January doldrums. It can be hard to find the enthusiasm to fish at these times of year. Traditionally January is always a tough month as the very last of the summer species disappear making us all that ever reliant on winter species showing.
With the distinct lack of cod this winter it has been slim pickings in recent weeks. Finding fish is tricky but can be done with a bit of homework, get up and go attitude and knowledge. Nothing is a given in fishing, even during more fruitful times of the year. Our advice would be, stay realistic with your approach, don’t expect big catches and accept that sometimes the fish just aren’t in front of you.
For the ‘flattie fanatics’ amongst us the upper reaches of the channel continue to provide reasonable catches of flounder with haunts like Aust, Littleton on Severn and the River Avon continuing to produce. The south coast estuaries have also reportedly been producing fish with the Taw and Torridge a worthy area to try amongst others. Cocktailed lug and rag bait being favoured alongside maddies. Consider tipping with small strips of mackerel as flounder can be partial to this at times and doing so can also reward with a bonus conger, bass or whiting if they reside in the area.
Whiting have been patchy of late, we were seeing some really nice whiting only a couple weeks ago with some real specimens amongst them. They appeared to have thinned out a little recently. Flappers and clip down rigs baited with small worm or fish baits will put you in good stead. Flappers for fishing close range, clipped rigs for fishing further out.
Cod fishing wise, the realities are that they simply aren’t here in any real numbers. This makes it incredibly hard to offer advice on where to try. If you are dead set on trying for a cod, we can only suggest putting odds in your favour and fishing famed marks for them on the favourable tides. Battery point, the low water reef marks like sand point, black rock etc and marks further down the channel too, especially around the Minehead locality. Lug and Squid baits are tradiotnal cod candy so try these if you fancy holing out for one. Perseverance will be key if targeting a cod this season.
For a better chance, head north or fish after storms on Chesil where there can be little flurries of action on the cod fishing front for those few who can tolerate the line dumps from remaining swells. Always stay safe and set way back from the swell if trying this. Keep rods high and use heavy leads to try and hold bottom for as long as you can.
Some reports are starting to filter in of spurdogs being caught further down channel now alongside the odd ones from the south coast, most notably around Slapton/Beesands etc. Wire traces a must when targeting these toothy critters. They can be tentative biters so don’t be overly keen to strike on bites, allow them to develop and wind steadily when retrieving as they do have a habit of coming off. Fish baits will be the best option, fresh whiting or pouting baits can be deadly if you can winkle a few out during your session.
It won’t be long before we start to see bass numbers increase, neither will it be long before plaice start to show on the south coast. If you can’t face braving the rather miserable conditions at times, consider getting that tackle box in order ready for the Spring fishing to really kick off. We’ve been busy topping up our shop with terminal tackle, tripod accessories, new clothing and all the latest gear. We’ve a couple brand new rods to show you all in a week or two’s time, we’re fortunate to be able to see some real gems before they hit the shelves and we can’t wait to show you them! Keep an eye out on our Facebook page for more info to follow.👀
On a freshwater front the pike fishing is in full flow now. If you managed to snag a ticket or two for Chew Valley on the weekend, we’ve plenty of turbo smelts in stock along with some bangin’ sardine and anchovy in our freezers. To accompany our bait ranges we’ve just taken delivery of some Pike pro and Drennan Specialist pike traces and terminal tackle. Everything you could need to set you on the right track for bagging that monster pike!
Maggot, castor and dendrobaena worm available as usual for all your coarse and carp fishing needs alongside our existing dry goods range and tackle. Don’t forget, we are a stockist of GURU, Korda, ESP, Drennan, Sticky Baits, Mainline, Dynamite, Sensas, Sonubaits, CC Moore, Bait tech and many, many more!
Tight lines if you get out, fishing will improve. Remember, it only takes that one bite to bump into that fish of a lifetime.
The Reel Fun Fishing Team
Fishing Update 18.01.26
