Strangely sluggish, that is about the best description I can give on the last few days hence no glowing reports of a fish deluge on the marina. Needless too say there are factors that add too the why other than the often heard comments of “no fish boss, no fish” 🙂
Since the easterly winds that were freezing the bits of brass moneys died 10 days ago we seeming overnight got swamped by may rot. It was almost as if some giant wandered passed the marina and dumped this weird clump of snot all around both walls and there it has stayed firmly glued too the walls. The result is a somewhat strange glowing green that occasionally lets you see the bottom and fools you into thinking the water is nice and clear, dont be fooled, the fish have no love of it.
The algae bloom clogs the fishes gills and de-oxygenates the water so the fish either avoid it, or swim under it as some have found out by fishing hard on the bottom over on the east wall where the sandy bottom is more forgiving than the rocky west wall.
Now add the heat of the day too the state of the algae bloom and you may realise that fishing the shore is going too be somewhat harder than the people fortunate too have access too a boat of some form and able too find clearer marks to go fishing, not that the boat crews have had it all easy as things offshore have not all been honey and roses for them either. The mini heatwave as some forecasters put it does seem too create its own torpor and much hike how many people and pets wilt in the heat it seems the fish seem to react in a similar manner and its almost as if they are also avoiding spending too much time in the sun… or at least head too some deeper water and are far less active during the days heat.. May rot, crazy hot and bright sun and I really do feel that the fishing in general on the walls has declined slowly over the years all seem too create a period in may of very often poor fishing making things very tough for everyone.
Combine all of that with current financial issues and fuel prices plus the social media effect where people decide where to go based on fishing reports or where not too go and suddenly no one is going fishing “COZ it aint worf it” and the world waits for news of ” any mackerel, are they in yet ” and suddenly venues are quieter and the reports get less and less.
And then we all wait… n wait… n wait… n wait…. until someone thinks to themselves , fook ! I aint gone fishin 4 ages ! sod it lets go. The weird thing is that they have then forgotten why they hadn’t gone fishing for a few weeks and its almost like some sudden moment of inspiration and can’t get out of the door with a rod fast enough. Funny thing is , you can also spot them arriving on the wall as the have come loaded for BEAR with a trolley, parasol, 20 gallon container of water, 12 rods 4 tackleboxes a gas burner too cook the fish and 1 sandwich just in case ! So, who reading the last 2 lines just noticed themselves 😂😂😂😂
Now
The above may sound a bit grim but it isn’t all doom n gloom, It aint wonderful and I could big the reports well up, granted not as well as Scottish Eddie in the shop could (boy is he missed, the grumpy old sod could spin a yarn but knew his fishing shit) but believe it or not there are some fish being caught.
While we have been hammered by the sun, it seems the “long hazy days of summer” jumped in a bit early the fishing has changed a bit with the conditions (sorta makes sense eh) the early mornings, yea that god awful time of six am ish is doing ok. Granted reports can also be tidal (work that one out) but there have been frequent catches of bass on both walls both too lures and baits mostly running in the range of 3-6lb ish likewise bream have ticked over in what I would say were the most common spots they are found on the walls. I will add at this point it may be worth reading the 2 wall guides on this site as it should give you an idea of what I mean by the most common spots for bream 🙂
Some of the Bream catches have been quite decent and over the last week some anglers have sown myself or MARK their catches as they were leaving. There are still plaice out there, often hard on the bottom and I’d venture too say mostly on or over sand so for the best chance of a plaice… go east.
It seems that this year like last year in May we have seen a slow increase (catches and sizes) of smooth hounds. The bulk have been pups but one or two have been better than the norm for the marina in recent years. likewise some of the local beaches are also having a decent amount caught, granted the bulk have been too night anglers.
The marina walls do have a group of regular anglers that target mullet, (mullet Dave & Roy the obvious thought) and the bulk of them fish in the mornings, as a result I havnt had much chance too catch up on any catch info and am as I type making a mental not too find out and het an idea how that side of things are atm.
For the average angler looking for “anything” or a species count the east arm is usually the best bet at any time of year and when conditions are like they are now it would likely as not pay off too think ahead about what you want too catch & what you are likely too catch, a sort of plan ahead and prepare if im being truthful. It isnt easy out there atm so put a little thought into species targets, where they may be, tide conditions, rig types and hook sizes. lets face it if you want a plaice a 2/0 pennel isn’t the way to go. Likewise a 2 hook flapper is more likely too get you a bream/Wrasse somewhere off the bottom where rigs for flatties are usually set on the bottom. Fish mouths vs hook sizes should be thought about also. I am not trying too teach anyone how too fish, Ive more skill in pulling a blank than catching a fish but for beginners there are ways too improve your chances that a little thought and planning can help with. Of course a fish has to be there too be caught and that little bit of info I cant really help anyone with, but a little planning can often be the difference between a blank session and something on the hook other than bait.
So, any other fish ? some, but much in the way of bits n bobs. There have been occasional catches of a mackerel or two, one was landed in front of me the other day (scroll the blogs back a few days) there also have been a few flounder, not heard of any gurnards this week nor gar fish but some anglers are mentioning strange bites that are not crabs messing with lines and generally thought too be pouting or some other tiddlers such as scorpion fish/blennys n such.
Night fishing reports have been very thin on the ground as once the light has gone the bulk of people on the wall have packed for home with very few staying as late as midnight when the walls have been opened for night fishing. I had a very short dabble yesterday evening , 40 mins or so on the west, granted I was mostly chatting but as the sun went down a bit there were a few nibbles and the dude fishing in the corner by the toilet block seemed too be getting a steady tick over of what looked like small bream and pouting coming in to feed as the sun neared setting.
Things seem a little cooler today and a little overcast making the air feel a bit muggy and Saturday forecast looks too be mixed sun and overcast with temps about 24/25c late afternoon. The weekend into Tues early look decent and v warm and then we have a change as we start too get a blow arrive bringing showers. Wed Thurs as the home page indicates it looks like a probable close on the west and possibly on the east also so please keep an eye of updates. Friday seems too show a day of settling down and the big ask in my head is will it disrupt the may rot… oh please be the case !
on that final note of hope I will sign off and so, until the next shaggy dog story comes around I will bid you all ADIEU
F
Category: Uncategorized
I will get too the title fairly quickly but first an update that some would say wasnt really an update on how things went yesterday.
it seems that there was a flurry of bass activity in the morning prior too the sun getting fully up and roasting the nuts of peanut tree’s but come 9am things were already going quiet.
the 2 main reasons for this I suspect it the large percentage of anglers feathering and the heavy may rot that is now colouring the water a sort of fluorescent pale or lime green. It has a lovely glow and that is about all thats good I can say of may rot.
What is may rot ?
its an algae much like you see in spring time ponds. It forms as sea temps rise from its winter cold too summer levels (cant recal the temp numbers ) anyhoo, this stuff start too form almost like a jell in the water at a specific warmth of water. Fish tank owners may see it in aquariums kept in direct sunlight.
Now the fish will avoid may rot as it take the oxygen out of the water and clogs the gills of fish as such suffocating them and so the will either avoid or swim under in general where possible.
What does this mean for the casual angler, simple. Close inshore where the water is shallow algae can form 10-20 foot deep meaning the fish are either down on the bottom or.. avoiding the shallower water when not feeding. Lobbing out mackerel gear will result in many many blanks.
On the east wall this is less of an issue as you can easily drop rigs too the bottom and target what is over the sandy areas, far less so on the west that for many is a huge mess of rocky bottom and brutal granite.
Yes fish are caught on the west. it does well for bream and bass in particular especially when they are out feeding now, factor in the hot weather and very bright sunlight & you may notice the fish are heading too deeper water during the bright hot daytime especially where the may rot is entranced which often results in long hot days on the wall with seemingly few fish after the sun is fully up. Early mornings, cooler evenings certain tides are all another matter but, right now the fishing reports are a bit thin on the ground for the times I am visiting the marina . Im aware quite a few bass were had as I said yesterday morning and I also saw some caught early evening on the west with a nice plump one that was measured at 48cm about 7pm.
Now to the careless bit.
Brighton marina take a dim view of anglers fishing where they shouldn’t. IE inside the harbour. For obvious reasons(you would think) any lost tackle, dead lines, snap offs with leads attached can easily be picked up by boats returning into the harbour. Can you imagine how much damaged a 3 or 4oz lead with 10 metre’s of line could and can do too a boat propeller ?
Its one of the biggest reasons people are kicked off the marina walls, 2 were removed yesterday fishing from the west into the harbour with feathers, and another 2 kayak anglers IMO were super careless actually taking their kayacks into the entrance with the east wall too their backs casting lures into the main channel, their target , a breeding shoal of bass & mullet that would have had more juveniles and undersized fish in it than adults.
perhaps they may say they put small ones back but the odds there of getting small bass is probably higher than a decent one but ffs why put yourself at risk by sitting on a little pedlo kayak where some large boats are coming in and out.. an easy mark for bow waves… super flippin CARELESS GUYS.
hardly a shock that the marina gets pissed off at anglers breaking rules and fishing inside is it.. all that will happen is the behaved anglers will lose a decent fishing venue because of people that think basic rules dont apply too them.
Anyhoo, all I saw yesterday or hear of were bass, quite possible there were plaice n bream but I wasnt aware of any at time of typing.
And so, until the next one I bid you all ADIEU
F
yea yea yea(no beetles were harmed), ALL MY OWN FAULT AND SELF INFLICTED. or so the wife says!. Up early yesterday, body heat and a panting hound at home wanting out ! oh joy so by my standards , up with the lark (ya know before 9.30am 🙂 ) pottered about n got ready for last home game /last game of the season at the amex with Brighton having a fairly decent chance at Euro footy next season if results went their way.
Well, with the results BTN scraped 8th and a spot in the euro conference league next season while man u actually looked good bopping in 3 while BTN failed too score, barely had any shots yet alone on target and probably played their second worst home game I have seen in a couple of years, OMG what a lack lustre shit show A toothless starting line up followed by well over late substitutions that were no better than the planks coming off the pitch.. still man u fans should be happy, Brighton made em look somewhat decent while underperforming themselves.
And so, having bellowed my lungs out cussing just about every villain on the pitch (yep ref included) we headed home knackered from the heat and frustrated at the way the game went but with the crap came a glimmer of light with the euro qualification… sadly Spurs managed too survive and escaped relegation also, thus even them failed too put a shine on the footy day !.
Any hoo, was home by 7pm and was still very warm out and heard a whisper that the walls were still busy so figured get the quad out and head down onto the walls and perhaps cool the head if not the body off. Now at this point I will give u all a heads up,if you are here for a catch report, scroll down until ya reach the line that says , “until the next one I will bid you all” coz as far as fish are concerned I dont have a lot to say today!(other than waffle).
Quad out, pointed down the hill and enjoyed the feel of cooler air on my face as I rolled down the hill onto the west which was quite busy, part daytime ppl still there and part quite a lot arriving for an evening/night session as things tried too cool down. Loads of chats, some advice asked for etc, standard gossip for me but I failed too hear of any catches and the night dude hadnt been there very long so was no wiser than me.. I did take a short trip over too the east but again a similar story of no catches but many I spoke too had been fairly recent arrived and so again I failed too get any info other that a repeated comment of ” bloody crabs” so it was a fairly short run about. Back on the west more arrivals were keeping the night dude Ali so about half 8, checked in with MARK and offered too shut the east down as I was already on the marina, offer was well received n so back over I went too wind things down and get the gate shut for 9pm prior too the light going.
Now I do get how people like too fish in the late evening but is important we get the walls closed at the appropriate times. Our agreement with the marina and its resident is that we have the wall closed by nine pm so please note, 9pm isn’t the time too pack up, 8.30 is better as you need too be off the wall by 9, so please help us , please pack in plenty of time too get off the wall with any litter you have. It helps us comply with marina conditions and does benefit anglers in having access too the east wall longer if any “special events” can be arranged.
TY
Once east was locked down a fairly shore roll back onto the west for a while as the light finally was fading. A quick check around and a check in with Ali and headed for home close too 10pm. Was, by my standards a heck of a long day too then be woken this morning by some very noisy bin men doing the rounds at 8this morning. Nope Iwouldnt want that job hauling bins on a bank holiday morning that was already heating up.
This heat may be nice but boy is it knackering.
I will finish with a word of safety re the heat out there.
if ya planning a visit too the marina or anywhere else out in the sun and haven’t already brought extra water water with you, please please find somewhere too top up its gonna be an absolute body burner out on the concrete with nowhere too hide on the east wall and very minimal shade on the west. Enjoy the weather but please stay safe.
And thus we get too the last line for today and until the next one I will big you all ADIEU
F
Well, not quite all but yesterday was a bit odd for some especially if you look at the who picture or happen too be one dude on the wall and yes he reads here , yes he knows who he is, and erm yes I cant recal his name but he is a bit camera shy, I know this as I have proof ! scroll down if you cant be arsed too read todays waffle.
So, too Saturday on the walls. Now you may recal my saying it would be a bum burner (using different words but..) well it was. you may also recal I mentioned the lack of breeze here and was very promptly told it wasnt the case in London nor erm that once sleepy town of Haywards Heath .
Well to be fair , this is Brighton or more precisely Brighton Marina which does have a way of doing weather somewhat differently too the rest off Sussex ! Indeed Ive seen a pea Souper of a fog sat over the Marina while the rest of the nation has glorious sunshine. So much so that you could walk through fog on the west wall and out onto the extension just like a cartoon step through an imaginary door out of the fog into brilliant sunshine quite weird and creepy especially when in the fog there isn’t a sound , through that door a world of summer noise, trust me you have too see it too fully appreciate the weirdness of it.
Too be fair though after the blog went up it was a while before I loaded up the quad and headed down manor hill too collect some bits from the west wall. Conditions ,? yea a faint breeze but lacking any tree movement. the water though was much like Thursday and fairly obvious that may rot had entrenched itself on both sides of the marina.. oh joy the fishing is gonna be tough in the full heat of day.
Well, in spite of conditions most anglers seemed in fairly decent spirits, for many there was a lack of fish or an occasional one being pulled up by someone else with much of the days catches being returned as generally undersized.
I will add here that for those that know me they will be aware I am a bit of a stickler for maintaining fish sizes and do often try too impress this on others using the marina, lets face it., while its great too catch Id rather see someone take a pic and return undersized fish and in many ways its good management and ya never know the returns may one day get too be a decent catch for someone.
Now, while out if fishing myself my personal keep sizes do tend too be a bit more than what is considered legal & acceptable sizes so probably more of my caught fish go back than what many would keep but that is my choice and personal standard & I will admit if its legal sometimes I offer fish caught too others who are ok with that smaller specimen.
At this point I will admit too making an error yesterday with was actually resolved after a quick size check on the website here. YES there is a page of fish sizes so please guys take a look from time too time. On the west yesterday I watched a small (my view) starry hound come up and the dude that caught it was just about to knock it on the head when I called a stop and questioned why he was killing a fish that can grow too 7-8foot I believe. As said I referred too the size page here and realised I was wrong and it was genuinely in size corrected myself and apologised for calling a halt too his afternoon. personally keeping sharks isnt my sort of thing and if was I defo would want them bigger than the one that was caught (bass size) but again, thats my mind set and the angler did say he would be eating it.. each too their own I guess.
So, how was the rest of the west doing for fish ? somewhat like a foxtrot tbh. meaning, slow, slow, not quick quick but slow. Yes there were fish, but the bulk of catches on the west did seem earlier in the day (bar the occasional find like the hound) and not in the full heat of the day.
Any hoo, loaded the trailer on the quad and headed over to the east with the intent on a proper look at the west later.
yes, the cafe was open, yes I remembered the dog biscuits in my pocket and yes the 2 cafe hounds spotted me quickly and promptly ignored those petting them and bee lined towards me and more precisely the pocket with the food! these 2 aint daft thats for sure. Thus a short stop by the cafe, a chat and owners permission too give both a biccy .. or two. I think he has given up asking me not too feed them as they do attach too whats in my pocket and too be fair I do ask him if ok and now do limit how many the dogs get each.
Please please please, if you or a child is near a dog, check with the owner that an approach is ok and safe heat like this weekend can make people grumpy, dogs are much the same and can stress easily in the head. Likewise too anglers and walkers alike on the marina, dogs are welcome on the wall and should be on a lead but most importantly , on the east there isnt any shade and dogs will suffer probably more than us pink skinned white people, trust me on this some of the pink skin yesterday was looking very red so have a though if you have a dog. the flooring will be hot on their paws and the poor buggers have fur coats on… please carry extra fluid for the pets and if fishing a brolly or some form of shade protection. The west is a little more protected in the afternoon as the sun travels east there is some shade from the front of the wall for pets and small children. The toilet block s a sink and cold tap. If anyone is using this for watering pets please let it run for a couple of mins. The water is fed by a pipe the full length of the wall so can get warmed in the summer.
I realise the above is a bit of a long yarn and may sound like im preaching pet care, that isnt the intent but occasionally a reminder nudge is useful too remind people of simple health care out in the sunshine.
Well, onto the east and ya may wonder if there were any fish.. I met regular John H and Mike coming off the wall basically saying it was erm naff up on the high bays and another regular (Roy) said much the same was his day. As said too john I suspect the factors of heat, tide state and heavy may rot probably the biggest factors and perhaps there would be some improvement as the heat dropped after 6ish.
Lots of head shakes on the east when I went up but there was some chatter of a few fish, mostly plaice and a dab or two indicating some activity on the bottom although when I went up late afternoon many were feathering in the hope I guess of mackerel.
Thus I arrived at bay 40 something and a chat with a familiar face whose name I cant remember but always seems too be cheerful and chatty. So during a general chat about life n fishing etc he ws saying how he had seen a few small plaice come up but all returned. I think he had caught a couple himself but at the time I passed he was feathering.
Now, with may rot the fish tend too either avoid it (it clogs up the fishes gills and de oxygenates the water so I suggested he lets his weight go deep and try a very slow retrieve and twitch the line occasionally. well , guess what, that 1st cast was enough too hook into something and the dude seemed gobsmacked. It seem so often I come up the wall chatting too people that fish somehow do the miracle thing (or stoopid thing) & Ive often joked that the fish follow me up the wall. Anyhoo he is convinced its me and yup he was grinning as he reeled a mackerel in off the bottom. Proof,? of the fish or that he is camera shy.. well scroll down coz this piccy was his request of , please dont id me 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
On moving on I did let a few other know that they should try nearer the bottom and yes some had already realised there was an occasional fish down there. Species on the east yesterday included, bass, plaice, dab, mackerel and small hounds scattered through the day but generally slow going but again I suspect many didnt mind that as the weather was plying ball and most enjoyed being out in the sun.
Back on the west there had been a fish caught here n there. I suspect the best of the day had been before the high too bait users on the extension and quite a few decent bream had been caught although one regular unusually had struggled too catch (jerry) and had been bait fishing rather than his recent squid n cuttle targeting. One bass was had that went 58cm among a few others, most caught and kept were bream as said the best of it on the end. Hound pups do seem on the increase and at time of typing a decent one was caught on the east this morning (early) there were mackerel caught but all were singles on feathers without any clusters made for tough going with feathers in the heat.
The other thing of note was the spider crabs, both walls are seeing them now and in increasing numbers. I swear the buggers are on the bottom with knives and scissors cutting lines and grabbing baits.
Again its gonna be hot and very dry out there so please come prepared too bake in the sunshine. heavy sunburns though are no fun so please prepare.
Thats it from me for today.. Brighton’s amex i am bound for the last day of the season so probably wont be down later on today.
Thats it, im done for the day bar the mackerel and the man with no name 😉 Until the next one then I will bid you all ADIEU
F
the fish with no name 😉
So, no run on the wall yesterday as the title suggests I skived off this time too do the music in East Brighton park. Now I say music very loosely but too be fair they were complimentary tickets for locals so a freeby, the music was mostly provided by some mob called Damage and another called JLS. Have too admit im too old too have heard of most nineties bands yet alone these as my taste in toons is another 20-30 years older than the nineties (yea u can work it out , go on try)
Still it was a cracking late afternoon/evening in the park with mrs P and a few cans taken in stashed in the bag on the back of the quad 😂😂😂😂 The venue cans were a tenner each so erm I guess I saved £150 at least 😂😂
So, just too make it worth reading today I guess I should add the same info here as posted too the book of face which goes just like this & not, just like that….. so hands up if your brain thought , Tommy Cooper😂😂
thus, from thy great book of face it goes like this…
morning all, weather looking stonking out there and next too no movement in the trees outside my window so those walls will act like a sun trap.
Please take plenty of sensible fluids with you and sun cream for those that need it (most if truthful)
temps are looking in the high 20’s !
TIDES TODAY
Low 11.20am High 17.27 (5.57m)
late tide low 123.55(1.87m)
SUNDAY tids
High 5.54 (5.2m)
Low 12.27 (1.78m)
Later high 18.41(5.42m)
so far weather dudes say gonna be hot and nice all week
Tight lines folks & enjoy the weekend
and with that I will sign off for the day and perhaps ask mark what was caught yesterday 😂😂. Thats it, honest,
No, there isn’t any more
honest, none
still here ?
why, its done
honest, thats it so yes I will bid you all ,
until the next time, from me, and from him… opps wring prog
na , seriously folks
until the next one, I bid you all
ADIEU
F
still here ? 😂😂😂😂
Afternoon world (at time of posting) Well, finally, the weatherman has decided it aint gonna pee down all weekend as is normal for a bank holiday so expect too bake out on the walls.. or in sensible talk pack sun cream for those that need it and make sure you have access too plenty of sensible fluids, you are defo gonna need it.
the weather is indicating a bit of a bum burner so please come prepared.
While on the subject of weather and bank hols mark has added tonight FRI, too the list of night sessions on the west so for this weekend the west is now open until 8 or 9pm on Monday. and the east will stay open until 9pm.
So, wtf is happening on the walls ? Now, at this point I would usually waffle about getting the quad out of its garage etc but instead will cut too the chase or cut too my arrival on the west wall for a quick look about and pick up a reel that I had left in the store and pointed the wheels at the EAST wall and rolled through the marina in the sunshine. So so nice that the weatherman is playing ball.
Anyhoo, the bell on the quad alerted the two hounds at the east cafe before I had even made the right turn in the east carpark with both heading towards me fully ignoring and surprising the people that had been petting them. These 2 dogs will do anything for a treat and probably the reason Mr cafe dude has put a sign on them saying please dont feed, don’t say I said this but he is a softie and if you ask him prior he will usually say yes too someone giving them a dog biscuit ;). ( Leticia, if you read this dont tell him ;))
So, having made a fuss of the dogs I rolled onto the EAST and immediately noticed the water colour ! oh dear !, a yellowish streak in the lime coloured water, granted the last few days haven’t been great and its been heavily stirred up but on the up side a bit further off shore the water is clearing quite nicely and looks very erm summery. Alas, there is a downer on the water starting too clear in that the may rot seemingly has arrived over night and was very visible in the water with the heaviest levels yesterday on the higher bays. I had expected more anglers on the wall yesterday but I guess there are still people that work mid week and are unable too just jog off and go fish!. . . and so, too what’s been caught.
Fairly tough going for those there unfortunately but hopefully most enjoyed the break fishing in the sunshine. Plaice, a dab here n there & no sign of Mr Usain Bolt! bass were caught but I didn’t get any details. Quite a few strap congers about still while the water is “off” colour and I gather some bream were had also but all in all hard work for many and fairly slim pickings. Quite a few familiar faces but tbh none that I could name with my shit memory and so turned the wheels about above bay 74 and headed off the wall back towards the west.
having reached the toilet block on the west it dawned on me that I hadn’t needed too pick up that reel I mentioned as I had always intended too do a run around the walls prior too having a dabble on the west Extension.
Tide was starting too drop by this time so set up the light rod on the 2nd full bay baited with squid and black, flicked the rod over the wall and plonked my butt on a chair, feet up on the wall and erm, propped the rod between my feet and chilled in the sun.
I’d love too say I caught a load of fish but, like many yesterday I can’t. I did catch but I don’t really think spider crabs count. YES the Fkn CRABS are in, I recon they brought the may rot with them. They seem too have again come in en mass on both walls. The bleeders seem everywhere much like the MAY ROT.
Ho hum, I cant say I saw much in the way of catches while I was there but was a pleasant few hours in the sun and made a change from wearing a jacket and hoody too keep warm!
I wont be on the wall today , likewise occupied on Sunday with the last home game of the season at the AMEX and so, until the next one of these , I will as usual bid you all ADIEU
F
Well yesterdays fishing was defo one of those days where the fishing was a game of two halves. By the time I had finished faffing about getting ready to leave the house while watching the 1st half of the Brighton vs Leeds game(dont ask) it was gone 4 when i rolled down the hill too see a fair few waves spouting up on the west and was getting somewhat lumpy quite quickly not just on the west but also over on the east the front end above 30 was getting dome fair sized smacks by the sea.
Overall numbers were thinning fast on both walls and tbh im surprised some were sticking it out on the extension.. until I closed that section down n moved the last three very wet souls back through too the main wall!.
needless too say as far as the west was concerned I was a bit TOO LATE to see any fish caught. after a quick look about on the west I headed over too the west where I saw birthday boy Tommy heading down the wall looking for a calmer spot on the wall as the wind, as said was also making the upper bays of the east wall somewhat unfishable and getting anglers very wet.
Now, at this point I’m gonna waffle a bit so some of you now know that usually they should skip further down the page.
I often say on the marina group and here that “It’s good too talk” If I didn’t the blog would be much thinner than it already is. Spending less time on the marina than I used too means I have too get catch info where I can and much of it comes from the obvious facebook posts but also by talking too anglers, regulars in particular often are happy too share up info and I also suspect they quite like too se me do a name drop here when I can remember someones name! yes I have a shocking memory for names & sometimes it can take an awful long tie too get a name too stick.
Anyhoo , after quite a long chat with Tommy & his mate I was aware of a few decent catches earlier on the upper sections of the east wall earlier in the day prior too the wind getting up and kyboshing the latter part of the afternoon for many. Tommy had had a fair number of plaice, a decent Wrasse(pictured) some pout and a first for him of a Flounder caught on a lure, yes flatties will take a lure :).
While chatting I also learnt that the morning had actually produced some fish for quite a few and not just on the higher bays, hmmm, ok thinks I, give mark a ring and keep an eye on the FB pages for catch news.
Well, It turns out that the fish had decided too play yesterday morning into the mid-day tide with bass and mackerel on the west wall. The mackerel were scattered all along at one point with some nice bass coming off the west top end also in the 4-5lb ish range. Im not aware of anyone squidding yesterday but I suspect that they would have been around on either wall.
Back on the west another wall regular (John H) was having it away with a decent session on the high bays managing too clock up a few bass, one tipping scales at 5.11 lb ! but his best of the day was a conger pushing the needle to 17.1lb ! not too shabby. John wasnt done there though landing a second species off eel (siver eel) ten plaice and some of those mackerel that were flitting about both walls before the wind changed the day for everyone.
Further down the wall mackerel bream and wrasse had been caught as well as plaice showing on much of the sandier sections and while I cant confirm by sight I was told there were some small rays caught on the bend of the wall mid afternoon before the wind sent so many heading for the hills and dryer places too stand .
While chatting with Tommy I watched 2 lads borrow a ned and bring in a conger of about 6lb ish that was returned after the hooks had been removed, From the east back too the west for a quick check and as hinted earlier the waves were now hitting the extension and upper ten bays of the main wall quite hard and while there were three guys still trying too fish the extension I decided safety was more important than watching 3 very wet dudes dodge the waves badly and called a halt too their fun( or misery) and called time on the extension and locked it off for the day.. By this time those left fishing had moved down too 16 or lower too avoid the worst of the conditions and the prospect looked like there wouldnt be a let up in the conditions before the wall was closed for the night.
Conditions looking at the current forecast and even out the window indicate a calmer day for all but Tues & wed are looking quite breezy with gusts pushing from the south & west that will again make the west lumpy and I suspect the lower 15 bays on the east would be the best bet for anyone traveling down..
Thursday and beyond though are looking much much better and even a decent possibility of things warming up.
Thats it from me other than posting up 3 pics from yesterday, and so, as ever, I will , until the next one bid you all ADIEU
F
Not a massive amount too put here this morning. Fri & sat very few fishing when I went down the marina. Granted was a low tide and yesterday the southerly “strong breezes” were making things very lumpy and by late afternoon there were only a couple on each wall although some of those had caught fish !
Saturday morning conditions it seems were somewhat better and erm , mackerel were had . def some on the west and rumours has it that also some on the east over the high. Bass high on the east a few plaice and later flounder wrasse and word of a ray or two. This week has been very quiet on the walls, unusual when so many cuttle and squid had been caught through last weekend but I guess people are less likely too travel if there is a lack of catch reports. That and the weather being somewhat chilly this week.
The coming week is looking better for temperatures rising although Tue/wed may be somewhat lumpy on the west.
Bank holiday weekend beckons with the last Monday of May so hopefully we will get some decent weather and sunshine for that weekend.
As said, this week seems too have been one of those weird weeks with so few on the walls resulting in very few decent fishy reports. Hopefully today plays a bit more friendly.
Well, I guess that is it for today, short, sharp and not so sweet eh… ho hum, that it then until the next one & with that , yup , I will bid you all ADIEU
F
oh, yea for a rare change a rare P.S.
For those that know Jordan Tettersell, a regular wall angler , he is currently In the Royal Sussex Hospital with some quite serious diabetic problems. So much so that toes on his left foot have been removed by the surgeons. He is recovering and actually hoping too be released next week but I suspect all of us know how crap being stuck in hospital can be. If you have is number or even have him on the book of face, please give him a ring or send a text and let him how he isn’t on his own nor forgotten 🙂
If you have the time & inclination he is on level 8 of the tower the vascular ward section 3 bed 5
thats it from me today
F
Or should that simply be , Hello again hello!
Now, some of you may have noticed an absence of blog posts and presume the fishing has been a bit shit.. well that’s part right but also much of the time this week when I have been down the marina it has been quiet of people and generally a low tide with very few on the wall too get any decent info.
In shortest version, crap compared too some past years but less crap depending on what you may be targeting.
Many show up on the walls with no real aim or plan so simply target what ever bites. Now that may seem great when there is an abundance of fish but less so when things are slow or fishing is somewhat poorer than expected.
Bass numbers are decent and squid numbers are still on the increase but the bigger stand out for me this year is the cuttlefish numbers and that isn’t a result of them being directly targeted, they have been more a bye product of those chasing squid over the last 10+ years. This year there seem too be much higher numbers and last night of which I will get too are a very good example.
I will admit that fishing is slow, non existent for a fair few sometimes as well. I could list a bunch of reasons such as the wind factors have been for weeks much from the east or north east hampering things. We had what I tend too call the spring run of mackerel this year that failed to show the previous 2 years. Much the same as the no show of squid the previous two springs and I can’t recal a spring with so many cuttle being caught on the walls like this year so far.
Flatties this year seem down in numbers and quality and then there will be small bursts of catches. Im aware mullet are being caught but again numbers seem down or perhaps it is still a bit early for the better fish.
This week in general as said I have been on the marina late afternoons as the tide is dropping or things had slowed right down or even a case of blustery cold winds have seen people home off the wall than most would usually stay. The result of less people on the walls mean less catch info too be had when im wandering around and on the BOOK of FACE catch reports are also lacking in much content.
I am grateful too all who post or send me their catch updates even those who send once every third Sunday or on the event of a blue moon. even blank reports help gauging info too the anglers give an indication of what is or isnt going on out & about.
Yes I am taking time too get too catching info simply because there can be many factors of why I dont always hear or get info and its not always a case of sod all out there. There are definitely fewer fishing this year for April/May than I seem too recal in past years and perhaps its the costs of traveling or people simply are reluctant too travel when reports are not great or are even at time crap! there |I said it.
And so, this week, not real posts as the last 7 days fish seen have been thin on the ground as has the numbers of people fishing. Night fishing often after 10 pm has seen 1or 2 people only making opening at night unviable.
the west is open until midnight today then reverts back to 6-8 with no night session this week, rain forecasts plus wind patterns and tides etc all add up too what is likely too be a no show for anglers beyond 9/10pm.
Have there been fish on either wall ? we yea but its hard too tell on days where anglers have been & gone without later posting a fishing report. Thankfully some of the regulars do post their days out as well as observations which all help me post waffle n drivel here for anyone that is curious.
Plaice have ticked over this week , granted mostly undersized for those targeting them but there have also been some for the pot. bream this week seem Scarce in many mentions likewise only a couple of mentions for Wrasse(generally east). There was a decent gar posted yesterday, the 1st in a while and there have been gurnard and some rays over the sands. The weekend Im told saw Mullet bass and pollack on the east but by far I suspect the bigger number of landings have been squid and cuttlefish when they have been targeted.
The bulk of catches Im aware of on the east have been higher than bay 35 but that may simply be a case of no one having a real go for them lower down.
Over on the west the best of the numbers seem on the higher reaches of the wall with 17-24 being popular as has the extension. As I understand it cuttle initially had better numbers caught on the east with the west showing more squid than the east. The last few days have been fairly balanced but slowly more are squidding on the west than east although it may just seem that way… or ppl struggle with the long walk!
I did pop down later than usual yesterday and rolling up the east only saw perhaps seven still fishing and 2 packing up on bay 74. I stopped and had a chat with wall regular Tommy who was close too the rocks high up had until the incoming tide was near full remarked on a quiet day and was preparing too chuck a packet of lug at the near high tide too see what may…. it did as he later confirmed he landed 10 plaice .. yup 10 which for current “quiet times” isn’t too shabby.
Back onto the west there were 2 on the low bays and perhaps8 or 9 on the bays above 16 and all but one seemed too be squidding or chucking soft lures out.
As I arrived the 1st thing I noticed was all the ink followed by closer inspection Cuttle of various sizes, perhaps 9 or 10 of them . Yes I nagged the guys too erm tidy up a bit so they were quickly bagged and I settled in initially watch for a while prior too the brain haveing a fek it moment and got the light rod out for half an hour with a jig, nope I failed too catch , yes helping James (another regular) I managed too ping the cuttle of the jig, yes it was a decent weighted cuttle but too be fair it wasnt the first or last cuttle too throw a jig while I was there. By time I left the wall Id say perhaps 30+ cuttle had been landed and foolishly didn’t get any decent pics although the brain was working enough too get a pic of the decent squid I saw caught.
Pieman arrived shortly before I left and hopefully will catch up with him too see how he fared. Wen I left there were perhaps 2-3 left on the wall including James having a last few casts b4 the light fully went.
The high slow tide on the west was defo a bonus for catching last night and with a similar forecast tonight Id suggest get some jigs and get onto the wall about 5 ish and fish into the dark for an extra hour . Pack some warmer clothes for the evening as it’s still somewhat chilly as the sun drops, ya may also want some sort of light too see what you are doing once dark sets in.
The weather is showing some changes beyond Tues with stronger westerly wind on Wednesday that may make the west wall somewhat lumpy and its looking like Northerlies of some form for the next few days into the weekend with showers on & off. Almost like May has become the new April showers month! thus an extra layer for the late afternoons likely too be needed.
Yes there are plenty of squid and cuttle out there.. go get em folks.
and the squid from yesterday ? vvv its vvv down there vvv
And, with that final word, I am going too sign off, so until the next one folks I will again bid you all ADIEU
F
This one is one of those … not a lot too say type of posts. Last on the wall sat evening as scooter temp out of use but hopefully being sorted today. Things have been a mix of not very many fishing resulting in not many fish. Water quality has been good the last couple of days with wind factors not being an issue.
We seem too now be getting squid and cuttlefish on a daily basis although somewhat strangely there seems too be less this year targeting them atm. Mark recons that the cuttle numbers have the edge atm but again hard too tell if it is a case of more about or simply that only a few are fishing for both and the cuttle are dropping too the lures most. The rest of the species being caught seem in low numbers but as said these days people seem too go fishing when social media says the fishing is good and even then people are expecting hoards of photo evidence.
A wonderful cycle it is indeed. Only a few fishing—>> only a few scattered fish->> even less fishing reports —> readers see an area quiet —> readers dont go fishing too somewhere with only a few people catching–>> thus only read how quiet it is —>> results in a non visit—>> less people visit —> less catch reports —>>> anyone see a pattern here ?
Social media can be a great tool for informing people but it can also be its own worst enemy, its very much the reverse of what was an issue in the past… someone puts a few good post catches up and the next 2 days see the venue mobbed by people hunting the same fish that was caught a couple of days earlier.😂😂😂😂
Any hooo there have been Bream, Plaice, bass, Wrasse, Mullet, Gurnards, Topknots, Dab & Flounder, thornback rays locally, as well as already posted the squid & cuttle. Signs of May rot ? yes then no, its in and out at times so no doubt on the build but hey, no one is going too catch if they dont go fishing even if the water is awesome or cack.
Hopefully I will be on the wall later of the scooter gets sorted and this weekend there is night fishing through Saturday night on the WEST wall only.
Thats it, as said, not a great deal too post due too fairly quiet walls, thus, all that is left too do is bid you all ADIEU
F
