The Famous Tacklebox Brighton

A bit of a nod too one of my mums errors many years back when she saw some Quiche on a shop shelf and asked what sort of food is a quickie and was told, back as a flash she replied oh basically egg n bacon pie then gawd love her !.

Anyhoo, catch info as far as I know and as far as Ive been told which isnt much as I havnt really been down there much this week having been distracted elsewhere. Squid does seem too be the mainstay and go too for most on the walls atm.

If you are an old fart like myself I do suggest wrap up, the north wind is a bit nasty and wind chill factor is at its worst… or best depending how ya looks at it. There are squid during the day, granted not as many as at night but dipping for them will at least keep ya warmed up. There has been an occasional shoal of summat Ive not had Identified as yet but suspect it is herring or sprats or at least summat of that likes … or even sardine, Ya best bet for these little critters are sabiki rigs with micro hooks.
Bass, conger , eels in general are there also and it seems the garfish just keep on arriving also Water tems I guess are still above averages and at times around the marina the sea has been near gin clear ! go figure, weird times indeed.

Thats it folks, little too say other than final words so, as usual I will, until the next one bid you all ADIEU
F

Still decent numbers of squid too be had on the walls with the bulk of catches at night although there are some coming up during the day nearer the high tides. Best bet is the areas where the tides are slower moving so low bays on east (or high if open, likewise much of the west is suitable due too wall angle and how the currents run around the marina walls.
Likewise this year bass activity seems fairly stable and 3-5lb are still quite common. I realise as we creep towards winter months most people assume that the bass will move out and into deeper waters but atm they dont seem too be showing the inclination too do so and they are still worth targeting.
This year the Garfish have for me been the surprise package so too speak, and im aware some that read this erm, shall we call it a blog (for want of summat more accurate) often show interest in gar and frequently ask about them when the erm, mackerel are in.
Well for the Gar lovers out there (im now wondering if there is some sort of collective name for “gar lovers” )the gar have bucked the trend and normal (for the marina) activity of arriving with the mackerel shoals.
Mind you, arriving with the mackerel shoals isn’t really a term that can be used this year.(more on that a bit further on in todays read) and on that I will elaborate for newer sea anglers.

Often over the last 20+ years the bulk of garfish sightings and catches have solidly been when mackerel are active off the marina. Either mixed in with the shoals or very close by, (just before or after) thus, mackie season if there is such a thing also tends too bring the gar, not always but mostly a thing, hence when there are mackerel about … well then there are questions of “any gar caught”.
Now, when I started todays blog it was going too be a short one and a quick read, unfortunately for some here my brain has done its meandering thing and drifted away with itself causing my fingers too simply go with the flow. Granted it was genuinely going too be a short post without the intent too ramble but hey, if you are still reading it tells me one of two things.
1/ you are used too my rambles
2/ you actually like em…. or
3/ you are now frustrated coz you are realising that maybe, perhaps just maybe Im padding the shit out of things as I have neglected too post much over the last 10 days although that wasnt the intent !
4/ we erm 4, we yea I lied I said one of 2 things and now you are groaning having read this shit this far and realised u walked into a check the numbers sorta thing !.
Anyhoo, Gar Fish.
They defo this year shown up quite differently from what I would call normal. High numbers almost arriving in shoals and being caught by the few anglers having a go in decent numbers.

Take note ppl, they are decent winter bait, i’m told cod love em so if you have any boat trips planned or have a trip to regions were there are better chances of cod it may well be worth having a go now while they are still around and conditions are good too get out and onto the wall fishing.
Food wise gar are very under rated and over looked often due too the scales shedding and green bone, trust me on this, they make good eating and I know a few who shop them into sausage type lengths and stick them on a charcoal grill. A simple too cook fish that is best with low or mild seasoning and a little bit of citric juice too finish off the cooking process. IMO , lime is better than lemon Juice while oranges can be a little bit more subtle n the flavouring and if a wine drinker try a light white sweet wine with it. Anyhoo what Im trying too say is go get them gar, if they not your thing too eat they also make a decent winter bait.
On a final note re gar, this year I have seen more gar than any other year I can remember and that lead me too wonder why. I don’t have any true answer but it could be possible that the vastly reduced number of mackerel this year has allowed the Gar fish population too expand. I suspect they share the same food sources thus perhaps the Gar have less competition for food and numbers have thus been able too expand. Speculation aside the marina has benefited from the larger numbers.

Back on the catch info as said, Bass are still doing well and this morning there was a burst of herring caught on the west wall while on the east there were sightings of Tuna fish as the light came good. There must be a decent food source still out there as not only the Tuna sighting but we have also had on & off this week sightings of Dolphins a mile or so off shore and both species have huge appetites. What ever they are feeding on atm well, i hope the fish come closer too the walls for ppl too catch.
Species wise it seems that the cuttlefish may have finished doing the do and numbers reported have dropped too near zero.
Hopefully the old boss (gotta chuckle the imagery now in my head of him old) doesnt often read here as Mark asked me not too say too him but there have been very very occasional bursts of mackerel but they are infrequent and usually will only see 2-3 caught in a day, like the mackies there are still some horse mac too be had at night but again very low in numbers.
Conger activity seems too have started up again although if im honest Id have thought that by now that was the last of seeing them a few weeks back when the air temps began too make ppl dig out the winter clothes but nope , congers do seem to be lurking still.

Final mention for todays post although Im sure Ive missed out summat that I cant recal is Sole, ahhhhhh Sole, there it got said 😂, yea couldnt resist and if ya missed it , once more .. ahh-sole. 😁
There have been (even during the day) some very nice Dover Sole being caught and that is not just on the one wall, both walls over the last 10 days have had some real quality fish for some too take home. Hopefully the catchers allowed the fish too mature in the fridge for a day or two as it not only improves the flavour but it also firms the flesh up.
Thats it for today, apologies for the unintended ramble (a bit of a)and the low use of spell check. While the checker is a decent aid Id like too think some of my typing quirks reflect myself n how I think as I type… hence the impromptu ramble today.

Now, in the words of Joey Rammone (look him up)… 🎵 Hey ho, lets go🎵 Thats it for today, unsure if I will post tomorrow as Brighton have a home game vs Brentford thus, until the next one I will bid you all ADIEU
F

As the title says, a bit of a lazy one for me over the weekend. Watched BHAFC beat Citeh on Saurday then Sunday watched the gooners go top vs the scousers up norf both on tv, did pop down the west on Saturday briefly for a catch up though.
Catch wise things seeming to have a pattern of garfish during the day with occasional plaice and bream mixed in, some smallish hounds grabbing at chunkier baits and as seems most common the occasional bass off the walls and local beaches also. Night time everyone seems focused on Squid at the moment and it does look like numbers are slowly increasing.

Weather reports seem decent too continue the calmer patterns although them north and easterly wind are defo getting colder. Looks like many will be putting the summer shorts away as temps drop too November normals. A few more days of northerly then a couple of east breezes ahead running up too the weekend.
Water clarity is decent for November and Im convinced it doesnt bother the squid too much, it seems too me (but may be wrong) that the squid arn’t fussed by colour of water and its more likely too be how calm the water is and has been too draw them in, faster running tides seem too see them move too te bays on both walls that dont run hard Im not hearing about cuttlefish which is a bit odd especially as pre storm there were high numbers of juvenile cuttle taking baits and lures. If you are reading this and catching cuttle .. please email me here or sent me a message on FB messenger Any source of info is good if it is accurate, if ya see anything interesting weather caught by you or someone close bye, please let me know so I can share it here.
On a final note that isnt mentioned often , there was a bit of a display from Dolphins that were passing through Sunday morning and regular on the East wall John H did post a video clip onto the book of face. Graceful and highly intelligent (no not John) it always warms me too see dolphins at play and I guess more so when they are visiting locally.

Well thats it for today, not much in the way of fish info but I did say it was a lazy one for me.
Brighton go again in Europe on Thursday and on Sunday they play at home so unlikely to be down on the wall for either day, and so, until then I guess all that is left too do is bid you all ADIEU
F

Well first off good morning (at time of typing) second off there are things being caught on the walls.
Now, before anyone gets over worked up treat that statement with caution as, while things are being caught numbers are more tick over than match day proportions in mid summer 😉

As most will know both walls are back open, the west fully and the east open lower level only (to anglers) up to bay 28, above 38 is closed so please folks help up keep it that way and stay clear of damaged areas.
The initial plan was open both 7am til 5pm but then also add 2 nights at the weekend. Needless too say the appearance of squid and a number of requests saw the west opened for night fishing . Thus at the current standing east wall is daily open 7am til 5pm and the west weather and conditions allowing will stay open at night.
Yes we will have NIGHT FISHING every night while conditions hold.😁

So, lets get it done, catch report time. Well thanks too a report from one angler I do know someone or at least one had a great day on Thursday over on the east and I will simply paste in his text from his post on facebook below….
“Fished with fresh black and frozen mackerel

“It fished well I had 11 bass most averaging 36 cm great fun, did get one on the sleeper rod down the edge on the mackerel, 5 smoothound pups 3 conger and one plaice thoroughly enjoyed my day”
Thanks for sharing that one Noel L.
Elsewhere other bass were had and some very nice looking Sole for a change caught on both walls. Friday also saw Sole caught and I guess the somewhat more coloured water assisted with them being a daytime catch.
Thursday Mark also reported on catches (again his words) “Gars , bass , bream , eels , Dover soles today Thursday” most of which I suspect were on the east wall but im told bits n bobs were also being caught on the west and through Thursday night a dozen or so squid and even a few horse mackies were had… who says its too late for mackerel ? 😁 I know some experts on the book of face claim they have finished 😉
Friday morning at least one mackerel was landed on the west above the bend and yes it was seen by a few people…. I really should pull a few piccys of FB simply to show and keep a visual record.

After Thursdays first opening in a week Friday started as I said too produce some squid here n there, not heard of any cuttle yet but then things are still clearing and settling back down. Squid were again posted up from yesterday (Fri) with catches on both walls but again I will repeat not in match level numbers.
Further along the east wall regular Roy was doing well pulling in gar fish some of which looked a good metre long.

All in all there are Bass to be had on both walls, likewise Squid are showing on Both Mackerel and Horse mac while elusive have been caught then add, hound pups, congers, plaice, Bream, and even some herring this morning are still keeping things varied and if that wasnt enough and someone wants too test a new braid lined rod out well there was even Tuna spotted this morning off the east wall. Go figure !

Well, thats it for today, Watching the footy in a few hrs time as BHAFC visit Man city for the 2nd time this week !, hopefully can change the end result this time and pull a win out of the hat and take 3 points of Citeh.
And thus, all that is left to do is too…… until the next one….. bid you all ADIEU
F

So, a quick update and I guess welcome back for those that noticed the site was sorta down without an SSL certificate active.
Both walls are open and now running on winter hours of 7am until 5pm Sun to Thurs inclusive and will be open this Friday and Saturday for night fishing which will continue while the numbers are there too warrant staffing the wall at night. Needless too say that if the squid and Cuttle make a return in any decent number Mark will adjust any extra opening accordingly.
It seems that the last 2 mornings have chucked up some decent Sole catches and as often the way some fair sized bass also, at time of typing I lack any other catch info so wont blather on about bits n pieces too be had(much), although I recon the may sill be some species lurking waiting on some bait feeds.

Open bays on the west are unchanged and remarkably little damage on the west where as on the east there has been some level of damage meaning that the upper half of the east above bay 38 are closed for the remaining part of the year.
There will be restricted space too fish on saturday over on the east as there will be a match competition on that side taking out bays 20 to 38 for the day. Normal fishing access will be on bays 1 to 19.

Please also not that the upper level of the east has been closed due too storm damages and fishing access for now will be via the side gate by the cafe. There is A request not to ride scooters or bikes onto the wall while we have reduced pathways does not include any disability needs such as wheelchairs and mobility scooters. TY

Thats it, shortish for today and so, until the next one I will bid you all ADIEU
F

Morning world, yes I am stating the obvious in that the marina walls remain closed during this storm system but thought Id add a few words here for those anxious too get back onto the walls when things settle enough for us too re open the walls.

As mentioned too someone else this morning on the “when” ..
“i’d say right now where i am up manor hill we are in eye of this storm, blows 40-60 this eve and over night Tomorrow 30-40mph.
As it passes west mon the 2nd blow runs in at 40mph and passes tues at 25-30mph, “..

wed its westerly nr 20mph and thurs it calms enough for a decent walls damage check Fri a minor wind picks up with heavy low clouds n rain late afternoon and west is expected too close( if it was opened)
Sat both should be open and id expect night fishing if no major issues. Then some calmer weather and come the Tuesday we will find out of the squid will return or the storms have scuppered a late season run.

needless too say all the above is based on xcweather being reasonably accurate over the next week and things do change on the weather front and systems move but, it sorta gives you an idea of how we think and are expected too not only anticipate conditions but also predict when we are likely too get checks done and sort any issues too get the walls back up and running.

Simply put, I dont expect the east open until at least Wednesday with a delayed start
The west wall may be a case of closed until Saturday morning but I will post any updates and changes as soon as things are clearer.
Thats it folks, stay safe if you are out and about on the coastal areas worst hit any updates too wall openings will get put on the facebook group and also on the homepage as & when I get them. and so, until the next one I will bid you all ADIEU
F

Just a short post as getting ready for the BTN vs palace game. Friday produced a few species high on the east with Bream, Bass gar mackerel and a decent Wrasse of 3lb plus for Glenn and from time too time it seemed too be a day for cuttle more than squid during the daylight. over on the west wall a decent Mullet of 47cm was had close too the steps @ bay 5-6 for wall regular Sue. Prior too a fantastic sunset and the light fully faded the cuttle were first too be noticeable being caught and just b4 dark the squid arrived too play also. Mark indicated that the morning had produced a few table Bass in the 2-4lb range and the earlier tide had chucked up some decent sized squid.
defo a case now of get some in prior too the blow looming large on the horizon and its looking like both walls may have too close early Tuesday afternoon and likely too be a few days shut.

thats it for today, tight lines all and with that I will bid you all ADIEU
F

Am not sure how busy the wall was last night as I didnt stay long on the walls yesterday, no point tbh as there were only (at 5pm) 3 people on the east wall and about 5 on the west above bay 15 but am aware that the squid have made a return too the wall.

There is a pattern of northerly winds atm making things feel colder so id wrap up warm and get at it fairly quickly if you want squid and cuttle as next weeks looming storm may very well put an early end too the squidding, only time will tell but my suspicion is the next few days will see the end of calmer clear spells and switch the summer season firmly off
Short & sweet today and so with that until the next one I will bid you all ADIEU
F

… of days and then a couple of nights closed the walls are back up and running with night fishing all weekend and the likely as not night fishing on Mon & Tues also prior too the weather going tits up , well, tits up as far as the walls are concerned.
Im guessing the Bass anglers will be looking at Wednesdays coming forecast and almost wetting themselves with joy at the southerly wind coming in off the Atlantic. Wednesday the wind arrives at a mere 30-40mph but continues too build with indications of by Friday south winds of well over 50 mph If your a bass angler and that is your kind of fun well, stay safe folks it looks like fishing’s version of a monster roller coaster and clearly the marina will be shut while the storm hammers in and along the coast.

Now I realise it has been a week or so without a blog, some of the days open over the last week have been somewhat hard too get any catch info simply because of so few about when I have been getting down there. Add in fully closed days and some early evening shuts as well all go towards vague catch reports and possible guess work so its easier too simply say things have been somewhat quiet on the catch front.

too choppy for squid although I expect today it is calmer out there and the potential for squid/cuttle will be high. There are still bass catches although less people too see and comment on them. likewise there are plaice and still a few bream too be had close into the wall. Im told there are also still garfish lurking about and there does seem too be a bit of an increase on the Eel front with a few common Green & silver eels being found amongst the larger congers that John H is finding high on the east. I recon he will soon break through the 30lb mark the way he is going 😁
Hopefully over the next day or two I can catch up with a couple of the duty wardens and find out what they have seen or know is coming up and perhaps get a clearer picture of catches prior too that crappy weather coming in next week.
Its rapidly looking like a storm season is on its way which will obviously force wall shut downs more often as we creep towards the winter months.

That’s it for today or should I say for this week! and like last night Sunday see’s BHAFC playing at home so probably wont be on the wall Sunday evening as there is no way am I going too miss Brighton Vs Palace even if offered all the tea in China.
And so I will as per usual & until the next one bid you all ADIEU
F

Not a massive amount too post here as have been otherwise occupied/distracted with some medical appointments elsewhere.
There is a bit of bumpy weather ahead, not so much today & tomorrow daytime where the wind direction firmly hits from the north but come Thursday evening things become a case of swings and roundabouts as we get a period of changing direction’s.

As forecast stands the
West wall will be shut THURSDAY night about 7.30pm and stay closed on FRIDAY.
On SATURDAY the WEST will be assessed but there is a good chance it may stay shut.
WEST WALL Sunday/Monday will be open as normal with night fishing.

EAST WALL is expected too be open as normal .
The only real catch info I have atm is that there are plenty of squid and cuttle too be had, most at night but some also are daily being caught in decent numbers. Garfish are still about as well as the occasional mackerel, bream, plaice and Bass.

As said today is just a quick one as I catch up with other things, and so, until the next one I will sign off and bid you all ADIEU
F