Brighton Inshore Fishing - Catch report 29th 2025

Finally, a proper break in the wind. We now have just 3 days of perfect sailing weather, including today. Although first sailing was actually still affected by a stronger than forecast Northerly wind. Enough to not go too far from the edge for the first couple of hours. With me, Rupert, Scott, Clive (who claims to be 81 but looks about 59. I suspect he is scamming a free bus pass and cheap admission into the cinema) and Steve.

Now, these trips are all feeling the effects of really not being able to check out all the places, and so, I am still hunting a lot. Then add in that where they were back in August, they turn out to not be now, and its like starting all over again. As such, just 4 bass landed. 2 being quality at least. And squid, as now numbers have reached the point where squid are mostly a self serve larder inshore. So, if the bass fishing is poor, at least my guys are leaving with a feed.

Second sailing, and Rupert remained onboard, and was joined by West Cork Angling and Kayak guide David Norman. An awfully nice man, who in West Cork offers lure and fly options, including afloat on Kayaks. From watching him today, and how he was with the others aboard, I can see he is the real deal, and if I found myself heading to West Cork, I would deffo be checking out what options were available for me. His website can be found HERE

Peter and Andrew made up the compliment. Which was pretty much a mirror of the first sailing. It started really well, when on the first drift we raised some good fish to surface lures. And then spent the rest of the sailing not finding much anywhere. Again, I recall (although it is very late and I am very tired) 4 landed, 2 killed. Plus another coddie, although small and released, bringing the years tally to just 4.

Third sailing, is etched in my memory. I had three of my very best rods onboard. Jude, Benny Billy and Jon have been nagged by me for quite a while now, and all are super finger trained. They were joined by a very lovely soul, Natasha, visiting (escaping?) from Trumpland.

I had already decided, with the wind now being non existent, to go check my furthest places, likey the first time since 3rd week of August. On arrival, guillemots lifted off. Always a good sign, and the first day of seeing them. And then we began. Just 20 bass landed, plus a scad, and some squid. But quality was there. Just 3 bass required, so just 3 bass killed, but not the 68cm beauty pictured above. That bit my thumb and was off... Away... Feck... why did Bob have to come up with that... A really good session, that answered a lot of my questions, and leaves me excited for tomorrow which the forecast (hmm....) says will again be breathless.

Plankton rich seas, and a barrel jellyfish... John Dory this week perhaps