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By Vic, 20 August, 2009 10:56

Haven’t been out for a while, so yesterday I thought it about time to have a chuck down at Brighton Marina in the evening and have a go for some sole. I picked up some fresh lugworm and ragworm from The Tackle Box and then made my way over to the east arm. I decided on taking the hike out to the higher numbers and eventually settled myself in bay 58 at about 6pm. It was a glorious warm  evening, although perhaps too calm, with no wind at all and a flat calm sea.

As it was still daylight, I started with one rod using  a two hook flapper baited with luworm and lobbed it out to see what was about. I rigged up another rod and stuck on some Sabikis and tried my luck at trying for some mackerel, even though it was perhaps too bright. Even so, I managed one quite quickly and then nothing, so gave that up.

I had intended to use a close in bass rig but this plan was scuppered on two counts, firstly by the huge  amounts of slimy, Spaghetti like weed that was infesting the water near to the wall and was clogging up the hook and sinker soon after casting; secondly lack of fresh mackerel which failed to show up.

As dusk came, I concentrated on sole. Two rods were set up with identical two hook sole rigs in size 4 and baited with either fresh lugworm, ragworm or stinking, evil ‘sticky’ lugworm that I had found in my fridge leftover from my last session.

Bites were quick to come but the first few fish were Pout and two ‘snotty’ eels that completely wrecked my rigs – thankfully I had made a few, so little time was wasted, re-rigging. As an aside, this is where I find the ‘Tronix’ rig winders far superior to the rig wallets I used to use; just clip on and unwind – no more hassle of tangled rigs.

The first soles to hit the deck were slips and then then a nice one of 32cm which was to become lunch. This was followed by another slip and then back to Pout. The surprise of the night was a small thornback which reached the dizzy weight of 1lb 2oz – much bigger than the usual palm sized creatures. This was the last fish of the night although I did bring in a Spider Crab that was hiding amongst a huge ball of spaghetti weed that had to be hand lined up it was so heavy.

I stuck it until about 3am before calling it a night and making the long walk back to the car and heading for home.

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By Vic, 22 July, 2008 15:11

Decided to have another bash down at Brighton Marina on Sunday night as it seemed a pity to waste the good weather.

So armed with some peeler crab, I arrived at the East arm around 9.30pm. I first set up in bay 16 but after a few casts, decided to move further out to bay 26. Tackle consisted of a DVice on a running ledger and single 3/0 hook.

The weather was settled, although the predicted North Westerly breeze had shifted to a Westerly and so was blowing straight along the arm instead of behind.

I had my first run some time later, which happened just as I was engaged in paying for my ticket, so missed it. However, As I retrieved, there was tons of slack line which after taking up, I found a fish still attached – a nice little smooth Hound of around 2½lbs.

I rebaited, cast out and had a run instantly which was another smooth Hound, this time around the 5lbs mark. This turned out to be the largest of the night, although I totalled 8 by the end of the session. A couple were really small pups which I couldn’t believe could get a 3/0 hook in their mouths.

A second rod had been used during the session which I had baited with lug worm in the hope of getting some sole. All it managed to attract though, was a small ‘micro’ bass, as small thornback and the usual Pout.

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By Vic, 19 July, 2008 16:20

After a month of being laid up and not being be able to get out amongst the fishes, I was glad to finally manage a session a few days ago on Wednesday evening.

For ease of access, I plumped for the East arm at Brighton Marina and on arrival settled, myself in bay 28 and unpacked my gear.

I set up a rod using a a DVice on a running ledger with a 3/0 hook baited with hermit crab and cast it out. I then saw the mackerel shoaling near to the wall, so set up some feathers to get a few to top up my bait. Within a minute I had enough to see me through the session.

The water was literally boiling with the amount of mackerel. I have seen big shoals there before but not to this extent; to say the water there was full of fish would have been an under statement. It never ceases to amaze me when I see this happening, it really is one of nature’s little shows.

Having stocked with bait, I set up another rod with a running ledger and two hook pennel baited with mackerel fillet and lobbed out.

The next wonderful nature show was a couple of Dolphins a few hundred yards out from the wall. I saw at least two individuals doing there thing around on the surface but don’t know if there were others around too. I wish I could have caught them on camera but with the limitations of the camera and not knowing where they were going to surface next made it impossible.

Having watched the Dolphins, I sat back and waited and wondered when the predicted rain would arrive, The clouds were dark and threatening and were coming in on a light breeze from the South West, where it appeared to be getting darker. As it happened, the rain never materialised and it stayed a dry night.

First fish didn’t arrive until the last light had gone and was a small thornback about twice twice the size of my hand which had taken the crab bait. This was released, the hook rebaited and cast out again. The next bite was a sharp tug followed by nothing which I left to see if it would develop. After about 2-3 minutes, I retrieved the rig to find a small whiting firmly attached.

As for the other rod, I rebaited several times and no matter what I tried, I could not get a bite on this at all.

The next customer was a small smooth Hound pup of about 2lbs which was swung in, unhooked and released. I did hope that the larger ones would show up soon but it went really quiet with no more action until about two hours after high water when the crab rod suddenly lurched right over and the ratchet screamed, indicating a better fish. After a couple of minutes, the fish showed itself on the surface and was guided into the drop net (not easy when done single handed). It was another smooth Hound – a bit bigger at around the 4lbs mark, again it was unhooked and returned by way of dropping it in the net.

That was it for the rest of time I was there, with no indications of further fish activity. So, slightly disappointed, I walked off at around 2.30am.

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By Vic, 9 June, 2008 11:42

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 thornback 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.

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By Vic, 9 September, 2007 21:00

After the last session at Seaford , I decided to have another there to see if I could get better results. High water was due to be at around 10 pm so I got there at 7pm while it was still light, so I could get some fresh mackerel to add more bait. I set up near the Beachcomber pub and although there were still loads of people enjoying the beach, I managed a half dozen mackerel on feathers.

There was a faint breeze blowing in from the North but the sea was flat calm with hardly any movement.

I set up the main gear and started to fish at about 7.30. One rod had a two hook Paternoster with size 1 hooks baited. The upper hook was baited with King ragworm and the lower hook with lugworm. The second rig consisted of a Pennel with size 3/0 hooks baited with mackerel fillet and lobbed out a few yards.

Palm size thornbacks were the first fish to come in and fell to the ragworm. I did hope that there were going to be some larger fish during the evening once it got quieter and settled back and enjoyed the last of the sunshine.

My optimism about a quiet evening were quelled when large numbers of youngsters turned up further down for a beach party. As time passed, the party got louder with much squealing and loud music. I had to smile to myself as I remembered my youth and the beach parties I went to as a teenager. Not wanting to drag all my stuff further away, I opted to stay where I was and hope that the party ended early.

Next fish were small bream and numerous tiny Pout which savaged the worm baits as soon as the landed. I alternated between mackerel and calamari on the other rod but apart from them being destroyed by small fish, there were no takes of any consequence.

As high water came and went, the action stopped and there no further fish. I stuck it out until 2.30am before calling it a night and packing up.