Hadleigh angler Tony Lambert landed this superb cod while fishing aboard his own boat White Marlin.

In fact good fishing is in prospect all round as catches improve throughout the area. Decent numbers of good cod are now being taken.

15 fish to 9lb were taken aboard Roy Thompson's boat "Marlin" on a blustery Sunday and 21 good specimens were taken on Tony Lambert's "White Marlin" out of Wallasea.

One of the trawlers this week had a cod in the net which, after being gutted, was reported to weigh a massive 30lb.

In addition to the cod other good catches have also been taken. Kevin Bailey took his own boat "Diver" to the Maplin Bell last week and caught five skate to 8lb, some sole weighing over 2lb plus loads of whiting.

In all, the sea fishing scene is now far better than at any time since Christmas.

Sea this - Hadleigh angler Tony Lambert landed this superb 19lb 6oz cod while fishing aboard his own boat "White Marlin" out of Wallasea.

Tony used lugworm and squid to tempt the big fish and he was in good company as his boat party of five managed 21 good-sized cod between them Bobby's the cat's whiskers

Basildon youngster Bobby Barnes is riding high after smashing the British black bullhead catfish record by a huge margin at Billericay's Lake Meadows.

Bobby was fishing at the Lake Meadows point with friend Peter Hudd when the pound plus catfish picked up his Mainline Winter Eight boilie.

When Bobby First glimpsed the green fish in the water he thought that it was a tench. However as soon as it was close to the bank the two lads realised that it was in fact a small catfish.

The celebrations will have to wait until after the next meeting of the British Record Fish Committee, although with the fish meeting all of the criteria the ratification should be little more than a formality.

Lake Meadows holds the current British black bullhead catfish record with a specimen of 2oz 15drams taken in 1993, establishing a history of the species in the water.

Bobby's fish has been positively identified as a black bullhead by the British Record Fish Committee's expert Alwyne Wheeler, and its weight recorded at 457 grams on certified digital Post Office scales.

It was roach rather than catfish which gladdened John Bell's heart when he took part in Sunday's Lake Meadows Open, fished under horrendous weather conditions. Despite the wind and driving rain John managed to tempt 6lb 1oz of pole caught roach to claim first place.

John fished a peg on the Sluice Bank taking most of his fish on pinkies. Second place went to Stan Howard with a 5lb 7oz haul of bream and roach from the Grass bank.

The next Lake Meadows Open will take place on Sunday. Meet in the car park from 7.30am for an 8am walk off.

Fishing time will be 9am to 3pm. Entry costs £7 with a 100 percent payout.

The usual day ticket is payable on the bank. For more information ring Mick Toomer on 01268 282317.

Record breaker - Bobby Barnes shows his potential British Record black bullhead catfish caught at Lake Meadows

(Right) Winner - John Bell took this first-placed Lake Meadows catch from the Billericay water's sluice bank Big fish come in numbers

Carp anglers continue to take quality fish at Lake Meadows, although the lake's eight or nine 20lb plus specimens have evaded their attentions over the past week.

One of the best catches of the week fell to Dave Levy who fished from the point to take three double figure fish. Using homemade boilies he tempted specimens of 11lb, 13lb and 17lb.

Stan Howard had a surprise when he fished to the right of Gloucester Park's tench point, netting a goldfish of 4lb 8oz! The fish fell to pole fished sweetcorn, and formed part of a 50lb plus mixed haul.

Further along the bank Rochford angler Dave Martison fished the big bay to take a 30lb plus haul on quivertip, including a common carp of 11lb.

Golden wonder - Stan Howard shows off a big goldfish taken at Gloucester Park. Andrews in Hockley fizz

The latest Essex Angling Open at Hockley's club match lake produced surprisingly good results considering the cold nights and bitter conditions on Sunday.

First place went to Martin Andrews from Mavericks who took a mixed bag of 18lb 13oz. Martin just pipped Graham Hyde whose 18lb 10oz earned him second place.

Third spot went to Dave Aldsworth, also from Mavericks, who landed 17lb 8oz.

The majority of the competitors managed to end the match with double figure hauls.

Stars flying out for charity

A host of top celebrities and soccer stars were set to take part in the 1999 Hanningfield Reservoir Pro-Am today.

By invitation only, the showcase event raises money for the Royal Marsden Breakthrough Breast Cancer Appeal and Little Haven Children's Hospice.

Chris "Who wants to be a millionaire?" Tarrant, England goalkeeper David Seaman and former soccer ace / now film star Vinnie Jones were among those who entered the event.

This Is Essex's Stuart Hillis also went along for one of Britain's most prestigious fly fishing competitions of the year and you can read his full report next week. Tench deterred

The water temperature at Doggetts continues to put off the Rochford water's tench but Lee Barker still managed to claim a nice 4lb specimen on a recent session.

Prolific lake regular Lee Jackson, who usually fishes there two or three times a week, landed a 7lb carp from the water's long arm. Lobster spoils for Brett

Bad weather brought a premature end to Lobster Smack Angling Club's March competition but, despite the horrendous conditions, some respectable cod were landed on deck.

In the men's section it was Stephen Brett, fishing aboard "Ocean Warrior", who took first place with a brace of cod weighing 5.06kg.

Ian Curtis also took two cod aboard "Island Girl" for a second-placed weight of 3.48kg. Roger Snell claimed third with a couple of cod scaling 2.98kg.

"Ocean Warrior" seemed to be the boat to be on as it also provided the biggest fish of the day with a 2.92kg cod falling to John Norris.

In the ladies section, the spoils went to Sandra Swash who, aboard "Coral Mist", took a single cod of 1.44kg. Basildon's best set for big test

Basildon District Council, along with Mick Toomer's Angling Enterprises are currently putting the final touches to the 1999 Basildon Angler of the Year competition.

This year's contest, which is open to all residents of the Basildon area, will be a knockout format throughout May to decide five finalists who will battle it out on September 1 at Gloucester Park.

The finalists are all guaranteed a share of the accumulated prize fund, which will be split as follows: first 30 percent, second 25, third 20, fourth 15 and fifth taking 10 percent. The five will also receive trophies provided by Basildon District Council.

Entry cost is £5 plus £5 for each subsequent round progressed to, with the accumulated monies forming the prize fund.

For more information and an entry form send a stamped self-addressed envelope to Mick Toomer, Basildon Angler of the Year competition, 10 Ravensdale, Kingswood, Basildon, Essex SS16 5HS. County committee reveals Wale date

Following the success of the Brian Wale Memorial match held on the Chelmer and Blackwater Canal in 1998, the Essex Angling Consultative Association are now in the process of finalising arrangements for the 1999 event.

The date is pencilled in for Sunday, April 5, with the venue being a repeat of last year, kindly donated by Chelmsford Angling Associa-tion who will begiving the pegging fees to Imperial Cancer Research.

The draw will take place at the Hoe Mill car park at 8am with fishing from 10am until 3pm.

There will be 200 pegs available with entry fees being £5 for adults and £2.50 for juniors with optional pools at £10 (100 percent payout).

Tickets are available in advance by sending the appropriate remittance and SAE to: Mr PJ Holloway, "Weneter" 27 Broomfield Crescent, Wivenhoe, Colchester, Essex CO7 9QA.

All proceeds from the event will be donated to Imperial Cancer Research in memory of the Association's late president, Brian Wale. Conditions round-up

Southend Pier

Ragworm baits have seen some good decent plaice taken from the stem along with a fair number of flounders.

Small bass and whiting continue to be a problem though so perseverance is the key.

No reports have been received from the extension but the catches out in the river would suggest that the odd cod are there to be had.

Southend Beaches

Fishing from the shore is patchy at present with some marks producing a few flounders and school bass while others are proving very hard.

Terry Malone had seven flounders on Sunday night, some of which were taken on ragworm and a couple falling to lugworm.

The beaches near the gas works jetty are as good as anywhere at present.

Canvey Island

Night tides, as ever, are bringing the best rewards with flounders making up the mainstay of sport.

The codling are there though and, if the current trend continues, will become more common over the following weeks.

Essex Angling Centre Sea Round-up

Contact Peter Marshall on 01702 711231

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.