Brighton Inshore Fishing - Catch report 13th July 2025

First sailing, as often is the case on these super hot days, we had a split of airs. East of the marina, something the chalk hills does on hot mornings means there is often a really strong wind coming off the downland. Flat seas, as this wind is off the land, but problematic, and often cold. And yet west, calm seas and airs. And with this session down to low tide, and nice and early, it seemed rude not to start with surface lures. With me, Chris, Alex and David. The 4th member sadly had a puncture and couldn't get down.

We never left the surface lures. Far too entertaining. Misses just as exciting as takes. But hook ups also. Just 11 landed, but maximum kill plus more tables released highlights how the fish in the rocks are more quality than small. Great fishing, which bought great smiles, and great anticipation of afternoon bbq's from all.

2nd sailing, and with me, Nico, his father in law visiting from France. And now a quandary. I will say Pierre but it doesnt sit well. Plus James and new to BIF1 Daren.

Now though, the wind had arrived. And also, the hoardes of personal watercraft owners. I was ready for the latter, but not the former. I dealt with the latter by focusing on a mark offshore a little, away from the testosterone build up in tight. And it went so well.

First drift, a table fish, second drift, two table fish including a 62cm fish for Pierre. Third drift, a small. And then an Atlantis 20 came flying through, straight across the fish, and we did another six drifts for nothing. Fish had scattered. Very frustrating. After much poking around we ended up with 7 fish, 4 killed.

Third sailing, scheduled for 1400 was cancelled due to the wind. It was a regular with three young children, and the sea state was not for that. But... wind was forecast to drop in the evening. And that mackerel vomit from yesterday was backed up by discovering that mackerel was rammed full of them. This sat in my head. Was the middle of July too early to look for newly growing squid? I floated the idea on my Whatsapp Cephalopod group, that perhaps there were squid. There are deffo cuttle as two successful sessions have proven, so four hands went up immediately. No surprise 3 of those hands were Portuguese. They do love a choco.

Then, a problem. The forecast changed. Rather than the light Southerlies, we now had SE gusting 13mph. Thats enough to make it bumpy. Too much for my little tub. And yet, folk were headed to me from afar. It was going all a bit tits. Until... I rang my friend and colleague Greg at "The Kraken Charters." "My pleasure" he said. We were going squidding on the coolest charter boat in the marina.

A tiny part of me was hoping for instant squid madness, as in 2024. Cuttlefish, they are steady. I have had big bags, even from the shore, but mostly, steady. And they were there. Seven fell, happily. But squid? Well, just as the sun set, I bagged a solitary creature. Middle of July. Amazing. Hopefully, many more will be following but for now, that will do. I still think it will be August before numbers are thick. And then they begin doubling in size every month. Amazing creatures.

Looks like shore fishing until Friday, when the current forecast suggests relentless SW winds will finally... erm... relent.