It's starting to become a very good year for club members catching bass, with another two matches in different parts of our area producing recently. Our longer distance jolly to Cefn Sidan was very enjoyable, but hard going on the fish front. Summer IS coming, we're told!

May 24, Cefn Sidan Beach Match: A long run to Cefn Sidan for the recent bank holiday jolly that should have taken place on Pendine. Twelve went, including keen junior Seth, and a lovely afternoon and evening we did have. Very little surf would have affected the catches undoubtedly, with just a solitary dog, a few flats and a couple of lesser weevers recorded in size. A few other species, bass, smoothies, were also landed.

Keeping his impressive charge towards glory going was Haydn who pinched a couple of flats and the dog. Ollie nerfed second and Ben third. Seth Rowlands weighed in and claimed the junior prize, but the 'big beasts' of Pugs, Jenks, Nev and Lewis all blanked... unlucky boys

Results - 1. Haydn Cole, LSD 0.556kg; 2. Ollie Gibson, Bag, 0.707kg; 3. Ben McDonnell, Flounder 0.461kg.

May 26, Pendine Mid Week: Well, well, well. The predicted superb turnout occurred, even in the face of as difficult conditions as you will find at Pendine. Northerly breeze, a dropping surf and a clear sky. There would be no fish tonight (so said the sage-like match sec).

Nineteen anglers were in good spirits at the booking in and took the obvious opportunity to serenade Garf with a rousing rendition of 'Happy Birthday' as a warm up!

Gate opened at 7 pm and then off we jolly well did. A scrum as usual up to the top of the beach, with a couple (mistakenly) staying by the first sticks and a couple (intriguingly) down just to the left of the slip. Pretty much all the fish came from up the beach, with a smattering of flats and dogs, but also two cracking bass landed for Paul Jenks and Mr. Thompson, Angler's Corner.

Both our juniors weighed in as well and even Lewis got in on the act with some dogs and flounder - well done mate. But the plaudits remained with the bass catchers of course.. Paul's just nudged the 8lb mark, with Martin's just exceeding 6lb. Both fine fish indeed and more vindication of the club's approach in mixing up roving matches with fixed venue Pendine matches for our popular Mid Week series.

Results were - 1. Paul 'The Yoof' Jenks, Bass, 3.531kg; 2. Martin 'Old Dog' Thompson, Bag, 3.345kg; 3. 'Pugs' Pro, LSD, 0.809kg; 4. Lewis 'Basher' Brann, LSD, 0.774kg

Many thanks go to Martin and Sandra for returning the LSD to the water on their long journey home to Milford

May 29, Freshwater West, Beach Match: Fresh West on a Friday... T&DAC after the bass again!

Eight booked in for the 'late one', fishing 9 pm to 1 am. And it was still cold! A very nippy NW wind greeted us, but at least there was a manageable surf and the portents were optimistic.

Haydn did his usual and bashed out bass after bass, Pugs snuck in with an early tidy 'in-sizer' and the rest of us continued to hold hope. As the tide turned, an awkward tow developed, but this was short-lived and then there were rumours of a few fish.

Nothing large was reported, but at the end, plenty of schoolies up to 44cm had been landed, with Pugs having two in-sizers and Joe, Lewis, (whisper it quietly) Nev and Barry Newell all having the one.

Showing boundless brotherly love, the results were - 1. Pugs Protheroe, Bass, 1.708kg; 2. Joe Pro, Bass, 1.553kg.

Our next match is at Pendine on June 10, part of the popular mid-week series. The gate will be opened at 7 pm sharp, with fishing until 11 pm. Bass are still showing well and some warmer weather is promised between now and then.

Further information at any time from Nev on 07500 417737 or through the usual internet based sources.

N.A.