The Famous Tacklebox Brighton

Now, considering some of the more recent blog posts it would be easy too think on reading the heading that someone is in trouble or about too get a public blasting but today is not such a case.
The title is more a bit of irony, Mark (the boss) has just started a holiday and with this year so prominently standing out as such a poor year for showing fish this year there is a touch of Irony that the daytime fishing has finally and properly come alive and so, where the cat could be mark the mice are not the the wardens but more the fish.
Cat away and the mice came out too play.

Now If ya think I’m going a little bonkers and don’t quite understand English humour or even my weird humour I will but it another way for everyone.
Shit year so far for daytime fishing. Night fishing has been on the increase for a week or so but the daytime on occasion has been truly awful and very hard work.
And so, Mark gears up for a holiday and the out too sea shoals of mackerel start too get a bit closer day by day tempting us all and frustrating everyone that they are just out of reach.
Mark travels and boom we get a long afternoon of small mackerel shoals buzzing both walls fairly much from mid day onwards until sunset.

Now while not huge shoals them there fish were in decent numbers on the west for everyone too catch their fill perhaps for the first day this year and they have also returned on todays morning high tide.
Like last weekend I did stay on the west into darkness hours, part monitoring arrivals part doing what wardens do re keeping an eye on anglers and the fishing reminding anglers of wall policy that has over time slackened off too the point that we were reminded what was expected by way of wall management and angler behaviour.

Yesterday evening was a dropping tide with the high tide close too 6pm so we had a fair few arrive for the high tide and the news of Mackerel during the day had been on the “jungle telegraph” so as too speak and there was a good number on the wall joining in with the mackerel collection!.
I am pleased too say that this Friday was vastly different from the issues highlighted last week culminating in what I will refer too as “that picture” that was met by quite a large response that I hope the wardens collectively are responding too and with a little bit of reminding, a little bit of encouraging and very occasionally telling it straight anglers are responding in a positive manner on the wall.

Late afternoon into early evening the mackerel were still active some hours after the high tide and it was clear that similar was happening on the east with small shoals of fish buzzing up and down close too the bend of the wall.

Now I hate too be a dumper on good news re the changes but as expected not everyone has got the message that wardens are chasing anglers too bag and box their catches as they go. Over on the east as the session was swinging towards the sunset one of our regulars when leaving did take the time too remind a small group of teens fishing too bag their fish up and dispatch them as they go.
Sadly the advice was ignored and I know he reads the bloke so I will publicly say now. While most of mine and other wardens focus is on the west night activity it also applies during the day that anglers are expected and should treat catches with more respect and care.

The wardens do indeed actively pick up anglers on this but the east sometimes doesnt get the focus as much as the west wall does part due too warden times/ tides/focus and numbers in particular if there is only one warden about their focus can sometimes get drawn too the wall of most potential issues.
With silly season now upon us there will be a greater focus on fish care as it is a large area of public focus and it is very easy for anglers too get carried away feathering in the fear of the fish vanishing before they get their fill what ever that may be. Today (saturday) there is a duty warden on both walls and if needed they will remind anglers they are expected too sort the fish as they go.

Back to the fishing last night as dusk arrived the tide had tuned and Mackerel continued while having some horse mac mixed into the catches as well as a shad or two. Now Shad are a protected fish and should be returned but we do get quite a few who don’t realise what type of fish this is and so using my brains workings they can be described as looking a bit like large herring.

Often mistaken at first for bass and even Mullet they have quite large scales that can be finger nail size and shape and the fish overall silvery similar too bass or as said an over sized type of herring. These scales come of ((shed)very easily so should be handled with a lot of care, gloves or a damp/wet cloth do reduce scales being lost. Shad as facially similar too thick lipped mullet and the lower jaw has a ridge that looks a bit like a mini bird beak. While often around 40cm these fish are quite delicate and prone too dying if simply chucked over the side when returning them. Please handle with care and if you can get one use a net too return the fish down the “V’s”. Take your time once the net is in the water and WAIT for the fish too recover. Often what seems like a dead fish can and will recover in the net allowing the fish too stay safe from the current and recover.
I say take your time because I assisted with a return on the east a couple of years back and after 10 mins in the water was convinced it wouldn’t make it. credit too the angler as they stuck at it and after 20 mins the fish was showing signs of recovery and against all the odds the Shad did indeed swim of strongly after near 30 mins inside a drop net recovering in the water down the “V” of the east wall. Stick with it, it can feel very rewarding as they swim off.

As the mostly Mackerel catches on the west faded into Mostly Horse Mackerel here and there a Bass was caught. most in the 45-55cm range and I can confirm at least 3 caught before 10pm.
I will catch up with Ali later too get some night catch info later.
This mornings warden tells me the west was busy when he arrived somewhen about 5.30 with a mix on new and night anglers and Mackerel had put in an early show on both walls. Are they still coming out as I type this at 12.30 ? dunno, I guess I will find out later.

Final topic today, how did it go on the west last night while I was there.
Well, Im happy too say visually things were very different. Plenty of fish and in general all being bagged or boxed mostly as people went with only an occasional reminder in daylight.
Would it continue into the darkness ?
Well, yes it did I’m pleased too say and I didnt here of any erm shall we call it “shit show” from the morning dudes as they took over from the night so it looks like the message on fish care is getting over with anglers.
Light levels on the wall were massively different from last Friday I am pleased too say. A few underwater lights in use all on smaller power packs or small battery packs and not a car battery too be seen or carted off the wall unwanted. At about 10pm after the east wall had been shut for the night I did a walk through checking on anglers but also checking the various lights in use, lights needing a filter were dealt with and the difference was huge indeed.

No over sized spot lights glaring over the wall and minimal lighting near peoples kits, anti glare filters sorted on lights and all of a sudden the light levels from the wall was mostly tip lights . Another benefit of the low light levels was in the general overall noise coming off the walls anglers. Subdued chats meant anyone guessing at numbers on the wall would have been hard pressed too guess as the sound level was very low.

One other difference some fishing may have noticed last night, we are now closing the main gate at 9ish and only allowing anglers onto the wall. General walkers will be stopped at the gate once dark. This is a safety reasoning that will benefit anglers.
Often in the past, once dark, we would get walkers on the upper level ignoring the requests too stay on the upper level away from anglers swinging rods and hooks in the dark who would then venture carelessly onto the lower fishing level putting themselves and other anglers needlessly at risk. Once dark it is much harder for wardens too monitor numbers and maintain a level of safety for all.

Anglers can still come and go, but once settled on the wall should try and reduce their off wall visits and entry will be via the night warden after 9pm.
Thats it for today, I will again be on the wall late afternoon into some of the night and until the next post i will as usual bid you all ADIEU
F

Well I know there is a title in my head somewhere but as I start typing I dont have a clue what it is or even will be. Thus, until summat clicks I’m just gonna type and figure it out. Aaaannndddd just like that something obscure pops into my head for the oldies who may remember something Billy Fury “(I’m gonna) type a letter to you!”. Yea it’s a bit vague but my brain is in an off position still.

So, Wed & Thursday conditions got/are a tad challenging unless you are one of those dedicated loonies that simply thrive on choppy water beaches, you all know the type, the Mr Goslings of this fishing world we inhabit 😂 With the wall closed during the day it stands too reason that there was also no night fishing.
The WEST WALL will re-open Friday at about 6am.
Thus the report of the day, yesterday is fairly limited although Im told that there were mackerel on the EAST WALL Wednesday.

As said it wasnt the flat calm we have had of late and with a fairly strong SW -Westerly pushing against the marina there was a fair bit of dodge the water spout going on and not too many giving it a go. One or two regulars did post reports though onto the marina group over on the book of face so there is a bit of news too grab, relay, and then draw out a little as I have a tendency too do.

By now you will realise if you have read here more than a couple of times I do tend too pad this shit out but hey, sometimes it is good shit and doesnt stink like some of the catch reports this year, and someone actually caught on the walls. I realise how shocking that may seem but occasionally the sea and the fish while taking the pith out of us all provides the occasional catch. Shall I get on with it ?

As mentioned there were a few mackerel piccys posted up by mark, they dont look like low tide so I’d guess somewhen in the afternoon on the rising tide they came out too play Like the mackies yesterday afternoon also out too play were horse mackerel on the tide over night Tues into Wed prior too the west wall closing. I know this as I saw pic’s of a fair few buckets full of fish.

Briefly before continuing the fishy report I will say being as I have mentioned the word Bucket I do feel a fair few anglers are arriving on the Marina with multiple buckets for their fish.
Needless too say the quality of these fish at the end of a session are going too be reduced if not poor and showing definite crush signs. Add too that any daytime catches will be showing heat stress signs also and leads myself too wonder about the quality of said fish as rarely can a cool box be seen with some of the groups . Beyond that is the obvious question of why anyone should need multiple buckets on the wall too stack fish. The word that then comes too mind is sheer greed and I believe it is perhaps time too properly educate some of the shall we call em over eager fish collectors!
Perhaps it is time too limit wall anglers too a bucket each when arriving.
What do readers here think ?
Should the number of Buckets be controlled ?
Are you of the mind, let em fish they paid too be there ?
Is 1 bucket of fish per visit enough ? if not what would be a fair or sensible catch limit, if any ?

if you have any thoughts on this feel free too drop me an email here, no names will be mentioned if I use any opinion what ever it may be.

Back on the EAST WALL on Wednesday as well as the mackies wall regulars as said had posted some catch info and I guess for most the best of the fish caught was probably a nice though juvenile Undulate ray. It seems that we are now being hit by smooth hound pups in numbers or at least Wednesday was.
Other catches included conger, schoolie bass, Bream and some smaller bits close too the “Vs”.

High tide saw quite a bit of weed pushing across lines being driven by tide and wind and if the conditions lacked enough challenge there was a good dose of rain locally yesterday with more expected later today.
As mentioned, today it is just the EAST WALL open, no night fishing.
Tomorrow BOTH WALLS will be open about 6am ish and the west will be OPEN for NIGHT FISHING all weekend.
Please remember if night fishing, no wall mounted lights, no car batteries, head lights/torches if white must be anti glare filtered (as a warden) or BLUE. We aim too keep wall lighting to a minimum. TY.

Any questions ? if yes emails too the website come direct too myself and I can easily be got hold of on the book of face.
Thats it for today, and so, until the next one I will be off and bid you all ADIEU
F

NO NIGHT FISHING TUESDAY

It is quite odd that some days can seem near mirror images of the day before with the only exception being the tide times shifting on about 40 mins or so each day.
Yesterdays post somewhat lacked a catch report/update so I best not start with last night and begin with a minor rewind back too Sunday of which saw quite a large run of mackerel at least on the west. Info was a bit garbled and I wasnt on the wall so cant call it with any accuracy…
but… there defo was a small mackie run. I say small based on shoal that have hit in previous years and to be fair it hung around for a while for those there too catch plenty of fish.
I dont have any reliable info as too did they get any on the east on Sunday.

Daytime beyond that things were slow on both walls. The west wall seems too have developed another round of peeling spider crabs creating a love/hate situation with a fair few anglers. The damned things seem ravenous and for sure the smaller fish are keeping clear of them but, they are still peeling much too the delight of those collecting for bait.
The bulk of Sundays catches after the morning mackerel run was Bream of mixed sizes. I gather there were Blennies and Wrasse about also but things were fairly slow.

Mid afternoon had seen a bit of a pick up on the Southerly breeze making things quite sloppy by way of waterspouts but the wall did stay open but the fishing fairly much crawled to a stop.
Late afternoon saw numbers arriving for the night session and while the wind had settles a bit things were still a bit choppy and I guess it impacted on the fish and the fishing.

as the light faded in the evening there was little too no sign of the horse mackerel that had been arriving almost nighty for the last 10 days or so and by 10.30pm the wall had filled to the level of needing too put the gate across too keep some level of order too numbers on the wall.
Midnight came and went and I had perhaps seen 3-4 horse mackerel despite the many sets of glowlight feathers being chucked towards possidon.
I left the wall about 2.30am and the fishing had fairly much become casting and little else. On catching up with Ali yesterday he confirmed that it had stayed that way for most of what was left of the night shift!.

yesterday again there was a fairly strong breeze on the South West to Westerly creating entertaining water spouts but the wall did stay open but fishing simply put was challenging. I did have a quick visit yesterday over too the east but there were only a few there and one pair leaving said they had only caught a single bream.. Of the other anglers there I was basically given the same news so headed back too the west wall.
The wall was open last night when I left but no idea how things went but I suspect it wasn’t very productive. Sometimes a set of conditions on the marina cad replicate the day before with the exception of the tide time shift and the fishing game can end up as different as the title suggested , chalk & cheese.

Thats it from me today.
The west wall will be closing very shortly if it hasnt already and there will be no night fishing tonight
West closed
east open until 9pm
Thus, all that is left is to say, until the next one
I bid you all ADIEU
F

IMPLELMENTING CHANGE ……

…….To Night Fishing.
Some concerns have been raised regarding night angling on the west wall. Some changes have already started too be re – impressed upon night anglers.
….Headlights must be either BLUE or if white have a glare filter..
….This has been in place since November 2023 and over relaxed. Filters will be if needed enforced and checked. A blue carrier bag can work very easily as can a transparent film.

We are a working harbour and anti glare lights were requested by the marina port manager.
Wall mounted lights will only be permitted with a blue light or covering.
….No other wall lights too be mounted on front wall
….Car Batteries have been banned more than 2 years. . .

Anglers have again been using them and then dumping dead batteries in Marina bins or dumping on the wall.

There are laws regarding disposal of car batteries and this should not, nor will be carried by the marina . Underwater lights are allowed.
There are many that use usb power packs the same as used on mobile phones.
Large battery packs are not wanted on the wall.
A small light for seeing kit on the rear wall is allowed
3 lights, thats it

These changes were made in Nov 2023 and will be re impressed.
Lighting on the west has got worse than Blackpool illuminations and will be stopped.
….Arc lights and large power lights are not to be used.
….Anglers may have a torch/small lantern for kit use.
….A head lamp filtered,
….an underwater light, blue/white/green are acceptable as all light up as a green glow.

….Further measures too be reinforced,
….Anglers catching fish are expected to dispatch fish as they are caught and then put into cool boxes/containers
….Anyone placing live fish into boxes will be informed why it is not acceptable.
….Anyone preferring too allow fish too suffocate will be advised that they should fish the beach or treat the fish with a bit more respect and dispatch fish humanely.

We all have a responsibility as anglers too be aware of fish care and suffocating fish is not acceptable and not wanted on the marina walls.

All of the above is not new but methods have been relaxed.
As a result we have been bombarded with complaints and requested too gather our collective act together.

Recent numbers wanting too fish at night has had the west rapidly reach capacity and the last 2 nights nearly 100 have been turned away at the gate.

It has highlighted an issue that has concerned the duty wardens on the wall and as a result we are implementing change at point of entry.

There is also a level of safety during darkness hours with anglers walking on & off the walls constantly visiting the main part of marina. In some cases 2-4 times a night.
This causes issues with our head counts and safety issues are also raised over who should be on the wall or are “just viewing”
Most angers are aware all people on the lower level should have a ticket, fishing insurers are fairly tight on conditions and how numbers are managed and consider the upper level a view platform this is why non anglers are charged on the lower level. This has always been in place.
Some of the old signs on the wall state all on the lower level must have a permit and those signs have been there well over 25 years.

Coming and going of anglers is too be limited.
The white gate will be closed at 9pm and a contact number will be posted too the gate to allow ANGLER ENTRY ONLY once shut.

If you chose too leave the wall that is it, there will not be a return.
Sheer number on the wall cant be safely monitors and maintained if people are constantly in and out for trivial reasons.

Some reasons for leaving and wanting too return are obviously too be expected, and sensible requests too let people out should be made too the duty warden who will sort entry/exit when they have time.

Likewise return will be managed via the number posted too the gate The west wall is a fishing wall and once dark it will remain as anglers only with limited entry based on numbers active on the wall.
These changes will come into being very shortly.

Yea ya know who you are but im in a fairly decent mood so I wont be naming ya 🙂 But, I must admit If I had read the blog and facebook posts I also would have thought … oh heck WTF will todays post be like if someone eFF’s up over night so, lets get at it.
First a quick round up…
Im not sure (without reading back on blogs) If I have mentioned Red Mullet, aka Goat fish this year but we are starting too see an occasional one caught. yesterday wall regular Chris posted his most recent visit too the east that included one of which most regular may be thinking it is a bit unusual as most reported are catches on the west extension. It would be nice too think that they are locally starting too spread their range and numbers as in 26 years or so I have only know of a couple on the high bays east side and yesterdays was near mid wall, perhaps a sign of recovery, lets hope so.
Also reported by Chris a couple of Wrasse some Bream again numbers seem too be spreading over the east sands and a blenny which is not bad going for the current level of catching during these stupidly hot summer days.
Again I can add too the species list of catches some decent sized Mullet have been caught which seem too me a bit slow starting this year. We do have a few regulars who actively target Mullet & it’s always good too hear they are being caught as they do seem a little elusive this year.

As i looked through a few Facebook posts today I see a bit of Irony that had me chuckle as Mullet Dave was indeed out there hunting Mullet and managed too land himself (ON BREAD) a decent size erm … BASS 😂😂
Now I know there will be a few reader waiting on news of Mackerel. I do indeed have some news, most will be aware by now that there is a very big change in the stock numbers this year and many of the usual early reports through July & even June simply havnt been there. The mackerel this year seem not only late but in much lower numbers so the news on this species is cautious but we ware starting too get some small shoals much closer too the walls.
Please be aware estimating when they will be there is as tricky as F***. They flit in and out some tides so fast you can blink and they have gone again. if you want too improve your chances I would say first thing in the morning is a stronger bet than late evening at the moment , yes that may change and the shoal may build and get stronger.
Time wise as an example Id say be at your venue from early light IE 4.30 ish you may get a few lingering horse mackerel in the twilight of dawn but those rapidly clear out too deeper water and can be replaced by the early run of small shoals. It isnt a guarantee but if I was after the buggers that would be my choice of when to go.
Late evening is your second stand bye on the marina, elsewhere it may be a different pattern and these fish atm are a bit unreliable. Yesterday evening a small shoal was spotted off the west but it never made the jump in as so anglers had too wait until the light dropped and then a steady increase of horse mac happened.
Below todays rambling post I will post up my fb report on how things went last night on the west so bear with me a bit longer, im nearly done here.

In general some things are trying too get back too what most call normal re fishing but we do still have a large amount of spider crabs on the west with many still peeling, if they are your target IFCA guidelines are if keeping they need too be 12cm across the shell and 20 may be retained per collector. Friday the IFCA officers did a visit on the wall and chatted too many anglers giving advice and checking catches so please stick too the rules as the only ones that lose out will be the wall users and the venue itself.
bass still continue their tick over being mostly caught at night on the west. There are still congers active on the walls and most active it seems atm are Bream (day and nightime) and horse mac. I have seen a few plaice but most are at distance and quite skinny with probably the end of next month usually better for them. recently some very decent sole have also been caught but one clear missing atm is Flounder. We dont get many and most tend too be a day or so after decent levels of rain.

other species over the last couple of weeks have included, blennies & gobies, scorpion fish seem very absent, we are seeing Ballion and Cork wing Wrasse numbers slowly climb also. Absent it seems are rays of any type atm and the squid still remain in deeper waters although now and again some cuttle get caught when the water is seemingly flat calm and not running a hard tide.

A newer arrival (in numbers at least) is GAR FISH. Friday morning saw a strong run of them on the west for sure, unsure if the east got a glimpse but there were as I understand it quiet a few decent ones caught. Oddly the mackerel that Gar usually travel with were missing and they arrived as a shoal on their own.

I think I have fairly well covered most things happening over the last few days with the obvious omission of how things went on the wall last night after various shall we say , social media postings.!
For me it is easier too simply copy over from the book of face my pre sleep post regarding myself helping out on the west last night of which was super busy & we actually needed too close the gate for a big chunk of the night as we rapidly reached capacity.
judge for yourself …
–>>

Well look at me posting at 3.30am.

As promised i spent a very large chunk of this evening on the west wall.

Mark Robinson and then Phil aka pieman took over from mark doing tickets.

From 5pm i manned the gate and had a chat with everyone coming onto the wall to fish.

Clear instuction to bag as they go if and when horse mac arrived.

Further advise on lights used on the wall. Headlamps filtered

Now white light on front wall aimed at water and all requested not to use car batteries.

Intermittent checks through the night saw 6 or 7 lights turned off and reminders not to bring car batteries

Im pleased to say that most complied happily once reasoning was explained.

As to the fish …

Things were quiet until about 8.30pm and sliwly horse mackerel showed up in most areas on and off slowly til midnight.

30 min lull then saw numbers pick up as we headded towards the high.

I personally did 3 full runs on the wall after 10 pm just to keep an eye on things and having a chat here n there. 2pm horse mackerel were still being caught.

We had closed the gate at 9.30 as wall was full and there were plenty arriving hoping too fish that we simply had to turn away or direct to the beaches .

By this time it was clear most on thevwall were there for the night and at least until or after the 2am high tide.

So. What happened to all them horse mac being caught ?

Im please to say that theyvwere not being left too flap on the wall and tonight the message had been recieved.

As i left i did a full run through and all fish were being sorted mostly into cool boxes and a few buckets

One bay only needed to be reminded and the dudevwas asked to put his rod down and sort the dozen or so fish which he did.

It may take a while for everyone too get the message and i realise tonightvwas just the start of that.

Tonight was a busy one with the wall filling fast !…

Time now for a kip

Well, that’s it for today, no doubt you can guess where I will be this evening 😉
and so, until the next one, I will Bid you all ADIEU
F

To wall marina wall anglers, I will post below the same post I put up on marina fishing facebook group.
it not only applies too night anglers but also day anglers especially when we see loads of fish being landed.
Fish care is an important part of angling and neglect on the walls will not be tolerated. Anyone unable too dispatch fish as they catch will be told and instructed one. If it is beyond anyone , well simply put, you are not wanted.
There will now be a crack down that most wardens try to avoid so as too keep things relaxed but of late some sloppy habits have started and been overlooked and it simply isnt how it should be nor expected.
NIGHT FISHING LIGHTS will be enforced, abusers can fish the beach. Likewise, if it is too much too bag up fish on the wall after dispatching them you can go fish elsewhere
All ariving tonight on the west will be advised so that there is no excuses.
BLUE LIGHT FILTERS, no spot lights or arc lights, likewise car sized batteries should be left in cars, they are not wanted on the wall.

yes there were tons of fish last night but im not in the mood for a calm sensible catch report.
Things will change on the wall and those grumblers can sling their hook.
MY post on marina group as follows
>>>>>>>>
NIGHT LIGHTS, HEAD LIGHTS SPOTS

TAKE NOTE

It seems that over the last year or so anglers (i will call them that for now) have forgotten some of the rules on the wall while fishing at night.

A few others have also forgotten about fish care and think it is acceptable for members of the general public too be able too walk along the upper levels of the walls and watch them while they think they are fishing and good anglers.

Let me say this now,

FISH CARE is also part of the angling package.

If you catch and keep you dispatch your fish as you go and “BAG” your catch as you go.

IT IS NOT acceptable too leave live fish flapping on the flor or even in a box alive and SUFFOCATING to death.

IF this is you, change or leave, you are not wanted.

I concede that the wardens are not perfect and sometimes overlook simple checks but this does not excuse rules being broken and fish suffering needlessly.

Tonight things change

Arc lights, spot lights and wall fitted lights are not allowed.

Bring one on the wall you will be told not too use it, this rule has been there 2+ years and is now being broken by may and stops.

Lighting rules on the wall will be enforced, non compliance has 2 options. Comply or leave.

Wardens have filters for lights for those too lazy too use or get themselves.

Chemical tip lights are allowed.

Battery tip lights must not be green or red

head lamps MUST be filtered.

Small lamps/kit torches allowed for rigging up.

Lights mounted on the wall are NOT ALLOWED

underwater lights are allowed, standard underwater light show as a green light from the sea so wee do allow green, blue or white too be used.

CAR BATTERIES and large pack batteries are also banned,

FISH CARE

If you are a lazy arsehole and chose too leave fish flapping around your feet trust me you will be told, if you continue you risk being removed from the marina walls.

Anyone unable to dispatch fish should not be fishing.

If you dont know how, I suggest you ask a mate or a warden on the wall.

The image posted today leaves a sour taste and is unacceptable.

Tonight there will be checks on the wall.

Some here need too get their act together and remember that the marina is open too the public.

Said public like too walk the walls and watch the fishing going on.

Recent images are not fishing, more like carnage and is unacceptable.

Rules are there for a reason and some reasons are for the benefit of those watching others fish.

Get your collective acts together before we lose another venue, If that cant be done you will be removed.

Rant over, as said I wil be on the west this evening longer than usual, there will for a while be 3 of us there ensuring rules are re learnt , its over due and the decent anglers out there will no doubt agree or think , about time too.
Thats it for today, not really a blog update but hey summat needed saying. and thus, until the next one , I will bid you all ADIEU
F

Is it possible? could it be ? dare I whisper it?
Erm, they might be in !……. or at least starting too make the jump from 2 miles out….

Right, now I have your attention it is possible or at least slightly possible that the last week has seen a slow tick upwards and some people are actually catching fish. Yes I said fish not flippin unicorns even though that doesnt sound good there is a glimmer of light in that I may have too stop calling em unicorns so keep reading I will mention Unic….. mackerel again.

Ok then, lets do it. If you have been reading the occasional hit n miss blogs I have been putting u you will know (unless you have been living in a dark box) that the fishing has been absolutely crap, dire & frikin hopeless and that is not just the marina. Yes some deeper water places are fishing better than here which tbh is no great feat but inshore it has been pants all along the south coast and beyond.
I could put up loads of reasons but I think I have covered much of it in past posts do no need for that sermon on repeat but its true, its been the pits.

Now then, this last week has seen an improvement, much of the crab population has or is moving on and with that there are fish returning too the walls to scavenge. Lets face it if I was a bream and saw a wall of crabs 10-20 deep ( no bull they climb ontop of each other stacking against the walls) and all them there claws …. would you venture closer ? of course ya wouldnt and I suspect it is a big reason that the fishing here seems so retarded, the spider crabs spook anything away from the wall.

as I suggested, as the crabs started thinning the daytime numbers of Bream has slowly increased and it is more noticeable on the west being as it is much rougher ground and I believe preferred by bream and even Wrasse.
At the same time as the Bream started picking up so did the night fishing with Bream continuing too be caught through the night and there was also a slow pick up of bass catches. Part of this info was filtering out via social media, blog reports and in general word of mouth and as a result we started seeing a few more anglers at night and that perhaps resulted in more info & catch reports.

Mid week last week we also saw the proper arrival of horse mackerel and things went from 2-3 caught to buckets caught with Bream and bass catches the night sessions were looking like when to be fishing.
Friday night on the WEST it seemed like everything landed in union and there was an absolutely stonking night session had by all with one dude who had never caught a bass landing 3 up to 7lb and at least 20 Bass caught that went over 6lb. If that wasnt enough horse mackerel stayed on the feed for much of the night and just to add some Icing on the fishy cake the Bream were out not only in numbers but also good sizes.
needless too say there was a rush too get on the wall Saturday night and it was very busy. Shockingly though with ideal conditions almost identical too the night prior…. well … sod all was caught bar a few tiddlers that were being returned.
The day sessions were and still are quite tough but the fish were back Sunday & Monday night making the Saturday just gone the “odd one out” for its lack of fish.

Tuesday Ali and I spotted quite a large shoal of Mackies at probably a mile + out that never seemed likely too close with the wall but it at least looked promising for the next few days ahead while we have decent tides.
Now came Wednesday, I was a bit later on the wall for various reasons and as posted we had the eclipse goings on on the west wall and at about 7.15pm a small shoal of mackies sprang up in the water teasing a few who were quick enough too spot it prior too vanishing but it did hint at a good chance of horse mac potentially before the sun set completely.

So far bar Saturday the last week has produced Horse mac, Bream and Bass every night.
Somewhen after 8pm I headed EAST too get the east wall ready for shutting. on getting there I counted a group of 6 on the bend and 2 pairs who were already packing on lower bays. Those on the bend had enjoyed a small flurry of mackerel, perhaps the small shoal that was on the west perhaps not but like those on the west , they vanished almost as fast as they showed up. Right now I suspect it is a case of right time right place if you are going too grab a few of these elusive devils.

Yesterday brought another species too the wall and im told the morning saw a run of Garfish. Im not sure how long they stayed but along with the gar came a few mackies, Bream and even a red mullet amongst some pouting.

Im told there was again a very good run of horse mac and Bass last night so no doubt Bream amongst them. I didnt stay overlong yesterday afternoon but will be down on the west this afternoon.
This weekend Im forced too use the small scooter due too a tyre tear. A puncture combined with a hot near seemingly melting tyre isn’t a good combination and this the larger scooter is out for the weekend forcing me too use the little scooter. With my fat arse and 118kilo the poor thing only has a short range and I doubt it would make it too the east wall as well as doing the west So anyone wanting items will need too either see me on the west or get too the shop while it is open. Today the shop is posted as open til 5pm folks.

So too round up, night fishing looking good. Day fishing slowly improving now most of the crabs have buggered off 🙂
thats it for today, so, until the next one I will bid you all ADIEU
F

Ok, so I spent the best part of the day with the wife so I only planned too do a swift visit yesterday although I ended up staying a bit longer than planned.
Needless too say I had forgotten about the eclipse and as I got too the west there were quite a few people there too watch it happening. Once we had got the general public off the wall there were quite a few anglers arriving for the night session and being as the west was looking quite busy I sorted closing the East wall.

Prior to going over there was a show up of a small shoal of Mackerel just out of casting distance (sods law) hence the title today. Unfortunately for those watching the fish chose not too come closer. It did prompt me too say too the dude I was talking too that I recon that horse mackerel will be around very quickly and before the sun fully sets…. Well on that one I was Bang on. No mackies on the west but as the sun was setting horse mac were slowly being caught.

At that point I headed over too the EAST wall (8.30 ish) too organise the close down. ironicly it seems either another shoal or perhaps the same that flitted over on the west put in a small show for a group of anglers on the east. Not many fish but Id say enough for them prior too packing down and the light going.

East wall shut I went back too the west too pick up a couple of items and unload the scooter of weights and rigs etc and I rapidly noticed that there were now plenty of horse mackerel coming up all along the wall including for those on the extension , yet it does open at night if numbers warrant it when no one has made a booking on there.
I didnt get any info how yesterday daytime went but got the impression that it had been fairly quiet and much the same as the last 5-6 daytime sessions had gone.

Could the mackerel finally be putting in an appearance ? 2-3 early evening sightings and a small flash/run yesterday morning. its much looking like (atm) that 1st & last light is when people may want too hedge their bets if they want some mackies!

Well, thats it for now, I will be on the wall later today so, intil the next one here I will bid you all ADIEU
F

Has developed their own version of a Vulcan mind wipe, yes I realise its a mind meld but I tell ya, last night I had a blog in my head to type up today and is it still there ? is it buggery!. So what to put in place of what at the time seemed like a good idea ? Nope no idea so I guess Im sat here trying to think up some waffle and, tbh Ive got nothing. hmmmm
ok lets start by saying , thank fek for the Bream. If it wasn’t for them fishing on the marina during the day over he last few weeks would be fairly grim and very tough going. Its not like anyone is going too announce that they went to the marina to catch spider crabs is it.
Is it ?….. well tbh even that isn’t true!

I must admit that yes indeed there are people perhaps taking time out too find something for the kids to do and we have indeed had a fair few groups with youngsters and nets hunting crabs down the side of the walls. Its a fairly easy thing too do and they are still plentiful for anyone with bored kids its not a bad way to spend an afternoon/day and isnt too taxing in the current heat wave or what ever they are calling it this week.

Now I do realise I often curse the crab invasion but anglers do get a lot of benefit from them I guess too off set the lost of snipped off hooks & bait. Other than bringing a few families out onto the marina they have served a purpose in drawing the Bass close too the walls when feeding, add to that a few weeks ago we saw an increase in hound activity and the debris from the feeding predators has been beneficial too the smaller species including Bream and Wrasse as they feed on what some may call leftovers as the crabs are broken open by the larger predators crating a mini food cycle that can only serve too encourage better numbers of fish.

There are some signs of recovery in the fish stock even though the fishing atm is so poor. Reports from boats fishing around the wind farm indicate very healthy stocks of various fry drawing in feeding fish of all sizes. Now I realise that is over on the wind farm so some may wonder how the fek that would benefit us 2-3 miles away but it all does have a knock on impact.

Healthy fish feeding around the wind farm will slowly go from being visitor to resident in the region and the likes of bream and Wrasse will start small colonies of nests that slowly spread in range over the rockier regions. The inshore trawler bans also mean that the kelp and various seaweed species get the chance too re-grown and establish itself back in traditional waters.
How many here remember the huge piles of seaweed piling up on the shore lines in late August /September ? part caused by seasonal blows as the Autumn arrives but also part the result of fishing activity pulling the seaweed out as large nets were dragged through it.

The kelp/seaweed is recovering, its benefit is natural hides for smaller fish encouraging further nesting and the increase in general of common local species. I realise the recovery is slow and we are seemingly recovering from the brink so too speak. The ecology can be a fragile thing if nature is messed with by man, I doubt anyone would have thought that ICES would have for the 1st time I am aware of listed mackerel as at serious risk, yup that means endangered. I don’t have a solution other than say perhaps protection methods are not strict enough.

Rec anglers have had a limit on Bass as they are we are told at risk and protective measures were needed. Great, Im all for that but FFS if any species is at risk surely the best solution is close the fishery and not just for one group be it recreational or commercial.
What is the point of half measures such as we have for Bass ? So anglers are set a restrictive number of catches and commercials have limits set that are often well under what they actually catch on the inshore fleets. All that did imo was slow down the number of fish recreational anglers took home and gave token recovery numbers.
Oh great we get told the numbers look good and Bass are recovering so well what do the law makers do ? rather than continue the measures or even tighten up a bit more they open up how many we can take increasing the daily take by 50%. WTF! yep they are still endangered but its ok coz there are a few extra you can keep.
madness
If a species is truly at risk stop all fishing across the board for everyone. Something stinks in Denmark. The fish police tend too stop recreational fishing first in favour of free access too the commercial fleets … or so it seems. Ive no issue with restrictions but ffs make it an equal measure for all.
So mackerel are at serious risk , what do the EU and various countries do?
well it seems that Spain and Portugal have stopped rec fishing for Macies, the commercials can still go for em but no one else. Over in France they set a rec limit of 5 fish per day, yay great stuff you may think but it again means that commercial fleets have free access. No doubt there will be talk later this year when they review fish stocks and welfare that a mackerel ban for recreational fishing will be discussed. You can bet your life Comms fleets will get token restrictions while the average joe on the beaches get told nope you cant have them fish !

Now, at this point if you are still reading you could be getting the impression that I have an axe too grind with commercial fishing and that is simply not the case. I know a few of the local guys that work out of Brighton, mostly Bass boats but I know they work bloody hard too make a living. They like the average Joe tend too also get shafted by petty rules and red tape making thier trade much harder than it needs too be. My grumble is with the Authorities that set uneven regulations. IMO any restriction or ban needs too be done universally to at least give stocks a fair chance of recovery. Pointless putting commercial bans on say COD when the same doesnt apply to the recreational and charter boats as happend not over long ago. Protect the stock simply by banning the take of a species. Any ship that breaches the rules deliberately have the ship impounded for a period of time. Fines are pointless, remove the ability too fish. that simple.

And right now I realise I have indeed managed too ramble and waffle with barely mentioning yesterday and Monday nights fishing.
I did give a huge clue as too yesterday on the walls in that it was a case of thank fek for the Bream and in their own way them crabs as the daytime session was very tough going unless you were fortunate enough too be on the bream or on the marina with kids hunting crabs.

In its own way seeing the juniors on the walls is always a good sight and should always be encouraged. In an environment of electronics and gadgets it is good too see youngsters enjoying being out on the wall. Even the once crabbing are future anglers, especially if they see some fish being caught and want too try it for them selves and should be encouraged as much as possible.

So, again tough going on the walls but a small glimmer of hope as from the west toilet block in the afternoon what looked like a large shoal of mackerel was entertaining a load of gulls dive bombing it. OK, they were nearly 2 miles out but were very visible and cant be too far from making the jump into inshore reach of the anglers on the marina walls. When ? well that is another matter all of its own and could be hours, days even weeks away. This years fishing is seemingly breaking all the normal expectations and definitely the quietest i have seen in years !

Over on the west at night, yep Monday night again produced some decent numbers. Not at the crazy levels of friday but there were plenty of Bass and bream caught too keep most anglers satisfied. Hopefully the dead zone is moving behind us now and things will slowly pick up, I realise I have said that b4 but I guess it is better too think positive rather than dwell on the crap year so far;)

Thats it for today, and so I will sign of as I do with , until the next one
I bid you all ADIEU
F

It is almost crazy how any two days, or nights can be so different. While I realise the night reports are seemingly 24 hrs behind it is hardly a shock being as I dont usually seen the night dude until early evening the next day. Thus, night reports unless there is a rash of facebook posts comes too me a near day later.
now,
As I posted a couple of days ago, things started too pick up on the night time front midweek last week with Thurs/Fri proving exceptional fishing and Friday in particular provided an unusual number of decent table bass. Does this happen often ? of course not, I recon if it did the Bass would wipe themselves out in very short order and besides, who wants a tasteless fish that needs a ton of seasoning becoming so common they replace mackerel for ease of catching. Yup little challenge there. Part of the thing with Bass is that they are a little bit more elusive and can make a decent fighting fish. On that thought, now imaging Bream, also a decent fighter going into the same sizes as Bass ! now that would be something, 7-15lb Bream a fairly common thing, ….. oh boy my mouth is watering at the thought.

Anyhow, I digress (shocker eh), back too the west at night, Thurs/ Friday 2 stonking sessions and then … Saturday it flatlined, ho hum erm back too the grind I guess. I sorta felt the pain of the many that had seen the reports bigging it all up, plenty arriving for perhaps another bumper session that night only too spend the night staring at the water and flickering lights of Brighton seafront !
Needless too say, Sunday while busy during the day, full sunshine and heat haze etc made too be while pleasant on the wall , did make for a tough old day for most. sas I said the saving grace has been the return of Bream to the walls as them spiders thin their numbers and sod off too deeper waters. I will say though, for those still hunting spiders, they are not yet finished and best bet if you want some free bait is Id say on the west lower bays. Put a drop net down with some food/bait and let the crabs at it checking the net occasionally. the numbers have thinned but it seems there are still plenty for all there.
So, Sunday daytime was a somewhat hot sweaty day for few fish other than Bream and after Saturday night IMO not a great deal of expectation for the night session even though quite a few were showing up when I left the wall about 7.30ish.

As promised in yesterdays blog I did catch up with Ali on the wall yesterday afternoon for an update of how The night had gone and will add that below after a quick mention on yesterdays fishing during the day.
I will add at this point that my reports often come from remaining anglers usually at the end of their days fishing when a lot of earlier visitors have already left, unless something was keeping people there such as unicorn shoals thins can thin out number wise fairly fast if the fishing is tough. Warden catch ups on daytime sessions can often be a couple of days after the fact and on the wall memories of days or even weeks can sometimes blur so my updates can be hit & miss and shouldnt be taken as the concise “whats happening” especially as often im not there at peak times and things get missed if there are few reports too gather up.
That now brings us too Monday daytime and reports are very thin on the ground, most people on the West at 4.30pm were fairly new so info re the morning was not there especially as John who had worked the wall was already off duty and away. The over all feel for yesterday was Much the same as Sunday, fish few and far between and mostly supported by a tick over of Bream.

Once Id caught up with Ali on the wall I learnt that the night fishing from Sunday night was as the title here suggests a case of the night fishing this weekend was indeed a case of chalk & cheese with no 2 nights the same. Indeed sat & Sun were both very different.

Like the prior Thurs & Friday, the wall was it seems in a giving mood. While it was noticeable for a lack of horse mackerel it was producing. Sometimes the lack of Horse mac at night can be a case of no one fishing for them and other nights perhaps they simply wanna play somewhere else or even not at all. Fish sometimes it seems have a mind of their own and no matter how good someone is at reading signs & the water things simply dont want too play and I suspect them horse mac simply were feeding elsewhere and in general will now be part of a regular feed close too the wall for a few weeks.

Also feeding Sunday night were the Bass again with decent numbers and sizes being caught and catches were not fixed too one or two bays so most people were being kept occupied either on the Bass or on bream of which were again taking baits for much of the night.

It seems atm that the night sessions are playing more than the sunshine days on the walls. Locally there are still congers being caught and a few hounds. the hounds do seem too have thinned out around Brighton and there are some far better locations Eastwards along the Sussex coast.

Local boat reports are still a bit hit & miss and Im told there are mackies out there around the 1.5/2mile markers. Guesses at when they make the jump inshore may be a case of some wizard conjuring but I suspect part of the stay deep reasons may simply be due too raised water temperatures this year with channel temps being recorded at 5 degrees about usual expectations for this time of year. Hopefully hunger drives them in on the feed very soon and we can get back too an almost normal summer’s fishing.

Air pressure and short tides are making getting black lug tougher and ragworm supplies are suffering in the heat of the day also so dont be shocked if your local shops have issues with supply.
Thats it for today & so, until the next one I will bid you all ADIEU
F