May already!!! How the weather has delayed the bass season. Although the constant coloured sea does seem to have given us a less severe may rot season as a consequence. Clear evidence of it dying today, with thick scummy patches forming on the surface. Short tides plus may rot meant that the ebb tide was a bit of a struggle. Well, a lot of a struggle really. I totally failed to find the fish other than just two, on a patch of rock offshore, where there was a bit of movement in an otherwise lack lustre tide. Did a lot of running around but other than a large pouting, and the two bass, tha ..read more

Another day where the weather forecasters could not agree on how the day would pan out. And on the latest forecast last night, it suggested only the first sailing would go. So, only the first sailing went, as I have to work from the forecast. My pleasure to welcome aboard Sean, for his first BIF adventure, and returnee's Mark, Ryan and Lee. Quite a slow session, with half of it in a gentle Easterly breeze forcing us to cast up the tide, which isnt my preferred approach. But fish were there with just enough action to keep that "it will be this cast" feeling. That is very important, as it k ..read more

Just managed to squeeze in the first sailing, before the wind swung to the east to create wind against tide bounce. On board, the birthday boy Richard, Garry and Max, all experienced biffers. Unable to get offshore to my usual early season last of ebb spots the first hour and a half were pretty slow, with just a couple of fish, both to Garry. But, as predicted, once the flood tide started happening so the bite rate increased. More rock worms happening. These are not exclusive to boats out in the deeper water either. There is a rock worm congregation happening on a couple of local beaches ..read more

No pictures. Because the most exciting thing that happened on this mornings sailing was three dolphins harassing a sailing yacht just off the marina. Rock worm were where they were yesterday. Just bass were not eating rock worm today. Or really being anywhere today, other than in the no fishing zone of the inner marina as we headed out. Good rods fished hard for just 3 schoolies. A sign of how patchy and unpredictable early season fishing is. A lot of ground covered as well. Bring on the crab peels ..read more

Just the one sailing once more. Not due to the weather, with flat, very sailable seas forecast for the rest of the day, but down to lack of customers. Turns out, the cost of living crisis IS NOT something the media like to bounce around because they cant afford to send reporters to Ukraine. It is a very real thing and luxury non family outings would seem to be on the back burner. I am now back to buying cava instead of bollinger!! Joining me on this trip, James, Mose, David and Mark. All experienced Biffers. I was inwardly glowing and wondering if we might top the eighty fish this trip ..read more

Back on it, and amazingly, the forecast allowed for two sailings today!! That in turn allowed me to get a much better assessment of current bass fishing. Never were two sessions in such contrast... First sailing, it was my pleasure to welcome back Max, Mitch, Dean and Curtis. This was always going to be a straight forward sailing. I knew where the fish were laying on the flood, and I knew where they moved to as the water rose. And as such, I was able to keep on them for the entire duration of the session. And with no top of tide to deal with, the fishing did not curtail as yesterday. And ..read more

With a vey strong Northerly wind being forecast to be slightly less strong for the first few hours of daylight, and with three of my most experienced rods scheduled to sail, after consulting with them, they decided they would like to give the sailing a go. The problem inshore is not waves, as the seas are flat for the first half a mile (although they quickly deteriorate beyond that) but the speed that the boat is sent across the tide. Can be extremely difficult to stay in touch with the lure. With wind strengths forecast to increase later in the day, either way it was to be the only sail ..read more

Just the one sailing which was aimed at the tiniest of wind windows. With short tides and green seas, it was unlikely to be amazing either, but Nick, Andrew. Bob and Duncan, and me of course, were happy just to be actually going fishing. Tried a couple of spots, but it was back to the rock worm area for the first of very little action. We did get a few bangs here, and Duncan landed a very nice one to lift everyones spirits. But then a long time with just a big pouting and a few "on - off's" before we made a move and found the next bass, a small to Nick. Bob did have a very good fish on for ..read more

Finally the wind dropped back enough to allow just two sailings. Although, as I have mentioned before, this year I was determined not to allow the wind to beat me, and as such I am now scheduling shore fishing, both bait and lure, all bass oriented other than mullet on fly, for those windy days. Boat will always take priority, but with sailings thus far averaging about one a month since December, bills have to be paid. All communications and reports are done from a whatsapp group I administer so if this floats your boat at all, drop me a text to 07970 112774 and I will add you to the group ..read more

So, here we are. Easter weekend, and Neptune decides to allow us to sail. Not all weekend. Just today. Just as a little tease. And today was dire, and today was awesome. Quite a day. But, I guess you know it is going to be an interesting day, when as you emerge from your home, the fox sitting on the neighbours roof gives you a casual glance, before returning to staring towards the direction of the soon to be rising sun. Undressing BIF1, I really noticed how little care of her cosmetically I have taken. A lot of winter algae stains, which I will go sort this coming week. But she fired up beau ..read more