Latest Fishing Reports: Galloper

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  • 17/04/2023 Fishing Report by Scott Belbin

    17 Apr 2023 by Scott Belbin

    We managed to get a few trips in with varied conditions last week. Small tides and strong winds limited our options at times but we were able to put a few miles in and found plenty of fish. the rays are down on numbers compared to recent years but there are still some nice fish amongst them. Bens group had the biggest of the week at 15.2lbs which is a very respectable fish. not least on a windy day and a very last minute trip.
    We had smooth-hounds on every trip and although there were no monsters they are widespread and numerous. Our best trip totalled around 30 hounds along with countless dogfish, whiting, dabs, roker and a bass.
    Mark was pleased with his first bass of the year to go with his first hounds too. Hopefully there will be plenty more where that came from.
    I have individual spaces and possibility of full boat bookings over the coming weeks and months if you want to get out.
    Please be advised that a steady trickle of dates are filling up for 2023 so please get in touch asap if you require a specific date.
    Remember it is often worth giving me a shout if you are cancelled else where and still wish to get out, as we have lots of sheltered fishing available and a big catamaran which makes it even more comfortable.
    Spaces as follows
    20/04-1 space @ £60pp
    22/04-1 space @ £60pp
    29/04-offshore trip 5 spaces @ £100pp
    30/04-10 spaces @ £60pp or full boat from £490
    07/05-5 spaces @ £60pp

    Not all dates advertised, other spaces available for full boat bookings upon request
    For regular updates, availability and more information please visit www.essexseafishing.co.uk find us on social media or call Scott on 07956411528

  • 13/04/2023 Fishing Report by Scott Belbin

    13 Apr 2023 by Scott Belbin

    Spaces this week aboard Galloper from West mersea Essex please call 07956411528 or Message 07791 859624.
    Weather looks good for the next few days. Spaces on Friday 14/04-3 @ £100pp , Saturday 15/04-1 @ £100pp and Sunday 16/04-7 @ £60pp
    The lads from Suffolk police had a great trip the other day with a complete contrast in weather to last month. They had 31 rays and a few smooth-hounds between loads of dogfish and whiting

  • 11/04/2023 Fishing Report by Scott Belbin

    11 Apr 2023 by Scott Belbin

    With fine weather and plenty of fish around I have too much to include in a single report so I will post a few short reports over the coming days.
    Of course not wanting to break a great British tradition bank holiday Monday was wet and windy. Not wanting to miss out on all the fish around we made the most of the working a big catamaran from the blackwater estuary. to be honest part of me enjoys the extra challenge of finding some decent fish in these conditions as well as having the place to myself.
    With the group largely made up of regular individuals pushed a fair way out in the hope of a mixed bag. Unfortunately as the anchor went down the rain set in and stayed with us for several hours. There were no shortage of bites from those pesky dogfish but several smooth-hounds amongst them. as the tide got going we saw some rays mixed in too and then our first bass for Alex. It was a nice little table sized fish which was followed soon after by another for Kevin. By now we were all soaked and the driest thing on the boat was Marks sarcastic comments about how the weather was improving! Thankfully the net was getting wet regardless of the rain. As I was making another cup of tea Barry called for the net telling me Mark was into something very lively. I put the tea on hold and we waited with baited breath to see what came out of the murky depths. to our delight a big bar of silver broke the surface and was guided expertly into my net by Mark. We quickly photographed and weighed her before returning her to the sea. We settled on a weight of 9.10lbs which certainly brightened up a rainy day for us. soon after the clouds cleared to reveal a bright but breezy afternoon. By the time we had started to dry out it was time to head home with some great fish for our efforts, obviously Marks bass was fish of the day and just goes to show you have to be in it to win it, we certainly wouldn’t have caught it from the sofa!
    SPACES THIS SUNDAY PLEASE SEE AVAILABLE DATES AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS REPORT.
    In general there are plenty of fish out there at the moment. Depending on where we fish there are hoards of dogfish and whiting around at the moment. These do keep us busy but can become a nuisance when they mask the hook which potentially prevents a better fish taking the bait. It is therefore worth checking baits very regularly at the moment.
    When we can find our way past these fish there are good numbers of thorn-back rays to be had. These may not be the same quantities as the recent past but we have enjoyed several days with 20-30 rays per day on board over the last few trips.
    The numbers of smooth-hounds are improving each week. these early fish make a very welcome addition to our catches. They are showing on most trips and we have seen several days with 10-20 mixed in with the rest of the fish. as the shore crabs start to peel in the next few weeks the numbers of bigger hounds should arrive.
    Its been nice to see a few bass coming out too. One or two table sized fish here and there with better numbers in some places than others. These too will increase in numbers over the coming weeks.
    Further afield we are chasing spurdogs, hounds, rays, bass and other species including the occasional codling off there too and with any luck a proper one at that.
    I have individual spaces and possibility of full boat bookings over the coming weeks and months if you want to get out.
    Remember it is often worth giving me a shout if you are cancelled else where and still wish to get out, as we have lots of sheltered fishing available and a big catamaran which makes it even more comfortable.
    Spaces as follows
    14/04-offshore trip 4 spaces @ £100pp
    16/04- 8 spaces @ £60pp
    20/04-1 space @ £60pp
    22/04-1 space @ £60pp
    29/04-offshore trip 5 spaces @ £100pp
    30/04-individual spaces £60pp or full boat bookings from £490

    Not all dates advertised, other spaces available for full boat bookings upon request
    For regular updates, availability and more information please visit www.essexseafishing.co.uk find us on social media or call Scott on 07956411528

  • 03/04/2023 Fishing Report by Scott Belbin

    3 Apr 2023 by Scott Belbin

    At last It really feels as though spring is in the air now. the daylight hours are getting longer, the sun is higher in the sky and temperatures are gradually creeping up. The fish notice these changes too and as the last set of spring tides came and went there has been a marked change in the species we are catching.
    The main bulk of the codling have gone now although we may see one or two mixed in over the coming months in places.
    The dogfish and whiting are very plentiful and ravenous too, these keep us busy in between the increasing numbers of thorn-back rays we are seeing.
    Although numbers may be down on the peak of the stocks we are seeing respectful numbers at the moment and should do for the next few weeks as they move inshore to breed and feed.
    There are a few more bass starting to show closer in too which is great to see and hopefully a good sign for the rest of the season.
    It is nice to see a few more smooth-hounds showing on our general trips too. Some have been very close in which is great to see and certainly livens the day up. We can catch these fish in numbers 12 months of the year aboard the Galloper nowadays if we fish the right places but never tire of seeing them. I am sure I’m not alone when I say I look forwards to some great sport from these fish in the coming months.
    Further afield we are chasing spurdogs, hounds, rays, bass and other species including the occasional codling off there too and with any luck a proper one at that.
    We had some good numbers of rays the other day although we had to work hard to find them. Barrie Senior and myself were neck and neck for top numbers throughout the afternoon although he managed to catch a couple of additional smooth-hounds which I think pipped it for Barrie. Most of the other lads had 2-3 rays each as well as vast amounts of whiting and dogfish and a pouting to boot.
    I have individual spaces and possibility of full boat bookings over the coming weeks and months if you want to get out.
    Please be advised that a steady trickle of dates are filling up for 2023 so please get in touch asap if you require a specific date.
    Remember it is often worth giving me a shout if you are cancelled else where and still wish to get out, as we have lots of sheltered fishing available and a big catamaran which makes it even more comfortable.
    Spaces as follows
    10/04-3 spaces £60pp
    14/04-offshore trip 4 spaces @ £100pp
    16/04- individual spaces £60pp or full boat bookings from £490
    20/04-3 spaces @ £60pp
    22/04-1 space @ £60pp
    29/04-offshore trip 5 spaces @ £100pp
    30/04-individual spaces £60pp or full boat bookings from £490

    Not all dates advertised, other spaces available for full boat bookings upon request
    For regular updates, availability and more information please visit www.essexseafishing.co.uk find us on social media or call Scott on 07956411528

  • 27/03/2023 Fishing Report by Scott Belbin

    27 Mar 2023 by Scott Belbin

    Although I cant be sure how much longer the codling will hang around in numbers we have still been finding a few on our general trips.
    Ian had the boat booked for a match the other day. 9 lads with 1 rod each and 2 hooks permitted. Unfortunately we had to leave late and return early that day so our time was limited that day and the pressure was on. Luckily there were no shortage of fish to be caught with whiting and dogfish from the first cast. Often two at a time on all manor of rigs and baits. Mark fished slightly bigger baits and picked out the first codling of the day with another soon after before the tide died. We had a move over slack water and the lads glanced at the score sheets to get an idea of tactics for the rest of the day. by the time we arrived at our next mark the tide was well under way and the same direction as the wind now thankfully as it did freshen later in the day. I definitely saw some bigger baits going out for as the day went on and the lads were soon bringing in some high scoring double shots of dogfish as well as some rays. Steve had the biggest ray of the day but it wasn’t enough to wipe out all those dogfish the others had clocked up. Just as the tide notched off Ian and Graham came into their own with a nice run of codling each. I think Graham had one a cast four casts in a row. For a little variety there were even a few pouting too. It was a shame we had to head in relatively early but the lads still managed 13 codling 3 rays and stacks of other fish too.
    Our general trips have continued to produce numbers of codling and thorn-backs with lots of whiting and dogfish keeping us busy as well as a few other bonus species.
    Further afield we are chasing spurdogs, hounds, rays, bass and other species including the occasional codling off there too and with any luck a proper one at that.
    I have individual spaces and possibility of full boat bookings over the coming weeks and months if you want to get out.
    Please be advised that a steady trickle of dates are filling up for 2023 so please get in touch asap if you require a specific date.
    Remember it is often worth giving me a shout if you are cancelled else where and still wish to get out, as we have lots of sheltered fishing available and a big catamaran which makes it even more comfortable.
    Spaces as follows
    01/04- 6 spaces £60pp
    02/04- 8 spaces £60pp
    09/04-4 spaces @ £60pp
    10/04-6 spaces £60pp
    14/04-offshore trip 6 spaces @ £100pp
    16/04- individual spaces £60pp or full boat bookings from £490
    20/04-7 spaces @ £60pp

    Not all dates advertised, other spaces available for full boat bookings upon request
    For regular updates, availability and more information please visit www.essexseafishing.co.uk find us on social media or call Scott on 07956411528

  • 20/03/2023 Fishing Report by Scott Belbin

    20 Mar 2023 by Scott Belbin


    In between the codling and rays there have been one or two bass showing. Some schoolies and some lovely chunky fish. after Andy lost one on our first trip back in the water at the start of February some even better fish made it to the net. Barry has the biggest so far with a nice 6lber but not to be left out his good friend Charlie had a decent bass a couple of trips later. If you know these lads there is always a healthy rivalry between them as well as plenty of banter. I don’t think Charlie was too disappointed that his was a tad smaller as it was still a cracking early season fish.
    Our general trips have continued to produce numbers of codling and thorn-backs with lots of whiting and dogfish keeping us busy as well as a few other bonus species.

    Further afield we are chasing spurdogs, hounds, rays, bass and other species including the occasional codling off there too and with any luck a proper one at that.
    I have individual spaces and possibility of full boat bookings over the coming weeks and months if you want to get out.
    Please be advised that a steady trickle of dates are filling up for 2023 so please get in touch asap if you require a specific date.
    Remember it is often worth giving me a shout if you are cancelled else where and still wish to get out, as we have lots of sheltered fishing available and a big catamaran which makes it even more comfortable.
    Spaces as follows
    26/03-spaces
    29/03-offshore trip 7 spaces @ £100pp
    30/03- offshore trip 8 spaces @ £100pp
    31/03- offshore trip 8 spaces @ £100pp
    01/04- 9 spaces £60pp
    02/04- individual spaces £60pp or full boat bookings from £490
    09/04-4 spaces @ £60pp
    10/04-01/04- individual spaces £60pp or full boat bookings from £490
    14/04-offshore trip 6 spaces @ £100pp
    16/04- individual spaces £60pp or full boat bookings from £490

    Not all dates advertised, other spaces available for full boat bookings upon request
    For regular updates, availability and more information please visit www.essexseafishing.co.uk find us on social media or call Scott on 07956411528

  • 13/03/2023 Fishing Report by Scott Belbin

    13 Mar 2023 by Scott Belbin

    Still plenty of nice codling and rays coming in at the moment along with whiting, dogfish and other species too. The weather has been all over the place of late but those codling seem to be drawing the lads out there despite this.
    The lads from Suffolk police were faced with some unsavoury conditions for their trip last week. Given the option of a very early or very late start the lads opted for the later. I must admit as I drove down to the boat through the rain I was questioning our sanity. However the lads were keen as ever to get out on their first trip of the year. I was also relieved to hear that they had chosen not to have their usual match as they wanted to try for codling and these don’t score very well so it made sense. So armed with over 900 lugworm and a cool box of squid we made our way out into a strong east to south-easterly wind. I wasn’t sure how far we would get as there were sizeable white horses rolling in the entrance to the moorings but the conditions suited Galloper well and it was far more comfortable than expected as we punched down to our chosen mark. The late start meant we didn’t get any baits in the water until 10am so we would have as long with the wind and tide together as I would have liked. Thankfully we dropped straight onto the fish and in the first couple of casts a couple of codling came aboard for Tony and Adam. The obligatory dogfish and whiting soon followed along with more codling and one or two rays. Condition deteriorated as the day progressed with sleet and snow flurries but the lads effort didn’t. by high water we had exceeded my expectations but still hoped for more so had a move over slack tide. to my surprise the next tide fished well too with a couple more codling coming aboard shortly followed by more rays. The lads had endured enough by now so we called it a day at 4pm and headed for home. It may not have been the biggest catch of the week but it was a rewarding one in challenging conditions. I was really pleased to see 12 codling and 8 rays among the dogfish and whiting on a day like that. As many of you know I don’t like to say nice things too often, particularly about serving and former police officers. However full credit to the lads for putting in the effort in those conditions, I think they enjoyed it as much as they endured it. there were times when I looked out at the snow settling one their backs and shoulders. which made me consider turning the wheelhouse heating off in solidarity but I thought better of it as they kept dragging me out to net fish.
    For any cod police or wannabe grettle thunderbirds please scroll on past. Some codling were harmed in the making of this report. The fish that were kept were over 100mm the 35cn minimum landing size for cod. They were caught in the most sustainable way and many were returned. If you want to harass or troll somebody please find one of the many local commercial boats targeting these same fish, keeping them far small and keeping many times more. If you wish to make a real difference then your time would be better spent lobbying for a larger size limit and commercial restrictions. I feel I have to put this as several people seem to feel the need to pick on fellow anglers and charter boats that are far from the real problem with fish stocks and I am fed up with it.
    Further afield we are chasing spurdogs, hounds, rays, bass and other species. There is of course a good chance of seeing a cod off there too and with any luck a proper one at that.

    I have individual spaces and possibility of full boat bookings over the coming weeks and months if you want to get out.
    Please be advised that a steady trickle of dates are filling up for 2023 so please get in touch asap if you require a specific date.
    Remember it is often worth giving me a shout if you are cancelled else where and still wish to get out, as we have lots of sheltered fishing available and a big catamaran which makes it even more comfortable.
    Spaces as follows
    19/03- individual spaces £60pp or full boat bookings from £490
    01/04- individual spaces £60pp or full boat bookings from £490
    02/04- individual spaces £60pp or full boat bookings from £490
    09/04-6 spaces @ £60pp
    10/04-01/04- individual spaces £60pp or full boat bookings from £490
    14/04-offshore trip 6 spaces @ £100pp
    16/04- individual spaces £60pp or full boat bookings from £490

    Not all dates advertised, other spaces available for full boat bookings upon request
    For regular updates, availability and more information please visit www.essexseafishing.co.uk find us on social media or call Scott on 07956411528

  • 06/03/2023 Fishing Report by Scott Belbin

    6 Mar 2023 by Scott Belbin

    It is nice to see how the sight of a certain species can cause such a stir. Of course the word on many peoples lips at the moment is cod. To be more accurate they are codling and a very welcome sight too. They have been sorely missed so the current run of fish has got all manor of people dusting off their uptiders and scrabbling to get hold of some lugworm.
    The other day I counted 22 boats fishing 1 square mile of water all for the promise of these fish.
    As I often mention we benefit from lots of sheltered fishing here in the blackwater estuary and with a few codling and rays showing we took full advantage of that last week. Even strong easterly winds wouldn’t deter the lads with promise of a codling or two.
    Numbers of codling have varied from day to day but we have seen numbers that exceeded my expectations several times. Along with the codling there have been plenty of whiting and dogfish and the occasional bass.
    Jon Bish had a nice surprise the other day. in between the rays and a very good day on codling he pulled up an early lobster. Not a small one either and always a novelty to see on any trip. The lads had a great day with plenty of codling coming to the net along with a few rays in between.

    Further afield we are chasing spurdogs, hounds, rays, bass and other species. There is of course a good chance of seeing a cod off there too and with any luck a proper one at that.

    I have individual spaces and possibility of full boat bookings over the coming weeks and months if you want to get out.
    Please be advised that a steady trickle of dates are filling up for 2023 so please get in touch asap if you require a specific date.
    Remember it is often worth giving me a shout if you are cancelled else where and still wish to get out, as we have lots of sheltered fishing available and a big catamaran which makes it even more comfortable.
    Spaces as follows

    12/03- 7 spaces £60pp
    18/03-offshore trip 1 space @ £100pp
    19/03- individual spaces £60pp or full boat bookings from £490
    01/04- individual spaces £60pp or full boat bookings from £490
    02/04- individual spaces £60pp or full boat bookings from £490
    09/04-6 spaces @ £60pp
    10/04-01/04- individual spaces £60pp or full boat bookings from £490


    Not all dates advertised, other spaces available for full boat bookings upon request
    For regular updates, availability and more information please visit www.essexseafishing.co.uk find us on social media or call Scott on 07956411528

  • 27/02/2023 Fishing Report by Scott Belbin

    27 Feb 2023 by Scott Belbin

    As I am sure you have heard by now there are a few cod showing at the moment. This is of course a very welcome sight after a few lean years. only time will tell if this spring run is a sign of things to come or not. One thing is for certain and that is they are here now and they wont catch themselves. With the wind stuck in the east for a few days we have been able to take full advantage of the shelter offered by the blackwater estuary and surrounding waters with a big comfortable catamaran to fish from. Catches have included the usual dogfish and whiting (although in small numbers) one or two pouting and even a bass. Thorn-backs are in varying numbers from day to day with a good day seeing 10-12 rays and the biggest pushing 12lbs. numbers of codling have been the best for several years and a nice stamp too.
    Our best day so far is 25 codling between 8 rods, I have seen people travel many miles around the country for far less in recent years. of course with the afore mentioned other species making the day up we have enjoyed some great sport often while other boats are stuck in port. Who knows how long this fishing will last so I would suggest getting out there and enjoying it while its there folks. Its hard to beat a good days uptiding for codling on a winters day.
    Further afield we are chasing spurdogs, hounds, rays and other species. There is of course a good chance of seeing a cod off there too and with any luck a proper one at that.

    I have individual spaces and possibility of full boat bookings over the coming weeks and months if you want to get out.
    Please be advised that a steady trickle of dates are filling up for 2023 so please get in touch asap if you require a specific date.
    Remember it is often worth giving me a shout if you are cancelled else where and still wish to get out, as we have lots of sheltered fishing available and a big catamaran which makes it even more comfortable.
    Spaces as follows
    04/03-4 spaces @ £60pp
    05/03- individual spaces £60pp or full boat bookings from £490
    12/03- individual spaces £60pp or full boat bookings from £490
    19/03- individual spaces £60pp or full boat bookings from £490
    25/03- individual spaces £60pp or full boat bookings from £490
    26/03-offshore trip 2 spaces @ £100pp
    01/04- individual spaces £60pp or full boat bookings from £490
    02/04- individual spaces £60pp or full boat bookings from £490

    Not all dates advertised, other spaces available for full boat bookings upon request
    For regular updates, availability and more information please visit www.essexseafishing.co.uk find us on social media or call Scott on 07956411528

  • 20/02/2023 Fishing Report by Scott Belbin

    20 Feb 2023 by Scott Belbin

    There is plenty of life about both inshore as well as offshore. The dogfish are feeding well and there are several whiting about too. I do believe there are probably more whiting around but there is still plenty of feed midwater to distract them. there are one or two codling showing but these are occasional fish so please don’t come down expecting to fill the freezer though. it is always nice to see them and Reg had our first one of the year. the thorn-backs are moving inshore now with some respectable numbers showing if we can beat the netting boats to them. we have also seen several smooth-hounds and even lost our first bass of the year the other day.
    I have individual spaces and possibility of full boat bookings over the coming months if you want to get out.
    Please be advised that a steady trickle of dates are filling up for 2023 so please get in touch asap if you require a specific date.
    Remember it is often worth giving me a shout if you are cancelled else where and still wish to get out, as we have lots of sheltered fishing available and a big catamaran which makes it even more comfortable.
    Spaces as follows

    26/02- 1 space offshore @ £100pp
    04/03-4 spaces @ £60pp
    05/03- individual spaces £60pp or full boat bookings from £490
    12/03- individual spaces £60pp or full boat bookings from £490
    19/03- individual spaces £60pp or full boat bookings from £490
    25/03- individual spaces £60pp or full boat bookings from £490
    26/03-offshore trip 5 spaces @ £100pp

    Not all dates advertised, other spaces available for full boat bookings upon request
    For regular updates, availability and more information please visit www.essexseafishing.co.uk find us on social media or call Scott on 07956411528

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