I spent the day on the east wall today monitoring those ppl walking on & off etc, being a general pest to those wanting to wander along the wall for fun who read the sign in front of them & then think it doesn’t apply to them!
YUP they all got turned back politely :).
Regarding the fishing , well it wasn’t too clever to be honest with most people struggling on both walls.
A few plaice , some bream and 2-3 gurnards with a small flurry of stringy gar fish really summed up the day and other days this week… oh wait , I forgot , 4 mackerel were caught at 4 am !

Now here comes the BUT yes it’s a big but as im told that the last few NIGHTS have been very good
Many ask me re nights if the horse mackerel are in and im told that yes the horsies have arrived, and not only that the normal mackerel have also been swimming with them and are making the jump into the somewhat green cloudy water(to be fair it did clear on the front end –higher bays)
The low bays are still being impacted by cloudy water, my guess caused by spoil from the cliffs and recent rain…. Back to the night fishing , as said its doiing quite nicely thank you 🙂 🙂 the moulting crabs are bringing all sorts in on the feed. Smooth hounds, plenty of bass are active, 2-3 types of rays are being drawn in as well as the horse mac & mackies all ready mentioned !
Even the boss has remarked how well the night fishing has been and what with the dredger working the harbour entrance it has been stirring up sand eels of which the bass are now spoilt for choice on chowing down.

In essence , if you haven’t given the walls a go at night now would be a good time to try it.

And finally as the title says I have some shop news and will updtae the site as needed 🙂
NEW HOURS
an normal we have an 8am opening but any boats having an early departure can access some early bait if they ring Dave early enough to sort out a pick up while the shops front door is shut.
CLOSING times have returned to summer times and with close
Mon-Thurs 8am – 5pm
Fri/Sat 8am – 6pm
Sun 8am – 4.30pm
FURTHER SHOP NEWS
the tacklebox will be on the move again in the next few week. The new location when its ready with be alongside the rear of the West Quay in the Glassed square build that was going to be used as a bus waiting lounge when plans were to re route the buses so they picked up opposite where they do now… Thats been scrapped & the Tacklebox as I say will move into what was going to be a bus waiting lounge. Its almost back to where it was prior to all the shifting about’s.
more updates to follow when I get them.
F

Hounds rays and bass seem to be the order of the day as the crabs on the east side continue to moult in number. A few mackerel scattered through the day were hard work for those that managed to catch on in the sun… Im betting there are a few shiny red bodies out there today !
Took a quick visit down yesterday afternoon for a look about but mostly it was blank stares at the water. I heard there was a nice lobster brought up on someone’s line on the extension and a few bream but sizes were somewhat dubious.
Plaice continue to show on the east sands and a gurnard here n there. Saw a few collecting livebaits for bass and I gather collecting prawns east of the marina is also a good idea if you are hunting bass.
Water quality still not that clear and at times a cloudy green.
Sun is out in earnest so pack the suncream and plenty of water. Thats it for now ….
F

I should have posted this a couple of days ago but in all honesty the weekend got away from me. With the east upper level it seems that some people are being somewhat foolish or ignorant of where they are. With less of an area to walk while avoiding rods some foolish people seem to think it is ok to cycle on the lower WALKWAY , please dont. Its a risk to everyone with limited space to manoeuvre and I have been asked to pass on a no cycling message on the lower level that most would deem common sense but sadly it seems one or two are lacking of! . PLEASE < NO CYCLING on the lower level
Currently the hounds are in all over the inshore area as the spider crabs come in peeling with for the marina this time of year hitting double figures on smooth hounds and bass . For those after bigger than usual fish get yourself some crab, peeler or not, break the shell so the juices leak and away you go.
Unusual catch though over the weekend was a small stingray landed on the east wall. Add to this the usual undulates have been caught as well as a few thornbacks.

A little flurry of mackerel 1st light on Sunday promised so much only for the shoal to be smashed up by a pod of 20+ dolphins taking advantage of the feed frenzy that happened sporadically over the weekend. The crabs are drawing in species of all sorts like a free buffet on a council estate would !.

On a serious note, there seems to be a problem with dead gulls in and around the marina and Brighton seafront. Its possible linked to avia flu but could also be something more sinister. If you come across a dead gull please don’t handle it without protection to yourself or preferable leave where it is and report it. RSPCA , RSPB< marina security, any local vet , they will arrange collection of the dead bird(s). Many gulls are protected and investigations are being made with promised prosecutions if this is something more than a natural disease.

Plenty suddenly happening on the marina and with things open 5 nights a week now would be a good time to visit. thats it from me today
F

So, it seems a few questions are flying about night openings on the wall and after having a chat with Dave I can post up the following.

Both walls will start opening at night initially 5 nights (wed to sun) providing the weather is suitable and there are no issues with people climbing up onto the top level of the east wall. (check the site as possible shut on wed)
Work equipment is left up there and the last thing anyone needs is either people tampering with gear or using the upper level as a toilet. The last time we had work on the east the toilet issue got so out of hand the workmen refused to work on the wall if it was left open !
On to the catch bit, loads of Smooth hounds being caught off shore and a fair few on the walls now we are into their breeding season and they are on the feed. Still plenty of rays about and bream are slowly picking up as are the wrasse reports. Again some decent bass to be had and plaice now seem to be a common stand by/go too on the east . Spider crab pest situation atm is not too bad but expect them to increase rapidly now especially on the west. A few mackerel reported yesterday but tbh nothing to shout about and the water colour is still very shiny green emerald hue so the rot is still there but less sticky. A blow or some decent hot weather is needed to break it up or burn it off IMO.

As said earlier there a small blow pushing through wed/thurs that may impact night fishing wed and a possible close on the west wed, maybe thurs though it will be called on a day to day basis so please keep an eye on the home page for open/shut updates
Thats it for today … over n out
F

Unfortunately Ive not much to say other than the lack of mackerel which some will see as a good thing others not so. As per for the east arm the plaice tick over steadily and the weekend has seen a few decent bass on both walls to various baits including prawns doing well.
Over all lacking that many reports even from the wardens who are operating on auto pilot. Numbers Thurs was busy day time , Fri so so number wise. Slow going yesterday as the rain likely as not put many off early morning.~
No feed back as I type (11am) of how busy it is but my guess is loads of space as Ive not had a call to go assist.
Night update include rays, sole, plaice and bass, not so many crabs around which tbh is a good thing but its still early in the season.
May rot report is the water is a deep emerald green so depth visibility is not there yet & hard to say if its clearing or sitting dornmant, there a real need for plenty of sun to bring the water temp up properly or it will linger when not wanted.
Squid reports seem to have ended although its not unusual to catch cuttle most of the year.
Most of the week looks decent up til Thursday when its showing a rise in the SW winds and if it stays as indicated it likely to cause issues Thurs to both walls and spill over to Fri on the west .. beyond that … hard to say.

thats it for now until next time
F

Hello and wow , its June already and one could be forgiven for thinking where the heck did half the year go.
A little behind on the blogs as been a bit pre occupied and tbh little to report.
Im told today Dover area is thick with mackerel but sadly cant say the same for Brighton. If you are looking for mackerel GO EAST way way east past Hastings as there are hardly any mackies to be found here.

Plaice are doing ok but in all honesty everything else seems sluggish other than small rays and hounds. The weather i suspect has much to answer for and must take the blame alongside the may rot. Thankfully it looks like the rot is shifting and there are signs the weather is getting better but looking like a wet weekend.
A few bream and wrasse (I had a go yesterday and was severely disappointed with little showing.). Catches are slow atm if brutally honest but as said looks like its picking up.
F

A quick update on nights and a reminder re east wall.

Starting with the east wall

As many are now aware there is ongoing work on the upper level of the east so entry and EXIT is via the side gate only and is for anglers only.
Please stay off the upper level even at weekends when it seems out of use. Equipment is left there by working crews and any interference with that or people being filmed on the upper level will see the wall closed completely even to anglers.
We have use of the wall at the sufferance of the work men and any issues as said will see it closed.
Please help us out and let us know of any breaches and if you feel able a polite reminder to anyone you may see up there will help us and you to continue using the east.
ENTRY and EXIT via side gate on the east.

Now on to night info
Both walls will be open for night fishing tomorrow and Saturday this week and next week Dave has agreed to both walls opening
Thurs/Fri/Sat and Sunday. We will also be looking at extending the nights that are opened providing there are no issues with things such as excess noise and upper level being abused.

Have left the catch report today due to quite a few closed days on the walls this week and cant give a very clear picture other than the standard of plaice a few mackerel , mainly lacking in reports.
F

Here we go another Sunday but not just another Sunday its season end Sunday .. yea I know its not fish, that to follow. Just wanted to say I got tickets for the last home hame of the season btn vs west ham & plan to blow the cobwebs into next week .

On the fish side , at time of typing no night round up but things defo improved on the walls yesterday with Plaice, bream, wrasse, bass, sole & hound pups all mid to high on the East , plaice in the usual spots , prawns now showing in the tide pools even a couple of those super rare mackerel thingies. Not sure if posted but during the week a decent (for the wall) pollack and coal fish for one angler on the east also.

While it may not seem great when compared to mid May on some years, for this year thats a pick up after some up & down days on the reports that even seem a bit sparse on the beaches. Talking of which it seems thornbacks & undulate catches have again picked up with the calmer weather. on that front (get it !) there is a bit of a bump coming Wednesday that looks like it will force a close for sure on the west & if it swings a bit may close both walls for the day & Thurs may be a bit unplesant on the west also so please if you are planning a trip check the forecast… unless you are chasing bass on the beaches of course.
At time of typing this the weather out is looking just the job, so what every you are doing today , enjoy it, the week ahead other than wed is looking fairly decent and average temps seem to have improved a bit.
Happy Sunday all,
F

Things seem somewhat quiet at the moment and am lacking any decent updates to post up so im typing for the sake of typing tbh.. as someone said once re the blog , type anything when nothing is happening as they always look for a post !. So here it is.
Almost sitting on the dock of the bay watching the tide roll in……
On the weather front things look fine for tonight’s all nighter and during the week its almost all calm carry on other than small bumps Monday late in the day which may mean the west closing early and a possible all day close on Wednesday as winds push through. Beyond Wednesday it looks fairly decent into the following weekend.
Little to say so will sign off until next time
F

Morning all(at time of typing 🙂 ) A little round up from the weekend starting with a few words Mark the warden posted on Mon Morning >>

Weekend night time round up, lobster caught front of East, few mackies if you were the lucky ones. Smoothound of West knocking 8lbs. Bass on the west, guys not fished marina before and lands a 4 pounder. Spider crabs are starting and some huge ones. Squid off east double shot and lost a huge one. Just need the bream to show up now and ow la la, tight lines folks
>>>>>>
to add to that bass & mackerel were v hard work over the last few days so was nice to see a couple of posts , one of a pollack & coalfish of about 35cm and the other some mackerel pics sent to me by the duty warden today reporting mackies on both walls but not in huge numbers. Things looking a bit brighter after a slow weekend with low tides mid day killing peoples want to stay for a long sesh!.
Weather looking fairly decent over the next 7 days other than a bump maybe friday causing the west to likely be unplesant. At time of typing no night sessions confirmed but keep an eye on the home page for an update maybe in the next 36 hours.
thats it for now , over n out
F