SOUTH coast anglers continue to beach some excellent flounders with Eastleigh's Neil Freestone beaching a cracker in a session at Hill Head, tipping the scales down to 2lb 8.5oz.

The 28-year-old sales assistant caught the specimen during a daylight session after baiting a size one hook with ragworm cast just 50 yards out from the shore.

Ten-year-old Craig Moore also struck lucky when he tackled the Lymington sea wall with his dad Steve Moore who drew a complete blank.

The youngster, who attends St Lukes School at Sway and is a member of the Lymington club, used ragworm fished just 30 yards out to tempt a flattie which weighed in at 1lb 12oz.

The Bournemouth & District Open held around the shores of Poole Harbour attracted 80 competitors. Phil Muspratt scooped nearly £600 in prize and pool money after beaching a trio of flatties weighing 6lb 12oz. His best fish weighed in at an impressive 3lb 6oz.

The runner-up was Alan Rogerson with 3lb 6oz, followed by Ken Mason and Steve Lietch with 2lb and 1lb 12oz respectively. The top junior was ten-year-old Ben Carter with a solitary flattie weighing just under a pound.

The latest junior fish of the month awards, given by the Wessex Division of the National Federation of Sea Anglers and sponsored by Hansfords, saw some excellent fish caught by local youngsters.

The first set of prizes saw Ted Walsh from the Stamshaw club come out on top with a 2lb 6oz flounder caught from the shore, followed by Matthew Tracey and Daniel Carlin both from the Gosport club with a 3lb 8oz bass and a 2lb 3.50oz flounder respectively.

Fifteen-year-old Rio Woodford, representing the Lymington club, was the winner in the second set of awards with an 8lb 10.75oz bass, followed by Stuart Patterson from the Shirley club who took the next two prizes with flounders of 2lb 0.75oz & 1lb 8.75oz.

Local secretaries are reminded to enter all fish caught by their juniors for the awards, otherwise their youngsters could miss out on tackle vouchers from Hansfords.

* Local anglers who travelled over for the three day Irish Winter beach championships at Wicklow had mixed fortunes.

Chris Clark from Lymington scooped over a £1,000 after finishing second overall in the Championship. Clark came second on day one and followed up with a first and a fourth in the next two matches.

Ian Golds also finished well up the table with two thirds and an eighth to end up in sixth overall.

Neil Saxby and Pete Christopher also put in a good showing during their first attempt at the championships, while we think Reg Clough is still driving around looking for the venues!

* The next few days look extremely busy for local anglers with three open events in as many days.

Rovers Tackle stage a mini pegged open on Thursday evening at Browndown with fishing from 8pm to 11.30pm.

Tickets for the event, which is strictly pre-book only, have been set at just £5, it is also a Penn Point fixture. Full details from Rovers Tackle on 01329 220354.

* On Friday evening, the Wessex Division of the NFSA stage their first pegged open and league fixture held at Avon beach with fishing from 6pm to midnight. The event, which will be limited to 90 pegs, is open to all anglers. It will also be a Penn Points fixture.

Tickets have been set at £10 for the event, which will see a 100 per cent pay-out of all entry money. The series has a number of major sponsors including Zziplex and Sea Angling News.

For last minute ticket details contact either Malcolm Stote on 01590-674942 or Norman Berry on 023 9225 3025.

* South Coast Tackle stage a 100 peg open on Saturday evening at Lee-on-Solent with fishing from 8pm to 1am.

Tickets for the event, which has a £350 top prize and will also be a SAMF qualifier have been set at £10 plus pools.

The event is strictly pre-book only. The draw will take place at South Castle Tackle shop on the day of the event, for full tickets details call 02392-550209.