Vic Fisher’s sea angling journal

Many years ago as a small boy, I remember going fishing for the first time with my father; just a short session on the River Lea in North London not far from where we were living. I recall the anticipation as we baited the hook with maggots and then as we waited for the float to bob down. The excitement I felt when the float went, and I landed my first fish, a small Perch - more by luck than judgement. It was a very special moment for me and for my father. Years later, I took my two daughters, Kerry and Katie fishing at Brighton Marina and remember the excitement they felt when we caught their first fish. Again, a very special moment and memory.

My son Alex who is just over three years old has been showing an interest in fish I bring home, often asking where it comes from and how I got it. He likes to handle fish and examine and generally poke them in the way that kids of his age do. Recently he was mightily impressed with the small dead fry that was stuck to my shoe. He was even more impressed when I told him that it had been ’sicked up’ by a Mackerel that I’d previously caught and was in the process of gutting and cleaning.

I thought it time to take him along and show him how it was done. I hoped that if were to catch a fish himself, it would continue to hold his interest and maybe he would ‘get the bug’ like me.

Anyway, yesterday was a lovely Summer day, warm, not windy and ideal for an afternoon at the beach. To get Alex his first fish, it was obvious that Mackerel would be the target as they they are easy and a virtual certainty. Anna and I packed up the beach stuff and headed off to Seaford. As we walked on to the beach, it was evident that a lot of our local population were also enjoying the afternoon sun. After a bit of walking, we found a decent spot to settle down.

While Alex enjoyed his usual hobby of trying to move Seaford’s shingle back into the sea - one pebble at a time, I set up a spinning outfit. Anna got herself comfortable in her beach chair and got the camera ready to record any action.

I cast out a few times with a small Dexter Wedge lure and got Alex to hold the rod and wind in. Although it needed me to help hold the rod, Alex was determined to do it himself, pushing my guiding hand away. I had to resort to standing behind him and steadying the rod without him knowing. Independent little toad!

A few casts later and I hooked into a Mackerel. I brought it towards the waters edge whereupon I handed the rod to Alex and got him winding. The look of sheer delight when he first saw the fish and realised it was on the end of his line was something that will stay in my memory. His first fish and he was ecstatic with shouts of triumph.

We brought the fish ashore where I thought he was going to try and show it everyone on the beach. The beast was captured not only on line but also on camera for posterity. After much holding, prodding and further examination, the fish was dispatched and put in the cooler bag to take home. I’m pretty sure that if it had been up to him, Alex would have been happy to carry it around with him for the rest of the day.

It will take a bit longer before he can cast his own line and do all the other things that go along with angling. In the meantime he has experienced that feeling of achievement that I and many, many others have felt on catching our first fish.

Bet you can’t guess what he wants to do this afternoon… and tomorrow… and the next day. Guess who’s going to be eating a lot of Mackerel over the next few weeks (or even months maybe). At my age though, the Omega3 oils and the often referred to “fatty acids” will come in handy in the middle age battle of the bulge and war on Cholesterol and other nastiness.

Wanting to make the most of the current weather and get out in the fresh air, I decided fish the East arm at Brighton Marina yesterday. On arrival at about 7.00pm, I managed to get a space in bay 20. It was a fabulous evening, no wind, flat sea, clear sky, lovely and warm. Not ideal for great fishing, but lovely to be out in.

First off, I decided to try for a few fresh Mackerel to bolster the bait. Funnily enough, compared to the previous trip, there were none around. I managed a small joey which was put out live in the hope of a Bass.

My other rod was set up with a ledgered DVice and used either peeler crab or hermit crab. There was no action until the light faded, where almost like magic, bites started to occur. First fish was a very small Smooth Hound pup. Next was a small thornie followed by yet another Smooth Hound pup. Apart from the usual suspects - the Pout, the next fish of the night was a lovely little Tub Gurnard. This made a welcome change and was the first I’ve had from the marina this year. It seemed as though someone flipped a switch because as soon as it started to become light, the bites stopped completely. I did have a quick go with the feathers for some more fresh Mackerel - for the BBQ this time and not bait - but none seemed interested. I did see some movement but I suspect this was down to Scad and not Mackerel

I packed away all my gear and tidied up the area I was in before just sitting for a while enjoying the early dawn. Even at just gone 3am, there was enough light to see by. The air was completely still with not a breath of wind. The sea was as flat as it can get and only disturbed by the occasional fish breaking the surface. It’s time like this that I know just how lucky I am to be able to enjoy it.

My enjoyment of the session was somewhat spoiled as I walked back along the lower deck of the arm by the amounts of rubbish left by thoughtless people. These I presume, call themselves anglers but I prefer to call them selfish, filthy individuals who ruin it for others. They more than anyone else give angling a bad name and add ammunition for those who wish to ban this activity. They know who they are and should be ashamed of themselves. I picked up what I could and put it in the bags which are provided. It wasn’t difficult and surely not beyond the ability of those responsible.

Fished a few hours down at the East arm of Brighton Marina last night from about 7pm through until around 2am.

Settled in bay 24 and fished 2 rods - one was rigged with a long & low alternating between peeler crab and hermit crab as bait, the other, a running ledger with 3/0 pennel alternating between mackerel fillet and whole calamari.

The supposed North westerly light breeze had turned to a West or South West which added a bit of chop to the water which had just a slight hint of colour to it.

Tried to get a few mackerel for bait and added 3 to the bucket but they weren’t exactly swarming. That changed once the light faded when it went absolutely berserk, the water boiling in huge patches. After a few minutes, I had enough for bait and for the BBQ.

First ‘proper’ fish of the night was a small thornback ray about twice the size of my hand which fell to hermit crab. Another followed about half an hour later - again to hermit crab.

There was no interest in the pennel rig apart from being ripped up by crabs and other small creatures.

About an hour before high water, I had a stonking bite on the pennel whole calamari which had the rod hooped over. I was convinced it was going to be a Bass as I lifted into what felt like something reasonable - not a great fight by any means, just weighty. Imagine my surprise when this large pout came up. It’s the biggest I’ve had from the marina and one of the biggest I’ve had from the shore. It weighed in at 1lb 10oz and was just nudging 40cm.

That was actually the last fish of the night and I jacked it in shortly after.

Some time ago, a fishing competition was organised by one of the Dorset members of WSF. It was to be fished at West Bexington in Dorset on 31st May. For some reason, it all went udders up and was cancelled. Not to be deterred, a few members of Shoreham Angling Squad decided that they would still attend as arrangements had already been made. The only difference was that this now just a friendly get together with a bit of competitive spirit and fishyrob’s hat as the victory spoils.

Being one of the few, I set off early on Saturday morning to avoid the traffic and to arrive at the venue in time for the 2pm book in. I stopped off at The Newhaven Angler to pick up some previously arranged hermit crab as there was a chance of Smooth Hounds where we were fishing. Once on the road proper, it was a pleasant drive until hitting the various queues of caravans and other assorted traffic heading out in my direction.

Following my trusty directions which I had quickly printed off from ‘Multimap’, I got lost soon after leaving the A35. I went through a couple small villages before admitting defeat and asking for directions.

After finally finding my way out of the maze, I arrived at the car park and awaited the arrival of the other competitors. Looking along the beach, I couldn’t believe the amount of people there. It was one long line of bathers, sunners and people fishing. Nearly every person I could see ‘fishing’ was chucking strings of feathers out obviously looking for that summer staple - the Mackerel. There was hardly space between each. This did not look good for any serious fishing.

Not long after my arrival, WSF and SAS members, Steve and Shaun arrived in Shaun’s ‘Surf, dive, and fishy wagon’. After a brief chat, we trudged onto the beach so that they could have a quick feather session for Mackerel to supplement the bait supply. After a few thrashes, they gave up with one solitary fish to show for their valiant efforts.

A few of more WSF lads from Dorset turned up and swelled the ranks by about four. We waited in the car park for more to arrive before we would decide whether to stay or try another venue along the coast.

By 4pm, we decided to stay and began the slog of carrying our gear across the Chesil shingle. The Dorset lads strode off into the distance, while we three, found a spot near enough that did not necessitate the use of an iron lung and sports therapist to revive us.

Finding a spot large enough for three to fish in comfort, I began to unpack, only to find that along the way, I had lost one of the supports on my tripod. Inconvenient but not disastrous. after getting everything up and running, I cast out one rod with a long ‘n’ low baited with peeler crab and the other using a ledger, baited with ragworm. After erecting my beach buddy and sorting out my ‘camp’, I sat back in anticipation. To say that the action was slow, would be an under statement, no knocks not even the slightest indication of fish activity.

Steve was the first in with a 35cm Bass which was followed by nothing. Soon afterwards, ‘Fishyrob’ and Andy turned up and encamped just along from us and began fishing in earnest.

There were no more fish caught during the daylight hours. It wasn’t until soon after the sun set that activity started. Bites became common but these turned out to be LSD’s (Lesser Spotted Dogfish). These pestered the baits for the rest of the night. No sign of any Smooth Hounds at all.

Highlight of the night was a wonderful Paella cooked up by Steve in his makeshift kitchen set up in his and Shaun’s camp on the beach , This was washed down with a hit of Riocha. It nearly didn’t happen as Steve had forgotten the rice, He and Shaun had had to drive off and search the area for somewhere that stocked it. I don’t know where they found it but managed it luckily.

By 3am, I had enough and was dead on my feet. I packed up my gear and retired to the car park for a couple of hours kip before setting off on the long journey home. This had been my first visit to the location and although the fishing was dire, the place itself was a delight and made a lovely change to my usual haunts. Would I go back? Sure, but only if better fishing was assured.

Having had one of Sunday’s squid deep fried in rings, we thought something different for another one. Anna came up with this recipe which is adapted from an original by Valentina Harris.
Seppie in Umido
(Squid casserole with spices)

Ingredients:
4 tblsp sunflower oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 sprig fresh rosemary, leaves removed and finely chopped
1 kg (2.25 lb) squid, cleaned and sliced into rings, tentacles split into pairs
500ml fish stock (or cold water)
200g canned tomatoes, chopped
3 tblsp tomato puree
pinch ground cinnamon
pinch freshly grated nutmeg
pinch ground ginger
plenty of sea salt and black pepper
Thai fish sauce (optional)

Method:
Heat the oil and fry the onion and garlic until softened and golden.
Add the rosemary, then the squid and mix together, then cover with the water or stock.
Bring to the boil, then simmer for 45 mins.

Add the tomato puree, tomatoes, spices and salt and pepper.
Cover and simmer gently for a further 30 minutes, then remove lid and simmer faster for another 15 mins until the squid is very tender and the sauce has reduced and thickened slightly.
Check for seasoning, adding 2 or 3 drops of thai fish sauce if it needs the boost.

Serve in a bowl, either with plain risotto (made with fish stock), garlicky mash, fried new potatoes or a hunk of good crusty bread.