The Famous Tacklebox Brighton

Well, up until this morning I had resisted using the pun but being as the squid comp today is on, well, I may as well get in on it. YES the SQUID COMP IS GOING AHEAD, wind speeds are looking a bit iffy for floating but I dont have an alternative date planned as the weather can be a bit flakey this time of year.
SQUID COMP EAST WALL
I will have squid jigs for sale on the day
sign up from 5pm by the cafe east wall. once signed in u may go and set up on drawn bay
random draw, I can draw pairs too one bay i you ask
PEGS from BAY 1 up to 25 initially, we have space for more
£5 entry & £5 rod fee too all who enter.
2 cash prizes and a Roman Rey specialised jig too each
I also have a squid jig for all juniors(U16) who enter
cash prize will be split 100% with a 2-1 split
1st will be for longest combined total lenght of squid/cuttle caught by 1 person
2nd prize will be for the longest single squid.
measure from tip of mantle too tip of tail.

So as you may have noticed out there , one or two people are catching squid. Am I catching squid ? erm dont ask! Granted most of my attempts have been 5 or 6 minute dabbles mostly in daylight and tbh lack much effort and lack time at it if Im honest. Most of the times I use a rod for luring the side too side actions on my body soon have either my ribs screaming at me or the discs in my lower back signal that side too side is not very healthy for me !

So, what is going on other than 99% of those squidding are catching more than myself ?
Well there is the obvious in squid, Im guessing as the numbers build at night someof them have sussed that during the day there is less competition and as a result they are also being caught during the day. Low light levels like dawn and dusk are Ideal and re how too there are loads of guide posts being put up on faceBook but essentially if you are used too mackereling it is “sort of ” similar but the key bit of info is SLOWWWWWWW right down and assume the squid are slow beasties, when you feel a “squid on” reel gently in keeping a smooth motion. If on a structure before lifting out of the water I suggest get your rod tip as near too the water as is safe and when you lift to get out of the water step back a pace or two so you create a smooth arc with the rod while reeling in.
So Other catches, when I took the quad down yesterday, well, the vast bulk of people were mostly having a go for squid so in its own way it was fairly hard too get a proper indicator of peoples catches. I am aware that squid and mackerel have been a fairly regular thing at time of opening with the low light levels although with regards too mackerel I dont think anyone has yet seen a shoal bubbling the surface like previous years.

It is truly saddening if this is an indicator of things too come with the mackerel stocks. On the hopeful side of it I understand that mackerel breeding rates are good and if something is done too reduce the pressure on the stock as a whole there is every chance of recovery, the real problem though as ever is mankind’s greed and need too feed an ever growing population. Some of the worlds leaders need too be able too stand up and say ENOUGH, if I had my way I would start with the super trawlers and have them all sunk too create artificial reefs where needed around the world. Tied in with that start have a huge cut on quotas that some North Atlantic countries demand o the sea stocks. Yes I realise its a small start and a massive ask but over fishing GLOBALLY is resulting in smaller and smaller “prize” specimens and various species get hunted before they can often reach adult sizes.
Yes I know Im almost preaching but things have too change and very soon or simple joys such as sea fishing for mackerel, bass and other species will become a thing of the past and the seas will slowly fill with the likes of jellyfish and little else. Mankind is rapidly collapsing food chains that cant sustain the pressure.

As I type I see a post saying there are mackies being caught on the east.

WEST WALL HOOOFkinRAY opened yesterday about 5pm by myself (joy) And a friend asked yesterday what was the chance of me getting some bait too them and so despite my scooter playing up and even somehow stop charging when I was down on the west earlier (too open up) I naturally said yes. The scooter is being a right feker atm and not holding its charge for more than about 3 miles so now I do a run and have too get it charged and tbh stopping in the pub every day for an hour is ok for beer but not ok for my pocket but i digress.

I got back onto the west about 9pm on a bait delivery and was for some quite a welcome sight and managed too help a few out selling mostly squid jigs. While there for an hour or so (also charging the scooter) I had a dabble for about 15 mins alongside kadir & his driver 🤣🤣(friend) with no luck but while there I did see 5-6 squid come out and there were plenty of small eels taking baits and all indication was that a good nights fishing was underway.
TODAY the WEST is open all night and will shut fairly early SUNDAY morning
Today the EAST is open until the squid comp ends and then the wall will be cleared and closed
SUNDAY AND MONDAY both walls closed

And with that I will sign off & see some of you perhaps later if you are planning too do the squid comp today. Other than that I will sign off until the next one and bid you all ADIEU.
F