Apart from a couple of disappointing mini sessions, I haven’t been out fishing since July having being struck down by some mysterious buggy/virus thingy.

Anyway, feeling much better, I thought I’d have a dabble at Brighton Marina yesterday evening to see what was about. After grabbing some bait from the Tackle Box, I headed over to the east arm and got myself comfortable in bay 25. Things looked promising with just a waft of a breeze and a nice warm evening.

Started off with a 3 hook flapper baited with ragworm which  sent out about 30-40 yards. While that was doing its stuff, I set about trying to get some fresh mackerel to boost the bait supply. Although it was about low tide, I managed one on the first cast but that was to be it for the rest of the session with no more showing.

First fish to come in was a small smooth Hound which had taken one of the worm baits. This was sent back and the rig was re-baited and cast back out. This was when I noticed more weed building up. This was confirmed when on retrieving the next few casts, the weight and hook were festooned with a mixture of what looked like overcooked spaghetti and wet cat hair balls.

As darkness fell, I tackled down the mackerel setup and re-rigged it with a running ledger, baited up with some frozen Hermit Crab and launched it out to where I hoped there would be less weed. The flapper rig was taken off and a running ledger baited with mackerel head was chucked out.

A few more small smooth Hounds were landed but nothing of any great significance.  I eventually gave up when the weed close in made it a nighmare with the big bait and there seemed little point in carrying on.