Brighton Inshore Fishing - Catch report 30th April 2025

Another April comes to an end. My 57th April in my time on this world. I truly need at least another 250 to really get into a bass's head. Just when you think you have them sussed, something throws a spanner in the works. That did not happen today though. Today, we fairly had the measure of them. Tides went a little against us for our two sailings, but only at the end of each sailing. Rockworms are a popular dinner just now, so although checking a few spots, where they eat fish, and crabs, all the results came from the rockworm beds. If you havent ever seen a rockworm, spend more time staring at the sea. These calm waters are ideal for spotting them. By far the fastest free swimming worm, they actually create a little bow wave. Find them, and you will find bass for sure.

First sailing I was joined by new to BIF1, but not new to me, Fu, who I met aboard Kraken as we got the lovely Greg Bishop going with his charter venture. Far too successfully perhaps, as I suspect he and his beautiful catamaran Kraken (google "The Kraken Charters") are likely to be busier even than myself. Certainly for things like bream and wreck fishing. But thats fine, as no vessel in the charter fleet is small enough to get the success we do on BIF1 with the bass on light tackle. Alongside Fu, all regulars returning. John, David and Brian.

The very first drift was a cracker. Five bass landed, and three for the table. Would have been four, but the bass are still spawning. Some have yet to, and some very clearly have finished, including a table fish sporting horrible abrasions from all the thrashing around. Still a lot of spawning aggregations in the usual places, but I leave those well alone. Better to let them crack on with reproduction without interruption, for the good of future stocks. An observation is that they began in November and are still at it. Last year perhaps until July. I truly believe natures way to prevent the whole lot being captured, as perhaps was once the case. But after that first drift, fishing was more bitty, and it took the rest of the session to get to eleven fish landed. A slower start this year on all fronts. That man David was top rod again, and caught the biggest also. His 76cm fish has amassed one hundred and three thousand views on its debut video appearance on my timeline. Amazing, as has been the enquiries that video has spawned.

The second of just two sailings today, Fu and John remained, and were joined by regulars Curtis and Sam. This one started hard, as we hunted around outside of the rockworm grounds, but finished on a high as the new ebb really started pushing hard in the last ten minutes, which produced fish for everyone. The final tally for this three hour cruise, was ten fish, but no less than 7 killed for the table, with the biggest fish of the session, and the day, falling to a very lucky me, at 59.5cm. Not too shabby at all.

Another cracking forecast for tomorrow, with two spaces available on the 1000 sailing, and if there is interest enough I am happy to put on a 1400 sailing to take advantage of that early ebb period, which I suspect will be a bit of a fish fest. If anyone has no plans and would like some super fresh bass to bbq this coming weekend, I do rather recommend you throw me a text to 07970 112774 to secure a spot. With the lovely heat due to leave us early next week, and of course may rot inevitably appearing at some point, it could be a very good move indeed.