What a week

I would love to be able to say that the tittle reflected the fishing this week, but unfortunately that was not the case, or at least not for me. I was unable to get out as much as I would have liked this week. Chesil remained rough but fishable for most of the week. I did manage one visit to it and was kept busy with a steady stream of fish. Mostly small Whiting and Pout, but I did have a few Bass as well.

Bass have been the main talking point for most sea anglers this week, after the announcement from Brussels on the Bass fishing ban, that will come into place on the 1st of January. In case you missed my article from yesterday, you can read it by following the link to it’s all about the Bass 

Looking at the weather for the weekend I would say if you want to try for a Cod or Bass on Chesil, then you need to go today. There is a break in the wind until the early hours of Saturday morning, when once again conditions will be unsafe to fish for most of the time. The sea has calmed down over the past couple of hours and it is heavily coloured. Perfect conditions for lots of Whiting and the odd Cod that is still around.

It was my intention to go Flounder fishing in Poole this week, as I had arranged to take my son over there for an interview with the Army, that was supposed to last all day. After I eventually found Hamworthy Lake pier and got all my gear sorted out, I got a call from my son asking me to pick him up. Apparently because of all the recent rain and due to health and safety, the run and outdoor physical activities that they were supposed to undertake were cancelled. Talk about being gob smacked! Anyway you can find out whats been going on from Leo in his post today on Flounder and Flying Gaff’s

For those that may have missed it, I managed to write a review on the Avet 5.3 SX MC multiplier A reel that I have been using for most of my beach casting this year.

Allan Yates, our boat features writer is giving away some of his lure making kits. For more details on how you can win some in time for Christmas have a look at his recent post on Deviltail Eels

It would be rude not to mention the great introductory article that Sam Wadman, recent finalist in BBC’s Earths Wildest Waters wrote for us this week. Have a look at Sam’s article My Passion for Angling

A quick reminder for anyone looking for a Christmas present this year, I can offer gift certificates for guiding sessions for next year. drop me an email if you want some more details to [email protected]

Sea Conditions: Water temperature 12.2°c

Chesil Beach: 1.5m swell with coloured water

Portland: A large swell with coloured water

Portland Harbour: Calm and lightly coloured water

Weymouth Bay: Calm with lightly coloured water

Chesil Beach forecast:  If you are lucky enough to get out on Chesil today, then you are in with the chance of having a bust session. Make sure you take lots of bait with you, as those hungry hounds and pesky Pout will try to rob your bait before a Cod or Bass gets the chance. Whiting should be numerous and hopefully a decent size.

If you are targeting Whiting then a simple two or three hook flapper rig baited with Mackerel or squid strip should do the job.

Portland: With the water looking rather coloured still, I can’t see there being much chance of catching one of the big Wrasse that are around. However these conditions are good for Conger and Bull Huss. Use large fish baits and rotten bottoms for your best chance of success.

Portland Harbour: Many parts of the harbour will provide shelter once the wind picks up again on Saturday. With temperatures unseasonably high the Bass should still stay around for a bit longer. Flounder can be found in most parts of the harbour, but the reefs around Sandsfoot are still producing Wrasse and the odd small Pollock.

Weymouth Bay: Another good mark to get out of the wind. The piers are producing lots of Whiting and Pout. Wrasse and Pollock can be caught right under your feet and a short cast out from the Pleasure Pier will see you amongst Flounder territory.

It is this time of year that I start to think more seriously about LRF fishing. For those that don’t know what that is, it is very light fishing for the smaller species. It is not for everyone, but it can offer a lot of fun as you try and catch as many different species on very sporting tackle.

Guiding: I have now moved into my winter guiding. This can be a great time to fish with lots of different species around. We are still very much in the best part of the Bass season, especially with lures. I will also be offering Wrasse fishing both on Lures and with bait to target the Big Wrasse that we will start to see soon.