Just the one sailing once more. In part, because the forecast was on the edge. In part, because I am suffering what used to be known in pre-covid times, as a heavy cold. As I write this, it seems the wind has not arrived, but I only just made it through the first sailing without crawling into my center console for a kip. Fishing was less good. With me, the same crew as last Saturday morning. Max, Shadi, Elias and Dimitry. And similar numbers of bass landed, eleven, to last weeks 12. But the big difference, just two for the table. Bye catch was a couple of tub gurnard, and a couple of bream. A bit more optimistic for the week ahead. It does look as if at least Monday and Wednesday will go. I have one space on a 1130 squid trip on Wednesday. Text to 07970 112774 if that is for you.

Just the first sailing today, and again it looks to be the last perhaps until next weekend. Remnants of hurricanes that the U.S.A. is finished with, so they send them our way apparently. Joining me this morning, returnees Max, Elias, Deyan and Shadi. We headed out, and I almost turned straight around as the swell was still quite significant, thanks to the NW wind getting quite strong a few hours previously. This limited where we could go, but I knew if we powered through the swell, we would get an element of lee from the land down west. And this is how it was. Additionally, the tide was always dropping back, and the area was quite fishable. It was also quite close to the mouth of an estuary currently gunning out tons of freshwater, and this was apparent with the viz. Inside, my enthusiasm quietly withered. And then a fish came up. Indeed, for the first trip out after a big big blow, the fishing was ok. We had to move a few times, but then found a drift which gave us some interest each run through, so I basically stuck to it. End result, twelve bass and a gurnard landed, with seven of those meeting my priest. Not too bad at all for a 3 hour bounce around.

Just the one sailing this morning, ahead of stiff easterly winds that become very strong SW gales by early next week. So sadly, likely the last sailing for perhaps seven days or so. Joining me, Lee, Lyle, Andy and his lad George. Onto the bass. But it was quite a different day to yesterday. We did get them, from the first cast. But lots grabbed short and with disinterest. Unlike the garfish which were far too interested, especially for young George. We got to 8 bass, with just one table fish for George. With the bassing clearly not going to be great, I floated the cod / squid idea. All were in favour. Again no cod, but two mackerel, eleven squid and a cuttle rounded off a very pleasant session.

With squid trips now a regular feature between now and when they depart in December (winds allowing) I felt the write ups deserve to be kept separate from the main catch reports. Mostly because they will be short and sweet. Joining me tonight, Chris, Mark, Matt and Dave, all returnee's. Squid fed in two phases, but on the usually excellent sunset, they were not playing at all Cuttle are there in plague proportions. But, using the "cod byecatch" rig, they mostly wanted the shad, and let go en route to the surface. Zero cod, eight cuttle, and thirteen squid were harmed in the making of this dialogue.

Just the one finned fish sailing today. There is a squid session later, but I will give that its own catch report. Anyone interested in squid fishing needs to be added to my whatsapp group, where the squid sessions are organised. Simply text SQUID and your name, to 07970 112774. After first checking that you have whatsapp. Joining me on this session, friends from schooldays, Peter, Howard and John. Straight onto the Heddon one knocker spooks, rigged with barbless Cox and Rawle 3/0 singles. And with the new flood tide just getting going, it was kind of perfect. Which is why the fish responded instantly. First hour was every bit as good as yesterday mornings sailing. The max kill (6 fish) was achieved quickly. However, we did not have any cloud cover, and as the sun got higher, so the fish got more finicky. I was watching Howard bring his lure back, when I noticed a serious bulge in the water behind. "something tidy behind you" I said. Then, just 20 feet from the boat, an immense mouth opened. And Howards rod started singing. And it was a heavy rock tune. An epic battle ensued, with the fish taking big bursts of line. It also stayed really deep which meant we didnt quite appreciate its size. I was guessing a good eight, simply because doubles no longer exist. Except, they do. Eventually it tired and we finally got a look. It was clearly a good double. Slightly shitting myself in case something went wrong, I waited until it was fairly beaten and on its side before I pushed the landing net at it. A smooth netting, and Howard now had a PB. But how big...? On the mat, with the fish as square as I could make it, the fin touched the 79cm line. On the B.A.S.S. weight to measure chart, a 78cm fish is 11lb 14oz, and an 80cm fish is 12lb 14oz. Howards fish was fat and in excellent condition, which brings us to a weight of at least 12.5lb. Probably bigger. However, we will claim 12.5lb, purely because that equals the boat record, caught in 2018, by a guy called.... Howard. It would seem that to get a big bass on BIF1, you simply have to have the magic name... After 15 bass the sun was creating a real issue. We tried the cod run, but no cod. With these guys being out for food, and a maxmum bass catch in the well, they were very happy to try the last hour for squid and cuttle. Everyone caught, and eight squid and a cuttle were added to the tally. If Carlsberg made 3 hour sessions, their brand would be all over this one.

First sailing, and joining very regular David, was first time to BIF1, Greg, his dad visiting from Poland Bolek, and friend Artur. Seas were quite flat, although there was some breeze off the land, making it feel, well, like autumn has arrived. But of course, in the sea as well as on the land, autumn is a time of plenty. But only in the mornings as it turns out... Which basically meant these guys had a great time. Mostly due to a big cloud that stubbornly clung to the sun for the first two hours. When it eventually gave up and retreated, the fishing immediately became harder. And the cod were playing hard ball as well. Not that anyone was complaining. Looking for a max kill of 8 fish, that was accomplished in the first 30 minutes. There were not many under 42cm in the total of 31 fish. And most importantly, Bolek, who is a very experienced inland angler, fished the sea for the first time, and now likely thinks fishing is too easy in England. Had he been on the next sailing, he may have changed his mind... All returnee's, Mitch, David and Peter had a proper grueller. Despite going everywhere and trying everything, (it seemed at the time. As I write this, I just thought of what may have happened) we couldn't get going. Just five small bass landed, and nothing for the table. Final sailing, Peter remained, to be joined by Peter and Tonino, both regulars, and Tonino bought along his friend, Ryan. Who is welsh. But doesnt have the accent. And another real struggle. They had all read last nights catch report, so I explained I was struggling a bit, and perhaps they might like to try for squid and cod if the bass did not play. After an hour and a half, and just one schoolie, we were on the cod and squid. Actually, Peter and I were. Guys were more on the cod and bass. As once the squid jig is loaded on the line, bass do give instant caution and it is very rare to get one, even fishing the jig shad combination. Cod, far more dumb. And yet, on this occasion, not dumb at all. As they did not bother us for a moment. Squid, less lucky. We bagged 13 of those, with Ryan having a first there. Cuttles were swarming down there, but ignored the jig and went for the shad most times, just one ending up landed. And that was that. Tomorrow just a single sailing early, and a squid trip into dusk. Got to be easier, right?

COD ACCUMULATIVE TOTAL = 25 Bit of a leap in the cod total. Let me explain... First and second sailings were cancelled due to a forecast that said flat seas but boat scudding across the tide. This did give me time to check out bits on the shore I havent even looked at this year, and a missed couple of takes from quality bass suggested I should look more often. The forecast then changed significantly. It suggested flat calm for 1500, the sailing I had no-one booked in for. I floated the idea of a cephalopod hunt to my whatsapp group where squid and cuttle trips are organised. 1630 to 1930 incorporating the magic squid time of sunset. 3 rods responded. And so Ian, Kevin and his lovely wife Zit found themselves chugging out onto a warm, slightly bumpy sea. Wind was actually an Easterly breeze, not the Westerly calm the forecast had said, but nothing heavy. Just bumped a bit on the new tide. Because I was not 100 percent confident (despite this being a birthday trip for Zit) we would find squid, I set us all up with a single drop shotted squid jig, and instead of a weight, a 56gm Axia mighty minnow on thee bottom. The squid share the same ground as the cod, and with this set up, if the squid were not having it, at least we might be lucky and see a cod. I should not have worried. Squid numbers are building nicely. Zit was first away, and then we pecked away at them. Ian was cuttle master. But then Zit's rod bent and started going ballistic. It was either a humboldt, or a cod. Happily, it was the latter. Then I had one. Then Zit had one. Then I had one. Then Zit had a stonker. Indeed, all three of hers were good ones. I had one quite small one, possibly a younger year class, which is encouraging. With the sun setting the squid really took off. We only had a further 20 minutes, as my ticket only allows for dawn to dusk operations, but in that time we added plenty to the tally. Final tally on the dock, five cod, one released. Nineteen squid and seven cuttle fish. Amazing for the first cephalopod session with clients aboard BIF1, and plenty more to follow. Text "SQUID" and your name to 07970 112774 if you would like to be added to the group.

Todays fishing, was very poor. No way around it. It was not a completely sterile sea, as plenty of fish being marked. But what it was they all were feeding on, was not fish, and shads and surface lures struggled. I have seen this scenario early season with the micro fry, but by now takes should all be solid and with confidence. But today, they were shy, and not really into any feeding at all. Most strange. First sailing, with David, Stewart, Brandon and Barry. Five bass. The only sizeable fish, a gurnard. No sign of coddies. Or really much at all, other than bass shoals that would not open their mouths. 2nd sailing, a repeat, but more bouncy. This one enjoyed by Joel, Jim, Mark and Danny. Six bass landed, just one for the table. And a return to port thirty minutes early, as sea conditions had got to the point where you didnt really have a clue what was going on at the other end of the line. Little point in trusting in lady luck for fish. There simply aren't enough left anymore for that technique to still be effective. Third sailing abandoned to the forecast.

COD ACCUMULATIVE TOTAL = 20 Feeling much better this morning. Huge thanks to everyone that wished me good health. And things much more normal as well, with just the first sailing viable on a constantly deteriorating forecast. With me all regulars and who have all fished with each other frequently, Mark, Lee, Dave and Natalie. A pathetic dribble of tide on the flood made for a poor showing on the topwaters. And what fish we did raise were mostly small. Natalie was first away, and things did look good briefly, but soon it was apparent it wasnt the usual morning chorus. It meant longer on the cod, where, as well as the two targeted cod, the first of the season for both Lee and Mark, we also found two of the three table bass that were taken. Also a nice wrasse, a first for Dave. Then a bumble around. Tried some ground where something with savage teeth was instantly taking off tails. Not cuttle. I will revisit at some point. But nothing much happening anywhere. One more table bass and the total landed was ten, with three killed, plus the two cod. Actually not a terrible haul on such a lack lustre tide.

COD ACCUMULATIVE TOTAL = 18 First sailing, and joining regular Max were new to BIF1 Andrew, Gavin and Harry. Yet another stunning sunrise, but with the neaps and very little tide run, fish were less smashy on the topwaters this morning initially. Having said that, it was responsible for all of the four bass killed. A little run through a cod gulley caught, a cod happily. Gavin being the lucky captor. And then it was a bit of a struggle, with just a couple of smalls added to the tally. Until the last ten minutes of the session, when a burst of sardines and bird frenzy saw the topwaters again being chased down by mostly small bass. But a lot of fun, with the final tally being 21 bass landed. Lots of smiles, and a happy crew departing. During that session I realised I was still feeling quite rough. I stopped fishing, sat down and drank lots of water. But the feeling of Urrrgh wasnt going away. I then did something I have never done since I began in May 2017. I phoned in sick. With a two adult with two small children for both the following sailings, I simply was not up to the task. Happily, I was able to get them onto Kestrel Warrior, a 10 meter starfish running out of Newhaven, skippered by my friend Tony. He had actually scheduled himself a day off as he had been working non stop, but I suspect he heard the desperation in my voice. A very nice man.

COD ACCUMULATIVE TOTAL = 17 Quick one tonight as I have been feeling a bit off today, so am keen to hit the hay. First sailing, and Bruno was returning, with his friend Stefan on a visit from France, joining regulars Rob and Steve. First hour was again about topwaters, and it was just great. An amazing backdrop, and of the 26 bass landed, it was a max kill for the table. After that first hour, it got much harder, as the sun emerged. Second sailing, sun was clouded out quite a lot so it wasnt the total disaster I excpected. After far too long an absence, part of family Taverna were on board. Alberto and Marco, and they bought their friends / business acquaintances James and his son Lewis along. Fishing was hard, but table fish were found. I seem to recall. three bass killed from just 8 landed or something like that. So long ago already. Oh, did I mention the cod? Happily, both Marco and Lewis caught, with Lewis catching a brace. Third sailing, and my pleasure to finally get Dave and Nat out again after too many wind blown intentions. Joining them, returnee Russ, and new to BIF1 and to lure fishing Greg. Problem was, it was a similar kind of struggle, with just eight bass landed, and for the table, two mackerel. Goodnight :)

COD ACCUMULATIVE TOTAL = 14 Heads up. If any of you have any weddings, christenings or funerals coming up, where you really want perfect weather, with zero wind, drop me a line. I will arrange a 100 hour engine service on BIF1, and Neptune will sort the rest. As that is where I was at yesterday. Not wanting to lose the whole day, in the evening I took a friend and her 11 year old son, on mission squid. Perfect squid conditions meant that we found them as well. Only three for an hours looking, but numbers will build daily. Squid season is open!! And on the shingle also. If any of you are depressed at another evening with the TV, find some steeply shelving shingle and cast a squid jig around. Todays first sailing and it was my very great pleasure to welcome back Max, Siri and Mitch, and new to BIF1 Dominic. Siri is a bit of a superstar at the moment. Every now and then, you acknowledge someone who also was a marine creature in a previous incarnation. Siri is most definitely one. As myself, he prefers watching water to youtube videos when it comes to fish. You can learn far more from the quarry itself, than any "expert" can fill you up with. Even small bass display behaviours that they carry on through their lives. I got some great footage recently of a tiny bass protecting some food source it had discovered. I digress... Siri only went and did what I have been dreaming about. Two days ago he had a bonito close to the Marina, from his own boat. Amazing. Simply amazing. Oh, and bluefin sightings are coming in daily. Almost certainly what I saw breach at distance last week. One sighting was 10 meters off the nudist beach at 1800 last night. But few saw it. Busy watching their phones. Maybe watching fishing videos on youtube... Fishing was ok. Topwaters are now the go to method for first sailing. Bass very happy suddenly to strike from the top. An hour later, with the rising sun, less happy, but still taking sub's. And for the last hour, it took deeper water and shads to get a result. 15 bass, mostly table plus (max kill) and a bonus coddie for Mitch. Second sailing, and with me were Duncan, Paul, Mark and John. The bright sun continued its relentless demise of the fishing. With uber clear seas, it isnt just the edges that suffer. Anything less than 30 feet is likely affected. I tried to do a traditional early flood routine, but it turned into a proper hunt, where the only reliable fishing I could find was on one tiny patch of rough. Even a look into fifty plus feet didnt really come up with much. But from that one tiny patch, we landed ten bass, and Marc also had a bonus cod. Five killed. Cuttles a bit of a pain. 2 killed. Final sailing, and regulars James and Dicky were joined by new to BIF1 but not to fishing, Richard, with his partner, and very new to fishing, Micheal with an a. Michaela. Wow. The older I get, the more I need the prompts to remember who was on board. Happily, Michaela was a listener, and was fishing nicely literally after ten minutes. Amazing. And I think being a focused beginner really helped, as she ended up I think top rod with three, perhaps four, of the eight bass landed. I had set a target of ten, as by now it was heat, sun was still bright, with promised haze appearing but then kept evaporating. No coddies on this one, but James did get a nice ballan wrasse, and other species were gurnard, bream, pouting and mackerel. FOOTNOTE - Ive been thinking more on the trebles v singles debate. Earlier in the year I was lost, as the bass seemed to be bouncing off them. But then it turned out, the bass simply were not interested in large topwater lures, even when smashing pin fry off the surface. Now there are sardines as well as herring and sprat around, all quite large, and bass are very happy to rise up with them. So, when a bass takes a spook properly, it hooks up. Simple. What doesnt happen, which does with trebles, is if a bass nudges a lure, it doesnt get hooked up on the outside of the body. Some may say that is a loss. But I prefer to trick my bass to eat wholeheartedly my plastic, as I believe that is the art of lure fishing. Not simply numbers. So, I am very happy to recommend cox and rawle 3/0 inline barbless singles to replace trebles on the Heddon one knocker spook. Just keep a healthy bend in the rod, and all will be fine.