Typical bank holiday weekend weather

I know many of you have been reading some of the great reports from the shore this week and eagerly awaiting the chance to make the most of the Easter break. However in typical UK bank holiday tradition, the weather is rubbish. Gale force SW winds will make Chesil unfishable for the rest of the weekend. If you are not reading this forecast then you might be one of the lucky ones that has gone out today.

I can’t remember such a good start to the Plaice season as we are experiencing this month. We have had some cracking fishing, but there is no chance that we will get any from Chesil after today, for at least the next 4 days. However you could have a try at Sandbanks in Poole. You can find somewhere that is sheltered. If the fishing is as good this year as it was last year, then you could be in for a treat. The picture below is from a session that Simon Bristow and his son managed around this time last year.

It is not just Plaice that are coming out in that area. Peter Labas had a session at Christchurch during darkness. Using Lugworm cast at 60yds, he was delighted to land this 28 inch Bass, estimated to weigh 7 1/2 lb.

Chesil Beach: Calm with almost clear water, but more coloured towards West Bexington. As of Saturday morning the beach will be unfishable

Portland: calm with clear water. The West side will be very rough from Saturday

Portland Harbour: calm and clear water

Weymouth Bay: Calm with clear water

Chesil Beach forecast: You have the opportunity of getting out today, or not bothering to fish Chesil until mid week. There have been lots of Plaice caught all along the beach this week, but Abbotsbury and West Bexington have been the better marks. Rays have also been making an appearance. Mackerel and Sandeel seem to be the best bait. However as there seems to be a lot of Herring around, if you catch any it would be worth using one of them as a bait.

Portland: At last the Pollock have shown up. I had a message from Paul Richards telling me that the Pollock were taking lures around the Bill. Church Ope Cove should still fish well even in the strong SW winds. It will make a good sheltered mark. You can also expect to find a number of Wrasse there.

Portland Harbour: Still quiet in the harbour, but that will all change in a few weeks. I will continue to look for Mullet and bait fish.

Weymouth Bay: If you are in need of a fishing fix this weekend, then Weymouth piers and Preston Beach will provide shelter and fish. It is worth a try at night from Preston for a Ray.

The piers will produce Wrasse, Pout and Pollock, with the chance of some early Mackerel and Herring.

Guiding: With winter well and truly here the guiding for the next couple of months will be concentrated on Flounder, Wrasse and Whiting. However it wont be long before the Plaice return again and the first of the Mullet. It is advisable to book early for a guiding session this year. I am limiting my guides to 100 this year, which is a 30% drop from last year. I want to concentrate more on creating videos. However we can offer guided services in Poole and Plymouth, as well as the North East of England. If you would like to be a Fishing Tails guide then please contact us for more details.