Edinburgh Winter Shore League Returns for 2026/27
Shore Fishing | Match Angling | Edinburgh
The Edinburgh Winter Shore League is back for another season, with the first match taking place at Newhaven on Friday 16th October. Once again, the league is supported by Edinburgh Angling Centre, Fishingmegastore and Cox & Rawle, with six matches planned across the winter months.
The league has become a popular fixture in the local sea angling calendar, bringing together experienced match anglers and those keen to try their hand at competitive shore fishing. With the evenings drawing in and the colder weather approaching, it's a good excuse to get the beachcasters out, meet up with fellow anglers and enjoy some friendly competition.
Organised by Ian Campbell, manager of the Edinburgh Angling Centre, the league will follow the familiar six-match format, with each angler's best five results counting towards the final standings. That gives competitors a little room for an off night, although consistency throughout the season will still be important for anyone hoping to challenge for the title.
All six matches are registered as Angling Trust Sea League matches, giving competitors the opportunity to take part in a recognised national competition structure.
First Match: Newhaven (East)
The opening match will be fished at Newhaven (East), with registration taking place at Western Harbour View before anglers head to their pegs for three hours of evening fishing.
Match 1: Friday 16th October 2026
| Venue | Newhaven (East) |
| Registration | 6.00pm to 6.15pm |
| Meeting Point | Western Harbour View, EH6 6PG |
| Fishing Times | 7.00pm to 10.00pm |
| Entry Fee | £10 per angler |
| Payout | 100% of entry fees |
| Booking | Pre-booking essential |
Ian is taking names for the opening match now. You can contact him through Facebook or by speaking to him in the Edinburgh Angling Centre Store (Unit E Granton Retail Park Edinburgh EH5 1PW, 0131 202 6351) Anyone who has requested a peg but cannot see their name on the entry list posted on facebook should get in touch to have it corrected.
If you've booked a peg but can no longer attend, please let Ian know by 5pm on the day of the match so arrangements can be made.
League Prizes and Sponsorship
Edinburgh Angling Centre and Cox & Rawle are continuing their support of the competition, providing prizes for the top three anglers at the end of the season.
| Position | Angling Centre | Cox & Rawle |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | £100 Voucher | £50 Voucher |
| 2nd | £60 Voucher | £30 Voucher |
| 3rd | £40 Voucher | £20 Voucher |
There will also be a prize for the highest-placed junior angler.
It's great to see this continued support for local match fishing. Competitions like the Edinburgh Winter Shore League provide an opportunity for anglers to get together regularly throughout the winter, share a bit of knowledge and enjoy the competitive side of the sport.
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| Rods Set Up On Portobello Beach |
A Look Back at Previous Seasons
The league has produced some closely fought competitions over the years, with plenty of familiar names appearing in the results and a few younger anglers making their mark.
The inaugural season saw David Cooper claim the title, finishing just two points ahead of Gordon Lyall. There were 40 different anglers involved and more than 1,000 counting fish recorded over the eight matches.
The competition has also shown that age and experience aren't everything. In 2024, 15-year-old Eryk Janik won the opening match at Newhaven, landing 15 fish and finishing ahead of a strong field of competitors.
Last season's matches continued to demonstrate the importance of getting the tactics right. From choosing the correct bait and hook size to adapting to the tide and finding fish at different distances, there is always something to learn from the anglers at the top of the results.
Following the League
We'll be following the Edinburgh Winter Shore League throughout the season, bringing you match results, reports and updates on the overall standings as the competition progresses.
We'll also be taking a closer look at the methods, rigs and baits that are producing fish, along with some of the decisions that make the difference when fishing these winter shore matches.
With six matches to fish and only the best five scores counting, there's plenty of opportunity for the league table to change before the final match.
Good luck to everyone taking part in the opening round at Newhaven. Hopefully the weather plays its part and there's plenty of fish to keep everyone busy!
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