Competition hots up on first day of Sea Angling Classic 2025
It wasn’t just the weather which was hotting up on the opening day of the Sea Angling Classic 2025 in The Solent – the competition was just as intense.
Fuelled by their morning coffee courtesy of YETI and Northumberland Coffee plus Weber-barbecued bacon rolls, competitors made their way from Premier Marina’s Port Solent to the start line.
Anticipation was high as soon as the “go” was given for the impressive and high-octane start, with the first fish quickly coming to the boat – Adam Kirby on board Hot Pursuit landing a 106cm smoothhound.
Fish were caught regularly throughout the morning as competitors sought the best marks and, later in the day, some shelter as tides and wind combined to make the conditions a little more challenging, although the organisers had extended the fishing area to ensure all boats could find shelter if required.
The event – held over two days, Friday and Saturday, June 20 and 21 – sees almost 50 boat angling crews target five species of fish in the prolific Solent waters, while raising money for FreeSpirit – a community boat project which will serve as afloating platform to provide the proven wellbeing benefits of being on the water.
Last year’s winners, Bluefin, put themselves in with a shout of retaining their title early, quickly taking the lead but competition was fierce throughout the day.
The day saw some impressive catches, including the event record tope caught, measuring 166cm and boated by Tequila after a tense battle.
Indeed, there were plenty of good-sized tope caught – and a few more lost – with a good amount of smoothhounds, rays and bream, although the bass proved harder to come by.
The event was also graced with Wales’ first-ever World Boat Angling Champion, Pembrokeshire-based Gareth Protheroe, who was once again on board Sea Witch 2.
As the boats returned to Port Solent, there were plenty of smiling faces, although one or two appeared to be ruing missed opportunities or lost fish with promises of even better things to come on day two, Saturday.
Provisional results for day one showed Bluefin topping the leaderboard with 997cm of fish, followed – appropriately – by Hot Pursuit with 926cm and then BadBoyz on 894cm.
Event organiser Ross Honey said: “It has been an incredible day on the water, despite our initial concerns about some challenging conditions.
“Indeed, we have witnessed some fishing which has been nothing short of spectacular – I couldn’t be more delighted with the way day one has gone. I am sure all the competitors are eagerly looking forward to going again tomorrow (Saturday).”
It all culminates on Sunday with a huge prizegiving – worth £65,000 in total – with the champions walking away with the top prize of a cheque for £10,000 of Lowrance gear, Crewsaver champions-branded lifejackets, YETI custom painted gold winners’ tumblers and cool boxes, Mermaid gin and a Crewsaver boat, not to mention the coveted Sea Angling Classic trophy.
There will be prizes for the top 15 boats plus the longest of each species, best lady, best junior, best small boat (6.5m and under) and a prize for the best-placed Yamaha-powered boat.
All are welcome at the spectacular prizegiving on Sunday in front of Wildwood at Port Solent from 12.30pm, which will feature the amazing Batala band and a fantastic raffle in aid of FreeSpirit.
Organised by Chichester/ Emsworth-based Angling Spirit, the Sea Angling Classic is now its fourth year and competitors have been contributing not just to the FreeSpirit project through their entry fee but each boat team also has to complete a beach clean up in advance in order to be eligible.
The Sea Angling Classic is backed by a string of big-name companies including Southampton-based Navico with its Lowrance brand, as a principal partner, plus cooler expert YETI and lifejacket specialist Crewsaver, headquartered in Gosport.
The FreeSpirit boat project was conceived to provide everyone, regardless of age or ability to access the ocean for leisure, wellbeing and sustainability projects, with the aim to create a dynamic legacy with far-reaching benefits for the community at large.