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By Vic, 13 October, 2006 15:56

I decided on Brighton Marina East arm as the venue for last night.

Arrived at about 9pm. and made my way to bay 58, to find I was the only one fishing in this area – lovely peace and quiet!

Weather was fine, clear sky, no wind at all, smooth sea with just the hint of a swell. The only sound was the incoming tide against the rocks below.

One rod was set up with standard paternoster with size4 hooks and baited with lugworm in the search for sole. The other rod had single paternoster with size 2/0 hook pennel rig baited with whole calamari and lobbed a few yards from the base.

A couple of hours passed with just a handful of Pout to show for it. This could be bait wasting exercise I thought to myself.

At around midnight or so, the lug rod arched over savagely, I lifted into what seemed like a reasonable fish. Got it to net and a few seconds later, a lovely conditioned bass of around 2 1/2lbs.was lying on the deck. Normally this would have gone back, but it had taken the small hook down so deeply, it had caused serious injury. There was no way that it would have survived, and so was quickly dispatched.

At this point, the second rod lurched over and the ratchet screamed as line was pulled from the spool – another bass? No, a pollack of around 2lbs. had struck the pennel rig. This was brought to the net and landed. I couldn’t believe it when I saw that this too had taken the hooks right down and had to meet it’s maker. I hoped that this wasn’t going to be the theme for the night.

After re-baiting casting, I sat down for a coffee and fag. I sat and studied the glowing rod tips when I saw the worm rod nodding a couple of times. I left it for a few seconds before lifting into the fish. A palm sized sole was duly landed – not quite the size I was hoping for but a sole none the less. This was lip hooked and was returned unharmed. A short while later another small sole was landed nda returned.

A few casts later, I was retrieving the worm rig and had got to the base just before lifting it out of the water, when the rod was wrenched downward so quickly, I nearly lost my grip. Another pollack slightly larger than the first had followed the worm and struck almost at the surface. It was duly landed and returned.

That was about it for the rest of the session apart from the usual suspects. So with a bass in the bag for lunch and pollack for the cat (although I do like it fresh like this, so the cat might have to fight me for it), I headed for home with plans for a near future return.

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By Vic, 23 September, 2006 00:10

Decided to have a session at Seaford beach last night. It went something like this:

Got to the beach at about 7.30pm not long after low water to be greeted by a strong gusting SE wind blowing straight along the beach. Looked like a good surf running so was quite optimistic. I had the pick of the beach, as it appeared I was the only one insane enough to be there and not tucked up in front of the TV. This being the case, I opted for West view as my chosen spot.

At this point, realised I’d left the calamari behind in the freezer, so had to rely on a somewhat meagre supply of lugworm and ragworm. To conserve bait, I only fished one rod, so that reduced my chances a bit.

Throughout the incoming tide, I tried long range, medium range, short range and at one point sideways range due to a mis-cued cast!

The result of these explorations was a steady flow of whiting, mainly really small stuff.

At about 11pm, the wind mysteriously dropped. It seemed quite weird with no wind, but still really heavy wave action. Still, it made ciggy lighting extremely easy and I could drink coffee without having it being blown down the front of me (thank god for the new chest waders).

As quick as it gone, the wind then came back with vigour from south SSW straight onto the beach and into my face. Sheeesh, more coffee and ciggy disasters on the way.

A few more whiting came to the hook, still small with the odd one slightly larger at about 8-12oz. None worth keeping, even for the cats, one of which hates any fish and the other only being partial to cod or prawns.

After high water, the bites stopped, the wind increased, my coffee supply was running low and I needed some sleep, so I packed up and headed for home.

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By Vic, 14 September, 2006 00:53

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This area of Seaford bay is somewhat shallower than the rest and tends to be used less by swimmers and beach goers due to it’s more awkward parking.

To get there, look out for a turning and car park area off of the main A259 about half way between Seaford and Newhaven with a track leading towards the sea. Turn in here but forget the first car park, instead carry on along the track and you will come to a small parking area on the left. Park here and walk towards the beach. Negotiate the the railway crossing taking obvious care. Continue along the track through the old ruined village and onto the beach. From here you can turn right and head off to the East arm at Newhaven if you feel so inclined but it’s a bit of a hike and if I want to fish that area, I prefer to use the alternate route.
Beware – there have been reports of cars being damaged/stolen from during the hours of darkness. Usually safe as anywhere else during daylight. My advice would be don’t park here if you’re expecting a late session into the night.

During the summer expect to catch mackerel, garfish on floated fish strip during the day – morning and evening often the best times. bass, Golden Grey Mullet and flounder can be taken on bottom fished worm baits such as ragworm and lugworm; small harbour ragworm being the bait of choice for the Mullet. At night, a whole Calamari squid or mackerel fillet lobbed a few yards out will take bass, they are often feeding right up to the shore line, so don’t over cast, sometimes even a few yards can be too far. Avoid any unnecessary noise and keep any lights to a minimum and don’t shine them towards the water.
sole will be around during the night where your worm bait needs to be pinned to the bottom and not moving around the tide. Small sections of king ragworm or lugworm can be used but again small harbour ragworm will probably do better.

Winter time will see whiting, pouting and later on, flounders and dabs being the main species caught. Bottom fished worm baits tipped with slivers of squid will take all of these. My personal preference is to fish the deeper water Eastwards in the bay where I have found the whiting to be of a larger average size and more chance of codling being beached.

For more Photos, please Look at My Flickr Album Pages
There is more information on this historic place at the Wikipedia page.

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By Vic,

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Directions: The beach is situated just off the A259 main South coast road and lies between Newhaven to the West and Eastbourne to the East. Access is easy enough:
If coming from the East, turn left at the mini roundabout just before Seaford railway station and bear round to the right. Continue down Dane Road, past Morrisons on your left until you reach the end where you will see the Beachcomber pub on your right and Marine Parade in running across in front of you. From here it’s your choice; turn left or right, depending on where you want to fish.

If you’re coming from the West, turn right just before the Buckle by-pass, where it’s signposted for Bishopstone railway station, continue under the bridge and bear round to the left you are now on Marine Parade and a short distance to the Buckle car park (Free) should you wish to fish this section beach. For the rest of Marine Parade, there are many free on street parking spaces which are limited to 12 hours duration.

Description: The beach itself is steeply shelving, providing reasonably deep water at high tide. The bay deepens the further East towards the cliffs at Splash Point you go. It is mainly clean ground made up of sand and shingle with some snags along the beach but I have found these difficult to plot with any accuracy. The Eastern end is considerably snaggier than other parts of the bay. The beach can be split into different areas and are usually referred to in this manner in any reports:
‘The Buckle’, East of Tidemills, which covers the sailing club and the area up to a region called
‘Edinburgh Road’ because it’s opposite err.. Edinburgh Road.
‘The Beachcomber’, near the pub by that name which is pretty much the centre portion of the beach.
‘The Martello’ or ‘Canon’
‘Splash point’ at the Eastern end of the beach.
Of course, these are general outlines and more experienced fishers and locals may well have differing views.

Regardless of where you go, the methods are fairly consistent: Lure fishing in the Summer for mackerel, garfish and bass. Bottom fishing a paternoster rig or ledger with worm bait will take the flatfish such as flounder, plaice and dab along with Pout, bass, bream, gurnard, small rays and eels. At night, squid, a mackerel fillet or head ledgered close in will take bass. If conditions allow ie calm and clear, a small Pout or joey mackerel livebait is a great method for tempting a hungry bass. A worm bait fished tight on the bottom will get you sole.

Autumn through Winter time is mainly about night fishing and this means whiting by the ton and codling from the deeper parts of the beach – from about Edinburgh Road Eastwards. Bigger baits are needed here and probably the best all-rounder is lugworm tipped off with a strip of squid, although, if you can get hold of peeler crab, this is an excellent cod bait. If you’ve never used one, this is the time to try out the DVice, which will let you chuck a decent sized bait a decent distance in search of those codling without it disintegrating mid-flight. whiting will be a pest but you can get some of a reasonable size and certainly big enough for the table. Autumn is also time for the big bass and the time to be deploying whole squid or mackerel fillets close in if conditions allow.

Now I’m by no means an expert on this place and I’m not a long time ‘native’ of the area, so if there’s something that needs changing or adding, please feel free to drop me a line.
For more Photos, please Look at My Flickr Album Pages
For more information on this town, please visit the Seaford website

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By Vic,

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Brighton Marina is situated off the main A259 coast road just East of Brighton town centre and is therefore readily accessible by road. Parking is excellent and is free in the multi storey car park opposite ASDA (The signs say parking limited to 4 hours but this can be safely ignored). Don’t be tempted into parking in the actual ASDA carpark, it will cost you. There is also a regular bus service in place. Post code for satnav is: BN2 5UF

The West arm can be accessed by exiting the Western end of the multi storey car park from the rear as if going out to ASDA car park then turn left and you will see a car washing business. Immediately to the right of this is a narrow pathway; follow the path uphill and at the top, turn left and continue along the path and out onto the arm. Marked as the orange line on map. There is also access via the car park at the Eastern end of Madeira Drive, although this is a pay car park.

Due to the easier access, the West arm tends to be a lot busier than the East, particularly during the summer months when it can be crowded with ‘mackerel bashers’. The ground here tends to be rough,so tackle losses can be high when bottom fishing. There is cleaner ground towards the seaward end.

Species caught here include: bass, Thick Lip Mullet, Golden Grey Mullet, black bream, mackerel, garfish, Ballan wrasse, Corkwing wrasse, scad, pollack and more. Spring time from about April sees the arrival of the squid in numbers and great fun can be had fishing for these with the use of squid jigs.

Most used methods used here are float fished fish strip for the mackerel, Gars, pollack and other mid water species. Float fished live prawn is a killer method for bass, pollack and wrasse.

Bottom fishing a flapper rig or ledger with worm bait will take the resident flatfish such as flounder and plaice. During the Summer months, worm tipped with mackerel sliver or squid will account for some decent bream. mackerel head mounted on a long flowing trace and ledgered close in will take the bigger bass as will whole calamari squid and mackerel fillet.

The East arm, although more inconvenient to get to, is generally less crowded and gives those who do not enjoy sharing space with others, the opportunity for quieter, solitary fishing. That being said, the Summer months will see it packed to capacity, so get there early for a decent spot. If considering it on a sunny bank holiday, my advice is stay at home or fish elsewhere.

It can be accessed by three different methods:
1. On foot. Walk along the boardwalk, which begins from roughly outside the security office and ‘The West Quay’ Wetherspoons restaurant. Follow the boardwalk to the very end where you cross over the sluice gates through a car park area and onto the East arm. (Yellow line on map)
2. Driving. Best method if there’s more than one of you in the car; from the main roundabout drive along the main ‘street’ until you reach the ticket barrier. Take a ticket which gives you 1 hour free parking. Continue along ‘The Strand’ until you reach near the very end where you’ll see a slip ramp to your left. Drive up the ramp, across the small bridge and then turn right. Drive along here to the car parking area at the end. Now drop off your mate(s) with all your gear and then drive back and park up at the multi storey before making the walk back along the boardwalk to meet your mates who should by now have set up all your gear, bought you a coffee and are greeting you on their hands and knees. (Red line on map)
Beware! There is no long term parking at the Eastern end of the marina for non-residents. There is free parking in specified bays but this is for one hour only.
3. If you feel fit and agile (like me), you can park for free in the small clifftop parking area off of the west-bound A259 opposite the Roedean pitch ‘n’ putt. You then take the small path down the cliff face, turn right at the bottom then left onto the East arm approach by the boat yard. Not too bad going down but can be challenging after a long day or night e specially if you’re like me and tend to take way too much gear! (Blue line on map).
**Update** The clifftop carpark area is currently unavailable due to adjacent heavy construction site and access. Hopefully this is only a temporary situation.

Species caught here and methods used are the same as for the West arm and include: bass, bream, sole, plaice, flounder, smooth Hound, Thick Lip Mullet, mackerel, garfish, gurnard, Red Mullet, herring, Ballan wrasse, Corkwing wrasse, scad, pollack and more.

‘The Tackle Box’ is an excellent and well stocked bait and tackle shop run by Dave Grinham which is located on the West Quay (not arm) opposite McDonalds. When you enter the marina, there is a roundabout at the bottom of the hill. Take the third exit so that the petrol station is on your left. You will see some steps next to the petrol station leading up to the quay. After parking in the multi storey, go up these steps, past the RNLI shop down a short ramp and the tackle shop door is on your right. There is also a disabled person access ramp opposite McDonalds. They supply live fresh lug, Rag and crab as well as frozen baits. If you are travelling any distance to fish the marina, I would suggest phoning ahead to reserve fresh bait. Tel: 01273 696477

There are a few restrictions in place on both arms regarding the keeping of fish which should be strictly adhered to:
1. Minimum landing size limits. Fisheries Inspectors have been at the marina recently so stick to the limits and you’ll be ok.
2. Limit of 50 mackerel per person per session (who needs more than that anyway).

If you require disabled access on to the arms, ring Dave beforehand at the shop and arrangements can be made to have the gates opened to allow wheelchair access.
Fishing charges
Day fishing 0600-1800 is £3 for one rod or a £5 for two
Night fishing 1800-0600 is £3 for one rod or £4 for two. (over 18’s only unless accompanied by an adult)
Juniors and OAP’s £2 per rod.

For up to date information on what’s being caught and where, there’s a wealth of information from an obsessed local angler and fishing guide called Rob. If you’re new to angling or need some help, it’s well worth the time and money to grab a session or few with him. Take a look at his site here: Fishyrob’s Diary

For more Photos, please Look at My Flickr Album Pages
More info available from the Marina Tackle Box Site
…and even more information on this venue such as facilities, tides and directory, visit the Marina website.