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  • 04/2016 Fishing Report by Scott Belbin on Galloper (Brightlingsea, Essex)

    Apr 2016 by Scott Belbin

    Report on-board Galloper

    Its been another busy month here in the thames estuary. Fishing was hard at times earlier in the year due to the low water temperature but after a couple of weeks of warmer weather the fishing has turned a corner and fishing has picked up everywhere. There are good numbers of thorn-back rays showing inshore now and some good fish amongst them too. now they have arrived in force we shouldn’t loose many days to weather as we can find good fishing even in the shelter of our estuary. There are several whiting and dogfish showing with them. There is still the chance of an elusive cod (and they have been all to elusive) and I would be surprised if a few made a showing before summer arrives.
    The other day we managed our first offshore trip in a while with some good results. There was a mix of lads aboard with some beginners and some experienced anglers amongst them. There was a bit of breeze to start with but it was quite manageable and good enough to get where we wanted. after a good steam we eventually got anchored and started fishing. We were hoping to see a spurdog or two but they don’t spend much time in our area so its hard to predict when they will appear. As it happens Rolf was bitten off on his first cast which may be frustrating but was a good sign that there may be some about. With the likely hood of catching these fish being slim around here its often hard to convince people to fish heavier snoods but it is usually worth it as the one that bites you off might be your only chance of the day. as it happens today there were several chances and it wasn’t long before our fish spurdog was aboard. In fact at times it was quite busy between them and dogfish and untangling and casting the hire rods out as well as making dodgy tea. By slack water we had a few spurs aboard. The biggest fell to nick at 14.6lbs then Rolf at 12.6lbs and another at 11.7lbs with a few more at 4-8lbs. this mark doesn’t usually produce much on the next tide but as we had seen a few we sat it out just in case. As the tide got going it became clear it wasn’t happening so we made a move to another mark. the tide was just getting under way here but the dogfish were already feeding hard. Stephen had the first notable fish which was a nice roker. After the rolf had a couple of spurdogs and then on the last cast he winkled out the first cod ive seen since the middle of January. A nice fish at 8lbs too and it finished the day off well. We had 11 spurs, a roker, a cod, a pouting and lots of dogfish.
    I have a few spaces on offshore trips before the end of the month if you fancy facing the barrage of lesser spotted dogfish that are likely to be there. On the general trips for the next few weeks will be targeting thorn-backs with a chance of cod as well as the first of the smooth-hounds and bass that should show in the coming weeks. for more information, available dates and weekly updates please visit www.essexseafishing.co.uk or call 07956411528

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    UPCOMING INDIVIDUAL SPACES ONBOARD Galloper
    Fri 27/12/2024 3 Spaces 12 Hours £100.00pp
    Offshore trip
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    Sat 28/12/2024 8 Spaces 10 Hours £60.00pp
    General trip
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