SPECIES AND WHEN TO CATCH THEM
COD
Our cod fishing has declined over the last 2 or 3 years due to global warming and rising winter sea temperatures, this has meant that the cod we used to get are now staying much further up the coast and out of range for us, there are still a few during the winter and if things do improve you will all know about it.
THORNBACK RAYS
Commonly called skate, these rays are prevalent throughout the Thames estuary most times of the year, however best times are March to October, during the spring large numbers of these fish come inshore to mate and spawn and with less commercial pressure now a lot more are surviving.
BASS
These hard fighting beautiful fish are everyone’s favourite. We get a good run of fish from April through to the end of November, some of our biggest fish are caught June/July when the mackerel shoals turn up. We also get bass in the shallow water chasing bait fish and this can be exciting for a while until the shoal disperses.
My dedicated Bass trips are from mid September through October and November when we target the fish on the offshore banks before they move off for the season.
TOPE
These hard fighting fish are the closest most people come to shark fishing in uk waters. They are incredibly strong and fast with big teeth so have to be treated with respect. Our season runs from early June to end July, we have to go further offshore which means a longer day. We feather for mackerel on the way out.
SMOOTHOUNDS
Pound for pound these are the hardest fighting fish in uk waters. These powerful fish often go to over 20lb and when in shallow water they put up a real scrap, our season runs from end April through to end Sept with the bigger females showing up July/August, they are a genuine sport fish and are returned alive.
SPURDOGS
These hard fighting fish are similar to the smoothounds but more aggressive. They have razor sharp teeth and need to be treated like tope when fishing for them, they turn up offshore March to May but rarely come close inshore so don’t often get caught, we have been catching them more regularly since targeting the bigger cod in the spring so if you want to have a go for them with a good chance of a big one book with us.
My dedicated Spurdog trips run from mid Feb through to mid May, this is your best chance of a 20lb plus fish.
MACKEREL
Everyone loves mackerel fishing and during the summer months these beautiful little fish show up, amounts vary every year but when the shoals are big you can fill up in no time. During the school holidays we do lads and dads trips just for the mackerel which is a great way to get the kids hooked.