THE 21st Wales Air Ambulance Open Beach Fishing Competition was held on a cold but dry Sunday, January 12 on Amroth beach.

Conditions on the day at the Amroth Wales Air Ambulance Open Beach Fishing Competition on January 12, 2025
Conditions on the day (John O’Connor)

A slight southerly wind meant conditions were very fishable, with what looked like a good surf running. Supporters’ turnout was 20 more than the Blood bikes Wales event last November, with 62 anglers entering, including four Ladies and one Junior, a boy.

Fifteen anglers brought 28 Flounder to the scales. There were other fish caught but they were either undersize and returned, or considered too light to threaten the weighers.

Tenby club angler Stuart Allen managed to land 5 Flounder, for a winning bag of 1Kg 830g, netting him the first prize of £200. Second was Daniel Tucker, from Milford Haven and the EFSA Wales section, with a cracking Flounder of 915g, just over 2 pounds (907g) in old money. Third prize went to another local, regular and supporter, Hayden Cole from Lamphey with 3 Flounder for 1Kg 135g.

In the Pairs competition, in which both anglers had to weigh in, first were Daniel and his father, Shane, with 3 Flounder for a bag of 1Kg 740g. Second were two local stalwarts of these events, also from Milford Haven, who had 2 Flounder for their bag of 1Kg 465g. Third were more locals, World Boat Angling Champion 2024 Gareth Protheroe and Ray Eyers with 3 Flounder for 905g. The Ladies’ prize was won by that great collector of prizes for the grand raffle, Kirsty Culley who also won the Stewards draw, with a Flounder of 635g. The only junior, Douglas Michael also caught a Flounder of 380g so took the Junior prize.

Most importantly, the event raised for the Wales Air Ambulance £1101.10 (a great number for binary geeks!) pushing the total raised in 21 years to well in excess of £25,000.

Presenting the cheque to Mike May on behalf of the Air Ambulance following the 21st Wales Air Ambulance Open Beach Fishing Competition at Amroth are Peter Kraus and John O’Connor. Photo: Mike May
Presenting the cheque to Mike May on behalf of the Air Ambulance following the 21st Wales Air Ambulance Open Beach Fishing Competition at Amroth are Peter Kraus and John O’Connor. Photo: Mike May (Mike May)

The competition was organised by members from Pembroke & District Angling Club and Osprey Sea Angling Club. Thanks go to the anglers from the organising clubs, together with Mr Ian Wilkinson of the Temple Bar Inn who put his premises and valued support at this event’s disposal as well as providing the prize for the Stewards draw.

Thanks are also due to the event sponsors: Big Brums, Milforge, Osprey SAC, Darren Jones, Shane Tucker, EFSA Wales, Andrew Skeels, John O’Connor, J&M Tackle and Bait, Pembroke Dock, Leigh Rogers, Peter Kraus, Haydn Cole, Kirsty Culley, Alison George, Jeff Pratt, John Davies, Cliff James, Dave and June Howell, Andrew Jamieson, Mark Bennett, Ed Pritchard and Moira Barnes, Roundabout Garage Neyland, Hean Castle and Stone Crab Saundersfoot, Stackpole Inn, Highgate Hundleton, Paddock Inn Penally, Lamphey Court Hotel, Shipwright Inn Pembroke Dock, Templeton Beer Wine & Spirits Company.

Next up, on Sunday, February 16, is the 16th RNLI Annual Fishing Open, in aid of the local lifeboat stations at Angle and Tenby.