Brighton Inshore Fishing - Catch report 26th September 2025

The day started badly. At 21:30 the night before. "So sorry Rob, I just realised I booked the wrong day". This is for the 0700 sailing. On a school day. I really thought I was going to have a lay in. And likely a small claims interaction once more. Boring, although the terms and conditions are accepted on booking, and as such, never a loss. However, I DID manage to shift 2 of the spaces to Lee and JJ off my BIF1 SHORT NOTICE Facebook group. So, no lay in, and only £120 for the original group to come up with. Perhaps not small claims for that if it doesnt come in. No. You can have much more fun with a mobile number on the DARK WEB.

However, one charter skippers loss is a racking dealers gain. Lots of space, and lots of fish. Kindest seas of the day meant we were fishing properly, plenty of good contact. And from that, we popped 16 bass from the sea. All 40-50cm size. 4 killed for the guys. A squid rod left fishing itself added to the tally. And also secured the mackerel that Lee's wife had ordered. A very pleasant morning.

Next up, John and his crew returning. They had come out in June, and asked the question... "When is the best time for bass" and, to be honest, the answer of September is correct. But best this year, still seems to be not very good compared to previous years inshore. And for 2.5 hours, the tally was one small. A stab at plaice produced one on the jig and a gurnard on the isome, but that was it. Happily, at the end, we found some more bass, and made the numbers 10 bass landed, 2 killed. Surface lures being the most productive on ever bumpier seas.

I really couldnt call wether to put the 3rd sailing on, as seas were quite big. However, the forecast showed the wind would drop imminently, and we went ahead. James, Richard, Mikhail and Andrei all returning. Seas were still pretty big. With the tide now early ebb, I hit some close marks. Andrei got the show on the road with a small bass. And then my rod smashed over. Something different though. Cod was my thought I got it close to the surface, but then it dived down at speed. Almost like an Irish pollack at Collack rock. Except this turned out to be an English pollack and in excellent health. With a commercial no take of pollack in its 2nd year, is this the result? Perhaps the inshore will repopulate with pollack, as it once was.

Instead of decreasing, the wind actually increased. And we were forced back in tight west side of the marina. No bad thing though, as fish were there, and again surface lures provided the best results. Eleven bass landed, 2 killed. And, despite the rolling boat, a lot of fun. Rest day tomorrow due to a recently forecast SE wind, but Sunday and the early part of next week all look promising. Watch this space.