting carp their much-needed gamefish status but, unfortunately, were met with disinterest at best and total disdain at worst. Every door they knocked on yielded the same result. And, of course, there was yours truly, Angelo Viola and my Fish’n Canada co-host Peter Bowman. We believed then, as we still do today, that without gamefish status it was going to be difficult, if not impossible, to alter the “one-rod rule”. After years of meetings and presentations, some progress was finally seen in mid-2018, when, for the first time, an acting Premier finally took the time to listen to our pleas. Shortly after, Premier Doug Ford took it upon himself, along with his Minister of Natural Resources John Yakabuski, to parliament and ask for the required federal changes to be made. After almost 3 more years of lobbying, on Feb. 23rd, 2021 the announcement was finally made on the Fish’n Canada live webcast. The new 3-rod carp regulation will significantly impact the economic and social fabric of this province. In the short term, the fishing tackle industry will see an immediate boost in sales of rods, reels, rod holders, terminal tackle, baits etc. while the tourism sector will be the benefactor of longer-term results, as Canada’s carp fishing will finally be showcased on the global stage by hosting global competitions such as the World Cup Classic. I had the pleasure of meeting Ross Honey, president and founder of the WCC in 2012 and we have since been in constant discussions planning for the day when we could host a WCC event in Canada now that we have overcome our greatest obstacle. I believe the media attention garnered from this policy change will shine some light on this tremendously valuable and underutilized fishery and, with a little help from our European friends, carp fishing in Canada could grow to rival even our bass, walleye, and pike fisheries. n ANGELO VIOLA

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allabout Coen.. “I started pole fishing as a young boy, but after a couple of years I switched to carp fishing after I saw some of them swimming in the lake next to my house! Since then, a new passion was born. Now a couple of years later I’m traveling a lot through Europe and have been at some amazing locations. I have been a marshall at the WCC for a couple of years now, but this year will be representing Team Lowrance which I’m so excited for! As a Lowrance ambassador I have years of experience with their electronics, which are a great help in my current type of fishing. We have a strong team of extremely competent anglers, fingers crossed for some big catches!”

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COEN URSEM: How I prepare for the WCC

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

LOWRANCE . . PROUd SPONSORS OF THE WCC

WORLD CARP CLASSIC

Once again, it’s time for the World Carp Classic, but how do I prepare for a competition like this without knowing which swim I will be fishing? First of all, I like to know as much as I can about the lake. Because it is such a big lake, it can be difficult know everything about it, but with the help of my Lowrance units it can be a lot easier to do and combining it with the C-Map Genesis chart, I can even do it from home. With the C-Map Genesis I simply start my unit, head to the Madine and see all the depths of the whole lake and with that information I can make a plan about how to fish. Over the last couple of years, I’ve been on Lac de Madine many times. During those trips I’ve fished on many different parts of the lake and on every part the echosounder has found some really interesting spots and marked them as well. Once marked, they appear immediately on my chart – this helps a lot during a competition like the World Carp Classic as it means you know almost all of the swims and that saves a lot of time during the first day of the competition. After the peg draw, we can start our echosounders, go to our swim and make a plan using the chart without even being on the water, so on the first day, we know exactly what to expect when we go on the water. This worked really well the last time I participated in the World Carp Classic. We had our rods out in 2 hours after the start of the competition, with the first fish caught on the first night and we ended the tournament with a really good result!

CONTROL using my Lowrance equipment

How do I use my electronics? When I’m looking for interesting features in the lake I use three different types of views. First of all, there’s the side scan option: with this option I can see a big area around my boat so I can be sure I dont miss any interesting spots or features. The second view, I use downscan: this function I can see a very detailed image of the area right under my boat. And the third option I use the original sonar. The main use for my sonar is to see how hard the bottom is under my boat. On my unit I can combine all three options in one screen ehich gives a clear view what is under and around my boat. Besides these settings, I always use a chart of C-Map Genesis where most of the lakes and watersystems are shown over the world. And if it is not shown, the combination of the Lowrance units and the C-map chart will make a bathymetric map automaticaly. n COEN URSEM

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

WORLD CARP CLASSIC

MEUSE .. PROUD SPONSOR OF THE WCC

Meuse is a polish company specialising in producing fishing baits and groundbaits since 2008. Working closely with experienced anglers, we are always listening to our customers’ suggestions and having our own testing team, allows us to take a very practical approach to improving our product range. We now produce over 100 different, highquality baits including our new Challenge Boilie Series and Spectrum ‘Natural Seeds’ – both of which we recommend to demanding anglers.

The Challenge Series: A product line created for the greatest challenges. Competitions, waters with a lot of fishing pressure and wherever you want to outsmart the biggest carp. Challenge products are formulated with the finest ingredients based on Pre-Digested, Lt-94, GLM, ground shrimp meal, spice blends and dried ground fruit for faster metabolism and better digestibility. The varied action of the groundbait balls allows you to choose and adjust the baiting tactics even better in different fisheries. Challenge hard boilies are perfect for a throwing stick, have been created for extremely long and accurate casts. Their hardness and top class attractors make them resist small fish while having a strong impact on the fishery. Amino acids, fast absorbing ingredients and betaine HCL stimulate feeding, while premium animal and plant proteins keep the fish wanting more. Challenge soft boilies perfect for bait boats and spombs are the result of many seasons of refining the mix. Fast-acting with a thick coating, they provide instant and extremely intense attraction for fish, even from very distant parts of the fishery. Components accelerating metabolism and nutritional richness contained in the ball is a guarantee of frequent and express takes.

Red killer cray Perfectly balanced. Ingredients such as crayfish flour, krill flour, predigested, with the addition of ground hemp and oilcake create the perfect ball to use on any water. An ideal product for carp anglers looking for a classic high protein boilie. Recommended as a treat in areas with abundant crustaceans and mollusks. Perfect for long sessions.

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Lemon shock The ball contains ground citrus fruit peel containing bioflavonoids and a considerable amount of vitamin C. These compounds regulate metabolic processes, detoxify the body and positively affect the overall health of fish. The content of whey protein concentrates, ideally balances the nutritional composition of carp. The carp, choosing the best food for themselves, often return to the baited spot increasing their chances for a big catch. Balls recommended in spring and summer.

White worm These balls are a protein bomb. White worm meal, liver meal, krill flour , lt94 flour, comprehensively supplement carp diet with essential amino acids. The addition of hemoglobin is an added benefit of an easily digestible protein with high biological value. High-protein product works very well in waters with poor biocenosis Balls recommended especially in spring and late autumn.

UP FOR A CHALLENGE?

PERFECT BAIT FOR THE DEMANDING ANGLER

Sweet dream King Spice Eleven natural selected spices containing natural aromas and capsaicin compounds, which remarkably enhances food intake by carp . The addition of ground shrimps together with natural flavours, which are released, attract and keep fish in the fishery. Balls especially recommended for difficult overfished waters at any time of the year.

A ball based on animal meal including whey protein concentrate, natural ingredients containing B group vitamins (contained in ground chokeberry fruit and wild rose), which affect the proper metabolism. The content of nut meal, containing a considerable amount of protein, carbohydrates and healthy fats and fiber, supports the intensity of feeding and digestion of food. The sweet taste of the boilies works very well in places where big silver carps occur. Balls recommended especially for the summer period.

Short and very, very sweet The spectrum series unique boilies with added proteins especially recommended for short-term fishing. The use of our coating technology allowed us to cover our boilies with an extra coating meaning we were able to incorporate a double helping of attractors in and on our boilies. The added taste and smell significantly increases the area of influence hence attracting fish from the far corners of the fishery. This year we are offering new boilies from the Spectrum Series, “natural seeds”, with up to 80% of the grains. We recommend hemp boilies, corn boilies, and crushed tiger nut boilies.

WORLD CARP CLASSIC

1998

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YOUR GUIDE TO LAC DE MADINE 2022

WORLD CARP CLASSIC

2022

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

YOUR GUIDE TO LAC DE MADINE 2022

WORLD CARP CLASSIC

CAUGHT IN A MOMENT. . 2020 - 2022

CATCHING THE SPIRIT

The last few years have been uncertain times for many of us, but one thing’s for sure .. when you catch the carp bug, you can’t stop the itch!

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Madine is my favourite by a country mile. The place invariably beats me up, but to a far lesser extent than all the other WCC venues I’ve fished Tim Paisley, writer, journalist and an all round big personality

Lac de Madine is the spiritual home of the WCC and those participating in it carry that very same ambience to every venue Steve Howard, avid carp angler and journalist

CAUGHT IN A MOMENT. . 2020 - 2022

WORLD CARP CLASSIC

The love of catching these carp and this passion, binds us so much that we have a common language. And it does not matter whether it is a Pole, a German or a Spaniard. Artur Butynski, WCC Champion and Record Breaking Biggest Fish, 2022

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CARP SPIRIT ..

SETTING THE

RIGHT TONE

Alarm specialists, Carp Spirit have created an incredible bite-alarm range with the new 2022/23 product offering Long time World Carp Classic sponsors Carp Spirit have been busy giving their existing Bite Alarm range a very impressive make over. For the 2022/23 season the brand is introducing four new models and corresponding sets that cover a variety of features and price points for anglers of levels and budgets. The new introductions include key additions to the ever-popular HD sub brand via HD2 and HD4 models, and the expansion of the highly popular BLAX sub brand via the BLAX and BLAX V-XR models. The HD4 and BLAX VX-R versions include both alarm heads and receivers, whilst the HD2 and BLAX sets are alarm heads only. All versions are feature packed and offer exceptional value for money. Alan Yates, Carp Spirit Product Development Manager explains, “the reception to the new Carp Spirit Bite alarms has been incredibly positive; setting them up to be one of the hottest product launches of the 2022/23 season. With sleek modern looks, feature packed and competitive RRP’s, demand is expected to be high. All of the models introduced use the latest electrical circuits boards that are simple to programme and use. An extremely nice feature for the BLAXVX-R and HD4 models in particular is the memory recall function that remembers your previous settings from the last time you used the alarm; eliminating the need to reprogramme for every new session”. Dynamite and Carp Spirit angler Steve Coe explained “the BLAX VX-R Alarms are now my go to alarms for

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all my fishing. The performance and features included with this model are exceptional. The fact that you get something that performs and looks as good as it does, for an unbelievable price, is a huge selling point that will appeal to a lot of anglers. I would certainly recommend this model to anybody”. n For further information please visit www.carpspirt.com (include Facebook/Instagram / Youtube logo).

BLAX

The alarm is designed to be entry level that is feature packed and outstanding value. Key features: 4 volume settings, 4 tone settings, 20 second latching LED, nightlight mode, low battery warning, 2.5mm power out socket, stainless steel screw. Available as a set of 3 (red, yellow, green) or as a single alarm (blue). Single Alarm RRP £14.99! (set of 3 £42.99).

HD4 – High quality multi-function alarm and receiver set

Key Features: 4 colour LED (red, yellow, green, blue), 15 second latching time, 30 second ‘mute’ feature, detachable snag ears, 4 level volume, 4 tone and 4 sensitivity settings, drop back differentiation, nightlight mode, low battery warning. Available as a set of 3 or 4 (protection case included). Set of 3 RRP £159.99).

BLAX V-XR:

Incredible value alarm. Alarm and Receiver Set (set of 3 £79.99). Key features: Hi-Viz blue LED’s, 4 volume settings, 4 tone settings, 20 second latching LED, nightlight mode, low battery warning, 2.5mm power out socket, 150m range, stainless steel screw. Available as a set of 3 or 4 (protection case included).

HD2

Entry level alarm within the HD range. RRP £19.95 per single alarm. Key Features: 4 colour LED (red, yellow, green, blue), 15 second latching time, 30 second ‘mute’ feature, detachable snag ears, 4 level volume, tone and sensitivity settings, drop back differentiation. nightlight mode, low battery warning.

WORLD CARP CLASSIC ROLL OF HONOUR ‘22 1998 Champion:

Paul Raymant, England. Weight: 127.15lbs Best Lady: Cathy Bell, England. Weight: 30.3lbs Biggest Fish: John Craven, England. Weight: 49.5lbs

2000 Champions:

Paul Harrison & Paul Watts, England. Weight: 81.3kgs Team Event: Team Cobra/GB Baits, England. Weight: 114.3 kgs

2001 Champions:

T Stunnenburg & R.Bredenbeek, Netherlands Weight: 164.4kgs Team Event: Fishermans World, Netherlands Weight: 258.9kgs Biggest Fish: Sam Oakley & Barry Mann England. Weight: 21kgs

2003 Champions:

Mark Gardner & Jo Gardner, England Weight: 67.35kgs Biggest fish: Hans Sissingh and P Vermeulen Netherlands. Weight: 1.6kgs

2004 Champions:

Mick Hinson and Tony Kirrage, England Weight: 85.35kgs Team Event: Birch Syndicat Carp Team, Wales Weight: 20.85kgs Biggest fish: Brian Warwick & Michael Perry, Wales

2005 Champions:

Keith Turner & Clive Hicks, England Weight: 35.5kgs Team Event: GB Baits, England. Weight: 31.6kgs Biggest fish: Mavis Unwin, England. Weight:17.4 kgs

2006 Champions:

Mariusz Chiach & Jarowslaw Plochoki, Poland Weight:80.85Kgs Team Event: SBS, England. Weight: 23.5kgs Biggest fish: Eddie Matthews & richard Bradley, England. Weight: 23.5kgs

2007 Champions:

Jean Pierre Becker & Yves Hauk, France Weight: 22.1kgs Team Event: Carpworld, England Biggest Fish: Jean Pierre Becker. Weight: 22.1kgs

2008 Champions:

Andrew Judd & Peter truckle, England Weight: 140.4kgs Team Event: Carpworld, England. Weight:89.6kgs Biggest Fish: Pascal Gallon, Luxembourg. Weight: 23.7kgs

2009 Champions:

Rob Tough & Tom Duncan Dunlop, England Team Event: Carpworld, England Biggest Fish: Axel Wacker, Germany. Weight: 28.9kgs

1998

WORLD CA

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

WCC ROLL OF HONOUR 2022

2010 Champions:

2015 Champions:

2011 Champions:

2016 Champions:

George Czonka & John Roberts, England Weight: 216.2kgs Team Event: Team Renmar Latvia. Weight: 167.7kgs Biggest Fish: Mikulas Elek & Pavel Snevajs Weight: 27.4kgs Jens Gassen and Thomas Muller Germany Weight: 337.6kgs Team Event:Team Deutschland, Germany. Weight: 409kgs Biggest fish: Aivars Rudzinskis & Varis Lazo, Latvia. Weight: 25.3kgs

2012 Champions:

Peter Micula and Norbert Pongracz, Romania Weight: 329.9kgs Team Event: Thomas Vanek & Peter Hofierk, Cz Republic; Andrea Campanini & Filippo Mongrandi, Italy; Stuart Downing & Rob Nunn Weight: 382.8kgs Biggest fish: Peter Micula & Norbert Pongracz, Romania. Weight:22.5kg

2013 Champions:

Bianca Venema & Lizette Beunders, Netherlands. Weight: 366.5kgs Team Event: Andre Pieters & Craig Wood, Bianca Venema & Lizette Beunders, Netherlands. Wim Hanegraaf Dave Kesseler Weight: 366.5kgs Biggest fish: Krzysztof Mroz, Poland. Weight: 22.6kgs

2014 Champions:

Andrzej Walczak, Gabriel Starzec & Krzysztof Chamusko, Poland. Weight: 166.2kg Team Event: Carp R Us, Poland and Czech Republic. Weight: 181.8kg Biggest fish: Brit Terry Houghton of Spomb. This is the WCC record common carp caught to date. Weight: 23.9 Kgs

ARP CLASSIC

WORLD CARP CLASSIC

Larysa Switlyk, Hans Sissingh Mattie Curfs. Weight: 61.6 kgs USA/ Netherlands (3 biggest fish) Team Event: Team Carp Connections Weight: 61,6kgs Biggest fish: Viktor Lehrner, Austria. Weight: 26.2kgs Karel Nikl, Jan Dadak and Jakub Kumsta, Czech Republic. Weight: 58.6kg Team Event: Karel Nikl, Jan Dadak and Jakub Kumsta, Czech Republic Weight: 94.1kg Biggest fish: Jacek Wojciuch, Poland Weight: 21.6kg

2017 Champions:

Tim Paisley, Lee Jackson and Benji Petutshnig, England. Weight: 72.2kg Team Event: Karel Nikl, Jan Dadak and Jakub Kumsta, Czech Republic Weight: 74.6kg Biggest fish: Lee Jackson, England. Weight: 25.5kg

2018 Champions:

Marius Koekemoer, Jacques Niehaus and Thomas Thibaud, New Zealand. Weight: 69kg Biggest fish: Rene Jauker, Austria. Weight: 29.8kg

2019 Champions:

Aleksei Tretiakov and Evgeny Kiselev, Russia. Weight: 67.9kg Biggest fish: Dawid Wysocki, Poland. Weight: 29.8kg

2020 Champions:

Dariusz Lesznar, Andrzej Krawczyk and Lukasz Cybulski, Poland. Weight: 73.7kg Biggest fish: Robert Rizman, Czech Republic. Weight: 29.3kg

2021 Champions:

Artur Butynski, Adam Zawistowski and Robert Jakimiuk, Germany. Weight: 78.4kg Biggest fish: Artur Butynski, Germany. Weight: 30.4kg

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REUBEN HEATON.. TOTAL WEIGHING SOLUTIONS During the 157 years of its existence, the firm of Reuben Heaton has forged an enviable reputation for quality and performance within the angling trade and been responsible for many landmark designs and patents in angling some of which are still in evidence many years later. By constantly developing and refining those products to meet with the changing needs of anglers, Reuben Heaton continues to set the benchmarks by which other products are judged. As business owner I have a responsibility to maintain the high profile of the Heaton name and I am always on the lookout for ways to achieve this goal both for the Reuben Heaton brands and more recently the other brands that Reuben Heaton represents. Major angling events worldwide like the World Carp Classic (WCC), have always played a vital role in raising awareness of our brands and given us a platform to demonstrate our products to customers. As a consequence of supporting numerous world class competitions Reuben Heaton scales are now used worldwide for many national and international events as well as being accepted by governing bodies such as the IGFA for world records. During the 30 years or so that [Ross Honey, Angling Spirit] has been developing angling events such as the WCC, he has forged a reputation for innovation and refinement that

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OFEXPERIENCE

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has resulted in the formation of benchmark events by which other European and World events are judged. Having been involved in the running of these events right from the very first World Carp Classic in 1998, I have witnessed first hand the constant development and refinement needed to maintain the position of market leader, and along the way Reuben Heaton has been responsible for the weighing and measuring of numerous catches that have secured victory for top class anglers. From that original template has come other major events including the World Trout Open, the World Catfish Classic, the World Predator Classic and now the Sea Angling Classic. Each individual event has been further developed in its own right to fill the niche of its respective angling discipline and the latest running of each event reflects

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

WORLD CARP CLASSIC

recent trends in each sector building on what has gone before. Reuben Heaton are proud to be sponsors of, yet another WCC event in 2022 that will not only offer an opportunity to demonstrate our wider product portfolio to the UK and Europe but also offer us worldwide media coverage. Modern angling event requirements for recording captures have now gone beyond simple weigh slings. Conservation, catch and release and data recording are now the core elements that need to be engineered into the products used in this process. The Total Weighing Solutions (TWS) project launched by Reuben Heaton in 2016, focuses on developing not only future scales models, but also a complementary range of integrated weighing systems and accessories tailor-made for the weighing,

measuring, and recording process during fish capture. TWS works with consultants, agents, and fieldworkers from both the environmental and angling arenas to develop future-proof weighing and measuring products to cope with the external factors affecting the capture process. With an increase in catch and release programmes around the world, safe effective weighing products are a must. The TWS project works in with organisations and events such as the WCC worldwide to deWvelop safe handling processes that can be adopted as standard procedures for major events. Reuben Heaton scales are instrumental in the weighing in process for many events worldwide. Live coverage of events means that pressure for efficient and safe weighing processes is greater than ever. In addition many modern fisheries

now impose weight restrictions on individual keep net weights. TWS will target these situations and develop solutions to suit. This WCC event is definitely not for the faint hearted. Previous events have proved that the WCC is a challenge to both angler and equipment. The Reuben Heaton brand, synonymous with high quality fishing tackle for over 165 years, has been supplying performance weigh scales, weighing, and measuring equipment to angling competitions for over ninety years and we are proud once more to be a sponsor of the World Predator Classic. n ANDY RACE

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

CAP RIVER . . PROUD SPONSOR OF WCC

LEMÉLANGE PARFAIT Nous avons participé à notre première WCC en 2017, sans expérience dans cette compétition, nous finirons la semaine sans le moindre poisson. L’année suivante, nous étions largement mieux préparés, techniques d’amorçage, choix d’appâts et placement des cannes aurons été minutieusement réfléchis. La bouillette Banane Kiwi aura été choisi, sa composition très riche en spiruline et en krill en fait un appât très proche de l’alimentation naturel des carpes de Madine. Une wafters Banane Kiwi avec quelques poignées de bouillettes suffirons à déclencher 13 départs sur la semaine et nous placera 7ème du classement final et premier du secteur Karpela. Les années qui ont suivies, nous avons gardés les mêmes techniques, la Banane Kiwi ne nous quitte plus et depuis, les poissons répondent présents. En 2021, ce n’est pas moins de 2 équipes Cap River qui se placerons dans le TOP 5 de la WCC avec la magnifique troisième place du podium et une belle cinquième place (premier de secteur). Cap River est fier cette année encore d’être sponsor de cette magnifique compétition qui rassemble les plus grands noms de la pêche de la carpe en lac de plus de 40 Pays. Nous remercions Ross et Marie-Anne qui malgré les difficultés sanitaires, s’efforcent de maintenir la compétition, merci également à tous les Marshal’s et personnes sans qui tout cela ne serait pas possible. A très bientôt pour la WORLD CARP CLASSIC XXIV. L’équipe Cap River

Les gammes actuellement disponibles: Les carnées: MonsterCrab…l’indétrônable! Gold Crayfish (écrevisse) n Les fruitées: Pêche Poivre, Banane, Kiwi n Les épicées: Indian Spice et Ail Foie n

www.capriver.fr

Cap River est une marque d’appâts dont le siège est basé dans le Grand Est de la France, en Moselle (57).

Entreprise aux ambitions grandissantes et prônant l’innovation, Cap River jouit d’une expertise commune d’une équipe de pêcheurs aguerris et d’un aromaticien de métier. La technicité des compositions et la complexité des arômes mis au point permet à cette firme de proposer des produits de très grande qualité. Des ambitions grandissantes et des exigences de haut standing Le moins que l’on puisse dire, c’est que la firme se donne les moyens de réussir. Outre les infrastructures et la ligne de production qui permet déjà de produire jusqu’à 500kg d’appâts par heure, la grande particularité de cette firme réside dans l’élaboration et la création d’arômes uniques qui viennent compléter les différentes recettes. Le mot d’ordre est l’authenticité. Pour le sucré comme pour le salé, l’aromaticien va tenter de se rapprocher le plus fidèlement possible du goût et des odeurs naturelles. CAP RIVER fait partie des rares marques françaises d’appâts pour la pêche à la carpe à bénéficier d’un aromaticien dédié. Le respect des standards agroalimentaires est également au cœur du processus de

fabrication. L’entreprise est en mesure de tracer l’ensemble des lots fabriqués afin de vous garantir jour après jour une sécurité d’utilisation optimale. La méthode HACCP (système qui identifie, évalue et maîtrise les dangers significatifs au regard de la sécurité des aliments) est également appliquée au processus de fabrication, visant ainsi à garantir la sécurité des denrées commercialisées. Autant dire que le niveau d’exigence est très haut et vous vous en doutez, la qualité est donc forcément au rendez-vous. La société a fait un choix fort en proposant une gamme relativement restreinte mais surtout ultra qualitative. La volonté affichée est clairement de se placer dans le marché des appâts haut de gamme. Déclinés en 4 familles (les carnées, les fruitées, les crémeuses et les épicées), chaque pêcheur y trouvera son bonheur.

Le produit phare: les bouillettes Les compositions sont d’une très grande richesse et on s’aperçoit dès le premier coup d’œil de l’aspect qualitatif des appâts. D’une texture friable très naturelle, les bouillettes Cap River sont composées d’ingrédients de grande qualité dans l’optique d’être facilement assimilées par les carpes et surtout d’être appétant sur le long terme.

Laissez parler votre imagination! Les liquides DROPA sont riches en marqueurs naturels et sont conçus sur les bases d’un complexe d’acides aminés super attractif chez les carpes. Véritables bombes d’attraction, Ils sont parfaits pour renforcer l’instantanéité de vos pop-ups, wafters, pellets, stick mix… Du fait de leur composition, aucun surdosage n’est possible avec ce produit. Laissez parler votre imagination!

Les Booster . . Les boosters sont riches en attractants, épais et collants, ils peuvent être utilisés de diverses façons. Que ce soit pour des trempages prolongés, des nappages, renforcer l’attraction d’un spod mix… l’attraction est garantie. Leur composition permet une attraction horizontale et verticale sur toutes les couches d’eau

Les pop-ups neutre DROPOP. . ont été conçu pour être utilisées avec les boosters liquides « Dropa ». Disposant d’une flottaison à toute épreuve, même les plus petits diamètres peuvent être eschés sur les montages flottants les plus exigeants. Disponible dans 8 couleurs (jaune, rose, blanc, orange, violet, bleu, vert et noir) et 4 diamètres (10mm, 14mm, 18mm, dumbell 15x18mm).

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World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

WORLD CARP CLASSIC

PB PRODUCTS . . PROUD SPONSORS OF THE WCC

GIVINGITOUR

PERSONAL BEST PB Products is a Dutch Carp Brand started in 1995 by two Carp Fishermen named Piet Vogel and Bertus Wagenaar, hence the brand name ‘PB”.

Early days ... The original PB Products packaging

Within a short period a third angler named Henk van Berkel was added as an owner and all three produced rigs. Three fishermen, sitting at a table, making rigs to sell to Amsterdam retailers – that’s how it all started. Back then, almost no advanced and specialist rigs were available on the market so the PB Products rigs were unique, high standard, knotted with high quality components. To promote the brand, PB Products created a team of talented and well-known Dutch anglers like John Caeyers and Hans Wowijs. These two fishermen are still fishing and for PB Products today and still promoting their products. It was not long before other retailers in the Netherlands and even Belgium were looking for PB products. To cope with the volume of sales, distribution, development and production for the growing market, toward the end of the 90’s Ultimate Hengelsport became the distributor of PB Products.

Now the brand was able to reach more retailers and even more countries and other products, beside rigs, were now being developed. Ultimate product manager, Marcel Uljé, gave Piet Vogel a reliable manufacturer for lines and the PB Products team created unique and high quality hooklinks and mainlines like Jelly Wire, Gator Braid and Control Mono which are still in the PB Products range – these were really innovative items at that time! This collaboration between Piet Vogel and Marcel Uljé made it possible to create items. For example, the Blue Spirit rods and the PB Products rig wallets which are collectors’ items nowadays. PB Products soon became known for their reliable and high-quality products, which created a greater demand and the market share grew quickly. This meant that the guys at PB Products needed to invest more and more in their development and stock. Piet, Bertus and Henk found a new investor and soon PB Products was capable of developing its sales and distribution further. More staff were hired and the company successfully progressed. This also gave the PB guys more time to concentrate on fishing and development In 2007, an important innovation regarding fish safety and responsible carp fishing was added to the PB range – a leadclip that was “Fish Safe”, as the Dutch called it. The Hit & Run System. The way this leadclip differed, was that the rig was NOT knotted to mainline or leader and should the mainline snap, nothing would remain with the fish. Not the lead, the clip, the leader or mainline. Even is the mainline is meters and meters long. This system was as safe as Helicopter or Chod systems because the swivel of the rig was like these systems, not knotted to leader as well. Important is that these systems, also chod and helicopter systems, are only safe when Lead is NOT DROPPED. When lead is dropped, no system is safe anymore. A fish safe/friendly system was created and really changed the mindset of carp systems. Because of the big success of the Hit & Run Leadclip a Hit & Run Inline Lead system was developed and introduced in 2010. Even leadcore was safe to use from that moment on. The Benelux fishermen started to see the

20 YEARS OF INNOVATION advantages of the PB Products Hit & Run System and the company went on till 2012. In 2012 Dutch Tackle Company B.V. , owned by Martijn Tijssen and Marcel Uljé, took over PB Products. As the angling trade became more professional, so did DTC. They helped PB Products become more professional in retail presentations, fast and correct distribution and as a result, the brand grew throughout Europe and beyond. Giant Ardy Veltkamp was added to the team. This international known angler and participant of the WCC created openings for the brand in Eastern Europe as well. In 2014 PB Products became a Section sponsor of the WCC. This event would help PB Products get to know more about international angling. New contacts during this event were made, and some of these contacts are still selling the PB Products in other countries than Benelux. The WCC participants come from all over the world and many also work in the trade. This created opportunities for PB Products to get more sales in other countries. We can say that the connections we share now in the UK and even the USA, were made during the WCC. After a while a DTC UK department was set up by Jonathon Greenall and the brand continues to grow in the UK. Products like Jelly Wire and Control mono are doing really well here as they are both products that fit the UK fishing “style”. The next step is to let anglers see how the Hit & Run system is a big advantage for the future of carp fishing. Not only because the fish are more protected when something goes wrong but also to show animal activists we take care of our fish!

Just a small selection of unique and PB were the first to bring to the market

CUTTER PLIERS

Section Sponsors ... Marcel Uljé, co-owner of Dutch Tackle

HELI CHOD

SHOT ON THE HOOK BEAD

Company, took over PB Products in 2012. Since then the company have continued to grow from strength to strength

n For contact PB Products Europe:

info@ pbproducts.nl for contact PB Products UK: sales@pbproductsuk.co.uk

EXTRA SAFE LEAD CLIP

THE ALIGNER

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The stealthy appearance of the new ULTEGRA XTE is undoubtedly stunning! Yet, it is during the first moments of fish fighting that you will truly appreciate the remarkable feel of the reel. Immediately after hooking, you will experience the instant power and smoothness produced by the HAGANE GEAR. During those long fights, the lightness of the Ci4+ Body will enhance your fish-playing. At the time you’re ready for your next catch, the long-range casting and accuracy will deliver the bait on the perfect location every time. No matter how tough, or seemingly impossible the challenge is, trust in the ULTEGRA XTE - FEEL IT, BELIEVE IT.

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

WORLD CARP CLASSIC JUNIOR EVENT

HERE COME THE

YOUNGGUNS For the first time, In 2015, the World Carp Classic Junior, the world championship in carp fishing, was held at Lake Katlov in the Czech Republic. This gave junior teams from around the world the chance to experience a competition environment and prepare to become our future WCC Champions

Part of the Angling Spirit vision is to make the whole world of fishing available to all ages, genders, races and abilities. Working over the last 17 years with the Angling Spirit ethos of fairplay, sustainable angling, and best practice catch and release, we will all have a heritage of fishing to fall back upon in our moments of need for the great outdoors.

Ross Honey, Angling Spirit and their stable of World Angling Classics are working towards that legacy – international angling events enjoyed by all anglers and their families. For many years, perhaps unbeknown to most of the angling fraternity, Ross has been

WORLD CARP CLASSIC

a tireless worker helping those less fortunate than ourselves. In 2015 he broke his silence and created an ambitious charity event that brought together the separate strands of the Angling Spirit ethos, and wove them into one fabulous new event, The World Carp Classic Junior competition. This event not only showcases the young talent that is up and coming across the carp fishing community, it brings together age groups, creating small families within the one giant WCC family. It educates, encourages and inspires the younger generation to carry the mantle of angling and the spirit of angling. Not only that, it also succeeded in the stated intention of giving something back to those less fortunate. In its first year, the event raised over £40,000 for the Children’s Hospital and its leukaemia sufferers who were from the same county as the venue, the Czech Republic. What has been noticeable throughout these junior tournaments is the sheer unbending determination of these young competitors. You witness teams from all over the world, all aged 18 and under – some as young as 10, coping with deadlines, dramas, trials and tribulations, highs and lows for three gruelling days and it’s obvious they are loving every minute of it. That’s the spirit of angling.

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WORLD CARP CLASSIC JUNIOR EVENT

TALKING ‘BOUT OUR

GENERATION My love affair with fishing began over half a century ago, a small boy cast his first line into the crystal clear waters of a lake, fed by a sparkling chalk stream, water so clear you could see caddis flies creeping across the bottom in their sandy shucks. The Darent valley in Kent, England, where I lived and fished, was, in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, a hotbed of carp fishing and its development, populated by now legendary anglers, who were only too ready to share their passion and knowledge. Writing this, I guess I should be ashamed to admit that, as a species, the carp never caught my imagination. Unlike the pike. But for many of my generation it most certainly did, gradually growing into the biggest sector of freshwater angling in the UK, and I have no doubt across a lot of Europe. Some 50 years later it is still as popular as its ever been with more and more specialist, and in many cases, expert anglers plying their craft on waters big and small right across the globe. They say that a week in politics is a long time, but it seems that 20 years in carp fishing is tiny by comparison. This time has flown by, gone before you know it. What is happening in carp fishing, and in particular, the World Carp Classic, is the creation of a legacy to hand on to our children as they grow up to become world class carp anglers in their own right. I’ve been lucky enough to work with Ross Honey for over 25 years, and anyone who knows him knows this legacy isn’t just a pipe dream. During our friendship, the world has entered the digital age where the necessity is always for instant results. In this world, long-term strategic thinking is a bit of a rarity, but it’s something that’s embedded in all of the World Classic events, whatever species they cover. Ross Honey, founder of the WCC event, has always had an eye on the future, and from day one, has built in policies to ensure that there are always new and young anglers to come forward and compete for the crown. “Since I began the tournament, I knew that we would have to look

Chris Leibbrandt, angling trade veteran and journalist looks at the legacy of the World Carp Classic and how it is working to ensure that the next generation of carp anglers is as successful, if not more so, than the current one

WCC Junior event ... not a patronising event that is easy, but a full-on three day, 72 hour contest with some of the best young anglers in Europe and beyond.

long-term at the future of the event, to ensure that we attract the young anglers with enquiring minds and innovative thinking,” said Ross. “Without the next generation of anglers to carry the fishing torch, we are always going to be vulnerable to forces outside of angling that look to restrict our fabulous sport. I want to make sure it will never be a case of ‘use or lose it’. That’s why I always planned an academy and also a junior event where our children and young adults, under expert guidance, can show us how it’s done. This isn’t about being a token event, or being patronising: these kids have got real talent and I’m really pleased to say that we’re helping to create an angling future for them.” Ask any long standing trade professional about recruitment of young people into angling and they’ll tell you there isn’t enough of it. Most of us are worried, not just about the use of computers, tablets and mobile devices, but also the environment and how to ensure that as anglers, we don’t lose our access to fisheries to environmental groups, bird watchers and pressure groups like PETA. One way we can do that is to create an interest in the great sport of angling at an early age, many parents don’t have a lot of spare time, so fishing, the outdoors and its benefits being taught to young people is essential. Angling Spirit have had this in hand for many years with the inclusion of local schools, colleges, including specialist fishery colleges, as well as some university students being directly involved in teaching and giving lectures.

I always planned an academy and also a junior event where our children and young adults, under expert guidance, can show us how it’s done 195

Ukraine Juniors take the Trophy at Wraysbury The third World Carp Classic Junior Tournament took place in October 2017, on the South Lake at Wraysbury in London, which is one of the most famous British bodies of water at 28 hectares (280,000 square metres). The series of competitions were held between nine teams coming from six countries – England, Wales, the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland and the Ukraine. The South Lake is famous for its surprisingly dence population of scaly and syprinus carps, ranging from 5 to13kg in size. There are also the giant ones of 15- 19 kg that are normally the older carps, but they could not be seen this time. About eight giant older carps were registered in the area this year. This year’s winner, Andrii Dobrovoska, said: “Wraysbury is a naturally aspirated body of water and it is here that the English National Team has their regular trainings. In fact, it is one of the lakes that brought Modern Carp Fishing to life. “We felt very priviledged to be here – the experience, the carp fishing, the atmosphere it was just great. Everything was organised really well and there was such a friendly spirit within the carp fishing camp. I’ve made lots of new friends amongst the competitors. “I’ve learnt so many things about the peculiar ways of carp fishing in this area that I didn’t know about previously. And I was so happy to see the famous carp anglers such as WCC 2009 Champion Rob Tough and the inventor of the Spomb along with lots of others. Actually, I never dreamt I would see them in real life. This is an experience I will never forget.” The first two days went in favour of English pair, and then followed a neverending pause that lasted about 18 hours. On the 2nd day of the WCC Junior-2017 event, Andrii finally landed and came first in the Big Fish nomination, then their 2nd fish at 5.5kg was registered. This carp duo made Ukraine the leading team and brought them in to first position, which they held on to until the end. After taking the WCCJ Trophy, Andrii said: “I am really happy about my personal results and of course, very proud for our Ukrainian team winning in WCC Junior-2017 Competition. I think that winning this event has brought me not only the gold, but also showed the top anglers in carp fishing that I’m serious abou this sport. It’s definitely a promising new step in my career and without a doubt, it has brought sense to my life”.

Leading by example.. The event also offers the opportunity to younger, inquisitive anglers to learn all about fishing, respect for nature and encourages families to get their kids outside to fish

TALKING ‘BOUT OUR

GENERATION Some are volunteers on hand to experience angling in action, either as advisors, work parties or bailiff and stewarding assistants. The schools that benefit start with the youngest of angling audiences, the four, five and six year olds getting involved in picture and drawing competitions, and the phenomenal parades that set the World Classic events aside from the rest. The fanfare and general razzmatazz always involves the local communities and businesses, many of whom benefit widely from the influx of angling personalties and TV angling stars who come to compete and report on the events. All of these experiences will be embedded and remembered, used to fire their enthusiasm for angling and the outdoors. Angling Spirit is also embracing the latest phenomenon in angling, street fishing, currently focussed on predator fishing, but it could just as easily evolve into a carp fishing sector. Street fishing is all about reclaiming our urban environment and making use of the resources that are on our doorstep. In many cases these waters are hidden gems within metres of city centres, but contain huge fish that have been ignored and left alone to thrive. Enterprising anglers get out in their spare minutes to re-engage with the waterways of cities and towns, often with surprising results, a good friend, Oli Taylor, said to me recently: “You should do an article about street fishing, call it ‘The Rise of the Lunchtime Angler’.” He’s right, I do! It will come as no surprise to find out that street events are on the agenda with both World Carp and World Predator Classic events, and it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that we’ll see a World Street Fishing Classic in the next few years.

So, let’s talk about the World Carp Classic Junior event created to encourage the beginner-level carp anglers? This is not a patronising event that is easy, but a full-on 3 day, 72 hour contest with some of the best young anglers in Europe and beyond. Since its inception in 2015, this has been, and is, a serious event and that is reflected by the world

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Teaching the contestants about fish behaviour, feeding patterns as well as other technicalities are all part and parcel of the learning experience

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

WORLD CARP CLASSIC JUNIOR EVENT

class sponsors who queue up to support and be a part of the event. The competition has been held at Lake Katlov in the Czech Republic, on Wraysbury in London and the magnificent Lago di Scandarello, Italy in 2018, a venue that is famous for its population of superb common carp. Lago di Scandarello is a reservoir in the Province of Rieti, Lazio, created in 1924 by damming the Scandarello river. The lake is 3 km long and its surface area is 1 sq. km, a manageable 247 acres. With depths of up to 41 m (135 ft) there’s plenty of water for the carp to grow big. The lake is set amongst beautiful hills over 850m above sea level. Countries are represented with teams comprising of two competing anglers, an adult team captain and a guardian. The participants can really get to grips with the experience of a ‘proper’ carp competition, not only learning about tough competition, concentration and possibly most importantly, determination. Although a gruelling

contest, they have their mentors on hand to guide, advise and encourage. There can be a varying skill level amongst the competitors, and the mentors and team captains can help to improve rigs, presentations and casting. Teaching the contestants about fish behaviour, feeding patterns as well as other technicalities like barometric pressure, weather fronts and temperatures are all part and parcel of the learning experience. Another preconception is that it isn’t a tough competition, this is certainly not the case, with close results being the norm, sometimes with the outcome in doubt right up until the final whistle. Unlike the main World Carp Classic event, the English teams have certainly not been the dominant nation, and unless you are a bit psychic, it is difficult to say who the favourites for the trophy will be. This will be because of the spread of the carp ‘cult’ across the world, beginning with its infiltration into the low countries, the Netherlands and Belgium, it has steadily spread

WORLD CARP CLASSIC

as more and more anglers realise the fabulous sporting qualities of the magnificent fish from the European continent. One wonders if this spread will start in the USA where younger anglers might carry the carping torch into their waters, many of them containing magnificent looking, big common carp, grown fat on neglect. The potential is there, with 49 out of 50 states having a carp population, perhaps the tide will turn and the USA’s ‘trash fish’ will become a mainstream sporting quarry. Who knows? One thing we do know is that the future of competitive carp angling, being held in the best of angling spirits, the spirit of fair play, collaboration and multi-national friendship is in very good hands with the World Carp Classic Junior event. The competitors will, before we know it, be fully fledged contestants in the main event, and carry the torch forward for the next 20 years. n CHRIS LEBRANDT

Meus Czech

+420 774 198 007 www.meuscz.cz meuscz@yahoo.com

www.meusbaits.nl

www.jj-ﬁshing.com

www.meus.net.pl

www.meus.sk

www.meuscz.cz

www.meusbaits.hu

WORLD PREDATOR CLASSIC

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

WORLD PREDATOR CHAMPIONS! world predator classic 2021 CLASSIC

ENDLICH ME

PLUS! THE COMPLETE PRIZE PACKAGE.. NITRO Z18 BASS BO

WORLD PREDATOR CLASSIC

After years of competing and some unfortunate mishaps along the way, German duo Thomas Engert and Marc Ptacovsky finally achieved their dream at the 2021 WPC event ... bagging that all important trophy

EISTER!

OAT & MERCURY 150 PRO XS ENGINE: PAGES 210-211

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World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

WORLD PREDATOR CHAMPIONS! world predator classic 2021 CLASSIC

ENDLICH WPC MEISTER!

Thomas Engert UND Marc Ptacovsky

Lieber Marc, lieber Thomas seit einigen Jahren ist die WPC Top Ten ohne euch nicht mehr zu denken und letztes Jahr hat es endlich geklappt und ihr konntet den Sieg mit nach Hause nehmen. Wie hat es sich angefühlt nach so langer Zeit diesen Meilenstein zu erreichen?

Das fühlte sich natürlich super gut an, nachdem wir es bei der vorherigen WPC am letzten Tag noch vergeigt hatten. Eigentlich sind wir beide als recht gute Barschangler bekannt, konnten aber nicht einen einzigen Barsch präsentieren und sind dadurch in der Wertung von Platz 1 auf Platz 6 oder 7 abgerutscht….. Die WPC hat schon einen sehr hohen Stellenwert und diesen Wettbewerb einmal zu gewinnen, ist sicher von uns beiden ein Traum gewesen, der sich dann zu unserer großen Freude auch erfüllt hat.

Q A

Denkt mal zurück an eure erste Teilnahme bei der WPC, wie sehr habt ihr euch und eure Angelei verändert?

Zuallererst fällt mir ein, dass wir bei der ersten WPC an Tag 2 den Motor geschrottet hatten. Ich bin damals auf eine Unterwasser-Buhne gebrettert, mit ca. 50km/h. Das Unterwasserteil samt Propeller war komplett hin, ab dem Zeitpunkt hatten Marc und ich nur noch den E-Motor für die restlichen 1,5 Tage. Am Ende waren wir mit Platz 14 gar nicht mal so schlecht.

Q A

Was hat sich verändert?

Da wir auch nach 2014 immer am Ball geblieben sind, haben wir natürlich an Erfahrung gewinnen können und unsere Angelei ist sicher auch variabler geworden.

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Das fühlte sich natürlich super gut an, nachdem wir es bei der vorherigen WPC am letzten Tag noch vergeigt hatten

Im Gegensatz zu vielen anderen Teams gibt es bei euch einen größeren Altersunterschied. Ist das euer Geheimnis?

Na ja, als Geheimnis würde ich es nicht bezeichnen, es passt halt einfach. Wir verstehen uns blind beim Wettkampf und haben wirklich oft im selben Moment die gleichen Gedanken, besonders wenn es nicht läuft. Das ist uns beiden manchmal beinahe unheimlich, wenn Marc und ich exakt den gleichen Köder aus der Box holen, ohne Absprache. Zum Thema Altersunterschied: wir angeln Turniere und treten nicht bei einem 100m-Lauf an. Körperliche Fitness ist natürlich wichtig, 8 Stunden voller Einsatz beim Turnier sind kein

Pappenstiel. Marc ist jung und dynamisch ☺ anglerisch über die Jahre gereift und mittlerweile auf einem sehr hohen Niveau. Ich bringe meine jahrzehntelange Erfahrung mit ein, gesammelt in unterschiedlichen Bereichen des Wettkampfangelns, vom Stippen über Feedern, Raubfisch und Bass. Wir ergänzen uns prächtig und hoffentlich hält er es noch ein paar Jahre mit mir aus!

Q A

Woher kennt ihr euch und wie kam es, dass ihr beiden zusammen Turniere angelt?

Marc kam schon als 11jähriger mit seiner Mutter oder seinem Vater zu uns in den Angelshop nach Worms, um sich Futter, Köder und Tips für das nächste Jugendangeln

bei mir zu holen. Ich war damals Mitglied in der Friedfisch-Nationalmannschaft und für Marc gewissermaßen ein Vorbild. Der Kontakt ist nie abgerissen, Marc und mein Sohn Stefan gingen auch öfters zusammen ans Wasser und als ich für den DSAV die Aufgabe übernahm, Angler auf Weltmeisterschaften zu schicken, hatte ich Marc aufgrund seiner positiven Entwicklung dann für eine BASS WM nominiert. Leider hat es mit seinem damaligen Bootspartner nicht so richtig harmoniert, ich habe aber Marc‘s Potential gesehen und ihn zu mir aufs Boot geholt. Seitdem haben wir zusammen insgesamt 5 Bronzemedaillen bei BASS Weltmeisterschaften mit der Nationalmannschaft geholt, 2014 die Raubfisch-WM in Frankreich gewonnen, zuletzt

konnten wir 2019 in Südafrika mit Bronze mit dem Nationalteam und Marc und ich auch noch die Bronzemedaille in der Einzelwertung gewinnen. Das ganze Team auf dem Podium, das war schon klasse und Gänsehaut pur. 2021 die WPC zu gewinnen, war dann das Sahnehäubchen. Von uns aus kann es so weiter gehen ...

Im Starterfeld fallt ihr ja schon in jedem Fall durch euer einmaliges Boot auf. Was hat es damit auf sich und warum gerade dieses Boot?

Wir waren vor Jahren zur Peacock-BassWM in Venezuela. Bei der Verteilung der Boote samt Fahrer wurde mir ein ALLISON Bass-Sport Tournament zugelost, mit

WORLD PREDATOR CLASSIC

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

WORLD PREDATOR WPC JOINS FORCES CLASSIC

IT’S OFFICIAL! WPCGOESDUTCH

The World Predator Classic has a undergone a new management set up that will help the event to thrive and grow in the years to come. In March this year, Ross Honey, founder of Angling Spirit and Thorsten Trojan of Rheinlandboote, finalised an agreement to expand and further develop the World Predator Classic together. This agreement enables the international expansion to continue through the Dutch division of RheinlandBoote (b.v). Signed with blue ink and accompanied by Dutch commercial lawyers, the WPC is now also formally completely “Dutch” and thus also well positioned for the future. A delighted Thorsten said: “The WPC is a really special fishing tournament that rightly stands out as one of the most International Events of its kind.”, he went on to explain his motivation to join the Angling Spirit-World. “For more than 8 years, participants from all over Europe have been competing in a sporting and at the same time, friendly competition to win the title of World Predator Classic Champion, to meet friends from many European countries and also to win an incredible main prize. “All embedded in the Hellevoetsluis region and its fantastic waters: in Holland”.

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Feellikeyour missingout? Catch up on the event at the WPC 2021 official video programme ..

Part 1

Getting ready, Introduction, Boat-Parade & Event-Start https://youtu.be/fyYLYV7NA9Q

Part 2 Fishing Day 1 in rough water and Interviews with leading competitors https://youtu be/5HsDId4LMBI Going Dutch ... Thorsten Trojan and Ross Honey officially shake hands and finalise the new agreement in the Netherlands (above). Thorsten outside his Rheinlandboote headquarters (top). Ross Honey added: “Developing a tournament in the WPC format and making it successful for participants, sponsors and the region in which it is held is a challenge that requires a lot of passion, know-how and commitment. We are really looking forward to an exiting future working together”.

Part 3 Fishing Day 2 with loads of “on water“-Footage and leaderboard wwupdate https://youtu.be/6lQuhh43hUo Part 4 Finals & Interview with the new Champions https://youtu.be/46k-70DvsMo

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

CHAMPIONS! world predator classic 2021

ENDLICH WPC MEISTER!

Thomas Engert UND Marc Ptacovsky einem fetten Mercury hinten drauf. Das Boot ging ab wie Schmitts Katze, hatte jede Menge Stauraum und war einfach perfekt. Die Allison Boote werden ja für das Racing gebaut, das heißt die Rennsport Gene des Rumpfes sind im XB21 kombiniert worden mit den Ansprüchen der Angler an ein Bass-Boot. Wieder zuhause nahm ich Kontakt mit ALLISON USA auf und tatsächlich konnten die mir ein fast neues Boot anbieten. Es war wohl „Liebe auf den ersten Blick“ und ich habe es keine Sekunde bereut, dieses einzigartige Boot erworben zu haben.

Q A Q

Gibt es eine klare Spezies Aufteilung? Und wenn ja wer ist für welche Fischart zuständig? Es gibt keine Aufteilung, wir entscheiden vorm Angeln welche Spezies wir beangeln und das tun wir dann erstmal zu zweit.

Thomas, man könnte sagen, dass die Turnierangelei rund um die Welt dein Leben ist. Wie bist du eigentlich zum angeln gekommen und wie kam es dazu, dass du dich mit anderen Anglern messen wolltest? Ein Nachbar hat mich im zarten Alter von 11 Jahren zum angeln mitgenommen, 3x waren wir morgens früh am Altrhein, 2x keinen Biss, beim dritten Mal hatte der Nachbar endlich Action, die Pose ging mehrfach unter, am Ende

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war der Wurm abgefressen…..eigentlich denkbar schlechte Voraussetzungen, trotzdem hatte mich der Virus irgendwie gepackt und ich bin in den Bürstädter Angelverein. Von da ab habe ich mich auf Angelwettbewerbe verlegt, von der Jugend bis später in der Nationalmannschaft mit mehr als 20 Einsätzen bei Weltmeisterschaften. Es hat für mich viel mehr Reiz um die Wette zu angeln, ist einfach so. Den Adrenalin-Kick bis der vielleicht entscheidende Fisch im Netz ist, den will ich auch heute noch nicht missen.

Nach diesem phänomenalen Sieg seid ihr nun die gejagten und alle Augen werden darauf gerichtet sein wie ihr abschneidet. Wie schätzt ihr selbst eure Chancen ein in diesem Jahr, um an diesem Erfolg anzuknüpfen?

Es spielen sehr viele Faktoren eine Rolle, Erfolg beim Angeln lässt sich nicht erzwingen. Klar wird auf uns geschaut, das ist ganz normal, aber dieser Druck macht uns nichts aus. Es gibt ja eine ganze Reihe an Teams die man auf dem Schirm haben muss und ehrlich gesagt fällt es mir schwer, da eine Prognose über unser Abschneiden abzugeben. Wir geben alles, den Rest wird man sehen.

Ihr startet für das Team Mercury Deutschland. Was verbindet euch mit dieser Marke und was macht diese Motoren für euch so besonders?

Unser Spezi Tobias Lepschi ist Außendienstmitarbeiter bei Mercury und Angler. Ihn hat die amerikanische Wettkampfszene inspiriert. Mercury ist bei den Bass-Events in den USA ja einer der Hauptsponsoren. Er konnte seinen Arbeitgeber davon überzeugen, auch in Deutschland die Turniere zu unterstützen, dafür gebührt ihm

unser Dank. Tobias hat mich gebeten, für Turniere deutsche Teams zusammen zu stellen und das mache ich immer noch. Als Team waren wir ja die letzten Jahre immer vorne, insofern ist unser Sponsor wohl ganz zufrieden. Ich selbst fahre schon seit längerem mit Mercury Motoren, Marc ja auch. Beim Turnier braucht man einen zuverlässigen und leistungsfähigen Motor und den haben wir bei Mercury gefunden. Ich fahre bei meinem Boot immer noch einen Optimax2-Takter mit 225 PS. Der Sound ist einfach Mega und schnell ist er auch. Für mein anderes Boot habe ich mir einen 200 PS PRO-XS Achtzylinder geholt, der hat einen wahrhaft brachialen Antritt, die Beschleunigung ist sogar noch besser als bei meinem Optimax.

Wenn ihr einem motivierten Angler, der den Traum hat einmal die WPC zu gewinnen einen Rat geben müsstet, welcher Rat wäre das?

Soviel wie möglich aktuelle Infos zum Gewässer sammeln, das Gerät im Top Zustand halten, auf sein Bauchgefühl hören. Ansonsten immer die Ruhe bewahren und bis zur letzten Sekunde fokussiert bleiben. n

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World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

WORLD PREDATOR NITRO Z18 PRIZE BOAT. . PRO LEVEL PORFORMANCE CLASSIC

. . . WHY THIS CUTTING EDGE

THE FAST & THE FURIOUS

TOURNAMENT DESERVES A CUTTING EDGE BOAT

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THE FAST & THE FURIOUS

NITRO® performance fiberglass boats are designed to be pure fishing machines, suitable for the highest levels of tournament competition – and the proof is easy to see.

For three decades, the NITRO Pro Team, led by Kevin VanDam, have dominated US-tournaments and, in doing so, have taught anglers around the world the tricks of the trade and instilled in them a deeper love for fishing. With the NITRO Z18, we are sponsoring a bulletproof competition boat for the winners of this event. The boat has travelled a lot. Like no other boats, NITROS are designed for fishing and have been tested in numerous tournaments. Throughout its history, NITRO® has been known for smooth-riding boats that run dry and stable in rough water – and that fish with the best of them. Now, new design technology is raising the bar, retaining NITRO strength and adding speed, agility and even quicker holeshots. The NITRO Vortex Technology™ (NVT™) hull is a revolutionary design that uses a series of parabolic curves instead of traditional strakes. The result is a hull with exceptional top-end speed and lift – plus improved acceleration – all while maintaining superior control and handling. The organic shape of the new hull design also enhances consistency in the manufacturing process and provides exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. This upcoming competition is going to be fast and furious, and there are sure to be some monster pigs and big winnings on the line. Keep your eyes on these guys – they’ve got some unforgettable days on the water just ahead! We believe ... No other boat could better symbolize the idea of a sporting competition among fishing friends. With the chance of winning the most valuable main-prize ever in a European predator fishing tournament, we’re really looking forward to a cutting-edge tournament. With full commitment against, but above all, full commitment with each other. Take care of yourselves! n Thorsten Trojan RheinlandBoote

A REVOLUTIONARY DESIGN WITH exceptional top-end speed and lift plus improved acceleration

NITRO Z18 PRIZE BOAT. . PRO LEVEL PORFORMANCE

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PRIZE TABLE

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World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

WORLD PREDATOR UP FOR GRABS. . WPCCLASSIC PRIZE TABLE 2022

It’s the Ultimate prize combo and it could all be yours! We’ve put together an amazing professional package of the Nitro highperformance Bass Boat Z18 complete with a Mercury 150 Pro XS fourstroke engine, a Lowrance Ultimate Fishing System and that’s not all ... we’ve even included a premium Pega bass boat trailer so you can take all it home!

PRIZE BOAT:

Fiberglas HighPerformance NITRO Z18 Boat from BassProShops – exclusive Dealer for Germany and Benelux RHEINLANDBOOTE. n Length: 5,69m n Beam: 2,39 m n Max.Power: 175 hp n FuelCapacity: 150 l n Max. Persons: 4

PRIZE MOTOR: MERCURY ProXS Built to take you almost anywhere and nearly 20lbs lighter than its closest competitor. It’s an incredibly fast highoutput 150hp FourStroke outboard. n HP / KW: 150 n EngineType: 8-valve SOHC

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OTHER PRIZES INCLUDE . . 2nd - 1oth Overall A selection of Sponsors’ prizes

Longest Fish Overall A selection of Sponsors’ prizes

TEAM EVENT:

1st to 3rd Overall (2 boats paited together make a team)

SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD

n Displacement: 3 l n Fuel induction: EFI n Full throttle: 6000 RMPM n PowerTilt / PowerTrim

ELECTRONICS:

The unique Lowrance Ultimate Fishing System, ready to fish with: n Bow-Installed: 2 x Lowrance HDS Live n Dash-Installed: 1 x Lowrance HDS Live

n TrollingMotor: Lowrance GHOST 24/36

V Brushless

n Sonar: ActiveTarget LIVE Sonar; Active

Imaging 3in1 (DownScan, SideScan, CHIRP) n Network: Ethernet n Mapping&Charts: CMAP n ShallowAnchor: 2 x POWER-Pole Blade including Remote

TRAILER:

More than 60 years of experience can be found in ease of use, quality and highquality finish. Together with Pega NL, we developed a BassBoat specialized trailer n Frame: ExtraWide Axe System for lowest boat positioning n Coating: Poudercoated n Axes: 2-axe tandem version n Fittings: 4 x extra low Bass-Boat Bunks n Lighting: Frameintegrated LED System n Winch: FultonF2 n Comfort: Walkway, carpet-coated fenders

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World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

WORLD PREDATOR MERCURY MARINE . .CLASSIC 150 PRO XS PRIZE ENGINE

THEPOWER BEHINDSUCCESS

ONCE AGAIN Mercury raises the bar even higher with

When you’re feeding your need for speed, Mercury Pro XS engines will get you there faster. Engineered to meet the demands for high speeds on fresh or salt water, these high-performance motors deliver a winning combination of power, acceleration, durability, and fuel efficiency. MERCURY MARINE’S Outboard motors have kept tournament anglers atop the winner’s stand in North America for decades, and a powerful lineup of new engines recently introduced by Mercury seems destined to keep that trend rolling.

Where does this extraordinary speed come from?

Extraordinary engineering. Pro XS is engineered for the two mostdemanding types of people on the water – anglers battling on the tournament trail and powerboaters who simply crave speed. Among these is the ultra-fast 150hp Mercury developed exclusive Pro XS motor and three V-6 FourStroke components and tuning to extract every outboards (175hp, 200hp and 225hp) ounce of performance from each Pro XS with low weight, awesome power model to get you to the fish first, then and spectacular fuel economy that back to the weigh-in with time to spare. make them exceptional candidates for “The new 150 Pro XS is based on multiple uses. one of Mercury’s most successful and Building on the successful launch of widely adopted engine platforms, the the Mercury 115 Pro XS in 2016, the new Mercury 150,” said John Buelow, Mercury Pro XS sets a new standard in the 150hp Marine Vice President of Category high-output category and lives up to the Management. “Building on this solid legendary Pro XS reputation for superior foundation, Mercury engineered the new hole shot, top-end speed, and durability. performance-tuned 150 Pro XS to be the Fishing enthusiasts and professionals quickest, lightest and most advanced ERCURY MARINE’S Outboard alike have long considered Mercury’s Pro high-output outboard in its class.” motors have kept tournament XS outboards to be the most durable, anglers atop the winner’s stand in reliable and best-performing outboard Northfishing. America for decades, andMercury Marine The new engines for competition This a powerful lineup of new engines new four-stroke will continue that Pro XS delivers: recently introduced by150 Mercury tradition, but it is also an ideal fit for n Fastest acceleration: the engine seems destined performance-oriented fibreglass andto keep that trend features class-leading 0-20mph rolling. aluminium boats. heavy-load acceleration. In competitive Among these introduced at the 2018 angling competitions, mere fractions of a Miami International Boat Show can weremake a big difference. Faster second an ultra-fast 150hp Pro XS motor andprovides anglers with an acceleration three V-6 FourStroke outboards edge, as(175hp, it allows them to get out in front 200hp and 225hp) with low andweight, avoid getting stuck in the wake of competitors’ boats.

their 150 Pro XS FourStroke outboard

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World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

WORLD PREDATOR MERCURY MARINE . .CLASSIC 150 PRO XS PRIZE

Mercury 150 Pro XS FourStroke Specs n HP / kW

150 / 110

n Engine type

8-valve single overhead cam (SOHC) Inline 4 183

n Displacement (CID/CC) n Displacement (L) n Full throttle RPM n Air induction n Fuel induction system

3.0 5200-6000 Performance-Tuned Scroll Intake Manifold Computer Controlled Multi-Port Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI)

n Recommended fuel

Unleaded Regular 87 Octane Minimum (R+M/2) or 90 RON 10% Ethanol Maximum

9kgs lighter than the nearest competitor offering.

n Recommended oil

NMMA Certified FCW SAE 10W-30

n Largest displacement: at 3.0L, the new 150

n Engine protection operator warning system

THE POWER BEHIND SUCCESS n Lightest weight: at 207kg, the new 150 Pro XS is

Pro XS also boasts the largest displacement in the 150hp category. n Extra torque: Mercury’s exclusive Transient Spark Technology optimises spark timing, resulting in additional torque during hole shot.

n Optimised mount package: Performancetuned engine mounts provide for improved highspeed handling characteristics.

n Higher full-throttle RPM: Increased maximum engine RPM from 5,800 to 6,000 allows for a wider selection of propeller pitches and the ability to dialin performance for superior hole shot or top speed.

n Superior charging output and battery management: The new 150 Pro XS features a class-leading charging output of 60 amps as well as idle charge battery management capability, which protects consumers from draining batteries while operating multiple electronic devices and trolling.

n Improved fuel efficiency: The new Mercury 150 Pro XS continues Mercury’s mission to produce new technology that is sustainable and more fuel efficient for the consumer. n Performance gearcase: The new 150 Pro

XS features a 2.08:1 gear ratio that delivers more torque to the prop shaft for improved acceleration. In addition to the standard water pickups on the side of the gearcase, this engine also features four extra water pickups on the nose of the gearcase torpedo. This provides greater flexibility to mount the engine higher, install a jack plate, or trim the engine more aggressively while running, allowing boat owners to optimise performance without sacrificing water flow for engine cooling.

n Smooth performance: The new 150 Pro XS boasts significantly lower seat and helm vibration levels compared to leading competitors in the 150hp high-output segment.

Additionally, the new 150 Pro XS provides superior protection against corrosion. Mercury’s proprietary ultra-low copper alloys make this outboard better able to withstand the elements, including the rigours of saltwater operation. Mercury provides an industry-leading standard three-year warranty against damage due to corrosion. n

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

WPC ROLL OF HONOUR

2014-2021

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WORLD PREDATOR WPC ROLL OF HONOUR CLASSIC

As the World Predator Classic reaches it's seventh year (2019 missed due to Covid) it seems only right to look back at the successes and honour those anglers who pulled out all the stops to be titled WPC Champions. Congratulations to you all and here's to many more WPC Champions

2014 Overall Champions:

Luc Coppens and Jeremy Staverman. This was the first of a consecutive win streak for the Belgian pairing!

Street Fishing Champion:

Mark Lubbarts took victory for the Netherlands.

2015

Overall Champions: Luc Coppens and Jeremy

Staverman – the Belgian pairing bettered their opponents scores on every competition day. The first pair to win two years in a row!

Street Fishing Champion: Michael Bongers – the German won by a long way with 49 points more than second place!

2016 Overall Champions:

Markku Tiusanen and Antti Anttila set a goal and smashed it! Coming from the Finnish qualifier to winning the 2016 event with a whopping 545cm of Zander, they were ahead of their competition by a long shot!

Street Fishing Champion:

Vitalijs KarpenKovs brought home the street fishing trophy for Latvia winning 11 points ahead of second place!

2021

Overall Champions: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 event was held in June 2021. After a fierce battle, Thomas Engert & Marc Ptacovsky, sponsored by Mercury, lifted the coveted trophy aloft.

2020 Overall Champions:

Street Fishing Champion:

Radek Filip and Martin Steak said that hearing their names read out as the WPC Champions was one of the proudest moments of their lives.

Jamie Parking, winner said: “I love street fishing events, as it brings together the angling community in a really friendly way and the WSF in Metz is one not to be missed”

Street Fishing Champion: Alexandre Dennetiere, Street Fishing Champion said: ”The exceptionally hot weather made the WSF really challenging, but thankfully local knowledge paid off.“

2017

Overall Champions:

Dustin And Johannes secured first place in the 2017 boat event, putting Germany at the top of the podium yet again.

Street Fishing Champion:

Fabian Grafe, the German street fisherman, conquered the 2017 competition and took first place proudly.

2018 Overall Champions:

Enrico Di Ventura and Frank Bussmeyer won what was was a fiercely contested battle right up until the last few minutes of the event.

Street Fishing Champion: Vince Payro said that it

was the pinnacle of his fishing career. He added, “I have had so many messages from people, it really makes me appreciate how special it is to win this event”.

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WORLD PREDATOR WHO’S IN THE RUNNING THIS YEAR .. CLASSIC

WORLD PREDATOR CLASSIC

COMPETITORS

BELGIUM

FRANCE

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR TEAM NAME

Sylvain Legendre Jean-Marc Brisson Fox Rage Fox Rage

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR TEAM NAME

Luc Coppens Jeroen Eijssens Mercury Mercury 1

CAPTAIN Stephane Poincot VICE CAPTAIN Gael Even SPONSOR Illex Gunki

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

Jojo Schmitt Julian Paul FoxRage /Rheinlandboote

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN

Kris Broeckx Johan Volkaert

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN TEAM NAME

Randy Das Wim Kumpen Cal Rei

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN

Daniel Stahl Klaus Liebl

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR TEAM NAME

Romain Winsherman Jean-Francois Boreux Vexus Europe -VMC Cal Rei

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR TEAM NAME

Nils Gabsa

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN

Mark Althaus Daniel Brouwers

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN TEAM NAME

Sascha Lagerin Herbert Lagerin Nomadsfishingteam

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN TEAM NAME

Ritchie Schramm Adolf Schramm Nomadsfishingteam

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN TEAM NAME

Frank Bussmeyer Daniel Katzorek Nitro-Boats

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN TEAM NAME

Jens Koch Christian Bai Kochs Angelwelt

CZECH REP.

Morel Jean Baptiste Kolle Richard Paris Predator Fishing Paris Predator Fishing

CAPTAIN Julien Bridard VICE CAPTAIN Vincent Charlier SPONSOR Quantum TEAM NAME Quantum

GERMANY 1

Daiwa Mercury 1

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR TEAM NAME

Lukas Riplinger Toni Weise Mercury Mercury 2

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN TEAM NAME

Kevin Stey Sascha Neumuller BFE 1

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN TEAM NAME

Pierre Johnen Patrick Wischermann BFE 1

CAPTAIN Lennard Otto VICE CAPTAIN Marcel Reinhardt TEAM NAME BFE 2 CAPTAIN Angelo Schmidt VICE CAPTAIN Roman Kesler TEAM NAME BFE 2 CAPTAIN Gewen Schopper VICE CAPTAIN Franz Zimmermann TEAM NAME BFE 3

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN TEAM NAME

Angelo Schmidt Roman Kesler BFE 2

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN TEAM NAME

Gewen Schopper Franz Zimmermann BFE 3

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN TEAM NAME

Alex Martin Yannick Wermelskirchen BFE 3

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR TEAM NAME

Marvin Lourzki Antohny Adam Dynmt fishing BFE 3

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN

Brian Kurbjuhn Klaus Liebl

Garmin

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN

Marcel Weigel Carsten Finis

Gino Heinen Gino Heinen Gekeschert/LMAB

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN

Thomas Wilke

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN

Thorsten Gerde

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

Jan Hubka Jakub Kolar Tropic Fishing

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR TEAM NAME

Radek Filip Martin Stepka Tropic Fishing Nitro-Boats

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN

Jan Bohunek Antonin Pacal

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN TEAM NAME

Enrico Di Ventura Daniel Adriani Hecht & Barsch

ENGLAND

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN TEAM NAME

Sascha Todtenhausen Jochen Elpers Nitro-Boats

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN TEAM NAME

Philip Eberz

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN TEAM NAME

FINLAND

Andre Schmitt Danni Schaefer Lowrance Lowrance 1

Lennard Otto Marcel Reinhardt BFE 2

Roman Kuril Josef Verner

Matt Boast Jan Boosma Lowrance Lowrance 2

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR TEAM NAME

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN TEAM NAME

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR TEAM NAME

GERMANY 2

CAPTAIN Thomas Engert VICE CAPTAIN Marc Ptacovsky DEFENDING CHAMPIONS SPONSOR Mercury

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR TEAM NAME

Saku Laaksonen Juho Tuomivaara Jigi Cup Fox Rage

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN

Mika Vornanen

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN

Sebastian Schmitt Eric Korczakowski

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN

Kalle Paavola Pekko Kanerva

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN TEAM NAME

Andre Knippenberg Max Wachs Colormatch

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN TEAM NAME

Ari Paataj Pekka Laitinen Lowrance Lowrance 2

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN TEAM NAME

Frank Szodruch ApexAngling030

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN

Sami Laakso Tomi Soininen

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN TEAM NAME

Christian Neubauer Fabian Allmanshofer Team Echomops

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN

Antti-Jussi Noronen Toni Hamalainen

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN

Toni Pohjalainen

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN

Patrick Herbst Kevin Klein

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN

Martins Balodis Kristians Godins

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN

Oliver Wieczorek Michael Otte

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN

Roberts Valters Rubenis Valters

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN

Steven Beer Mathias Tremel

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN

Inguss Pavasars Peteris Lideris

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN TEAM NAME

Stephan Schreiner Stefan Marsiske Catch Easy Predator Shop

NETHERLANDS CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN

Rene Lunenburg Stefan Elgers

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR TEAM NAME

Chris Bloemert Willem Stolk Mercury Mercury 1

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR TEAM NAME

Evert Oostdam Tim Jochems Mercury Mercury 3

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR TEAM NAME

Gea de Ruijder Babs Kijewski Mercury Mercury 3

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR TEAM NAME

Jelle De Jong Mitchell Croeze Lowrance Lowrance 3

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR TEAM NAME

Michael Stalenhoef Herman Schuurman Resort Citta Romana Lowrance 3

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR TEAM NAME

Jan Baar Daan de Rijk Resort Citta Romana Lowrance 3

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR TEAM NAME

Arend van der Heijden Martijn Reitsma Lowrance Lowrance 3

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR TEAM NAME

Jeremy Staverman Ruben Dekkers Lowrance Lowrance 1

POLAND CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR TEAM NAME

Tomasz Kurnik Piotr Wojnowski Fox Rage Fox Rage

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

Daniel Celeda Janusz Panak Robinson Europe

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN

Artur Kocikowski Marcin Kotowski

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN

Roman Milkowski Jerzy Gancarz

CAPTAIN Adam Grabowski VICE CAPTAIN

ROMANIA CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN

Tofan constantin claudiu

SLOVAKIA CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN

Juraj Brek

CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN

Peter Hornak Marian Maslanak

WORLD PREDATOR CLASSIC

LATVIA

COMPETITORS

GERMANY 3

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Monday, June 27th n 10:00 - 19:00: Competitors

Registration at Registration Desk; Guided boats slip (ends 19.00), Cape Helius Entrance-Area; boat mooring assignment and GPS Boat Tracker & Boat Security Briefings during mooring assignment. n 19:30: Captains’ dinner & Official Opening Declaration at Citta Romana

Tuesday, June 28th

n 10:00 - 14:00: Competitors Registration at Registration Desk; Guided boats slip (ends 14.00) at Cape Helius Entrance-Area; boat mooring assignment and GPS Boat Tracker & Boat Security Briefings during mooring assignment. n 16:00 – 16:30: Official participants briefing (Boats) by the registration area. n 17:30 – 19:30: Opening WPC at Market Place and Boat Parade at From the Marina

Wednesday, June 29th

COMPETITION DAY 1 n 07:00 – 07:15: Boat Captains’ daily briefing WPC at Market Place n 07:20 – 08:15: Daily Event Boat Check at Marina n 8:30: Start of Boat competition from start line

ITINERARY

WORLD PREDATOR WPC ‘22 ITINERARYCLASSIC

WORLD PREDATOR CLASSIC

This three-day battle will push the limits of anglers from all over the world ... but don’t panic, if it all gets too much, there’s always a good excuse for a party!

n 12:00: CutOff Live Leader Board n 16:15: Daily end of Boat competition

and return to Marina n 18:00 – 19:00: Daily Result Presentation at the Stage-Area at WPC Market Place

COMPETITION DAY 2

MEDIA & RESTS DAY

n 07:00 – 07:15: Boat Captains’ daily briefing WPC at Market Place n 07:20 – 08:15: Daily Event Boat Check at Marina n 8:30: Start of Boat competition from start line

10:00 – 18:00: Meet & Greet at WPC Market Place 12:30 – 14:30: Competitors’ FingerFood Lunch at WPC Market Place

Thursday, June 30th

Friday, July 1st

Saturday, July 2nd FINAL COMPETITION DAY 3 and FINALS n 07:00 – 07:15: Boat Captains’ daily briefing WPC at Market Place n 07:20 – 08:15: Daily Event Boat Check at Marina n 8:30: Start of Boat competition from start line n 12:00: CutOff Live Leader Board n 16:15: End of Boat competition and return to Marina n 20.00: Daily Result Presentation and Prize Giving at the Stage-Area at WPC Market Place

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MERCURY’SSOLUTIONTO WINNING TOURNAMENTS?

SMART THINKING The secret to being a champion isn’t just having the right tools, it’s also knowing how to use them. Mercury owes its long history of winning to a combination of many things, including a persistent need to engineer and innovate the greatest marine technology on the water, a culture that encourages skilled and talented people to work hard and succeed, and a lifelong commitment to learning from the best to become the best. The following pages provide information to help you achieve your goals.

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

MERCURY MARINE . . SMART SOLUTIONS WITH SMARTCRAFT Prostaffers and anglers in general have an excellent reason for using Mercury Marine gauges and controls, or any piece of equipment. It’s all about the fish. That’s why they put anything on their boats – to help them be more efficient at their passion, which is catching fish. They know a thing or two about what creates a successful day on the water. And you can rest assured that their Mercury gauges and controls are more than pulling their weight in terms of putting them and eventually their 250 Pro XS®-powered Lund or Nitro boat in the best possible position to catch fish and get back to the weigh-in on time. The real-time fuel flow and estimated range data provided by the SmartCraft system is among their favorite features. In a tournament upfront where to run. Could be an hour or hour and a half or just 45 minutes away. So monitoring the fuel consumption is a big deal and by using the SmarfCraft technologies you’ll know right away if you need to back off the throttle a little to conserve fuel.

WORLD PREDATOR CLASSIC

Fish smart and finish first with SmartCraft gauges and controls . . One of these is SmartCraft Digital Throttle and Shift. DTS provides precise and immediate throttle response for ultimate drivability, and easy shifts that protect the gearcase. In addition, by using Mercury’s VesselView Mobile app on the smartphone you get much of the SmartCraft information you need. Aiming to win a tournament or simply to navigate with information putting a phone in its holder and watching its customdesigned display in the app is the best way to see crucial engine data at a glance. In short terms, the information you get from your Mercury SmartCraft instruments is the ability to concentrate on catching fish instead of worrying about the engine.

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SKYHOOK DIGITAL ANCHOR A digital anchor that locks in your boat’s position and heading via GPS with the push of a button. What it does: Skyhook uses a GPS sensor to lock in your position, then works with the engines and drives to maintain position and heading regardless of wind or current. The Bowhook feature unlocks heading and maintains position, allowing your boat to point in whatever direction the winds and currents dictate.The Drifthook feature maintains heading and unlocks position, allowing winds and currents to move your boat along, perfect for drift fishing or enjoying the view. Skyhook comes standard on Joystick Piloting for Outboards, Joystick Piloting for Sterndrives and Joystick Piloting for Pods. What’s in it for you: Greater Vessel Control, Intuitive Boating, Controls Boat Position Holding

SMART TOW® If it is not only about fishing but all about having fun and ruling the water: Take the guesswork out of pulling skiers, tubers, and wake boarders. Create a customer launch profile for each rider. Plug it into the system and enjoy a perfect launch speed every time. Just hit the throttle and go. What it does: Smart Tow uses your boat’s rpm and speed to launch and maintain consistent speed throughout a run. Choose from one of five preset profiles or create your own custom profile to launch tow sports participants at a predetermined acceleration and speed. Smart Tow is a standard feature on all Mercury VesselView displays and the SC1000 gauge, and is available on MercMonitor. What’s in it for you: Greater Vessel Control, Intuitive Boating, Controls Tow Sports Speed Control

SMARTTHINKING

A FIELD GUIDE ON HOW TO WIN TOURNAMENTS

But it’s not only about SmartCraft Digital Throttle and Shift of VesselView Mobile. Mercury Marine is offering a whole range of smart technologies. Here is an overview and explanation of what they do and what is in for you:

ACTIVE TRIM

An intelligent, hands-free system for outboards and sterndrives that automatically trims your boat for a simpler, more fuelefficient and more comfortable ride with the push of a button. What it does: Using a GPS sensor, Active Trim automatically trims your engine to the ideal position based on your boat’s speed. Active Trim responds to your maneuvers and trims your engine to maintain your speed for a smooth ride. What’s in it for you: Better Fuel Efficiency, Better Vessel Control, Faster Acceleration, Ease of Use, Smoother Ride

VESSELVIEW

A fully integrated, on-board information management system that provides access to more information and data on your boat and engine functions than any other system in the boating industry. What it does: VesselView allows you to control your vessel from an intuitive LCD screen that displays rpm, speed, fuel flow, fuel efficiency, temperature, trim, and more. VesselView allows you to monitor up to four engines at a time. All VesselView displays can support Active Trim, Smart Tow and Troll Control. What’s in it for you: Intuitive Boating, Controls Access to Engine Data, Tow Sports Speed Control

VESSELVIEW® MOBILE An on-board management system that connects to your iPhone, Android, or tablet via Bluetooth to display VesselView data on your device. What it does: VesselView Mobile uses Bluetooth to display gauge information on your iPhone or Android. Monitor up to four engines and customize data points across three additional screens. Receive alerts and information if something isn’t right with your engine. What’s in it for you: Access to Engine Data

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

MERCURY MARINE . . SMART SOLUTIONS WITH SMARTCRAFT JOYSTICK PILOTING An intuitive steering system for multi-engine boats that places steering, as well as throttling and shifting, at your fingertips. The joystick provides “360-degree control,” enabling you to move your boat sideways, forward, backward, diagonally or spin on its own axis. What it does: Heading uses an integrated digital compass to automatically maintain your boat’s direction. When the Route feature is engaged, the vessel automatically navigates to the active waypoint or active

DIGITAL THROTTLE & SHIFT Precise handling and total control of your boat with no cables and no hesitation. What it does: DTS uses electronic signals instead of cables to provide precision control of throttle and shift.The single lever allows you to control all of your engines with one handle by syncing engine throttle position and rpm. DTS comes equipped with a cruise-control feature. Troll Control allows you to maintain speed by setting and adjusting the rpm at 10-rpm increments up to 1200 rpm. What’s in it for you: Greater Vessel Control, Intuitive Boating, Controls Easy Docking

route in the compatible chart-plotter. Route is a fully integrated, one-button autopilot. Heading Adjust allows the driver to adjust the heading of the vessel in 1- and 10-degree increments with the Joystick while using the Heading feature. What’s in it for you: Greater Vessel Control, Intuitive Boating, Controls Easy Docking, Boat-Position Holding

1st MATE Safety equipment is nearly always mandatory in fishing tournaments. For scenarios where worse comes to worst, 1st Mate Safety and Security System, compatible with Mercury SmartCraft-enabled marine engines, can provide life-saving assistance. 1st Mate entails the integrated use of an intelligent engine hub, wearable devices and a mobile app to provide boater-overboard alerts and distress messaging. The system also provides functionality for engine-theft deterrence. What’s in it for you: Safety & Security

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WORLD PREDATOR WELCOME TO HELLEVOETSLUIS . . OFFICIAL EVENT MAP ‘22 CLASSIC

Citta Romana END OF FISHING ZONE

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WORLD PREDATOR WELCOME TO THE NETHERLANDS .. CLASSIC

WELCOME TO HELLEVOETSLUIS Home of the World Predator Classic, Hellevoetsluis is a unique setting for such an event, as it’s the only fortified harbour in The Netherlands with a magnificent location at the Haringvliet

It is with great pleasure that we welcome the World Predator Classic in our beautiful town and on our interesting island. In the fortification of Hellevoetsluis

you can experience the life of the soldiers who had to defend the ramparts. The big canon 24IJ – the only original canon of this size in its original place in Europe – is one of the most important remains and the Barracks Haerlem and the various casemates dating from the 17th till the 20th century have also been recently restored are great places to visit. The fast and furious boats of the World Predator Classic contrast well with the maritime history of King’s Quay (Koningskade), where you can find three historical ships: the Buffel, AMS de Bernisse and the Lighthouseship 12 Noordhinder. As you walk in you arrive at the Drydock Jan Blanken – a masterpiece of waterworks. This is the first drydock built in stone and the only one still working today. You can take a tour around the 400 year old harbour and enjoy beautiful views on the National Firefighting Museum, corn mill ‘De Hoop’, the old marine school ‘De Veste’, the

Prinsehuis (office of the executive board of the municipality of Hellevoetsluis), the monumental iron bridge and the protestant church with its golden lamb on top. Enjoy a cold drink on one of the various terraces and if you like to shop, you’ll find a big shopping mall, Struytse Hoeck, 2 km from the historical center. On Saturdays the local market with various stalls bursts into life with beautiful flowers, delicious fruits and the typical dutch ‘stroopwafels’’. You can also try the ‘herring’ or sample our lovely cheeses. There’s even a little train that can take you around and a ferry service to other areas at the Haringvliet. Ask our friendly volunteers at the information Center “Bezoek Hellevoetsluis”, on the corner at the iron bridge .

The Island of Voorne Putten . . ‘One island, two worlds’. This is the slogan of the Island of Voorne Putten which contains the towns of Brielle, Westvoorne, Hellevoetsluis and Nissewaard which are filled with history and modern facilities. Here, you will also find beautiful nature

and beaches. This green island offers possibilities for hiking, biking, horseriding, relaxing, sailing, spotting seals, island hopping, golfing, kitesurfing, and more! The Island of Voorne Putten is a hidden treasure in the south west of The Netherland. You can spend days roaming the island by foot, bike or car and enjoy its pleasures.

Oostvoorne and Rockanje If you like the beach and the sea this is the place to be for you. You will find miles of beaches, you can walk along the seaside and there are a lot of places where you can have a drink and something to eat. The small beach next to the lighthouse is a nice place to enjoy with toddlers and little children. They can play on the pirateship in the sand. The big beach called Quackstrand offers possibilities to walk and swim. The Aquapark Splash is a real water paradise.

A dive into the past: Dry Dock Jan Blanken

Brielle . . Brielle is a small fortified town, 11 kilometers from Hellevoetsluis. You will find some charming little shops and a very interesting historical museums. There are lots of excellent restaurants and bars – perfect for sitting on the terraces and watching the world go by when the weather is fine.

Nissewaard . .

Nissewaard is the biggest town on the island of Voorne Putten. It is a very modern city. In the center you will find many shops and the ‘Boekenberg’ (Mountain of Books), library. This extraordinary building was designed by architect Winy Maas. Outside the town you will find a large nature park called De Bernisse.

The dry dock Jan Blanken has played an important part of the maritime history of Hellevoetsluis for over 200 years. From the 17th century this fortress city served as the naval centre for the Admiralty of the “Maze”. In 1775 as part of the modernisation project of the naval settlement in Hellevoetsluis, Jan Blanken (Inspector General of the Ministry of Waterways and Public Works), designed this so-called double dry dock. That means that there are two docks, which can work independent of each other. In 1802 the construction started of the Keeldock. The Construction of the Carpenters’dock followed between 1821 and 1825. Dry-dock Jan Blanken was the First Stone dry-dock in the Netherlands. Special elements are the shipdoors (bateau-porte) as barricade of the two docks and the aquaducts, a water reservoir for fire-fighting and purification. The dry dock Jan Blanken is still in operation and regularly ships are docked according to the original methods. This dry dock Jan Blanken is considered to be one of the greatest cultural and industrial monument of the Netherlands.

Waterbus Excursion The waterbus is a tourist transportsystem which serves the area from Rotterdam to Hellevoetsluis. It is possible to hop on board and experience the beauty of the Haringvliet and its harbourtowns and visit the island of Tiengemeten.

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WORLD PREDATOR LOWRANCE . . YOU HEARD IT FROM THE EXPERTS! CLASSIC

What do the Pro’s say? Lowrance ambassadors Andre and Jelle give us their top 3 tips on how they get the best out of their electronics ahead of the World Predator Classic!

LOWRANCE:ASKTHE

PROFESSIONALS SideScan is a must use feature on HDS LIVE devices. The scan is high level, allowing you to see everything super sharp, so you can check whether you are fishing in the right areas and for the right species of fish.

Jelle Long: Using the HDS LIVE 12” sidescan in three ways.

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I use my SideScan to search for structures and fish against the slopes. These are often monotonous parts of a fishing spot, and by looking for the structure on the bottom you can always fish the right swims. It may be that only a few meters off a slope of a few kilometers is filled with structure and fish, and the search for these spots has been simplified a lot by the HDS LIVE SideScan.

I also use SideScan a lot when fishing for spring pike in the shallows. You can see the pike on the shallow plateau’s to the left and right, and this allows you to choose which fish to cast to. The length of the fish can also be reasonably determined using SideScan. Once I came across several pike on a shallow plateau to the left and right of the boat. By locating the longest fish on my HDS LIVE 12“ SideScan, I was able to target her precisely. The result of this was a nice thick 130 cm pike! I took a picture of the setting I was able to fish. You can only choose one fish a cast! I marked the fish on this picture and as you can see there were several fish around the boat, by first looking closely and choosing the largest

allabout Jelle.. Jelle has lived by the sea in Holland his whole life and has fished with his brothers since he was a child. Now his speciality is hunting down big pikes – out every week in his aluminium fishing boat. He’s been preparing for WPC and is ready to smash some PB’s!

symbol I was able to catch the largest fish in the pool thanks to the Lowrance HDS LIVE SideScan.

3 Top marks ... choosing the largest symbol I was able to catch the largest fish in the pool thanks to the Lowrance HDS LIVE SideScan

Another way I use my Lowrance HDS LIVE SideScan, is to look for waterplants. By scanning the area well, you can stay away from the edge of the plant at casting distance. This allows you to make much more precise casts along the plant edges without the boat coming too close to the plants. This makes a lot possible without disturbing the cutting and also without constantly contaminating your bait with loose aquatic plants. Take advantage of it, and start with the ultimate fishing system from Lowrance. n JELLE LONG. LOWRANCE AMBASSADOR

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

WORLD PREDATOR CLASSIC

With this great innovation you can see everything in the water, live, in real time. Every fish, every tree or stone, all kind of things . .

allabout Andre.. Andre lives near Banberg – a small town in the south-east of Germany. Fishing has been his passion since the age of three and he describes himself as being infected with the predator virus! Perch, pike and zander are what he targets on different waters around Genrmany and the Netherlands. He started competing for the first time in 2007 in one of the biggest competitions in the Netherlands. Since then, he has invested a lot of time on preparation for competitions which has payed off well – he took first place in Luremasters 2018. Next challenge? The World Predator Classic!

Andre Schmit:

ActiveTarget™ the game changer for those with a blue heart Levelling up my fishing, I have now been using the Lowrance ActiveTarget™ for some time and I often get asked what are the differences between this and a normal 2D transducer? With this great innovation you can see everything in the water live in real time. Every fish, every tree or stone, all kind of things under water, and on the bottom you can see everything absolutely perfectly, like a picture with a camera. There are three different ways to use ActiveTarget™:

Forward mode: I use this mode during casting in open water and also in shallow water. For me the best way to fix ActiveTarget™ to your boat is to use a pole which is flexible. I can turn it in the direction where I like to cast, so it´s much easier for me to find active fish. This method is also called “sharp shooting”

- you see the fish, cast into the direction of it, and hopefully you can catch it! It´s awesome to see it on the screen when the predator attacks the lure.

Scout mode: this is my favourite mode for really shallow water. Best fix is to use it directly on the Ghost Trolling Motor. I like to stand in the front of the boat and cast for big pikes to see them patrolling in flat areas between the weeds.

Down mode: for Pelagic fishing this mode is the best option. For me, I like to use two ActiveTarget™´s at the same time. This is what we call a “cross“ - with this deadly technique I fix two transducers on the same pole. One of them to scan the area along the boat, the other one shows me all details right and left. If you are a good captain almost no fish can swim away! All three modes can be directly changed on the ActiveTarget™ with only a few handles. It´s so great! Try ActiveTarget™ and you´ll be convinced of this new generation of live sonar for sure. Tight lines n Andre, lowrance ambassador

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WORLD PREDATOR A MESSAGE FROM HELLEVOETSLUIS .. CLASSIC

A MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

AART JAN SPOON, ALDERMAN SPORTS & EVENT

Dear partcipants and visitors, Welcome to Hellevoetsluis! It’s an honour to welcome the World Predator Classic after some years of insecurity due to covid-19. The WPC have been very brave to continue with the event and to do what is possible within the boundaries of lock-downs and doubt. In 2022 this famous fishing contest will again take place in its ‘old’ and spectacular form in Hellevoetsluis. From 2023 onwards, the community of Hellevoetsluis will be part of a new and bigger community – Voorne aan Zee (together with Brielle and Westvoorne). But this doesn’t mean the end of the WPC. On the contrary, we hope to welcome you again in Voorne aan Zee! Of course, during the event, we know you will be busy competeing, but we hope you take time to enjoy Hellevoetsluis and the island of VoornePutten. There is so much you can do. In the green surroundings you can hike, bike or take a swim. There’s always a beach nearby. So come paddle or surf on the North Sea! In the various little towns on the island you can relax and enjoy lunch or dinner in the sun at a terrace. Want to know more about our history? The fortifications and other museums offer various tours that you can join. I am very glad to hear that the organisation Angling Spirit with Ross Honey, his business partners and all the participants will work together with the local Rotaryclub and will offer activities for the young and old. I wish you all a good tournament and a pleasant stay in Hellevoetsluis. May the best anglers win! Aart Jan Spoon Alderman sports and events

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CITTA ROMANA . .

WORLD PREDATOR CLASSIC

WHEN IN ROMANA . . With 25 years of experience in hospitality, Città Romana is the official event accommodation of the WPC and offers a unique holiday resort where visitors can relax and unwind after a good day’s fishing Resort Città Romana is very proud to still be the official event accommodation for the World Predator Classic 2022 in Hellevoetsluis. This year after COVID-19 we hope to welcome you all again for our Captain’s Dinner to start the event!

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This fishing event is growing every year. More and more people are getting to know the sport and now the competition has become a household name for almost everyone in Hellevoetsluis. After a couple of years, people are now starting to realise this is not just a fishing event, but much more than that: it has become an exciting international event for the whole of Rotterdam! This is largely due to our special fishing waters ideal for perch, pike and zander. The strategic location of Resort Città Romana, makes it the perfect base for a fishing holiday and soon there is to be a brand new jetty less than five minutes drive away from the resort making it so much easier to launch your boats. This is why Resort Città Romana has been the official event accommodation for quite a few years now. What can you find in Resort Città Romana? The Resort is spread over 16.3 hectares, with small lakes that run between the holiday homes. People that have stayed with us have said it’s an idyllic, quiet and peaceful place. There are 5 different types of holiday homes, that have been completely refurbished over the last few years. Furthermore, every holiday home has its own free Wi-Fi and free satellite TV and a lovely garden to enjoy the good weather. This year we celebrate our 25th anniversary, so we have enough experience to give you a fantastic holiday experience. In the central building of the Resort you will find our reception, a heated indoor swimming pool and a private sauna (which

PROUD SPONSOR OF THE WPC

is free to use as a guest), a cosy pub (Tony’s) and the restaurant (Duinhoek), which features a beautiful terrace next to the water. Other facilities include a beauty salon and a massage studio for extra relaxation. For children we have an outside playground and entrance to an indoor play centre free of charge. We wish you all the best of luck with this year’s World Predator Classic event and a wonderful stay with us at Resort Citta Romana! n If you would like to know more about

our resort or make a reservation, you can send an e-mail to info@cittaromana.com. If you would like to keep updated of our Resort and Restaurant, please follow the following accounts: l Instagram: @resort_citta_romana l Facebook: @CittaRomana l Instagram: @restaurant_duinhoek

WORLD PREDATOR CLASSIC

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

WORLD PREDATOR CLASSIC

O T E M O WELC

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CAST CRANK H C T A C

Since its introduction in 1984, the Quantum brand has been highly regarded by predator anglers around the world.

Products of this brand are thought out to the smallest detail and are always characterized by outstanding qualities. Designed and engineered in America, the land of predator anglers and lovers of artificial lures! The professional competence of Quantum engineers is the basis for more than 30 successful years in the USA, the largest fishing market in the world. Fishing professionals with countless championship titles, such as Kevin VanDam, who has fished his entire successful career with Quantum rods and reels, are the impressive proof of the reliability of our equipment when used on the water - whenever it matters! However, Quantum products are also designed to meet the needs of anglers worldwide: With extensive and detailed expertise, an independent team of technicians and designers works in Europe every day to develop new products: Rods, reels, artificial lures and accessories that cover all disciplines of modern predator fishing. Numerous product ideas are fused together, every aspect is important and every single basic material is analyzed and extensively tested before it reaches production. So you can be sure that what you hold in your hands is really the proven Quantum quality and represents top class fishing tackle.

Pelagic Shad Set HAIRY Finally, they are here! Pelagic Shads are now indispensable on the market and for good reason. Many a monster pike and even zander have fallen to the Pelagic Shad. So, why have we made further improvements?

Simply because some situations called for them! On heavily fished waters, small changes in swimming action can make the difference between a successful day’s fishing or a drawing a blank. The Hairy version is a classic of early vertical fishing. Not only do zander find the frills irresistible, many a big pike will also succumb to the impulsive swimming action. Ideal for mid-water fishing in open water but also try this lure on the bottom! An ace up your sleeve when the fish are close to the bottom.

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

QUANTUM . . FOR THE PREDATOR ANGLER

WORLD PREDATOR CLASSIC

JOINTED Minnow Old but gold. This was the motto for the development of the JOINTED Minnow SR. A two-piece wobbler with a very natural action. In lengths of 5.5 and 8.5cm, almost every common species can be tempted to bite.

Crank N’ Blade The Crank n Blade is a special breed of crankbait. With its rear spinner blade, the shallow runner creates large amounts of pressure beneath the surface. The wobbler is particularly attractive to trout and perch. Pike and chub are also very partial to the little wave maker. This makes the lure a universal weapon that should be in every tackle box.

FAT Minnow DR

The FAT Minnow SR is a crankbait, ideally suited to targeting all species. At 4cm long, the lure fits into the prey spectrum of most silverfish species, such as chub, orfe and asp, but perch and pike will also gladly take it. Suitable for use on all waters and at all times of day thanks to the optimal selection of colours.

FAT Minnow SR Pelagic Shad Set PIN Finally, they are here! Pelagic Shads are now indispensable on the market and for good reason. Many a monster pike and even zander have fallen to the Pelagic Shad. So, why have we made further improvements? Simply because some situations called for them! On heavily fished waters, small changes in swimming action can make the difference between a successful day’s fishing or a drawing a blank. The Pin-Tail is a secret weapon, particularly for cautious fish, and will draw big predators out of their lairs. Try it out and you will be impressed.

SLIM Minnow & SLIM MINNOW SR The SLIM Minnow is a twitchbait par excellence. The design perfectly imitates the domestic prey of predators, making it ideal for targeting all predator species. The shallow runners can be retrieved normally but these wobblers are also ideal for twitching. With slight jerks of the rod, the wobbler breaks out and becomes extremely tantalising. The optimal colour selection offers the perfect option for all conditions, while the striking eyes on the wobbler provide additional attraction. You simply have to try them.

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QUANTUM . . FOR THE PREDATOR ANGLER

WORLD PREDATOR CLASSIC

CRANK, CAST, CATCH

Hypercast Light Lure

The Hypercast rod series has been around for some time. We have simply resurrected it and for good reason. A superb rod series with a fair price-performance ratio. The Light Lure series covers all aspects of light soft lure fishing. Whether you’re using small shads or modern techniques, such as drop-shotting or a Carolina rig, these rods take it all in their stride. What’s more, their visuals are timeless and impressive.

Hypercast Medium Lure

The Medium Lure is the big brother of the Light version and allows even heavy lures to be used when the situation requires them or you’re targeting larger specimens. This model also impresses with high-quality components that are unrivalled in this price category.

Hypercast Spin & Jig The Hypercast Spin&Jig rods are the ideal partners when it comes to fishing with wobblers, spoons or soft lures. Anybody who doesn’t believe a rod can cover such a broad spectrum is not familiar with the Hypercast Spin&Jig.

Smoke S3 Plus Spinning The popular Quantum flagship is now available in a new S3 version. This is not smoke and mirrors but a hard-wearing, high-quality rod series of the very highest order. Our rod engineers put their hearts and souls into the elaborate composition of the powerful yet extremely fast rod blank, resulting in a flawless end product. Designed to meet the high demands of modern predator fishing, the rod provides phenomenal feedback in terms of the bottom features of a water. Immediate bite indication allows the angler to strike quickly, even over long distances. It goes without saying that the new S3 series comes with the usual top-quality Fuji components in two rod lengths and different casting weight spectrums to cover the broad scope of modern predator fishing. The model series 35, 55 and 75 are equipped with modern Fuji single-leg rings and are designed exclusively for modern methods of spin fishing. Annoying top-heaviness is a thing of the past thanks to the supplied counterweights for balancing a wide variety of reels. Whether you are

targeting pike, perch, asp or zander, all modern predator anglers fishing for these species can put their complete faith in the Quantum Smoke S3 spinning rod series. Design and technology of the highest standard.

Smoke S3 Plus Drop Shot

New from our Smoke series. The name stands for quality and that is exactly what you can expect from the S3 Plus Drop Shot. As the name suggests, the rod has been specially designed for drop shot fishing. The rod impresses with its ultrasensitive tip action while maintaining a powerful backbone thanks to lightweight and robust core. The new standard for drop shot fishing has been set.

Energy Extreme Jigging Spin and Jigging Cast The Energy rod series is as versatile as the angler. All anglers have their own expectations of their equipment and their own visions of the perfect rod. A variety of baitcaster and spinning models from ultra-light to heavy offer the ideal rod for every application. A high proportion of carbon ensures plenty of sensitivity combined with extreme stability. The Kevlar components in the handle finish off a classy rod, putting you at the cutting edge of angling.

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WORLD PREDATOR WORLD PREDATOR CLASSIC 2021 CLASSIC

THEPRIDE& JOYOF‘21

They say very picture tells a story .. so here’s a small snapshot of last year’s catch by WPC competitors

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WORLD PREDATOR GARY PALMER. . HEAD MARSHAL OF THE WPC CLASSIC

YOUR WPC HEAD

MARSHAL

WPC Head Marshal, GARY PALMER, has year’s of experience as an angler and competitor under his belt and this know-how will ensure the success and safety of the 2022 event

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GARY PALMER. . HEAD MARSHAL OF THE WPCS competitions including The World Predator Classic England Qualifier, Perchmania and Zandermania all of which are held on Grafham Water usually with both boat teams and kayaks competing.

The Main Event . . Well, after two years of COVID 19 rules and regulations I am sure everyone has had enough of being told what they can and cannot do. However, the rules are in place to help you and all the other competitors have a safe and fair competition. Please ensure both competitors and the boat are fully compliant with both Dutch and WPC requirements. First of all, I would like to welcome all competitors to the World Predator Classic 2022 on behalf of your marshalling team. To get the best and really enjoy competing in any major sporting event it is vitally important to have confidence in your competition officials. Whether that be the referee in the FIFA World Cup, the umpire at the Wimbledon final or the Head Marshal at the World Predator Classic. Having officials that are experienced, knowledgeable, and fair is of paramount importance. I can assure you that as Head Marshal, I will do everything in my power to ensure that the World Predator Classic 2022 is an enjoyable and extremely well-run competition.

A Bit About Your Head Marshal . . Before we start getting into the rules and regulations, I would first like to introduce myself. My name is Gary Palmer, I’m sure some of you will already recognise me from previous competitions as Head Marshal or you may remember that I myself, have competed back in 2016 at the World Predator Classic with my boat partner Hans Ruigrok. During which I managed to catch the longest Pike of the competition. I am sure you will appreciate that as a former competitor I understand and can see the competition from a competitor’s point of view as well as the organiser’s. Having fished from the age of 5, over the years I have covered all disciplines in angling from float fishing on local waters to fishing for Nile Perch in Eqypt. For the last 18 years or so, I have been a dedicated lure angler during which time I was selected for the Team England in the World Championships. I make my living as a full time Angling Guide and Consultant, alongside this as well as competing I also run UK based

Be prepared ... the marshals will check your boat every morning, so make sure you have everything required and on show

A huge amount of time and effort is put into an event such as the WPC and this preparation will pay dividends once the competition starts. The weeks leading up to the main event are both exciting and important for both organisers and competitors, this is especially true for team Captains. In my opinion the most important job of all is to understand the rules as knowledge of the water, well organised tackle and great boat handling technique will count for nothing if you are disqualified. I would like to take this opportunity to remind all Captains that it is your responsibility to fully understand and comply with all rules and restricted areas, speed limits, signs and buoys as stated in Dutch law etc. Any boat receiving a ticket for breaching any of the rules of the water including speeding will receive an automatic Red Card. Please do not ask either myself or any of my marshalling team about buoys, restricted zones etc.

Boat Safety . . From experience I know that the waters immediately outside the marina can get very choppy, so safety is of paramount importance. Every boat without exception must have the following items in their boat safety kit;

Getting it right!

How to Photograph your catch Any pictures of fish that are not in the following format will be disallowed n All fish must be placed on the official measure supplied n Ensure the tip of the nose is against the stop bar right flank down n Measure to the TIP of the tail n Ensure security tags are shown n Make sure that the complete fish can be seen in the picture The golden rule is, take your time and double check that everything is correct and visible before sending.

Wrong: Both head and tail must be fully shown in picture

Very wrong: Treat the fish with respect ... there should be no blood

n One or more paddles or oars. n Appropriate anchor which is secured to your boat with a minimum of 30m rope. n A foghorn or acoustic warning device. n A bailer or manually operated water pump. n An approved dry chemical fire extinguisher. n An emergency ignition shut off device. n A towing rope with pull strength of 500kg+ and a fixed tow ring. n 10 litres of spare fuel. n A first aid kit.

All boats will be checked whilst on the water daily by the marshalling team and no one will be permitted to leave the harbour without being 100% compliant. Finally, rules are rules, it is your responsibility to ensure you have them, have read and understood them and to comply with them. Best of luck to all, tights lines and may the fishing gods smile on you!

Right: It’s not that difficult!

WORLD PREDATOR CLASSIC

CAPE HELIUS MARINA

OFFICIAL MARINA OF THE

CAPE HELIUS MARINA . . PROUD SPONSOR OF THE WPC

Our first encounter with Ross Honey was when he had decided he wanted to hold the World Predator Classic here at Cape Helius Marina, Hellevoetsluis. Back then, we had absolutely no idea what to expect, but as he began telling us his plans for the competition with such excitement and enthusiasm, we couldn’t help but get excited about the prospect of such festivities too, so we said ‘yes’, very quickly. As the first WPC event kicked off, we were so impressed with the organisation of the event, the boats and the enthusiasm of all the competitors, which created a real buzz around the marina. This perfect combination of professionalism and enthusiasm ensures that we are always excited to welcome the World Predator Classic to our every year. Ever since the World Predator Classic started, we have welcomed more and more enthusiastic “Anglers from all around Europe”, almost all year round. Our port has exactly the all the right facilities for anglers, their boats and their berths. The Roompot Holiday Park Cape Helius is located on the shore at our Marina. Many Anglers rent a house or apartment here, bringing their boats them fish in the Haringvliet. In the run-up to this year’s World Predator Classic, many participants have already visited our Marina and have already picked their best spot. We hope that the fish will still be swimming in July! We are very happy that the World Predator Classic now returns annually to our Marina and we wish the organization and certainly the participants “Happy Fishing”. This year will be a another great event.

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treetfishing is an upcoming type of fishing that breaks with the general idea that non-fishermen have about fishing. The WPC is proof that fishing is more than just an activity for retired people. Same way with Streetfishing! Streetfishing is fishing for predator fish in an urban setting. It began in Paris, where, unless you had the means to travel to the lakes and rivers miles outside the city – which was difficult for youngsters – the Seine was your only option. And surprisingly this river is excellent habitat for predator fish. It wasn’t unusual to catch big zander, perch and even 2 meter + catfish! Hence, streetfishing was born. Initially, other anglers, tackle shops and fishing publications were surprised, if not sceptical, to find out how many predator fish could be caught in the canals and marinas in The Netherlands. But once they saw how many fish were caught and how delicate the technique was, all of them were soon convinced that this could be a fast growing market in fishing. Nowadays, almost all brands have developed special lures and terminal tackle for this kind of fishing and tackle shops have allocated a special departments for the sport. The first World Streetfishing Classic event took place in Hellevoetsluis as a side competition of the World Predator Classic, back in 2014. Over 70 competitors took part and such was the success that number rose to over 160 the following year saw .. we even had participants from Japan! In the first couple years, very few fish were caught because of the high temperature during this period in June. So, to increase the chance of catching more, it was decided that fishing during the evening and night would give better results. Now, the World Street Fishing event is fished over two days; Friday evening and a one day session on the Saturday. This of course means rethinking yout tactivs slightly – for example, what are the hotspots during feeding hours of zander during these times? Work this out and your chances of finishing in the top 10 are achievable. Do well on the Saturday and the Trophy could be yours!

URBAN LEGENDS

OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, STREET FISHING’S BROUGHT

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

WORLD STREET FISHING CLASSIC

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A WHOLE NEW COOL TO THE ANGLING WORLD

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WORLD STREET FISHING CHAMPIONS

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World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

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ONECAST CANCHANGE ! G N I H T Y EVER

Street Fishing Champion, Jamie Parkin’s, has a philosophy in life ... never to give up. This served him well last year when he made the decision to go it alone

Hi, my name is Jamie Parkins, I’m from Gutenberg near Bad Kreuznach in Germany and I’m 31 years old. My passion for fishing started in the USA in 2013 and then I got my fishing license in 2014. By the end of 2018, I discovered spin and street fishing and ever since then, any spare chance I get, I’ll grab my rods and head out to the city’s rivers. Having two children can make this a llittle difficult, so I wait until the family’s asleep – that’s why I can usually be found by the water at night, tracking for pike and perch. Actually, I was registered for the WSF 2020 together with a friend, but due to Corona and all the postponements we had to cancel. A week before the WSF 2021 tournament started, I called my friend and asked if he would like to join me this time, but unfortunately he couldn’t make it. For some reason, I had this strong sense that I had to go, so I signed up on my own ... that turned out to be a good decision! How I won the World Street Fishing Classic is a good question. I never gave up, even when nothing worked at all on the first day. First I lost a

WSF ONE CAST CAN CHANGE EVERYTHING

JAMIE PARKINS, WSF CHAMPION 2021

fat perch and then a zander. Far from a good fishing day. Anyone who has ever fished at a tournament knows that desperate desire for the first fish, the main thing is not to. Having said that, the second day wasn’t looking so good either, but then that moment arrived when the fish seemed keen and I was able to catch one after the other. Having caught 9 in total, l was eager to head for the starting point quite early, because I there were some issues uploading the pictures. My year as WSF Champion has been great so far .. thanks to winning the title, I was approached by Team Herakles Germany and after a few talks and a nice day on the water, at the end of last year I was lucky enough to become a part of their team. You’ll be hearing and seeing a lot more of me this year – at least that’s the plan! And if you’re interested, you can follow my antics on Instagram @ borntocatch_ jamie. Basically where, how and what I’ve fished. My goals for the future are definitely to improve my fishing and still learn a lot. And at some point take part in the WPC and win, but first I should probably get a boat! I hope to see you at the WSF Tight Lines in 2022

Hi Mein Name ist Jamie Parkins, ich komme aus Gutenberg Nähe Bad Kreuznach in Deutschland und bin 31 Jahre alt. Ich hab meine Leidenschaft fürs Angeln 2013 in den USA entdeckt und dann 2014 den Angelschein gemacht. Seid Ende 2018 habe ich dann das Spinnfischen/Streetfishing für mich entdeckt und seid dem probiere ich es so oft wie es geht loszugehen. Da ich 2 Kinder haben gestaltet sich das nicht immer leicht, aber auch das ist ein Grund warum ich meistens Nachts am Wasser anzutreffen bin und den Zandern Nachstelle. Wen meine Familie schläft Ziehe ich los. Eigentlich war ich zusammen mit einem Freund für die WSF 2020 angemeldet, aber durch Corona und die ganzen Verschiebungen hatten wir uns komplett abgemeldet. Eine Woche vor Tunier beginn, rief ich meinen Freund an und fragte, ob er nicht doch Lust hätte, mit mir auf die WSF zu gehen, er verneinte. Da ich so ein Gefühl hatte, dass ich unbedingt dahin muss, meldete ich mich alleine an. Wie sich später ja rausstellte war es eine gute Idee XD. Wie ich die WSF gewonnen habe, ist eine gute Frage Ich habe nie aufgegeben, auch wenn es am 1. Tag gar nicht funktioniert hat zuerst einen fetten barsch verloren und dann auch noch ein Zander der 1 tage war alles andere als ein guter Angeltag. Und jeder der mal so auf einem Tunier schonmal gefischt hat hofft einfach auf den ersten Fisch Hauptsache nicht OF. Am 2 Tage sah es erst auch nicht so gut aus, aber dann Kamm der Zeitpunkt wo die Fische Lust hatten und ich konnte einen Fisch nach dem anderen Fangen. Insgesamt hatte ich nachher 9 Rapfen gefangen und ging voller Aufregung schon recht früh zum Startpunkt, weil es ein paar Probleme mit dem Hochladen der Bilder gab.

Bis jetzt war mein Jahr als Champion echt gut. Durch den Sieg der WSF wurde Herakles Germany auf mich aufmerksam und nach ein paar Gesprächen und einem schönen Tag am Wasser bin ich seit Ende letzten Jahres im Team von Herakles Germany. Ab diesem Jahr wird man mehr von mir hören und sehen, das ist zumindest mal der Plan Instagram borntocatch_jamie. Was ich gemacht hab, soviel Zeit wie es geht am Wasser verbracht XD, Tipps: Fahrt zum Trainieren und ihr solltet euch unbedingt das UL fischen angewöhnen und trainieren. Ich als Rheinangler mache das nicht wirklich oft und werde probieren mir das dieses Jahr noch besser anzueignen XD. In Frankreich beißen die Fische einfach anders. Ein weiterer Tipp “Never Give UP,one Cast can Change everthing“. Nur ein Köder der im Wasser ist, kann auch fangen. Ich war jetzt 2 Mal auf der WSF und leider hat man immer sehr viele Leute gesehen, die sehr schnell aufgeben kann, aber vielleicht verpasst man genau in dem Moment die beisphase. Meine Ziele für die Zukunft sind aufjedfall mich anglerisch zu verbessern und noch viel zu lernen. Und irgendwann mal bei der WPC mitmachen und gewinnen, aber erstmal sollte ich schauen, dass ich ein Boot bekomme. XDXD Ich hoffe, das man sich 2022 bei der WSF sieht Tight Lines n JAMIE PARKINS

Anyone who has ever fished at a tournament knows that desperate desire for the first fish .. the main thing is not to

Jamie’s top tips . . Practising is super important, especially when you’re using Ultra Light fishing gear. As a Rhine angler, I don’t train as often as I’d like to, but this year I’m determined to practise more and improve my skills. In France, the fish just bite differently. Another tip: “Never Give UP! One Cast can Change everthing”. Only a bait that’s in the water can catch. I’ve been to the WSF twice now and sadly I’ve seen a lot of people just give up very quickly – but maybe you’re going to miss the Beiphase right at that moment.

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World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

WORLD STREET FISHING . . HOST CITY

METZ: THE GREEN CITY

Le Temple Neuf ... a romanesque revival church on the Petit-Saulcy river island, just down from the Place de la Comédie

As a ‘basin of urban ecology’, with leafy promenades along the Moselle and Seille rivers, there’s no doubt that Metz is the ideal venue to host the World Street Fishing event

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The administrative centre of France’s new Grand Est region, Metz, has been a base of power for more than 2,000 years. The city has been an ancient Celtic fortified town, an important Gallo-Roman city, the Merovingian capital of Austrasia, the cradle of the Gregorian chant and one of the oldest republics in Europe. It’s a city steeped in romantic culture and due to its location, greatly influenced by German culture. In ancient times, the town was known as “city of Mediomatrici”, being inhabited by the tribe of the same name. After its integration into the Roman Empire, the city was called

Divodurum Mediomatricum – meaning Holy Village or Holy Fortress of the Mediomatrici – then it was known as Mediomatrix. But it was during the 5th century AD, the name evolved to “Mettis”, which gave rise to Metz. As a basin of urban ecology, today Metz has gained the nickname of ‘The Green City’, thanks to its extensive open grounds, public gardens and boasts one of the largest commercial pedestrian areas in France. Because of this historical, cultural, and architectural background, its no surprise that Metz is now listed on France’s UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. The city features noteworthy buildings

Wonderful city with wonderful specimens The tourist city Metz, on the Moselle river, is a favourite of visitors from all over Europe who come to see the wonderful architecture of churches, basilicas and fortifications. The pride of this historic city is Saint-Pierre-aux-Nonnains. one of the oldest churches in Europe and Metz Cathedral located in the city’s centre. However, what anglers are most interested in is its ubiquitous water and fish species, that you don’t find everywhere in other European countries. Among the urban, old streets and cafes, you have access to water – great canals and rivers. Dams, spillways, wild rivers and its quieter banks are perfect conditions for chubs, very large chubs, that can be found here in the centre and big asp all year round. These are predators that require knowledge, patience from the angler and the appropriate preparation of the equipment, such as Dragon Fishing Equipment with excellent Dragon Flash and Dragon Z-series rods. The infrastructure and diversity of water that we encounter in Metz allows us to catch other predators here, such as pike, perch, zander and catfish. So, not only is it the perfect place for visiting tourists, but also for those of us who prefer a fishing rod in hand and chasing beautiful specimens. n Adrian Pron Team Dragon Nederland

such as the Gothic Saint-Stephen Cathedral, with its largest expanse of stained-glass windows in the world; the Basilica of SaintPierre-aux-Nonnains – being the oldest church in France; its Imperial Station Palace which displays the apartment of the German Kaiser and its Opera House, the oldest one in France that’s still use today. The Cour d’Or museum, which illuminates eastern France’s late-antiquity and early middle ages, will help you to come to terms with the time when the Merovingian kings of Austrasia ruled their kingdoms from this city.

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World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

WORLD STREET FISHING . . HOST CITY

You’ll notice that Metz’s historic buildings have a singular appearance ... that’s because they’re made with Jaumont limestone, mined in the Moselle area and imbued with a yellowy tone by the iron oxide in the rock. On sunny days the city is quite literally lustrous! Wander the avenues and gardens where the old walls used to be and get some modern culture at the Pompidou centre. So, if you should find yourself with any spare time during the World Street Fishing event, why not check out some of the great landmarks, restaurants and bars the city has to offer. Here’s a few suggestions ...

Metz Cathedral Constructed across more than 300 years from 1220 to 1552, Metz’s cathedral is one of the tallest in Europe, with breathtaking vaults in the nave soaring to 42 metres. With more stained glass than any other cathedral in the world the building has earned the name, “La Lanterne du Bon Dieu” (the Lord’s Lantern). The windows have been created by gothic and renaissance master glassmakers, as well as the modern artists Marc Chagall and Jacques Villon. Adding to this sense of radiance is the yellow Jaumont limestone, which makes the cathedral seem bright, even on dull winter days.

Centre-Pompidou Metz Metz made history in 2010 when it unveiled the first satellite of the Pompidou centre in Paris. The building is the work of three architects, Shigeru Ban, Jean de Gastines and Philip Gumuchdijan and easily recognised for its outline, meant to resemble a Chinese bamboo hat. Exhibits in the vast galleries are all temporary or semi-temporary, with landmark shows along with “Beacons”, a revolving array of painting, sculpture, photography and illustration from the enormous collection of the National Museum of Modern Art in Paris. Think Picasso, Fernand Léger, Joseph Beuys, Joan Miró, Anish Kapoor and so forth.

Place Saint-Louis The west side of this medieval square in the old centre is one long terrace of renaissance houses over a handsome arcade. The arches are more reminiscent of somewhere like Tuscany than eastern France, and show how well the city was doing for itself in the middle ages.

A bit of culture ... The Gare de Metz, Centre-Pompidou Metz, the city’s magnificent cathedral and Port des Allemands Back then many of these buildings would have been occupied by early bankers from Lombard in Italy, which explains the design On number five you can spot the engraving of a hand. Apparently, this was the house of a glover who, after winning a legal dispute against a German, got permission from the city to put an ornamental hand on his building.

Gare de Metz The city’s train station is preserved as an historic monument and was also built during Metz’s German era.

It’s a wondrous building, ordered by Wilhelm II and designed in the Rhenish romanesque revival style. Rumour has it that Wilhelm himself drew up the plans for the clock-tower, which has a sculpture of the Frankish knight Roland to represent German imperial protection over the city. The station was designed to be able to move large numbers of troops quickly, and its arrivals hall resembles a Holy Roman palace, which was of course no coincidence either. Another fun fact is that the SNCF offices are now in Wilhelm II’s private apartments.

A taste of Metz.. Covered Market Thanks to the French Revolution Metz may have the grandest covered market in France. The building was begun in the 1760s and intended as the Episcopal Palace. But after the Revolution at the end of that century it was repurposed as the market after plans to turn it into the courthouse fell through.

The market is open from Tuesday to Saturday, and on the latter a large assortment of stalls fill this side of the cathedral square. Along with stalls selling a tantalising range of cheeses, charcuterie, pastries, fruit and vegetables, there are small eateries for lunch, some serving classic moselle specialities and others selling international food like pizza.

Porte des Allemands Spanning the Seille to the east of the old centre, the magnificent Porte des Allemands is the last remaining castle bridge in France and the greatest piece of Metz’s old fortifications. It is essentially a gate with two sets of towers: Angular, crenellated ones facing towards the east and the South in the distance, and circular ones on the city side. The structure is named after the Teutonic Order of knights who had founded a hospice at that time on the adjacent street. The gate is the climax of the “Circuit des Remparts”, a walking tour that shows you round the remaining pieces of Metz’s walls.

La Cour d’Or Museum In a group of buildings that includes the historic former Petities Carmes Abbey, are three museums giving you the clearest picture of Metz’s glorious Gallo-Roman and Merovingian past, as well as its culture since then. The museum ensemble is named after the palace in which the Austrasian Kings reigned and is an often bewildering maze of chambers and passageways, leading you to unforgettable artefacts, like the 7th-century sculpted chancel from Saint Pierre-aux-Nonnains, or historic architecture in situ, like the Roman baths in the basement. There’s also a fine arts gallery devoted to the Metz School in the 19th century.

Le Temple Neuf

Another landmark created in the decades of German control is this romanesque revival church on the PetitSaulcy river island, just down from the Place de la Comédie. Le Temple Neuf is where Metz’s protestant congregation comes to worship and is constructed with a dark grey sandstone, giving it a completely different feel to the city’s older monuments, made with yellowy Jaumont limestone. At night the church’s arcade openings emit light like large lanterns, and the view of the Le Temple Neuf reflected in the water from Pont Moyen is now one of Metz’s unmistakeable sights.

Esplanade These marvellous gardens also follow the course of Metz’s old defences, on the site of a vast ditch filled in after the citadel was pulled down in 1816. In these French gardens with geometric lawns and hedges trimmed to right angles you can look out to Mont SaintQuentin, climbing to the west of the city. The Esplanade is the life and soul of Metz’s city celebrations; During carnival time the fair takes place in the Esplanade in February and March, and then the Mirabelle Fair is here in late-summer. And at Christmas there’s a skating rink set up next to Avenue Ney.

Local Cuisine

You can’t talk about food in Metz without first mentioning Quiche Lorraine, a pastry pie made with eggs, crème fraîche and bacon. The earliest mention of this dish dates to the beginning of the 17th century and it was originally made with emmentale cheese, which still appears in some varieties. The German influence is clear in Potée, a cabbage stew simmered

for hours and served with sausage and boiled potatoes. The damson and mirabelle plums grown in the countryside appear not just in tarts, brandies and jams, but also some of the charcuterie made in the Lorraine region. Paris-Metz, is a small, brightlycoloured cake made of macarons and has been made following the same recipe since 1854. Well worth a try!

What a relief ... Bas reliefs of Tauroctony at the La Cour d’Or Museum,

You can’t talk about food in Metz without mentioning the Quiche Lorraine, which dates back to the 17th Century

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STREET INSPIRATION Tostedt. The so-called street fishing craze is currently on everyone’s lips and maybe even the big trend in the fishing scene of the coming decade. Anglers love street fishing because it allows them to pursue their hobby in a simple way and without much effort, and at nearby urban fishing spots. All you need is a short rod, handy and light luggage and fire away! The trend is now catching anglers from many European cities, so it was obvious that Quantum now offers a tailor-made product range - tailored exactly to the needs of these sportsfishers! Under the “4street” label, the street fishing enthusiast will find the optimal products which will enable them to fish in this modern way. For example, extravagant spinning rods, made

from the highest quality materials. Catchy baits such as softbaits made of Japanese eco-friendly material (EFM) and tungsten-made components such as jig heads and bullet weights are all the rage due to their ecological sustainability. A well designed luggage range is not only chic, but allows the angler to fish long stretches with light luggage. The terminal tackle section is designed to produce catchy rigs, such as the Carolina or Texas rig, to ensure catching success even on heavily fished waters. The articles will be available from mid-May. n And here’s where you can find 4street: Facebook: facebook.com/4streetfishing Instagram: instagram.com/4street_fishing

After the first year of sponsorship, in 2018, SAKURA became more involved and is now an official partner of the World Predator Classic and World Street Fishing trails.

The organization and the mobilization of the cities around WPC/WFS international fishing events are simply incredible and unpublished! The amazing work of Angling Spirit team and the volunteers who participate to the success of the WPC/WFS is impressive. Having participated in many lure fishing competitions in France and abroad (USA, Spain, Italy) since the 90s, I know how difficult it is to organize a fishing tournament! SAKURA, French brand, develops its own collections of rods, reels, high-end monofilaments and braided lines and lures. We also offer a wide range of fishing luggage and accessories since 2005. We work in our office located in the suburbs of Bordeaux (France) to offer anglers high quality material at an affordable price. At Sakura, we’ve all been anglers since childhood. so we know perfectly well the current needs and we are always trying to launch future trends, which will help anglers catch more big fish whatever the conditions. Our products are available all over Europe and overseas as well. The last two seasons have been very prolific in terms of new products, both in terms of rods and lures. There is plenty of choice and the participants in the WSF rounds had the chance to test some of them thanks to the Welcome Bags samples that we had offered to them during their registration! Here’s a brief overview of the main 2022 products that could interest the street fishermen. We wish good luck to the WFS competitors and send all our support to the organizers. n Franck ROSMANN Sakura product Manager n For those who would like to know more about our range, feel free to visit our website www.sakura-fishing.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram social networks.

SAKURA:

SETTING THETREND ICONIC RS Series

The new Iconic RS lure rods will delight fans of Sakura rods, who know that, even more than for our other series, we particularly refine our top-of-the-range models to offer you, each time, real aesthetic jewels with a very neat design. From the first cast, these new Iconic RS rods will reveal themselves to you as highperformance instruments that will amplify your sensations by living your passion to the fullest! This new series is constituted by 4 casting rods and 8 spinning rod and has been made with Mitsubishi Japan Carbon in 36T and 40T

modulus. All the equipment (reel seats, SiC Slim guides with titanium K-Frame) comes from Fuji.

Light tackle spinning reel FURYO FD This spinning reel has received our full attention in their design and construction. Its cosmetics are classy and refined and they are equipped with high quality mechanics, mounted on sealed Japanese stainless-steel bearings. Equipped with a frame and a rotor made of Carbon-Titanium FLC composite, the Furyo reel is remarkably light. Compact, it’s

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

SAKURA . . OFFICIAL PARTNER OF THE WPC

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Slit Shad Evo: Soft swimbait shad

3.3” (85 mm) and 4” (105 mm). Years after years it’s still standing! Naturally shaped, the Slit Shad EVO has an almost triangular section body whose flat back is split lengthwise to hide the tip of the hook when it’s Texas or Carolina rigged or to correctly center a jig head hook. A belly groove, ideally proportioned, is also arranged to facilitate the sliding of the offset hooks during hooking, without harming the maintenance of the hook during the animation, including during the passages in force through obstacles or in “skipping”. The paddle tail of the Slit Shad Evo is thin and flat with an ovoid shape which gives it immediate action, even at very low speed. By increasing the rate of recovery, the pulsations of the tail will amplify and propagate powerful low-frequency waves, which can be detected at a great distance. This evolutionary mobility is the superiority of the Slit Shad Evo because it maintains impeccable stability in all situations.

Sakura Sensibraid 8X Vertical braided line This new high-end braided line is dedicated to vertical and finesse lure fishing for perch and zander. It also can be used in salt water. This sinking braided line is available in eight strands and has a dark grey color with white marks every single meter and red marks every 5 meters. The ultra-tight weave with central core allows obtaining a new profile, much rounder and smoother, but above all, it improves by 40% its resistance to abrasion and knot! robust and silent. Its meticulous design and high-precision mechanics give it surprisingly smooth rotation and power. Available in size 809 FD and 2009 FD – 8+1 stainless and corrosion proof bearings – Gear ratio 5.3:1 – Aluminum shallow spare spool for braid line.

Sakura Soukouss Blade: 45 mm (10,5 g) – 50 mm (14 g) - Sinking. Soukouss Blade is a “metal vibration” or “blade” type metal lure developed by SAKURA with high quality materials and finish and features that make it effective under all conditions of use. It is an excellent lure for vertical fishing (rear dorsal attachment point) around docks or for fast retrieves. When you need to do “run and gun” fishing, the front dorsal attachment point is the best, thanks to a perfect balance and a rather attractive oscillation during of the descent. The two double hooks have a specific opening angle to allow quick and efficient hooking while give a snagless capacity to the must-have lure.

Our tests with the Soukouss blade gave excellent results with a vertical and slow presentation during winter and autumn, while a faster and linear animation was ideal for flushing out active predators throughout the season.

Tungsten terminal tackle range: Recently introduced in our range of accessories, the jig heads and the Sakura tungsten sinkers will allow you to create finesse and eco-friendly rigs for fishing with our soft lures. Bullets, drop shot weights, round and wacky jig heads, nothing is missing to offer you even more efficiency.

World of Angling Spirit magazine 2022

WORLD PREDATOR CLASSIC

WORLD JUST FOR LAUGHS.PREDATOR .CLASSIC EVERY ONE A CLASSC! “That’s right, IT’S ROSS HONEY. OVER. I WANT TWO CHAPATIS, TWO LAMB BHUNA, SIDE OF VEG PAKORA AND A PESHWARI NAAN. OVER. YES, RICE. COPY THAT. OVER”

aybe umbed, that m to team Well Pl the trip in two runs d re cu oc it , en Just th ve done they should ha

OH MAN! THAT WIERD GUY ON THE HORSE IS BACK

After that shoot, the

modelling agencies just stopped calling

THEY JUST SAT THERE .. LIKE DUCKS OUT OF WATER

OH FOR GOD’S SAKE WILLEM .. JUST TAKE THE HAT OFF!

N.. THE VISIO

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THE REALIT Y

When photoshoots go wrong!

An air of excitement filled the bivvy camp .. Vivienne Westwood had just revealed her new ‘FISHING’ line

Ah am a profashonal chef ... dees arrr cooked to parfection

AS HARD AS HE TRIED, NOBODY REALLY SEEMED THAT IMPRESSED BY NIGEL’S BREAD-SCULPTING DEMONSTRATION..

..and it came out of the water, in the box, just like this?!

PRIVACY AT BIVVY CAMP BECAME A SLIGHT ISSUE

This is what happens when you don’t do suncream Ardy!

UNFORTUNATELY, THE ‘WHO CAN FIT THEIR HEAD INTO THIS TINY BUCKET’ GAME DIDN’T WORK OUT THAT WELL FOR GÜNTER

a look at the funny side THE FULLER MON TY

Worryingly generator w, when the Spinnaker everyone h ent down, Ross assure e had it in co d ntrol!

Loving the attention, Karel didn’t notice Vladim face-planking it!