Despite the time of year, good bags of flounders are still being recorded from boat and shore.

Adam Wells from the Waterside took advantage after targeting a section of foreshore at Hythe, landing a dozen flatties in the same session (pictured right).

Wells, a ground worker contractor, used king ragworm presented on a size two hook to tempt the flatties during a fairly short daylight sortie.

Landing so many flatties during a single session during the depths of winter would be considered a pretty good catch but at this time of year it is most unusual. A flooding tide did the trick.

Slightly further afield, a nice turbot was landed at Barton-on-Sea by Gerald Mason from Highcliffe during a daylight session.

Mason, a 37-year-old labourer, used a large fillet of mackerel presented on a 2/0 pennel rig cast some 50 yards out. The flattie weighed in at 5lb 10oz, another cracking fish for the time of year.

The National Federation of Sea Anglers selectors and competition group are urgently trying to expand their national ladies' squad from which teams are selected to compete at both world and home nations events.

A ladies' squad weekend is being arranged in August, with a workshop at the Lymington clubhouse in the morning when top internationals will give advice and tips, followed by a fishing session in the afternoon around the Pennington sea wall. Interested ladies should apply to the NFSA office for an application form without delay (01364 644643).

The Swanage club stage their 70-peg charity open shore competition on April 22 (fishing 6.30pm-10.30pm) along the local seafront, which could well produce interesting results after the beach has been rebuilt from the spoil being dredged from neighbouring Poole Harbour.

The event is in aid of both Save the Children and the Swanage Pier restoration project with tickets costing £10 if booked in advance but there will be a surcharge for any tickets bought on the day of the match.

There will also be a £1 pool for both the longest round and flatfish.

The fixture will be judged to the measure-and-return system, with all fish being released alive at the point of capture.

Bass, plaice, flounders, pollack and dogfish are expected to supply most of the action but after the recent disturbance virtually anything could put in an appearance.

Pre-book information from either Rex Brewer from Swanage Angling Centre (01929 424989) or Ray Jarvis (07763 235208).

The Fladen International four-man team species hunt, organised by members of the Poole Charter Skippers Association, has been set for June 9 when a £1,200 prize will be on offer for the top team. All teams have to be registered by May 7 for the boat draw.

Apart from the huge top prize there will be several supporting cash prizes and a large prize table. Full details will appear during the next couple of weeks (application forms from either Bob Watton on 07768 735666 or Andy Adams on 07802 672227).

Stokes Bay is the setting for a Rovers Tackle pegged midweek catch-and-release open on Thursday evening (fishing 8pm-11.30).

Tickets for the strictly pre-book-only event have been set at just £5.

There will be three prizes in the longest fish category and three for the greatest length of fish.

Pout and rockling are expected to supply most of the action although a few nice plaice have been taken from the venue recently.

The first small smoothhound have also put in an appearance. For details, contact Rovers Tackle (01329 220354).