Brighton Inshore Fishing - Catch report 8th October 2025

That very beautiful moon we have this week, is known as a harvest moon, because, in times before genetically modified seed, this was the time that harvesting of the fields and the trees happened. A time of plenty. And also under the sea. Similar to the land, this summer the inshore was fairly barren for fish that eat sea creatures. But now, suddenly, change after change happening. A time of plenty also under the sea. Sprat, squid, whitebait, and whiting, all now available to bass to chase. And because the shallower the water means the less space for the prey to escape, Bass, who are clearly more clever than most predator fishes out there, understand this, and the great bass fishing in tight continues.

With me for two out of three sailings today (we go to just two sailings per day from next Monday) my Essex boys, Martin and Steve (who incidentally owns one of the most prestigious Carp and Catfish fisheries in the UK check it out here - www.churchwoodfisheries.co.uk ) dragged their mate Alan along for his first bash at bass, and then, 2nd sailing, squid. Alan being a confirmed hardcore catfish angler. Could we change that... ? Well, spoiler alert. He also really likes bass on lures now.

First sailing, with a good pull of tide, was about bass. And we had max killed within the first 40 minutes, and still they came. Really good bass fishing, all coughing up sprats, the final tally was 31 bass landed, and just 2 would have been released for being undersized if we did not have the current regulations. I know some sports fisherman are campaigning to raise the amount the angler can take, but I am not in favour of this. Even now, the 45cm limit, promised by a government long ago and removed last minute, would assist the stock. And an upper limit of 60cm, would boost the trophy fish and improve recruitment as big ovaries are left to do what big ovaries do best. Produce far more eggs than small ovaries. Something has to feed all these tuna...

Next sailing, the guys, all crazy keen foodies, wanted a proper hammer at the squid. Squid are one of the few creatures that do freeze well, and frozen same day, retain somehow the qualities of fresh squid, but are also a little more tender already. 45 squid were retained, and very happy guys headed back up to Essex.

3rd and final sailing of the day I had new to BIF1 friends Gavin, Greg, Ian and Olly (visiting from his new home in Canada) and we agreed to fish bass while the tide was running, and as it died, switch to squid. A great plan that worked really well. Sizes a little down on the bass though, with 17 fish landed and 5 killed. Squid were very good though and we managed 35 in the last hour. All looking very good for the next few days as well Watch this space.