Brighton Inshore Fishing - Catch report 1st May 2025

First sailing it was my pleasure to welcome returnees David, David, Richard and John. A stunning sunrise over mirrored seas with mostly ebb tide, and I suspected we would do very well indeed. But despite the flat seas, no rock worms bow waving around, and perhaps as a result, the fishing was less good than recent trips. Not for numbers, which reached a familiar ten, but for sizes. Although five were killed, they were all around the 45cm zone, and I kept waiting for a trophy fish to warrant getting the photo. It never came. What did come was great banter, and for the bbq, a 45 is the best size IMHO

Second sailing, and new to BIF1 Shine, was joined by returnees Paul, Duncan and Dave. I thought for sure I would get my trophy shot here, and yet, we found big pouting on a mark I have never seen them before, a dogfish (a more and more common occurrence to the shads) and just five bass, all below the size for killing. Incredible. A blip I think, but if the rock worm have finished, it may be time to start looking in the rocks. A few spider crab shells have been washing up, according to my contacts. I didnt have time to walk the reef for a while, as I have been helping a friend organise her stables and helping with care of her three horses, so my time has been more limited. But those spiders are irresistible to bass when they are changing their clothes. Its all to come.