Dave Taylor
Senior Member
Just had a week on the Sussex coast fishing for bass and rays.
It was'nt great conditions for bass as I had neap tides and a northerly wind resulting in a millpond instead of a decent surf.
I had two seals in front of me at high tide on monday for a good 20 minutes who seemed quite interested in watching me watching them!
I had the beach to myself and they obviously found my vain attempts at catching bass either amusing or puzzling!
They just did'nt seem to want to move on,..quite content diving down and catching eels.
When I mentioned it at the tackle shop the next day I was told that there were three of the blighters that regulary patrolled the beach, and often sunbathed on the very same beach where I was staying.
It occurred to me that the fishing might shape up to be a bit harder than I first thought after that bit of info!
Did'nt see another seal until yesterday's high tide,..did'nt see too many bass either!
Best was 7-10 with another at 5-10. Plenty of small schoolies though with a few small thornbacks taking bluey/sandeel cocktails at range.
If anyone is taking family to the beach, word of warning,.. I have never seen so many weaver fish as there are this year. I caught a dozen or so on lugworm, and heard that they were showing up in shrimping nets.
They can give a painful sting from their front dorsel spine and love shallow sandy beaches.
Millpond,..the veiw from my beach chalet.
The 5-10
Keith?
Weaverfish.
Have been fishing the same area at Pevensey since the late seventies and have noticed the decline of Dover Sole and Plaice which used to be abundant, even to a novice, as I was back then.[ Still am really ].
It all seemed to change when the quota rules came in from the EA, so , after quickly exausting their cod quota, the Hastings fleet now motor round to P/ Bay and boom the flatties.
Don't blame the guys for trying to make a living but year on year the fish have dissapeared.
PS...All my bass went back...probably destined for a Hastings net! [ Or Keith ]
dt
It was'nt great conditions for bass as I had neap tides and a northerly wind resulting in a millpond instead of a decent surf.
I had two seals in front of me at high tide on monday for a good 20 minutes who seemed quite interested in watching me watching them!
I had the beach to myself and they obviously found my vain attempts at catching bass either amusing or puzzling!
They just did'nt seem to want to move on,..quite content diving down and catching eels.
When I mentioned it at the tackle shop the next day I was told that there were three of the blighters that regulary patrolled the beach, and often sunbathed on the very same beach where I was staying.
It occurred to me that the fishing might shape up to be a bit harder than I first thought after that bit of info!
Did'nt see another seal until yesterday's high tide,..did'nt see too many bass either!
Best was 7-10 with another at 5-10. Plenty of small schoolies though with a few small thornbacks taking bluey/sandeel cocktails at range.
If anyone is taking family to the beach, word of warning,.. I have never seen so many weaver fish as there are this year. I caught a dozen or so on lugworm, and heard that they were showing up in shrimping nets.
They can give a painful sting from their front dorsel spine and love shallow sandy beaches.
Millpond,..the veiw from my beach chalet.
The 5-10
Keith?
Weaverfish.
Have been fishing the same area at Pevensey since the late seventies and have noticed the decline of Dover Sole and Plaice which used to be abundant, even to a novice, as I was back then.[ Still am really ].
It all seemed to change when the quota rules came in from the EA, so , after quickly exausting their cod quota, the Hastings fleet now motor round to P/ Bay and boom the flatties.
Don't blame the guys for trying to make a living but year on year the fish have dissapeared.
PS...All my bass went back...probably destined for a Hastings net! [ Or Keith ]
dt