Salty stuff
Where did our summer go? It certainly feels like winter is fast on its way now with cooler and shortening days, overcast and glum at times. For many an angler this late summer/autumnal period is the cream on the cake where winter species start to show and summer species hang on. Mixed bags of fish are commonplace at this time of year, especially down on the south coast on famed beaches like Chesil. Approaching your fishing with a variety of techniques and baits will put you in good stead to maximise your catches at this time of year.
As for the big beach as noted above, Chesil can provide some great sport if you hit it right! Black bream are now about in abundance and we’ve heard of some really encouraging reports of late of some good bags of fish. This pretty little fish is typically found in shoals so sport can be frantic if they decide to pass your ground. Fish small for these fish, sz 1-4 hooks are favoured with some preffering to use circle hooks to help hook up rates. Approaches vary but typically worm baits presented with long thin strips of squid will work well, especially black lug. Failing this, small mackerel baits can do some damage on their day too.
Outside of black bream, gurnards, red mullet and other less common species like late summer trigger fish can show at this time of year. All of which are preferably targeted with smaller hooks and worm/squid baits. Red mullet will often feed in pairs so its worth fishing 2 hook clip down rigs or flappers and letting bites sit for a few moments before lifting and retrieving. This can make the difference between catching one fish and catching two on the same cast. Patience if of virtue as they say!
Larger species like cod, conger and undulates are also present and will oblige to bigger baits if you fancy trying. Maybe consider a fresh mackerel fillet or head and guts presented in ‘the gutter’ at chesil where a larger bass, conger or even cod may stray. This can be particularly deadly during fading light conditions around dawn and dusk, especially after storms where fish will naturally come right under your feet in the search of dislodged shellfish, vulnerable bait fish and discarded mackerel cuttings. Don’t go light on your end gear as there is a good chance of larger conger showing in coming weeks, especially if whiting filter into shore in numbers.
As for areas along Chesil, any part of chesil can produce at this time of year but as a general rule of thumb, bream will show in better numbers along the deeper Portland end whereas bass, soles etc will show more regularly further west towards West Bexington, Cogden etc. Cod can show anywhere but famed marks like Abbotsbury won’t put you far wrong. A word of warning, Chesil can be a miserable experience in the wrong conditions and dangerous too. Never underestimate the dangers that this beach can present so always check the weather before you head off and be mindful of residual swells that can linger for many days after a storm has hit. Weed and debris can be brought to shore and the combination of swell too can make this beach near impossible to fish at times. If in doubt, speak to our team who can advise on whether a trip may be worth while or not.
On local shores, bass, sole, rays and conger continue to show. Now is the time to start to target a larger conger as they move into the upper reaches of the channel. There have already been some reports of pin whiting showing, these are a key indicator that conger wont be far behind as they as love to feed on them when they start to show. A freshly presented whole whiting can be a killer bait at this time of year, you never know, you may even bump into a bonus bass!
Bass have started to thin out a little and are more likely to be found in the slightly deeper areas as it continues to cool down. Occasional fish will stray into the shallow mud flats found on the upper reaches but not in the numbers they perhaps did a few weeks ago. Don’t take it for granted that they’ll be there so fish smaller and target late sole, flounders and eels. If one graces your hooks, just take it easy when playing. Slow steady winding is often all that’s required, you’d be surprised how much a good quality smaller hook can handle. Fishing bigger hooks will limit catches in the upper reaches and potentially miss you the opportunity of that specimen sole or flounder if its comes along. Marks further south like Bossington, Porlock, Hinkley, Kilve etc can present some big bass at this time of year, often to larger fish baits like whole squid. Try after rougher weather for the best chance of finding a real memory maker.
The sole fishing this year on the channel has been much like last year. Not big numbers of fish about but some real quality fish amongst them, when you do bump into them. Encouragingly there have been some reports of some smaller ‘slip’ soles about in recent months so here’s hoping we see improvement numbers in coming years. Ragworm supplies are still a bit patchy but are improving, call the shop to avoid disappointment.
Cod….do we dare mention that word? Whilst most anglers locally will recognise that its unlikely we’ll see any proper numbers of cod in the channel this year, there is always the chance of bumping into one. Never say never. We would expect the occasional capture in coming weeks so don’t ever dismiss a try at famed local marks like Battery Point, Sand Point and Layde Bay. We’d suggest fishing fish baits which should at least give you some action on the ever present stocks of thornbacks and congers locally. Pulley Pennel rig with 4/0-5/0 sized hooks should do the job.
Portishead Marina
Portishead Marina has been a bit patchy of late but Mullet continue to show along with bass. Young Arthur has been stomping his position in as a Marina champ lately with a couple fine catches including a nice sized bass that came to a bread bait! There has been the occasional big bass spotted in the marina this year so you never know what may be lurking around. If you’re keen, an evening session into darkness with a bigger bait on the bottom may be worth trying.
Flounder should now be making there way into the marina and these can give good sport in the leaner winter months. Try a ragworm presented on a small sz6 jig head just inched along the bottom. This can be deadly for flatfish as they like a bit of movement with their baits.
As always with the marina, please be mindful that it is both a residential area and a spot the local community visit to enjoy. Please leave no trace behind, take all rubbish home with you and respect the water.
Coarse, Carp and Predator Fishing
Inching ever closer to prime predator fishing now. Pike and perch should be a consideration if hitting local rivers as they will start to actively look to fatten up on small baitfish before the colder snaps hit and winter draws closer. For the lure fishing enthusiasts amongst us, try some of the new lures that we’ve had in stock lately including the Berkley Powerbait Cullshad Slim packs available in both a dark and clear water offering.
.
On a coarse fishing front, some notable catches of bream have been taken of late both on rivers and lakes. Feeding swims heavy to keep fish condensed is important at this time of year. Mix in some natural baits like maggot and worm to give yourself an edge over other anglers who may be fishing nearby.
Chub and barbel are obliging on both the Severn and Wye now that levels are increasing and temps cooling. Rolled meat will work but don’t dismiss Dynamite Baits ‘The Source’ boilies which can be deadly on their day. Fished simply on a running lead will work, a cage feeder can help bring fish out from underhung banks or deeper pools.
Don’t be afraid to use heavier mixes at this time of year, especially on heavily pressured commercial waters. The fish will really be getting in on the feed ready for the leaner winter months. Try fishmeal or krill based baits as they have a tremendous amount of oil and scent to draw fish in.
Wherever you decide to fish and whatever fishing discipline you choose to have ago at, this is a prime time to get some catches under your belt. Enjoy the good fishing in coming weeks as come the winter, it will inevitably slow up.
Don’t forget to call us for all your tackle and baits needs. Fresh live baits are being delivered throughout the week and of course we have plenty of ready to go pellet, boilies, glugs etc too!
Tight lines,
The Reel Fun Fishing Team