WEST wall will remain closed this week due too poor weather conditions.
EAST WALL is open today WED 22nd but will be closed Thurs Fri,
SATURDAY
EAST expected open usual time
WEST there will be a wall check with the plan too open WEST for night fishing Saturday night and then close in the morning
SUNDAY
EAST open as normal
WEST TBA

Well the squid comp was a total bust. So often the forecast apps show over the top wind speeds so hoped was the case for the comp on Saturday. Got the scooter all geared up Saturday after lunch and things still seemed ok around the house was very little wind but as I got out onto manor hill I could tell that it was mostly correct at 16mph gusting to 21mph.
By time I got onto the east wall it wasn’t looking very good and that was despite of a mackerel run that happened about 11am. Waves were coming up and over and in places over the upper level also. 95% of the wall was already wet and those fishing had wisely found the occasional spot on a bay that stayed dry as waves continued too bang up.

At 3pm I decided too call the comp off knowing that I couldnt get the info up onto the website while out so the late announcement was posted onto facebook. My apologies too all that did indeed make the trip down only too find often 2nd hand news tat it was off. At 3pm I took a trip over too the west just incase any there planned too go east for the comp and returned too the east cafe about 4.30pm too continue too explain why the comp was off.
The winds at 4pm were still over forecast but settled at 5ish making me wonder if Id cocked up by calling it off but I was looking at the forecast with the prospect of a dark wall at night squidding in probable rough conditions for 2+ hours in the dark. I have been on the wall closing gates at night with waves banging up and it is as creepy as fek hearing waves smash into the wall and not clearly see any water spouts, not something anyone really wants too try tbh. by 6.30pm the winds again peaked with fixed speeds pushing over 20 and higher gusts that remained for much of the evening into night. I spent a few hours on the WEST by the tower block and you could hear the waves thumping the west at 7pm and well past 9 when the comp would have finished. Add too the conditions that the squid would likely have headed too deep or calmer waters and it was clear the comp couldnt go ahead

Over on the west from darkness dropping I heard that some bass had been caught as well as some missed with strap congers regularly being caught in the first few hours and as I left near 10.30 one squid I was aware of had been caught in the lower bays. Very few fishing the beaches Saturday evening compared too the night before where people squidding could be seen almost every 5 yards!

I am unsure what time the WEST closed Sunday morning as the weather closed in and the EAST wall stayed closed on Sunday .
Both walls closed today and Tuesday and Mark is hoping too have at least one wall open on Wednesday.
Thursday the EAST may open but again looks like both will be closed Fri, beyond that is a bit early too call but it looks like we may be able too open something Sat & Sun.

Thats it for today, fairly short and sweet other than to say if we can fit in the squid come we will retry but much now depends on the weather and the squid returning too play.
And so, until the next one I will bid you all ADIEU
F

Ok so tomorrow the forecast is showing 15 -21mph on an East to S/east direction. Based on that I have cleared with mark for the comp too be pegged from bay 1 up too 30 if we need it.. If the windspeed goes higher it may be a bit unpleasant but I feel that its a case of go for it or cancel it and that I prefer too avoid.

Providing I have enough left I will provide a squid jig for ALL juniors (U18s) simply for entering the comp.

Unfortunately the report I have for yesterday reads a bit grim but most likely that is due too the simple fact that I lack decent info from the morning other than that there were some mackerel and squid once open on the wall.

Most of the afternoon report center on “some” squid with quite a few being caught while I was there & the bulk were caught below bay 20 or up on 55 to 60. As a result my afternoon report fairly much was all about the squid & not 🎼 All about the Bass🎼🎼.
It was nice too meet dave Grinham as I came o the wall, was amusing that he waned some squid jigs and I even surrendered my orange jig from o my rod set up! , later on FB a pic of him using one of the jigs I have ! I really should get my jigs out once dark but charging the scooter every day I have got into the marina is becoming a PITA so I am usually now in the Mariner pub at the back of the marina for a beer while the scooter gets a top up charge. Perhaps I will have a dabble during the comp.

Sods law that the numbers of squid being caught at night is high and it looks like my planning was near perfect in picking this week and tides. I had considered doing the comp on the friday (yes today) but with the various options Mark felt SAT would be a decent day that many would likely be off work for. Oh well, tomorrow if the weather is over forecast things may play nice and we get not only a decent turn out but plenty of squid.

With regards too the meagre catch report I would bet that I missed someone giving me a catch update but this morning as I type I cant recal any other catches, ho hum onwards we go.

And with that, if you are on the wall later I will see you then or perhaps some of you plan too have a go at the squid tomorrow night. Thats it for today so, until the next one I as ever bid you all ADIEU
F

Thor’s day, yup, thanks too the early Scandinavian visitors AKA Vikings and before them the Romans, many oft used words have Viking or Roman heritage . Thus we ended up with days of the week based on a mix of Norse/Roman gods. SUN-day, Moon Day, Tues from first Rome’s god of war (Mars) to the Norse god of war TYR, Tyr evolved into Tuesday followed by Wodin, Thor, Freya forming the days of the week. Needless Info but there it is.
So, how are things shaping up ?, well Mackerel are here but most people will be lucky too see a shoal break surface. They remain a bit post luck for best time of the day but they are now showing up here & there too keep people busy with feather & lure most of the day.

Like the mackerel there have been plenty of squid about during the day. yes a bit pot luck for best time in daylight but the numbers are high and Mark has decided the EAST WALL will be open each day for
Today, Friday and Saturday for those after squid of which At night seem everywhere!

A reminder here that on Saturday there will be a squid competition on the wall. Comp bays will be chalked onto the wall starting at Bay 1 through 30 Sign in is at the cafe tables from 5pm with a comp start at 6pm, Once underway some bays may be released too anglers staying until 10pm Tonight, Friday and SATURDAY the wall will close at 10pm Sunday is rapidly looking like a mid day close and potentially a quite wet day based on forecast

As well as Squid and mackerel we do seem to have a bit of a tick over for plaice also and Bass are still being caught regularly on the wall. and there were some horse mac also too be had. Pouting, whiting also have numbers on the increase. No signs of congers yesterday or if they were no one informed me..

The weird shit I am finding when doing a type up is that sometimes I struggle too remember who I saw/spoke too etc simply from the day prior….. and then about 4-5 days later the memory suddenly pops back into my head out of nowhere & I think too myself .. fck how did I miss that, so no doubt now there will be a missing convo or report suddenly crash into my brain in a few f days time !

Well, thats it for this scribble on the wall and so until the next one I will bid you all ADIEU
F

Ok who spotted my cock up yesterday ?
anyone? I wonder if I got away with it or not, no doubt someone will tell me that The blog I typed up failed too appear due too me not actually uploading it and it got saved as a drat post ! huh
so, I guess ya getting a 2 er today ! irst a reminder o the squid comp coming on Saturday , so far its still on but if that wind gets worse its gonna get nixed and I will then talk with mark too see if we can fit it in somewhere.

And with that I roll onto whats going on other than the shit im getting off the hire company I have the “quad” and the actual company that oversee it all in “The Motability scheme” too get another model I need too cancel current contract for this one (3 years)to start another contract for a model that actually does what it says and doesnt need charging after 2 miles of use FFS! the hire comp say its fine when tested (test weight 1/2 of mine) i say fek is it Motability say pay £250 to cancel contract or get hire comp say they can fix what the say is fine grrrrrr

So are there fish ? , well yea after a fashion!, Monday it seems the best of the mackies were after I left … so be it. Yesterday as I arrived it seems that the mackies had been “there” for a couple of hrs and were still coming up v slowly and ticked over for some time. In with the mackerel there were quite a few gar fish some of which were quite large.

Squid again making themselves known not just when dark but they are also on the hunt during the day with the best of them away from the wall bend where the current pulls the strongest. Bass have been active and quite a few caught Yesterday in the morning but no comments of them in the afternoon.
A chilly day for most yesterday also was producing pouting and we now had the dreaded return of the early evening whiting… are whiting about too become the new go too for those that used too target the near defunct mackies ?
Smoothound pups are still about, has anyone seen an adult one this year? Stick in the occasional Bernard (not last weeks visitor) Scad were caught during the day with one yesterday bigger than most mackerel you will see, at first I thought it may be a shad of which there has been the occasional one recently but no it was an over sized shad aka horse mackerel !

There are still some plaice too be had and Im told blennies are still there also. Nothing seems there in large numbers and much of the fish have too be worked for I hope this is not a sign of the times ! And as part of this round up, I will add Bream too the list of “can still be caught”

Looking out the window here as I type the sun is up and there is again another 10 pm opening, while dry the 10pms I hope will continue.
It looks like the weather will hold until the squid comp is done providing the wind doesnt increase . Sunday is looking like the sea will be choppy as things swing towards a southerly strong breeze and possible rain. Monday then looks unsettled with showers and heavier rain possible.
Oh the joy of looking at weather predictions.

Thats all from me for today , so, until the next one I will bid you all ADIEU
F

Well considering things have escalated slightly on the wall I could have posted yesterday morning but didn’t so I figure I have too make up a new reason why that I havn’t used so I will blame it on stress caused by the
DEPT of the SS AKA the old DSS now forever known as the bods at Universal credit.
These wonderful people have been asking me for a doctors sick note aka a “fit to work” note. Now, considering I have been on full levels of PIP for a few years and jumped through all the hoops they get you doing as well as so called medical checks and exams by their “cough cough” professionals the ppl involved with UC have invited me down for an appointment. WHY< because they want too explain too me why they want a sick note from my GP.
Now I wouldnt mind but I do have a list of conditions ranging from annoying too fekin painful that is longer than most peoples arms, I got fed up of asking for an appointment over the last 5 months so I decided to very precisely update my list of conditions on their online form for “changes” being as no one there would explain why after being on full PIP so long they wanted a GP letter rather than all the info supplied to the health deparmnets and PIP people(UC have full access too my PIP forms and GP access too as them). Anyhoo I started listing my conditions , 1 in each box provided , and on the 20th on I realised I had run out o spaces. So in the notes I explained I couldnt put them all in !
Guess what, they sent me an appointment too “sort it out” ffs
So , the excuse for no blog yesterday …. stress. The reality…. I forgot !

And so we come too the fishing, after a fashion anyhow being as thb it has been very poor and I will repeat that has been a similar story at most south coast venues.
Saturday, on arrival onto the wall I had a chat with the night dude who told me it had fished well with plenty of squid bream and plaice coming out on the first opening of the west this year.

YES the west is open, yes its open 24/7 BUT it hasnt been jet washed so any rain or excess water from waves splashing up etc will see the wall closed again. We will keep it open for as long as possible

Once on the EAST on Saturday It was a very v familiar feel too things with may muttering about so few Mackerel about and its now feeling and seeming like the arse has fallen out of the stock and mackerel are truly on the verge of being a memory ICES who monitor fish stocks last year listed mackerel as “AT RISK” this year the recruiting drive by the Angling Trust is trumpeting save our mackerel, sadly I suspect they are over a year too late too the party and the bottom has fallen away,

could mackerel be an extinct species by next year ? very very possible. Shocking as it seems it now maybe already too late. Over fishing is rapidly collapsing food chains in the see and massive change is needed perhaps starting with the ships capable of catching processing and sending too shore without docking for months on end such as the monster factory ships. Too many species and fish stocks are being decimated by modern fishing methods, growing populations and over fishing is like a cancer on the planet bleeding its resources dry and rapid changes are needed before the ability too fish from our own shores is lost.

Right, thats the doom and gloom mostly out of the way. Saturday was again a tough day on the mackerel with a few coming up here n there but hardly any “strings” of 4-5 fish. There was a ray of light though as squid were now being caught on & off throughout the day and the garfish were getting better in sizes so a fair mix of decent gar in with the needles. 74 on Saturday was likely the best producer and although I only had a quick look they had some quite nice plaice up there but seemed a bit reluctant too talk with me so I moved back down the wall chatting and selling frozen bait and fresh black that I had.
There were a few plaice being caught some of which were decent keepers and “that bay” didnt disappoint as Bernard was caught once more.

Overall considering the conditions of flat calm and dull skies things on the east were a bit naff and I had expected better. The EAST swapped back to 7.30 closing as the WEST wall was reopened at 5pm for night fishing followed by a continuous opening until the conditions force us too close it down again.
Unsurprisingly at 5pm there was a queue already waiting on mark too open the wall and I know quite a few who were on the east were packed up by 4.30pm and headed over there early for its opening up.

I got onto the west wall about 5.30 and checked with most people I they needed anything slowly working my way up the wall towards the toilet block so that I could stick the quad on charge ready for my run home up manor hill mountain and while chatting too a few regulars had a eww people come over and buy bits n bobs toping their gear up and also bait.
With the shop shutting most days on or about 4pm I tend now too get onto the EAST about 4pm and will then take the quad over too the WEST for anyone needing stuf and take the chance too charge the bloody iffy scooter back up. SAT night on the west as soon as the wall opened the fish and squid were being caught with decent plaice and bream being caught and then squid arrived just before sunset. Just before I left I saw a decent conger come out at bay 24 and gather there were quite a few caught that night. There were feathers out but I cant say I saw any mackerel caught but I guess that there were some had.

Sunday saw me roll onto the wall in chillier conditions than most of the week and by time I got on there the tide was dropping and many had departed, either for the west or home so getting a decent feel for what was going on was harder but the warden John did say things were very quiet and bar a few early squid he hadnt seen much of anything caught. There was a similar tale all along the wall from the ew that were there until I got to about bay 29 were a group o 3-4 lads were suddenly into a ew mackerel. One or two people moved down too the bend too take advantage of the flurry of fish but things were seriously quiet as I went up the wall too meet John H who was packing up, after a brief chat he said he may stop on the bend & see if he could pick up a few prior too heading home.
I turned the quad around and trundled back down the wall too see the lads were still getting some fish here n there. And with that I was off over too the WEST.

On the west while checking , most people had what they needed and I parked the scooter up, sold a few more bits and decided too have a dabble with the rod half heartedly mostly too kill a bit of time while the scooter continued too charge back up before running it up mount manor hill. There were a number o squid coming out as the light dropped and I gather again bream and plaice were being caught. Strangely I didn’t hear of any mackerel (should have guessed I wouldnt) but also this weekend with the WEST open I haven’t heard of any horse mackerel catches, they may well be there but I simply haven’t been told of them. and that was it for the night.

Now comes the bad news as literally as I type this up….
Mark has just informed my that the
WEST WALL IS NOW CLOSED
the builders have returned , it seems they now have more work too do over there and the work hadn’t been signed off and so Im afraid too say the WEST is SHUT until further notice. No further info available atm

No report tomorrow as I wont be on the wall today. !
and with that I will sign off until the next one and bid you all ADIEU

a,k,a, The Saga of The WEST…………..

WEST wall info only, scroll down too red highlighted section

Well it is I guess happy Saturday tho yesterday was mixed blessings (bet u want too know about the west!) well for regular readers here they already know whats happening, for the new visitors because of the west ya gonna have too just wade through the waffling bullshine that I type🤣🤣 because my typing doesnt quite read like normal peoples. Yup you get my weird brain process that literally works as I type. Ramblin’ Rose aint got nothing on me (one for the oldies like me.)
Anyhooo Friday started with a phone call from Mark as a few have done this week saying that the workmen had finished and been told too leave all the fencing up on the west due too the bloody awful condition on it and that he was going too have a serious chat with “DER MANAG-MENT”(if u know u know), more on that call in a few waffles time, although I did get a second call not too long later that I shall for now like yesterday mostly keep too myself for now.

And thus I got the quad ready too roll down onto the east with some frozen bait and other bits and rolled the quad out (bloody troublesome thing) and down Manor hill towards the west oops the EAST wall as per usual. As we get deeper into the Autumn I am and will continue too roll out a bit earlier and look too get onto the wall after the shop has shut somewhen close to 4pm ish with frozen baits and Black if I can get it plus a few other bits.
If anyone wants anything while on the wall the wardens do have my number so please ask them too let me know what you need as I can put a bit extra on the quad and bring down at the usual time but
PLEASE NOTE
I dont run a delivery service as such and nor will I do drops when the shop is open. I see it as a way for anglers too get what they need when the shop is closed without having too travel out of the marina and usually I do the one run in the late afternoon. (more on how & when later).

And so having been pre informed that one angler had “had it away” with squid on the morning tide I was met by the cafe by their 2 crazy dogs and I suspect they will be stuck in my head known as in the older kids cartoon “TWO STUPID DOGS” while not stupid they do go a bit potty when they clock sight of me due too the dog biscuits I keep in my pocket. At this point I will (waffle a bit more) say, if you carry treats for any other dogs that are not yours, please, please always ask the owner if it is ok too give them some nibbles ( I carry dog biscuits rather than treats)as you never know if the dog is on a special diet and importantly for you, IS the dog friendly !

Thus, 2 stupid dogs spoilt I rolled onto the wall . The 1st lad & his dad I met were squid hunting and the lad informed me he had not long arrived and literally just dropped a squid, decent news as the tide was fast dropping. by bays 11/12 another regular whose name I should remember but cant(my brain can b frustrating) was pulling out his 2nd or 3rd squid as I stopped for a gab and gave him the news I had regarding the west wall. YES I’m teasing you, more re the wall in a bit (not long now folks honest)

Following on to bay 14 ish I saw the best garfish i’d seen this year with a very healthy length and body size folded over in a bucket and perhaps 20 inches in length. Further on into the bend properly it was clear that things were slow (were are all the mackerel?)although there were garfish scattered all along the wall many were small and one or two ppl I had a chat with and reminding them that gar have a min size of 38cm which is almost the length of 2 mackerel! Catches were few and far between although by time I reached the steps at 29 Id seen a ew gar, perhaps 5-6 mackerel and 5-6squid, 4 of which were landed as I was passing so very good signs for the comp on the 18th,yes next Saturday.

Now, as I trundled upto bay 29 Mark caught me up on his turbo bike and gave me an upto date on what was going on with the WEST WALL so I will now take a rewind too that 1st phone call yesterday morning.(major wale but also info follows)
I was already aware of the state of the WEST. Heavy algae on the entire lower level, some fixable pot holes on the upper and loads of sand(i guess left spills from the workmen over the weeks) As too holes on the lower well the worst was at 16 and less a hole more a bloody great crack. Its a shame tbh as the work crews fixes some damages but left others, maybe not wanting too venture too much on the lower levels as when damp they can be like ice rings…. bloody slippery.
In the toilet block debris from junkies had too be cleared (yep fences constantly cut on the west during work) and the wall linings in the toilet had much o it peeling away. Part vandalism and part due too the toilet side has no main door leaving the place fully open too the elements.
For those that remember the toilet block has 2 steps too enter and the lower step has now gone, perhaps deliberately removed by work crews for a wider access onto the extension for cranes. Im please too say the wall overlooking the extension had been rebuilt as it was also removed so a ramp could be build for cranes onto the extension. Unfortunately we have no safe access onto the extension as the steps down are smashed. Remember the “CAGE” that separated the toilet block from the wall ? well that was removed again for access and somewhen during one of the storm the actual gate was lost over the side so we have had too hence that off.

So, that 1st call was from as said Mark too inform me that the workmen who were finishing off had been told by marina management ( yes “DER-MANAGEMENT” hale & pace) too leave all the fences in place. Mark wasnt happy as had need of the wall open if at all possible and i fenced off had no way too prepare it. Hence I had been awaiting the 2nd call from Mark for any outcome of him discussing plans with (yup) “DER-MANAGEMENT”
And thus we get too the 2nd call after Marks “meet” the outcome of wich was Mark had indeed got access too the west and was with help working furiously on the west wall too try and get it into some sort of shape and too try if possible

OPEN the WEST wall in some manner.

So started some amazing work cleaning up the toilet block for use fencing off areas and putting up barriers and finally that was when Mark arrived on the EAST too tell me that he would indeed
OPEN THE WEST for night fishing last night.
TODAY the WEST will again OPEN at 6pm allowing further work on the west to continue.

IMPORTANT, once OPEN the WEST will remain open 24/7 while the decent weather holds. Needless too say any wet weather/ frost or excess water getting onto the WEST WILL CLOSE it straight away as it has not been jetwashed. Users are advised that the wall when wet WILL be slippery so please keep the buckets off water as few spills as you can or you will be ice skating rather than fishing.
While the west may look like its been hit by an earthquake and tsunami MARK ROBINSON has done a bloody amazing job first getting access and then getting it in some level of condition too open.
Anglers are reminded that night lights on the west should be blue headlamps , small white lights may be used on the back too access tackle kits etc, and lights in the water should also be blue. The wardens do have gear too cover lights if ppl dont have so please ask duty wardens too sort for you.

Back over too the east and bay 29 upwards a vary familiar story for this year continued. Conditions were dull & overcast with the sea flat calm. OH and I forgot too mention, below 29 that once or twice bay catch of Gurnard, well, Im gonna call it Bernard, but yup, another Bernard the Gurnard was again caught on the same bay as the previous 5 days …. spooky.
Trundling up towards the rocks I was stopped by Vellen and his mate who wanted a couple of squid jigs and a #2 or #4 1up 1down rig which was dully supplied and on I ventured towards 55-60 which had a few familiar Faces and regular squider James. They between them had managed 4-5 squid fairly close too my time of arrival and I believe one of the squid was picked up by accident as a bottom rig was retrieved ! go figure, weird things happening on the wall.

Bay 60 were the last bods on the wall so I turned the quad around and started heading for the café and off over too the west too try & get the lipping thing charged being as it looses charge so fast.

Part way down I was stopped by Vellen with a simple comment of, “that rig you sorted me with” and me thinking oh no wt happened as Vellen then pointed and said, “I just caught that”. Now to say my ghast was flabbered may just be an understatement and while yes the fish pic was taken by what I call “sussex arms” (yes there a copy over there) it defo was quite a surprise. (pic at bottom of page) I had only been away from their bay 15 mins so I was very plesantly surprised . News spread fast of the cod and quite a few were asking too see the pic that was posted too the marina group. and lower down here.

And thus I trundled of the east and headed too the WEST too see i Mark wanted a hand with anything and importantly recharge the scooter which is it seems wearing out fast. and so onto the west and set the scooter up too charge and realised I had no extension lead with me (Sht nooo) then remembered there was one in the lock up store went hunting only too find the bloody thing busted with broken pins . Almost as if a lorry had run over it. Bee-locks!
Pub it would have too be so rolled around too the Mariners who are happy for me too plug in while I have a beer. I couldnt stay too long as someone was going too be dropping some worm off at my place somewhen abouts 7pm!.
Stayed for one and got ready too head home. BIG bloody mistake, I shoulda stayed for 2 as the quad needed a longer charge and by time I got past asda and then up & out of the marina I realised I had cocked up and th charge would most likely not get me and my fat arse home especially up manor hill ! FOOOOK
Well yep the motor was struggling on low charge and over heating kills a lot of its OOMPFHHH so sat at the bottom of the hill for a few mins too cool it down a bit & attempted the hill, I got a third o the way, turned it of again and phoned the wife for help. She is lighter than me & if I carried the bait box we should get the bloody wheels up the hill. The walking nr killed me ! but did finally get it home and into the shed on charge as I collapsed knackered.

At about 7.30 my m8 phoned saying he was on his way but heavy traffic as had been an accident but he had managed to get me 300 very very nice fresh yesterday dug black. So as per I will be on the wall later with frozen squid, mackerel and some fresh juicy black.
Today I can at least spend a bit of time on the west parked up charging so I can actually get home without a knackering walk up hill.

WEST WALL opens at 5pm tonight
Blue lights in force as before and underwater lights need too be blue also, if you are there by 6ish I will see you later.
And with that, the
SAGA OF THE WEST
comes too an end and I will as usual sign off until the next one I will as per bid you all ADIEU
F

P.S.
That piccy … aka unicorn

Yes, I admit it I like the old tv advert. For those feeling like WTF does that mean, google is your friend. “google” what is crunchie day 🤣
Anyhoo, no further advance on news of the west as it seems the builders have been asked too leave the fencing in place as they finish up thus preventing anyone getting up there too even do running repairs (which is bloody disappointing ) BUTTTTTTT let it not be said there isnt or wasnt a plan. Mark has had a chat with marina management and a plan is being put together..so…

THERE COULD be some good news fairly quickly with perhaps an
ANNOUNCEMENT sometime between now and monday/ I would say watch this space but depending on time and day the announcement is likely too go onto facebook first then then perhaps the homepage b4 posting here but

MARK is working very hard on getting the WEST in shape for opening to allow night fishing asap



Yes the damage isnt great and there are issues with the toilet block having been open too the elements but I suspect a chunk of it could be papered over so to speak and get us a temp fisk so Mark will be making enquiries as the day & weekend continues.

On the fishing ront, the EAST will again be open until 10pm tonight, the decision re when it will open late is being made day too day simply because now we are firmly into the Autumn conditions sometimes can change rapidly so better too make a day by day call. A hint as too will it be open depend on
Trade, if a low tide between 9pm & midnight will ppl want too fish and Autumn low tide and
weather, is it dry and frost free, we do have an algae build slowly on the wall so any dampness means reducing the open section of the wall and constant monitoring (harder too do i dark).

There ya go, the 2 main factors for Mark too consider opening.

On the fishy front we have had a couple of quite disappointing days especially after Tuesdays promising day of mackerel being caught(all be it slowly) through most of the day. Yes there were mackerel but so ew you would hardly have noticed them being caught. While there yesterday there were perhaps 20 mackies caught along the entire wall. The better number were caught below bay 30 and above 30 most of the catches were flat fish, mostly plaice but I swear I saw a flounder high on the wall also.
Weirdly I suspect we have a serial biting Gurnard as the same bay has seen one caught every day of the week so far! I wonder if its the same fish that has got a taste for peoples bait! v creepy. Another gurnard was caught higher, nothing special ppl may say but it is always nice too see these fish with their bright colours showing. Mixed catches for the regulars fishing up on the 55-60 bays and a few mentioning plans too sat and have a go for squid later as the light would fade.
I don’t know i any or how many were caught last night but id be surprised if they didnt come out too play as the light went as they have been doing so all week . Also from one of the posts this morning on the east I see that quite a few squid had been caught this morning with one angler posting a piccy of 20 squid caught this morning.
Thats it for today, keep an eye out and an ear for news of the west as it may happened this weekend !
Thats it, so until the next one I will bid you all ADIEU
F

Well not quite but I can confirm that Dave Grinham was on the east wall yesterday and actually had a rod in his hand that wasnt the end of a jet washer ! almost as shocking was that he wasn’t fishing for bass(unless he has changed methods) and actually had feather on the end of his line ! not that it did him any good.
Much too most peoples dismay the mackies decided yet again too have a flippin day off. On a serious note though, I must admit it is always good too see him on the wall fishing or not 🤣

Now, while I painted a fairly gloomy picture yesterday regarding the WEST WALL, Mark & Dave plan too have a proper looksee tomorrow over there and asses what can or cant possibly done to get perhaps some of the wall open. As with anything of this nature promises cant be made even though we all want the wall open and available too use we are always limited by safety and insurance protocols but….. as Mrs Connery once put it too her then husband and spawning the title of a bond film… Never say Never ..again 👀

Now I bet there are now some out there reading this thinking “offs he’s off on one of his bloody rambles again” go on admit it🤣🤣

If the truth be known you just about already had it if you read back a bit but I will now add some detail before you all change channel and listen too the BBC and no it don’t stand for Big B**** erm male chicken 😉

And so ladies and gentlemen and members of the coe-miteeeeeeeee I have a story for you all.
Yesterday I again got the quad out of the shed, this time a tad earlier being as jnr had had a dabble on the wall yesterday morning & told me Dave was down there (he had told me he would be the day b4) For a change I had some music playing on the phone too, just too annoy people a little. Had a chat with the cafe dude and rolled onto the wall as said a bit earlier than usual too find the first few bays empty upto bay 12!
This was unexpected as Id figured there would be more down there due too the mackerel reports most of the day on Tuesday, but nope it was fairly quiet low down considering id posted that most of the fish that day were below 17, go figure.
Anyhoo as I got near the bend a few rods started too be visible and also a few of this years familiar faces(im starting too recognise a few that are new too me) and plenty of rods on the wall bend proper. I rapidly got told there were almost no mackerel about and only a couple caught, a bit strange as there were quite a few needle thin garfish coming out and a quick plug for the website size regs page, regarding small fish.
go on, click the link 😉 https://thetackleboxbrighton.com/size-regs/
Folks, please, if a fish doesnt look big enough too make a meal and you plan too keep it please check the size regs first, many of the gars and plaice currently being caught are undersized and should be returned.
Minimum size for Garfish is 38cm, almost double that of mackerel and plaice is 27cm
lastly on this if they are too small please return them as carefully as you can. lets face it no one likes being told by a warden that their catch is too small and if we are asking you to return it , yup, others notice “you got told” so please make the wardens job just a little easier and if it isn’t big enough too make a meal, why keep it ?, take a pic pop it back please.

and so, back 🎼 up around the bend🎼 on the wall and the many rods the catch reports so far went, a few tiny Garfish, 2-3 mackerel, a few plaice about the size of my hands aaaannnndddddd another gurnard. Not sure why I seem too being Gurnards every day but I will admit that I think they are a great fish too look at when in full colour and even better when they are large enough, they make fantastic eating.
Up and past to 29/30 and there were quite a few very familiar faces and regulars with Miraj so I stopped and had a decent chat and another look at the drop nets he has in development one a triangular drop net that unclips too fold into a tubular bag looks the business and hopefully he can get them into production after a bit more testing. More on that one when I get the info for it.

By bay 40 the bulk of catches on the straight section from 20-40 were mostly small plaice, a couple of mackerel and im told by Nick Hunter that 3 decent shad were also caught then released. beyond 40 there were only a few and 3 lads informed me they had had up until then 5 species of hound pup, Gurnard(again!) garfish, and if my memory serves me right (apologies lads if i forgot) plaice and whiting.
Just leaving also was Angus and Richard who were able too confirm the cracking red mullet (a.k.a. goat fish) that weighed 1lb 9oz, I will when some spare time sort some pics from FB for the galleries but it may be a few day away.

If anyone missed the update on the home page, the east will again be open until 10pm and quite possibly tomorrow also but wont add it until mark has confirmed.
Finally being as the wall stayed open yesterday until 10pm , I can also confirm that some squid were had on the east last night.

Thats it folks, well until the next one, and other than a quick nod to the dude that spoke with me about how he enjoys the blogs and that they are quite varied with other info thrown in, Im v sorry but despite you having a name I didnt expect (and mentioned it) I am sorry but true too form I have forgotten your name. 🤦‍♂️And with that I am away from the KB, and so, until the next one I will bid you all ADIEU
F

Well, Mark managed too get a look at the WEST WALL this morning and it is not good news I am afraid too say.
The extension steps down are in need of repair and the extension itself is heavy with algae, probably more than expected considering the work that has been going on up there and likely too be out of use for some time.
The toilet block is in a sorry state due too probable combination of the elements, junkies and vandals with all of the special covering peeling away from the walls and internal damage. protective fencing that had been put up too stop people getting onto the wall while work was ongoing had been constantly cut by arseholes getting up too the toilet including some twats that have been getting up there fishing while it has been closed.
As too the main part of the wall.
While some repairs have been done and expected broken wires will be repaired there are chunks that are in need of sorting including a large cracked section at bay 16 and lots of “pot holes” along the wall on upper and lower levels. Both level will need jet washing too bring them up to safety standards with the lower level worse than the upper walkways.
And just too cap it all off (for fun) there will be the inevitable question of who foots the bill for what repairs so the WEST WON’T be opening anytime soon and unlikely this year.

On the fishy front. Yesterday when I got down onto the wall I was pleasantly surprised by the water state considering there was still a westerly breeze it was definitely UNDER the forecasted wind speed and the water colour was clearing very quickly and no doubt I will find it much clearer today when I get down there.

As mark posted yesterday on the FB group, there were mackerel being caught from mid morning and the numbers did increase over the high tide, something quite rare tbh this year! Now while I say the catches increased you couldnt see any shoals breaking the surface as in past years and although caught numbers were decent most that caught did do quite well.
The best bit o news though I guess is that for the few fishing yesterday the mackerel stayed and were still being caught at half 6 in the evening when I left.
In amongst the mackerel are loads of baby Gar with the occasional larger one. So please folks dont keep these little gars, unhook em and put them back (unless you intend too use one as bait /live bait straight away you are not allowed too keep a couple claiming they are for live baits, rules say you can retain one at a time for live baiting on any species not protected.

As well as mackerel & gar there were some congers and again Gurnards being caught, I didnt see or hear of any bass but then the few there fishing were mostly chucking the feathers out and being as mackerel have been like rocking horse poo this year I decided I would stop up by Chris who was fishing @ bay 27 and chuck out some feathers also and have a chat at the same time.

It became clear quite quickly that the mackerel were by 5pm mostly clustered below or on the bend and so I took the quad and rod down a dozen bays and set up on 17 for a fling. It soon became clear that I was still too high and the dude too my right has only caught a half dozen in the hour or so I had been actually on the wall but I figured I may as well stay put and not be “THAT DUDE” that keeps swapping bays while chasing shoals up & down the wall.
One thing I rapidly learnt was that my body is no longer suited too fishing for mackerel and my rib cage rapidly was telling me how much it hates sideways movement such as needed with mackereling but I persevered a while longer. Needless too say of me sticking with bay 17 I realised quickly that 1/ I should have moved down the wall and 2/ my body doesnt like the movement that I was doing with the rod! I did catch a couple o fish that were added too the one that Chris gave me but I quickly reached the point that I had too stop what I was doing as I doubt any level of pain meds would solve the level of rib pain I was getting so the rod was stowed on the scooter and I trundled of the wall about 6.30pm with mackerel still being caught on the lower 15 bays as the tide hit a very low point!

And with that I will close todays blog off and for those chasing the fish…. now is the time too do it while the fine weather holds for a week or so at least. so with a final comment of yes there are squid about and mark is opening until 10pm tonight I will sign off and until the next one I will bid you all ADIEU
F