17th February

Brighton Marina

Nick with the first catch of the day...... Scorpion Fish, a species first for Nick!

Had a very pleasant meeting of friends on the marina today. With the weather becoming suddenly far more springlike (I had 12 degrees on my weatherstation yesterday) and news of the first plaice having been caught from both the boats a mile offshore, and the first decent one reported from the marina at 3.5lb last Monday, it seemed appropriate to have our first crack at the spottied one close to home, rather than the hour treck West, not possible for me at the moment as the fishymobile is retired with head gasket complications. Steve (1) picked me up, and we headed down to the tackle box on the marina to meet Nick, and pick up what I can only describe as SUPERB conditioned ragworm, dug from the muds of West Sussex. We also had half a mind to check out the Herring fishing, as with a tide peaking an hour before dark, and calm clear seas, if they were still around then the conditions were ideal.

Yours Truly, with float caught Edible Crab, a first for me....!

I have to say, initially the session was looking to be a grueller. Nick did well to scratch out the Scorpion fish, as even the normally reliable spikey things and their friends, the Tompot Blennies were reluctant to feed in the crystal clear waters. The bling dressed snoods carrying the prime wiggling bait remained ungraced with our prettiest flatfish. No pin whiting, no rockling. Steve (2) came and joined us on the wall. Periodically, I worked the sabiki's, and as well as the static rods, I worked a blinged ragworm and a mackerel strip down the tide under a float, bouncing along the bottom. My first capture on the float, although edible, was a little too small to consider as fair culinary game. We fished on.

First of many!!

 

It got to four o clock, and unfortunately for Steve (1) other commitments menat it was the end of his session. As he packed his things together, I worked the sabiki's with a little more determination, as the tide was pulling well now, and a few birds were sitting on the water a little way off. Bingo!! A slight resistance saw the first herring landed, and a blank saved!

Nick with his first Herring..... Another species first for Nick!

I shouted to the guys to focus on the feathers. The fish were at all ranges from the wall, and only ones and two's were coming in. But as the gloom gathered, the fish were coming in thick and fast. At one point, between Nick and myself we had a shoal so thick that I managed six herring, Nick five, on a string. And the sizes were up on the last session as well. All excellent timing, as these are prime thornback ray bait, and these ancient creatures are looking to show in a few spots I know further North in the next few weeks. Steve (2) was also into some, and another first species for him. The fish then thinned out a little, back to ones and two's. The last fish was landed pretty much in darkness, a little after six. A quick countup and we had fourty eight silver darlings in the bucket. Only enough for two people for one session on the ray's, so I will be back soon. We carried on with the worm rods for a little while.

Nick's Tompot Blenny...... Guess what? Yep, another fishy first for Nick!!

At about this point a little rain began to descend, and with the fishing now being less than exciting, we started to pack up. Not before Nick added the Tompot Blenny above to his species list!

Super Fresh Herring being sorted prior to freezing

Back to the bungalow, althoug htis was not without issue, as with Steve had gone our means of transport. Not wishing to upset the commuters of Brighton with a bucket of herrings on the public transport system, we made the decision to walk home. I can now hand on heart say I took some exercise today, and I have renewed reason to repair my vehicle, as I dont wish to have that exercise again!!