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  • 22/02/2014 Fishing Report by Scott Belbin on Galloper (Brightlingsea, Essex)

    22 Feb 2014 by Scott Belbin

    Report on-board Galloper

    last time I wrote on here was last summer and a lot has gone on since then.
    briefly the autumn was ok with plenty of thornbacks about and loads of dogfish and whiting as you would expect. as usual there were a few summer species hanging around until late autumn and the odd cod showing from September time. however codling didn't show in number until the very end of October. i'm not sure what caused this blame it on what you like they were a little late but once they turned up they were in reasonable numbers and fairly steady. Of coarse there was the odd dud day mixed in but on the whole we have seen steady numbers right through until now. there was a brief cold spell around the start of December which started to thin the thornbacks out a little but when the temperature picked up they soon came back.
    most of the codling have been fish of 2-4lbs the usual stamp for inshore although there have been a lot of 6-10 inch long codling about the past couple of weeks which is promising for this autumn when they should be back and around keep able size. as I mentioned earlier its been a notably mild winter compared to many of late which I think isn't a bad thing for the codling and a good thing for the thornbacks which have provided us with great sport and some sizable fish between the codling. there have been a lot of double figure rays coming out which unfortunately cant be said for the cod. I don't mind admitting I haven't seen one all season as yet but I have only managed one offshore trip due to the wind.as for the wind I cant complain much as I'm sure many other ports have suffered a lot worst than us. there has been many I time when we have been grateful to be out and thinking of the unfortunate boats tied up around the country. I don't envy some of the skippers trying to earn a living from some ports this time of year.
    one of the big bonus's for us is the shelter of the black water estuary and surrounding area. just last Sunday we managed to sneak a day out with 18 thornbacks and a few other bits and bobs. in absolute comfort despite the strong winds. Saturday was good with 11 rays and 30 codling. we kept one male ray and 26 of the codling. 2 of the codling were the tiny things and another two legal but not worth keeping. we have had several days like that this season which usually sends everybody home with a smile.
    over the next month or so we should see the spring run of codling before they leave and as the water warms further the rays will grow in numbers. if were lucky we might get a last chance offshore in search of a better cod if not im sure we'll be happy with the inshore codling rattling the rod tips.

    im sorry its been a while since my last report on CBUK but I do update pictures and availability on here. I will try to do a monthly report on here if I get time. if not you can always find an honest report from each trip on my website www.essexseafishing.co.uk

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