Latest Fishing Reports: Braveheart II
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03/2025
Fishing Report by phillip browning
Mar 2025 by phillip browning
Spring feels like it's well underway with the weather warming up nicely towards the end of the month and it was easy to forget that it was still only March ! The water temperature is still quite low historically but as it rises in April should kick the season off nicely, but dispite this we have still manged to get some nice smoothounds onboard BRAVEHEARTII which keeps the angler's happy as these are probably pound for pound one of the hardest fighting fish in the UK. The majority of these fish have been the smaller males but the bigger tides have pushed some better females into the estuary along with the first of the thornback rays and bass won't be far behind them. So all set for a good season ahead.
If you want a day out on BRAVEHEARTII
£390 for the whole boat inc frozen squid & herring
£70 INDIVIDUALS
Braveheartcharters.com
07970 728707
look forward to getting you all out there
Many thanks & tight lines
Phil Browning -
02/2025
Fishing Report by phillip browning
Feb 2025 by phillip browning
Hi guys hope you are all well and enjoyed Christmas and the new year.
BRAVEHEARTII is currently out of the water and in the yard for its annual servicing & maintenance, i have a few remaining weekend dates until September, so all enquiries please call 07970 728707
I still have more availability on Midweek dates although these are starting to fill up nicely & there will be plenty of dates for individuals...Looking forward to the 2025 season and hoping for some more settled weather this year as last year a few trips were lost to bad weather, but as we are situated in the sheltered waters of the river crouch we were still able to get you out fishing on most days ..make sure you get a few trips booked to save disappointment if we do have to cancel.
March and April we will be targeting thornback rays and if the weather allows and will push out further in search for spurdogs, although I would still expect to see early bass & smoothounds.
May and June the big hounds move inshore so, along with bass,tope, stingrays, eel's, soles, dab's,mackerel,Scad,garfish and Gurnard etc, you never know what surprises the river Thames will produce, I've caught turbot, a lone halibut, red Gurnard, bream and haddock!
Any dates you want just call or text and I'll include you in the diary
Look forward to seeing you all soon
Many thanks & tight lines
Phil Browning
07970 728707 -
01/2025
Fishing Report by phillip browning
Jan 2025 by phillip browning
Happy, and heath new year to all my customers, friends and fellow angler's. BRAVEHEARTII was lifted yesterday and will be out of the water for maintenance and upgrades until early March when the season begins and we see thornback rays moving inshore and the first of the summer species, we had our first smoothound on the 6th of march last year, a nice specimen of 14lb along with several smaller ones.
For BRAVEHEART'S last trip of the year, We did a 5hr fundraising trip for H.A.R.P Southend-on-Sea's homeless charity and through the generosity of the angler's, raised £450 along with an donation of 20 fleece lined beanie hats and snoods. It was a great way to end the season and for a fantastic cause. Unfortunately the cod never showed last year, but every year is different so we may see a few in the spring with any luck.
I look forward to welcoming anglers old and new this year. BRAVEHEARTII is fully licenced and insured for 7 angler's and specialise in smaller parties, often taking groups of 2 or 3 angler's who charter the whole boat for themselves along with family day outs, which has proven to be very popular. Refer to our website at
Braveheartcharters.com
wishing everyone tight lines
And look forward to welcoming you aboard in the spring
Phil Browning -
10/2024
Fishing Report by phillip browning
Oct 2024 by phillip browning
What's been happening. Well this year has been exceptionally busy for BRAVEHEARTII and have had a waiting list for angler's wanting to book certain days and tides so I must be doing something right. Dispite the Unseasonably dodgy weather
the fishing has been good with a good stamp of bass early on in the spring that are still hanging around in all the usual marks, until the water temperature drops. As I stated previously weed has proven to be challenging at times but once we can get away from it bang it all kicks off......bass are shoaling up on the banks and are normally there all year as 15 or more years ago i used to head out there in the summer with good results but I find the inshore fishing can be just as productive at this time of year.
The Hound fishing has been good but again because of the weed we haven't been able to fish the normal marks which had forced us to look elsewhere with good results. As ever I am hopeful that if the water temperature drops sufficiently over Christmas and the new year we will see a few codling of the N Essex coast! One can but live in hope. We had a codling off a wreck in June during a boat fishing comp with 80 odd boats and the angler won a prize for special catch ....( a couple of rods and various terminal tackle).
Looking to wrap up in November and lift the boat for it's new 5 year coding.
Remember we cater for small parties between 3 and 7 and I've kept the boat affordable for this reason. I have purposely shyed away from a cat etc as I don't want to lose these smaller parties but you never know if the right boat came up I might be tempted.
As always I'm grateful for all the support I've had off my regulars and have made many new friends this year.
I look forward to welcoming you aboard for the remainder of this year and next season
All the best &
Tight lines Phil Browning -
05/2024
Fishing Report by phillip browning
May 2024 by phillip browning
As I predicted this last set of spring tides has started to push the better smoothounds and bass inshore. We are still not seeing the crazy numbers of smoothounds expected at this time of year, but we are seeing a really good average stamp of fish with a colossal 20lb 8 oz fish being landed on Friday for angler paul Ashton which has beaten his lifetime p.b by over 5lb and he's been fishing for over 50 years! Also new angler aboard BRAVEHEARTII broke his club angling club record and I await the forms to sign off verification. Some good bass landed the last few days too and another 2 pb's for the anglers of 6lb 9oz & 6lb 8oz as well as a new p.b smoothound for rob Harvey after losing a big fish at the net, the previous week, remember guys change your monofilament line every year..... twice if you fish a lot !!! The may weed ( rot) seems like it's finally starting to clear as its been particularly bad this year especially in the crouch this can only be a good thing and as the water clears will be a prime time to Target bass on lures.
Here's wishing everyone a good season ahead and I welcome anglers old and new aboard BRAVEHEARTII wether experienced or complete novice . We also offer 5 hr trips which are great for families and kids as we also get to see the seals which is a great way to start the day.
If you fancy joining me give me a buzz on
07970 728707 don't forget to check out some of the photos on my page
All the best & tight lines Phil Browning -
04/2024
Fishing Report by phillip browning
Apr 2024 by phillip browning
In March we saw the arrival of some early smoothounds and bass aboard BRAVEHEARTII and everyone knows how much I like these hard fighting fish. As we have progressed into april
The wind had been relentless, but when we have been able to get out to our chosen marks the fishing has been generally good. We've had smoothounds up to 13lb so far and bass to over 6lb & the bigger ones normally follow at the end of April and beginning of may.
Thornback rays have been on the increase too which is a great sign and when located can provide excellent sport
On the days of smaller tides, the anglers have scaled down the tackle for species hunting which include, bass,smoothounds, lesser spotted dogfish, dabs
Thornback rays, whiting, eels and flounders. These days can be great fun and a good bit of friendly competition amoungst the anglers. I'm really looking forward to the summer and meeting anglers old and new.
Don't hesitate to call for enquiries and booking.
All the best & tight lines
PHIL BROWNING 07970 728707 -
03/2024
Fishing Report by phillip browning
Mar 2024 by phillip browning
Blessed with fine weather and calm seas yesterday ..Alfie and family drove down from London to jump onboard "BRAVEHEARTII"
The Rods where busy all day and smoothounds starting to move in now... although many of these are lsd size, which always happens before the BIG mamma's show up, also Some reasonable sized whiting around at the moment, not channel whiting but worth taking home none the less as these are delicious. Roker numbers should also increase as they start move inshore this month
The diary is filling up quickly and All weekends are booked until October..and midweek filling up rapidly so if you want to book please get in contact through
braveheartcharters.com
or
*****07970 728707 ****((*
Many thanks & tight lines
Phil Browning -
02/2024
Fishing Report by phillip browning
Feb 2024 by phillip browning
Saturday was the first trip out for 2024 aboard BRAVEHEARTII after winter maintenance and upgrades. Aboard we had the pleasure of Trevor who has learning disability and was kindly being looked after by Andy, justin and jim.
He was thrilled with his first thornback ray, bass along with heaps of, lsd's and whiting.
Great crew and weather today.
Well done Trevor
If you comment please be kind
Braveheartcharters.com
☎️07970 728707 -
12/2023
Fishing Report by phillip browning
Dec 2023 by phillip browning
I'd like to wish Everyone, a very merry Christmas,and happy, healthy New year. BRAVEHEARTII was lifted this morning for maintenance and TLC.... & I anticipate the relaunch in early/ mid February when thornback's start moving inshore and hopefully cod. I look forward to welcoming onboard anglers old and new,, thank you for all your support ����
Best wishes and tight lines
Phil Browning
Braveheartcharters.com -
12/2023
Fishing Report by phillip browning
Dec 2023 by phillip browning
As the year draws to a close and the last of the better bass move off into deeper water we turn our focus to cod, as a few have been reported from piers and beaches on the North Essex coast and in the nets of the commercials and we have been anticipating a rise in numbers, but in the mean time, thornback rays, whiting, lesser spotted dogfish and dabs are the primary species that have kept rods twitching and bending as remember you can only catch what's swimming under the boat. Even so we have enjoyed some great days out with awesome weather for this time of year and some brilliant crews as a good laugh is always guaranteed onboard. Usually a wager is laid which leads to a bit of friendly competition and definitely adds to the banter on the day.
I still have limited availability over the up to and over the Christmas period so check out the BRAVEHEARTII schedule calendar for availability and pricing. I look forward to welcoming you aboard.
Many thanks And tight lines
Phil Browning ������
☎️ 07970 728707
