18 June 2001
REPORT FOR THE HUMBER TO THE THAMES
Another week of mixed weather has caused some of my contacts tocomplain about the good old English Summer. The Thames boats led byColin Bond found the weather somewhat inclement, at the weekend butthey found plenty of small fish, like smoothounds, roker, small bass,few flounders and lots of dogfish from the middle of the river. For atrip with Colin ring him on 01702 390842. Rumours of several bass outfrom the man made island up to 3lb.
The beaches are again somewhat slow, although the pier hasimproved a bit with Dave Fuller catching 7 garfish and 3 mackerel onSunday using mackerel strip on size 8 hooks and a three hookpaternoster fished high in the water. Tilbury, Grays and Stanford areworth a try for flounders, eels, small bass and soon the chance ofthe first soles according to Barry at Stanford Angling, to see if heknows any more ring him on 01375 676739.
The boats from the Essex Marina at Wallasea have been fishingfairly close to their home with moderate results. Smoothounds to 9lb,bass to 4lb, roker to 8lb and even some tope to 5lb, which is unusualfor these fish to be inside the river, further offshore there moretope as well as the normal fish.
The Vicky Emma owned by Terry Batt had a field day on Sunday withover 45 smoothounds all over 10lb with the best at just over 20lb.Also caught over the weekend were some roker to 13lb and plenty ofdogfish. For a trip out with Terry phone him on 01621 786170, or tryJohn Rawle on 01621 776445, he targeted the roker at the weekend withover 20 fish into double figures, the best falling to Gavin Silver afish of 17lb. Colin Morris took 4 roker over 10lb with the best at13lb. Peter Rawle John’s brother took a day out with John and had asuccessful days fishing with 5 roker to 13lb and a 4lb bass. Squid istaking most of the fish.
A timely reminder that summer is here, is that the stingray haveturned up in the Blackwater, local match angler Mick Capp taking 5the other day from a mark near Bradwell, the fish were between11-15lb, not bad for beach fishing?
Just across the other side of the river at Brightlingsea whereDave Weaving runs the Jenna D, we have a choice of red gurnard, bass,smoothounds, tope, pouting and dogfish. 01255 675680 is the number toring Richard Metcalf for news on how the Naze and Frinton beaches arethe top spots to head to for bass on rag and crab baits. Althoughthis week there are lots more smaller fish to 3lb and up to 10 persession but no big fish reported.
Vic at Viscount Tackle on 01473 728179 tells me that there arelots of sea trout being landed from the bridge area of the riverOrwell on ragworm, in the docks at Ipswich you can tempt some mulleton bread presented on float tackle. There appears to be lots of verysmall eels in the rivers as well, with the best fish at where theGipping meets the Orwell at the freshwater meeting place. Lots ofsmall bass on rag, crab and lures in the two rivers as well. Lawrenceat Castaways recommends Languard point for some fun garfish fishing,to find out how ring him on 01394 278316.
Shingle Street for some soles and small bass so Dave Brown atBreakaways tells me, for more news bell him on 01473 741393. The boatexpert at Aldeburgh informs us of bass, cod and smoothounds, who elseStuart of course, he also will point to towards Sizewell andThorpeness for some bass fishing.
Paul Tovell won a small club match, which included a sole of 1lb10oz from the north beach at Yarmouth; also there are some flounders,small bass and still those long lasting dabs. Jason recommendsCaister for smoothounds and Gorleston harbour for bass, for more newsring him on 01493 662448.
Cromer Sports man Martin reports a bass of 8lb 6oz by AndrewMurhead from Cromer pier although most are to 5lb. Trimmingham andOverstrand for some bass to 8lb 8oz, with best time around dusk usingcrab baits. Mundesley for some good flounders and small bass, Kellingand Weybourne on a day ebb for dabs on lugworm. Roy Brett won a smallmatch with an 8lb 8oz smoothounds taken on lug and squid bait fromHuttoff. Humberstone Creek is recommended by both Dave Dobbs and TonyHirst from Mablethorpe Angling for soles, flounders, eels and smallbass. Tony did say the winds are still in the wrong direction forgood fishing, but also recommends Sea View Car Park at Mablethorpeand Trusthorpe for some small bass, whiting and eels on lug and squidbaits. Dave also mentioned some doggies and turbot from the Lincscoast.
SKIPPERS SPOTLIGHT
Stuart Smalley runs the Aldeburgh Angler; from yes you guessed itAldeburgh. The Fish Eagle boat does 20knots and has a 20-milelicence. It is fully kitted out and Stuart will take you and a friendout to wrecks for bass and cod, also tackle and bait can be supplied.All day fishing can be booked apart form Saturday, oh by the way thatwell known star angler John Wilson is a regular on board. For moreinformation phone Stuart on 01728 454030.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED – LANGUARD POINT
Current Form
There are plenty of garfish around to catch at the moment, aswell as some flounders, eels and some soles. There should be somemore bass soon to catch as well with the possibility of some doublefigure fish to be expected. Bait Crab, rag and squid in that order ofpreference, although if targeting the bass use a whole squid to temptthem, also try a whole king rag.
Tackle and Tactics
When aiming for bass, fish close to the groynes and also at avery close distance to the shore. Use a flowing trace of about5-6feet long to give plenty of movement and heavier trace line ofabout 25-30lb. In the evening time also try for the soles with small3261 Aberdeen hooks and bits of worm. Use a float fairly close in forthe garfish; if the water is clear try using a lure for bass andgarfish. When fishing at distance use a two hook clipped down rig orif fishing closer to the shore just use a flapping rig.
Local Tackle Shop
Castaways
01394 278316
Another good entry of 27 anglers fished at Grays Wharf on Sunday10th June in the Bait and Tackle match. Although the fishingwas a bit below par, the winner was Craig Gore with 1lb 3 1/2ozbeating Pete Lewis with 13 1/2oz into second place. The winner of theheaviest fish fell also the Craig Gore with an eel of 15 1/2ozbeating Ian Smith into second place with an eel for 13 1/2oz. SectionA was won by Pete Lewis with 1lb 6 1/2oz, in second place was MickCapp with 1lb 3 1/2oz and in third was Bob Grady. Craig Gore wonsection B, second place was Ian Smith and in third place was IanReynolds. ·
The Royal Terrace Club who often fish out with Roy Smithwho runs the Trio 2 on the south coast may be pleased to hear that onthe 6th June, the skipper saw some gulls working and went to catchsome mackerel but they were bass working. One hour later, 71 basswere landed between 2-4lb 8oz, mainly on Hokeye’s.
At Deal pier you can the shad fishing is good on feathers close tothe pier, using worm baits and casting away from the pier you willfind some dogfish. A 6lb bass was caught from the beach, also somegood fishing for small fish including small smoothounds.
Dover and Folkestone piers are fishing very well for lots ofmackerel.
Samphire Hoe produced a good catch for two anglers the other day.They were sent down by Roy at Channel Angling to fish for Pollackwith floats and ragworm. At the end of the session one had 10 and theother had 16 pollack to about 3lb 8oz. Also to be taken form here arewrasse, bass and garfish, but take plenty of tackle as you do lose alot of tackle.
Pevensey Bay is producing some plaice in the day and at night afew eels, bass and pouting.
Out from Newhaven to Brighton the boats are taking smoothounds andrays from the inshore marks. From further out you can expect conger,ling, cod and a few bass. Local man Martin Gant landed a cod of 25lb8oz from the Ocean Warrior based at Newhaven from a wreck 20 milesout. The successful bait was a pirk with 8/0 trebles.
Worthing pier is still fishing for garfish also some mackerel anda few bass.
Littlehampton boats are finding some bream, bass and smoothounds.The last bit of news for this week is that you shore smoothound andtope anglers need to get in your cars and get down to Selsey Bill, asthere are now fish to 20lb being taken from both of thesespecies.
