SOMETHING fishy was going on in The Southern Daily Echo in 1982 – for sea anglers, it was the plaice to be.

The Solent was awash with cod and more - proven by Hardley and District Sea Angling Club trio David Skeggs, Lee Jones and Nick Sutcliffe.

The scales were tipping under the bumper catch, which included conger eels, a 6lb bass, two thornback rays, a bull huss and three large cod.

Miss Echo Linza D’Avanzo presented fishing competition winners with their prizes.

In first place was Geoff Ames with a 3lb 10¾oz bass, in second was Albert Andrews with two bass for 4lb 7¼oz.

Although mullet haircuts were popular at the time, it was also a memorable year for mullet of the marine variety.

Andy Moxon from Eastleigh Rodbenders caught two mullet off Southampton Docks, one weighing 4lb 12½oz, the other coming in at 4lb 1oz.

Moxon also caught five other mullet during the same session.

Langley Tavern Sea Angling Club secretary Bert Cooper caught a 45lb tope, usually a summer fish in November that year.