Too many Mackerel !!

Is it possible for there to be too many Mackerel? Most would say no, but when you have planned a Bream trip and a you can’t get through the shoal, it can be a bit annoying, but I am not going to complain. That was the situation I was in on Tuesday. It was wonderful to watch as huge shoals of Mackerel chased bait fish right up on to the beach.

I have been fishing every day this week with mixed success. Bass fishing has been pretty poor with only one session when I was able to connect to any Bass. I am not sure if this was done to so many Mackerel being around and the Bass being fixated on them, or that the Bass simply were not around.

When the huge Mackerel shoals moved off again the Bream and Gurnard fishing improved. I seen plenty of Mullet and Garfish on the beach as well.

Fishing looks good for today and tomorrow, but sunday is threatening to be very windy. If the forecast 30+mph winds do arrive then Chesil will be unsafe to fish. You will have to look at alternative marks such as Weymouth or Swanage pier, or Preston beach.

Sea Conditions:

Water temperature 18.2 °c.

Chesil Beach: Slight chop with clear water. This will turn into rough conditions on Sunday.

Portland: Slight swell and clear water. As with Chesil, it will turn rough on Sunday.

Portland Harbour: calm with clear water

Weymouth Bay: Calm with clear water.

Chesil Beach forecast: The Mackerel shoals should still be around, but don’t expect them to be the huge shoals that we had on Tuesday and Wednesday. Dusk time is good for Scad, with plenty being caught from lures or float fished strips of Mackerel. If you fancy a Bream, Gurnard or even a Red Mullet then head towards the Weymouth and Portland end of the beach.

Remember that Chesil is likely to be unfishable on Sunday due to high winds and rough conditions.

Portland: Great Wrasse fishing during the day, with the chance of catching Pollock, Mackerel and Garfish on float fished Mackerel strip. Night sessions could produce Conger and Bull Huss.

Portland Harbour: I fished the harbour quite a lot over the past week. There were plenty of Mullet and Garfish around the Marina, Ferrybridge and at Sandsfoot. Ferrybridge and Sandsfoot also produced some Wrasse, but I didn’t see any Bass.

Weymouth Bay: I can imagine the the piers will be busy on Sunday and Monday as they will provide a safe and comfortable mark to fish. Preston Beach will also provide sheltered fishing with the chance of Bass, flatfish and Gurnard.

 Lyme Regis: A few Bass showing on Monmouth.

Guiding: I still have a few slots left between now and October, so if you are interested in lure or bait fishing drop me an email to [email protected]