Another wild weekend
by Sean McSeveny
1 year ago
Once again we were battered with another Atlantic gale at the weekend. How come it never seems to blow during the week, then have a lull during the times most of us can fish? It looks like today could be a brilliant day on Chesil. We did have a couple of days this week, where a few lucky anglers were able to take advantage of a break in the weather and head on to Chesil. Bradley Price managed 3 nice [...]
Shark Fishing Dorset – Talking Tackle!
by Paul Burridge
1 year ago
So maybe you’re thinking of getting out amongst our local sharks? The question is with what? Well there are many different opinions on the best tackle for sharks. Some anglers prefer to tackle up lighter and enjoy the sport of smaller sharks where others prefer to tackle up for the monster from the depths and bide their time. I personally prefer the later because if one day I hook that monster I want to be ready for the battle of [...]
Fishin Impossible
by Sean McSeveny
1 year ago
Fishing conditions this week have been brutal to say the least and unfortunately there seems no let up for this weekend, or at least not on Chesil, so if you are in any doubt as to whether the beach is fishable I think you can see from this impressive picture taken this morning by my friend Finn McGuirk, that it isn’t.
For those that are interested, I created a short video a couple of days ago, that is still relevant now.
I [...]
Classic Chesil fishing with double figure Cod
by Sean McSeveny
1 year ago
It was one of those weekends that could have been good, or a total blank on Chesil. The tides were dying away, the water was clearing and we still had an easterly wind for the most part. As it turned out, Chesil produced the way it was typically remembered for, by producing a number of nice Cod, from marks all along the beach, as well as well as good Whiting and the usual Pout and Dogfish.
Bradley Price was just about [...]
Big Blondes and Record Breaking Brill
by Sean McSeveny
1 year ago
Once again Chesil Beach has produced a cracking weekend of fishing for some. But it wasn’t the Cod that everyone has been seeking, it has been the flat fish that have hit the headlines, with a potential British record breaking Brill and some amazing Rays.
Bernard Johnson weighed in a huge Brill of 8lb 3oz, which if verified, will break the record by over 1/2lb.
I have to admit, never having caught a Ray of any kind from Chesil. I have made [...]
Big Bass in November
by Sean McSeveny
1 year ago
I did say on Monday that November is one of the best months of the year for big Bass and Ben Male proved exactly that, with a 12lb Bass caught at Seaton on Garfish. I have to admit to never having used Garfish as a bait, other than to catch Garfish, but I had heard that it is a good bait, especially for Conger. Ben has just proved that it is also good for catching Bass. It was a good call [...]
Shark Fishing …. Around Portland ???
by Paul Burridge
1 year ago
Everyone has seen the film right? The large reel, the guttural clicking of a Penn Senator reel before the noise becomes a scream as yards of line roll out faster than you can wind it back on! Most shark anglers live for this. For decades past, Cornwall was always the mecca for shark fishing. In recent years Wales has been challenging for this crown. Huge Porbeagle and Blue shark from these venues certainly make both worthy.
Having had a keen interest [...]
Death of a fishing legend
by Sean McSeveny
1 year ago
It is with great sadness that I hear the news this morning, of the sudden death of John Wilson, who died after suffering a stroke in his home in Thailand. John was a fishing legend that inspired so many people, myself included. I was lucky enough to meet him once and I was awed by his passion and knowledge of angling. He crossed all the fishing disciplines and his videos and TV shows enlightened millions of anglers over the years. [...]
Whats happened to Fishing Tails? We are back!
by Sean McSeveny
1 year ago
I am delighted to say that Fishing Tails is back and will be even better than ever. I won’t bore you with the details as to why I haven’t been around, but I would like to say thank you to those who have supported me over the past few months and have persuaded me to get the site back up and running.
I will start off with some bad news for me. I had almost all of my fishing tackle stolen [...]
2018 Update - Minimum Landing Sizes (MLS) and protection status for common UK Marine fish
by Adrian Crawford
2 years ago
We have updated the MLS page to reflect the new Bass rules for 2018.
The dust has now settled over the new Minimum Landing Size (MLS.) for Bass so we thought it might be interesting to test your knowledge of the MLS. and protection status of some of our most common UK Marine fish. No cheating this is not a test of your Googling skills we genuinely want to see how knowledgeable you all are!
As a bonus everyone who finishes the Quiz will [...]
Salmon & the Carp Angler
by Corsican Dave
2 years ago
John Gierach once wrote
“…. how often do you have a chance to get skunked while casting a fourteen-foot spey rod in the shadow of a castle built two hundred years before the American Revolution?”
You’ll be thinking that I quite like John Gierach. Well, I think I do. I like his writing and his attitude in his writing; and I get the feeling that I’d kinda like to meet the guy and share a beer with him. Although I’m rather afraid [...]
Autumn Fishing in Dorset and Chesil Beach
by Sean McSeveny
2 years ago
Autumn is without a doubt the best time for sea fishing in Dorset. We still have all the summer species around, but the winter species are now starting to show, so you never know what your next catch will be. It could easily be a hard fighting Smoothound from Seaton or a tasty Cod from Cogden. Exactly 2 years ago today I landed an 7lb Bass on bait from Ferrybridge in bright sunshine.
The variety of fish that have been caught [...]
Bass and Cod on Chesil
by Sean McSeveny
2 years ago
I am guessing many of you have looked at the weather forecast for the next few days and thought I don’t fancy going out in that. I look at the conditions and it makes me almost tremble with excitement. I know that this is one of the best opportunities that I am going to get, to try and catch a big Bass and a few Cod in the same session. Yes it will be rough, but I am looking for [...]
A Brief History of Slime: Fly fishing for Carp
by Corsican Dave
3 years ago
At first glance, fly fishing for carp appears to be a very modern phenomenon; all deer-hair pellet flies and punk camo clothing. But you’d be very wrong! What if we told you that fly fishing for carp is probably as old as fishing itself? And the first reference to fly patterns specifically for carp date back to a German text from around 1500!
Fast forward to the 20th century and Peter Cockwill (as ever!) was very much in the vanguard of [...]
Summer fishing in Dorset
by Sean McSeveny
3 years ago
With July only a day away we can finally start talking about summer fishing and what we can expect along the Dorset coast. Lets start with Chesil, which is everyones favourite mark. It certainly hasn’t been on fire recently, but that should start to change as the summer fish as now moving in. Gurnard normally herald the first of the summer species and they are now being caught in regular numbers. We are lucky that we see most species of [...]
Review – Fladen Vantage Dropshot 5-20g
by Ben Bassett
3 years ago
With dropshotting as popular as ever, I was intrigued to see what this very reasonably priced rod from Fladen could bring to the table. Stop wait I said the F word, for a long time Fladen has been associated with cheap, almost disposable tackle but recently there has been a shift in focus, with the company following hot on the tails of their more fashionable competition. The tackle quality has improved, there has been more innovation and less imitation, plus they’ve [...]
Turbot and flat fish surprise on Chesil
by Sean McSeveny
3 years ago
Turbot are not a fish normally associated with Chesil, but for some reason they are showing on a number of different marks along the beach. Steve Parsons landed this lovely Turbot on crab and ragworm, during a daylight session.
A number of larger ones into double figures have been landed on night tides. Local angler Phil Cheeseman, landed this one during the Weymouth Angling Society monthly shore competition.
My theory is that the fish are moving out to the Shambles and have [...]
Mixed Fortunes
by Tom Sheffield
3 years ago
Over the past couple of weeks the fishing has remained pretty hit or miss in the South Devon area. The weather has warmed up which has made things feel more pleasant to be out in. The catch rates haven’t warmed up a lot though. Last time I reported on how scratching techniques seemed to be working reasonably well from the beaches local to me. With no real significant sign that things were improving I have continued along this line of [...]
LRF Profile - The Long Spined Sea Scorpion
by Ben Bassett
3 years ago
Certain fish species are just icons for their respective scenes. The bass is the poster boy for heavy rock fishing, the carp for specimen coarse fishing and when it comes to LRF, one species is synonymous with the technique, the long spined sea scorpion.
It’s easy to see why this species is so popular, it’s incredibly photogenic! Looking more like a venomous fish from the tropics, their habit of puffing up their spikes when handled makes every photo look epic. For [...]
Scratching in the surf
by Tom Sheffield
3 years ago
Now certainly is the time of year when the fishing around South Devon can be particularly tough. The whiting have all but gone leaving the main targets relatively small, not easy to find and you simply have to put the hours in to get great results. This is not exactly an inspiring time for the everyday shore fisherman. The recent weather with a succession of low pressure systems causing strong winds and downpours also does not get you feeling like [...]
Chasing Winter Silver
by Ben Bassett
3 years ago
On a blustery and damp Monday night in February, I find myself searching for silver. The ‘Tamar Tarpon’ (I unfortunately can’t take credit for that excellent nickname) aka the Atlantic herring, rumoured to be in the river in huge numbers. An LRF angling opportunity on my doorstep I’d be a fool to miss. Not one to sit bored watching television, I ready the rod and make my way to the river.
I don’t fish the Tamar often enough, it’s the river [...]
A rough weekend ahead
by Sean McSeveny
3 years ago
The UK is currently being hit by storm Doris and it looks like it will continue throughout the weekend and into middle of next week. As you can see from this vide shot by Izzy Ismet of Underwater Explorers, conditions on Chesil are pretty rough.
This morning the wind has dropped and the beach is fishable. It is one of those short windows of opportunity that most anglers are unable to take advantage of. However if you are not working today, [...]
Whiting Wonderland
by Tom Sheffield
3 years ago
My fishing trips have been rather one dimensional through January. Following a successful trip first out finally locating a few winter flounder I decided to head out to the open coast for much of the month in search of dabs. These little flatfish have become scarce in South Devon in recent years. A few decent specimens still appear in January, usually from the South Hams beaches, but they are also caught from the deeper water marks around Torbay. I had [...]
LRF Profile - The Giant Goby
by Ben Bassett
3 years ago
With the continued popularity of Light Rock Fishing, it perplexed me that there are not more detailed guides on mini-fish species. Having spent all of 2016 species hunting, I wanted to put my own mini-guides out there for the intrepid LRF angler, starting with one of the biggest and, in most places, rarest rockpool predator.
Gobius Cobitus – the giant goby, truly lives up to it’s name. Of all the inhabitants of the intertidal zone, few can rival this fish for [...]
Late winter fishing options
by Sean McSeveny
3 years ago
February can be one of the worst months of the year for fishing, especially on Chesil Beach. It is hard to get motivated and leave the warmth of your home, to sit on a windswept and wet beach, just to catch a few Rockling and the odd undersized Whiting. Having said that, I would rather do that and catch a stunning sunset, than sit in front of the TV.
A big thanks to fellow angler Izzy Ismet of Underwater Explorers, for [...]
A huge Bass and the Flounders are finally in!
by Leo Toms
3 years ago
Since my last post I have devoted all my fishing time to floundering, sadly the catches have not been good. Despite the many hours I’ve dedicated to this pursuit the fishing for myself and others has been dire!
Over the Christmas period I fished my first ever match, “The Hangover Open” run by Steve Lawrence Expectations were high as some of Pooles top anglers were taking part and I’m not ashamed to say I felt a little out of my depth amidst such company. [...]
Finally Flounder
by Tom Sheffield
3 years ago
Long time no post! Apologies for the lack of reports leading up to the New Year. My first little one was born just before Christmas so becoming a new dad has taken up a lot of my time. I’m back out fishing again now and here are some reports from sessions before Christmas and the first session of 2017 With whiting dominating the catches other species have been hard to come by and list of possible targets diminishes. I am [...]
'Eel'y bad fishing
by Leo Toms
3 years ago
Since my last post all my fishing time has been devoted to flounder fishing in the harbour, normally by now I would be telling anybody that will listen that this time of year is one of the best times of year to be doing this. However for the last month I have been fishing at least twice a week, midweek and again at the weekend at all my local marks (Rockley Park, Lake Beach, Hamworthy Park and Chalk Road) all for [...]
Whiting Everywhere
by Tom Sheffield
3 years ago
Journeying around the South Devon coastline visiting different venues, the fishing has become pretty tough in the past couple of weeks, typical of this time of year. The weather certainly hasn’t helped matters. East winds have buffeted the coast for nearly two weeks, not a friendly wind direction for most of the open coastline in South Devon. The flounder fishing, always a good option when the coast is rough, has not really kicked into gear either. I have tried my [...]
Cod fishing has gone flat
by Sean McSeveny
3 years ago
Well what can I say? Another weekend with very few codling on Chesil and the few that were caught were all pretty small. I would love to know what happened to all those fish we had for the past two years . I expected to see a good number of Cod in the 8-10lb range this year. Instead it has been one of the worst cod seasons I can remember.
One of the big factors that has affected the Cod fishing, [...]
Calling all Sea Anglers
by Adrian Crawford
3 years ago
If like us you are fed up with getting the rough end of the stick when it comes to fishing restrictions and bans, here is an opportunity to fight back and help show quite how important sea angling is to the UK.
Seaangling.org is has launched a project called Sea Angling 2017 which aims to collect catch and spend data from a 1000 sea anglers throughout 2017. If you are a regular or even occasional sea angler they need you to record [...]
It's time for Flounder
by Tom Sheffield
3 years ago
In South Devon the first frosty days of Autumn stir many anglers minds towards digging out the light rods and making their way down to one of the local estuaries in search of a big flounder. The British record flounder was caught in the River Teign in the 1990s, a monster of 5lb 7oz. Each year many fish over 3lb and a few over 4lb are caught from a number of different estuaries along this stretch of coastline. The numbers [...]
Garfish - The LRF Acrobat
by Ben Bassett
3 years ago
Bizarre, aggressive and athletic – there are few more entertaining fish than the gar. A streamlined pelagic predator, they become a regular catch to shore anglers from late summer to winter’s beginning. Following the baitfish shoals along with the mackerel; fisherfolk all around the country can quite realistically go out and catch one. But why use heavy float tackle when you can go light? This is what I’ve been discovering recently.
We all know the float setup used for bait-fishing from [...]
South Devon Tails
by Tom Sheffield
3 years ago
Hello from South Devon! My name is Tom Sheffield and I have been fishing the coastline around this area for the past 16 years. After talking to Sean recently I agreed to become a contributor for Fishing Tails reporting my exploits from this wonderful section of coastline. We are truly blessed in South Devon to be able to fish a huge variety of different types of ground for a myriad of species throughout the year. I personally enjoy catching flatfish [...]
Huge Cod from Chesil
by Sean McSeveny
3 years ago
On Friday my headline was “The Cod are coming”. Unfortunatly it would seem that the Cod failed to read my article and decided to go somewhere else. So far the cod fishing has been very poor. However Robert Moore proved that there are some good caught to be caught, when he landed this monster at 11kg (24lb)
Well done to you Robert, you will certainly get a few fillets out of that.
There were a few other codling caught, but not in [...]
The Cod are coming.
by Sean McSeveny
3 years ago
It is not too often that I welcome a spell of bad weather, but I have been waiting ages for a big blow to come through and really stir up Chesil beach. Finally it arrived yesterday and looking at the beach this morning it is exactly what I had hoped for. I would be quite happy if it continued to blow for another day, to really stir things up, but I am happy to try and get out for a [...]
The Squid are in
by Sean McSeveny
3 years ago
Calm seas, building tides and good water visibiity all combine to make great Squid fishing conditions. Both Weymouth pleasure and stone pier are good locations, as are the piers towards Bournemouth. Squid fishing isn’t limited to the piers as Christopher Luke found out whilst fishing in Chesil Cove.
The main question I am getting this week is, will Chesil be fishable over the weekend. The simple answer is yes. The wind will be mostly from the North which means that it won’t [...]
The fun world of L.R.F
by Jamie Sandford
3 years ago
The fun world of L.R.F.
Hello everyone, It’s been a few months since I’ve written anything for the FT webpage and as 2016 comes to an end I thought I’d put a little piece together with regards to my local L.R.F adventures over the last 12 months.
Ive wanted to write some material for a while now to give a general overview on ‘What is L.R.F/How do I go about it/What can I catch’ as well as a diary style piece of [...]
Last cast Pouting
by Leo Toms
3 years ago
Midweek with lots of productive venues nearby I decided to fish Lake Pier beach, principally to see if there were any flounder to be caught. However on arriving at the large car park I found that it was packed! Apparently I had picked the one night a club match was taking place, one more thing to check before choosing a venue; tide, weather, water conditions, match in vicinity! After a quick chat with match organiser Steve Lawrence, he advised fishing further up [...]
Cod Competition results
by Sean McSeveny
3 years ago
Yesterday was the Weymouth Angling Centre Chesil Beach Cod Open at Abbotsbury. With a top prize of a £1000 Heaviest Bag (cod only) and a second large prize of £500 for the heaviest It will come as no surprise that a lot of anglers entered. What was a surprise was the lack of Cod. The past couple of years, there have been a lot of Cod caught during the competition, but this year only two anglers, out of a 140 managed [...]
We are back
by Sean McSeveny
3 years ago
First I would like to apologise for the lack of posts over the last 2 weeks, I have been dealing with a lot of personal issues which has meant I’ve not been unable to devote as much time as I usually do to the site . Hopefully things will become less trying soon and we can get back to business as usual.
With Cod beginning to show in increasing numbers on Chesil, Mike Soanes traveled from Plymouth to fish Abbotsbury last night. He was rewarded [...]
Summer fishing in October
by Sean McSeveny
3 years ago
We are having a spell of great weather for the time of year and also a great run of fish. Not the Cod that everyone seems desperate to catch, but Plaice, Bream and Gurnard. I had a busy week guiding for most part and I was lucky enough to find a lot of Plaice. Thankfully most of them were not that far out. I met up with Bill Morris the UK distributor for Trabucco. He had been very keen for [...]
Searching for Cod Bass or Plaice
by Adrian Crawford
3 years ago
Sorry no post from Sean today due to personal reasons, so instead I get to talk about some new and some not so new additions to the site that may have passed you by.
First you may have noticed we have a new search option which replaces our old one which was pretty difficult to use, especially now as we have so many post to search! The new search updates live as you type so you can see immediately which articles match [...]
Will there be Cod this weekend?
by Sean McSeveny
3 years ago
I have been asked a number of times already this week, if I think it will be any good for Cod this weekend, especially as we have fairly stiff North Easterly winds. Well despite the almost calm conditions on the beach, I am pretty certain that there will be a few Cod caught. Chris Buxton had a couple from the Abbotsbury end of Chesil, with the best going over 10lb.
Carl McCormack also managed a nice Codling of over 6lb on [...]
Sandbanks for weed, Plaice and a P.B. Bass
by Leo Toms
3 years ago
As Sean had predicted the winds proved spot on for cod fishing at chesil, with many fine fish being caught. However with my wife nabbing the car I chose to fish closer to home at the Sandbanks on Saturday. It was no real hardship as I had a feeling there maybe a plaice or two about. In preparation I dug some lug and ragworm on Friday evening, we don’t get many black lug in Poole Harbour but I managed a few blows [...]
Bream bonanza
by Sean McSeveny
3 years ago
Can there be such a thing as too many Bream? Only if your double whole squid bait that you are using to target Cod, is eaten in a matter of minutes by the hoards of locust like Bream. That was exactly what happened to me at the weekend on Chesil. most were the size of the fish shown in this stock picture below. With the odd decent sized one amongst them. We must have been sat on a large shoal, [...]
Early Cod and late Bream. Its all happening
by Sean McSeveny
3 years ago
Finally, the good fishing that we expect on Chesil in September, has kicked in. its just a shame that it has taken until almost October. Anyway enough of my complaining, I dont have time, as I don’t want to miss the great conditions that we have today. It looks perfect for Bass and Cod and its not too rough for Bream. I have had several reports of large numbers of Bream at Ferrybridge and Abbotsbury. Scott Clarke had a couple [...]
Honeypot Lakes Catfish Open Match Report - Round Two
by Sam Tittensor
3 years ago
Following our success in the first Honeypot Pairs Catfish Match, my partner Ben and I were quick to sign up when the time came for Round 2. By arriving early, we gave ourselves time to walk around the lakes before the match started, enabling us to make educated decisions during the draw. We came out third, and I was quick to secure the “Crafty’s” swim. This swim is in a corner, at the time on the back of the wind [...]
Drifting into Autumn for plaice and gilthead bream
by Leo Toms
3 years ago
After a couple of failed weekends chasing the weather and some early cod at Chesil, I decided to set my sights a little closer to home. Gilthead bream had been showing up on many marks around the harbour and a confirmed report of one particularly fine specimen being caught at the lake pier in Hamworthy caught my interest!
Fishing on the building springs in early September one lucky angler landed a Gilthead of well over 6lb. I fished the pier a few days later but [...]
Plaice and bait fish
by Sean McSeveny
3 years ago
Things are looking up again on Chesil, the bait fish have returned along with the mackerel and we have seen some impressive catches of Plaice and Sole. I even managed to catch Plaice myself
As I mentioned earlier in the week they are at range. However they seem happy to take just about any bait put in front of them.
Carl Mccormack had a great session with 11 Plaice and 3 Sole from the western end of the Beach
The really good news [...]
Summer Sea Fishing For Bass and Thornback Rays Aboard "Contessa of Weston"
by Sam Tittensor
3 years ago
This story takes me back to the beginning of the summer when the rivers were closed and I was left without a venue to fish. After a successful winter’s piking, my friend and I wanted a new challenge and through a series of coincidences, I was given a great opportunity. Following a chance meeting at a Pike Angler’s Club coaching day in the autumn Ian and I struck up a friendship which has since carried us up and down the [...]
Sole searching
by Sean McSeveny
3 years ago
There are fish on Chesil, but you need to be either very close in or hitting long casts to get them at the moment. We are seeing the Garfish in better numbers and they should continue to become a regular in our catches for the next two months. Fred Snook managed a few in a recent session, it helped save a blank and I personally love catching them.
I was set to try for Garfish and Mackerel on Chesil on Friday, [...]
Dark Foggy and Fishe
by Irene Hodgson
3 years ago
After a poor day’s pike fishing on Wednesday we had planned an evening trip last night, but with heavy rain most of the day then the threat of fog it didn’t bode well for us, but the sea conditions weren’t too bad so we went for it, also with poor light it meant fishing into darkness.
Railblaza’s New Illuminate i360
Enter my new toy, Railblaza’s New Illuminate i360, I’ve want to try this out for ages, when I first got it we [...]
What is going on?
by Sean McSeveny
3 years ago
Last week I was singing the praises of fishing in September, this week I am scratching my head and thinking, where have the fish gone? To be honest this is localised to Chesil, as many of the other marks are fishing well, but I am really disappointed in the lack of fish from my favourite shingle beach. So if you are wondering why the reports have been a bit sparse recently this is one of the reasons. The other reason [...]
Fishing in September, the best month of the year
by Sean McSeveny
3 years ago
If I was only allowed to go fishing once a year, then I would choose to go fishing in September. It has for me, been the best month for as long as I can remember. We still have all the summer fish around, but the first of the winter species are starting to make an appearance. I am going to stick my neck out on the line again and once again forecast Bass and Cod over the next two days [...]
The Pen Rod - Mightier Than The Sword?
by Ben Bassett
3 years ago
You will have likely seen a ‘Pen Rod’ in your time perusing the internet for fishing tackle. If you’re not familiar, they are a very cheap and short telescopic rod, that collapses into a comically oversized pen, complete with lid (though lacking any ink!). For the bargain price of little over five pounds you could be the lucky owner of one, but is it just a novelty or a genuinely usable bit of kit? I recently bought one to find [...]
Squid starting to show on the South Coast
by Sean McSeveny
3 years ago
I was surprised to hear that the Squid have started to show in a number of areas along the south coast. This is almost a month early, but nothing surprises me this year, as all the fishing patterns seem to be out of sync. As usual the night tides produced the Squid from the piers, but some of the Weymouth Charter boats are likely to stop off on the way in and have a go from the area near the [...]
Could we see Tuna?
by Sean McSeveny
3 years ago
I was told a few weeks ago that there was a large body of warm water moving in the Atlantic, that would bring huge shoals of Mackerel to the UK. Along with the Mackerel and other baitfish, would be Sharks and Tuna. I will admit that I was more than sceptical, but it seems that I may have been a bit hasty in my dismissal. We certainly had a lot of large Mackerel a few weeks ago, even though trying [...]
Thunder and lighting fishing
by Sean McSeveny
3 years ago
After the exciting conditions at the start of the week, the fishing has settled back into the normal summer mode, with some nice Gurnard being caught and loads of Smoothound. Ben Hackett managed this one from the Ferrybridge end of Chesil. Normally I would say use Peeler Crab to target them, but they seem equally happy to take Squid baits.
Dan Church managed to get in amongst the Undulates that made an appearance all along the beach. This one at 8 [...]
Gale force fishing
by Sean McSeveny
3 years ago
The gale force winds that were forecast for the weekend hit the coast just as predicted. It certainly stirred the water up and just as I predicted on Friday, the Bass and Cod moved in. I fished the Ferrybridge end of Chesil yesterday afternoon, just as soon as the wind and sea had died down to a safe level. When I arrived there was only a handful of other hardy anglers on the beach and two of them had already [...]
Some bad weather heading our way; Happy days!
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
I can’t wait for the forecast bad weather to hit Chesil this weekend. No I am not joking. I always look forward to a good short blow in August. If you are ever going to catch a big Bass, chances are it will be then. There are some cracking Bass around at the moment as Ben Stockley found out yesterday, when he caught and released this 8lb cracker.
I had two Bass on the bot yesterday that were close to 10lb. [...]
Starfish: the return of the 5 legged menace
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
One day I am reporting great catches from Chesil, then the next day, it seems like someone flicked a switched and the fishing just turned off. What’s happening? I fished at West Bexington yesterday, in conditions that seemed pretty favourable on the surface. A steady SE wind creating a small bit of surf with clear water. Recent reports suggested that bait fish and Mackerel were in abundance, yet I really struggled, as did everyone around me. I had a message [...]
Ceaser's Palace at Bake Lakes & The Cat and Carp Lake at Milemead
by Ben Bassett
4 years ago
With the plethora of excellent sea fishing on offer in the Plymouth area, you wouldn’t expect the coarse fishing to be particularly exceptional. But with the recent addition of two exciting specimen lakes to two of our most popular coarse fisheries, the South-Devon and Cornwall based angler is spoilt for choice. I’m of course talking about Ceaser’s Palace at Bake Lakes in Cornwall, and The Cat & Carp Lake at Milemead in Devon. Both fisheries are within a half hour [...]
Summer Fishing on Chesil
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
Chesil Beach can often be over rated at many times of the year, but summer is not one of those times. It is when it comes into it’s own and out-fishes just about every other mark in the country. The diversity of species is incredible. How many other marks do you know where you can catch Pout, Poor Cod, Codling, Gurnard, Bream, Smoothound, Conger eel, Rays, Plaice, Trigger fish, Pollock, Bass, Mackerel, Scad, Shad, Red Mullet, Grey Mullet, Wrasse and [...]
Crooked lines review
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
I have to admit that I would not normally have picked up a copy of Dominic Garnett’s latest book, Crooked Lines. Not because I have anything against Dominic, but because I thought I had read all the fishing tales type books that were worth reading. I came across Crooked Lines, whilst looking for a book on Fly Fishing for Coarse fish. Dominic just happened to have written a book on exactly that subject, which I bought, but that’s another review. [...]
A tale of 2 halves
by Dan Austen
4 years ago
As the weather was looking considerably more settled than during the week it was decided that myself and a good friend and new to sea fishing Nick Snelling would hit the shingle of Chesil Beach, with the car loaded and spirits high we left full of optimism as to what this magical place would throw up for us today. Upon our arrival we were greeted to a surprisingly rather empty car park which is unusual for a Saturday evening but [...]
Bass at their best
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
As predicted last week the Bass fishing was pretty good. No sooner had I put the forecast up and when my friend Paul Black called me to say he had managed 3 Bass the night before, with the biggest going 7lb. They were tiddlers compared to the 13.5lb Bass that Paul Stewart had from Abbotsbury
I am out with Paul Whittal on Offshore Rebel today, in the hope of a Bass from the boat. If I can get a signal I [...]
My mommy always said there were no monsters. No real ones; but there are……
by Corsican Dave
4 years ago
I saw a whole duck disappear this evening. Not one of my flies, not a duckling; a whole, adult duck.
I heard (and saw) the fish charge through the reed bed, heard the commotion as it hit and then the plaintive cries of the duck. Noises that shouldn’t ever come out of a duck.
Its mate was crying for it as I waded towards the scene, only in time to watch the alien queen sink back into the security of the reeds.
Did [...]
Summer fishing report from the Poole area
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
Apologies for the lack of posts. I have been very busy with work ,but I still had managed to get a few sessions in. July has always a busy month both in work and fishing terms. Sometimes I have been taking the fishing gear and leaving straight from the job to hit the beach. I will try to sum up some the highlights that July had to offer.
Having heard that some really big plaice had been caught in early July. I [...]
Big Bass week
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
One of the things that makes Fishing Tails unique as a site is that we don’t just tell you whats been caught, we try to forecast what’s going to be caught. Well this week I am going to put my neck on the block again and predict that we will see several big Bass coming from the shore. I was right about the Cod the previous week and I am sure that given the strong South Westerly winds we are [...]
Summer Cod and trigger fish
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
Summer fishing is well upon us and it seems that everyday the fishing just gets better. I reported on Monday about the Bream moving into the area. It looks like this could be one of the best years for Bream fishing in a long time. I have heard reports of catches of 10 or more Bream in a session, with many being close to 2lb. Dan Austen reported having 8 Bream and would have had more, had the Mackerel not [...]
aww, a little fluffy duckling..... how cute!
by Corsican Dave
4 years ago
Ever wondered why there’s always a few less ducklings every time you wander past your local pond? Well, I did; so I designed a fly to catch the culprits! In this article I will show you step by step, how to make a duckling fly.
Firstly, let me apologise for both the photos and the tying. i’m not a professional at either!
Hook: size 2/0 or bigger. Preferably wide gape
Thread: strong, black. This is an Orvis saltwater thread
Legs: zonker strip. Pick a [...]
Fishing marks Hampshire: Magazine Lane
by Scott Ling
4 years ago
Magazine lane can be found by using the postcode SO40 4UX and once you have arrived at this postcode if you follow the road all the way to the end,you will see a gravel car park to the left of you with a back drop the containers ships and the docks.
Magazine lane or Maggy lane as some fishermen call it, can be fished by a novice fisherman or the most experienced fishermen, and is favoured when the weather conditions are [...]
Bream dream
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
Black Bream fishing is starting to kick off on Chesil and around Portland now, with some lovely catches over the past few days. Ultima match team angler Danny Woodcock had two cracking Bream from the Ferrybridge end of Chesil. The smaller of the two weighed 3lb and the larger one went 3lb 6oz.
Mike Kempster was also into the Bream this weekend. Although not as big as Danny’s, they go to prove that they have moved into the area in numbers. [...]
The Mackerel Rush - The Good, The Great & The Ugly
by Ben Bassett
4 years ago
In the 1800’s the Californians had the great Rush in shades of Gold, this week in the South West we’ve had our own in shades of blue, silver and black… Yes, the Mackerel are here, and they are here in huge numbers. With the combined help of social media, word of mouth and good ol’ fashioned seeing it for myself, I have witnessed the full extent of the draw power these fish have. Watching crowds of people casting frantically into [...]
Death Rolls & Slime - The Freshwater Eel
by Ben Bassett
4 years ago
There are not many fish in fresh and salt water that have as bad a reputation as the eel. No, not the mighty Conger, the much more humble freshwater European Eel. If you have fished for any length of time in freshwater you will have quite likely come across one. The dreaded ‘bootlace’ eel, taking your bait right down it’s throat and then tangling up in your line in a big slimy ball. It’s easy to see why they are [...]
At last the Mackerel are here in numbers
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
I don’t ever remember having to wait so long for the Mackerel to arrive in large number, but the good news is they are finally here and they are huge fish.
I always welcome the Mackerel, because so many other species depend on them, it often brings in the Rays. Not necessarily for the Mackerel, but the Rays will move in to mop up the small bait fish that have been smashed by the mackerel shoals and end up dead on [...]
Split-Shotting for ultra light lure fishing
by Jamie Sandford
4 years ago
Lure fishing takes many forms within modern day angling. Saltwater and Freshwater the scene is booming and becoming ever more popular, you only have to read the weeklies to see the words L.R.F and Drop-Shot. So this brings me to write about what I’ve been doing recently, ‘Split-Shotting’.
I was introduced to this technique by my Dad, an avid lure enthusiast who often sets goals season to season to catch as many species as he can (Salt+Fresh) on Plastic. Like myself [...]
A tough weekend
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
Another weekend of fairly strong SW winds made fishing Chesil uncomfortable at best. There was a few fish that came from there, mostly Smoothounds and a few Mackerel. Most anglers opted to fish some of the more sheltered marks. Ollie Mears decided to fish West Bay harbour and landed several Flounder and a specimen Thin Lipped Mullet.
One mark that I continually comment on as being highly underrated, has once again proved that it should not be ignored. Preston Beach at [...]
from hook to plate
by Irene Hodgson
4 years ago
Since being little I have had a love of smoked fish, mainly Haddock and Cod. Mam used to poach it in milk, and we would have it with loads of bread to dip in the juice. So since we have a regular supply of prime North Sea Cod, I still found myself having to buy my smoked Cod from the super market.
After researching smoking my own fish it all seemed a bit over my head and technical, till a good [...]
Gurnard, the fish of the summer
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
I always associate the first regular catches of Gurnard with the start of the summer fishing season. The Gurnard are normally closely followed by another of my favourite eating species the Black Bream. This week has seen a number of nice Gurnard landed and it comes as no surprise that my friend, Roger Morgan had one the other evening. He always beats me too it every year. I think you will agree with me that this is a lovely looking [...]
The Perils of Dating Film Stars in Public
by Corsican Dave
4 years ago
Allegedly the best way of keeping something secret is to have it in the open for everyone to see. This has definitely been the case with my alien hot-spot, the duck pond. Every man & his dog walks past, not to mention the mums with pushchairs, kids on bikes, foreign tourists on a post dinner stroll… you get the idea. “No fish in there mate!” they cheerfully exclaim. Followed, more often than not, by “Feckin’ eejit” muttered under their breath. [...]
A great year for Smoothound
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
Smoothound are one of my favourite species of fish from the shore. They fight like demons and even on fairly heavy beachcasters, they put up a great show. So you can imagine how happy I am that we are seeing so many Smoothound on chesil this year. I managed to get hold of some Crab and fished Chesil with my friend Gavin yesterday. The water was pretty coloured after the couple of days of wind that we had, but that [...]
More Bass bans to come but why?
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
The good news is that from today, we are allowed to keep one Bass per angler, as long as it is 42cm or larger.
The bad news is that a scientific report released yesterday from ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea), recommends a complete ban on Bass fishing for the year 2017. This includes commercial fishing and recreational sea angling. Since the fallout of the recent Brexit campaign and subsequent political picture of lies and deceit from all sides [...]
War Pigs - Putting The 'Rock' into Heavy Rock Fishing
by Ben Bassett
4 years ago
If you’re looking for true ‘heavy metal’ fishing, there is one form of fishing in the UK that guarantees arm-wrenching fights, scrambling over jagged rocks and battered lures – and that’s lure fishing for Ballan Wrasse.
There are a million and one articles and how-to’s on this technique but I absolutely love it and can’t resist the chance to wax lyrical about this most exciting form of our sport. This isn’t a full tactics guide, more a ‘this is how I [...]
How will leaving the EU effect us as anglers?
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
Sorry about missing Fridays forecast but , like many others, I needed some time to process the shock news that more than half the voting public think we will be better off out of Europe. All I can say is get down to your local tackle shop and buy your rods and reels now, before the price goes up. For sure the prices will rise rapidly, as the pound is likely to continue its decline and a huge percentage of our [...]
Ray of Sunshine
by Leo Toms
4 years ago
Further to my thoughts last week on how well the local beaches are fishing for all the ray species but specifically undulate ray. My mate Simon Bristow and his pal Phil came down from the Bristol channel to Poole to see if he could bag his first ever undulate ray. Undulates are a bit of a rarity up the Bristol channel way. So given the amount being caught around here he decided to have a bash at one our local beaches.
Over [...]
Where are the Mackerel
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
After a very promising start to the year, with Mackerel being caught as early as February, I am very surprised that we are struggling to see any being landed locally. It is not just a local problem, as there seems to be a lack of Mackerel everywhere. Thinking back, we had the same problem last year. Perhaps I am just being impatient and the Mackerel are just arriving later each year.
I had my young nephew Charlie, staying with me this [...]
Happy 20th Anniversary Weymouth Angling Centre
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
This weekend see’s the 20th anniversary of Weymouth Angling Centre and all the team at Fishing Tails, would like to congratulate them for the great service that they provide 7 days a week. The staff are some of the most knowledgeable in the business and really know what they are talking about when it comes to fishing, as can be seen from staff member, Mark’s headline picture of a Stingray that he caught in the Solent recently .
As part of [...]
Short fishing trip for Rays
by Leo Toms
4 years ago
As I left for my holidays the summer was really hotting up, not just in temperature but in fishing terms as well! With big stingrays, large smoothound, bream and bass all being caught locally in good numbers I was almost disappointed to be going away. On arrival back in the UK. I caught up with Fishing Tails and some social media sites to find things had got even better with Smoothound getting bigger and being caught in higher numbers.
That was all the incentive [...]
Fishing Antigua
by Leo Toms
4 years ago
Apologies for the lack of posts over the last few weeks as I’ve been working lots of hours and not doing much fishing. I needed to bank some money for the holiday of a lifetime I had booked.
Lying just off the coast of Venezuela is the jewel in the caribbean crown the tiny tropical island of Antigua! This small island roughly the same size as the Isle of Wight and basks in the calm caribbean sea to the east, with [...]
Carp off the top...
by Paul Bassman Gordon
4 years ago
What’s this, Bassman doing Carp fishing you say!!
Well folks, this is a guilty pleasure of mine and where I learnt how to play decent fish on very light gear, surface fishing with bread around the various lakes on offer locally
This is Bake Lakes just over the border into Cornwall which is a short drive from Plymouth
There is a good average stamp of fish and I know how to fish through the dead period when the sun is still high.
I am [...]
A few sessions before the rivers open
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
I like to class myself as an all round angler, with a leaning towards lure fishing. I am sure that there are many more out there like me, that are looking forward to the opening day of the river season on Thursday. I can’t wait to get out with my lure and fly rod in search of River Pike, Perch and Chubb. However there are a few days and fishing sessions I can get in before then and with some [...]
Varivas Saltwater Super Match Hooks review
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
I don’t normally do hook reviews, because a hook is a hook, right? Wrong, very wrong. One of the main areas that many anglers, especially novices skimp on is hooks and for the life of me I can’t understand why.
Hooks are probably the single most important piece of terminal tackle. You can get away with not having things like clips and swivels and even weights in some cases, but without a hook you are most unlikely to catch a fish. [...]
Stingrays in Essex
by James Doe
4 years ago
Since my last update things have picked up quite a lot! I have heard reports of some awesome fishing all along the Essex coast The weather hasn’t been that great for this time of year but it does not seem to have affected catches too much. What has got in the way is the mayweed, which has been shocking this year in Essex. Thankfully it’s starting to die off now leaving us to deal with the usual quota of seaweed.
Walton on the Naze:
Thornback rays [...]
A 'Fresh' Take On LRF
by Ben Bassett
4 years ago
Picture the scene. You’re an avid Sea Fisherman on holiday with the family this summer, you’re staying at a holiday park that has a fishing lake, but you only have your LRF gear on you as it’s all you could fit in your packed out car. Your first instinct would be to head to the nearest harbour and fish what you know, in doing that though you would be missing out on a fantastically fun way to catch all the [...]
Incredible weekend of fishing
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
For several months now, I have been struggling to find enough content to make the fishing reports interesting. Today I don’t know where to start. It feels like the sea fishing season has finally started. Well let’s start on the Chesil Beach and the first mention has to go to Max Bryden, who fished with his mate Rudie, at Abbotsbury. Rudie managed this nice Thornback.
But top marks have to go to Max for this stunning 4.5lb Plaice, that fell to [...]
Rockfall danger to anglers.
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
A number of large landslides have occurred this week in Dorset. These are a result of the dry, warm weather we have had recently. As the soil drys out and constricts, thus further destabilises areas of cliff that are already close to collapsing. Great care should be taken when fishing any mark that is under cliffs, in particular the West side of Portland, West Bay and Kimmeridge.
It really has ben a smooth week this week, and I am not talking [...]
CARP - The Alternative approach.
by Jamie Sandford
4 years ago
When we think of ‘Fly fishing for Carp’ in the U.K. , we often think – Pellet Flies, G&H Sedge’s and other floating Flies, which can be coloured and fashioned to look like small pieces of Bread or Dog-biscuits.
Now over the years when lure fishing for Pike and Perch using soft plastics, I’ve often had follows from Carp. This usually happens in the months between May and September ( June notably being the best month for follows or signs of [...]
An untraditional bank holiday
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
What happened to the normal poor weather and bad conditions to spoil a typical British bank holiday? I don’t know about you, but I had a cracking weekend. Unfortunately I was unable to get the peeler crabs I so desperately wanted, but it didn’t stop me catching loads of fish and having a great weekend. Lets take a look at just some of the great catches that happened over the weekend.
Firstly Dan Church proved, on a trip to Abbotsbury that [...]
Crabs everywhere, except in the tackle shops.
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
Live crab, especially Peeler and Hermit crab are by far the best bait for the Smoothounds and boy are we getting a good run of hounds at the moment. The reason they are here is for the huge number of crabs that are close to shore. Abbotsbury and Cogden are plagued with Spider crab at the moment as you can see from this picture sent in by Pete Jolliffe.
The crabs are capable of cutting through most mono and even some braid, [...]
What to expect fishing the Essex coast.
by James Doe
4 years ago
Hi guys, just a quick introduction my name is James and I will be covering the Essex coast and giving you, an insight on what to expect along this coastline. Now, I have not been fishing this coast for many years but I have a bit of experience and know where is hot and where’s not, as well as the rigs and the bait to help you get amongst the fish.
I’m not the most experienced angler there is around this way [...]
Hounds Abound
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
My prediction that there would be plenty of Smoothounds caught over the weekend was spot on. I have had reports of loads of hounds from Chesil and other beaches all along the South. I even had an email from an angler that was fishing Sandbanks for Plaice and almost lost his rod when I smoothhound took his Ragworm bait.
Robert Raybould decided to have a session on Friday afternoon. Armed with a load of live Peeler Crabs, he headed towards Abbotsbury. [...]
South Hams is the Plaice to be!
by Gareth Hopkins
4 years ago
Well it’s been a while since I wrote an article this is due to some personal problems which have stopped me getting out, but things have settled down now and I’ve been able to get out fishing.
I’ve concentrated my efforts on the South Hams area of Devon as it has been fishing very well lately, particularly the beaches. There have been a lot of plaice being caught also a lot of Rays have been making an appearance.
Mackerel are everywhere at [...]
Smoothounds and Rays
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
It is getting to that time of year when the larger Smoothounds start arriving in numbers. Reports from the Solent indicate that the hounds are well and truly in and some impressive catches have been reported. I love fishing for Smoothound, they have to be one of my favourite sea fish. Not regarded as a good eating fish, they more than make up for that in their sporting action. The size of the hounds being caught has increased considerably over [...]
Trabucco Poetica KW Torzite Rod review
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
I have been a fan of Continental style rods for a couple of years now, especially for my light fishing, for species such as Plaice and Bream. When I was asked to review the Poetica KW Torzite, for heavier work, I was a bit sceptical. When it comes to distance casting and heavier rough weather work, I have never felt that the standard fixed spool set ups have been up to the job, let alone the lightweight continental style rods.
The [...]
Chalkstream Pike on the Fly
by David West Beale
4 years ago
July 2015
I am sitting by a tranquil chalkstream. Later she meanders through clay farmland but here her emerald pools are placid and deep. This water is rich and clear and the electric flash of a kingfisher scatters some tiny roach as I string up my eight weight. Not the usual tackle for water such as this but I am here with a challenging quarry in mind. Today my interest lays in the pike that hunt in this little river.
Gothic drama
Charles Rangeley-Wilson [...]
How to make a Wishbone Rig
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
The Wishbone rig is a firm favourite amongst anglers targeting flat fish, especially Plaice, Flounder and Dabs. The main advantage of the wishbone rig, is it allows two hooks to be fished on the sea bed. It is normally used with small to medium sized baits, otherwise everything become too bulky, making casting difficult. When I make a wishbone rig, I like to design it to be clipped down to get extra distance when using it.
If crabs are a nuisance the wishbone [...]
The May bloom and sharks
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
At last the baitfish that I have been waiting for are here and so are the Bass. No great numbers of Bass yet, but they are starting to show around Poole, Plymouth and Portland harbours. The bad news is the May water bloom has started. For those of you that don’t know what that is, it is an algae bloom that is caused by increased sunlight and water temperature. This causes a massive growth in plankton, which colours up the [...]
Catfish at Honeypot Lakes - A Winner's Tale.
by Sam Tittensor
4 years ago
Honeypot Lakes is a day ticket complex in central Essex, boasting two lakes stocked with carp to well over 30lbs and catfish up to nearly 50lbs, it’s a great place to enjoy a day’s fishing.
Following a series of successful winter matches, Jim the owner decided to hold a catfish pairs match on the 8th May. I teamed up with my friend Ben, and after weeks of preparation (as well as the obligatory last minute panic), we arrived at the venue. [...]
Bassman's Cheeky Lobster salad
by Paul Bassman Gordon
4 years ago
On the catch n cook theme, Here’s how to dress or prepare your cooked lobster and make a cheeky Lobster salad!
The Lobster has been cooked in boiling salted water for 25 mins
Close up view of the beast.
The Lobster has been turned over and cut in half with a strong blade(wooden board is best)
It’s now time to remove the waist and brown meat from the head, remove and rinse the shell under a tap until cleaned, the red Coral pictured is [...]
Wrasse, Rays and lots of Mackerel
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
The fishing was pretty much as I expected it to be this weekend. Plenty of Mackerel, some cracking Rays, lots of Wrasse and Pollock from the rocks, but no baitfish showing, hence that lack of Bass. The Plaice fishing was also as poor as I thought it would be, with only a few anglers managing to pick any up.
As is the norm for the early runs of Mackerel, the shoals were large when they came through and then they would [...]
Will the Bass turn up this weekend?
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
The first set of Spring tides in May, has traditionally been my benchmark for the start of the Bass season. We normally see an influx of smaller Bass in the 2-3lb range, and reports from Kimmeridge and Ringstead indicate that some are starting to show. However, as I mentioned last week the bait fish have not arrived in numbers yet, so that may well delay the Bass. There are plenty of large Bass being caught by Commercial Bass boats towards [...]
Sandbank's the plaice to pee
by Leo Toms
4 years ago
After one of my best fishing sessions I’ve had in a long while the other weekend, it was nice to plan a fishing trip without putting too much pressure on myself. With that in mind I set off to Southbourne with three rods and two bags of frozen mackerel determined to catch myself a turbot.
Using three rods gives you lots of options:
I fished one in close on long flowing rigs.
One blasted as far as I could get it with clipped down [...]
My Paradise – Pike on the Fly
by Paul Monaghan
4 years ago
Okay before I start to waffle on about one version of paradise; desert islands surrounded by golden sand, palm trees laden with scotch eggs and waterfalls flowing with the finest real ales (sounds like my ideal holiday destination). It would be rude of me not to give you a brief introduction about myself, leading into how all this pike fly-fishing business came about.
Born into the Monaghan clan of Welsh (a lot of Welsh), English and of course Irish descent some [...]
Where are the bait fish?
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
Normally by this time of year, I would expect to see quite a bit of bait fish activity around the harbours. Especially around places like Ferrybridge in Portland Harbour. So far I have seen no sign of any bait fish or small sandeels.
This has me a bit worried as I normally start my fishing season in earnest, from the first set of Spring tides in May. Those tides will occur next weekend. The harbour normally fills with Bass and I [...]
Wind, Rain and a PB Perch.
by Irene Hodgson
4 years ago
With no other subject talked about so much on the fishing pages and sites, it pains for me to start this article talking about it…yes you got it, the weather, it literally has had kayak fishing to a standstill for weeks now, with only a few of us managing to grab a hour here and there with not many sea fish to show for our efforts, so with my first weekend off duty in weeks it was decided to head [...]
Not much to report
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
The reason for the lack of a report and forecast yesterday was down to the fact that I had very little to report. Even after waiting an extra day to see what reports might come in, it is still pretty sparse. This is to be expected at this time of year, but I am happy with the thought that the summer fish are just around the corner, as proved by Danny Woodcock, who managed one of the first Gurnard of [...]
The right place at the right time
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
Do you ever get the feeling that you have chosen the wrong mark, or time to go fishing. I have been feeling that a lot so far this year. It is still early and I have not had too many shore sessions yet, but on most of those occasions I have never been that confident that I have chosen the right day to go, or even the best location. However that doesn’t stop me a from trying, because I know [...]
Rays in Confidence
by Leo Toms
4 years ago
After the the last few weeks of no fish my confidence was at an all time low.
I hoped a trip to to Southbourne might help and although I was dubious I set plans to fish on Saturday night at a mark a little further towards Boscombe pier than my usual spot.
With Sandeel and mackerel baits sorted all I needed was some worm bait. Looking at the tide book things didn’t bode well as I thought the tide wouldn’t go out [...]
Plymouth fishing report for April
by Paul Bassman Gordon
4 years ago
Well apologies for the late report fishing fans!, a bit of a staggered report covering the dreaded March and hope filled April but let’s roll with it.
March is always a tricky one on the fishing calendar but we got through it relatively well with the seasonal treat of those early aggressive plaice showing late in March but only a handful, more on them later.
Huss where definitely obliging to the rock marks either side of Plymouth and some decent low doubles [...]
A mixed bag
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
Chesil was not really the place to be this weekend, except for a very few anglers that did well. But for those anglers it was well worth the trip. Fishing Tails photographer Gavin, asked me to join him for a Plaice session yesterday. After asking around and reading a number of reports, I was less than enthusiastic about meeting him at Cogden. Maybe it was my lack of commitment, or more likely the fact that there were very few fish [...]
The traditional fisherman
by Dan Rogers
4 years ago
So I’m the traditional Welsh Coracle Fisherman who was lucky enough to be part of the BBC 2 series Earth’s Wildest Water’s The Big Fish. A Coracle is a small rudderless bowl shaped boat which is light enough to carry and maneuverable enough to get where traditional rod and line anglers can’t reach either from the shore or a boat. Coracle fishing requires a special license as it involves using a net to catch Salmon and Sea Trout in areas where netting [...]
More to fishing than just catching
by Leo Toms
4 years ago
What a start I have had to the year:
Some of the best bass sessions I’ve known in many years during January.
Some cracking ray fishing through February and into early March.
I really thought I was on for a cracking year then it all ground to an abrupt halt.
On my second session at the bistro (see here for my first), I took my mate promising a ray session he “wouldn’t forget” He wasn’t going to forget it. We never had a bite between [...]
My favourite Bass flies
by Chris Silverthorne
4 years ago
With the UK Saltwater fly season fast approaching many enthusiasts thoughts will be turning to what flies to fill their boxes with for the coming season. ‘What fly to use’ is also the first question many newcomers to the sport want to know after ‘What Rod’ and ‘What line’.
Many Anglers have a favourite pattern of fly that they are whole heartedly prepared to recommend and will religiously fish throughout the season, having ultimate faith in that pattern because they have [...]
The difficulties of fishing Chesil
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
Lots of anglers hear great reports of large catches, or big fish being caught on Chesil, then get very disgruntled when they end up blanking or having a poor day. That my fellow anglers is fishing for you. Chesil is probably the most over rated beach in the UK. Don’t get me wrong, if you are there at the right time with the right bait, you can have a brilliant session. What most anglers seem to forget is that Chesil [...]
The Mullet are back
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
Great news if like me you are a Mullet lover. I had a wander around Weymouth harbour yesterday and I was delighted to see hundreds of Mullet shoaling up. As most of them are hanging around the sluice gates, I am guessing that they are Thin Lipped Mullet. For those of you that are interested in catching them and have not already seen my article, here is a link on to How to catch Thin Lipped Mullet
I apologise in advance [...]
Flat fish open results
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
147 anglers fished the flat fish open championships on Chesil Beach on Sunday, 39 anglers weighed in. Conditions were a lot tougher than forecast, but that did not prevent plenty of fish being caught, with 47 Plaice, 16 Dabs and 6 Flounder. Dai loder from Newport in Wales won the longest aggregate length with 4 Plaice for 135cm
Wayne Perret from Eastleigh, had the longest Plaice at 52cm, which weighed 2lb 10 oz.
I managed to get out on a last minute [...]
What can I catch from the beach in April
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
April is upon us already and it looks like a nice start to it, with some reasonable conditions forecast for the weekend. It is just as well, as it is the Weymouth Angling Centre Flat Fish open on Chesil Beach. I certainly hope that the water coulour improves by Sunday, as I have never known the water to stay so coloured for so long after a blow.
For those of you interested in fishing the competition it will take place on [...]
Rigging a Kayak.
by Irene Hodgson
4 years ago
Well having paddled my new yak off the coast of Newbiggin for an hour or two, my thoughts turned to how I was going to start the rigging and the placement of the electronics to best suit me. Anyone that has had to rig a kayak will know the feeling of fixing an item thinking that you have it in the correct place, only to find once out on the water that it really could of been in a better [...]
Some early Bass
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
After a weekend of being battered by high winds, Chesil was unfishable for the most of it. Having just taken a look this morning, it is calming down a bit, but the water is still rough and coloured. You are more likely to catch Cod than Plaice in those conditions. It was so bad on Saturday that the Samalite League switched their match venue from Chesil, to their back up venue of Preston Beach. FIshing took place between 6 – 11pm. [...]
Typical bank holiday weekend weather
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
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 [...]
Plaice invasion
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
The Plaice fishing started very early on Chesil this year, with a reasonable number of fish showing from mid February, but the the weekend just gone seen a large number show all along the South Coast.
Ian Hooper managed a nice plaice despite the rest of the fishing being quite hard going, with most of the rest of his catch made up of pin Whiting. However his smile shows he was happy getting his target species.
Mike Carter had a very productive [...]
Weymouth wrecks producing good Pollock catches to lures.
by Allan Yates
4 years ago
New Kid On The Block skipper Jamie Pullin posts his first report with catch images and his anglers are into the fish from the first drop out on the Weymouth wrecks. A new crewman Connor gets his first outing and is in the skippers chair straight away enjoying the whole experience. Peace & Plenty charter boat,
Jamie Wrote:
So 2016 gets away to a flying start with my first trip of the year. With a brisk north west wind cold enough to [...]
Pike Fishing On The Norfolk Broads - PACreationz 2016
by Sam Tittensor
4 years ago
I would like to introduce myself, my name is Sam Tittensor. I am 15 years old. Many of you might think that I am quite young to be writing about my fishing exploits, but I want to give you a perspective from a young angler’s point of view. I started fishing on a local river at age 6 and was hooked straight away. Back then I was only catching small roach and perch but I have worked my way up [...]
Spring tides
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
Big tides are not always the best tides, as this weekend proved. A lot of anglers fished Chesil in search of Plaice and went home very disappointed. Those that were able to cast out the distances needed to get to the Plaice, found that they were unable to hold bottom, even with grip leads. Most of the reports back say that despite the water being fairly clear at Ferrybridge it was quite coloured at West Bexington. I put this down [...]
Huge tides
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
The forecast for this weekend looks brilliant. Light winds, big tides and even sunshine. I am sure many of you will be heading to Chesil in search of a Plaice or two.
Unfortunately the big tides are not the best tides for species such as Plaice. They tend to sit tight during the strongest run of the tide and on a big spring like we are on now, that will be most of the tide. They will only venture out of [...]
Peace & Plenty III Weymouth Angling Charter Boat Has A New Skipper Jamie Pullin
by Allan Yates
4 years ago
New Kid On The Block !! Peace and Plenty III a very well established charter boat operating out of Weymouth Dorset has a new skipper at the helm, Jamie Pullin who is known to many anglers who have boat fished out of Weymouth.
Jamie has been fishing since he was 14 years old working on many commercial operations from crab boats to Bassing and has been a crew member with some of Weymouths top skippers and now it’s time for what [...]
Bronze Whaler Shark fishing Namibia
by Dean Lodge
4 years ago
I’m sure like most anglers I’ve got a bucket list of fish I want to catch. For me i’ve always wanted to catch ten species all above the magical 100lb mark. The list so far stands at four which include 360lb Sturgeon, 169lb Wells Catfish, 100lb Stingray & 174lb Common Skate, so six remain and I know which six I want.
One day I’m flicking through Facebook as I’m sure we all do, when I saw a post from “Sea Ace Fishing [...]
First thoughts of a fishing Kayak start to finish
by Irene Hodgson
4 years ago
After an embarrassing episode whilst out fishing in my Kaskazi Marlin ..where it pains me to recount the tale but I had to give a stonking 10lb cod to Peter and ask him to bring in for me, as it wouldn’t fit into the Marlin,
The decision was made… my beloved kayak had to go, so up for sale she went, the proceeds going towards a brand new Kaskazi Dorado 2. I knew this was the way forward as Peter has [...]
Plaice and Pollock in the spring sunshine
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
Plaice fishing was on the minds of many South coast anglers this weekend and with fairly light winds and sunny skies you couldn’t ask for much better conditions. I know that a surprising number were caught, which goes to prove that the early run has truly begun. The Plaice have been showing from Ferrybridge to Cogden, with West Bexington the best mark at the moment.
I was pleased to hear that both Pollock and Wrasse have been caught on Portland. The [...]
Long range Plaice
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
Like a lot of anglers fishing Chesil over the past week, I decided to try for an early Plaice. I headed for Cogden to find that the only other angler fishing the beach was Charlie Lane from Willand. Unbeleivably Charlie was on the mark that I normally fish, so we decided to set up a little way downtime from him.
The session started off pretty well, with a couple of Dogfish and Whiting coming out within 10 minutes. I could see [...]
Rays from Southbourne beach
by Leo Toms
4 years ago
Still pursuing my hunch that small eyed rays might be caught in numbers at Southbourne, I decided to have another bash at the bistro to see if I could make it come true. Setting up two rods with pulley pennel rigs baited with frozen Sandeel. I blasted two baits hopefully somewhere near the gully that runs parallel with the beach about 120 yards out.Ten minutes into the flood on my first cast my hunch paid off as I slid a nice small [...]
Torbay / South Hams fishing Report!
by Gareth Hopkins
4 years ago
Well it’s been a hard few weeks with rain and gale force winds making a lot of marks unfishable.
On the occasions I have been out this month it’s been pretty poor to say the least, the Torbay area is still producing lots of whiting and dogfish but if you head over too Hopes nose in Torquay I have heard that a few Thornbacks have been caught the biggest being 14lbs, there are still a few Codling about as well.
Fishing Berry Head [...]
Bassman's February Fishing report for Plymouth
by Paul Bassman Gordon
4 years ago
Well here we are again fishing fans, this month has flown by and what a challenging month it was!
February is usually a tricky period for most anglers and the dwindling Cod pushes the club anglers further a field in search of Huss, eels and early Ray.
Local Angler Joe Gardner kicked off the spotted Ray fever with a gorgeous specimen on a south Hams beach followed by Edward Reilly.
Then there was LRF angler Frankie Costello, who fancied a night on the [...]
Early Mackerel
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
The Mackerel are here already. You might find it hard to believe but they have arrived. I know that there had been one caught last weekend at Preston beach in one of the matches, but I dismissed that as a straggler. However yesterday, I was walking my dogs on the cliffs on Portland and I could see several large shoals of fish breaking surface in Chesil Cove. From the distance I was at, it was impossible to tell whether they [...]
Crunchy Vegetable & Bass spring roll
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
Here is a recipe for spring rolls from Gary Mueller which is as real crowd pleaser.
Although the recipe calls for Bass you can use any other white fish fillet like Pollock Bream or even Cod to make this scrummy snack !
INGREDIENTS
Fillets of Bass Skinned (cod Pollock,Bream Fillets all work)
1 Carrot chopped into matchsticks
1/2 Red Pepper Chopped into matchsticks
1/2 Green Pepper Chopped into matchsticks
1 or 2 Red Chillies Chopped into matchsticks
1 inch cube Fresh Ginger Chopped into Matchsticks
1 Fresh Garlic Chopped [...]
The first of the Plaice are Back
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
When do the Plaice return to Chesil? The answer to that is normally towards mid or late March, but this year they have started returning already. Neil Andrews fished Abbotsbury on Tuesday and despite fairly coloured water he managed to catch one of the first Chesil Plaice of the year.
Neil also reported that the angler fishing next to him had at least 3 Plaice, all of them caught on slivers of Squid. It is a bit early for a lot [...]
Fishing Skjervoy Norway Part 1 With Boat Angler Allan Yates
by Allan Yates
4 years ago
Venturing to Norway in search of huge cod is a dream fishing trip for me and high up on my bucket list. I’ve thought about a trip for a long time because among the cod would be the chance to catch halibut, coalies, wolfish and a few nice plaice too. So when a spare place became available on a trip from 18 March, I grabbed it.
Staying at the fishing camp in Skjervoy and boat fishing using an Arvor 19ft with [...]
Small Eyed Ray from Avon beach
by Leo Toms
4 years ago
Usually around this time of year I would be reporting on how good the flounder fishing had been this year and that it is pretty much done and dusted. Fortunately that’s not the case this year. Good catches of flounders are still being had from all the popular marks around the harbour. Holes bay a mark well known for big fish produced the goods again with young Tito landing his first ever flounder. A fine fish of 2lb 10oz. I suspect it [...]
Rogue waves and late winter run of Cod
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
After reporting on Friday that Chesil was fishing unusually well for February, a number of you travelled to find out for yourself and what a great weekend it turned out for some, for others a rogue wave wreaked havoc and was almost catastrophic.
Mark Hayman of Rodbenders SAC Plymouth managed a lovely 8lb 3oz Cod from the Ferrybridge end, on crab and black lug.
Local angler Ryan Casey managed his first ever double figure Cod from the shore, with a beautifully conditioned fish [...]
Are things looking up?
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
Fishing in February in Dorset, from the shore is normally slow to say the least. I often don’t even bother to go for most of the month, but this year it might not be as glum as usual. I woke up this morning to find several messages and emails, letting me know of catches on Chesil, as well as the confirmation that Poole is still fishing very well for Flounder. Robert Raybould contacted me a few days ago in need [...]
Akios 656 CTM Reel review
by Leo Toms
4 years ago
Early in 2015 I was looking for to upgrade my ageing Penn and Abu beach multiplier reels. After much searching I bought a brand new Akios s- line 656 CTM right handed multiplier which I wrote about on Fishing Tails here. I was so impressed with its performance I bought another identical second hand reel to accompany it on my other rod.
My budget for new reel was around £100 so my options were limited, but for the price it seemed to tick all the [...]
Storms and wind all over the place
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
Storm Imogen is currently battering the South coast at the moment and will continue to do so for the rest of the day. I had a look down at Chesil earlier this morning and managed to get a soaking in my efforts to get a picture.
The waves and wind were so fierce that the spray was being driven over the top of the beach and I could hardly stand. Even Preston beach which is normally calm when the wind is [...]
A Honeymoon with Tigers
by Jo Stephenson
4 years ago
Like I’m sure most fishing minded people do, I have a massive bucket list of fish I wish to catch one day. Golden dorado, GT, Atlantic Salmon, Tarpon, Grayling, and Redfish to name a few, and at the top of my list for some time was the African Tiger Fish. When I got engaged in 2011 Jonny and I started to think about what we should do for our honeymoon. I’m no ordinary girl, and the idea of sitting on [...]
Which Lure Next?
by Paul Bassman Gordon
4 years ago
It’s been a tough few weeks recently with the miserable weather conditions and the water clarity of mud it’s all too easy to go a bit stir crazy stuck in the house. So let me try and bring some knowledge and inspiration to you from my new friend and LRF fishing expert Age Lundstrom. Age is a seasoned angler who likes to keep his cards close to his chest but I have persuaded him to give us some insight into his [...]
The Rockling have arrived
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
As the title to this article suggests, the Rockling have finally showed up on Chesil. They are about a month late, but given the unseasonably high water temperature that is not surprising. The bad news is once the Rockling are here you know that pretty much everything else has left Chesil. I for one wont be visiting Chesil for the next 6 weeks or so. I had hoped to get out and hit the rivers for some lure and fly [...]
Kayak fishing in Norway
by Irene Hodgson
4 years ago
You might think that my first fishing report would be on or around Northumberland, but no I’ve decided on Norway, we’ve all seen some cracking monsters being hauled in on the boaand even the shore fishing is producing some belters. So here’s my Norwegian tale, hope you enjoy.
Ok here we go… After good flights from Newcastle to Amsterdam then on up to Norway, we were picked up by Phil Dale at the rail station, a quick stop at the shop [...]
Fladen Merino Wool thermals review
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
When it comes to staying warm when those temperatures really drop you need to think about wearing layers. If you get your base layer right then you are more than halfway to staying comfortable on a long fishing session.
There are lots of thermal under garments on the market, some made from artificial materials and others made of natural fibres such as cotton and wool. When many people think of wool they think of bulky wooly jumpers, that’s the last thing [...]
The new Bass laws are finally official
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
The new Bass laws that were supposed to come into place on the first of January have finally been published in the European Journal, which makes them law with immediate effect. No Bass may be kept until the 1st of July. After that date you may keep one Bass per day, as long as it is 42cm or longer.
It will come as no surprise that we are in for another windy weekend, with Saturday looking like the best of the [...]
Wreck Fishing off Weymouth 2016 with boat angler Allan Yates
by Allan Yates
4 years ago
Sunday the 17th January saw the first wrecking trip of 2016 on board Wild Frontier II out of Weymouth skippered by Clem Carter and supported by very experienced angler and deckhand Richard both who I have fished with many times before.
The boat itself is a wide beam Cat with loads of room and as there were ten of us space wasn’t an issue and neither was the menace of tangles, infact I only had two all day. Weather window after [...]
Hoopers Humble flounder recipe
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
Within the culinary world, Flounder are a very under rated fish. Which really is a shame as they are relatively easy to catch and are prolific around many UK shore marks, especially in the winter. I have had an entry for Januarys fish recipe competition from Steve Hooper. It has certainly got my taste buds going. If you want to know m0re about how to enter the competition we are running this year and the prizes then have a quick [...]
Up and Over Rig
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
What’s the best fishing rig? At fishingtails we are constantly asked to recommend the rigs we use and show how we make them. In this, the first of our rig articles, I want to show you how to make an Up and Over Rig.
The Up and Over Rig is used to target larger fish, such as Cod, Ray and Smoothound, but it is also useful as a distance rig for Plaice. One of the main advantages of the the Up [...]
Dogfish and Bacon
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
Dogfish have never been a popular species, mainly due to the difficulty in preparing them. This seems to be a reasonably easy way to do them:
How to cook doggies
Dogfish are not difficult to skin, despite all the stories about nailing then to your shed and then setting your Rottweiler on them skinning doggies is easy.
Head and gut dogfish as usual and cut off fins then put on draining board and pour a kettle of boiling water over it, pour slowly [...]
January Fishing Report for Plymouth
by Paul Bassman Gordon
4 years ago
So, here we are at the end of the month already!!, this is my second monthly report for the fishing tails website and what a month it was.
The mighty Tamar seeing a lot of the action as a few more big Cod have been taken by the persistent and determined Plymouth brigade of specimen hunters, the old guard also showing the new breed that they have still got the skills!
The odd few thornies still being caught but slow going in [...]
Hello All from South Devon!
by Gareth Hopkins
4 years ago
Hi all, this is my first Article for Fishing Tails so I will start by introducing myself and a bit about what I do.
My name is Gareth Hopkins I’m 36 and live in Brixham, South Devon. After getting in touch with Sean we had a chat about myself becoming a reporter for this area, the area I cover is full of very good fishing marks and we are spoilt with choice. Devon offers a variety of different fishing, whether you’re [...]
Good for January
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
January is proving to be a far better month for fishing that we would normally expect. The Whiting are still around and there are still enough Cod coming from the Chesil to make it worth whilst fishing for them. Mike Soanes who had a 12lb Cod on his last trip to Chesil travelled down from Plymouth on Friday night, to have another go. He had 3 Cod weighing 6lb, 7lb 2oz, and one of 8lb 12oz. Not bad for a last [...]
Unfished waters in Papa New Guinea
by Dan Konig
4 years ago
It is safe to say, that my trip to Eastern Fields in Papua New Guinea was one of the trips I’d most anticipated of all. The main drawcard of this trip along with any trip of an exploratory nature, was the opportunity to cast lures into waters that had never before seen a cast – to fish that had never seen a lure. Added to this was the fact that I knew I’d be fishing with a group of good [...]
Floundering about for Bass
by Leo Toms
4 years ago
Finally, at last, good weather!
The weatherman had got it right, the wind dropped away to a gentle breeze and clear and bitterly cold conditions descended on the harbour this weekend.
I had cancelled a invite from good friend Simon Bristow to fish with him at the Bristol channel. I was supposed to work most of Friday night and all Saturday day. By Friday afternoon it was all change and I finished for the weekend at 5pm on Friday teatime.
I needed no [...]
Northumberland Kayak Fishing Woman
by Irene Hodgson
4 years ago
Hi and welcome to my first article for Fishing Tails, I agreed with Sean that this would be a great place not only to share my love of kayak fishing, but also to show off my beautiful county Northumberland, with its diverse coast line, stunning countryside and some cracking fishing both fresh and salt water.
So firstly let me introduce myself, I’m Irene Hodgson, I was born and bred in Northumberland, spending my early years running the beaches at Walkworth, fishing [...]
Some cracking Cod
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
Chesil Beach was a busy mark this weekend and for some it was a very good weekend. As predicted most catches were made up of Dogfish, Pout and Whiting. However there was a run of good sized Cod, all of them being around the 12lb mark. Steve Perry managed a couple of 4lb Codling then managed a 12lb Cod, proving once again why he is one of the top anglers in England.
I mentioned on Friday that an angler fishing down [...]
A weekend without wind
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
It is hard to believe, but if the weather forecast stays true then we will have a whole weekend without gale force winds and rain. I am sure for many of you this will be the first opportunity that you have had in ages to get out fishing.
Chesil will be on a lot of anglers minds, but I am not sure that I would bother traveling a couple of hours to fish a beach that generally doesn’t fish that well [...]
Fishing in India - Part 1
by Sam Wadman
4 years ago
‘Sunset through the palm trees in Goa’
India is a truly incredible country that I instantly fell in love with when I first visited back in 2006. With a population now estimated at 1.3 billion people, visiting is always an interesting experience and it’s a melting pot of ethnicities and religions too. The dialect can change as often as the days of the week as you travel. Every day is an assault on the senses – the smells, the colour, the [...]
What can you catch on the South Coast in January.
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
Fishing in January and February on the south coast is a bit poor in most places. However don’t let that put you off having a go. It is time to really concentrate on the species that are around and target them. Although it has been wet and windy, the mild weather has kept the water temperatures above average. This has given us some good Bass fishing, with some lovely fish being caught all the way from Southampton Quay to Plymouth. [...]
Barbless Bass FIshing
by Paul Bassman Gordon
4 years ago
BARBLESS BASS FISHING….
Here’s my latest Video focusing on Bass welfare in an effort to stay within the law and do my bit for the Bass society and minimise the wasteful, no doubt about it, discard factor!, by that tI mean it’s currently mandatory to put back Bass,alive or dead!, which I personally disagree with
With that sad and sorry fact lets think damage limitation.
The problem of barbed mouth hooking, those times when the hook penetrates somewhere and won’t come out are [...]
It is so good to get out and fish
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
I was so pleased to be able to get out fishing on Tuesday. I was beginning to think that I wouldn’t get out again this winter, but there was a break in the weather, that actually happened as it was forecast. Just like the weather I was pretty much bang on with my fishing forecast this week.
I decided that there wasn’t much point in targeting Cod as your chance of getting one at this time of year from Chesil, is [...]
The terror of the drop-off: giant dogtooth in Tanzania
by Tim Howe
4 years ago
Of all the species of fish in the world, there are a few that haunt me more completely than their peers, that always seem to be there, holding station in the currents of my dreams, rolling and flashing in the dimly lit recesses of my subconscious. The roosterfish of central America, with its elegance and speed; the yellowfin tuna, for the thrill of the chase; the ballan wrasse, permanently reflecting the kelp-swirled gullies of my sun-dappled childhood.
But perched above them [...]
Plymouth Fishing report
by Paul Bassman Gordon
4 years ago
Well this is my first fishing report for the Plymouth area, it’s been a fantastic month for Plymouth really, I’ve started a Plymouth live feature on my Facebook page recently and reports are coming in thick and fast.
I won’t say it’s all about the Cod because yes it’s been more Cod than the other two main contenders but the amount of hours spent by the hardy river Tamar brigade has been ridiculous compared with rewards!
The River can be a cruel [...]
Finally conditions look like improving
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
Finally, after what feels like months of wind and rain, there looks like there will be a break in the weather for a few days this week. The problem is that it has come a few days too late for those of you that are returning back to work today.
I had just about lost hope of being able to get out and have a last crack at Chesil, before setting my sites on other marks until spring. Lets hope it [...]
Plenty of Flounder in Poole if you have the right bait.
by Leo Toms
4 years ago
Happy new year to all!
Now let talk about the weather wind and rain and yet more wind and rain! I take my hat off to those hardy souls that braved the elements over the Xmas period, myself I only managed one session last Tuesday morning before storm Frank hit. You can see live weather, wind, waves and tides for the area on our new Poole Harbour Live page.
The brief window in gales saw me at Baiter Park. Unfortunately due the bad [...]
Fishing over the New Year
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
Where to fish over the New Year period? With many of you having a few more days off, I am sure like myself you will be keen to get out and catch a few fish. I am sure quite a few of you fancy having a go on Chesil. My advice would be to find somewhere else to fish.
Chesil will be unfishable until at least Monday. Looking at Windguru, there does look like there are a couple of 4 or [...]
Merry Christmas from Fishing Tails
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
The team at Fishing Tails want to wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas, and we hope you get some new fishing tackle left under your tree.
At the moment it looks like there is going to be a break in the wind on Sunday that should give us an opportunity to get out and fish Chesil. I had a quick look at the sea earlier and it is very coloured. Most of the tackle shops are open on Sunday, [...]
Pesky Dogfish or a delicious treat
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
I am not sure if everyone was out Christmas shopping at the weekend, or very few could be bothered to face the elements, but it was a quiet one for fishing all over the South Coast. Having said that the Bristol Channel has produced some decent Cod and plenty of Thornback Rays. Plymouth has been fishing reasonably well, but I am going to let Bassman report on that over the next couple of days.
The Flounder fishing at Poole looks like [...]
What a week
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
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 [...]
Flounder and flying gaff's
by Leo Toms
4 years ago
It’s a double edged sword living so close to Poole Harbour. One the one hand it’s a nightmare when your at work and the weather is glorious and you know there is fantastic fishing waiting to be had. On the other I can look out of the back door glance at the weather and in minutes be taking advantage of these small windows of opportunity like we’ve had this weekend.
It’s one thing to have nice weather but will the fish be [...]
It's all about the Bass. The reality of a 6 month ban
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
If there is one subject that has created more interest in sea angling this past year, it has been the changes in the laws regarding Bass fishing. The European Parliament and the Council on the common fisheries policy, met on Monday and Tuesday this week to consider a number of proposals on the conservation of marine biological resources and the management of fisheries. These resources included shellfish and species such as Cod, Hake, Haddock, Plaice, Sole and most importantly to [...]
Deviltail Eels and Shads development
by Allan Yates
4 years ago
The Deviltail lures are a hybrid design created from a number of previous designs tried and tested over 2014 /2015. The original Deviltail started life as a worm pattern to work in conjunction with a variety of jigheads and hook sizes and jolly effective it was too taking Bass, Cod and Pollock so the concept was proven.
With the development of new CNC moulds for my turbo jigheads this year a re-design of a number of my lure moulds took place [...]
Avet SX 5.3 MC Reel review
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
I have long admired Avet reels whenever I have seen them whilst boat fishing, but it is only recently that I realised they made casting reels as well. I was looking for a replacement reel for my Penn 525 that I lost earlier this year. I was torn between another Penn and an Akios 656. I had a message from Duncan Goldsmith the co-owner of RokMax Sport Fishing, suggesting that I take a look at the Avet SX 5.3
The technical specifications [...]
My Passion for Angling
by Sam Wadman
4 years ago
‘A dawn scene on the West coast of India’
When Sean first asked me if I’d like to write some stuff for this site I was pretty chuffed. I’ve always enjoyed writing about my fishing as it happens, so I’m grateful for being given this platform from which to share my passion with you. I’m just a regular dude that loves his fishing……plain and simple. I was also very fortunate to be picked to take part in the BBC2 fishing show – ‘Earths Wildest Waters [...]
Chesil in December
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
I did say on Friday that it would either be a Cod fest or it would be rubbish. Unfortunately it ended up being the latter. There was a lot of anglers on Chesil all weekend and not many of them connected with the Cod. It seems Chesil has returned to it’s normal December fishing, with most of the Cod now gone. It is unlikely to see any return of numbers until next year now. Thats not to say that there [...]
Is this the return of the Cod?
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
The Cod season so far this year has not been as good as last year, but to be honest that was to be expected. There was no great number of 1 year old Cod last winter, so the fish that are around this year are the same fish we were seeing last year. If you remember they were mostly 2-3lb, but since then they have mostly doubled in size. A wider distribution, predation and large catches, have reduced the number of [...]
Fly fishing, Perch and Eternal Youth
by David West Beale
4 years ago
Richard Walker described the perch as “the biggest fish of all” and I think this captures beautifully its mystery and intrigue.
We are so accustomed to those tiny easy-to-catch ones that when we are lucky enough to meet with a whopper its’ sheer scale seems jaw droppingly improbable by comparison – almost like perch on steroids. And it’s not just size – there are other stark contrasts too: specimen perch seem almost to morph into a different species; those deep ‘shoulders’, [...]
Chesil Beach Live
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
Live weather, wind, waves and tides for Chesil Beach
Poole Harbour Live
by Leo Toms
4 years ago
Live weather, wind, waves and tides for Poole Harbour
The Solent Live
by Hazel Tipping
4 years ago
Live weather, wind, waves and tides for The Solent
Plymouth Live
by Paul Bassman Gordon
4 years ago
Live weather, wind, waves and tides for Plymouth
You never know when that big Bass will turn up
by Paul Bassman Gordon
4 years ago
In my first article for Fishing Tails I want to tell you a bit about me and recall the tale of my personal best Bass, a fish that I caught recently. If you don’t know me my name is Paul Gordon and I fish around Plymouth. I am a Bass fanatic. Over the past couple of years I have built up a bit of a following through Facebook and my page Bassmans Bounty. Through this I have tried to share my [...]
Thank goodness that Chesil is not the only place to fish
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
Let’s be honest it has been a pretty miserable weekend around the coast. Chesil was unfishable for most of it, with the exception of a few hours yesterday. My mate Paul Black decided that he was going to go out and see if he could repeat his double figure Cod that he had caught in similar conditions on Friday.
I decided that on both days it was just a bit too uncomfortable to fish, so myself and cameraman Gavin decided we [...]
Disgusting behaviour
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
The humble Dogfish is no great sporting fish and can often be a nuisance when you are trying to target some of the more prized species, but there are days when a single Dogfish is more than welcome to help avoid a blank. That is why I am sickened by the reports I have read this week on the BBC news, about a large number of Dogfish that have been found dead on Chesil Beach. They were found on a 200m [...]
Does Size Matter?
by Jo Stephenson
4 years ago
This is my first article for Fishing Tails, so I had better introduce myself. My name is Jo, I am a fly tyer and fisherwoman/wangler whatever the term is! This year I took part in a TV fishing competition called Earths Widest Waters : The Big Fish which took me fishing all over the world, I managed to make it to the semi final before sadly leaving the competition. I love fishing whatever the method, but living near the Norfolk [...]
Winter fishing on Wild Frontier II out of Weymouth with boat angler Allan Yates
by Allan Yates
4 years ago
First trip out for some time down to the unsettled weather cancelling many previous trips, day looked promising with sky’s clearing and very little to no wind out on Wild Frontier II from Weymouth skippered by Clem Carter.
Crew all new faces and very expeirenced anglers 9 in total but on this boat space isn’t an issue as you can fish all round the main deck and forward plus down the sides of the wheelhouse.
Portland Races was the first mark see [...]
Where to fish around Poole in Strong SW winds
by Leo Toms
4 years ago
With all of the most popular marks near on impossible to fish in this ridiculous rough weather. The question begs, where can you fish safely and comfortably and stand a good chance of catching something. Poole Harbour is one such place you can do this.
After digging some worms on Friday, I had great plans to fish Southbourne or even Chesil, but the weather killed all those plans. Standing on an open beach like Southbourne or Chesil in this weather is [...]
A wild weekend
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
It was a wild weekend for weather and there is no indication that it will change at all this week. South Westerly winds gusting in excess of 50mph battered the South coast making many of our favourite marks unfishable. However this did not deter those in need of a fishy fix, myself included, as we used the weather to our advantage and found those sheltered marks to catch some fish.
I decided to concentrate on Portland Harbour, in the hope that [...]
Whiting Galore
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
The Cod may be gone from Chesil but the Whiting are certainly not. I don’t remember seeing so many Whiting on Chesil. Yesterday I fished with Fishing Tails photographer Gavin, at Cogden. I didn’t make it down until mid afternoon, but Gavin had been there since 10am. He called me as I was on the way to go and pick up more bait, as he had already used most of the bait that he had bought for both of us [...]
Rapture Delsol 802ML lure rod review
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
The Rapture Delsol is often seen advertised as a specialist soft plastic lure rod, designed for medium sized fish such as Trout, Perch and Wrasse. It is through the later species that I came across the Delsol. I invited Bill Morris, who runs Outdoor Life, the UK distributor for Italian tackle giant Trabucco, down to Portland for a spot of Wrasse fishing with soft plastics.
The Rapture brand is Trabucco’s Lure fishing arm, which provides a great range of lure products, [...]
A very small but welcome flounder
by Leo Toms
4 years ago
For years now I have been looking to get the best out of my fishing catching the odd big fish obviously helps but I grew tired of skull dragging a 3oz pout in with 6oz of weight with a 13ft beachcaster, that’s just no fun! So to have more sport I wanted to scale down some of my beachcaster gear to match the species I’m fishing for. For bass, bream,and especially flounder I would prefer not to use a heavyweight 13ft [...]
A very disappointing weekend for most
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
With hundreds of anglers fishing Chesil and conditions being almost perfect you would think that we would have seen loads of Cod caught. Unfortunately that was not the case. A few Cod were caught on Friday and Saturday night, but for most anglers it was the usual Pout, Dogfish and Whiting. There was no lack of fish, but for those that had traveled a long way then it must have been disappointing to not find the Cod that everyone thought [...]
Better order your bait, it is going to get busy
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
Conditions are near perfect this morning on Chesil. There is still a strong surf running with waves and swell of almost 2m, so take care but the wind has dropped and switched to the North West. The water is coloured and the Cod are there. I went down at dusk yesterday for half an hour and lost a decent Cod in the surf. Dan Brownley managed a couple of nice ones from Abbotsbury yesterday and I can only see it [...]
The Art of Squid Fishing (Eging)
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
What is Eging?
Basically its fishing for squid with special jigs made to look like prawns or in Japanese “egi”. In its most simple form it’s jigging for squid with a selection of different lures but like most things if you are prepared to dig a bit deeper into the subtleties of the technique the rewards can be great!
Squid lures are categorised by size,weight and consequently their decent speed: common sizes usually range from 2.5 -4.5 and decent speeds between 2.5 m/s [...]
More bad weather
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
This strong South Westerly will continue to blow until Friday, which will make Chesil unfishable or most of the week. There is a chance that there will be a slight drop in wind this morning and the sea state will die down enough for me to get out and try for a couple of hours this morning. My friend Paul Black managed somehow to get out on Saturday morning and managed a couple of Cod.
I mentioned on Friday that Portland Harbour [...]
Good news or Bad?
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
Lets start with the good news! The weather did break for a short period yesterday morning and a few lucky anglers managed to get on the beach at just the right time. I did manage to fish at Abbotsbury, but I could not get through the huge packs of Whiting and Dogfish. Pennel rigs were coming back after a few minutes with two and even at times three Whiting attached to them. Even using whole Squid as bait, did not [...]
Lumi Lures with boat angler Allan Yates
by Allan Yates
4 years ago
I make lures to catch fish Not To Catch Anglers !! that comment so winds me up for the simple reason anglers aren’t dummies but fortunately many will try something new if it puts fish in the box. Now I have that off my chest I can discuss why I’ve spent time developing illuminated lures.
I’ve been deepwater wreck and reef fishing for many years and have always wondered if lures that emit light would give an increased catch rate over [...]
Southbourne Surprise
by Leo Toms
4 years ago
After watching and waiting all the previous week for the weather to worsen it never happened . So last Saturday saw me with 200 prime lug and frozen cuttlefish and less than perfect conditions forecast for cod fishing. Coupled with that my usual fishing buddy Martin couldn’t make it due to work commitments; so again decisions to make!
I didn’t fancy the long drive to Chesil on my own. Plus I didn’t fancy sharing chesil beach with the other ten zillion [...]
Tough Going
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
With the arrival of a good South Westerly blow, that everyone has been waiting for, it was all about the Cod over the weekend. However as has been so typical recently the weather didn’t really play ball, which made fishing conditions tough to say the least.
It really was about location, timing and perseverance, especially on Saturday night. Those that knew the window of opportunity would open late Saturday evening and got themselves into place, did reasonably well, especially the ones that [...]
The Cod are back
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
I know that we have been catching Cod for a number of weeks now, but most of the time it has been after a decent blow. This week it has been different. It would seem that the Cod have come in as part of their normal winter feeding pattern. Despite far from ideal conditions there has been a good number of Cod landed including a double figure fish for local angler Matty Mizen.
Another local angler Bradley Price had a great [...]
What are the best sea fishing websites in the UK
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
According to Fishtec, Fishing Tails is one of the best sea fishing blogs in the country. We appreciate the thumbs up for our hard work and hope to get even better over the next year.
There was good Cod fishing on Chesil as predicted. Chris Buxton fished just after the blow on Friday and was rewarded with 9 Cod between 5 and 8lb. All were caught on Peeler Crab and Lugworm
Craig Pope, who fished with Chris also had a good night with several [...]
A small window
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
The winds we have had over the past 24 hours, have been strong enough to create some rough sea conditions. It is not enough to really stir things up, but it is enough to make fishing Chesil very interesting today and this evening (Friday). However by tomorrow morning the light SE winds will have calmed everything down again and the water will be almost clear.
Get out there this afternoon if you can, you will have a good chance of a [...]
Yamaga Blanks Early Plus 92XML lure rod review
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
I came across the Yamaga Blanks Early Plus just after it was released in the spring. Dan Konig from Adventure Angler wrote an article for us on Bass fishing in Morocco Looking at the conditions he was fishing in made me think that the Early Plus would be an ideal rod for my rougher and heavier lure fishing for Bass, especially around Portland and some of the other Dorset rock marks I fish.
The two piece Early Plus is 9ft 2″ and [...]
Chesil Beach Cod open results 2015
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
I am sure a lot of you are interested to find out the results of this years Weymouth Angling Centre, Chesil Beach Cod Open competition. As I predicted on Friday, Chesil was not going to produce loads of Cod this weekend and the results proved that. 180 anglers fished the competition, with 19 of those weighing in Cod.
First place with 2 Cod and a total weight of 10lb 13oz. went to Weymouth Charter skipper Ryan Casey, who had just returned [...]
We need a Westerly
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
I would love to say that fishing this weekend is going to be brilliant, but I really don’t believe that it will be. We have very similar conditions on Saturday and Sunday, to those we experienced mid week. On Saturday we will see a stiff Westerly wind with rain that will drop off on Sunday. Just like on Wednesday the wind will be strong enough to stir up a bit of surf and put some colour into the water, especially [...]
Fishing out of Weymouth on board charter boat Katie Ann with Allan Yates boat angler
by Allan Yates
4 years ago
Fishing out of Weymouth on board Katie Ann skipper owner Paul Davies, the boat is a 10 m Cougar cat powered by twin 330hp iveco turbo diesels cruising at 17 to 22 knots weather permitting and plenty of fishing space plus it’s kitted with a live bait tank, ice boxes and plenty of tea, coffee and soups throughout the fishing day.
I’ve fished and flimed on the boat a number of occasions and have enjoyed some quality angling and used the [...]
Porbeagle Shark landed at Chesil Cove
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
A 2m long Porbeagle shark was landed in Chesil Cove yesterday by a commercial fisherman. The shark became entangled in nets that were only 300m from the shore. Divers had reported seeing a shark in the Cove and on the Adelaide recently. It is not known if this is the same shark. It is unfortunate that the shark died, but it just goes to show, you never know what is swimming of Chesil.
Porbeagle Sharks are also known as Mackerel sharks, [...]
Drift fishing with boat angler Allan Yates Be Prepared
by Allan Yates
4 years ago
Getting more and more requests from customers for lures and traces ready to fish out of the bag. I can understand why when you see some of the un-prepared anglers out on the charter boats missing so many drifts and lost fishing time because they hadn’t prepared rigs and lures for quick re-rigging when they snap off or want a change of lure.
Time and time again you see them go back to their tackle boxes to sort all the bits [...]
Another weekend of North Easterly wind
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
Looks like we are set for another weekend of North Easterly winds. Not great news if you are after Cod, but not bad for those looking to get some Bream or Plaice. The North East wind keeps the sea reasonably calm and allows you to get a decent cast. The major downside is that it brings much colder temperatures.
Unseasonable temperature means that the summer species that normally hang around until late October and into November are more likely to move [...]
Best laid plans
by Leo Toms
4 years ago
As a matter of habit I’m always looking at the weather patterns and tides to try and pinpoint the best places and times to fish and collect bait.
It was on Sunday that I spoke to my mate Martin saying that if the unsettled weather continued Chesil would be on fire this weekend for bass and cod. Unfortunately the weather broke around Wednesday and the good cod and bass caught up to that point dropped off a good deal. So with Chesil ruled [...]
On board Valkyrie 6 with boat angler Allan Yates
by Allan Yates
4 years ago
Fishing out of Hayling Island many times in the past millennium so I know the area quite well and recently this year I booked a place on the boat Valkyrie 6 with skipper and owner Glen Cairns who has many years of experience and local knowledge of the fishing grounds he frequents and is a regular visitor to the channel islands and the rich fishing grounds around Alderney.
Northney Marina is all relatively new and the facilities are top notch with [...]
Not Tuna but a great day out.
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
I was supposed to be lure fishing for Tuna in Ancona in Italy over the weekend. Unfortunately due to the fallout from the hurricane that broke up over the Caribbean, the wind was too high for us to get out. Hopefully I am going to head over there in November. I was a bit depressed especially when I seen some of the pictures of Tuna, that the guys were catching off Ireland. I had one consoling thought and that was [...]
Will it be a Cod fest?
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
Lots of Cod have been caught from Chesil this week, and I am sure that many of you have planned to come down and have a go for them over the weekend. The question is will it be worth it?
I have fished all week and everyday has seen different conditions. I headed to Cogden on Tuesday, as I knew that the beach would be more coloured there as the wind picked up and churned up the shallower water. I was [...]
Can a tide be too big?
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
Are spring tides the best tides to fish? We are just coming off the back of a set of very big spring tides ,that have left me wondering if such big tides are that good for fishing. Don’t get me wrong, I have had a good week guiding and fishing and I have had a good number of species, but to be honest I expected it to be better.
Reports from last weekend and on Monday suggested that Cogden and Abbotsbury [...]
Squid fishing from Bournemouth Pier
by Leo Toms
4 years ago
I was recently invited out on a squid fishing trip by an old fishingtails pal Marlon and having never really specifically fished for squid before I thought it would be fun to try for a new species.
I had heard that some good catches had been made in the last week with ten or fifteen squid from a few inches long up to over a foot long being caught at Bournemouth pier. Well known angler Steve Perry had this monster recently.
There are [...]
Last chance to win
by Adrian Crawford
4 years ago
Today is the last chance to enter this month’s free prize draw where you can win Henry Gilbey’s Ultimate FIshing adventures book which Sean reviews HERE
To enter the prize draw all you need to do is subscribe to our newsletter and that’s it! You can subscribe below or on any page on the site!
Mail order bait
by Hazel Tipping
4 years ago
Times have changed and whether we like it or not, technology has vast become a huge part of our everyday lives. Internet shopping has become hugely popular within the UK with mounting pressure from work and bills, we as a nation struggle to find the time to spend, not only with our family and friends but on our hobbies too. That’s why when people ask me what the idea was behind creating Hookers Baits, I tell them that if I [...]
West is best
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
Easterly winds, and clear water meant that the fishing on the Portland end of Chesil was a bit patchy to say the least, but the same conditions made it perfect for fishing Cogden. Lots of reports of Plaice from the Western end of Chesil. Cogden does seem to be holding a lot of Plaice this year. The Easterly wind will help get a bait out to distance. A lot of the people I spoke to that were successful this weekend [...]
Autumn fishing
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
Like it or not, but Autumn has arrived. The nights are drawing in and the temperature is getting colder, but don’t let that get you down, Now is the best time of the year for sea fishing and this weekend promises to be a good one. The Bream fishing on Chesil is at it’s best and the Plaice and Mullet are feeding hard in preparation for the winter.
Mackerel are still in abundance, with the Bass moving closer inshore, it’s no [...]
Wreck fishing on FlamerIV from Weymouth with Allan Yates Boat Angler
by Allan Yates
4 years ago
I love wreck fishing out of Weymouth, so I was delighted when I was invited down to Weymouth to film and test some new lures on board Flamer IV charter boat owned and skippered by Colin Penny. The skipper has many years of experience since 1995 and has won many awards, the task for the day was to visit wrecks lying off Weymouth and search out any Cod or Pollock using lures to catch them.
Weather forecast for the day was [...]
Chesil is the Plaice
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
Never mind the Cod, the Plaice fishing on Chesil has been really good recently. Pretty much as predicted, the Cod fishing was a lot slower than it had been just after the rough weather during the early part of last week. The water cleared pretty quickly and stayed clear, despite a fair sized swell on Friday. I managed to catch a nice 7lb Bass that had taken a live bait that took a fancy to my Lugworm bait.
There was a [...]
Cod fever
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
Chesil Beach catch reports have been amazing this week, with loads of Cod caught all along Chesil and many other beaches along the south coast. I am sure many of you have been chomping at the bit to get down here this week in search of the Cod. Well I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you have missed the boat. Conditions were perfect earlier in the week, as the water was rough and coloured, but now [...]
Sole Man
by Leo Toms
4 years ago
Sometimes I get this feeling It’s kind of hard to try and explain but it’s like this!
You decide on a venue to fish.
You consult the tide book for the optimum time to fish.
You acquire the bait you need for your session.
Everything is in place then right at the last minute, a little nagging feeling tells you the fishing might be better elsewhere!
This is why my mate Martin and I found ourselves at Southbourne all ready to fish rather than Sandbanks [...]
Live update from Chesil Beach.
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
I promised you earlier in the week, I would update the site as things changed, and windows of opportunity arose. Well you don’t get much more up to date than a report that I am writing from the beach right now.
Conditions were perfect yesterday, and we will talk about them in a moment, but right now the beach could not be more different. As you can see from the picture I have almost the whole beach to myself, and it [...]
Making your own Fishing lures with Allan Yates Boat Angler
by Allan Yates
4 years ago
Ever wondered how to make your own lures? If you want a new hobby or something to do on a winters night try this it’s very addictive and just so easy to do, you can sit in front of the telly if you want. No nasty fumes or expensive plant, microwaves, hot gloves, respirators, or Pyrex jugs
So what are your options in making lures you may ask, there are two basically one using a hot melt material called Plastisol and [...]
This is going to be a good week
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
Whats the best conditions for Cod and Bass fishing? The conditions that we will experience over the next few days are almost perfect. We have decent sized tides, that are not too big, and weather that will be blowing hard one day, then backing off to leave windows of opportunity. It is those breaks in the weather that I love at this time of year. We know that the Bass are around in good numbers and that the Cod just [...]
Hidden Plaice
by Leo Toms
4 years ago
As our own Sean McSeveny has pointed out in recent articles there seems to be a distinct lack of fish in some areas around the south coast. I myself spent 10 hours at Chesil beach with only one modest black bream on worm to show for my efforts. The makrel on the other hand were around in abundance so it was good to target the shoals close to the shore line. Having taken only what I needed, I then sat back [...]
Boat Fishing out of Poole on Rocket
by Allan Yates
4 years ago
Going to kick off the 2015 boat fishing series of articles with one about the Rocket out of Poole which in fact was my last trip of 2014.
The Rocket charter and dive boat is big ! plenty of fishing space as you can fish all round the wheelhouse and inside it’s comfortable with all mod cons microwave, cooker, hot water heater for your tea all day, table to eat your sarnies oh and toilet too, total angling luxury in my [...]
What has happened to the fishing??
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
September and October are normally the best months for fishing in Dorset, but right now the fishing on Chesil is very poor. Even some of the best anglers are struggling to find any fish. I fished West Bexington yesterday, with some really good bait and didn’t have a single fish. The only thing I witnessed being caught were a few Mackerel.
One angler that did manage to find the fish was Dave Barratt. Not content with a couple of Bream and [...]
The high's and low's of Fishing
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
What an eventful week. I kicked it off on Monday with a great short guiding session with Adrian Horne, who was after Bass. We certainly found the Bass, and he looks happy with this lovely in the picture below. It fell to a Gunfish surface lure and was one of several Bass, all around the same size.
The early part of the week fished really well, with lots of Mackerel and baitfish around, then on Wednesday night Guy Spriggs caught a [...]
The most significant change in Sea Angling history - A 3 Bass daily limit - NOW with added MLS!
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
One of the most significant changes to affect recreational sea anglers came into place at midnight last night. The EU, have imposed a 3 fish limit for recreational anglers fishing for Bass in most of the UK, North Western France and the Netherlands. The map below shows in blue, the area that the limit has been implemented.
One thing’s for certain, it has a lot of Sea Anglers talking about the changes. Some like myself welcome it and others are up [...]
British Record Stingray caught and released on Chesil
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
One of the biggest ever shore caught fish to be caught in England, was landed last night by Guy Spriggs from Chesil Beach. Guy who lives in Barnstable, Devon fished the Portland end of Chesil beach in search of Ray. He certainly found a Ray; weighing 78.6lb, this smashes the current record of 67lb 12oz.
Guy was fishing for Undulates using a large Bluey and a Squid as a bait. They say big baits catch big fish, and this proves that.
One of [...]
Boat Fishing With Allan Yates
by Allan Yates
4 years ago
First post and a chance to introduce myself, I’ve been fishing since I was four years old with my father, who was both freshwater and an avid sea angler and I followed in his footsteps learning all the time and still am. I specialise in boat fishing, mainly wrecking and fishing on the drift with the occasional fishing at anchor when trotting back to a wreck or reef for Bream, Ling etc. I also fly fish mainly fishing from a [...]
The best week of fishing this year
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
When is the best time to fish Chesil Beach? Right now! is the answer. I can’t remember ever seeing so many anglers on Chesil as there was on Friday and saturday. From Chesil Cove to as far as I could see, there were anglers all along the beach. Is this the start of the Cod season? I don’t think so! There have been a lot of Codling all year long and the rough weather brought them in for a feast. I [...]
Cod and Bass, just as predicted!
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
I predicted that we would see plenty of Cod and Bass on Thursday, when the sea settled after the blow on Tuesday and Wednesday. It seems on this occasion I got it spot on.
I gave my friend Gavin a tip off as to where I thought he would manage some Cod from the Western end of Chesil. I did say to him that he would need fresh bait, which he managed to get fin the form of live lugworm. The result [...]
Brilliant boat fishing
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
It has been a while since I have done a boat report, but as the boat fishing has been even better than the shore fishing at the moment, I thought it was time to do a catch report.
Trad Casey has been showing once again that you don’t need a fast boat, or have to travel miles to catch great fish. His boat Gypsy is a firm favourite with members of the Weymouth Angling Society, as it is always booked for [...]
Fishing at its best
by Sean McSeveny
4 years ago
We have now moved into the best fishing time of the year on the South coast. Fishing has been very good over the past few days, not just on Chesil, but a lot of other marks as well. At this time of year there is so much good fishing, I always have a problem deciding what to target. I am going to have a species hunt this week, and try and catch as many different species as I can. My [...]
Stone Bass
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
I love to see unusual and exotic species turning up around the shores of the UK. This week I had a message from Stuart McNab, who runs the charter boat Dev Ocean out of Milford Haven. He sent me a picture of a 12 1/2lb Stone Bass that was caught on his boat. Stone Bass are also known as Atlantic Wreckfish, normally live in deep water caves and wrecks. They can grow in excess of 200lb, but on occasions such [...]
Carp fishing in France
by Darren Mills
5 years ago
Last month I had the pleasure of joining several of my friends including my Dad on a carp fishing trip to Calvados in lower Normandy, France. We went to a lake called La Carrier which is renowned for its quantity as well as quality of Carp.
The weather forecast for the week was fairly good, there was lots of sunshine and only one day of rain. Most of the fish I caught seemed to feed better during the evening, mainly because [...]
Summer Fishing around Poole at its best
by Leo Toms
5 years ago
Although maybe the weather doesn’t reflect it. The fishing around the Poole areas is on fire at the moment.
Me and my mate Martin have chosen to keep fishing the Southbourne beaches. Over the weekend we landed Sole, Red Mullet, Gurnard, Bream, Plaice as well as the usual Bass, Smoothhound and Pout. Whilst none of them have been monsters we have been happy to be catching all through our fishing sessions.
All though we haven’t been hauling in the monsters that doesn’t [...]
Plenty of Plaice
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Reports coming in from the weekend suggest that there was a lot of Plaice caught all along the beach. Unfortunately for most, they were at long range. The Mackerel however were not, as at times they were almost on the beach, as they chased shoals of White Bait onto the beach.
I have heard from several sources that local angler Pete Hegg, managed a 22lb Blonde Ray from Chesil Beach. I will try and get more details and hopefully a picture [...]
Looking good for the weekend
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Does Chesil Beach fish in a NW wind? Is the Mackerel season over? Where can I catch Undulate Rays on Chesil? These are just some of the questions I have been asked this week. I get sent hundreds of emails everyday asking various questions, unfortunately I do not have enough hours in the day to answer most of them. However I will answer the three above, as they seem to be the most common ones this week.
Chesil will fish in [...]
No.1 M2 Waterproof smartphone review
by Adrian Crawford
5 years ago
This review was scheduled to be a special report from France featuring huge waves, Atlantic storm beaches, sun, sea and heavy metal (well Dexter wedges and Megabass Vibe lures) what could be better?
Unfortunately for reasons that will become clear later it has morphed itself into a waterproof Android smartphone review.
Android or IOS
First let me say I’m an Apple iPhone man through and through, in fact in my other job as an IT Comsultant I always recommend using iPhones when people [...]
Gurnard galore
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Gurnard really are quite an easy fish to catch. At the moment it seems that there are loads of them all around this area. They have become one of my favourite fish to eat, so I am pleased to see so many of them. Tactics are simple; a two hook flapper rig baited with small strips of Mackerel, Ragworm or Squid are all you need. You don’t need to cast far, as they can be caught as close in as [...]
Sole fishing at Southbourne
by Leo Toms
5 years ago
Sean is at River Cottage today so the catch report will be delayed until Tuesday. Here is Leo’s catch report on a couple of successful trips last week. – Ade.
Thursday night saw me down at the Bistro on the Beach at Southbourne, still trying to crack that elusive first sole of the year. I arrived late at the beach missing high water, as for a change I would be fishing the ebb with low water at around 10pm.
Tactics were [...]
This could be the best fishing weekend of the summer!
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Cod, Cod and more Cod. No this is not a cut and paste report from last winter! I have been gathering in the reports over the past two days and the Cod, along with the Rays have been featuring heavily. The stiff South Westerly winds have been churning up the shore on Chesil, creating a swell of almost 2m. This has made the water coloured. Far from ideal if you are after Mackerel, but brilliant for Bass and Cod. I [...]
Temple Reef Mytho Rod review
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
I first came across the Mytho jigging rod late last year, when I watched a video on Facebook by Dan Konig, who runs Adventure Angler. The video which I have included in this article shows him catching some lovely Cod on jigs up in the Shetland Isles.
I got in touch with Dan and he agreed to let me have the rod on loan for a review period. In fact he brought the rod from London, to me in person. I [...]
Plenty of species in the Poole area
by Leo Toms
5 years ago
Being so lucky to live so close to the coast. I can keep a close eye on the weather and tides and move on the breaks in the weather. Acting on another night of calm weather forecast and a high tide of around 10pm. I hit Southbourne beach hoping to bag a sole again, as there have been a few showing in the last few weeks.
My plan of attack this time was to fish long range with worm on one rod [...]
Mackerel Mayhem
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
At last the Mackerel have finally turned up in numbers. Having seen numerous reports from friends, it looks like the Mackerel have finally made an appearance. The Mackerel turned up fairly early this year, with the first regular catches coming towards the end of March, then it all went very quiet for ages. Now they are back, pushing loads of White Bait on to the beach. Behind them the come the Bass, Rays, Tope and Dogfish, to name but a [...]
Fantastic Ray fishing on Chesil Beach
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
I thought that there would be some great fish caught this week, after the rough conditions on Sunday and Monday. What I wasn’t expecting was the number of good Rays that turned up. Most of them were Undulates but a number of Spotted Ray were also landed. My friend Paul Black called me late on Monday afternoon, telling me he had just had 3 casts and landed a Smoothound and two Undulate Rays. You can see in the picture below [...]
Cod On The Rock's
by Anth Constable
5 years ago
Summer Cod fishing can be very rewarding, yet many anglers will decide to put away their cod fishing tackle during the summer, and in my opinion could be missing out on some very good cod fishing.
I was recently invited along by a good friend of mine while he was targeting Cod from the cliff tops at the Marsden area of South Shields. When fishing from venues like this local knowledge and safety come in to one. Never try fish these [...]
Tough fishing as predicted
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
The wind certainly played its part over the weekend, but it didn’t stop you hardy anglers getting out there and catching some nice fish. Peter Cope emailed me yesterday, to let me know he had just returned from a weeks holiday in weymouth with his family. Their holiday home backed onto Newtons Cove. Every night when the kids were in bed he managed to get a few hours fishing. He managed to catch Wrasse, Pout and some small Congers. After reading [...]
Berkley NanoFil - Review
by Adrian Crawford
5 years ago
I’ve now been using Berkley NanoFil line exclusively for all my lure fishing since it came out in 2011, so I think is fair to say I’ve tested it long enough to give it a review!
So what is it?
To quote Berkley
“Not a mono, fluoro or braid — The Next Generation in Fishing Line! Our longest casting line! Spinning reel anglers will experience exceptional casting distance and accuracy allowing them to cover more water and catch more fish. Made with 100% Dyneema®, the World’s Strongest [...]
Wind from everywhere
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
I have been studying the wind forecast, and noticed that it looks like it will be blowing from almost every direction, during the next few days. This makes choosing a location a bit more difficult.
Today (Friday), we have winds coming out of the East. This means that Chesil will remain fairly calm, and with the wind at your back, you should be able to cast a long way. This may well help if you are targeting Plaice. Andy Coleman fished [...]
Daiwa Sokkou Knot Tool - Review
by Adrian Crawford
5 years ago
The Daiwa Sokkou Knot Tool
If like me your hands are not as dextrous as they used to be this handy little tool does one job and one job only, namely it makes the tying of leaders to mainlines an absolute doddle. It used to take me 15 minutes to tie a leader, sometimes more if my hands were really bad, so as a consequence I often went without!
Since I started using the Sokkou Knot Tool I can easily tie my [...]
Plaice Fishing on South Shields Pier
by Anth Constable
5 years ago
For me when it comes to fishing there is no better way then tying a specific rig and catching your target species. Today we will look at Plaice fishing on South Shields Pier situated in Tyne and Wear.
Walking along South Shields Pier you will notice painted number sections on the floor on the left hand side of the pier between the railings. For someone that does not know how to fish this venue it can be very off putting with [...]
Summer beach fishing
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
I am happy to say that the summer fish have well and truly arrived. With the return of the Mackerel, a lot of other species have turned up in numbers as well. I heard reports of a 15lb Thornback Ray being landed to the West of Bridging Camp. There are so many small Smoothound around that they have become a nuisance. Almost as soon as a crab bait hits the water a 2 or 3lb pup leaps on to it.
Big [...]
Big Bass and lots of mackerel
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
I don’t know what is more exciting, the news that the Mackerel have returned in good numbers, or that two of my mates managed to catch double figure Bass from the shore this week. You might think that statement is mad, but the fact that the Mackerel have returned means that all the fishing should improve, including the Bass fishing.
I did forecast on Monday that the Bass and Smoothound fishing should be good. What I didn’t expect was to see [...]
Smoothounds all around
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
The Smoothound fishing on Chesil has been slow to start this year, but at last they have arrived in numbers. Unlike many of the popular marks that produce Smoothound on the South coast, Chesil fishes well even when it is rough. This is mainly due to the fact that most of the well known marks are shallow. As soon as you get a bit of wind, it disturbs the water and seems to put the Smoothound off. Chesil will remain [...]
ReelTidy review
by Anth Constable
5 years ago
Many anglers like myself own tackle boxes. I personally have the Shakespeare Beta Box. I have found the more organised it is, the more you can carry in it, that is why I like to keep nice and tidy. One way of doing that is by using a ReelTidy designed by Dave Mills of Damiltech Solutions.
I first had the pleasure of meeting Dave Mills in the Winter of 2013 whilst out fishing for Cod. Dave designs, manufactures and sells products under [...]
Things seem to be returning to normal
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
After a quiet couple of weeks, I am happy to report that the fishing seems to be picking up again. I got a message from Bradley Price, saying that his favourite mark at Abbotsbury has been producing some good fish for him. He managed to land two lovely Undulates on Pout fillet at distance. He also had 3 Smoothound and a double figure Conger.
Bradley also mentioned that the Mackerel are still not around, but he had lots of Scad. I [...]
Fishing at Southborne
by Leo Toms
5 years ago
Southbourne is one of those fishing marks that we rarely hear about. Hopefully this article will shed a bit of light on this great mark.
On a rare occasion midway through the week the sun came out and the wind dropped away to a whisper. With the calm warm summer evening the conditions screamed sole. I decided on fishing Southbourne, an area well known for producing sole.
Southbourne beach can be found by driving through Bournemouth town and past its pier and on [...]
Where are the Mackerel?
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
There seems to more Bass on Chesil than Mackerel at the moment. I know it is a similar story along the South Coast and I would love to know why. Don’t get me wrong, there are Mackerel being caught, but certainly not in the numbers we normally expect. Reports from further North suggest that the Mackerel have arrived and are plentiful in numbers.
One theory that I have is that bait fish numbers seem down this year, especially Sandeel. The shoals [...]
The Wall of Articles
by Adrian Crawford
5 years ago
Sean is running his River Cottage course today so no Monday report, which gives me time to give you an update on new developments on the site. You may have noticed google maps popping up all over the place, we had them in Beta for a while and they are now going live on posts where a location is relevant i.e marks, catch reports etc.
Before you get too excited the pins are most definitely not in the exact place a fish was [...]
At last, a 42cm Minimum landing size for Bass
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
At long last the powers that be in Europe have seen fit to agree to increase the Minimum Landing Size(MLS) for Bass to 42cm. The current size limit for most of the UK has been 36cm. At 36cm Bass are still too immature to spawn, so they never even have a chance to increase the stock. Although the commission has agreed to the increase, they have not set a date as to when it will come into force, but if [...]
Fishing Skegness for Smoothound
by Anth Constable
5 years ago
When the opportunity arises to go fishing for Smoothounds and the conditions are perfect, I get a great sense of excitement knowing it’s going to be a great day. Originally our group consisting of myself, Arran and Michael had arranged to hit the golden sands of Skegness on the Sunday but a keen eye was kept on the weather conditions progressing that week and Saturday was without a doubt the time to try our luck to catch these remarkable species. Flat sea [...]
My scariest catch!
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
I was lucky enough to be invited by my friend David, for a days Salmon fishing on the river Frome near Woole. I have fished this stretch with David in the past, with mixed results. I have never managed to catch a Salmon there, but I have caught just about everything else including Pike and a 20lb Carp.
The day started of quite interestingly, as David was attacked by a Hen Pheasant as we got to the river bank. I have [...]
Water temperature increase, helps improve the fishing
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Water temperature is directly linked to fish behaviour and movement patterns. Using a satellite feed that I am subscribed to, I have been tracking a large area of warm water that has built up in the Bay of Biscay. Over the past 10 days a narrow band of this warm water has seeped up the Channel and is currently lying roughly in line with St Albans head and Swannage.
This is the warm water currents that bring many of the remaining [...]
The hidden depths
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Boat Report
Boat fishing catch reports for Weymouth and the other parts of the South coast, have always been a bit patchy on the site. Don’t get me wrong I love doing them, but at the moment I am really struggling to find the time to do them. I have only really included this one because myself and Adrian didn’t manage to put together the start of the lure basics series in time. It was so much easier to produce this [...]
Lure Fishing in the footsteps of Poldark
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Lure fishing in Cornwall, may not be the first thing that springs to the mind of many people thinking of visiting Cornwall this year. especially after watching the BBC’s recent drama Poldark. In this article, I hope to let you in on a few of the marks that are real gems, for lure fishing fanatics like myself.
Well it looks like 2015 could be a very busy year here in the far west with all this ‘Poldark Fever’ this is great [...]
Mackerel fishing on Roker Pier, Sunderland
by Anth Constable
5 years ago
Roker Pier is situated on the coast of the beautiful city of Sunderland and is a brilliant venue which can offer outstanding fishing for anglers throughout the year. At the beginning of the year rumors started among anglers that the pier would be closed to carry out construction work in the summer of 2015. Thankfully the pier remains open with the round head of the pier being fenced off which I believe would have been great delight to many of angler [...]
Fishing frenzy
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
It has been another fantastic weekend of fishing all along the coast; For me it has been especially good on the lures. I am now moving into my third week of non stop fishing, and I still can’t get enough of it. When I have not been guiding, I have been doing lots of short sessions, where I have been targeting specific species at a time that I am confident that I will get them. It has really paid off [...]
Early summer fishing at its best
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
That Friday Fealing
I don’t know where to start with todays report. Some Friday’s I sit scratching my head, wondering what I can write about; I have no such problem today. Having fished or guided almost every day for the past 10 days, I feel very much in touch with what is happening locally. It has been one of my most successful early summer periods for a good few years.
After running the River Cottage Shoreline course on Monday, myself and our [...]
How and where to catch Smoothound
by Darren Mills
5 years ago
Smoothound’s are a shallow water species and so being either on the South Coast or the West of the UK, having lots of shallow coastlines, we are lucky enough to be in the most common areas where they are caught. However with more and more anglers catching and releasing these shark like fish, their range is increasing. They are around in good numbers as far North as the Humber Estuary on the East Coast, and in lesser numbers on marks [...]
Solent Smoothounds
by Leo Toms
5 years ago
After reading lots of good smoothhound were being caught up the Solent I decided to try and get a piece of the action! My mate Martin tagged along and we decided on fishing “parkshore” a venue well known for producing good hounds this time of year. Never having fished that far East before we used the satnav to find our way there.
Like most of the marks in this area of the solent they are shallow water and can suffer strong tides and [...]
Always expect the unexpected
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
We were expecting Smoothound and ended up with Plaice and Gurnard! I spent the weekend fishing with a great bunch of guys from the North East over the weekend. They had traveled down to fish Chesil, hoping for a Smoothound or two, and maybe an early Bream. Saturday’s fishing was quite tough, with a stiff SW breeze blowing straight into our faces. We had a few Smoothound hook ups, but unfortunately none were landed.
What we got instead was a number [...]
Summer Cod
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Chesil Beach is not a well known summer Cod mark, and to be honest I don’t think it ever will be. However reports from along the beach this week are suggesting that more than a few Cod have been caught. I even heard from a reliable source that one weighing 9lb was caught at West Bexington.
Is this a one off, where a large shoal are just passing through, or is it as some suggested, a very early start to the [...]
How and where to dig Lugworm
by Hazel Tipping
5 years ago
Lugworm, in my opinion, is one of the most under-rated baits there is. When you think about what we all think fish prefer to eat, we think of blood, guts, smell etc and Lugworm is one of the best baits which fit all of these criteria. Couple that with the fact that Lugworm is one of our most native baits within the UK, with it being visible on nearly all of our sandy beaches and estuaries and you have an [...]
Sole fishing on the Thames
by Darren Mills
5 years ago
Many anglers living outside of the South East of England rarely think about the Thames holding saltwater species. In this, the first of my articles exploring this area, I will be looking at just how good the fishing can be several miles upstream from the mouth of the river that runs through the capital of our nation.
After hearing a few rumours that the Thames Sole were beginning to make an appearance, I asked one of my good friends Dan if [...]
Summer Fishing
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
At last the summer species are here. There is nothing like fishing on a warm sunny day and catching lots of different species. That sums up summer for me. I love it when most of the summer species arrive, because you have no idea what the next fish is that you are going to catch. Unfortunately due to a number of reasons I was not able to get out over the weekend and try myself, but I know plenty of [...]
Good tides, good fish!
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
We are just coming off the back of a set of reasonable spring tides, the weather should be good for the weekend and hopefully the water will have cleared by the end of today. This should give us some good conditions that should see some good fishing.
I expect to see a number of Ray and Smoothound caught over the weekend. The Smoothound fishing has been good in other parts of the South Coast, so I can’t see why it wont [...]
A story of two tails
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Lure fishing for Pike and Bass over the past four days has left me exhausted. Hence the reason why the normal weekend report has been so delayed. Normally Adrian would have filled in for me, but he also grabbed at the chance to follow the adventures of a River Piker in unfamiliar territory.
We were both invited by one of the top Pike fishermen in the country, Nathan Edgell, to join him and three other local guys, Chris, Craig and Dan [...]
Choose your mark carefully this weekend
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
With potentially tough conditions for fishing this weekend, the choice of mark will be the deciding factor between success and failure. The tides are picking up, so they should be far better then they have been for most of the week.
If you are thinking of coming down to fish Chesil, then I would think carefully. Saturday should be ok, but Sunday is looking pretty breezy. With not enough of the summer species in yet, I would think about other locations, [...]
Fly Fishing for Blue Sharks On The UK Coast!
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Fishing for blue and other species of shark in the UK is becoming more popular year on year as anglers realise there are actually ‘big fish’ in our waters and it’s no longer essential to travel abroad to get into some serious action.
Some charter boats have been hitting the headlines for years with their catches, but increasingly, private boats are joining in the hunt for these spectacular creatures. Sometimes catches and particularly locations are deliberately kept secret, but in late [...]
Lure and fly fishing for Wrasse
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Fly fishing for Wrasse! Is that some sort of mistake, I hear you ask? Not at all. If you remember from last week, I mentioned that I was going to attempt to catch something a bit different with my new fly rod. My target species was Wrasse. I have had quite a few Wrasse on lures over the past couple of years, but I always thought that I could do better, if I had more control over the design and [...]
The right choice.
by Leo Toms
5 years ago
After the disaster of last weekend comprising on venues and still no fish. The confidence factor had taken a bit of a knock. I don’t know if I’m alone, but sometimes when you have good bait, a proven venue and good tides you get a certain gut feeling. Maybe it’s confidence through experience but sometimes you have a feeling when all the parts of the puzzle have come together you feel lucky and a suspicion your going to have a good [...]
At last the fishing has started to take off
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
This week has seen the first of the Bream arrive on Chesil, along with loads of small Smoothound. Kevin Webb, was lucky enough to be fishing at Abbotsbury and landed both. You can guarantee if the Bream are at Abbotsbury, there will be even more down the Portland and Ferrybridge end of the beach.
The Bass returned last weekend just as I had hoped they would, so it seems that the fishing really is starting to come to life. I got [...]
The wrong choice.
by Leo Toms
5 years ago
After collecting a dozen or so prime peelers and digging some fat juicy lugworm on Saturday afternoon. The question was where to go??
Selsey or the Solent were too far for the smoothound so decisions??
As Sean has commented this weekend really kick starts the summer season in terms of Bass fishing, and for myself personally, I wanted the option to make the most of the warmer weather by camping out overnight while fishing.
For the last few years on this set of [...]
The Bass are back.....
by Adrian Crawford
5 years ago
….as predicted the Bass turned up over this weekends spring tides and Sean was out to meet them lure rod in hand.
Sean is out guiding so no report from him today but a full report will be posted tomorrow. I know the best tides for lure guiding are already getting booked up so now is the time to book a session. You can contact Sean on sean@fishingtails.co.uk
We have added a few new things to the site over the last few [...]
Fly and lure fishing for Bass around Hayling Island
by Hazel Tipping
5 years ago
During the summer months Hayling Island can be one of the best fishing marks on the south coast both from the beaches and off the boats. This week I was invited on a boat to join my good friend Ian on a Bass fishing trip with a difference. Ian has been a keen angler for many years and has tried every method of fishing you can think of, more recently he has turned his hand to fly fishing in the [...]
This should be the weekend the Bass turn up
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Bass fishing in Dorset, or at least around Portland and Weymouth normally bursts into life on this set of spring tides each May. Well those spring tides are building up right now, and I for one hope that the Bass follow the same pattern that they have been doing so for as long as I have fished in this area, which is a long time. It really will be a matter of days before they should take up residence for [...]
Wreck fishing from Weymouth onboard Snapper with Eddystone Eels
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Combine the youth and exuberance of a young charter boat skipper with Eddystone Eels, one of the oldest and best known names for lures in the UK and you get a great fishing combination, especially for a days Wreck or Bass fishing.
The Weymouth charter fishing fleet, has long been regarded as one of the largest and arguably the best charter fleets in the country. However over the past year, some of the more experienced skippers have hung up their rods, and [...]
Solent Smoothounds and Rays
by Darren Mills
5 years ago
Smoothound fishing in the Solent can be amazing. In my first report for Fishing Tails, I will take you through a recent trip after the Smoothounds and Rays that the Solent is famous for.
Myself and my friend Alan Brown decided to head to a local mark on the shore at Selsey, West Sussex. We had heard plenty of good reports earlier in the week so the target fish was to be Undulate Rays and Smoothounds. Low water was around 10pm [...]
Missed opportunities!
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Don’t you just hate it when you have planned to go fishing and something comes up, and you cant go. You just know that your going to miss out on a good trip. That’s exactly what happened to me on Sunday. I was going to join Luke Pettis on his charter boat Snapper out of Weymouth. Unfortunately due to a prior commitment that I had forgot about, I was unable to go, but Luke and his customer ended up have [...]
Never trust long range forecasts
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
A few days ago I looked at the weather forecast for the weekend, and it looked terrible for Saturday. I then start to change the plans I had, to move them to Sunday. Now I see that with the weekend almost upon us, the weather looks reasonable for Saturday. Hopefully I can turn my plans back around and now fish both days. I think the moral of this story is, be flexible and react to the short range forecasts. It [...]
Extending the fishing forecasts and new writers
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
I am delighted to announce that Fishing Tails is extending its coverage area, with the addition of two new contributors. I am sure many people already know of them, the first is one of the countries most well known women anglers and top bait digger, Hazel Tipping who runs Hookers baits. Our other new contributor, and the latest Fishing Tails guide, is former Sea Angler team fisherman Darren Mills. Darren will be co writing with Hazel to cover the Solent, [...]
A typical bank holiday weekend.
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
The fishing last weekend in West Dorset, was pretty much like the typical bank holiday weekend; rubbish! Unfortunately the Bass that I had hoped would turn up, didn’t, despite fishing in almost perfect Bass conditions on Preston Beach. My hope is that they will make an appearance on the next set of spring tides.
I am not embarrassed to say that I didn’t have a great weekend myself; over 3 short sessions I only managed some Mackerel and a couple of [...]
Christening my new Reel, Akios S-line 656ctm
by Leo Toms
5 years ago
For a long time now I have been looking to buy a new reel to replace my ageing Abu 6500 multiplier. After some research on the web, I found what I hope will be a worthy replacement for my battered little Abu. I found akios reels had been getting some very good reviews. The Akios company was started by Simon Bradbury who had formerly worked for Abu., so right from the start I knew it could be a quality product.
After buying [...]
Spring Fishing
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
With the first May bank holiday upon us, I am sure you have been looking at the wind forecast as keenly as I have. To say that it is going to be changeable over the weekend is an understatement. Fresh to strong Easterlies for the next couple of days, then switching to a strong SW on Sunday, before dying off to leave fairly calm conditions on Monday. It can make your head ache thinking about where to go, if anywhere [...]
How to find and collect Peeler Crabs
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
What is a Peeler Crab, and how do I collect them? These are two of the most common questions I get asked. and hopefully I will be able to answer those questions in this article.
In my mind there are very few baits that are better than Peeler Crabs. All manner of fish love them, I have caught Rays, Bass, Smoothound and lots of Cod on them. My friend Paul Black had this lovely Bass of almost 12lb on fresh Peeler, [...]
How long before the Bass and Bream arrive?
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
The Mackerel and Plaice are here, but how long will it be before we see the return of some of the other summer species? Well the good news is that I have had reports of Bass being caught from Kimmeridge to Portland Harbour. They are not around in large numbers yet, but I expect that may well change from this weekend, as the water temperature is close to the magic 11°c that seem to be the trigger for the Bass [...]
Looks like a good weekend ahead.
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
The short term forecast is far better than when I looked on Monday. The strong winds that were due to hit late this afternoon are now going to be nothing more than a strong breeze. This combined with small tides, should be ideal for Plaice fishing on Chesil. It seems that the smaller tides are not as good for marks such as Sandbanks. This picture is of Ollie Mears Four Plaice that got him second place in last weekends Chesil [...]
When the wind is in the East, the fish bite the least!
by Leo Toms
5 years ago
As the saying goes “When the wind is in East the fish bite least!”
A lot has been written about why fish feed less during easterly winds. For me and the people who fish around Poole. I think it has less to do with fish feeding patterns, and more to do with the problems that easterly winds bring.
Any forecast with the East means cold uncomfortable wind blowing in your face and generally a lot stronger than the forecast predicts.Even walking around [...]
Good news and Bad news!
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
The Good news is, that the Plaice are around in decent numbers now. I was guiding yesterday on one of the nicest days of the year, on a stunning and almost empty Chesil Beach at West Bexington. It did look like most of the anglers we could see were catching Plaice. This was probably down to the fact that we had a mid sized tide and the lack of other anglers.
Now for the Bad news. I have noticed that the [...]
Bass fishing in Morocco
by Dan Konig
5 years ago
Last night I got back from a long awaited trip to Morocco.
As with any trip which involves fishing I was well and truly excited for it, however enthusiasm was even higher than normal for this trip for a number of reasons, including some respite from the cold of London and the opportunity to test out the just-released Yamaga Blanks Early Plus rods against the renown Moroccan Bass.
Bass (particularly from the shore) are not my specialty, so I did some pre-trip [...]
Spring Squid
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
We normally associate Squid fishing as a winter past time in this area. however having followed Brighton fishing guide, Robin Howard’s diary, I knew that they get a good run of Squid from Brighton in April. This set me thinking that maybe we would get them down in Dorset as well. I then came across a video taken only last week of Squid in Chesil Cove. There is a video of them on my Facebook page, but as I don’t [...]
A quiet weekend around Poole
by Leo Toms
5 years ago
It was a slow weekend at sandbanks, which goes to prove it fishes almost the opposite of Chesil at this time of year..
The odd half decent plaice was landed early in the mornings. As the wind picked up in the afternoon the fishing died. I had a go myself in the early evening on Saturday and was frustrated by the wind and weed. Once again fishless!!The weed collects on your line and drags down your line leaving a huge ball of [...]
Peeler Crab, a dangerous bait!
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Warning: Peeler Crab can be a danger to your fishing tackle.
Let me tell you a story of woe! I decided to get some Peeler Crab from the tackle shop on Wednesday to try for some Plaice and Smoothhound. Stupidly as I was setting up my gear I must have knocked over my box of crabs and all but one escaped. Unfortunately that single crab did not attract any of my target fish. This set me to thinking; maybe I should go [...]
In the right Plaice
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
The plaice continue to dominate the catches at sandbanks recently. Although that has been weather dependent. With the high winds during the early part of last week the water was the colour of drinking chocolate. No good for plaice fishing at all. However as the weather cleared, the fishing certainly improved, it seems sandbanks could be on a par with chesil beach at the moment. But it has blown hot and cold for some at the start of this season.
I met [...]
Frustrating Fishing
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
There has been some lovely fish caught this weekend for some, and for others it has been frustratingly poor. I know many anglers headed to Abbotsbury and West Bexington in search of the Spring Plaice. Unfortuatly more went home empty handed, than caught, including myself. However I never see a blank session as a failure, far from it. I try yo learn from them and work out the reason why I blanked. The answer is fairly simple, it is the [...]
What fish can you catch in April?
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
What can I catch on Chesil in April? It only seems like last week, that I was talking about what might turn up in March. Thankfully I got that forecast spot on, as the Plaice, Herring and early Mackerel showed up pretty much as I thought they would. April on the other hand can be a bit more difficult to predict.
I can see at least another week, where we are likely to see some Cod, but after that I wouldn’t [...]
The underwater world of fishing
by Gavin Parsons
5 years ago
There is one thing fishermen and scuba divers have in common – fish. We are both fascinated by them.
Experienced fishermen know where and when to hunt certain species, but us divers know what they are like underwater, and that trumps everything else. I’m sorry but it does. Fishermen have no idea that a sole covers itself in sand during the day and won’t take food until something swims over their mouth, for example. Us scuba divers see this and a lot [...]
Spring Cod
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Spring Cod, Mackerel Plaice, they have all turned up on Chesil over the past couple of weeks. Ricky Piranhas took advantage of a break in the weather, and fished a rough Chesil to manage one of the spring Codling that we often see at this time of year.
The spring run normally only lasts a couple of weeks, but the weather this week makes it more likely that those who can get out in the breaks in the weather are in with a [...]
The Mackerel are back on Chesil.
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Are the Mackerel back on Chesil yet? Oh yes! Forget the Plaice, the Mackerel are back 🙂 To say I am happy to see the first of the Mackerel return after winter is an understatement. I know many of you are fixated on Plaice at the moment, but to me the return of the Mackerel is the highlight of the fishing calendar.
The Mackerel proceed almost all of the summer species, most of which depend on Mackerel in one way or [...]
Sandbanks the "Plaice" to be
by Leo Toms
5 years ago
Further to my reports on the early plaice caught in February. This March has seen an explosion in the amount of plaice being landed both in numbers and size.
All along the stretch of sandbanks from the jazz cafe to the harbour entrance. Plaice close to 4lb are being weighed in. I also heard of an unconfirmed report of a fish well over 5lb.
Congratulations to Andy Carter who caught his first ever plaice at sandbanks a whopper of 3lb 12oz.
Not to [...]
Spring tides are not always the best tides to fish.
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
A lot of people think that big spring tides are the best tides for fishing, well this weekend proved that it is not true for marks such as Chesil. What should have been a good weekend of Plaice fishing, turned out to be not so good for most people. The tide was moving so fast that it didn’t give the Plaice much of a chance to feed. I have noticed this when the Cod are around as well. It will [...]
It is not all about the Plaice
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
I know that Plaice fishing is in the forefront of most anglers mind at the moment, and I am certain that it is going to be busy from Abbotsbury to Cogden this weekend. With this in mind I have written a separate article just on Plaice which you can find at the bottom of the page, or from this Plaice link. I am heading off to Abbotsbury, to try for a few Plaice as soon as I have finished writing [...]
Plaice fishing on Chesil Beach
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Plaice fishing seems to be on everyones mind at the moment, and I have had loads of emails asking where is the best place to fish on Chesil for Plaice. Well you could do what Richard Lake did and head towards Ferrybridge, where he landed this Plaice, which was surprisingly plump and in great condition.
However you are far more likely to catch some Plaice at the other end of the beach with the following three marks my top tip for [...]
Fishing around Poole in the next few months
by Leo Toms
5 years ago
I fished sandbanks last Saturday over the large spring tides. Hoping to bag myself an early spring plaice. All I ended up with was a small scorpion fish.
These small fish are not poisonous but carry some wicked spines around the head and dorsal fin. It is best to use pliers or a disgorger, or use a thick cloth to unhook them.
I was surprised not to see anybody else fishing. Maybe they had a better weather forecast than mine. It was a [...]
Are the Plaice back on Chesil yet?
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Good news, the Plaice have started to return to Beaches all along the South Coast after their winter spawning. I was pretty sure that they would start to show in numbers towards the end of this week, but it seems I was a week out on my forecast, as quite a few were caught at the weekend. I had several mates that fished at Abbotsbury and West bexington. They all managed a few Plaice each, though none were of any [...]
The Mullet are back.
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Mullet fishing in the harbour, could be one of my highlights this weekend. I have heard reports from a reliable source that the Thin Lipped Mullet have moved back into Weymouth harbour. This fills me with excitement, as I love fishing for Mullet, especially with lures. I have included the main part of an article I wrote a couple of
There is no real need to go so lite, but I fancied the challenge. My Rod was a Tronix Pro Rockfish [...]
Seaspin Stria 95 - Review
by Adrian Crawford
5 years ago
My second lure review and my second review on a Seaspin lure, and no I’m not on the payroll they just make good reasonably priced lures which are a bit different.
So what is it about the Stria that makes it different, quite simply its wiggle!. Even at slow retrieves this lure puts on a serious rolling action and retrieved at speed it fairly thumps the water as it cuts through it. I’ve never seen any other lure put on such a [...]
How important is the choice of colour when Lure fishing?
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
What is the best colour lure for Bass fishing, or does it even matter? I recently read an article written by Steve Starling, which I have had permission to include in this post. I will let you read it, then you can read my observations at the end of it.
Steve ‘Starlo’ is Australia’s most well-known fishing writer
Most keen anglers have a favorite lure or fly color, and swear that their choice will out-perform all other offerings. But just how important [...]
Another quiet weekend
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Well thats another weekend passed without much being caught. The PLaice were even scarcer that I thought they might be. But they are starting to show to the East, so they will be with us in a couple of weeks. I still think that the next set of spring tides will be when we start to see them.
Wrasse fishing we pretty good with a few lure fanatics targeting some nice Ballan Wrasse from the east side of Portland Bill. The [...]
Could the fishing start to pick up this weekend?
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
I know a lot of sea anglers are chomping at the bit right now, to get out and try and catch an early Plaice. To be honest although there will certainly be one or two caught this weekend, from Abbotsbury or West Bexington, I don’t think they will start to show properly until the next set of Spring tides, which will be two weeks away. However that doesn’t mean that I might not give it a try this weekend. I [...]
Plaice fishing around Poole.
by Leo Toms
5 years ago
Following my recent report of the catches of plaice made in the Poole area. I have also been told of several other Plaice that have been landed in the last week.
Now the saying goes “one swallow does not make a summer”. This could also be true of the plaice. We have seen a couple of good fish landed from the shore but it may not mean the start of the plaice season in Poole just yet. But early indications are suggesting [...]
Fishing in March, what to expect.
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
What can we expect in the way of fishing, now that March is with us? I would love to start this post off with a great catch report from the weekend, but it was a typical late winter weekend, with very few people on the beach, and even fewer fish caught. But lets not get too disheartened, because March is normally the month that things start to happen.
We will see a slow but steady increase in the water temperature in [...]
Lure fishing for GT's and other monsters in Oman.
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Late last year I was out in Southern Oman, fishing with the excellent No Boundaries operation. The aim of the game was to try out some new tackle, have some good laughs, and most importantly, catch some world class fish! I was fishing with some Australian mates Tim van Bockxmeer (who I’d previously fished with in Vanuatu) and Josh Racovelli who I knew from the tackle business in Perth, so I knew we’d be in for good times.
The reports I’d [...]
How to rebuild your rod on a budget.
by Leo Toms
5 years ago
Over the winter period my beach casting rod has been used and abused. As a result some of the rings have become damaged or broken. I decided that the rod needed a thorough overhaul and replace all the rings completely.
I shopped around for some prices to have the rings professionally repaired and was shocked by some of the quotes I received. Some places wanted £40 to do the job! Now I have no doubt it may well have a very [...]
What to do to keep away the fishing blues?
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
We are in the depths of fishing despair, or at least I feel I am. I did get out a couple of times last week. Once doing some fishing lessons in Axemouth, which was nice, especially to see a different area and recce some Mullet and bass fishing for the summer. I also managed a Pike on a filming trip on the Stour. But to be honest I can’t wait for the fishing to improve again.
So what I have decided [...]
Top five Deep Sea fishing destinations in Spain
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Spain is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world, especially for British tourists. What makes Spain so special is its weather, culture and amazing beaches. One other thing that make Spain a top destination for a summer vacation is fishing. Fishing is fantastic in Spain, especially deep sea fishing from most of its top tourist cities. In this article we made a list of the top 5 cities for deep sea fishing in Spain. Almost all big [...]
One week closer to the start of the Plaice fishing
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
The title of this post is my attempt to feel positive about the fishing at the moment. Lets be honest, there is not a lot happening along most of the Dorset shoreline. However you may have seen Leo’s short Poole report yesterday, where he came across a couple of anglers that managed to find some very early Plaice returning from spawning. I have put a link to the post at the bottom of the page.
I did say that I was [...]
Fishing may be on the up.
by Leo Toms
5 years ago
With the fishing fairly quiet in the harbour and surrounding areas. I had decided to earn a few brownie points and use this lean time to concentrate on the house. Do all those jobs that I had been promising to do all summer and into early winter!!
That’s not say that I haven’t been down to the harbour shores every single day with the dog. Checking in on those hardy soles that have made the effort to wet a line!! Today was no exception as I [...]
At least there are still Wrasse around.
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Despite a bit of a blow on Friday, the Codling didn’t show this weekend, as I hoped they might have done. That really is it from Chesil for a few weeks until the Plaice start to show. Just because there are very few fish on Chesil, it doesn’t mean that everywhere is as bad.
The water is exceptionally clear at the moment, especially around Portland. I had a walk around the Island yesterday, looking for some new marks to try out [...]
Scratching around for fish
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
It’s that LRF fishing time of year again. I know when the fishing really slows down, when I start to break out my LRF fishing gear in an attempt to get a fishy fix. But lets be honest, its better to be out fishing than sat at home watching Scotland lose another game of Rugby. I did a bit of LRF last year, but I intend to to do quite a bit more over the next few weeks, and I [...]
Wading into it - how to pick the perfect pair of waders
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
There was a time when waders were normally only worn by fly fishermen on rivers, but these days I see anglers using them in lots of different situations. They are pretty common amongst fishermen in the North East, targeting the Cod from the rock ledges, and I spend more than half my fishing time in them, especially when I am lure fishing. They allow me to access ledges and marks that I would not normally be able to fish, if [...]
Pike fishing in January, is it a happy new year?
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Hello again, here is my review for Fishing Tails of a mostly cold and bitter month that is January. As I’m sure you all know this is the time of the year when the weather really sorts the men out from the boys and even more so for the braver Sea anglers. Still whatever you call it, madness, obsession or passion which I prefer I wouldn’t have it any other way, for me it’s the call of the wild and [...]
Fladen Maxximus 11300 Spinning Reel review
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Is it possible to buy a good spinning or lure reel for under £50? In this review we are going to take a look at the Fladen Maxximus 11300 reel, and see if it can step up to the mark. The main question is how you define the term “good”. For some it may be a reel that is dependable, that you can use occasionally for years, and it works every time you take it out the shed to go [...]
Fresh fish of the week
by Adrian Crawford
5 years ago
You may have noticed an increase in freshwater reports over the last few months as we continue to look at how it can be a viable and cheap way to pass the long winter months when sea fishing can be tough!
As part of this crossover initiative our own pike fishing expert Nathan Edgell invited myself and Sean along to one of his favorite rivers to have a go at catching 20lb + pike on lures! Needless to say diaries were cleared and a date [...]
In need of a fishing fix.
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
The shore fishing has died right off. It was going to happen eventually, and I have been predicting that it would for a couple of weeks now. We have hit that time of year where the shore fishing turns really slow. Most of the Codling have gone and the Whiting are plentiful but small. The one fish that seems to be doing well from the shore is Conger. I am still hearing reports of some nice sized eels coming from [...]
Will those Codling hang on for another weekend?
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
It seems that someone has forgotten to tell the Codling that it is time to go. Normally by February the Codling have long moved off chasing the sprat shoals, but this year we are still seeing regular catches of them, especially towards the western end of Chesil and the deep water marks at Bridging Camp. There is always the chance that due to the huge numbers of Codling we had earlier in the winter, some have stayed around to feed [...]
Just when I thought it was over.
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
I had pretty much written off most of the beach fishing in Dorset for the next 6 weeks. However last weekend proved that it is not quite the case yet. The fishing has certainly quietened down from the beach, with your average angler, struggling to catch much more than a few Pout and Rockling. Plenty of fish were caught in the Samalite match, fished at Abbotsbury on Saturday night including an impressive 14lb Conger and several Codling. But lets be [...]
Bass get some protection - at last!
by Adrian Crawford
5 years ago
After many years of campaigning by the likes of B.A.S.S and the Angling Trust the EC have finally recognised the folly of allowing commercial trawling during the spawning season! In an unprecedented move they have banned palegic trawling with immediate effect in the North, Irish and Celtic Seas as well as the Channel Islands.
“The European Commission has announced measures to avert the collapse of the declining sea bass stock. Immediately effective emergency measures will place a ban on targeting the fish stock by trawling while [...]
Pollock a plenty!
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Plenty of Pollock being caught from the shore including the open beaches. Chesil fished pretty much as I expected it would this past weekend, with a few Codling, plenty of Whiting, Pout, Dogfish and a few Conger. I did hear of a nice double figure Thornback Ray come from Ferrybridge. The main surprise though, is the number of Pollock that have featured in reports. Numerous fish between 2 and 3lb, were landed all along Chesil, and from various rock marks.
Pollock fishing [...]
Flounder & Conger
by Leo Toms
5 years ago
As I mentioned on Friday, I couldn’t make it to the beach this weekend. But did manage to walk the dog around Baiter on Saturday morning. I met a couple of guys fishing and they had a couple of small flounder between them and confirmed that they are still about. Word is, some still are still being caught full of roe. One can only guess how long this flounder season will continue to last! The beaches around Poole produced the [...]
Poole harbour not done yet!!!
by Leo Toms
5 years ago
To my astonishment Poole harbour still continues to produce quality fish. A club match in the week at baiter saw flounders caught up to 2lb! The numbers were slightly down. Not the 70 plus fish that were caught last month and the month before. But still a few to keep the interest.
What was more notable was the range of species! As well as flounder and the usual small bass,herring and whiting were also caught. It’s not unusual to catch herring [...]
Monster Conger from Chesil
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
There is only one story that everyone is talking about this week and it is the monster Conger that was landed from the Ferrybridge area of Chesil. It was caught by Steve Fedrick who landed it on a 4/0 Pennel rig baited with Mackerel and Prawn. The fish took almost half an hour to land and Steve is claiming that it weighed 54lb 12oz. In truth I think that it could well have been a record breaking fish. I have seen [...]
Final Flounder trip of this season (maybe)
by Leo Toms
5 years ago
A very cold Saturday evening saw me and Martin fishing the sandbanks section of poole harbour. This was meant to be our last flounder session of the year but what I experienced made me think twice!!
I would have expected the flounder to have started to move offshore to spawn by now. But there were still lots of anglers fishing for them and lots of anglers catching them! Not just in ones and two’s but double figure numbers you would expect to [...]
This is why I love fishing so much.
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
The past few days have been perfect examples of why I love fishing so much. On Friday I managed to land my 300th Codling of the winter season. Then yesterday, I was out on the boat and managed to land an 8lb Bass on a lure on the second drift. I am sure I would have had a few more, but we had engine problems and had to limp back home. All in all a fantastic start to the year.
I [...]
The last Cod session of winter; live updates from the beach.
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
This weekend may well be the last decent fishing session of the winter, and even then there are no guarantee’s. This is a quick report this morning, as iI am actually writing it sat on Chesil. The conditions are perfect. Coloured water, almost no wind, and only about 1m waves. The only thing missing so far are the fish. I even managed to get some live Peeler.
LATEST UPDATE
This is a video I shot first thing this morning (Friday 16th)
Having been [...]
Mid Winter – Adventures of a River Piker
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Ahoy there, Happy New Year to all I hope you all had a good Christmas, I certainly did and I got some new fishing gear that I’ve already started putting through its paces. Upon reflection I think the only thing that went wrong this Christmas is that it went too quickly. Before I continue with my December review for Sean I must tell you about the best Christmas present I received EVER! This was a copy of a new pike [...]
The Flounder are still in Poole.
by Leo Toms
5 years ago
Those that braved the elements in the harbour this weekend were rewarded with some fairly good catches.
But it has to be said the harbour fishing is all but drawing to a close! As the last of the flounders move off to spawn.( any ideas where)???
It will be a case of scratching around the outer beaches of Southbourne,Milford bank or Hurst for any odd dogfish, whiting or the odd ray!!
For the next month or so, I myself will dig out the [...]
Where to fish in these strong winds?
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
I don’t know about you but I am getting pretty fed up with these continual gale force winds. It provides a lovely stirred up sea on the SW facing beach es like Chesil, but it just never seems to settle down for more than a few hours, before it is blowing another gale. I know a couple of people have braved the conditions and got on to the beach for short periods of time. When they have, the catch rate [...]
Milford Shingle Bank Report
by Leo Toms
5 years ago
As the flounder season draws to an end in the next few weeks. The elusive record wasn’t broken!! That said though many anglers reported good catches of numbers as well as fish up to 4lbs in weight.
Away from the flounder fishing I drove out to Milford shingle bank. This venue offers conditions much the same as Chesil; shingle beach, deep water and fast tide conditions.
Initially me and my mate Martin set up with pennel Rigs on two rods one with [...]
Choosing the perfect multi tool as your fishing sidekick
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
As most fishing enthusiasts will tell you a good multi tool certainly make your life a lot easier on a fishing trip. But how do you choose one and get the biggest bang for your buck?
Let us try and dissect the question and allow you to make an informed decision.
You want good value for your money, plain and simple. You want god performance, versatility, practicality, and simplicity over all. You want to be able to do every single task that’s [...]
Have the Cod gone?
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
After months of brilliant Codling fishing, it seems that the run is finally coming to an end. Reports from the past week shown a marked decline in the numbers of Codling being caught. Yesterday I did manage number 299 since September, but that was after sitting on Chesil all day with all of the best baits, that have been catching recently.
This is nothing unusual, as the Cod normally move on from Chesil during January. I am uncertain where they go [...]
New Year, New Website.
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Happy New Year to everyone, and welcome to the new look Fishing Tails website. 2014 was a good year for us, but with so much new stuff for the new look site, we know 2015 is going to be brilliant. I hope you like the changes that we have made. We have tried to make it cleaner and easier to navigate. We have also added a video page, as this is one area that we will be concentrating a lot [...]
Let's get this year started with some fish.
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Where is the best place to fish on the South coast this winter? Normally as we enter into the New Year, I scratch my head thinking about where I might be able to find some fish. Sure Poole is normally a good bet for a few Flounder, but at a lot of other marks we should be starting to scratch for small Dabs and Rockling; not this winter though.
Chesil is still fishing its socks off for Codling and Whiting, and [...]
Christmas Cod Fest
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
I hope you all had a good Christmas and hopefully you managed to get some new tackle from Santa 🙂
It was a very changeable week, which produced loads of Codling whenever the weather broke. But it quickly quietened down as soon as the weather was settled for more than 24 hours. Those lucky enough to get on the beach as soon as it was possible to do so, had a bumper time, with loads of Codling. I took my mate [...]
The weather did break.
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
We have had a pretty windy weekend. but at least the wind dropped enough for me and a few hundred other anglers to get out and have a go on Chesil, and it was certainly well worth it. Between myself and my mate Paul, we managed 11 Codling and a few Whiting between us in about 3 hours. I will admit that Paul had more and bigger Codling than me, but he was using Cuttlefish and I have frozen Hermit [...]
Will the weather break?
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
I don’t know about you, but after missing out on a great days Cod fishing last weekend, I am desperate to get out this weekend. But will there be a window of opportunity? Everytime I look at the wind forecast it changes. One minute it looks good for this afternoon, then it doesn’t, next I can see a drop on Saturday afternoon. The next time I look, that has changed to midnight. For me it will be a look outside [...]
Huge Chesil Cod
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
What an amazing day Saturday was for Cod fishing on Chesil Beach. Not only did it produce lots of fish, it threw up at least one big Cod. Darren Mills traveled to Chesil for the first time and what a day he had. As well as some decent Conger and a load of Whiting he managed a Cod of 18lb 14oz. Thanks to Ritchie Payne, who runs the Facebook page Mad Hatters Shore and Boat Fishing South Coast, who allowed me to use the picture.
I had every [...]
When will Chesil be fishable?
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
How should the site pay for itself?
The beach will be fishable with care from early evening today, and should fish well tomorrow during the day. Once darkness hits tomorrow (Saturday) I think you will struggle to get through the Whiting and Pout. The conditions will also be good for Bass and I would expect to see a couple of Conger caught. Basically forget going Christmas shopping tomorrow and head for Chesil instead. I am fairly certain that the best bait [...]
When November Ends - A Pike Fishing Review.
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
So November has passed, Christmas is fast approaching and the days of the advent calendar are numbered. Reflecting on the month, well it’s been a very good one especially since my time on the bank has been extremely limited. That said I managed seven sessions during the month of November and on each occasion I avoided the dreaded blank which is my only my measure of success for a fishing trip. Out of the seven sessions only two were full [...]
A quite weekend, thank goodness for the Flounder
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
How should the site pay for itself?
I am not sure if everyone was out Christmas shopping at the weekend, but the beach was a lot quieter than it has been recently. There was a few Codling caught, but they are certainly thinning out. That didn’t stop Kevin Webb from catching a few. He also decided to try for a Garfish and wasn’t disappointed.
Chesil may have been relatively quiet but Poole Harbour wasn’t, with anglers fishing from the shore and on the [...]
The Star bait for Cod!
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
How should the site pay for itself?
I like to keep my fishing as simple as possible, but I am always open to suggestions when it comes to trying new baits, especially when those baits are seasonal. I had a pictured added by Sam Master to a recent Facebook post that I had put up. It is of two Starfish that he caught on Ragworm.
Another experienced local angler commented that this large influx of Starfish occurs every 7-10 years and that the [...]
Size Matters
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Bass numbers are declining so what can be done to boost the species?
A recent article in The Times reported on EU proposals to limit the number of sea bass caught in UK and European waters – the end goal being to maintain sustainable levels of the species which, as recent figures show, are currently seriously depleted. But the piece also highlighted serious flaws in the proposed legislation – and showed how responsible, sustainable rod and line anglers would actually be [...]
Winter Whiting
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
How should the site pay for itself?
Whiting fishing has been pretty good over the weekend, and Chesil fished pretty much as I expected it to do, with the exception of the lack of Plaice. However I am going this morning to see if I can hunt a few down. What was in good supply were Whiting. To some the numbers were just too many, with most Cod baits being ripped to bits with small Whiting.
Whiting are one of the more [...]
Had enough of Cod, how about some Plaice fishing?
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
How should the site pay for itself?
Plaice fishing is not something that you would normally associate with winter fishing, however we seem to be having a bit of a run of Plaice down at the Portland end of Chesil. This is not that unusual, all that is happening is that the Plaice, like many other species like to shoal up before heading to their spawning grounds. Why they shoal up down around Chesil Cove is a mystery to me. but [...]
Undulate Ray Revival
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
How should the site pay for itself?
Fishing for Undulate Rays over the past two years has been really good, both from the shore and the boat. This has to be put down to the fact that Undulate Rays are on the Red list of protected species, and have been for a number of years. Undulates and a number of other rays are not allowed to be landed commercially, thus allowing stocks to recover. It is one species that I have [...]
Enjoy the weekend, it could be a Cod one.
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Yes Chesil will be fishable this weekend. I know I am a bit late with the forecast this morning, but I had a late night last night editing some new fishing videos, but I have managed to get out and about this morning and have a look around. It is not exactly going to be the flat calm conditions tomorrow, that were forecast earlier in the week, but to be honest, that is in your favour if you are thinking [...]
Fishing Tails – Adventures of a River Piker
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
When asked by Sean to write a series of articles and reviews for predominately sea anglers about fresh water angling I was a little confused at first, maybe a little bemused but then the idea began to grow on me. After all this year I was fortunate enough to get out and catch some sea species on lures from the Island I grew up on which ironically has no freshwater species on it at all, yes Portland on Dorset’s stunning [...]
Catch a record breaker
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Fishing in Poole Harbour can be a bit daunting, with such a large area to choose from, where do you start? Well one man that knows is Leo Toms, the newest member of the Fishing Tails team.
Leo will be providing regular reports and articles from the Poole and the eastern areas of Dorset. Over the next few months, he will be featuring many of the popular marks in the area, as well as a few lesser known gems. Not only [...]
Timing is everything
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Cod fishing over the past week has confirmed some thoughts I have been having for while and that is, that timing is critical to getting good results when fishing. I was lucky enough to get out as soon as the conditions had settled enough to allow safe fishing on Friday. I had fish after only a few casts, and as the tide started to drop away to low water, I had a fish a cast.
I returned to the beach again [...]
Wild Bass
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
I am sure that you have noticed that the number of reports and articles have gone down a bit in the past couple of months. There are two reasons for that: Firstly myself and especially Adrian have been busy on the new look website, which will include a lot more articles on marks, more video tips and a much more regular fishing reports and forecast. Adrian will be introducing a freshwater lure section, where he will be adding tips and [...]
Near perfect conditions Update Saturday 15th Nov.
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
UPDATE!!
Just a quick update from yesterday. I managed to get on to Chesil at around 1pm and fished until it started to go dark at about 5pm. I managed 7 Codling up to 3lb all came on Peeler Crab, or Peeler and lug. Conditions for today are almost perfecta and I am heading for the beach very soon. Good luck to all that fish today.
With the wind dropping away this afternoon to nothing more than a stiff breeze, then gradually [...]
Why Angling Is Healthy For You
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
When it comes to staying fit and healthy, most people are aware of the benefits that come from having a fit and active lifestyle. The thing is though, for most people, this usually means taking up something extremely sporty such as running or which involves a lot of physical exertion. This isn’t for everyone, but this doesn’t mean that you cannot have a fit and healthy lifestyle, if you don’t enjoy this sort of activity, there are plenty of other [...]
The Cod just keep coming
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Well done to Dave lane for winning the Chesil Cod Open at Abbotsbury yesterday. He managed to land 17 Cod for a total weight of 28lb 10oz, he even managed a treble shot of Cod at one point.
I managed to get out twice over the weekend. I was quite excited that I managed to get onto the beach almost as soon as the winds dropped on Saturday. Despite having a fantastic sunset there was too much weed in the water [...]
Waiting for the storm to pass.
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Fishing after a storm is normally one of the most productive times, especially during the autumn and winter months. I am desperate to get out and fish Chesil, as I have only been out a couple of times this week. Looking at the wind forecast, I think that Chesil will remain unfishable until late tomorrow afternoon. That then raises a few concerns, as it means that it could potentially be pretty dangerous to fish once darkness falls. You are always [...]
Feels like Cod time again.
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
The next day or so should be ideal conditions for Cod on Chesil again. After a windy weekend, it looks like the wind will back off for a few days, before it comes back with a vengeance on Thursday afternoon. The water is pretty well stirred up at the moment, but as the wind drops and switches to the NW on Tuesday afternoon the beach will be almost perfect for the Cod and Bass to move close to shore. When [...]
Catch them while you still can.
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
I mentioned earlier in the week, that it would be a good idea to take advantage of the summer fish that are still around. I took some of my own advice and spent a few days trying to target Bream, Bass and Garfish. I certainly managed to catch plenty of Garfish and a few Bream. I didn’t do so well on the Bass, as every one that I hooked I managed to lose. However Fraser Munro did manage to land [...]
Make the most of Autumn fishing
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Over the past couple of weeks many anglers have become consumed with Cod fever. It is understandable, given that the Codling are around in decent numbers and we have had some good conditions that suit them. However don’t forget the this month is one of the best in the fishing calendar, which means you could be missing out on some great fishing. October and November are normally when I catch most of my Bass from the shore on lures. You [...]
Cod Fever
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Has everyone gone Cod mad? It certainly seems that way from the reports I am hearing on different forums and facebook. Yesterdays Cod Fishing article received the most hits we have had on the site since it started. In case you missed it here is the link Cod Fishing
I have to admit that once again I have been having a fantastic few days fishing, with a good session on the Codling on Wednesday, just as the conditions turned perfect once [...]
Cod Fishing
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Cod fishing holds a certain magic for many sea anglers, and all the signs are in place that this year is going to be one of the best Cod seasons we have had for a very long time. ALthough this article is written around Chesil beach marks, the techniques can be applied for any mark in the country.
I put the potentially great upcoming Cod season down to the fact that we have had a couple of consecutive winters, where the [...]
Is it going to be a Cod fest today?
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Conditions for Cod fishing could be almost perfect today. I have been waiting almost two weeks for the conditions to be similar to my last Cod session where I managed to land 32 Codling. These were the conditions yesterday morning.
Conditions today are a lot different as Chesil Beach is now just fishable with extreme care. I have managed to get hold of some fresh Peeler Crab and frozen Black Lugworm. I have very little faith in frozen lugworm, but the [...]
Great expectations
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
I know a lot of anglers were hoping to get out last weekend and bag themselves a Cod, unfortunately the strong winds and rough sea conditions meant that no one was able to get onto Chesil Beach. The bad news is that the beach will continue to be a no go zone until at least Wednesday. When it does calm down enough to fish, it will be good, I just hope I can take advantage of it.
Just because we cant [...]
Is chesil Beach going to be fishable? Updated 10.30am Sunday
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Currently Chesil Beach is unfishable. Although the wind has dropped the swell and surf are large and extremely dangerous. Do not be stupid and attempt to fish it, its not worth it. I will update as conditions change.
After recent reports of lots of Cod on Chesil, the main question on everyones lips this weekend is, will Chesil be fishable? The answer is not as straight forward. Right now at 8am Friday morning, the beach is fishable with care for those [...]
What a weekend
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
I hope you had as good a weekends fishing as I did. I am sure that for most of you that travelled to Chesil, you would have had a good session. Fishing was tougher on Saturday and Sunday than it was on Friday when I had an amazing session. The weed was a major problem, especially on the flood tide, but once it cleared the fishing was good. I didn’t spend too long on the Chesil on Saturday but when [...]
One of the best day's fishing on Chesil ever
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Yesterday was without a doubt one of my best days of fishing on Chesil, if not the best day. What made it even better was I was guiding, so I was able to share a great day with my client. We both went home buzzing, it was one of those days that you remember for a long time. The final tally was 32 Codling. 1 Bass. 1 Whiting, 1 Pollock and even a Plaice that took two 5/0 hooks with 5 [...]
Red Gills Evolution
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
It has been known for as long as I can remember, that Red Gill lures catch fish. In this the first of two articles, local angler Fraser Monro, looks at how Red Gills have progressed over the years, from their first eels to the recent launch of their latest lure the Evo Stix.
When I first came across Red Gills (or Mevagissey eels) they were hand painted and came in individual presentation cases. I am sure that they were very good [...]
Today is a Cod and Bass day
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
It is too rough to fish Chesil this morning, but the wind is set to drop considerably this afternoon, which will create ideal conditions for Bass and Cod.
There are a lot of Codling off the beach, but most of them have been out of range of all but the better casters, but with a source of easy food close to the shore they will move in much closer. I mentioned last week that my friend was coming down for a [...]
Payo Aegis 110, can £10 buy a decent lure?
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Can I get a decent lure for under £10? That is a question that I am often asked. In truth most of the lures that make it into my “A Box” do cost at least a tenner, if not a lot more. Don’t think for one minute that I am a lure snob, far from it, with a 100% Scottish blood coursing through my veins I am as tight as they come. If I could get away with only spending [...]
The best sea fishing in the UK has to be around Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Where is the best sea fishing in the UK? My answer to that is simple, it has to be the waters around Portland and Weymouth. Yes Chesil Beach can be a fantastic venue for shore fishing, but Portland has to be one of the best Rock fishing marks in the country as well. It certainly is for Wrasse and in the right conditions the same can be said for Bass. Sometimes I become so preoccupied by the fantastic shore fishing [...]
The best fishing I have known for years.
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Anglers often ask me when is the best time of year to fish, and my reply is always September and October. This year it has been exceptional, I can’t remember when fishing from the shore or boat has been as good as it is at the moment. I went out on the Boat yesterday to catch Bass. We stopped to feather up some bait, during which time I caught a double shot of Scad and Cod, then Mackerel and Pollock. [...]
The Bass are starting to show in better numbers
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Bass fishing from the shore has started to improve, with some nice fish being landed all along the south West. This is the time of year that I really start to get excited especially when it comes to lure fishing. I was guiding with a client on Tuesday, when the wind changed direction to the North West and created a bit rougher conditions than we have had for a while. It resulted in several lost fish to a Fiiish Black [...]
How to fish for Mullet
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Mullet have a reputation for being very difficult to catch; how many times have you wandered around a harbour and spotted loads of Mullet? Do you think to yourself, how can I catch one of those? In this article written by Darren Herbert, owner of the tackle box in Lyme Regis he goes through the steps of how to catch a Mullet. Although written specifically for Lyme Regis, these same tactics can be used in almost any harbour in the [...]
Tuna off Portland
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
For a couple of weeks now I have been hearing reports about Tuna being caught on the south coast, and this weekend I was lucky enough to actually witness one. I have spent most of the weekend fishing on the boat, with our main target being Bream, Plaice and Bass. Although I was guiding someone in their own boat, we were having a bit of a mini competition with Liam Procter, one of the skippers on one of the commercial [...]
My best weeks fishing so far this year.
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
It seems I must have been in the right place at the right time every day this week, as it has been one of my best weeks fishing for several years. Most days I have been out guiding and I have helped all my clients get some lovely fish, Including this Trigger Fish that decided to bite the tip of my finger when I tried to unhook it. They have a powerful set of teeth so take care if you [...]
Early season Cod
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Cod fishing on Chesil Beach normally starts towards the end of October, with last year being an exception, as it started in late September. This year everything has been turned on its head. We have been seeing good catches of Codling for weeks, and they seem to be getting larger by the week. Danny Woodcock had this 8lb Cod from Chesil
It would seem that the top baits for Cod at the moment are the usual Lugworm and Hermit Crab, and [...]
How to catch Trigger Fish
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Simply turn up on Chesil Beach, cast out and catch one! Just like in the picture below, with my client from yesterdays guiding session.
If only it was that simple! In truth there is no black magic involved with catching Trigger Fish, if you find the right location you have a very good chance of catching one. I normally use bream tactics, which involves using 20lb Flurocarbon hook lengths and size 2 Chinu Hooks. I like to keep the hook length [...]
looking forward to a few days of good fishing.
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Due to fishing on the boat a lot recently, I have not really had the chance to take advantage of the great fishing that has been reported from the shore. I hope to rectify that starting today. I am looking forward to having a go for some Bream and Red Mullet from the Portland end of Chesil Beach and I may even finish the day with a lure session down on Portland Bill for some Pollock. I might even manage [...]
Bait fish everywhere
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
We have now entered my favourite months in the fishing year. For the next three months the fishing will be at it’s best. This summer has been exceptional for a number of species including Bream, Gurnard, Red Mullet and surprisingly Cod. For the next couple of months the fish will be more prolific and bigger, as they feed up to put as much weight on as they can before heading offshore for the winter.
I want to share a picture with [...]
Dolphins and boat fishing report
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
A pod of over a 100 dolphins have been spotted of Portland Bill and have been here for at least 4 days, but that does not seem to have made much of a difference to the fishing in the area. I have always been a believer that if there are Dolphins and Seals around there must be enough fish in the area to sustain them. We have certainly seem huge shoals of baitfish and Mackerel around this summer
It is not [...]
Monster Conger Eel could be lurking in Weymouth Harbour
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
A huge 81lb Conger that was caught during last weeks Conger Festival, was released alive into Weymouth harbour after being weighed. Several other 60lb+ eels were also released. There is no way of knowing where the eels swam off too, but they could be lurking under one of the piers. That will certainly give the LRF guys something to think about 🙂
The Conger festival was a great success with the overall winner being Paul Maris, who managed 35 Conger’s overt [...]
Huge Tope caught from Chesil
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
Rumours that a 47lb Tope was caught from Chesil Beach are true. I have seen the pictures of what can only be described as one of the best fish to have been caught on Chesil for years. Unfortunately at this time I do not have permission to post the pictures.
It is no great surprise that we are seeing large predators, as the waters around here are teaming with Mackerel. I have heard that it is not so good around Poole. [...]
The welfare of our fisheries
by Sean McSeveny
5 years ago
I was recently sent a message from Mick Guyll, asking if I would post his message on the site. I would like to point out now that whilst I think Mike has some good points, I don’t agree with all of them, especially regarding the licensing of pleasure anglers. However I think it is a good that he is so passionate about the welfare of our fisheries, so I welcome debate and comments on the subject.
Evening chaps. Probably preaching to [...]
Trigger Fish and Cod
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
When I think of Trigger Fish and Cod, I immediately think summer and winter fish. You normally associate Cod with autumn and winter fishing, and Trigger Fish are normally the last of the warm water summer species to show up. Right now we are seeing both at the same time on Chesil Beach and I am not sure which is more unusual. I am not sure if anyone has caught both in the same session yet, but that would be [...]
A good weekend of fishing ahead.
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Lets hope that after this bit of a blow we have just had that we get back to the excellent fishing we have had for the previous few weeks. The water has cleared to a nice level now, so we should see the bream and Mackerel fishing getting back to what we would expect at this time of year. There are some huge shoals of Mackerel both close inshore and further out allowing the boat anglers to finally get some [...]
Another rough day on Chesil.
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Where can I fish today, as it is a bit too rough on Chesil? This is a question I hear a lot when it gets as windy and rough as it is today, so I have decided to tweak a post I wrote last year.
When I got up yesterday I had a look down over Chesil from the West side of Portland and decided that the beach was pretty much unfishable. Although it is not so bad today it is [...]
Too many Mackerel !!
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
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 [...]
A bit of a breeze
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
After weeks of settled weather it looks like it will be a bit wet and breezy this weekend, but don’t let that bother you too much. If Chesil beach churns up then it could well produce a few Bass and even the odd Codling. It certainly won’t put off the Bream that have been coming in down the eastern end of Chesil. Especially around the bird sanctuary near Ferrybridge.
I read a comment from Fraser Munro, who pointed out that he [...]
What a Bream summer
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Last year was probably one of the worst years for Bream fishing I have known in the South of England. This year is more than making up for that. I can’t remember the last time, if ever that we have had so many Bream around the Dorset marks. Chesil in particular is fishing exceptionally well for Bream. One of my friends came down from Gloucester for a few days in search of his first Bream. He was far from disappointed, [...]
It just keeps getting better
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
The fishing reports for Dorset just seem to be getting better and better by the day. I thought it was good last weekend, but this week it has gone into top gear. The only fish that I have yet to hear about being caught is a Trigger Fish. Every other regular summer visitor is here and in good numbers. One of my mates fished Chesil yesterday and had over 20 Gurnard, as well as loads of Mackerel and Smoothound.
Boat fishing [...]
The best fishing for years
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
This past week has seen some of the best fishing on Chesil Beach that I have known for years. Unbelievably amongst the summer species we have had a run of Codling. We have even had a return of my favourite eating species the Red Mullet, with decent numbers showing up all along the beach.
It is not just Red Mullet, but Gurnard, Bream, Smoothound and Mackerel in good numbers.
I fished the Weymouth monthly boat competition yesterday and between us we managed [...]
Gurnard Galore
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
I am hearing that loads of Gurnard are being caught from the Weymouth and Portland end of Chesil, as well as a good few Bream. This is pretty much what we would expect at this time of year. What I didn’t expect was reports of Cod from the same marks. I love the summer as you never know what fish to expect next. I was sent a picture by Shane Hargrave, who was fishing with his girlfriend Alison Robbins on Weymouth [...]
What's happening?
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
It has been a mad couple of weeks and I know I have not posted anything for over a week, so I apologise to my regular readers. Don’t worry we are not going disappear like most of the fishing blogs that come and go these days; far from it. I am hoping to be able to let everyone know what is going on, but until a few legal formalities are out of the way I can’t. I can tell you [...]
Why was I away camping, when I should have been fishing?
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Camping or fishing? That was my choice for last weekend. Why oh why did I choose camping? It seems as if it was one of those weekends when the fish were all too eager to jump on your line. I came home to a load of emails and Facebook messages about how great the fishing was, and there was plenty of pictures to back up the reports.
One of the first reports I had was of a specimen Garfish caught by [...]
Tuna found in the Fleet
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
A dead Tuna thought to weigh around 30lb has been found up the Fleet. No its not a wind up, and the report is a bit late, as my spam filtered had removed the email that was sent to me over a week ago.
The fish was found by Mark Beech, whilst walking his dogs near Moonfleet. Although looking worse for the wear, it can clearly be seen that it is a Tuna, although I have no idea which species. Mark [...]
Blue Shark fishing
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Do you remember the boat scene from Jaws when Chief Brody, Quint and Hooper are out rod and line fishing for the shark and one of the reels clicks slowly for a few turns and then suddenly screams as line is dragged off it like the rubber burning from the tyres of a donuting boyracer? The zeeez noise of the braid whipping off the Shimano TLD 25 Lever drag multiplier reel took me back to the 8 year old me [...]
Today looks like a Bass fishing day
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
If you want to catch a Bass today, then you could do far worse than head for Preston Beach in Weymouth. It doesn’t have to be Preston Beach, as any Easterly facing beach is likely to produce Bass today. With the wind coming from the east it has created a nice bit of surf, which the Bass love at this time of year. Don’t expect too many big fish, but you should have plenty of sport with the smaller fish [...]
Finally the wind is no longer in the East
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
When the wind’s in the East, the fish bite the least! I am sure many of you have heard that saying, and to be honest I am not a great believer in it, except when it comes to boat fishing. That is mainly due to the fact that most of the boat marks I fish offer no shelter from an easterly wind. However plenty of anglers believe that an easterly wind kills the fishing. So those that do believe that [...]
Fishing Photography: Mobile fishing photography
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
You can’t really expect too much from a mobile phone picture is the current held belief? Well a few years ago I did a test. I took a picture on a £2500 camera and another on a pretty old Blackberry. I then showed them in a talk on how to improve your photography and asked the audience to guess which was which. Over half of them got it wrong. The others I think were lucky and just guessed the right [...]
Everyone must have been on the River
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
What a fantastic weekend we have just had. I was surprised though to see so few people on Chesil at the Ferrybridge end. I know quite a few of my mates were taking advantage of the first weekend of the course fishing season, and were out on various rivers and lakes. We will be featuring more fresh water fishing on the site, especially lure fishing. What can’t you love about the picture below, captured by top Pike angler Nathan Edgell.
Not [...]
Summer fishing is finally here
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
What’s it to be? Bream fishing, Gurnard, Mackerel and Bass. Just a few of the species you could catch this weekend, and with the great weather we are having, I guess it doesn’t matter as long as you are going fishing. I am going to head West in the search of some Rays, most likely at Seaton.
Boat fishing all around the country has been excellent this week and I can see it continuing throughout the weekend. I always find that [...]
British Record weight Flounder caught in Portland harbour
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
A Flounder that is equal in weight to the current British record was caught this week in Portland harbour. Portland harbour is pretty underrated as a Flounder mark, and wrongly so. It produces good numbers of Flounder throughout the year, however it has never been regarded as a big fish venue. The captor was Paul Evis and it was his first time fishing Portland harbour.
The fishing over the weekend has been pretty patchy on Chesil. Even the anglers fishing the [...]
Purbeck Boat Fishing Report
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Boat fishing off the Purbeck coast really kicks off in April and May with the arrival of Black Bream and Ray species, and this year was no exception – thank goodness we didn’t have another long bitterly cold spring like last year (which delayed the arrival of many species as the water temperature was very low until June). From late April I had been hearing reports of Bream appearing but I was unfortunately unable to get out on the water [...]
Ray fishing just seems to get better
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
I have noticed over the past couple of years that Ray fishing seems to be getting better and better. Undulate and Blonde Rays in particular seem to be making a remarkable come back, with larger fish being landed all the time, and the number of smaller fish increasing. This is due in no small way to the commercial ban on these species. Undulates like the one caught by Rob Langley, from a West Sussex beach show that future stocks, if [...]
Time for change
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Conditions over the weekend are going to be pretty different from today. The wind is going to drop to almost nothing over night making it ideal to target Bream, Gurnard and Mackerel from Chesil. However for me there is only one beach worth fishing in this area and that is Preston Beach in Weymouth. The South East wind has stirred up a nice bit of swell which will attract Bass in from miles around. Portland has been fishing well recently with [...]
Swanage OK Classic Kayak Fishing Competition 2014
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
This years event saw more comfortable fishing conditions that the last couple with neither stiff winds nor baking sunshine making an appearance. With up to ten species a day being recorded by anglers practicing for the competition, hopes were high for a bumper catch in this species hunt tournament. Unfortunately many of the 95 anglers found the fishing slow at first, but as the tides picked up so did the fishing. The competition, which is a 5.5 hr Catch, Photo [...]
Invasion of the crabs
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
How do I stop the crabs from robbing my bait? Right now we are in the middle of the Spider Crab spawning period. They come inshore in there thousands and eat everything that they come across. The shallower areas of Chesil to the West such as Abbotsbury and West Bexington with finer sand and gravel are the much more heavily effected than the Ferrybridge and Portland end of Chesil. So you have a few choices: Use Peeler Crab, this will [...]
Lures V's feathers
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Apologies for late reports this week, but I have not been very well. Thankfully I am well on the way to recovery. I was wondering about how to start today s forecast, when I received an email from Simon Bridge from Bournemouth. He wanted to share a story about a recent trip to Chesil, which I enjoyed, I hope you enjoy it as well.
After an early morning session spinning for Bass in Portland Harbour, which had resulted in a disappointing [...]
May fish of the Month 2014
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
It is tine for you to vote for the May fish of the month winner. The top three fish from the poll will be judged by myself and the sponsor and the final winner will be announced on Wednesday.
May fish of the monthMay fish of the monthThis months prize has kindly been put up by Field & Trek and consists of a fly rod and reel. It is a great prize that you can use on rivers and lakes, or [...]
A mixed weekend of fishing
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
As is so typical on a bank holiday weekend the weather was not great for most of it. Though it did improve for Monday and I was very surprised to see the water clear so quickly after it got fairly coloured on Saturday and Sunday with the onshore brisk winds. I was incredibly surprised to see loads of people still feathering for Mackerel in water with almost no visibility. Mackerel are site feeders, they need to be able to see [...]
The effect of water temperature on fishing
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
The importance of water temperature on fishing can not be ignored. Temperature is one of the main triggers of fish movement and this is clearly evident this year. The water temperature is 2.4 degrees warmer at the moment that it was this time last year. Fishing over this same bank holiday last year was pretty poor. This year we have had some nice fish come in early, including Bream and Rays on Chesil. We have also had some nice sized [...]
Tips on fishing from a kayak
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
In this article Lee Mannion looks at some of the rigs and techniques he uses for fishing from his Kayak. Although Lee lives in the north east and fishes mainly for Cod these rigs and methods can be used anywhere in the country.
When fishing from a kayak the rigs I use are extremely simple, it may be different for other people but I don’t believe in over complicating things.
In the northeast of England where I usually fish there are many [...]
A good weekend for the Rays
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
The Ray fishing in Dorset was pretty good over the weekend, as several nice fish were landed on numerous different marks. Ben Cass landed an 8lb Thornback from Abbotsbury on unwashed Squid fished on a pulley pennel rig at distance.
Leo was persuaded by his daughters to fish Warbarrow Bay on Saturday. After a slow start they began seeing a lot of fish landed after dark. Mostly Pollock and Dogfish. His daughter Chloe’s rod bent over and stayed over, as a [...]
It is time to get the lures out
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Lure fishing for Bass, or any other species is by far my favourite method of fishing. Its a light, mobile and sporting style that has given me a far greater success rate than any other method I have tried. This set of spring tides in May, normally heralds the start of the Bass fishing around the Dorset coast. I am up bright and early this morning to meet a couple of clients, in the hope that I can find some [...]
Kayak Fishing in Swanage Bay & the Ocean Kayak Classic competition
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
I am delighted that Ben Wallbridge has agreed to write some articles for us. Ben works as Coast and Marine Ranger for Dorset county council and has been kayak fishing for almost five years, so he spends more time on or near the water than most of us. We will hopefully have many more articles from Ben in the future.
When going out kayaking, fishing or not, safety is always the first consideration. Following on from Lee’s article regarding safety when getting [...]
Cinnetic Cautiva hybrid flexi tip surf rod review
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
The Cinnetic Cautiva is probably best described as a Continental style rod. I bought the rod back last August, when I was offered it by my local tackle shop. They had bought it as a demonstration model, to only find out a couple of weeks later that the distributor had decided not to import them from Spain. At the time I thought there was little point in doing a review of it, if no one could buy it. Since then [...]
A good fishing forecast
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
The fishing conditions are starting to look a lot better than they have been for some time. As predicted on Friday, fishing on Chesil was almost impossible over the weekend. However a number of marks fished pretty well, with Preston Beach being one of the better ones. Plenty of small Bass and Flounder were taken on Ragworm, with a few small Rays also landed.
Several Rays were also caught at Seaton, giving us all hope that they have returned in reasonable [...]
A quick update on where to fish today
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
As promised, I have done an update to let people know what options you have for fishing today.
As you can imagine Chesil is pretty much unfishable, but reports coming in from a number of marks indicate that all is not lost.
Preston Beach is fishing well for small Bass, Flounder and small Rays.
West Bay harbour, Weymouth Harbour and the North Wall at Lyme Regis are all fishable. You are unlikely to catch any specimen sized fish there but you should catch [...]
A poor weekend of fishing ahead
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
I would love to say that the fishing forecast for this weekend is looking good, but its not. Chesil will be close to unfishable, and the water will be coloured. It is no sea to be going out on a boat and the Mullet have not shown up yet. So where can you go for your fishy fix?
I fished Portland Harbour yesterday on a couple of guiding sessions. The water in the harbour is a lot clearer than anywhere else [...]
Great Boat fishing all along the South Coast
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
The boat fishing just seems to get better by the week. With the exception of Mackerel and Plaice fishing, which is being affected by the May water, the early summer species are arriving by the day. This year the Bream fishing in this area really has kicked off early. The Bass are slowly moving from the West and I expect to see them on the Shambles in about two weeks.
Out to the West, Spoton Charters in Brixham are reporting plenty [...]
Ray time
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
As forecast last weekend, the May water has had a negative effect on a lot of the fishing on Chesil. However it does not seem to have put the Rays and Smoothound off. Wests Sea Angling club had a match on Chesil on Saturday, which they reported was hard going. However they did manage to get a couple of nice Thornback Rays with the best going to Gary Cook from Trowbridge, weighing in at 9lb 2oz.
The same mark produced another [...]
What effect will the May water have on fishing
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Unfortunately the May water is back with us, but how much will this effect fishing as a whole? Without a doubt it does have a negative effect on a lot of fishing, and if you want to continue to successfully catch fish whilst it is around, you will most likely need to be more specific in which species you target.
One of the most obvious effects of the May water is it colours the water up. This means that fish that [...]
Kitting out your kayak for fishing
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
What kit do we need to turn a kayak into a fishing kayak? This write up is a continuation of my last article which included some pieces of kit you need to enjoy and have a successful trip. With the exception of the paddle which is a necessity, the bits of kit we will talk about in this article are all aimed at making our lives easier and more enjoyable whilst fishing.
Lets start with the paddle, after the kayak itself [...]
Species Gallery for 2014
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Last year I decided to do a Species Gallery with the aim of trying to reach 30 species. To be honest I forgot that I was doing it and didn’t record that many species, 13 to be exact. It wasn’t that I didn’t catch more than that, I just was simply too lazy to add them to the gallery. This year I am going to try and be more disciplined and put every species up, including any fresh water species [...]
Some good fish showing on Chesil at last
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
In complete contrast to last years Chesil Championships, some decent fish were caught during the competition held last weekend. Several Bass were caught along with some nice sized Smoothound, but the biggest fish landed on the day was an 8lb 4oz. Small Eyed Ray for Mark Ayles.
Water clarity is not great anywhere on the Dorset coast at the moment, with silt still in the water from the weekend and the start of some May water. Despite that Mackerel are still [...]
The Bass are back
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
I am pretty excited this morning, as the news is that the Bass are back after a long winter. As is usual they just appeared on the spring tide. Despite uncomfortable and tough fishing conditions on Saturday quite a few of my mates managed to pick up a number of Bass. The largest I heard of was a 4.5lb fish, but the bigger ones will be out there.
The latest edition of Online Fishing TV’s Sea Watch channel has been released, [...]
The magic temperature
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
The water temperature on Chesil Beach has hit the magic 11°c. mark. It is much earlier this year than it has been for a number of years, especially last year. Water temperature is one of the most important factors in sea fishing. It acts as triggers for behaviour such as spawning and feeding. The all important bait fish move with their food source, which can be plankton, which is heavily dependant on temperature to grow. I believe that we suffered from [...]
At last some decent fishing
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Just as I hoped, the Easter weekend proved successful for some, with plenty of Mackerel, Pollock and Wrasse showing. There was also a good number of Plaice caught, but they were very patchy. Chances were if you caught one you caught several. It is certainly something worth bearing in mind for future sessions. The fish sit in patches, if you find a match, record exactly where it is, so you can return to it the next time.
It is good to hear reports [...]
Fishing over the Easter weekend
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Are the Mackerel on Chesil Beach yet? Yes they are 🙂 Every year I eagerly await the return of the Mackerel shoals. For me it means many things; the start of the summer species, a bountiful harvest of food and bait and the beginning of the lure fishing season. The Mackerel have arrived pretty much on time this year, but there are a few species starting to show already, that I think are at least a month early. Richard Lake [...]
Getting into kayak fishing
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
If you are looking to get into kayak fishing then doing your research is just as important as safety. Finding the right kayak for you is also important; it took me four kayaks to find the right one which is now a Scupper Pro. It is very light very strong easy to paddle, lots of space for my gear and lots of legroom and can hold my weight very easily.
To find the right kayak it would be a wise decision [...]
Fantastic boat and kayak fishing in Dorset, Devon and Hampshire
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
The boat fishing around Dorset, Devon and Hampshire has really kicked off this week. I was lucky enough to get out twice last week and I have a great time (more of that later). The charter and private boats have been doing really well on the Shambles for Plaice and Turbot. Lyle Stanisforth on Supanova got into some nice big Plaice and a few Turbot, as well as getting some nice Pollock from the wrecks. He also seen some of [...]
The Plaice switch on just in time
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Plaice fishing on Chesil Beach has been tough over the past few weeks. Due to poor water clarity, the Plaice fishing has been poor, but all of a sudden the water started to clear during the middle of last week. The timing could not have been more perfect for the Weymouth Angling Centre Flatfish open. Just as I forecast on Friday, Plaice would be caught over the weekend, and they were. They were certainly not abundant, but they were around [...]
At last it is looking good
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
It is set to be a good weekend of fishing, with conditions a complete contrast to last weekend. The water has become much clearer during the week and the water temperature has increased above the magic 10°C mark. I am certain the Plaice fishing will be much better. The boats have had some great catches on the Shambles, and when the Plaice get to the Shambles, they can be caught down at Abbotsbury and West Bexington.
I am sure we will [...]
An introduction to kayak fishing
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
I have been into Kayak fishing for a couple of years, but for one reason or another (time mainly), I have not written an article on kayak fishing. I hope that will change this year, as I really enjoy fishing from a Kayak. It opens up loads of new marks and compared to boat fishing is far more affordable. Sure you can’t go miles offshore in search of huge wreck Pollock, or easily fish the fast tidal banks, but you [...]
March fish of the Month 2014
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
It has taken me a bit of time to sort out the March fish of the month, as the competition stopped running for a number of reasons last year. Well it is back and we have some good prizes for the next couple of months. This months prize is a signed copy of 100 Ultimate Fishing Adventures by Henry Gilbey.
This month you get to choose the winner, so please vote below.
So here are the rules: Fish must be caught during [...]
Wrasse fishing saves the weekend
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Last weekend was probably the poorest weekend I have known for fishing on Chesil Beach for a very long time. If it had not been for some very good Wrasse fishing on Portland, it would have been even worse. It didn’t matter what end of the beach you went, the water was coloured. I fished Hive Beach on Saturday and the water looked like strong black coffee. Down the Chesil end it looked very milky. The end result was apart [...]
Fishing in April
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
April is upon us, and it normally heralds the start of the shore fishing year for many. What can we expect from this month, and how will the huge storms that we had during the winter effect the fishing.
By now I would have expected the Plaice fishing to be in full swing. Unfortunatly it really hasn’t started on Chesil Beach yet. I am unsure if it is totlay down to the water clarity, the changed sea bed or just that [...]
The boat report is back
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
With more boats now able to get out, I have had a lot of requests to bring back the weekly boat report. I am hoping to cover a larger area than we did last year. This gives all you boat anglers out there an idea of what is around in the different ports.
We will start off this week with a quick look at how Spot On! charters have been doing out of Brixham. The boat skippered by Ross has spent [...]
Very early Smoothound
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
This weekend produces some surprise catches on Chesil Beach, with Smoothound and even Cod being landed. It wasn’t just one off fish either. It seems we are having a late spring run of Codling, with fish up to 8lb coming from Abbotsbury and Cogden. The same marks produced a number of Smoothound on both Saturday and Sunday. The Smoothound were caught on Peeler Crab and Squid baits. It would be great to think that both species would be around for [...]
Why is the water not clearing?
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
For some reason the water all along Chesil Beach remains coloured. It is not heavily coloured, it has a milky look to it, which is not good for Plaice fishing. I travelled up and down the beach, to try and find an area that might be causing the water to stay coloured, but apart from Chesil Cove being more coloured than usual, I can’t find the source. It could be caused by areas where the pebbles have been removed, leaving [...]
Fishing Photography: Photographing your catch
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Why do my fish pictures look rubbish? It’s a question many a fisherman has asked me. Because with trembling hands they hold up their best catch of the week, month or even year and smile at their friend holding the camera or phone and there’s a click and then disappointment.
Their best fish looks like a glowing frying pan and they look like a ghost with red eyes. Sound familiar? What the hell happened?
Well it’s a mixture of things and here [...]
Fishing is a waiting game
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
We don’t just have to wait for the bite, we need to wait for the season to get going. I am starting to feel a bit frustrated, just as the water begins to warm up and the Plaice start showing, the weather kicks off again and stirs the water up. Hopefully it wont take long for the water to clear again. I had a walk around Portland this morning and I could see large patches of coloured water out over [...]
Fishing conditions update
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
As conditions have changed quite a lot since the forecast yesterday, I have created this post as a quick update, to help prevent people having a wasted trip. Click on the link if you want the normal full forecast with catch report.
The picture below is from Portland Bill at 11am this morning, as you can see it is fairly rough and the water is coloured. Not ideal for Wrasse or Pollock fishing.
More frequent updates are part of the plans for the [...]
A breezy weekend ahead
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Fishing conditions for the next few days are going to be quite breezy. It wont be unfishable, just a bit uncomfertable and casting distances will be reduced. The good news is that the water clarity is still pretty good, so you still have a chance of targeting Plaice. Reports so far this week suggest that they are arriving slowly. The main run on the beach is yet to happen, and the charter boats are saying that only a few are [...]
Who let the Dogs out
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
A lot of anglers travelled down to fish Chesil for Plaice at the weekend, and went away without catching any. This was due mainly to the fact that it is still early, and that the beach was full of packs of Dogfish, even during the day. At times the bait was only in the water for seconds before a Dogfish found it. With big tides over the next few days, I expect to see a larger influx of Plaice.
The good [...]
The first of the Plaice have arrived on Chesil Beach
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Are the Plaice in on Chesil yet? Almost right on schedule the first Plaice have started to show on the western marks of Chesil. I took a drive down to Lyme Regis yesterday, and stopped off at Abbotsbury, West Bexington and Cogden, to see what if anything was being caught down there. West Bexington was the busiest mark, with over 30 anglers lined out either side of the car park. You can bet that it will be very busy for [...]
Whats the water clarity like on Chesil?
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
It is not clear, but its not far from it. There is still a milky tinge to it, but within the next few days it will be clear. The picture below taken from the top of Portland shows how the water has cleared, but the Cove is producing some murky water due to the changes in the seabed there.
With the clear water are the first signs of the Plaice returning. I had a report yesterday from a reliable source, who [...]
Light at the end of the tunnel
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
The first signs of the summer fish returning are starting to show. The Plaice are not here yet, but the Mullet are slowly moving back in. The Thin Lipped Mullet are normally the first of the fish to return, and reports from a diver friend indicate that the first of those have already made it to Portland Harbour. I know that they have started entering the rivers in Cornwall, so it will only be a matter of days before they [...]
Bass and a late run of Cod on Chesil Beach
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Unusually high numbers of Bass for this time of year are being caught all along Chesil. Normally I would not expect to see many Bass before May, but this year they seem to have stayed around. It is a shame that the water is still coloured, as I would love to have a go on lures.
Fishing conditions look good for the weekend and It looks like we might be having a spring run of Cod as well. My mate Paul [...]
No Plaice showing yet.
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
No Plaice on Chesil just yet, but it wont be too long until they start to show. Looking at the forecast, I can see much lighter winds than we have been having recently, and very little rain. I really hope that this will help to clear the water.
Chesil Beach was a lot busier this weekend, than it has been all year. As predicted there was a few Bass around. Simon Harris managed to get amongst them, along with Rockling.
The Chesil [...]
Will Chesil Beach ever be the same again.
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
I had a walk down to Chesil Cove this morning to have a look at the fishing conditions. I can not believe how much the eastern end of Chesil has changed. The picture with my lens cap, shows the size of the pebbles that we are used to in the Cove. Now most of those have gone and we are left with pea sized shingle. The environment Agency are struggling to prevent the sea defence wall in the Cove from [...]
Back to basics
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
The basics of fishing are so often overlooked. I have to admit that I am guilty of assuming that everyone that reads my articles, understands the basics of angling. I apologise now, if you are one of the many that think, what is he talking about when he talks about over and under rigs, or walking the dog, whilst lure fishing.
I suddenly realised I had become blasé about fishing, when I was having a conversation with a mate, and he [...]
Where are the fish?
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Where is fishing well right now? That is a question that I keep hearing whenever I go down on the beach, or to the tackle shop. To be honest February is normally a very poor month for shore fishing in Dorset, and this year is no different. So what can we do about it?
We could sit around building rigs, waiting for the Plaice to show up in a few weeks, or we cold look at doing some freshwater or boat [...]
Am I the only one fishing Chesil Beach?
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
I know I am not the only one fishing Chesil at the moment, but I seem to be one of the few that is fishing down the Portland end of the beach. A few hardy souls have been out at West Bexington and Abbotsbury, but with the exception of some Dogfish and Whiting, very little has been caught.
One thing I have noticed is that there seems to be more Bass on the South coast than Cod. Normally when the water [...]
Just one half decent fish is all it takes, to keep you hooked.
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
It is all about that one fish, that keeps you going out time and time again. I am sure I am not the only one who has been desperate to get a decent fish to get this year started off. The weather has been terrible, and on the few occasions that I have been able to get out, there just seems to be no decent fish around. I have been able to take some heart in the fact that it [...]
Finally a chance to get out fishing on Sunday
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
If the wind forecast is to be believed, then Sunday looks like a good opportunity to get out for a fishing session. It is hard to believe that at the moment, with almost hurricane force winds , that the beach will be fishable at all this weekend. However the winds are set to drop by mid afternoon on Saturday, leaving us with breezy conditions on Sunday. At this time it is hard to predict how rough Chesil will be on [...]
Fishing Photography: Photographing fishermen creatively
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
I am delighted that we are going to run a number of features written By Gavin Parsons on photography. Gavin is a professional photographer, and approached me last year to see if we could work together on a couple of projects. Having spent a lot of time with Gavin, we have now become good friends. I asked him if he could help other fishermen like myself take better fishing related pictures. In return I am hopefully going to help him catch [...]
Is that a break in the weather I see? Oh Yes!!
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Grab yourself the chance to get out for some winter shore fishing today, as there wont be many other opportunities to fish Chesil this week. I wasn’t going to do a fishing forecast today, as fishing has been so poor for the past few weeks. However I have been monitoring not only the weather but some satellite feeds that show me sea temperatures. It is obvious from the weather that we have had, that the sea has been well and truly stirred up. What [...]
Do you think Chesil will be fishable on Saturday?
by Adrian Crawford
6 years ago
The answer of course is NO!
Windguru says, we are going to have 60mph winds from the SW on Saturday which means more of the same as we had on Wednesday. Just in case you have any doubt in your mind take a look at the photos below from this week.
Find a sheltered spot away from the madness or better still stay at home and give your gear a new year refresh. Replace your line, replace rusty/blunt hooks and give your reels [...]
Another battering for Chesil Beach
by Adrian Crawford
6 years ago
Just when you thought things could not get any worse, today’s storm turns out to be bigger than our previous monster! Watch what happens 24 seconds into this video
At last I managed to get out fishing
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
After not being able to get out fishing for three weeks, I was becoming desperate. It has been a long time since I have had such a gap between sessions. I managed to take advantage of a drop in the wind on Sunday to get out on to Chesil beach with my friend Paul. We had the whole of the beach to ourselves, all the way from Portland to as far as we could see.
After spending all afternoon on the [...]
How much more can we take?
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
You must be getting as bored of reading, as I am of writing these forecasts. With nothing to report but bad news; another weekend of storms and lashing rain ahead of us. Once again I cant even turn to the rivers for a fix, as they are as dangerous to fish as Chesil will be for the next four days. It is so frustrating to not be able to tell you about catches, or for me to get down to [...]
Why can't we get a break in the weather at the weekend.
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Are you as frustrated by the weather that seems to hit us every weekend recently. Normally it wouldn’t bother me so much, as I can normally fish during the week, but as the guiding has dropped off as it does at this time of year, I have had to get other work, which means I can only fish a couple of days during the week and at the weekend. Current conditions are pretty rough as you can see on my [...]
More of what you want.
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Thanks to everyone that took part in the poll. that we put up last week. What is very obvious from it, is people want more articles on marks, boat and kayak fishing, a larger coverage area and more regular forecasts and catch reports. Unbelievably some idiot asked that I tell the truth for a change; what a fool! How boring would that be? Being serious for a moment it is very difficult to give more regular updates, especially at this [...]
Cornwall fishing marks: Penberth Cove
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
If your looking for an easy introduction to fishing the Cornish coastline and fancy trying a rock mark instead of fishing the harbour and beaches Penberth cove is well worth a try.
View Larger Map
When coming from the St Buryan side of Penberth it’s a very sharp left hand turn on the hill but you can if you prefer just go a little further and turn round in the junction leading to Logan Rock. There is a pub, cafe, campsite, large [...]
Even more Cod than last weekend.
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
I didn’t get out this weekend, but I wish I had at least had a go, especially on Friday. Quite a few anglers weighed some nice Cod in at the tackle shops. Abbotsbury seemed to be the mark to be at on Friday evening, with some anglers having as many as eight Cod up to 14lb. It didn’t go quite so well for those fishing the Samalite League on Saturday, where some of the top match anglers in the country [...]
Tough fishing conditions, but it looks good on Sunday
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
It looks like another couple of days where we can’t get onto Chesil, but looking at the wind forecast, that will all change on Sunday, when we can expect the wind to drop off to nothing more than a stiff breeze for a few days. Conditions at the moment are just fishable with care.
Just because you can’t fish Chesil, don’t let that put you off trying some of the other marks. Poole harbour should fish well this weekend with the [...]
A weekend of Big Cod
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Cod fishing at its best! Perhaps not, but there was certainly some big Cod caught over the weekend. The numbers were not there, but the quality of the fish was superb. I know that Cod up to 18lb were caught from Chesil Cove to Dragons Teeth at Abbotsbury, and several marks in between.
I know like myself a lot of anglers didn’t get Cod, but it was nice to see a break in the weather to get out. There was a [...]
The storm that changed Chesil Beach
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Fishing after any storm is normally good, but after the massive storm that has been raging for over a week you have to think that it should be great. I have never known such rough conditions in Dorset since I moved here 25 years ago, and I have certainly never seen Chesil beach changed so much. If you can get out over the next couple of days, you may well have some great sport. The bad news for those that [...]
First fishing session of the New Year
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
For many of you last weekend would have been your first fishing session of the New Year, and I admire all of you that got out and fished. I have not been feeling to great for a few days, so I could not get motivated to sit in the driving rain to catch a couple of Flounder. Having said that I may well have missed out on some decent fishing, especially in Poole and Portland harbour. It has not just [...]
Last session of the year at Browndown
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
The final fishing session of the year was going to decide which out of the two of us, myself and my husband Rich, would win this year’s fishing competition, purely on highest number of fish caught. We count them to keep fishing interesting, fun, and a little bit competitive between the two of us. Rich has written an account of what happened when we fished our last session on Boxing Day. This is as it happened in his own words [...]
Happy New Year
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Lets hope that we have a great years fishing ahead of us. I am sure plenty of you got some fishing related gifts for Christmas and can’t wait to get out and try them. One thing is certain, you wont be trying them out on Chesil Beach for at least a week, as the wind forecast gives high SW winds for the foreseeable future. To be honest Chesil doesn’t normally fish very well during January and February, but there are [...]
A short break in the weather
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Finally it looks like we have a couple of days break from the SW storms that have been lashing the South Coast for the past two weeks. According to the channel buoys, Christmas Eve had the biggest seas in years with waves of 6.7m constantly, with some being over 10m. The largest recording for the past two years has been 5.5m constant waves.
There was a short break on Boxing day, but hardly anyone went out. I only seen one person [...]
Perfect conditions for fishing on Christmas day
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
It is so typical that many of you will have a few days off over the next week, and fishing conditions are terrible. The exception being Christmas day and Boxing day, with Christmas day being the better of the two. It looks like the Cod will be pretty safe then, as I don’t no many people that will be out that day. Boxing day on the other hand is a different matter all together. I will certainly be fishing on [...]
Grab a session when you can
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Looking at the wind forecast for the next week, it really will be a case of grabbing the few windows of opportunity as they come up. lot of the days will be unfishable, but on a couple of days it should drop enough to fish in a fairly rough sea, where there will be a chance of a Cod. Though they do seem to be few and far between. I know a lot of people fished Abbotsbury on Tuesday but [...]
Will I be able to fish Chesil beach today?
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
There will be no fishing Chesil this morning, but I am gambling on it being almost perfect this afternoon. I checked the wind forecast just about every hour yesterday, to see if there would be any movement in the time when the wind was predicted to drop. Hopefully it will drop before midday, then turn to blow from the north. This will effectively help to calm the sea down quite quickly. I fished just a few hours after the storm [...]
My First Taste of Match Fishing
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
I attended my first sea fishing match last weekend. I was excited but also nervous. What would it be like? How much space will I have? Would my casting be awful? Will I catch any fish at all? These are just some of the questions and worries that went through my head in the run up to the match. I wanted to experience a fishing match to see if it is something I might enjoy and whether I wish to [...]
Thinking of fishing Chesil this weekend?
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
It is hard to imagine that as I went round the numerous marks I like to check out first thing in the morning, that this afternoon it is going to be blowing almost 40mph with gust at almost 60mph.We really are in the calm before the storm. You will not be able to fish Chesil for at least the next 36 hours from mid afternoon today (saturday 14th) It is most likely going to look something like this:
This post is [...]
Only three fishing weekends left this year.
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Plaice and Mackerel in December, who would have thought it? For many they would be a nice bonus, to go along with a couple of 8lb Cod, but that seems less than likely to happen. This has to be one of the strangest years I have known for fish patterns. Everything has been late by at least a month, so hopefully we might see another run of Cod yet.
We are in for a big blow from tomorrow afternoon, which will [...]
Technology overload
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
The past few days have not been spent fishing, instead I spent a lot of time trying to sort out a Google Hangout on air, so that we could do our first live broadcast. It was supposed to include our Tech Guru Adrian. Unfortunately for multiple reasons I was not able to bring him in, so I ended up doing it on my own. You can watch it below.
It was far from what I had hoped it would be and [...]
A quiet week on the beach. Not for the Fishing Tails team!
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
I was amazed by the lack of anglers on Chesil this weekend. Every time I drove past the beach was almost empty. I don’t know if you were all doing your Christmas shopping, or had just heard that the fishing was poor. I talked with the guys in the tackle shop and they told me that the fishing was not very good at the moment. I am not sure what they mean by not very good, as the Whiting and [...]
Fishing on the Isle of Wight
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
The end of November saw us heading over to the Isle of Wight, the place where I grew up, to fish with two of the Island’s finest anglers, Adam Landy and Martin Kennedy. This was a fishing session I had won in a charity auction (supporting the RNLI and Marie Curie Cancer Care) so the cash raised went to a good cause, and Rich and I were getting to fish somewhere I had longed to return to fish.
Two night sessions [...]
A funny old mix!
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Whiting and Plaice seem to be dominating the catches from Chesil, with very few Cod coming in. There are also loads of Joey Mackerel being caught, but unusually there are no Bass with them. I know it is a bit late for Bass as the water temperature has dropped to 10.3 degrees, but they should still be around until the temperature drops to nine degrees. It has been the worst year that I can remember for Bass. I am going [...]
Is Chesil the right PLAICE for Cod this weekend
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Cod fishing is what is on most peoples mind at this time of year, and I know the post title is a bit of a play on words but there are more Plaice being caught at the moment than Cod. You can’t argue that is has been a strange year for fishing. Everything has been late with the exception of some very early Plaice in February and March. Now we have shoals of Mackerel and Garfish still around, despite the rapidly dropping [...]
Fishing the Florida Keys
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Florida, the Sunshine State, a destination where the sunny skies, warm temperatures and blue seas packed full of fish cannot fail to appeal to the British angler, especially in the midst of a damp and grey UK winter. This was the destination for Rich and I on our latest fishing adventure, seven days of fishing out of Marathon Key, about half way along the 120 mile stretch of the Florida Keys.
The fishing holiday is independently operated by Fish the Dream, [...]
Sole & Plaice fishing on Chesil in winter
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
It was no surprise to me that there were not too many Cod caught over the weekend. Cod fishing on Chesil has slipped back into the normal pattern of 1 Codling for every 50 anglers, and you can bet that most of those Cod came from very specific marks.
What has come as a bit of a surprise is the number of flat fish that have been caught recently. A number of reliable sources have reported a lot of Sole from [...]
Shore fishing in winter
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
What species can I catch in winter? We are now well into the clutches of winter, with the temperatures dropping by the day, but that doesn’t mean the fishing is finished for the year. Far from it in fact. Winter fishing can be almost as hectic as summer fishing, and it doesn’t have to be all about sitting freezing on a beach for hours on end in search of Cod. Get well wrapped up, go to the right mark, with [...]
Fishfishme find and book fishing charters around the world
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
I don’t know about you, but when I get the chance to go on holiday one of the first things I do is find out where I can go fishing. I love taking the opportunity to get out on a charter boat and target some of the exotic sporting species that swim the oceans. A constant problem I have had is finding a charter boat in the area I am going to. Often you have to wait till you get [...]
Pollock, Whiting & big Cod coming from Chesil
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Winter fishing in Dorset at its best! Thats cetainly what it seems like to me. I have been away for the weekend on a Pike fishing expedition, only to come back to reports of big Pollock, lunker Cod, monster Wrasse and lots of decent whiting. I knew I should have stayed at home! For those of you interested in Pike fishing, I will be featuring that quite a bit over the winter, especially as the sea fishing quietens down in [...]
Last of the summer fish
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
There are still summer species around including Bream, Mackerel and Garfish, but with temperatures falling quite quickly now, this could be the last weekend we will see them. Light winds, fairly clear water and decent tides should make for good fishing conditions.
Although there were not loads of Cod on Chesil this week, they do seem to have been larger than the previous few weeks. I was fishing at Ferrybridge on Wednesday, and whilst I was walking along the beach, I [...]
Where are the Cod? The Sprats are in, has this affected the fishing?
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
I may know why the Cod have become difficult to catch! It seems that the Sprats have moved in to the area. I have been talking with a few commercial Bass fisherman and some charter skippers, and they tell me that the Bass have been coughing up loads of Sprats. I have known in the past that when the Sprats show up, the lure fishing for Bass becomes fantastic, but the Cod fishing dies off. It seems as though the [...]
What has happened to the fishing?
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
There was plenty of fish around last weekend, but very few of them were exciting. Out of the hundreds of anglers that fished over the weekend only a handful managed anything other the Dogfish or Pout. Even the top guys fishing the Samalite League at West Bexington struggled to get through the Pout and Dogfish. Out of 24 top match anglers, only one of them managed a Codling. A few had Sole and Dabs, with some Whiting and Pout making [...]
Top fishing marks in Dorset this weekend
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Where is going to be the best place to fish in Dorset this weekend? Chesil Beach will spring to mind for most people, but I am not so sure. The beach has certainly calmed down, but it still remains coloured. What seems to be missing is the Cod. Despite several spells of almost ideal conditions for the Cod, very few have been caught.It is possible that we have had a very early run of Cod this year and we wont [...]
HTO Lure Game rod 9ft 6" review
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Looking for a good lure rod under a £100? Lure fishing is one of the fastest growing disciplines within angling, especially with sea anglers, but knowing what rod to choose can be very confusing. I often have anglers turn up to come guiding with me, with an 11ft spinning rod, or a Carp rod, because they had some advice from a mate and that was what they had always used. Let me clear something up now, a long spinning rod, [...]
Fishing in Dorset over the weekend
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Good fishing or bad! how did you get on over the weekend? I decided that I would give it a miss this weekend, as conditions were pretty lousy, and I think I made the right decision. Chesil was for the most part unfishable. But Chesil is not the only place to fish, as I know quite a few were out along Preston Beach and in Portland Harbour. I know several fly and lure fishing friends did fairly well around Ferrybridge, [...]
Weekend fishing forecast for Chesil, Portland & Weymouth. 1st November 2013
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
It is going to be another interesting weekend! The winds will be up and down the scale today, starting from strong this morning and dropping to almost nothing this afternoon. The calm spell will continue on to tomorrow morning, then the wind will pick up quickly, turning into a gale once more around midday on Saturday. This will last for around 24 hours. During that time the beach will be too dangerous to fish. However it is worth checking windguru [...]
How far do I need to cast on Chesil
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Chesil Beach is not the easiest beach to fish in any conditions, it is very mark specific and it is well known that the better casters normally fair better than the rest of us mere mortals. In reasonable conditions you can easily pick up lots of fish at no more than 60yds and on some marks a cast of over 40yds will put you past the fish. A lot of Bass are often caught only 10yds out in the gutter. [...]
Chesil Beach after the storm
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
How long after a storm does it take for Chesil Beach to become safe enough to fish? Will I be able to fish Chesil this afternoon? Well the answer to those questions depend on a number of factors. First is the length and strength of the storm, and we assume that it was South Westerly. Another factor is the direction and strength of the wind once the storm has passed. It goes without saying that the longer and stronger the [...]
Fishing in a storm
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Right now Chesil Beach is on lock down. The storm barriers are closed at Chesil Cove and the beach is being hammered. There is a south westerly storm raging and you still want to go fishing! Welcome to the club. It doesn’t matter how rough it is, if I feel the urge to go fishing (which is often), then fishing I shall go. Obviously with conditions like the ones in the pictures I have taken yesterday you can’t fish a [...]
Chesil Beach conditions update
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
I know a lot of you out there are desperate to come and try for a Cod this weekend and have been checking the site for the latest news. Well this is just a quick update to let you know what the conditions are like as of 11am Saturday.
The picture above is from Izzy who does Facebook’s Chesil Beach watch. At the moment the beach is just fishable with 2m waves. It will get worse later so keep checking Windguru [...]
LRF fishing on Gosport Pier
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Gosport Pier, Back for more LRF
Having thoroughly enjoyed our Light Rock Fishing trip to Gosport Pier, we have recently returned another four times to hone our technique and perfect the tackle set up. Rather than tying our own mini-rigs, Rich and I have opted to use small pre-tied traces. After experiencing a couple of pout deaths due to the difficult removal of barbed hooks, we decided to use barbless hooks to aid releasing the fish unharmed and allowing them to [...]
Cod fishing! When does the Cod season start? It could be this weekend in Dorset.
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Cod Fishing! Are there any Cod being caught yet? That is all I am hearing at the moment. Sea anglers throughout the south of England have become fixated by the thought of Cod arriving on our shores. Even I have become quite excited about the prospect of catching a double figure Cod, and those of you that know me, know Cod are not very high up on my list of favourite fish to catch. This weekend could mark the start [...]
This could be one of the best fishing days of the year: Fishing forecast for Chesil Beach
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Being a fishing guide in Dorset can certainly have its rewards. If you are one of the readers that log on nice and early, then you will be reading this whilst I am huddled in my beach buddy out on Chesil beach, fishing for a monster Bass or Cod. Hopefully tomorrow, I will be telling you about the best days shore fishing I have had on Chesil beach this year. The conditions are set to be almost perfect. Yesterday was [...]
Where to fish in Dorset if Chesil is too rough.
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
I don’t know how many of you got out over the weekend, I didn’t as I decided that as the weather was so poor, I would make some headway on the huge list of jobs that the missus had for me, that I had managed to put off for months. I had a couple of emails from a few anglers saying that they had braved some pretty challenging conditions and had been rewarded with Bass, Codling and even some Bream.
I [...]
Shambles Bank Turbot: FREE TO VIEW
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
There can’t be many sea anglers out there who wouldn’t love to catch a big turbot and that’s exactly what Dave Barham and Jim Midgley are after when they head out over the famous Shambles Bank in this new episode of ‘Boat Fishing With Barham’ from Fishing TV.
The guys are champing at the bit, as in the week leading up to the trip umpteen 20lb-plus turbot have been fooled by drifting baits across the famous sand banks; and the [...]
Cod Fishing in Dorset, including the latest catch report & fishing forecast for Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
The weekend is upon us again. We have had a good south westerly blow for a few days that has stirred Chesil Beach up nicely. The winds have died down a bit now, but the water is still coloured. Looking at the wind forecast, it looks like you will only have today and tomorrow to fish Chesil, as it looks like it will be unfishable on Sunday. Keep an eye on the wind and the webcam because as we all [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Whats the best fishing conditions to fish Chesil Beach? Well they might be the ones that we should experience over the next couple of days. Strong SW winds will be with us for a good few days. This will make the beach difficult and at times even dangerous, but for those that take care and are prepared to battle the elements, the rewards can be fantastic. The two main target species will be Bass and Cod. In the past couple [...]
Seaspin Mommotti 190. Do big lures mean big fish?
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
I recently entered a Facebook competition that Nice Fish were running to try and win a Seaspin Mommotti 190. James Davis, owner of Nice Fish, the importers of Seaspin lures, Majorcraft rods and Sunline braid, wants to put a theory to the test. He believes that big lures catch bigger fish. It is a theory that I have long supported, and most of my lures are on the larger side. Not only was I keen to win a nice shiny [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
What are the best tides to fish Chesil? Well it certainly wasn’t the ones we have just had this weekend. To say fishing was a bit slow is an understatement, especially down at the Abbotsbury end of the beach. Anglers faired a bit better at Ferrybridge with good numbers of Bream showing, for those on the right marks. As I have said so many times, if you are 50m off the marks on Chesil you may as well be 50 [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Squid fishing or jigging seems to be the hot topic at the moment. They are being caught all over the place. Lots have come from Chesil, off the piers at Weymouth, Swanage and West Bay, and from the boats. I didn’t realise how popular it is. My task for next week is to find out how to catch them and write a post about it. in the mean time I will provide you with a couple of pictures from Josh [...]
Gosport Pier LRF Report
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Millennium Pier in Gosport was our chosen venue for a spot of LRF or, as my husband Rich has known it for years, “Fishing for small stuff!”. LRF, or Light Rock Fishing, is a fun fishing technique, utilising light tackle to fish for a variety of species. We have only tried this style of fishing a couple of times so, armed with some budget 4ft telescopic rods that we had purchased from a leading German discount supermarket chain (whoever said [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Shore fishing in Dorset normally peaks in October, early reports suggest that this October will be no different. You have all of the summer species still around, and the winter visitors arriving by the day. The summer species are in the peak of condition, especially the Plaice that have put on lots of weight since their return from spawning in March.
I should have posted at least a coupe of reports since last week, but with a combination of a heavy [...]
Lure review: Seaspin Pro-Q 90
by Adrian Crawford
6 years ago
The Pro-Q 90 was my first introduction to Seaspin as a company early in March 2012, Sean had been raving about its big brother the Pro-Q 120 but as I prefer smaller lures for a lot of the fishing I do I decided on the 90. My favorite top water lure at the time was the baby Xorus Patchinko 100 500G which casts superbly, as you would expect from a patchinko, has a great action and a very effective finish. I’ve [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Autumn sea fishing in Dorset was pretty mixed this past weekend. The beach produced pretty much what I thought it would. A few codling, some Bream, a good few Smoothound and Gurnard and loads of Mackerel and Garfish. Nothing to get too excited about, but the tides were very small, so expectations were not too high. My mate Paul managed to catch a few more Codling again. The one pictured below was just under 6lb and fell to live Peeler.
I [...]
Langstone Boat Report - Wight Huntress II - September 2013
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Boat fishing for Bass in the Solent!
A boat trip on Sunday saw us sailing out of Langstone Harbour in Hampshire with 8 other keen anglers in search of bass. We sailed on Wight Huntress II, operated by skipper Glen Milligan. His deck-hand Reg was also along for the day to provide tea, coffee, some laughs and to help with landing fish. The plan for the day was to visit the offshore banks and drift for bass, using lures and live [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Late September fishing in Dorset is fantastic; I love it. I decided I fancied a quick fish just before dusk down in Chesil Cove. I am not sure if the choice of location had more to do with the possibility of catching a nice Bass or Pollock, or the thought of a nice pint in the Cove House Inn afterwards. What ever it was it, I know it was the right decision. I did manage a couple of small Pollock, [...]
Cod on Chesil special
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Is there any Cod on Chesil yet? You better believe it! Cod fever is already sweeping the angling community on the South coast.
For the past 3 weeks I have been hearing of a few Codling coming in here and there. I had played t down as a few early or misplaced fish, or some of the deeper water Portland Cod making their way round for a feast in the rougher conditions. However this weekend may have changed my thinking. It [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Stokes Bay in the Solent
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Late summer fishing in the Solent.
My last report saw my husband Rich catch up to just one fish behind in our annual fishing competition. On Saturday evening we returned to Stokes Bay in Gosport, Hampshire, to fish the rising tide. High tide was about 1.30am and the first baits were in the water by 9pm. It was a calm evening with very little wind and ever so warm, about 16C, we were in t-shirts for most of the evening and [...]
September fish of the Month
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
September is often one of the best months for fishing in the south coast. Lets hope we see some great entries for this months competition.
I have a Minke fishing multi tool for this months winner. If you have no idea what that is then have a look in a a couple of days and I will have put a review of it up.
So here are the rules: Fish must be caught during this month and all entries must have at [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Shore fishing in Dorset at its best! I don’t really know where to start in this report. This weekend has to have been one of the best for a long time. It seems Cod fever has started. I have witnessed quite a few Codling being landed this weekend from a number of marks along Chesil. Watch out for a Chesil Cod special post this week.
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Personally I don’t get overly excited about them, as I find them neither sporting or tasty, but [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Stokes Bay in the Solent
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Solent Report – Stokes Bay – September 2013
Sometimes, fishing is not about catching huge fish or even fish big enough for the table. It’s about fishing and catching the smaller stuff, but still getting the same amount of joy and excitement from the hobby. For my husband Rich and I, fishing is also about getting outdoors, enjoying nature, the sea, good company and conversations putting the world to rights. On sessions like these, every fish caught is a pleasurable bonus [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
The calm after the storm! I am back from my trip to Spain and I know you have had some pretty rough weather whilst I have been away. I had a look at Chesil yesterday afternoon when I got back and even though it was still a bit rough, I could tell that the water had already started to clear. I had another look this morning and it is a lot more settled and with these large tides, it wont [...]
Dorset fishing marks: West Bay
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
West Bay marks the Western most boundary of Chesil Beach. It is a beautiful fishing village that is very popular with tourists in the summer.
View Larger Map
For some strange reason, West Bay seems to be the least popular of all the easily accessible marks on Chesil, and I can not think why. When ever I have fished, I have always had a reasonable catch at least. On a few occasions, I have had some very good sessions catching Bass, Plaice, [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
At last a big change in the weather. It is certainly not something a lot of people will welcome, but for some anglers fishing Chesil Beach, it has been what they have spent weeks waiting for. The rough conditions will bring the Bass in close, where they will gorge themselves on the bounty of food stirred up in the surf. No need for expensive Peeler Crab baits, as large Squid and Mackerel baits will do just as well. When it [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
I know some of you are thinking that you have not seen many reports this week, and there is a good reason for that. I am writing this report from Spain, so it is not as first hand as it could be, but I have been keeping in contact with what has been going on and my partner Ade, will be adding some posts on a couple of items he has been reviewing recently.
I am busy trying to film a [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Is there still Mackerel on Chesil and when do the Mackerel leave? These are the two most common questions that I hear at the moment. The good news is the Mackerel will stay around for at least another month yet. I find it strange that most people stop fishing for Mackerel when the kids go back to school after their summer holidays. I have caught Mackerel all the way into January a couple of years ago. I know that is [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Beach fishing in Dorset and all along the South coast is reaching its peak now. I have been banging on about the variety of species that are showing up all over the UK, but today I heard about a Stripped Bass being caught from Dover Breakwater. Now that gets me more than excited. Stripped Bass are the American cousin’s of our Sea Bass. They can grow up to 60lb and fight like demons. Unfortunately I can’t show you a picture [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Fishing in Dorset has to be coming into its best now. The water tempreture is just about at its maximum. There are so many different species around, you have no idea what you could catch next.
One of my friends was out lure fishing for Bass. He managed 1/2 a dozen Bass up to 4lb, then landed himself a 5lb Mullet on the same lure. Talking of Mullet, I noticed that there was a lot less Mullet in the harbour today, [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
What happened to Monday’s fishing forecast? I know from my stats that Monday is by far the busiest day for traffic on the website, as many of you log on to see what has been caught over the weekend. Normally I don’t miss a Monday, but yesterday wad a bit of a tale.
It started of by me being rudely woken up by my wife at 7.30 (well it is the last few days of the kids holidays) telling me that [...]
Shore Thing: Shingle Beaches NEW FROM SEA-WATCH
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
There’s a new issue of Sea-Watch out including a brand new episode of Julian Shambrook’s ‘Shore Thing’ series, where he joins Jansen Teakle to show how to get the best out of shingle beaches.
Barney Wright is back with his ‘TSF Academy’, this time taking a look at some canny tricks of the trade when casting long range.
The only video news bulletin for sea anglers – Sea Watch News – includes the story of a giant common skate caught from the [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Fishing in Dorset is fantastic at the moment. We are now entering the best couple of months for most species, with the exception of a few winter species. If you are looking to go fishing this weekend, then you could do a lot worse than Chesil Beach. Reports and some videos I have seen from a diver suggest that Chesil Cove, could well be the top mark for something a little different. Both Trigger FIsh and John Dory, have been [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Tuna on Chesil!! Almost unbelievable, but true! I have been struggling recently to bring you some interesting reports, but the past few days have become hectic, with loads of exciting developments.
I know quite a few of you wont believe this, and I wont blame you if you don’t but yesterday, I seen three Tuna erupt from the water not more than 50m from the shore.
I was running a River Cottage Shoreline course at West Bexington. Right from the start we [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Fishing on Chesil Beach during August has been a bit more hit and miss than normal. It has been very inconsistent. A typical example is when my mate went and fished West Bexington on Saturday afternoon. He had a great session with a couple of Bass up to 6lb, Plaice, Dabs and Sole all before packing up at 9pm. He went back again to exactly the same spot the next day and had nothing but Pout and Dogfish.
Regular contributor Leo, [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
6 years ago
Not much has changed over the past couple of days. The mackerel have been a bit scarce for a few days, but they seem to be back now. This period of settled weather is good for Bream and Sole fishing. There seems to be plenty of Gurnard being caught all along the beach. A couple of species that seem to be missing this year are Trigger Fish and Red Mullet.
I have a theory that about 25 years ago, we had [...]
Enjoy your holiday with some fishing in Dorset.
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
The fishing all over has been pretty consistent over the weekend and I can see it continuing for the remainder of the week, with slightly stiffer winds than we have had for a bit and tides that are gradually building to a large spring tide over the weekend. The fishing for Bream along the Portland end of Chesil has been outstanding. At the other end of the beach Smoothound and Ray fishing has been improving. I can only imagine that [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
Black Bream, Gurnard and Mackerel, seem to be the main species being landed from Chesil at the moment, with a few nice Smoothound as well. Paul Foster sent me this picture of a nice Smoothound he caught on Ragworm (not the quid a chuck Peeler that I rant about) from Burton Bradstock.
Hugh Nicholson emailed me, saying he tried Peeler Crab for the first time at Abbotsbury and caught his first ever Dogfish. He says it gave and unforgettable bite. I [...]
Lure review: Megabass XLush
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
I had been waiting with anticipation, for about 6 weeks for the Megabass XLush to appear in my local tackle shop, as I had heard quite a bit of talk from other lure fanatics like myself, about how good it would be. Megabass title the XLush as a High Dimensional Multi Performance Pencil Bait; quite a mouthful for a stunning looking lure. I believe the RRP for them is £23, but with a bit of shopping around you can pick [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
How and where to catch a Sole? That seems to be the main question I am being asked at the moment, and with the number of Sole that are around at the moment it is a pretty good question. There are quite a few coming from the western end of Chesil, especially West Bexington and Cogden. These are not the only marks for Sole in the area. Preston Beach can be alive with them at this time of year. As [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
A quick Bass guiding session this morning on one of my favourite Dorset marks, resulted in a great mornings fishing. It is also why I am late with todays forecast 🙂 It was one of those days when everything was perfect. Good tides, the wind was the right strength from the right direction and the fish were there. We managed Bass, Pollock and Mackerel. Most came to either Seaspin Leppe 22, or a Savage Gear Sandeel Real Pearl 12.5cm 23g I [...]
Site upgrade
by Adrian Crawford
7 years ago
We have updated the site in preparation for some new features we are planning to add over the coming weeks. The changes are mostly in the background so you should notice very little difference to the site, however we have updated the gallerys and added a new Fishing Marks menu item which Sean will talk about later today.
There is a problem with the feature post scroller, but as its pretty minor we have brought the site up while we work [...]
Dorset fishing marks: Hamm Beach, Portland harbour
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
Hamm Beach runs from the National Sailing Acedemy on Portland beach road, to the entrance of the Fleet at Ferrybridge. It runs parallel with Chesil Beach, and it acts as the drainage point for Chesil in flood conditions.
View Larger Map
It is a very different beach compared to Chesil, which is less than a couple of hundred metres away, and it is certainly not as exciting. However it can be a great mark to fish especially when Chesil is being battered [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
Fishing in Dorset !! Are you one of the many who are on holiday in Dorset, or going to be coming down over the next few weeks, but don’t know where to go? Hopefully I can give you a few options to suit your experience level. Over the next week, I will feature a different mark each day. I will not go into the marks in great detail in the feature as it is my intention to do so later [...]
Species Gallery for 2013
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
My main aim this year is to catch as many species as I can. I will be targeting fresh and salt water species in the hope of hitting 30 species by the end of the year. I am going to have to make sure that I remember to take a picture of each one. Hopefully the pictures may help in fish ID for some people.
August fish of the Month
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
August winner is Jordan with one of the biggest Black Bream I have seen from the shore. Well done.
I have another signed copy of Henry Gilbey’s Ultimate Fishing Adventures book for this months winner.
So here are the rules: Fish must be caught during this month and all entries must have at least one accompanying picture. Checks will be made on the date time stamp of the picture. Fish can be from boat or shore, freshwater or saltwater, but they have [...]
July fish of the Month
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
Winner for July is Patrick with his Bass
The prize this month is a signed copy of Henry Gilbey’s Ultimate Fishing Adventures.
So here are the rules: Fish must be caught during this month and all entries must have at least one accompanying picture. Checks will be made on the date time stamp of the picture. Fish can be from boat or shore, freshwater or saltwater, but they have to have been caught from the waters of Dorset, Devon the Bristol Channel [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
Mackerel Madness!! That is probably the best way to describe the fishing over the past couple of days. I was fishing towards West Bay, when a shoal of Mackerel appeared on the beach. At first I thought it was just a small shoal, but then a huge area of water erupted in to life, as the Mackerel smashed into the bait fish. There was fish as far as the eye could see, the shoal must have easily contained 1/2 million [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
Is it too windy to fish Chesil Beach? I have had several emails asking me this over the past couple of days. The answer is very simple, no! I love the weather conditions we have at the moment, but only because it makes for some great fishing. The onshore wind is pushing bait fish close to the shore and the 2m plus waves are pounding on to the surf, releasing lots of food into the water. Bass love it, as [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
The weather put quite a lot of people off fishing this weekend, which is a bit of a shame, as there was some nice fish landed. Plenty of Gurnard and a few nice Bream, were landed towards Portland. I fished at Ferrybridge on Saturday and as soon as the first spots of rain hit, the beach cleared. I would love to say that I was nice and dry in my waterproofs, but I would be lying. I recently boat a [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
Sorry about the lack of forecasts this week, but I have been really busy guiding and trying to sort out new content for the website. In truth not a lot had changed over the past few days, so the forecast was pretty much going to stay the same. However that is going to change a bit over the weekend, if the forecast wind arrives on Sunday.
This morning and it looks like for most of today and tomorrow, we will have [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
It was a pretty good weekend for fishing. Plenty of Mackerel, Plaice, Gurnard and Bream were caught. Not as many Smoothound as I would have liked, but there was some fantastic Rays from both ends of the beach. I know of one Undulate that weighed 15lb for a lucky local angler. Sorry but I have been sworn to secrecy on the location of the mark. I noticed that quite a few of you have been posting catch reports from all [...]
Boat fishing report from Portland and Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
Normally I would report on what has been happening with the charter fleet, but this week I am going to talk about a trip I had out with a couple of friends, who own one of the local tackle shops on their boat out of Portland. Andy whose boat it is, and Mike assured me they were inviting me out purely through friendliness, and had nothing to do with wanting some of my secret marks 🙂
I have only managed one [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
The weather has been fantastic for the past week. I wish I could say the same about the fishing! Bright sunshine and clear waters have proved to be very difficult conditions for some. Even the Mackerel have been difficult to catch. In this post I am going to give you some tips that I hope will help improve your catch rate.
For some reason this year the Daylite Mackerel feathers do not appear to be as successful as they have in [...]
Solent Fishing marks: Gosport, Lee-on-the-Solent and Hill Head area
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
If you want to know some of the best marks to fish in the Solent are then I am glad to say that as promised, loraine has provided me with some very useful information on some of the marks in her area. She has created a map to help you with the locations
1. Millennium Pier
Located near to the Gosport ferry terminal, this short pier is free to fish and good for mini-species such as wrasse, gobies and scorpion fish, as [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
At last the summer species are here in reasonable numbers. I know that some Bream and Gurnard have been caught for a good few weeks already, but the past few days the numbers have shown that the main run of them have arrived. The water temperature this morning was 15.3 degrees. I looked back on last years temperatures for the same time and we have finally caught up with what the temperature should be. If we continue to get good [...]
Solent area fishing forecast and reports
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
I am delighted to say that I have finally managed to get someone to commit to providing some regular fishing reports for part of the Solent area. I guess I would call it mid Solent. It is an old haunt of mine from the days when I was in the Royal Navy and based at Lee-on-Solent.
Loraine has only been fishing for a few years, but her enthusiasm for fishing is infectious. She regularly walks with her dog around many of [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
Where can I catch some Mackerel? At last it looks like the May water has gone, even from the western end of Chesil, where it seemed to linger for an eternity. Although the water is lovely and clear, the Mackerel do not seem to want to play ball. Very few have been reported on Chesil. I spent over an hour yesterday driving round trying to find where they might be. I even went up to the top of Portland and [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
I love these periods of settled weather. Water clarity is great which helps with lure fishing and seems to bring species such as Gurnard, Bream, Red Mullet and Dragonets closer to shore. The quicker the water warms up the sooner the Trigger fish will appear. I love fishing for Trigger fish. Knowing that they are normally found a long way from British shore, and that there are very few places in the UK to catch them, make them special to [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
There was plenty of fish caught over the weekend, but strangely they did not come from the usual marks. Chesil didn’t fish as well as I thought it would. Plenty of Mackerel were caught at times, but even they were a bit thin on the ground.
One beach that fished wel was Preston Beach at the far end of Weymouth Bay. Plenty of Bass showed up giving lure and fly fishing anglers great sport. No fish of any great size were landed but [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
At last the Mackerel have finally showed up in numbers. They have been around for a while, but the May water has made them patchy. The May water has almost gone from Chesil, with the exception of the Werstern end of the beach, where it is still hanging around.
Summer species are being caught from most of the marks now. Chesil has seen quite a few Black Bream, Gurnard, Bass and Smoothound being landed. Preston beach fished well for Bass, Flounder, [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
Once again I start the report with the annoying news that the May water has not completely gone. Most areas are clear of it including the Eastern end of Chesil Beach, from Langton Herring to Portland. Unfortunately Abbotsbury, West Bexington, Cogden and the areas further West still have it. Although I did see a few Mackerel caught whilst I was at West Bexington yesterday, I would have expected a lot more at this time of year.
Portland is fishing well as David Nute proves. He [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
The bit of a blow that started yesterday and we still have at the moment, though not too strong is creating a nice bit of swell and a decent surf line on Chesil. The main plus to it apart from creating some interesting conditions for Bass, is that it should break up the last of the May water. When I had a look at conditions at Ferrybridge yesterday afternoon the water was clear, but there was a pungent smell of [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
I can not believe we are still being plagued by May water. I know everything has been late this year, but even so, it should have cleared up weeks ago. Just as you think it is ending and the water is clearing, it returns again. Well I guess it is good for the Mackerel stocks as they have not been caught in the usual numbers, but I would love some for the BBQ.
The Mackerel might not be showing properly, but the Smoothound [...]
Boat report 30th June 2012
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
The good weather over the past week has ment that the charter fleet and private boats have been able to get out and find some great fish. The wreck fishing seems to have exploded with Bass starting to show on the wrecks as well as huge Pollock and a few Cod. Inshore the Shambles and the Skerries of Dartmouth have been producing some fantastic Plaice.
Mike and Andy from Chesil Bait n Tackle managed to get out on Andy’s boat, where [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
I know there was a bit of a delay in getting the fishing forecast up today, but I was up at 5am this morning chasing Bass and I have only just got back at 1pm. It was a bit quiet and I would not normally have bothered getting up at that time for fishing over low water, but my friend was down from London and he wanted to have a last session before retuning home.He managed 7 Bass over 2 [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
We might have lacked quantity in the early part of this month, but we are making up for it with quality now. Some of the fish that have been landed over the past week have been fantastic. Numerous double figure Bass and lots of decent sized Smoothound, some of them into double figures. Add to the scoreboard several cracking Rays and you know the fishing is good. It will get even better over the next couple of weeks. We are [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
I knew it would be good on Chesil for Bass this weekend, I just didn’t think I would be there to witness a great Bass being caught. My mate Paul managed this lovely Bass at just under 12lb caught on Ragworm and Peeler Crab.
We had loads of other species including Dogfish, Pout, Wrasse and some lovely Smoothound. All fell to live Peeler Crab.
For full details of the trip take a look at todays other post Bass on Chesil
Chesil was not [...]
Bass fishing on Chesil Beach, when its at its best
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
As a fishing guide in Dorset, I like to think that I know when the best times to fish are. Despite my over whelming urge to want to fish with lures all the time, I know that it is better to get out the smelly old bait when the conditions are right. Those times are normally when the sea is at its roughest, as it was this weekend. South Westerly 22 – 25mh winds with gusts up to 50mph. Then [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
What a difference a few hours can make! I started off on a guiding session yesterday morning in the hope that the May water had cleared enough to make the water clear enough for lure fishing. You can imagine my disappointment when I arrived at my first mark and the one that I thought would be the clearest, to find the water fairly clouded with visibility down to less than 2m. Six hours later and only half a mile down the coast, [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
Well the May water has almost cleared, once the large tides at the weekend have move dispersed the last of it, we should be back to good visibility again. Catch reports have been almost non-existant, with not so many people fishing the beach and even fewer catching. There have been the usual numbers of Dogfish and pout at night, but to be honest I can’t get too excited about sitting on a beach all night for those. The main problem [...]
Ultimate Fishing Adventures: Henry Gilbey
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
When I heard that Henry Gilbey had produced a new book last year, I was determined to get my hands on one and see if it was as good as his others. As an added thought I decided it might be a good idea to review it and it would be nice to give one away as a prize for fish of the month, so I bought three. One for myself and the other two as prizes for the June [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
Whilst I have been busy at the Longleat Fishing show over the weekend, despite the weather some of my mates have been getting into the fish. My mate Paul had a Bass of just under 5lb and a 6lb Smoothound. Reports of other decent Smoothound have come through. It seems that the Portland end of Chesil is fishing better for the Smoothounds than further West. I had an email from Siman, who says he had a 6lb Ray from Seaton [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
The fishing should be kicking in now. The summer species are slowly starting to arrive, with plenty of Smoothound, and even Bream and Gurnard making an appearance, but we are still a bit behind, with Mackerel and Bass not around in the numbers they were at this time last year.
Fishing from Chesil beach is going to be a difficult one for the next few days. There is a very good chance to get a Bass today, for those that want to [...]
Longleat Fishing and Country show 14th & 15th June
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
The Longleat Fishing & Country show is on this Friday and Saturday, and promises to be a great show for all the family. It will be a great opportunity to allow your kids a taste of fishing, with a special section dedicated to allowing kids to have a go.
Some of the top names in fishing will be attending the show including Charles Jardine, Bob Nudd and TV’s Mr Crabtree John Bailey.
I will also be there, giving demonstrations on lure fishing, [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
Forget fishing Chesil or the Solent for Smoothound. Just fish the storm drains behind Chesil that run into Portland Harbour.
The heavily pregnant Smoothound became trapped in the storm defence drain near the Sailing academy. Several anglers were een trying to catch it before it was rescued by a team from the Weymouth Sealife centre.
With strong SW winds forecast from mid morning, Chesil beach sounds like it could fish well for Bass later in the day. A short cast of around [...]
June fish of the Month
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
The Winner for June is Andy with a great Bass.
This month I have a great prize for the winner. I have a signed copy of Henry Gilbey’s Ultimate Fishing Adventures. I will post a review of the book later this week as I got one for myself, but so far it has been hard to do any work as I can’t put the book down.
So here are the rules: Fish must be caught during this month and all entries must [...]
Weymouth boat report 11th June 2012
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
The weekly report is not quite going according to plan, mainly due to the amount of work I have been putting in creating the videos that I will put up soon. I will try to get the reports back on track for next week.
Boat fishing is certainly better than the shore fishing , with some nice catches being reported, both from the charter fleet and private boats. Quite a few of the Weymouth Charter fleet have been fishing over in [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
what is May water? I would love to say that it was a great weekend of fishing for everyone, but I would be lying. I can’t think of a worse weekend since mid February. Not because it was so bad, but because it should have been good and it wasn’t. The May water is really messing the fishing up. I have had a lot of people ask what May water is. I read a reply to this question on the [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
Despite the May water, fishing has been reasonable Dorset. Even the Mackerel seem to be around in good numbers at the Portland end of the beach. Sam Ritson sent me his entry for Fish of the Month it clearly shows that he was able to catch Mackerel despite the amy water.
I fished all day yesterday on lures and had a great day. Plenty of Wrasse on soft plastics around the Bill. I was amazed at the amount bait fish around. [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
The fishing is pretty unpredictable at the moment. The May water seems to be moving from West to East in very large pockets. Yesterday afternoon it cleared from the Chesil Cove area, but I could see it streaming into Portland Harbour through the entrances. THe Harbour has cleared a bit now, but Chesil is green again, as you can see from this short video
I have not been to check today, but I have heard the Abbotsbury and West Bexington are [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
The fishing was pretty much killed by the May water over the weekend. It was not too bad down te Portland end of the beach on saturday. My mate Paul got out for af ew hours and had a short but hectic session. landing a couple of Bass, some Smoothound a Ray and even a small Bream. I went to the same mark yesterday only to be greeted with horrible greeny brown water, that just killed the fishing. All I saw was [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
What has happened to the fishing at Abbotsbury and West Bexington? I have had several emails asking where all the fish are down that end of Chesil. Well May water is what has happend! The Mackerel are staying further offshore in the clearer water. The water down the Portland end of the beach is pretty clear by comparison and plenty of Mackerel are showing there. There are some good Rays and Plaice coming from the Abbotsbury end of the beach, [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
Ray fishing in Dorset has gone mad. From the fossil Forest, through Preston Beach and all the way west along Chesil to Seaton, Rays have been caught in decent numbers. I had a confirmed report of a 17lb Blonde ray coming from West Bexington , Undulate and Small Eyed Rays from the Ferrybridge area of Chesil ad Undulates from Preston. Mix that with some Thornback Rays and you can guess what I wil be fishing for this weekend. My theory [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
Just as I though it would be, the fishing over the weekend was pretty tough. May water and below average water temperatures are partly to blame. However it looks like things may have changed for the better. As of late Monday afternoon the fishing on Chesil Beach has suddenly turned on. Rays, hounds and Bass all started getting caught in reasonable numbers. Plenty of School Bass were caught yesterday from the beach, Portland and Portland harbour. The Bass were smashing [...]
May fish of the Month
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
May fish of the month winner was very close, with a good Mullet and an exceptional Cat fish from Dorset, but Phil Mathers wins with his 7lb 4oz Gurnard
So here are the rules: Fish must be caught during this month and all entries must have at least one accompanying picture. Checks will be made on the date time stamp of the picture. Fish can be from boat or shore, freshwater or saltwater, but they have to have been caught from [...]
April Fish of the Month
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
We have a winner: April’s winner is Seamus, with his Thornback Ray. Well done young man.
I will give you a couple of more days before I close the April competition. So if you did catch in April send me the details.
I am now looking for fish for the April competition. This month I will be putting up a £20 tackle voucher from Chesil Bait n Tackle in Weymouth for the best fish. The winner from each fish of the month [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
What a fantastic day to be out fishing. Reports suggest that fishing off Chesil is a bit hit or miss with some nice double figure Smoothound being caught and a few Dabs and Plaice. As predicted the May water is having a bit of an effect on the mackerel fishing. They are on the beach but it is hard work to get them.
I was expecting the Bass to turn up this weekend, but so far the have decided not to play. A [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
For those reading this, I am sure the question in most peoples minds today, is whether there are going to be any fish around this bank holiday weekend. Well I can tell you that conditions on Chesil are going to be tough! May water and Spider Crabs snipping of your hooks are wreaking havoc on what should be good fishing. The strong cross wind that was present all day yesterday will continue until late this afternoon, when it will peak, [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
This has been a mad couple of days for me. The launch of the new look site has kept me so busy that I have only managed to get out fishing twice over the past four days! I am out on my first lure fishing Bass guide of the season today. I have to admit to being a bit nervous. Conditions are not bad, but you always worry about finding the fish when the water is this cold.
It seems that [...]
Fishing Tails facelift
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
I am really excited to announce that at last after months of work, we have finally got to the stage where the new look to the site can be launched. I hope you like the look and feel of it.
As promised, the site will keep getting better and better. One of the most exciting aspects of the new look, is the addition of the Sea Watch TV channel. We have teamed up with onlinefishing.tv to provide you with free fishing videos [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
I hope those of you that got out over the weekend enjoyed some good fishing. Reports suggest that it was a bit quite, and given the size of the tides it was nothing unexpected. Expect that to all change towards the latter part of this week, when the tides pick up. Saturday and Sunday will see big springs. These are the landmark tides that most people wait for. They normally herald the start of the Bass season and the larger [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
The big news today is the reports from just along the coast in Devon of the capture of a 300lb Yellowfin Tuna from Babbacombe Bay, just off Torbay. Reports are unconfirmed as to the method of capture, but it is known it came from a 23ft comercial angling boat. It was landed at Brixham fish market yesterday.
A small number of Tuna are landed every year around the coast of Britain, but rarely are they this big. It makes your head spin [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
Mullet, Mullet everywhere and not a one to catch! I have to apologise for how late in the day this post is, but I decided to go out and have a look at the most popular marks this morning. I found myself down at Weymouth Harbour again. I could not resist having another go for the Thin Lipped Mullet that were swimming around in large shoals. There was easily 500 or more fish around the Marina. Unfortunately most of them seem to [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
With the high winds we had over night Chesil is really stirred up. At the moment it is just about fishable with care. As the day progresses the sea will calm down a lot, but the water will remain coloured. It is ideal conditions for Bass. I know of several big Bass that have been caught already this week.
Just a quick reminder that I am looking for more entries for the fish of the month competition. I know you are [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
10 Degrees Celsius! The magic number has finally been reached. This is the temperature that I have been waiting for, for over a month now. It is the trigger point for many actions within the marine world that effect the fishing in the UK. For me the most important one is that the Bass will move inshore now. I know that a few Bass have been around and you will always get stragglers all year, but this is the start now. The warmer water brings [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
Yes I know the site looks different every time you look at it, and you may even see changes as you are looking at it today. Hopefully this will make the site even better for you as a reader and make it easier for users of mobile devices and tablets. One point that has been fed back is that because of the frequency of the posts, some interesting articles are being missed by those that don’t come back every day [...]
Weymouth boat report
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
As promised last week I am going to do a once a week round up of what the local charter fleet and private boats have been catching. I am going to start of with just the Weymouth and Portland boats, that I have permission from to publish their catches. I hope to have West Bay and Poole included next week, but feel free to let me know of any boat catches from the whole of the South coast. For information on the [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
I dont know about you guys and girls, but I had a fantastic long weekend of fishing. It ended yesterday with a fantastic session on my friends boat. We ended up catching loads of Pollock around Portland Harbour on lures. I also seen a few Mackerel and had my lure attacked by a couple of large Garfish. I managed to make time to do a couple of days filming, so once I get round to editing it, I will have [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
Is there any Mackerel on Chesil yet? That is the favourite question on everyones lips at the moment, and the answer is yes. Admittedly not as many as there was at this time last year, but with water temperatures down by well over a degree we can’t expect too much. They are certainly in large enough numbers to make it worth while trying for them.
The Plaice fishing was reasonable this weekend, but smal tides are not ideal. It should pick up a bit towards the middle and [...]
How to rig and hook a Sandeel
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
Sandeel’s are the mainstay diet for many UK fish species including Bass, Cod, Whiting, Turbot and Rays to name but a few. Bass and Rays are particularly fond of them. Without a doubt live Sandeels are an exceptional bait, and could arguably be classed as the best live bait you can use. However obtaining, keeping, presenting and casting a live Sandeel, presents numerous problems. Thus making them impractical for most occasions when fishing from the shore. Blast frozen Sandeels on the other [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
I was going to start today with a tutorial on how to rig Sandeels, but unfortunately the video I made is having a few problems being processed on Youtube. I should have it up later this morning all being well.
I had a lovely day yesterday fishing down at West Bexington with a couple of great anglers. Fellow guide Paul, and his friend Chris Ponsford, a very well known match fisherman and Barbel guide. The fish were not exactly thick on the ground, [...]
The future of Fishing Tails - exciting times ahead
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
If you come on the site looking for a fishing forecast for today, then have a look at yesterdays. Not a lot has changed, so expect pretty much the same for today. Tomorrow may be a bit different as the winds are due to go back to the SW. More about that tomorrow!
I am really excited by what has happened over the past few months. The website has gone from strength to strength, with a new look launched about 6 [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
Wow, the fishing really has come alive over the past week, with fish starting to show all over the coast. The flat fish seem to have moved in on Chesil, with plenty of Plaice, Rays and lots of Dabs from Abbotsbury and marks to the West.
Mackerel are about in numbers worth targeting now and in amongst them will be some Herring. The Herring often run with the Mackerel during April and May. Each year seems to bring more fish. I [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
It seems that I got the forecast right for over the weekend, with plenty of fish being caught all along the beach. It seems that the Dogfish have arrived in force, as well as a pack of Puppies. Lots of very small Smoothound have appeared, most of them only being around 5 or 6oz. My mate Paul fished the Chesil Cove end of Chesil and caught loads of Small hounds, Dogfish, Pout, Dabs and a small Bass. He also had loads [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
We have a weekend of good weather and hopefully great fishing to look forward to. With big tides, better water clarity and lite winds, conditions are looking very good for Plaice fishing. More and more Mackerel are turning up and long with them will come other species. I would expect to see a few Rays caught over the weekend from Charmouth and Seaton.
The bad news is that it looks like the hundreds of Thin Lipped Mullet have moved out of [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
Things are finally starting to happen all over Dorset. The Plaice have moved into Poole harbour and several boats have been successful in targeting them. Mackerel are showing up on Chesil, still in low numbers but at least they are being caught. Plenty of Plaice have been caught down at Cogden and West Bexington, along with Small Eyed Ray.
Mullet have arrived in force in most of the harbours along the coast. Weymouth and West Bay are full of them. The [...]
Lure fishing for Thin Lipped Mullet
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
I was really excited when I heard that the Mullet had finally come back into Weymouth Harbour, after what seems to me to be the longest winter I can remember. I had a trip down to the harbour on Sunday and I can tell you the Mullet were around in large numbers. I spotted at least 200, in numerous shoals. Some of the fish looked like they were well in excess of 5lb.
Although I tried to catch them on lite [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
At last a decent weekend of fishing for a lot of anglers. It is as if someone flipped a switch last week and turned the fishing on. There was a lot of anglers fishing Chesil from Abbotsbury to Cogden and plenty of Plaice and Dabs caught. There was a nice 11lb Undulate Ray caught to the right of West Bay and several more came from Seaton.
The Charter boats got out at the weekend and reports from the Weymouth fleet say [...]
How to hook and rig Peeler Crabs
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
Peeler Crab is arguably the best shore fishing bait available. It is also the most expensive bait, unless you collect your own. I was surprised at the number of anglers that don’t use it simply because they don’t know how to hook and rig it. I guess at a £1 a crab I can understand the reluctance to use them if you dont know to hook them. In this post, by using pictures and video I will take you through [...]
March Fish of the Month
by Adrian Crawford
7 years ago
The winner of the first Fishing Tails fish of the month competition is James Lane with his Haddock. Well done James, you will now go into the fish of the year competition.
So here are the rules: Fish must be caught during this month and all entries must have at least one accompanying picture. Checks will be made on the date time stamp of the picture. Fish can be from boat or shore, freshwater or saltwater, but they have to have [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
Nothing much has changed over the last 24 hours other than the conditions have calmed down a little and the non easterly facing beaches are nice and calm.
I thought I would share this picture of James Lane’s Haddock that he caught on Saturday at Abbotsbury. Thanks to Dave Lane for permission to use the picture. I will put it forward for March fish of the month.
Sea Conditions:
Water temperature 6.3*c.
Chesil Beach: Calm with a small swell . The water is still very [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
Are we having a spring run of Cod? Unlikely, but there was a few caught over the weekend. I know of at least half a dozen that were caught from the area between the Adelaide and the other side of the bird sanctuary at Ferrybridge. The Portland end of Chesil beach fished far better than Abbotsbury or West Bexington. I fished with a mate towards Chesil Cove on Saturday and managed a few Pollock and Pout. Not a great result, [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
Chesil has calmed down a bit and the water is starting to clear, but the temperatures are still very low and showing no signs of increasing. There have not been too many people on the beach, and most of those have been going home having just had some Rockling and Pout.
Some people have been a bit more succusful. Chris Powell managed a lovely 3lb 9oz Plaice from West Bexington. He was fishing at range with a wishbone rig and size [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
We are in for a fairly strong SE wind today. This wont effect Chesil too much, but it will certainly raise the surf on Preston Beach. It could be worth a try for some Bass on Preston.
Finally I have the first entry for March fish of the month. Harry Coxhead managed to land a lovely Plaice of 3lb 10 from Chesil. He was using Ragworm on a single hook clipped down rig.
Sea Conditions:
Water temperature 6.5*c
Chesil Beach: Small chop with a 1m [...]
River Cottage Shoreline course
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
Have you ever watched with wonder as fishermen, standing at the water’s edge of a local beach, land fish after fish? Would you love to be able to catch those fish then know how to prepare and cook them.
This course has been designed by myself, in conjunction with River Cottage, one of the most famous cookery schools in the country, to take the novice shore fisherman and teach them all the tips and techniques required to be a successful beach angler, [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
Some good news for me, it looks like I have a serviceable Mac again. I will need to sort out some of the software and do some upgrades to the software, but things are looking up. Can the same be said for the fishing? Well it is steadily improving as our regular contributor Leo reports. He sent me this picture of his mate Martin who managed a few Plaice down at West Bexington. They also had a load of Rockling [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
I mentioned yesterday that I had heard rumours of Plaice being caught on Chesil. Well I finally got two confirmed reports that the first of the Plaice are returning from Spawning. The fish are as you would expect in poor condition, and looking rather thin. The first of the fish have turned up at West Bexington and were caught on Ragworm. I don’t expect the main return of fish for at least another 3 weeks, but I always find it [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
I think this weekend has to have been one of the worst for fishing for a long time. It is pretty normal for the fishing to switch off during January and February. We have been pretty lucky this year that it has lasted so long. I think the best we can do now is spend some time maintaining our tackle and tying up some new rigs for the Plaice run that may come early again this year. There were very [...]
Fish at River Cottage
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
I was very lucky recently when a friend treated me to the Fish at River Cottage course. I have to admit that although I love to fish and cook I am not a lover of fish, but I have always believed that this was down to the fish being poorly prepared and cooked in the most boring manner. Growing up in Scotland our fish was either fried in batter or fried in breadcrumbs. The choice was limited and the mainstay [...]
How to rig a lure with a weedless hook
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
I will be totally honest here and say that most of this article is not my own work. I was about to do a post on rigging weedless lures when I noticed that Steve Butler, a fellow Scotsman and friend of mine now living in Cornwall had created just what I needed. So with his kind permission I have copied most of his work. I hope to do a lot more work with Steve this year, and with a bit [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
For once the weather is doing what it is forecast to do, and the winds have settled down and swung round to be more Northerly. Chesil beach has already calmed down to a much safer level and it looks very good for fishing. With high water at around 10pm this evening I can see some good fish coming from the beach. Lets hope some of you manage a nice Cod or a Bass. If you can set up a rig [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
If you are thinking of fishing Chesil this weekend, I would get your gear and head on down there as soon as you can. Looking at Windguru there is a lot of wind heading our way. It is going to be coming from all over the place today before settling into a steady strong wind this evening. Tomorrow looks border line for conditions, but it will depend on how the sea state builds. If you are looking for Cod I [...]
Mackerel now listed as under pressure.
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
It is a sad day when it was announced that one of our favourite summer fish the humble Mackerel have now been downgraded by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), from a sustainable fish to one that we should only eat occasionally. The main cause for the concern over the Mackerel stocks has come about because Iceland and the Faroe Islands have increased their catch quote from a few hundred tonnes to 145,000 and 148,000 tonnes.
Figures show that in 2012 almost [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
An Easterly wind and a good bit of surf running on Chesil, if it was the summer I would say get out and catch some Bass. It is still worth a go even though the temperature has fallen below that magic 9 degree mark. The Commercial Bass boats are still catching plenty of Bass in the Race and at St Albans Head. The surf will put some food into the water and may draw the odd lurking Cod in close [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
Yesterdays snow kept most people off the beach, but with slightly better if not colder conditions today, I would think that quite a few more people will be out trying for a late Cod and some of the Whiting that seem plentiful at the moment. I have no idea when the colour will drop from the water. It seems to have hung around for ages, ruining the lure fishing. It is likely that the cause is the clay that has [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth. 17th January 2013
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
I spent the past two days fishing with not a lot to show for it. Yesterdays boat trip was a disaster. A totally incompetent skipper that spent most of his time in the wheelhouse throwing up put us in danger on more than one occasion. I will be looking for another charter boat before I organise any more trips.
On Tuesday I went out with a couple of friends in search of a late Bass on lures. We had an early [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth. 15th January 2013
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
I am sure a lot of you that are logging on today are thinking what the!! Has he not sorted this update out yet? Well the answer is a simple no. I know it looks a mess at the moment, but it will look great when it is all finished and the colours and backgrounds will all change. I am off lure fishing this morning in the hope of a late Bass from Ringstead. I know that one or two [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth. 14th January 2013
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
It is going to be a day of disruptions on the site today as I try to get the new look site up ad running.
It seems that Chesil fished pretty much as I expected it to over the weekend. A few Cod were caught, but most of the fish were the normal nuisance fish such as dogfish and Pout. It was a different story around Portland with some fantastic catches of Conger and Bull Huss. I heard of several people [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth. 11th January 2013
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
Another weekend is almost upon us and a chance for many of you to get out fishing. Well it looks like it could be quite a good weekend for it. Plenty of fish being caught at the moment, which is a little bit unusual for January, as it has normally gone very quite by now. There are some strong and very cold winds forecast for Sunday, but that should have little effect on those wanting to fish Chesil, as the [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth. 4th January 2013
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
The past few days have seen a lot of fish coming from all along the beach. Most notable were the number of Codling that have been caught at the Western end of Chesil, especially around Cogden and West Bexington. I was lucky enough to get in on the action with 3 almost identical in size Codling. All 3 of them weighed 3lb 9oz and were caught on Lugworm. I did have one of them on a Pennel that had a [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth. 2nd January 2013
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
I know a lot of you are back at work today, which is a shame as conditions are near perfect on Chesil. Quite a few people got out on the beach yesterday and caught lots of fish. Mostly Pout and Dogfish, but there were certainly some Cod and large Conger amongst the catches. Confirmed reports from the tackle shop at Abbotsbury indicate that it was a good day for some yesterday with a 10lb and 17lb fish weighed in. It [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth. 1st January 2013
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
Happy New Year to all of you. I hope this year your fishing will be better than ever. It starts off with a bit of good news at least. Chesil Beach is finally fishable after what seems like weeks. However you will need to take great care as it is still rough with waves of 2m with the odd larger one.
Water Temperature: 10.2*c Weymouth High Tide: 9.21pm, 1.92m
Wind: NW 19mph
Sea Conditions:
Chesil Beach: Rough with waves exceeding 2m, the water is [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth. 31st December 2012
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
It seems that every time I look over at Chesil it seems rougher than ever. I am sure there are plenty of you that wanted to get out and have a last fishing session of the year, but it wont be on Chesil today. Having said that the wind is forecast to start to drop of and switch to the NW in the early hours of the morning. It is possible that Chesil will be fishable on New Years day. [...]
Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth. 30th December 2012
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
I know the burning question on many of your lips is can I fish Chesil? The very simple answer is NO! The wind has dropped a little this morning but the sea is very rough with waves exceeding 4m. The shingle bank is a single steep bank instead of the series of ledges you are used to. This steep bank continues to fall away making it even more dangerous.
I was so bored yesterday having been desperate to fish that I [...]
Fishing forecast for Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth. 12th December 2012
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
Having been on Chesil Beach and talked to quite a few people all along it the general opinion is that it is not fishing very well at all. A few Whiting are still being caught, but very few Cod, especially during the day. Evening sessions are producing plenty of Pout and Dogfish.
Yesterday I invited Mike Davis from Harnham Press in Salisbury to join me on a Wrasse and lure fishing session on Portland. Mike had kindly helped get my dilapidated [...]
Fishing forecast for Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth. 5th December 2012
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
What are you doing sat behind your desk on a day like today? Pull a sicky and get yourself down to Chesil, it looks fantastic for a Cod session. The water is very coloured and still pretty lively but with care you can easily fish it. You shouldn’t need to do long casts as the fish will be in pretty close. The forecast wind of 22mph has not arrived yet and even when it does it will be from the [...]
Fishing the Fraser River in Canada for White Sturgeon
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
Right now I am sat in the departure lounge in Manaus in Brazil, looking forward to getting home.
Some of you guys know that I have been away for the past couple of weeks filming a program that will go out on National Geographic Channel in the spring of next year. I am not allowed to say too much about the fishing that took place during the filming, but I can say a little about the fishing when I had some [...]
Fishing forecast for Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth. 17th November 2012
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
I am still in Canada, and oh how things fall apart when your not here to keep an eye on things. I did write a forecast for Wednesday and Thursday, only to find out today when I looked on line that it had not been put up. Anyway this is likely to be the last one for possibly as long as a week, as I am heading to the Amazon tomorrow, and I have been informed that it is highly [...]
Fishing FOrecast for Chesil Beach, Portland, Weymouth, Poole and the Purbecks.30th October 2012
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
Today would be a great day to get out on the beach. Despite the blow yesterday it is pretty settled and almost perfect for Cod. As usual large baits or Peeler Crab will work best. The Bass fishing has slowed up slightly over the past couple of days. I managed 80 Bass in 7 days, but I have only managed 2 in the past two days.
Just to Prove that Chesil is not all about Cod at the moment, I have [...]
Fishing forecast for Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth. 28th October 2012
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
IF you want to fish Chesil today then you had better get well wrapped up as the wind is going to get pretty brisk by later this afternoon. The easterly winds that we have had for the past few days have been replaced with out normal South Westerly’s. This will push the bait fish back on the beach and should improve fishing again. Reports that I am hearing are suggesting that Chesil has gone back to its normal Cod fishing [...]
Fishing forecast for Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth. 17th October 2012
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
The Sprats are in and the fish are feeding heavily on them. I have been fishing every day for the past 10 days and I can’t remember seeing so many Sprats being chased by so many predators. The surf line has been alive with Bass, Mackerel, Garfish and all around the rocks the Pollock have been hitting them as well. I am sure the Cod are in there too. It would be good to get one of them on a [...]
Fishing forecast for Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth. 11th October 2012
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
It feels like the colour is never going to drop from Chesil. I fished it yesterday near Ferrybridge. It was pretty calm because of the Easterly wind, but there was a 2m swell. The water is still a light brown making it useless for lure fishing. I could see a lot of baitfish activity very close in. There was lots of fish feeding as I had a Pout or Dogfish almost every cast. The guys fishing next to me had [...]
Cod special fishing forecast for Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth. 6th October 2012
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
What a day it was yesterday. I was up and ready to go to work on the river at 7 o’clock when I got a call to say that due to the high water levels it was too dangerous to work. So where to go fishing was my first thought. I had it in mind to take my lure rod and have a go at Sandsfoot over high water. As an afterthought I grabbed my beach gear and threw it [...]
Fishing forecast for Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth. 5th October 2012
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
Just been down to Chesil and it looks amazing. Lots of dirty water and a large surf line, but there is hardly any wind. Perfect conditions. Just waiting for the tackle shop to get its bait delivery and I will be hitting the beach for a few hours.Still struggling with my Mac, but I have managed to get this forecast put together. To be honest you have not missed too much, what with the fairly high winds making Chesil very [...]
Fishing forecast for Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth. 27th September 2012
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
I wish the wind would make up its mind. It just seems to be swinging to every point of the compass this week. It has stirred the water up on every beach, making it coloured for at least a mile out to see in every direction that I can see. It has ruined my lure fishing so far this week. Hopefully it will have sorted itself out by tomorrow. I have noticed a fairly rapid decrease in the water temperature. [...]
Fishing forecast for Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth. 20th September 2012
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
This is not the normal format that most of you are used to this morning. This is mainly due to the high number of guiding sessions that I am doing at the moment. The upside is that I am really in touch with where the fish are and so I have been able to give my clients a cracking days fishing. The downside is I have so little time that I am not able to do a full forecast.
So for [...]
Lure fishing rules!!
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
I am sure that many of you that read my almost daily forecasts know I think one of the most exciting and in some cases, most successful methods of fishing for a number of species including Bass, Pollock, Garfish, Mackerel and Wrasse is by lure. Hopefully this post will give you a taster off what is possible on a good day.
My friend Adrian, came down from London for the Lure Forum Weymouth meet this weekend. I had wanted to join [...]
A day on the River Frome
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
I am not all about sea fishing! I love all types of fishing but to me river fishing on a Salmon river is something special. I was brought up on river fishing in Scotland and it will always be my true love. However the expense of fishing rivers in the South West of England is rather different to that in Scotland. You are more likely to pay more for a days Trout fishing on a chalk stream than a whole [...]
Fishing forecast for Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth. 29th August 2012
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
I finally managed to get my 200th lure caught Bass for the year yesterday. Getting the last two was a bit of a struggle compared to the other 198. It just seemed as though I had some sort of jinx, as I had managed to find and hook quite a few over the past week, I was not able to land them.
It is going to be another windy afternoon, creating some uncomfortable fishing conditions if you want to fish Chesil [...]
Fishing forecast for Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth. 25th August 2012
by Sean McSeveny
7 years ago
Just a quick update today. Chesil beach is currently unfishable at the Portland end. Reports from a couple of guys that are fishing down West Bexington are that conditions are tough, but still fishable. There should be some nice Bass in the surf.
Water Temperature: 17.6*c Weymouth High Tide: 12.45pm, 1.66m
Wind: W 24mph gusting 30mph
Sea Conditions:
Chesil Beach: Rough with a lot of weed and a long surf run off. It is unfishable at the eastern end.
Portland: Rough with a dangerous swell.
Portland [...]
Fishing forecast for Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth. 1st August 2012
by Sean McSeveny
8 years ago
I notice that that sea temperature is increasing fairly steadily again. With some luck that might tempt some more summer species to move a little further north in to our waters. I had a very good day fishing yesterday, with a short session on a completely empty Chesil in the morning taking a customer on a 1 to 1 lesson, which resulted in a nice Smoothound of around 5lb. This was followed later by a lure session covering dusk and [...]
Fishing forecast for Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth. 31st July 2012
by Sean McSeveny
8 years ago
A little bit overcast today, but you shouldn’t let that dampen your fishing as the reports coming back from the few people that are fishing the beaches and rock marks are very good. Lots of decent Wrasse from Portland Bill and some nice Bream from Chesil.
Water Temperature: 15.7*c Weymouth High Tide: 6.07pm, 2.04m
Wind: SW18mph currently there is no wind at all, but I am sure it will pick up as forecast.
Sea Conditions:
Chesil Beach: 1.5m swell but at the moment due [...]
Fishing forecast for Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth. 21st July 2012
by Sean McSeveny
8 years ago
What a fantastic week of fishing I have had this week. Lots of nice Smoothound on the smelly old bait, with the odd Bass thrown in for good measure, but yesterdays guided lure session was the highlight of the week.
I took a couple of guys who had travelled down from Swindon to a number of different spots that often produce some nice Bass for me. When I arrived at one of the spots, we could see shoals of baitfish being [...]
Fishing forecast for Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth. 15th July 2012
by Sean McSeveny
8 years ago
I am hearing some pretty mixed reports from Chesil at the moment. A lot of people are saying that the fish are just not on the Beach, whilst others have been having quite a lot of success. I had a fantastic day lure fishing for Bass yesterday with a couple of clients that had booked one on my lure Workshops. We managed a number of Bass from Portland with Adam catching one of around 4lb. I later joined my mate [...]
Fishing forecast for Chesil Beach, Portland, Weymouth & Kimmeridge Bay. 9th July 2012
by Sean McSeveny
8 years ago
I have a big week full of fishing this coming week, so if the reports are short or remain the same for a couple of days then forgive me in advance. I am sure that this week will see a lot of fish coming from the beach, rock marks and the boats. Good steady winds and medium sized tides promise to deliver some excellent summer fishing. A word of warning to all. The cliffs in the area are treacherous at [...]
Fishing forecast for Chesil Beach, Portland, Weymouth & Kimmeridge. 7th July 2012
by Sean McSeveny
8 years ago
Welcome to the great British summer!! At this rate I might be able to go freshwater fishing from the window of my house. So much freshwater around is having a major effect on a lot of the marks that I would often fish in SE winds. Having said that the wind has opened up some other venues that do really well when it is like this.
Water Temperature: 14.7*c Weymouth High Tide: 10.26pm, 2.24m
Wind SE 30mph
Sea Conditions:
Chesil Beach: Large swell with [...]
Fishing forecast for Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth. 30th June 2012
by Sean McSeveny
8 years ago
I know that I said that Chesil was unfishable yesterday and in my opinion from a safety aspect it was. Despite that some people battled against the elements and had a very good session. One of my friends had a 4 hour session in the afternoon and managed to land 5 Bass, a Bream and a load of Dogfish, all on Peeler Crab. The conditions today are a lot better and I do expect to see quite a few Bass [...]
Boat fishing report from Weymouth & Portland 20th June 2012
by Sean McSeveny
8 years ago
I was lucky enough to be invited out on my friend Fraser’s boat this week. Fraser works abroad in 5 week stints, so the 5 weeks he has off he makes the most of them by going out on his Antares 640 almost every day. The last time he was home I gave him one of my favourite marks to try on the East side of Portland. To say that he has had good sport from this mark is an [...]
Fishing lessons & guiding
by Sean McSeveny
8 years ago
When I started this website I had two goals in mind:
1. Provide an resource that would help fellow fishermen to get the most out of the knowledge I had of fishing in Dorset and in particular Chesil Beach, Portland, and Weymouth.
2. Promote the lure fishing revolution. To be honest this is really my main focus, as I have had so much success since I have switched primarily to lure fishing that I want everyone else to be able to join [...]
Fishing forecast for Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth. 16th June 2012
by Sean McSeveny
8 years ago
Another rough day out there, which will limit where you can fish, but the plus side is when the wind dies tomorrow the chances of getting a Bass in that rough surf is going to be high. Still plenty of other places to fish and hopefully get some decent fish.
Wind forecast SW 33mph gusting 42mph
Water Temperature: 13.6*c Weymouth High Tide: 5.49pm, 1.80m
Sea Conditions:
Chesil Beach: Rough and coloured. I will let the video speak for itself.
Portland Bill: Rough and Coloured
Portland Harbour: [...]
A short Bass session
by Sean McSeveny
8 years ago
How can I catch a bass on lures from the shore in Dorset? As a fishing guide I can tell you , you dont have to spend hours lure fishing to catch Bass. Most of my sessions are fairly short, sometimes as little as 15 minutes, but most last a couple of hours. It is all about knowing when an
