Round up from the weekend. I think i have already covered last week which was mostly sketchy reports, a few mackerel items & unconfirmed info about squid.
That rapidly brings me to the weekend round up. Sat saw the best of the sunshine but both days were great for evening sunsets, why do I mention them, well if you haven’t fished through this autumns sunsets you should, or at least get out there find a coastal point or a high point that you can watch some of the sunsets happening at the moment. There are some fantastic colours out there and well worth being out for.

The fishing for many on the walls has been ok, for some has been decent and a very few have had some very decent sessions for this time of year. Sat saw a lot of decent plaice high ends of the east, Sunday same area produced numbers but not so big sizes. Mid wall east (sat)saw a tick over of flatties, a splashing of mackerel and a mix of other species enough to occupy many with baits. West sat was a case of many feathering and very few trying for much else but I gather a couple of bream were had prior to the High water and a reasonable number of mackies for many though no full strings. Most had to work for the 10+ fish they had.
Sunday the better part of the marina saw the upper bays on the east perform including 3 decent sized guiltheads amongst the high number of flatties with catches all along the front end ticking over.
Species tally for the east was guilts & black bream, plaice, eels, dab(yup) some gar, mackerel, bass, small rays and a few assortments down the side including a decent wrasse.
OVer on the west late afternoon the tally of mackerel was higher and even a fair few coming out past 6pm on the low water, one bay did very well for plaice fishing well for sizes prior to the high but also continued fish as the tide droped away with a last gasp plaice im told prior to packing down at 6.40pm

I was promised pictures for the facebook page & may see them today sometime… or not …

I helped on the west sat & sun and must say I had a great time. I cant praise those on the wall enough, both walls were very clean and everyone taking all of their rubbish , like it should be you may say but not always the case. The atmosphere was good & I had time to chat with anglers & identify some that needed help or would benefit from an adjustment here or there in how they were fishing. Its great when you almost instantly see a difference or change in how someone adapts to a little change in how they cast or how they change a method even if its something simple like hook sizes for targeting a species. I even managed to teach 2 kids in one family to cast followed by adapting the dads cast with him suddenly getting double the distance he was managing, he seemed impressed and very happy. Now as a warden that is something I expect to do if needed but when things are silly busy you cant always take the time to give attention to detail and I think as a result newer anglers then miss out on a chance to learn earlier than they do.

There are so many reason I love helping on the walls including the social side of things though privately im not really one to sit in others company and prefer to fish on my own or with one otherbut, walking around on the wall give me the chance to chat with other anglers , see how & what they fish of & help with new comers . It may not be teaching but often I can help adapt how some fish to their benefit on the marina & showing the next generation a few things can be very rewarding. The irony is by teaching the kids the adults suddenly find a want to change from just mackerel targets to using bait and learning new way. For those of you that have not had the chance to teach a youngster on the wall a little something , you may be missing out on a whole new and rewarding world. But i ramble 🙂 a last few words about the west wall which on the sunday over all produced more mackies than sat tho no shoals showed , also caught were some bream a bass & quite a few plaice scattered along the wall , more to be honest than Id have expected and as i say one bay performed very well with at least 3-4 decent keepers and a fair few returns.
A great social weekend, with some decent catches in murky water that is doing its best to clear and we have some northerly light winds forecast that should clear the water day by day this week that bodes well for the weekend and those elusive autumn squid.
Hope you enjoyed the read , I know i had a decent weekend pottering on the west .
F

Where are we today ? ..We are at a tick along post to be honest, more sausage filling than steak & kidney pie I think.
So the fishing, dominated since re-opening by the same story after an autumn blow of weed, more weed or, loads of weed. In amongst the the weed the reports are eels , eels and more eels , be they conger or silver it seems to be eel week. Was hoping to hear some squid had returned but the water colour has been a bit grim, on the brighter side we now have some northerlies combined with some big 7meter tides that should go a long way to flushing the weed & silt out a bit . Those big tides should trigger a return of the bass & squid and no doubt a few mackies still looking for food before hitting deeper waters. Plaice and sole are about & if hunting sole many would recommend some old smelly bait for them.
All in all the big tides offer some late summerish fishing if the temps play nice… if they down, wrap up & get out there if you can, mid afternoon high tides look decent for a few species.
F

Sooo, as I have just been reminded, Ive overlooked the blog but posted updates. How long ? hmmm 24th sept oops.
So whats been happening, tbh not a massive amount. Flakey weather in the main causing shut downs over the last 10 days more than openings. Yesterday the east was open for a few hours in the lull that was fairly brief. Fish were had & quite a few showed up braving the weather or despite the weather & bass & plaice amongst other species had although there were no great over harvests that almost became a nasty normal sight.
The wardens can and do set limits on takes but rarely do it as the season for mackies seems to get shorter & shorter… perhaps that may explain to some degree this years carnage or should I say frenzy. Either way a couple of the wardens called enough & started imposing a limit on what people could take to a simple rule. If it looks too much to carry on your own in one go … stop feathering & fish another way or pack up.
It did actually cause some to stop & think while others were shocked to be stopped. It still amazes me that people need to be told when enough is enough & the greed has to stop.

Mostly wardens other than rod fee collecting are rarely seen. That doesnt follow that they are not about, it means they are doing their jobs & letting anglers get on with fishing in relative peace. (boom boxes dont count )The wardens prefer to be not noticed, that means things are ticking over with little to no issues thus people start to think the wardens only show to take ya monies and are never about… which is why some are surprised when we can target somewhere when we know there is an issue and can sort it quickly. It works when people let us know. It fails when people post 3 days later there was an issue.

So back to the walls , today and Tues both walls expected shut unless I post otherwise. Wed subject to the usual damage checks both walls should be open but there may be a little delay as things are checked over. Weather man says no issues from wed to next tues or longer so expect those big Autumn squid to be about, walls currently 7am to 7pm but that may be revisited soonish & for those fishing the beaches at night … get them lures out this weekend. Big 7m tides sat & sun should throw up some big bass/squid and congers. There is lots still out there if the weed can be avoided or dispersed.

Good hunting folks & I may see some of you on the west this w/end 🙂
F
P.S. get those piccys sent into the FB group, time we added to the squid & bass galleries

Those waiting on the late autumn squid run will be looking at this opening line and thinking go on, go on, say it…. ok i wont sat “IT” but…
Squid reports have been logged and confirmed in Dover, folkstone Eastbourne and Brighton, some have been at night but also a decent mix in daytime. It may also account for the fact that the humongous numbers of mackerel are being split into smaller shoals and times of said shoals are a bit erratic.
The downer is that the numbers of visitors to the marina walls is still crazy high and the “fire break” of closing at night begins today with the walls reverting to a 7am to 7pm opening for a few weeks .
On the bait front bass, bream, wrasse, plaice, gar, sole and flounder are fairly common still & for the beach dudes at night plenty of pups and rays amongst the conger. The whiting invasion cant be far away 🙂
F

NIGHT FISHING WILL STOP FROM THIS FRIDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER

WALLS WILL BE CLOSED 7PM TO 7AM
SECURITY PATROLS WILL THIS YEAR BE INCREASED

anyone found on the walls within this time will be removed, If security remove you you risk ID’s being taken as well as car reg plates and a year ban , possible further legal action could also be an option

this is a temp close like last year and full details are posted on the NIGHT FISHING PAGE

Just a few days away from the walls for me as my body recovers the hammering of too many days walking on concrete.
Sluggish reports & little feedback to be honest which sorta confirms that the mackerel are bombarding other venues ATM rather than the marina.
There has been a super trawler lurking abouts the wind farm no doubt reaping the fish as the reports hit social media also.
Species for bait users & live baits doing reasonably well.
As said prior , sole |& plaice are on the feed and fattening and a few flounders are about also. Tons obviously of mac & horse mac and finally a few garfish showing within the chaotic mackie shoals.
Gurnards are still about as it seems are the goat fish (red mullet) less so much of the greys n goldies but they may not be on many target lists.~
Wrasse numbers seem up & bream seem steady so defo worth getting baits out as im getting now a decent regular insight to brighton beaches at night. Still plenty of shark pubs(not just hounds) and an assortment of rays & congers to be had still (thanks DEV DEAN)
I wont be back near the marina for at least a week or more for various reasons including a mini break on the Isle of Wight fri sat sun. Will update any news i get & we still have some info comming about a change on night time fishing.

Please remember folks , the small east carpark by the cafe & portaloo’s is for drop off pick up only
TY
F

Its been a few days since one of the so time I got it over with I guess.
Both walls have foir the best part of 10 days been swamped, remember last year when we were forced to close at night to slow the numbers ariving on the marina ? yep, just like that.

Up until Monday morning swarms of mackerel have been battering the wall, sometime 5-9 hours constantly other days with 4-5 hour gaps. The result is the usual carnage of people getting their fill & then “IN THE BUZZ continuing until when they do realise the sheer numbers of fish boxed, bagged & bucketed around them they start to pack up.

Then the real horror begins, wardens spend their days when like this meeting their own arses coming back & in all of this constantly advise “punters”
“clean your fish on the wall”
“dont pile them so deep”
“if you dont clean they will fester in your hot car”

“do you want to poison who you are giving or selling to ?”
all the warnings and advice are ignored , who buy you may ask,

Bet u say them Foreigners!
well thats only part right because it seems that near every single person with feathers get carried away in the carnage and forget what i try to drum into people “fishing”
Catch, KILL, bag, 5 min lull clean some fish. They weigh 1/2 as much, last longer, dont sour or form worms in the cooking guts then make people ill.
My guess today is there are people ill from sour mackerel in Coventy, Nottingham, Manchester, Birmingham and All over Suffolk, Hertfordshire across to Hereford

BECAUSE UNCLEANED FISH WERE LOADED INTO HOT MUGGY CARS EARLY IN THE MORNING AS THE SUN CAME UP OR OTHER FISH LOADED INTO CARS AFTER 5+ HOURS ON THE WALL IN THE SUN & HEAT.

Now for the fishing report, maybe 10% of people are showing up with two rods, possibly less, the sane ones are trying to get as high as they can on the east or low marks on both walls that are known to catch fish with livebaits.
Still smoothound pups a plenty at night & although rays are about they now are the babies against the wall looking for snacks. I had still been seing gurnards on east and both still getting bream. Its also nice to see an increase of wrasse coming out of which some decent plus 2 pounders.
FLOAT FISHING is ok not great & gar are stubbornly reluctant to be found even within the shoals. Yes there are bass, quite a few decent table fish up to 4lb ish & if there are any big girls about people are staying tight lipped for good reason.

Plaice are now on the fatten up process & getting worth taking home if u can get your bait underneath the carnage.
Its not been unusual to have mixed shoals of mac & horse mac begin at 2 am but the smaller tide has slowed the frequency of shoals in general.
IE Sun night into mon the shoals barely hit the east & that was mostly high about 6am the rest of the day many gave up as the drizzle arrived allowing duty staff much needed time to remove tons of litter left that rain often causes.
In all fairness to the tons of visitors (many colours of beneton comes to mind) most were good with their litter & tbh no complaints on that score from me …
Yes you did read that right, most took their crap home. One or 2 bays someone would highlight with a pic saying how bad the bay was or how bad a left behind broken box in the car park was & what messy buggers u anglers all are etc etc , but I repeat, its actually not been that bad at night on the litter front this week.


General health of the walls is good, bait anglers are catching some decent stuff if they can stay part clear of them marauding fish shoals.

Next them all important questions:-
I have kids is it worth a visit of so busy
A/ Yes , come during the day, high tides are busiest so check tides and prepare, best bet high east wall, I dont advise small children at peak times(sat sun)
~

Is it worth coming at all, its over crowded with idiots and ppl that dont know how.

A/ Its worth it, most are greedy ppl only after mackerel, shoals are erratic this week & many go home bored, there are quiet areas that some chose to bait fish, Find ppl with 2 rods each, they mostly have the knowhow & usually helpful and have a care near kids fishing.

When is the best time to visit
A/Mid week daytimes, many nights have been silly busy & people take more risks as they think no one is watching…… they are.

Where can I park if I fish the east wall
A/ Same place as always have in the rules, the Multi storey carpark

Parking info extra plz
A/ east little carpark by the cafe you can pick up or drop off provided you are quiet & respectful of residents
There is no parking in the east small cafe carpark unless you have a legit parking permit, a pink ticket is not legit to park it just works the barriers.
There are still 2 blue badge bays east carpark that are legit to use with badge displayed


Im told you can fight the parking tickets down there so its ok.
Go for it, there is a new firm with a contract to enforce parking& they will hand out fines & if that process fails, remember , you are on private land and without a permit the marina have and will take the route of prosecuting for trespass.!

——————————————
If you have got that far you are actually reading and not skimming it…
There is to be a major announcement re night fishing in the pipelne & I will update as soon as I have it

NIGHT FISHING EAST WALL AT SERIOUS RISK PLEASE PAY ATTENTION NO ANGLER PARKING OVER NIGHT EAST CARPARK FROM THIS MORNING Angler if i can call it that, behaviour has now put night fishing at serious risk of being stopped possibly as soon as tomorrow.
The east carpark has become a shambles and disgrace early mornings and as mackerel season arrived has over highlighted this issue.
From immediate effect any non business parking on the east carpark has been stopped, Anglers returning to cars have triggered a major issue with their behaviour, with noise , with car park issues for the firms at that end of the marina via noise, blocking of parking bays for staff and urinating in the carpark and doorways while waiting for pick ups or loading of cars already there about to be lost.
If you know anyone that parks down there , tell them dont, you will get a ticket or worse. 5am on has become a black spot that will cost all anglers their night fishing. Senior bosses joined the group to monitor this group this morning, this behaviour has to stop now.share this post in any angling group by copy and re postGet the word out, no parking in the east car park , turn about and pick ups is very close to being fully stopped as well
Alleged anglers have gone from pissing on the wall to pissing in doorways, behind cars, in shop fronts and staff parking areas rather than walk 15 meters to the porta loo’s.
todays “punch up” involving near 20 people was over mackerel left in front of someone’s car that had been fishing!!wtf people .
Yes mackerel season makes things worse but this has been a worsening issue this year for months.Do anglers really have bad bladders and big mouths?
Do you park in the east car park at night ? you also are part of the problem, noise levels are way wrong for 4am to 7am
So from immediate effect, cars left in the east carpark while they fish will most likely be ticketed, possibly worse , IE tows & clamps are being discussed right now between security and marina management.
Many of our group have walking issues , , lazy or incontinent anglers , noisy car users have now made their life worse by not possibly having access to the east if drop offs are stopped or charged at the car barrier. ! think about it.
So what can people do ? get the word out, admins of any fishing group or group that use the east car park
copy this post and share the @rse out of it. (you cant share from a closed group)
let you angling buddies know the parking is now stopped, pissing on the walls & car parking need reporting WHO TOcontact the duty warden with details , where its happened/happening where these slobs are fishing, descriptions if possibleno warden contact ?ring the shop with detailsshop closed ?contact me or any admin if possible that can get a message out
Third option as last call , ring security and report the issue for guidanceANYONE REMOVED by security get photo id’d yep full details taken and banned from the marina for a minimum of a year with potential further action
This is super serious people , we need eyes on the wall and quick reports to slam these people out of the marina and report the @rse out of them.
One lazy c*** peed 10 feet from the west toilet this morning. its a both wall issue. Noise at night carries, noise levels on both walls at night is too high, the marina is residential and residents are complaining of the noise and the constant urine smell in carparks where people load cars in the multi and on the east… stairwells are near being fumigated due to so called anglers
Share share share this post by copy paste This must stop fast
Senior marina managers have joined this group today to see the response from the shop and from anglers. To the managers that joined today I apologise, I was on duty last night & while most in the whole were decently behaved I failed to monitor the car park this morning adequately and for that I can only say sorry & I slipped up big time. This must stop immediately, step up & help us all, eyes and ears , voices carry at night on both walls in a residential area. Help us nail this on the head fast get the word out and copy then share this post This must stop folks , report the @rse out of these people so we can get rid of. Security bans involve ID’s taken , full year bans and possible legal action also This option will be used. Its down to anglers, it tops or gets stopped by you and all of us. Frank

Very busy night on the walls last night, some people still have not got the message about GREEN LIGHT , folks they are not allowed nor are red ones, They are navigation lights for left and right and are not to be used. if you have no alternative , lower a head torch close to the surface. & tbh you dont need them at the moment as there are tons of fish.

Was in general a not bad night with lots of fish , sadly ppl not got the message that the top level is NOT a TOILET, get caught peeing on the top you will be told to leave , no one pees on their own path so its not wanted here and nor are u.

Fish report tons of fish , most ppl generally well behaved other than the morons that were on bay 36/37 on the east that abused the green light policy constantly then kicked off on another group in the car park … If you are one of that group of nine , dont bother returning you are not wanted back

F

OHHHHH man what a massive 3 days so far, mackerel some mornings as early as 2am ! yup in the dark , mixed shoals with horse mac majorly out numbered…. monday a mackerel run on both walls from 5am til near 7pm , it then began again about 9pm……
Tues same story & for much of the morning only 5 on the west ! whats …. that quiet with fish everywhere, well the east only had a dozen or so … took a while for the word to get out & Tues afternoon got busier.

Tues night u say ? , dunno about b4 midnight but it all kicked off again on both walls about 2 am shoals n runs on both walls of 80% mackerel 20% horse mac …. was still rolling when i left at 6am ! go figure …

Very few to no gars , there should be cuttle out there now , there are plaice & sole under them mackies & we still have bream on the west for sure.

So back to them mackerel, Im sure you all know how easy it is to start hammering the feathers or the float as they start & that feeling get em fast b4 they go well dont forget you are not at home, We expect u to bag,box or how ever u are storing your fish as u go, anyone fishing with fish on the wall at their feet WILL BE STOPPED , catch unhook, kill bag n box , please fish in a tidy safe area or the wardens have instructions to get on your cases.
No excuse for lazy or messy anglers. Im pleased to say Tues nights people mostly fished in very clean manner and was really good to see & praise where it was deserved was noted . there were some newer ppl that got into the frenzy but they were sharply reminded care of the fish is as much needed as their fishing areas. Im pleased to say all of those instructed to take a few mins sorting the bays and fish did so quickly and got into a better pattern. Loads of fish for all for 3 days so far.

If you are coming down , bring fish storage , we dont provide bags , likewise please leave the bays as u would wish to find them , it makes things easier for those having to clean up & maintain the walls & its better for the next people in your used bay
Happy fishing folks , I may even see some of you on the walls while busy
F