Angling

6:17pm Tuesday 13th May 2008

The weather has settled down this last fortnight and this has allowed the Charter fleet to get out to the fishing grounds, this has resulted in some excellent catches both inshore and offshore.

There have been good numbers of thornback rays caught inshore with some boats landing up to 25 fish up to 15lb, most being caught on herring and squid with a lot of these fish being returned alive, there are now a few more bass showing up, mainly small ones up to 5lb and still the occasional codling.

The piers are producing a few bass, whiting and codling with the occasional ray although catches have slowed since the codling have moved off.

There are increasing numbers of thornbacks offshore, a group of anglers from London fishing on the Daphne Carole caught 30 on Sunday, all being returned alive, these fish were caught on squid, herring and mackerel, there are more smoothounds showing up with the best a cracking 21lb starry caught on the Sophie Lea from Brightlingsea last week, there have been reports of the odd tope turning up with one of 20 lb caught commercially, these fish are quite early so lets hope it will be a good season for them.

Prospects are excellent with more bass, smoothounds and tope showing up over the next few weeks along with everyone's favourite the mackerel. For fishing on John Rawle's boat the Daphne Carole, phone Phil on 07860 920964.

Times Pictures