QUITE a few pike were landed this week from Doggetts but the best fish fell to local sea match angler Lewis Clark who landed a fine mid-double specimen while drop shotting for perch.

Having hooked the fish in the back pool and on very light tackle, the fish gave a very lively account of itself as it tried to make its escape through the connecting channel into the main lake.

To regain control, and land his prize, Clark had to wade into the shallows to play the fish around an overhanging tree but eventually he banked his fish back where it started from in the back pool.

Lee Crawford started the week well by landing two upper double commons from the short arm closely followed by Blake Stanley who landed a fine 19.5lbs common from the margins in the main lake.

George Hand heard the margins were fishing well so took advantage of the sheltered swim on the south bank point and fished one bait no more than 6ft from the bank under an overhanging tree.

A couple of hours later, at 2pm, the bait ripped off with his fish giving a tremendous battle for freedom.

The jury is still out on how big the netted fish was but the common was certainly a good fish and gave a tremendous account of itself.

The float fishermen have enjoyed sport this week with roach and rudd.

The tench fishing has been a struggle but early morning and dusk have been the best times with paste baits and pellets being the most productive with corn catching very little.

 

Lots of mullet still around Southend Pier

SEA REPORT by Graham Barrett

Thamesmead: Eddie Sharp reports flounders, soles eels and bass.

Erith Morrison jetty: Flounders and one or two undersized salmon.

Belevedere: Eels and flounders.

Medway industrial estate (Norman’s Road): Catches at the weekend included a 3.5lb codling. Plenty of mullet were seen but they proved tricky to catch.

Gravesend: Graham, from Dolphin Angling reports, whiting, flounders, eels, sole and bass.

Greenhithe: Bass and soles.

Stanford: Flounders and eels.

Dagenham’s recycling plant: Big bass, flounders and the odd eel.

Southend Pier: Lee, from Southend Angling reports, lots of mullet – one of 6lb 4oz – were weighed in at the weekend. Also whiting and sizeable bass, plus lots of small school bass.

Chalkwell beaches: Still some good-sized mullet being taken on sweetcorn or maddies.

Barge pier: Mullet, the odd bass and flounder, whiting after dark.

River Crouch: Still the occasional roker, bass flounders and eels.

River Roach: Flounders and eels plus the chance of mullet or bass.

River Blackwater, Goldhanger: Bass to 2.5lb on small ragworm baits.

River Orwell: Flounder up to 2lb. Wrabness: Bass (mostly sizeable).

Walton Pier: Robert Tuck reports that Malcolm Hutchings caught 39 codling on Tuesday night with the vast majority being sizeable. Also being taken are skate, bass, eels and soles.

The Naze: Some big bass (up to 6lb) plus codling, whiting and soles.

Clacton Pier: Codling, whiting and bass.

Boats: Big bass, whiting, dogfish, smoothhouds, pouting and codling.

l Don’t forget there is a 6m and 6.2m tide this week. The big tides start this morning and go on until Sunday night.