THE Humber Cruising Association's big cod match is now only a few weeks away.

Entry forms are now available from the club's website.

I expect this year it will attract even more boats as the River Humber has been in fine form.

On the beach scene, Humber SAC had a match off the North Wall, Grimsby, and it sprung up a few surprises for the anglers.

In very windy conditions, there was a reasonable turnout of 13 anglers.

The wind dropped for the last hour, making for better and more comfortable fishing conditions, which in turn made it easier to see bites.

Gary Hambling had never caught a cod off the beach before, and was delighted to catch a 3lb 5oz codling.

He also lost a far bigger fish which made its escape only feet away from the wall.

Anglers were fishing for flatfish and they were amazed when the cod turned up.

Many of them on the lighter tip rod certainly knew that they had a better fish on the end.

A variety of fish were caught including codling, whiting, rockling, dabs and flounders.

First was Steve MacGregor with seven fish for 4lb 9.5oz ahead of Hambling's two fish for 3lb 13.25oz. Third was Dave Burr with six fish for 3lb 12.25oz.

Next match is tonight on Courtaulds Straight, fishing 6.45pm-10.45pm. Meet at the barrier from 6.45pm.

North East Lincolnshire Council has brought in new rules for the HCA beach launched boats.

For several years, Chris Banks secretary of the HCA boat angling section, has been responsible for the beach-launched boats, making sure they are insured and also that the anglers have had new keys.

In return, the HCA has been charged a reduced rate.

With the recent improvement work completed on the slipways, this has now made it easier for the launching of the boats.

It was thought that changes to the charges may follow. Well, from April, each beach launched boat will pay a yearly fee of £30 for a key and they will have to show their insurance details to the beach safety manager to make sure that every thing is in order.

I also understand that other users of the slipway will be ruled the same way.

Mr Banks and other members have been pleased with the works that have been carried out. Hopefully, with more money being collected, further improvements may be made to the slipways to improve launching even more.

Meanwhile, Chas Tibble reports that large whiting shoals just offshore resulted in excellent catches for competitors in the first two Skegness Pier Angling Club (SPAC) matches of 2012.

In match one, held from Trunch Lane, Kettering's Dave Shorthouse won his second match in succession with 21 whiting and three dabs weighing in at 14lb 12¾oz. Close behind in second place was Friskney's Mark Holmes, whose 20 whiting and one dab tipped the scales at 14lb 4¾oz.

There was another very close finish in match two held from Chapel Point, with Alan Steadman coming out on top by the narrowest of margins. His 17 fish weighed 9lb 14oz – just enough to beat off a strong challenge from Shorthouse, whose 18 whiting and two dabs weighed in at 9lb 9½oz.

The next SPAC match will be held on Sunday Febuary, 5 from 2pm until 6pm at Jackson's Corner. For further information, contact SPAC secretary Chas Tibble on 07984 967988 or chastibble@hotmail.com