What with the recent amount of storms lately and the lesser number of anglers the east has been sectioned off at 29 due to algae building up on higher bays. With colder weather now upon us the general footfall on the wall makes fully jet washing it impractical.

With work still ongoing on the west and constant weather set backs it is highly unlikely that we will get any use out of the west wall this year especially as it looks like it will be in much need of jet washing also and the work over there is expected too last well into October now.

Yesterday was the last day of our 9pm openings and as of today the east will low close at 7.30pm, while down there yesterday I managed too catch up with a few familiar faces and while the best of the catches (so far) had been on the morning high things did seem to start picking up again as the tide hit rock bottom. let it not be said that fishing the low tide was crap, not sure why so many thing its the case but perhaps it is simply because all they ever target is mackerel and lets face it, so far this year they have been very evident in their lack of numbers or regularity this year.

Anyhoo, the morning I was told had produced a few reasonable (above schoolie size) Bass and for some on the straight section a few plaice had been showing, most of the keepers were too be fair sub 30cm but it was nice too see some with more than the one fish for a change. Also on the flattie side of things with the water still being a bit coloured were some sole one of which I guistimate at about 32-33cm and quite plump.

Conditions yesterday had improved re water colour and with a week of Northerlies ahead I fully expect the water too clean up and hopefully push the huge rafts of bootlace/string/spaghetti weed out too see, on the low in particular it was gathering in huge rafts against the wall making retrieving fish problematic and a few anglers were bemoaning lost fish especially bass and congers.
Species counts and tallies were for a change encouraging with as said Bass, congers, plaice , sole Bull Huss pups, the bream seemed absent but that may be a case of end of season or simply the coloured water. Will be interesting too see if they make a return as the water flushes clean. While I was down there (as said low tide) I actually saw a real mackerel come out and while I shouldn’t be surprised the conditions didn’t favour the chances.
Now that we are fully into September I can also confirm and state the obvious, that out of the sunshine the air is much colder especially as the northerlies take hold so take plenty of warm gear with you even i it does at times feel almost like summer in the sun as air temps are dropping fast.

Now on the radar should be (as the water improves) squid and potentially mackerel(if there are any!) and possibly gar ish in with them and I would not be so shocked if we were too see some herring mixed in there. This year from Dover to Portsmouth the fishing on the south coast has been truly shocking and deo the poorest I have ever known. It would be easy to speculate and lay blame but I fear that over fishing is at the root of the causes, possibly changing conditions, warmer sea temps, the arrival of tuna with their huge appetites ? Global warming ? not convinced as mother nature tends too work in huge cycles that counter balance even if it takes 2-300 years too do so.
Trawlers and factory ships are still getting bigger and bigger replacing traditional methods of drift netting, trawl nets tear up the sea bed reducing habitat and overall modern methods are far more efficient at getting fish out and processed for market add too all o this the global population continues too rise so more & more mouths too feed and add too all of this the increase in popularity of recreational angling also pilling into fish stock and its starting too seem like there is no let up on the fish stock as the planets population increases year on year.

I dont have any of the answers even if there are any but things are reaching levels that are very concerning.
Anyhoo, wrap up warm if you are out having a dabble evening air temps are quite a shock too the system when you have been out in the warm Autumn sunshine.
And with that, I will leave you all with a final thought. My lad, often referred too as JNR is not quite so junior any more being as today is his 24th Birthday ! fek it only seems like a few years ago he was born and turning lives upside-down
And thus, until the next post I will bid you all ADIEU
F