Brighton Inshore Fishing - Catch report 9th March 2026

First sailing, and first silver of the season being sort by John and Kevin, both regulars. Plus new to BIF1 Guy, looking to refresh his skills after a mere 30 years away from our wonderful hobby. Thats a long time to not cast a line, but he was back in the swing very quickly. However, conditions were rather against us. We set off in a light mist, but soon were covered in a thick fog. Initially we had the last trickle of ebb tide, and two fish quickly fell, including a good one to John. But as the tide died, so did the bait shoals, and so the bass vanished. And to complicate things further, the mist developed into a pretty thick fog. The tide turned, but the wind was holding the boat back from moving in the direction I needed it to. Factoring in the safety element, as visibility was sub 100 meters, I made the decision to move at a much lower speed than usual, to the only other reef I know of where bass are to be caught. Very much closer inshore, and one hundred percent safe.

It was a good move. Because the bass, that I was expecting to be sub 1lb, were actually in the 2lb region A further three were landed. A rabbit from the hat really with conditions all being against us. The guys were happy. But to allow the fog time to burn off, I moved the second sailing to midday. This would also likely be after the fiercest part of the tide, which can be a good time at my intended venue. However, by 12 the fog, which had briefly lifted, was back in force. We hung in tight for 2 hours catching nothing, before the sun finally shone through, and burned enough fog to get safely out to where the fishes were.

With me were Ash and Kas, both also after their first silver of the year. Once we were out a bit, we managed to tick those boxes. 9 was the final tally, with fish of the day sadly bouncing off of Ash's rod, without being seen. A real shame. But, everyone caught. More rabbits from foggy hats. BIF1 out for service tomorrow, and weather looking sadly iffy for the next seven days. Time will tell. But at least we can consider local bass well and truly established.