11-05-2010, 12:35 PM
8th May - 3rd All England Squid championships -Brighton Marina - East Sussex - England - United Kingdomn
![[Image: 20100508_1.jpg]](http://www.fishyrob.co.uk/newdiary/Sources/20100508_1.jpg)
Fourty Eight people engulf George with entrance money
All of a sudden it was that time of year again. The ALL ENGLAND SQUID CHAMPIONSHIPS is a rather grand name I gave to a fun competition I dreamt up three years ago, upon recognizing a predictable migration of squid inshore for spring frollicking. The first and second competitions were in fact, so much fun that the top prize was a pink spinning rod. However, this year due to bigger exposure in the media preceding the competition, not only did a new event record of fourty eight squidders turn up for the event,, it also attracted a host of sponsors. As well as the regular sponsor TRONIXPRO (formerly TRONIX) SONIK put up one of their excellent SK3 13' 6" beach rods, rods amd reels from GRANDESLAM, FISHZONE and Brightons own TACKLE BOX, plus a donation of bits from DOWNHAM TACKLE, the Kent tackle shop, some excellent reflective tip tape from East Sussex firm MIGHTYBRIGHT and also a lovely gesture from premier Brighton fish restaurant FISHY FISHY who provided a voucher towards a meal for two, which we decided would be awarded to the longest Cephalopod caught. Plenty of rewards, the big question was would the squid play? With the competition planned to run from 17:00 until 22:00 the last fourty five minutes would be in darkness. The weather on the day was perfect for squidding, horrible for people, with a stiff and cold NW wind, grey clouds and intermittent light rain. Sea conditions were also good, with clarity only being hampered by the annual May rot invasion, but even this green sediment in the water was slightly less than it had been a couple of days before, and even when it was bad the squid were still feeding.With £5 entry from each contestant going straight to RNLI coffers, a total of £240 was raised on the night. So the biggest winner of the event was decided even before we headed off. Our coastal guardians who we really cant do enough for. I'm still in shock people will put their own lives in danger to help others, without payment being the reason.
![[Image: 20100508_2.jpg]](http://www.fishyrob.co.uk/newdiary/Sources/20100508_2.jpg)
Ken from Surrey with his first squid
I didnt actually enter the competition, as it didnt seem fair even to me with the amount of squidding under my belt. But we got an initial good start, which I was hoping, praying and expecting, as resident squid were very likely to be found with the initial bombardment.
![[Image: 20100508_3.jpg]](http://www.fishyrob.co.uk/newdiary/Sources/20100508_3.jpg)
Marina resident and regular angler Barrie with the second of his two squid
His fishing partner Barrie was away next, and about thirty minutes later followed it up with another one, two squid which were to earn him eventual fourth prize. The squid were measured on the carpace length, the tube itself, as they are very difficult to weigh when fresh, as various ballast functioning vessels exist in the squid which are often full of water, giving a bit of a false weight.
![[Image: 20100508_4.jpg]](http://www.fishyrob.co.uk/newdiary/Sources/20100508_4.jpg)
Michaels first squid
Michael from South London was another to pop his squid virginity, with this cracker measuring 40cm in the carpace, and looking like a contender for longest squid all the way through, but was pipped at the post by one of 42 cm.
![[Image: 20100508_5.jpg]](http://www.fishyrob.co.uk/newdiary/Sources/20100508_5.jpg)
Squidders filled the East from about bay 13 to the end
I was hearing more and more about squid caught. Rumour had it that marina legend Sammy Sampson had already secured two big squid . And for the first time ever, the marina squid were getting a bit of a shock, as prepared people were focussed and doing it all correctly, almost the first time such a concentrated squidding effort has ever been released on there, as previous competitions only attracted teens of squidders. We also ran the competition deliberately into darkness to see what might happen, but I dont think we will do that next year, as I dont think a single squid got caught after dark (Floodlights were banned) All too soon, although with the weather perhaps not soon enough for many, the competition was over, and it was time to see what everyone had caught. I like weigh-ins. They totally bring out the schoolboy in you.
![[Image: 20100508_6.jpg]](http://www.fishyrob.co.uk/newdiary/Sources/20100508_6.jpg)
Sammy Sampson recieves first prize from TRONIX PRO managing director George Cunningham of a SONIK SK3 13'6" Beachcaster
![[Image: 20100508_7.jpg]](http://www.fishyrob.co.uk/newdiary/Sources/20100508_7.jpg)
Last years winner claimed second place this year, Matt Blurton from Oxford
![[Image: 20100508_8.jpg]](http://www.fishyrob.co.uk/newdiary/Sources/20100508_8.jpg)
3rd place for Mark Berry
![[Image: 20100508_9.jpg]](http://www.fishyrob.co.uk/newdiary/Sources/20100508_9.jpg)
Stuart Bale gets the FISHY FISHY voucher for longers squid - 42 cm
Barrie had made fourth with his two squid, that scamp marina regular Richard took fifth and also best junior, and Stuart also made sixth place with his big squid. There was a total of 21 squid recorded, a new record for the event, and it sets the precedent to either attempt to reserve the East arm for next years event, or possibly move it to a bigger venue. I think everyone had a good time, I know I certainly did, and heres to a yet bigger and even more squid filled event next year!!!!
If you want to get a better feel for the event, then there is some excellent video footage available. You will need to join the site www.sportingfish.co.uk which will give you access to the video section.
Fourty Eight people engulf George with entrance money
All of a sudden it was that time of year again. The ALL ENGLAND SQUID CHAMPIONSHIPS is a rather grand name I gave to a fun competition I dreamt up three years ago, upon recognizing a predictable migration of squid inshore for spring frollicking. The first and second competitions were in fact, so much fun that the top prize was a pink spinning rod. However, this year due to bigger exposure in the media preceding the competition, not only did a new event record of fourty eight squidders turn up for the event,, it also attracted a host of sponsors. As well as the regular sponsor TRONIXPRO (formerly TRONIX) SONIK put up one of their excellent SK3 13' 6" beach rods, rods amd reels from GRANDESLAM, FISHZONE and Brightons own TACKLE BOX, plus a donation of bits from DOWNHAM TACKLE, the Kent tackle shop, some excellent reflective tip tape from East Sussex firm MIGHTYBRIGHT and also a lovely gesture from premier Brighton fish restaurant FISHY FISHY who provided a voucher towards a meal for two, which we decided would be awarded to the longest Cephalopod caught. Plenty of rewards, the big question was would the squid play? With the competition planned to run from 17:00 until 22:00 the last fourty five minutes would be in darkness. The weather on the day was perfect for squidding, horrible for people, with a stiff and cold NW wind, grey clouds and intermittent light rain. Sea conditions were also good, with clarity only being hampered by the annual May rot invasion, but even this green sediment in the water was slightly less than it had been a couple of days before, and even when it was bad the squid were still feeding.With £5 entry from each contestant going straight to RNLI coffers, a total of £240 was raised on the night. So the biggest winner of the event was decided even before we headed off. Our coastal guardians who we really cant do enough for. I'm still in shock people will put their own lives in danger to help others, without payment being the reason.
Ken from Surrey with his first squid
I didnt actually enter the competition, as it didnt seem fair even to me with the amount of squidding under my belt. But we got an initial good start, which I was hoping, praying and expecting, as resident squid were very likely to be found with the initial bombardment.
Marina resident and regular angler Barrie with the second of his two squid
His fishing partner Barrie was away next, and about thirty minutes later followed it up with another one, two squid which were to earn him eventual fourth prize. The squid were measured on the carpace length, the tube itself, as they are very difficult to weigh when fresh, as various ballast functioning vessels exist in the squid which are often full of water, giving a bit of a false weight.
Michaels first squid
Michael from South London was another to pop his squid virginity, with this cracker measuring 40cm in the carpace, and looking like a contender for longest squid all the way through, but was pipped at the post by one of 42 cm.
Squidders filled the East from about bay 13 to the end
I was hearing more and more about squid caught. Rumour had it that marina legend Sammy Sampson had already secured two big squid . And for the first time ever, the marina squid were getting a bit of a shock, as prepared people were focussed and doing it all correctly, almost the first time such a concentrated squidding effort has ever been released on there, as previous competitions only attracted teens of squidders. We also ran the competition deliberately into darkness to see what might happen, but I dont think we will do that next year, as I dont think a single squid got caught after dark (Floodlights were banned) All too soon, although with the weather perhaps not soon enough for many, the competition was over, and it was time to see what everyone had caught. I like weigh-ins. They totally bring out the schoolboy in you.
Sammy Sampson recieves first prize from TRONIX PRO managing director George Cunningham of a SONIK SK3 13'6" Beachcaster
Last years winner claimed second place this year, Matt Blurton from Oxford
3rd place for Mark Berry
Stuart Bale gets the FISHY FISHY voucher for longers squid - 42 cm
Barrie had made fourth with his two squid, that scamp marina regular Richard took fifth and also best junior, and Stuart also made sixth place with his big squid. There was a total of 21 squid recorded, a new record for the event, and it sets the precedent to either attempt to reserve the East arm for next years event, or possibly move it to a bigger venue. I think everyone had a good time, I know I certainly did, and heres to a yet bigger and even more squid filled event next year!!!!
If you want to get a better feel for the event, then there is some excellent video footage available. You will need to join the site www.sportingfish.co.uk which will give you access to the video section.
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