The Famous Tacklebox Brighton

🎼🎼 Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’ Rawhide….🎼🎼 or in other words, lets have a weekend round up(fess up , who has rawhide stuck in the head now ? 😉
and so back too Easter weekend.
Fri sat was defo tough going on the fishing especially as both walls on friday were shut due too high winds with only the east wall open Sat & Sun again due too strong winds I didnt thing there would be too much going on that could be reported and was the main reason for my ramble yesterday.
But..
It seems that things wern’t a total bust as after typing up I realised that a wall regular (Neil) had posted too the FB group that despite very poor and splashy conditions he ventured out among some of the crazies launching tinsel rigs at the cloudy & stirred up waters on Sunday. And thus combining his and warden marks info I can report that Saturday was a bit better than I had initially realised.! go figure !
Thus, (without doing an Eddie) I can report that there were plenty of dogfish(oh the joy) as the high tide hit , along with whiting and plaice, Mark said that he haddnt seen any bass that day and surprisingly no congers despite quite a few fishing (sorta) the bays that had recently been producing them.
Now as most know yesterday was Easter Monday, but, being as most days for me tend too blur into what feels like 3 days in a week sometimes by this mornings start of typing up I had lost track of what day of the week it was and the title started as “Monday write up” yep, I fully loose whole days in my head often.
I can say that Monday was the best day of the weekend, not only for those fishing but also for the weather and so, I will begin todays yarn or as Glenn has been known too put it … WAFFLE 😂😂

Ok, here we go, are ya ready ? are ya steady ? well lets gooooooo,
Silliness aside(bar the waffle) I couldn’t make up my mind as too running the quad down early or later about 4.30ish but in the end the weather made up my mind and after a quick check with mark I got the wheels out and hitched up a small trailer too the scooter, packed some frozen baits (just in case) and pointed the quad down Manor hill and headed too the west wall where most of the anglers were on the mid wall too toilet block area.

Oh how nice, not only too be out in some decent sunshine but also having a drop in what too me seemed like a bit of a bitter wind all weekend. it was almost, almost summery. Now, having been around the marina now for a couple of decades it’s fairly safe too say that on going too the marina the chances are I will see some familiar faces out fishing and yesterday true too form there were plenty of them out & about.
Now, while many only see the straight faced stern face (the wife says its a grumpy face) it is always nice too stop and chat with people fishing, be it older faces(regulars) or helping/guiding the many new people fishing the walls. The benefit of not doing tickets as a warden is that I get more time too stop and chat, catch up with people and ask about how the fishing is going. While I have no accurate info for the west yesterday there were quite a few that I could stop and have a few words. If you are making your first or millionth visit and have questions/concerns etc please dont hesitate too stop me and ask/rise your concerns, im not only there too flog stuff too you or get a catch report, if there are issues please let me know if there is an issue. many problems can be dealt with at the time of talking but Im not overly hard too find either on the walls or facebook, even a quick email through the website reaches me. Likewise wardens are there not only too drain you of cash but any issues please let someone know.
having established that Ive no Idea about catches on the west wall I turned the quad around by the toilet block and rolled back down the wall and headed over too the east wall where the cafe owned was just packing up for the day and was promptly approached by his 2 dogs who immediately went sniffing my pockets for any treats I might be carrying.
Having mentioned dogs I guess a quick comment or 2 about safety with dogs. im aware that there are many counties where people are very cautious about dogs so much so that some are quite scared of the dog even those that look super friendly so for dog owners here reading. yes dogs are welcome on the wall but please even the most timid/placid of dogs should be on a lead. My second comment is for those that do like too approach/stroke a dog. while it may seem obvious too most please make a point of asking the dog owner if it is ok too approach. no one wants too be bitten, especially from a simple miss understanding or lack of communication and bites from a dog owner can often be quite nasty too treat 😉
back too the fishy bit.

So, up onto the wall, yup I chose the upper level due too various bays on the east fenced off so through access on the lower level is a case of picking the right set of steps onto the lower level and it was quite remarkable (IMO) that despite 3+ days of windy conditions the water colour on the east side was fairly good and far better than I would have expected. Come the weekend the sea may even be clear.
It was obvious even at gone 3pm that there had been good numbers out fishing in the sunshine and it seemed that most had had a decent day on the wall even those that were lacking in fish😊

The lower bays yesterday when I arrived were near empty but had been fished earlier in the day. Once past bay 12 steps and rods started too be seen with many rigged up with feathers and flying onto the breezes(and water 😉 ) but alass I suspect the effort would be all in vain due a too lack of mackerel. Onto the bend and baited set ups were visible and again like the west plenty of familiar faces out enjoying the decent weather and for many making their first visit of the year.
Mid wall above bay 30 were some areas sectioned off awaiting repairs and posts that need re wiring but once past 33 there were plenty of rods out with a couple of familiar families out having a dabble. One regular just back from a visit too India mentioned that (so far) they had blanked but how nice the day was. Yes he had seen some fish caught , no not by him but, all in all he was just happy too be out & back at fishing the marina.
While chatting at 40ish Rod came past me on his kiddy bike, shouted something as he passed but Ive no idea what the heck he said but I guess the pub was calling too him or at least whispering in his ear ” you want me, come get me” or summat of that sort 😉
Further up on the wall just past 50 was another wall regular too stop and chat with. John H it seemed had been hunting conger but was surprised that non were found but he Rhos and a couple of others had had a fairly decent day catching plaice with a few keepers too take home, the best of which is pictured below.
Catch of the day Im told was an estimated 5lb thornback ray caught by a youngster. The fish was returned before mark could get a piccy or that would also have been uploaded here too a gallery.
Overall, plaice scattered along the sandy bays of the wall. Dogfish, whiting, Thornback, guilthead bream among the days catche with numbers of plaice slowly on the increase.
its looking glorious out there atm as I type but no idea how many are on the walls.
Aaaannnnndddd with that Im gonna bugger off the pc and do something constructive, well I might 😉 &so, until the next one I will again bid you all ADIEU
F

Well what can I say? short version, crap weather, crap fishing , crap report ! there done …..
And yet… there is good news for those that prefer the EAST wall.

Well I did take the wheels out yesterday for a look see on the East, as most will guess that know, we have had the west wall shut all weekend due too strong westerlies and something that some called a storm but I think its fairly safe too say that the “storm” was other parts of the UK as overall it was crappy but not over serious in strength around the Marina.
Saturday as I understand was fairly quiet and I dont have any catch info for then. Strangely enough a similar story Sunday with quite a few hardy souls below bay 20 plugging away constantly with feathers, above 20 was fairly unfishable as you got past the bend and well into the wind and waves. I only saw 2 people actually fishing with bait ! go figure.
No catch reports so too speak but on the up side on Sunday was the water colour of which was remarkably a still decent green despite thee 3 days of winds.

And so to Monday & the better news. it seems the westerly winds have dropped, the sun is out and its actually looking a bit warmer and yes both walls are back open for day time fishing (no nights yet) aaaannnnnnnnndddddddd wait 4 it, wait 4 it………………………………
The EAST WALL is FULLY OPEN bar a couple of bays at 32/33. To reach the higher bays continue past the steps down at 29 and use the steps at 46, please dont climb the rails as some are unstable and we really dont want accidents from people climbing over rails that may rotae as weight is put on them.
Weather looks decent all week although there does seem too be some rain on the weekend horizon.

And with that I will sign off having written half an essay about nothing ! kinda reminds me of a song… 🎼🎼 Sittin on the dock of the bay …. 🎼🎼, na I wont inflict Otis on you all.. too much… and sooooo, until the next one I will bid you all ADIEU
F

Due too high winds this weekend both walls will be closed today (FRI)as things stand it is expected that the west wall will remain closed all weekend with Monday TBA
The EAST is expected too be open in some capacity Sat and Sun but conditions wont be the best.

I did take a trip down onto the walls yesterday afternoon when the sun came out there was even some spring warmth in the air. On the west there were only perhaps half dozen fishing the wall and up on the higher bays I stopped an had a chat with Nick and his partner who were down for their first visit this year both chucking lures about as somehow he had forgotten bait and erm , well the shop was shut when he got into the marina.

from the west I took the quad over too the EAST wall first stopping too make a fuss of the cafe owners 2 dogs of which Pepsi(the black one) promptly climbed onto the scooter and made a decent effort too sit on my lap as I slowly rolled up too the cafe for a chat prior too clawing myself away from the 2 dogs and rolled up onto the wall upper level for a looksee.

A few familiar faces and a few quick chats soon told me that there wasnt much happening as the tide dropped too almost fully low, hardly a surprise as there was a constant easterly breeze that was cooling the air quite a bit. I gather there were some catches in the morning among the some plaice caught earlier was Rhos, a regular over the last few years who managed some plaice keepers too take home.

Overall the last couple of days have been a bit hit & miss with the better of the fishing over high water and the better of the sunshine in the afternoons over the low tides. Hopefully things are starting too pick up as we are getting more days that are somewhat warmer if you ignore the Easter winds this year. The water quality does look a bit greener, that or perhaps Im just expecting it too be obvious too the eye if I visit more than 4 times a week ! I recon if we get some calmer weather , possibly next week (fingers crossed) the sea state will properly show signs of clearing and start producing some of the mid too late April fishing that my brain seems too think really did happen over the last few years. There are signs, and yes I know I seem too say this almost yearly now of warming waters and summer fish arriving.

Heck, Nick yesterday on the west managed it seems too catch his 1st fish of the year, a gar fish no less, granted it was only about 4 inches long but a baby gar is a decent sign when you add too it that there have been black and guilt head bream caught on the walls this year, not many but its a start. add in that there are some nice sized rays coming off the beaches and bass sizes are seemingly consistent this year it sorta adds up too perhaps this year will be an improve on last years shit show !

Thats it today from me and a lazy day looks too be looming. I may go and sort out my stock of weights, that or hunt the tv listings for a film. Somewhere someone must be showing Zulu, Waterloo or one of the 5 versions of The Four Feathers 😉 not sure the Mrs will appreciate it but hey, sometimes ya just gotta go with your gut and dive in (so too speak 🙂 )

And so we get too the end of todays verbal ramble(in my head) and will part as per usually with…. until next time… yup I will bid you all ADIEU
F

I was going to post the obvious this morning (yes its morning and yes Im dressed and its not even 10am!) No doubt by now most or all that read here are aware of the date and its significance too the crazies…. April the first,.. did it catch you ?
hence the pick your title today 🙂
mackerel on the West
herring on the high
Craig’s AI is broken
real fish caught this week
I guess the list could go on forever, or at least until mid day with all the “April fools posts on FB today.
Annyyhoooooo

Whats been going on ?
needless too say not a great deal hence tbh the lack of posts and in general the lack of info. Most days over the last 10 days there have only been a half dozen or so on each wall and thus getting a decent impression of how its fishing can be a bit hit & miss especially when regular habitual visitors dont post or feel its not worth posting info when they only had a mutt or similar. If this sounds like yourself as you read and you do use facebook & such , post it up, even the blanks can be interesting too some.
so, whats ah happening ?
in no particular order, conger on the west conger on the east plenty of dogfish and whiting still about. the water is slowly turning green but still heavily silted so more a cloudy green than muddy colours. On the up side now that we are into April BASS are back on the take menu and now 3 per day/session are allowed with minimum size still at 42cm. recent catches of various rays also locally on the beaches and the occasional bream also too be had. One or two bream have been caught on the walls this week but imo is still a bit early for decent numbers of them.

Adding too the species count this week also have been, rockling and we have seen a few plaice being caught on both walls. overall its been a case of loads of dogfish and congers but I expect that too improve now we are digging into April and the waters clear out the winters sludge.
the weekend (Easter) is already looking a bit grim with winds picking up from early Friday morning so please keep an eye on the home page as I expect there may well be some needs too close the walls over part of the weekend.
And, with that I will once again , until the next one, bid you all ADIEU
F

Not quite literally, more a hint too what the main catch of the day around Brighton seems too be! mind you from what I can gather news wise it does seem too be the same story from Dover too Portsmouth !
So whats the story morning glory ?
Dogs, Dogs and erm more dogs.

For those just here for the first time in a while, we have finally got the WEST wall OPEN. currently daytime hours only and will assess things soon with regards too when night fishing will begin.
Danny Butler posted the first catch report from the wall this year by making sure he was up bright and early for the 6am opening yesterday. Keep or crazy ? not quite sure but do actually understand and remember well that eagerness too get on the wall fishing after an extended break away from either wall…. Its hard too explain the attraction too a non angler but either wall often can, and will produce very different days or visits and as a result can keep the fishing varied for people, even the days you blank will often have totally different feels too them. The walls and views may stay the same but no 2 days pan out the same and for myself and other regulars each day varies so much it keeps the interest fresh.

I did manage too pop down yesterday afternoon having got the scooter ready I hitched up a new trailer that the wife got me for crimbo and thus with the sun out a trial run was got underway mid afternoon.
Only expecting a few (on the wall)the bait box was much lighter, a small bag of varied end tackle, headlamps and knicker elastic I rolled the quad and trailer down Manor hill towards the marina.

Well the run down was pleasant enough and was glad Id only put a light jacket on as the air temps were surprisingly warm and could me off guard completely having been used too fairly cold & high winds almost daily near howling around the brick work ! It was that warm I actually took the jacket off and almost peeled another layer down too my T-shirt ! yup it was that nice in the March afternoon sun.

And so onto the west wall lower section I rolled for the 1st time this year, very different too my crazy early 4.30-5.30 roll on’s of the past! Eddie ( a regular) was fishing the 2nd bay as I arrived on a dropping tide about 3pm and was the only person visible from the low bays. A quick chat & catch up indicated that A/ things down low were fairly dead , and B/don’t hold ya breath, its a dog fest up there on the high bays.

The scooter & trailer worked well on the lower level and past by the red posts without an issue (at least my measuring had worked out) and thus after rounding the bend that was mid wall I finally saw a couple of familiar faces amongst the 5 or 6 still fishing. True too Eddies word it was indeed a tale of dogs, dogs and yet more dogs and thus I settled into chinwag mode and caught up with a couple of anglers still fishing.
It was nice too be out and for a change not needed umpteen layers of warm clothing and gloves too protect this old body from the winter and now near spring conditions. As said, the coat even came off while I stood close too the toilet block chewing the fat.
Other than dog fish the only other catches mentioned were eels, mostly strap congers and silver eel juveniles but was shown one pic of a decent silver eel of which I was told went back. The vast bulk of the days catches were as said , dogs and a mix of a few eels. One or two reports of missed (decent) catches guessed at most likely bass but unknown as no fish was sighted and a fair bit of baits being stripped off the hooks without even noticing a bite
I spent about 45 mins too an hour chatting and pondering about setting out the light rod I had with me but with fairly coloured water, a dropping tide and the prospect of dogfish I figured.. not today thanks…..

With the “no thanks” thought in my head I turned the quad/trailer about and headed back down the wall towards the exit gate by which time Eddie had been n gone so out, a pause too lock the side gate and trundle off to Asda for a few bits prior too seeing how well the scooter would fare going this time up manor hill with gear stashed on the trailer and a seat bag with various bits of shopping filling it.
I’m please too say the scooter fared quite well, even on the steeper part of the hill as it curves too the right and thus, home, unpacked the scooter and put the quad too bed,……. myself, feet went up, recliner went back settled too watch the tv and promptly fell asleep!
Today Ive a scan appointment(routine) and wont be down tomorrow as will be watching the BTN vs Liverpool game from the south west corner of the ground so dont expect a post until likely Monday

Until the next post I will thus bid you all ADIEU
F

I shall make ya wait just a bit longer than the first line of todays update. As some regulars know things this year have been somewhat slow getting underway and getting the walls ready this year have been somewhat problematic. Initially on the east wall Mark had too deal with the fact that the water supply for some reason had been shut off, and when finally put on the water pressure on the east made things near impossible too get anything done.
As a result Mark decided too try & get the west wall in shape only too find yet again, no water supply too the toilet block and had too source an alternative feed supply. Yes that got done but guess what… again the issues with very low water pressure. Ive no Idea whats going on with that regard as the marina say its “someone else other than them at fault & no one wants to say who or why original water points got cut !.

All of this meant mark had too find a different jet washer that would fill and run from a more mobile source.. oh the ******* joy.
ANYHOOOO…. work progresses and YES it is almost done on the west wall.
I do have a date for the west too open DAY TIMES initially
the west will be open 6am til 6pm but without the extension and I suspect the toilet block may initially be closed.
The EAST will for now remain closed.
before I post the date the west will open though a quick word and a request related too it.
We have been made aware that some people have decided it is ok too climb over fences and fish on one of the walls at night while they are closed. The Marina take a dim view of this and do see it as trespass.
it makes little too no difference too me if people get caught up there but all doing so are needlessly risking fishing access for everyone. If they chose it wouldnt take much for the marina bosses too simply fence the walls of permanently so please help us keep the venue open. If you see people up there, let someone know. I am easy too find on facebook, a message on the marina group will find myself or mark very quickly. If you dont have access too the marina group on facebook, leave a message on any of the other fishing groups there or you could phone the marina security office directly too log with them the unauthorised access. it doesnt take much too make a phone call and active anglers helping on this could make all the difference on us keeping the venue open.

Anyhoo , for those still reading and those that figured skip too the ned too see what ya want….
WEST WILL OPEN on Thursday 19th March 6am-6pm
night fishing too be sorted soon

thats it for today so ya can all beggar off and do some fishing in the sunshine … yup the sun is out for a change. And with that , for today i will bid you all ADIEU
F

So anyone remember the pun about the Fakarwe tribe? It goes summat like..
where are we ? well.. almost , more like where the fk are we ?but hey that does sorta feel like the phrase of the day.
So STATE OF THE WALLS.. where the fk are we ! when it comes too the walls being ready too open.
welllll….. as some may be aware and other hardly shocked there seems too be an issue in the marina with water pressure, or at least the pressure of the water that would feed the jet washer on the east wall meaning…
YUP jet washing on the east has been delayed and the issue was reported a couple of weeks back when Mark tried too get the east sorted.

And so, everything got carted over too the west wall and jet washing was began on that side, It was going well until.. guess what…. yup a lack of water pressure.
Another jet washer has been sourced that takes its water from a water butt so I guess it will be a case of ferrying water back n forth for the duration.

On the up side, although jet washing has halted for a couple of days due too high winds it is hoped to get the main part of the west too the toilet block done on a few days.
The extension will get done at a later date but we hope too have the west open fairly soon and hopeffully then get all the gear back onto the east.
That is about as much info as I have today, and so, with that, until the next post I will bid you all ADIEU
F

The expected start too jet washing didnt begin as planed due to shown forecasts for the week. It would have been somewhat pointless getting all the gear too the wall and going through the process of setting up to then get blown off by weather/wind direction changes one or 2 days into the job.

Firstly not much would get done, and packing up gear in poor conditions as waves fired up through the V’s doesnt make for a safe or pleasant process. !
We do have a clearer spell ahead and having spoke with mark yesterday (fri) the plan is too have another go at it all either this sunday or Monday.

Mark has checked over and walked both walls this week too get a clearer picture of damages to either wall and also the levels of algae that will need sorting prior too either wall opening too the public and anglers in particular.

So what is the state of play on the walls as I type this up ?

On the East wall (long one)
the algae build up is effectively in every bay from 1 to 60, even 74 hasnt escaped it this year. Damage wise there are a few red posts that have been fully taken out by weather conditions and no doubt flying debris and will need replacing and fully rewiring. Needless too say the footing around the post sites will need too be made safe for this work too be done so I cant atm give an accurate idea on when access above the 30’s will be.
Initial plan is hopefully too get 15-20 bays sorted and then opened, but there are also minor repairs too concrete structuring scattered all along the east either on upper or lower levels. the usual pot holes will also need doing as well as some sections of damage too the edges of the pathway between the upper & lower sections between the wall break sections where there are horizontal red bars that are commonly climbed over !

It will take time too get into shape but as has often happened we hope too use a rolling open up process again too gradually work along the full length of the wall jet washing, replacing posts and the many wires lost and fixing structural damage as we process.

Time scale for the east ?
Right now hard too say as Mark hasnt shared the full extent with me but hopefully a few days into the process I can get up there n take a looksee for myself.
The first 20 bays ? if no structural damage may get opened fairly quickly but other than crossing my fingers as I type I really can only guess as much as you reading this.

Ok so what about the West wall ?
Again as said Mark has walked both walls and on the west I have some better news for everyone. Due too the extensive work last year on the WEST the wall is (bar algae) in a decent state of repair although the extension was only visually checked from the toilet block level.
Obviously there is heavy algae on the upper and lower that will need sorting but the standard pot hole repair list is somewhat lower than has been the case over the last few years.

At time of typing the focus will be on the EAST wall and I’m not aware of any date too start work on the west so will not even take a stab at how soon that side’s work will begin.

Shop hours as far as I am aware are listed in the shop window and suggest either ring them prior too visiting or at least get there before md day. With the walls closed their trade is much much lower than normal and their opening hours will fluctuate on tides/trade and even weather forecasts.

Out of shop hours I do carry frozen baits of squid/mackerel/ and black as well as a fair bit of end tackle & weights of all sorts, so if in need if you dont have my number I can be emailed through the homepage link and can get something sorted for you.

Thats it for today, and so, yep I gonna say it….
Until next time I will bid you all ADIEU
F

Mark is currently on holiday and plan was too begin jet washing once he is back. Needless to say this is also subject too the weather playing nice.
Once sufficient of the wall is ready it will open most likely on a rolling basis as the jetwashing progresses.
Until the next announcement the walls will remain closed .
F

Just a few quick lines here today as not a huge amount too say tbh.
Firstly the standard stuff in that I hope for those that celebrate Christmas you all had a decent one. And too follow that a big happy new year from myself. May this year be a step up on the last for you all.

As too the marina or more specifically the fishing walls, are they open ?
well,
The WEST WALL is closed and probably will remain so until the Spring clean up and repairs(if any) are done.
Over on the EAST WALL ,Mark hopes too open daily and maintain the first 20 bays for anyone wishing too fish the wall. Winter hours are atm, 7.30am and close at 4.30pm

needless too say, heavy frosts or snow will impact what is or isnt open but where possible the EAST WALL should stay open.
Please check with the shop (phone em) if you need bait, tackle or gear in general as no doubt they will only be open limited hours while trade is very slow.

Catchwise its mostly whiting , dogs & a bass or two and I understand there are herring out there too be had, mostly over the high tides but its not exclusively then.
There are reports from Devon & Cornwall that some are catching mackerel still and tbh that is not a big surprise but on looking around yesterday I must say the water conditions are very good and a decent emerald colour too the sea at the moment so dont be over shocked if someone has a mackerel or two locally even if mainly too bait set ups rather than feathers.

if anyone needs anything from me, emails here come too me, Im on FB and FB messenger or , simply ask a warden too give me a ring

Thats it from me for today, I hope last nights party goers are not suffering too much tooday as that sunshine must be a beast fir those hungover !
HNY folks and until the next post I will bid you all ADIEU
F