Deal Pier and Beach Catch Reports 2012, 2013 and 2014

Monday, 29th December 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas. Well, as you all know, we have had some very strong winds from the east at the weekend which have put some lovely colour into the water and brought good numbers of fish close inshore. On Sunday over 30 sizeable codling were caught from the upper deck of the pier and the local beaches also reported codtatstic catches for those brave enough to fish into the strong north-easterly winds. I am told that the best bait is dirty squid and blow lug. Good numbers of whiting, dogfish, pouting and dabs are also being reported from both pier and beach. Try a big bait for the chance of a good-size cod.

Fresh bait is still hard to come by at this time of year so please call me at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104) to ask about availability.

Happy new year to one and all and please continue to send me photos of the fish you catch in and around Deal for the website, together with brief details of where, how and when you were fishing.

Alan Yates' Sea Fishing Diary: December 2014

26th December 2014

Check out Alan Yates' excellent diary offering for December.

The lengthy spell of mild weather continues into the New Year, writes Alan Yates, and lots of shore anglers are going to be shocked when the weather finally breaks and the heavy frosts and snow arrives. Then most of the quality fish move away to deep water. In recent years the autumn season seems to have extended, but when winter comes it does so with a vengeance and we are just about to experience that happening. Currently it is remarkable that from many parts of the country the rays are still around … the question is, are they changing to an all round year fish rather than just a summer species? Of course the answer is that they have always been around all year, but numbers were so small we never noticed. Now the rays, like the dogfish, have expanded their population and are inshore in late winter and early spring with populations overlapping - they are indeed an all year around sea species. Look out for the … Kent thornbacks kicking off in February, that is if they don't show all winter.

Currently the codling are inshore in good numbers and they should stay until spring because they cannot spawn yet. If they could they would be off into deep water in most regions around February to spawn. The first two months of the New Year are generally a time for tiddlers, because all the larger specimens depart our shores to spawn. This year the codling will stay and that will make shore fishing on lots of venues worthwhile in the New Year and right up to spring. That will make a great change from dabs and the dreaded rockling which, for some anglers, are the only February species around. The question about the cod that remains is, will enough survive to return next winter when they will be five and six pounds? The last time we had such a flush of codling it was in the glory years of the sixties and the 2lb fish of 1963 fuelled the cod bonanza that the older generation remembers. Could this happen again? Well if the commercials allow it. With Brussels having just upped the cod quota for the North sea I fear for the worst - It would be a tragedy if, come next October, no cod turned up but, with the French trawlers combing the upper English Channel and the cheating commercial fishermen who get around the small mesh size by filling their trawls with string, what chance have the fish got?

And then there is the question of bass - has no one noticed how few really big bass have been caught this year? Those large spawning fish have almost been completely rounded up and, although we have plenty of schoolies around at present, I dread that may end soon. A lot of Angling Trust and Government hot air about bass stocks currently, but nothing is actually being done to protect stocks.

Tactics for the coming weeks include a supply of stickie lugworms, despite the codling around and they like freshout lugworms best. I just love catching and eating dabs which are at their plumpest at this time of year. Slightly off worms are a bait the dabs are always on the lookout for, because the worms are continuously buried dead and unearthed decaying by the storms and the lesser waves. Dabs can have tunnel vision for stickie worms on some winter days.

Monday, 22nd December 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Well folks, with Christmas upon us trade slows down a bit on the fishing front with many of my regulars out in the crowds shopping with their wives and kids, but for those who are determined to fish through this holiday hell there are still good numbers of whiting, pouting, dogfish and codling to be caught from the pier and local beaches.

For those coming to Deal "twixtmas", bait will be hard to come by as the diggers will be off with their families wasting valuable digging time sleeping in front of the telly and generally over-indulging - you just can't get the staff.

Never fear, I shall be here … with lots of frozen bait in stock - sandeels, mackerel, squid, blueys etc.

Dan Townsend caught this lovely codling (returned live to the water) from the beach at Walmer Castle on frozen blacks tipped with squid.

Please "do what Dan do" and carefully return any fish which is not sizeable and let me have your photos of the fish you catch in and around Deal for the website, together with brief details of where, how and when you were fishing.

Happy Christmas, or as they say up the north end - Schastlivogo Rozhdestva! (Счастливого Рождества)

Monday, 15th December 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Last week saw lots of codling up to the 2 lb mark and good size Channel whiting, pouting, sprat dabs and dogfish being caught from the local beaches and the pier during daylight hours and after dusk, although the dogfish are less prolific than of late. We still have good colour in the water but, with westerlies forecast for later this week, the water could start to clear. So, for the best chances of catching large numbers of fish, anglers should plan to fish after dark from midweek on.

The Deal & Walmer Angling Association's Christmas competition fished well on Sunday, with 22 members taking part. The results will be uploaded to the D&WAA webpage later today. A fair few codling were caught during the match, along with dabs, whiting, dogfish, ling and pouting. I was joint 4th for the year which is none too shabby for an old-timer …

Please book your bait early in the week from me at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104) particularly if you want ragworm which now arrives on Fridays - book by Tuesday if at all possible.

Tight lines all and please continue to send me photos of the fish you catch in and around Deal for the website, together with brief details of where, how and when you were fishing.

Sunday, 7th December 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Plenty of colour in the water at the moment, with strong winds forecast on and off for the coming week so the fishing will remain good. Lots of codling caught last week from the pier and local beaches here in Deal. In addition to the codling we still have whiting, dogfish, pouting and some good size sprat dabs keeping our rods busy - best baits are worm tipped with squid or fish. Also, try a nice chunk of fresh herring cottoned down nice and neat for a thornback ray - they are still there if you fish for them.

We have the D&WAA members-only Xmas competition on Sunday, 14th December so demand for lugworm will likely outstrip supply as the early tides, shorter days and heavy rain result in reduced numbers being dug. Please book your bait early in the week from me at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104) particularly if you want ragworm which now arrives on Fridays - book by Tuesday if at all possible.

Tight lines all and please continue to send me photos of the fish you catch in and around Deal for the website, together with brief details of where, how and when you were fishing.

Wednesday, 4th December 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

A fair few codling were caught from the pier yesterday - the biggest of which weighed 4 lb - due to the east winds which have "coloured up the sea lovely" and a few were also reported by anglers fishing from the beach at the north end of Deal - Horsa Road, Harold Road and Sandown Castle marks. So, provided the onshore winds persist, the water will keep its colour ensuring good fishing at the weekend. Best baits are lugworm and squid cocktail and lugworm and fish. Don't skimp on the bait - fish with a good-size bait.

Reports from anglers on Thursday and today confirm that sizeable codling continue to be caught in good numbers from the pier which should prove to be a reliable codtastic mark for the weekend …

Please carefully return any fish which is not sizeable.

With popular Christmas angling competitions being held on the pier and local beaches throughout December, our stocks of live bait (lug and rag), already in short supply, will face increased demand so please remember to book your bait early in the week from me at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104) particularly if you want ragworm which now arrives on Fridays - book by Tuesday if at all possible. Just pick up the phone and call me or Fred to avoid disappointment.

Please also continue to send me photos of the fish you catch in and around Deal for the website, together with brief details of where, how and when you were fishing.

Sunday, 30th November 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

The calm weather and clear water conditions continued throughout last week but north-easterlies are forecast for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of the coming week becoming easterly on Thursday and northerly at the weekend which will put the colour back in the water. Despite the mild sea and weather conditions the pier and local beaches continue to produce good catches of bass, Channel whiting, sprat dabs, whiting, doggies and pouting. The drop in sea temperature should also see the return of codling to feed inshore.

Please carefully return any fish which is not sizeable.

Please also continue to send me photos of the fish you catch in and around Deal for the website, together with brief details of where, how and when you were fishing.

Sunday, 23rd November 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

This week we have seen very calm and mild weather for this time of the year producing very clear water. Despite these unseasonable weather and sea conditions, the pier and local beaches are still giving up lots of whiting, dogfish, pouting and a few good size sprat dabs whilst the occasional small codling is being caught from the pier. The strong winds forecast for the end of the week will put colour back in the water and encourage the codling to feed closer inshore - fingers crossed. Best baits are:

lugworm tipped with fish bait
ragworm
sandeels (for the doggies)
fresh herring or blueys (for the thornies)
whole squid (for a good size bass)

Please carefully return any fish which is not sizeable.

Tight lines all and please remember to book your bait early this week from me at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104) particularly if you want ragworm which now arrives on Fridays - book by Tuesday if at all possible. It's the time of year when strong demand for bait often outstrips supply and our stocks of live lug and rag soon go resulting in disappointed customers - so, please just pick up the phone and call me or Fred to avoid disappointment.

Please also continue to send me photos of the fish you catch in and around Deal for the website, together with brief details of where, how and when you were fishing.

Alan Yates' Sea Fishing Diary: November 2014

18th November 2014

Check out Alan Yates' excellent diary offering for November.

With codling showing all around the UK at present it looks as if we are in for a reasonable winter, writes Alan Yates, although the question is will the fish survive the nets for next year when they will be considerably bigger, in fact big enough to greatly improve the quality of the UK shore fishing? That is yet to be seen, although even the most cynical will expect a few to survive to make the 6 lb mark and they can really pull the string.

… For me it's time to lose the summer garments and break out the winter sea fishing tackle including hoodies, thermals and swap the brolly for the full hurricane shelter. Time also for those 8 oz leads to go back in the tackle box for a spot of low punchy casting into the teeth of the gale - they do tow the bait well and make a great difference on the stormy beaches.

… I have laid down a supply of frozen blacks in the freezer and they do work well, especially after Christmas when the dabs arrive and the constant storms means the fish are accustomed to finding dead, smelly marine life unearthed by the slightest swell. In the meantime nothing beats a fresh out, juicy, black or yellowtail for those codling other than perhaps a peeler crab, although supplies of peelers too start to dwindle this month. Also watch out for those shellfish being washed up after an onshore wind - cockles, butterfish, razorfish and the larger clams all make a hook bait, but do work best when they are being washed up. Here in Kent, Dungeness can be littered with shells after a good blow and being just inside the Point at the right time you can fill a bucket. I particularly like those large red queen cockles which are great for codling, bass and dabs as well.

Another bait which comes into its own around Christmas is fresh sprat and herring - the whiting love it in strips or chunks, whilst here it's renowned for the biggest dabs which are nicknamed "sprat dabs" because of their liking for sprat.

Reports suggest most regions of the country are reporting codling and it's noticeable that the bigger fish are in the estuary regions where there are lots of shrimps. The rough ground codling also seem to grow faster, whilst from the clean, sandy beaches the millions of hungry whiting mean the codling are lean. Those whiting are a pest particularly after Christmas when the pin-size fish invade the shoreline, but don't dismiss fishing a live bait rig at this time because the bigger fish and a late bass are fond of those small whiting.

Looking into the new year, it's a time when only the match anglers have fun in many regions. Once those bigger specimens of all species have left to spawn it's tiddlers only, especially from the clean beaches. My advice is to head for the deeper water of the piers, rocks or the boats for the bigger fish.

Sunday, 16th November 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

From Sunday to last Thursday strong winds put plenty of colour into the water resulting in lots of codling and good size Channel whiting, dogfish and some very big pouting being caught from the pier and local beaches. The water cleared when the wind dropped on Thursday evening persuading the codling to move offshore into deeper water but the whiting, doggies and pouting were still being caught in good numbers from the shore so the fishing here in Deal (Britain's best coastal town) continues to be good. East winds are forecast from Wednesday which will put some colour back in the water in good time for the weekend anglers.

Please carefully return any fish which is not sizeable.

Please also continue to send me photos of the fish you catch in and around Deal for the website, together with brief details of where, how and when you were fishing.

Sunday, 9th November 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

The strong tides and high winds this week have brought good colour back to the water keeping the fishing on the pier and local beaches fruitful with good numbers of sizeable whiting, pouting, dogfish and codling being caught from the pier midweek and at the weekend. So, the excellent fishing continues for the time of the year. Best baits include lugworm tipped with squid and fish bait (sandeels) for the dogfish.

If you have been following my catch reports during the past few weeks you will know that the pier and local beaches have been producing sizeable fish in large numbers and in all weathers and sea conditions. However, what is particularly remarkable about the fishing here in Deal at present is the large number of species being caught - thornback rays, wrasse, dogfish, pouting, smooth-hounds, black bream, bass, whiting, codling, dabs, tope, sole, garfish, mackerel and gurnard. So, don't be shy, get your rod out and come to Deal - the sea angler's paradise on the Kent coast (now Britain's "top coastal town").

Tight lines all and please remember to book your bait early this week from me at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104) because we lost a few digs to heavy rain last week which has considerably reduced the stock to go around. This also applies to the D&WAA members who will be fishing the competition on Sunday, 16th November (5pm to 9pm at Horsa Road). It's the time of year when strong demand for bait often outstrips supply and our stocks of live lug and rag soon go resulting in disappointed customers - so, please just pick up the phone and call me or Fred to avoid disappointment.

Please carefully return any fish which is not sizeable and send me photos of the fish you catch in and around Deal for the website, together with brief details of where, how and when you were fishing.

Saturday, 8th November 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Jason Magro Wilson caught this black bream (Spondyliosoma cantharus) from the pier in daytime last Saturday. Lovely to see this species here again - these were common around the pier back in the day …

Thursday, 6th November 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

My son (Peter), Keith Bartlett and I fished the beach at Deal Castle last night and, despite a two hour drenching, enjoyed a good session during which we caught loads of sizeable whiting and dogfish, the largest of which fell to sand eel bait fished on pulley rigs with a single hook. Other successful baits included lugworm and squid. All the fish were safely unhooked and returned to the water unharmed.

Tight lines all and please remember to call me at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104) to book your bait as it's the time of year when strong demand for bait often outstrips supply and our stocks of live lug and rag soon go resulting in disappointed customers - so, please just pick up the phone and call me or Fred to avoid disappointment.

Please also continue to send me photos of the fish you catch in and around Deal for the website, together with brief details of where, how and when you were fishing.

Alan Yates' Sea Fishing Diary: October\November 2014

21st October 2014

Check out Alan Yates' excellent diary offering for November.

… Looking at the continuous south westerly storms that are buffeting us, writes Alan Yates, that all too familiar winter weather blocking pattern will soon introduce more easterly and northerly winds and lower temperatures … here in the south, when it's calm, nothing beats a calm sea and a frosty beach to spice up the night time whiting fishing.

However, now is the time to get serious with your beach fishing and going out prepared for the weather is an important factor. The waterproof thermal suit, a beach shelter or brolly, chest waders, warm socks, a hat and a flask are all essential to survival when the weather gets mean. Also important are the means to continue fishing when the wind blows and the sea swells.

I pack a few heavier grip leads in the tackle box, those 7 oz Breakaway green tops in fixed wire take some beating, although if it gets extreme then it's a Gemini yellow head 7 oz and nothing sticks like they do. Lots of anglers forget that the importance of a heavy lead - apart from it anchoring to the sea bed - is that it punches through the wind and tows baits far more efficiently than lighter leads which go off course in the wind. Bait clips also help you gain extra yards by tucking the bait snugly behind the lead for a more streamlined rig and bait.

Now is the time to get your sea fishing tackle right. Make up a few rigs for extreme weather - the pulley Pennell is a great choice for wind and sea both on rough and smooth ground and it's the easiest clipped rig to make yourself. Lots of anglers also boost up their rig hook snood line to 25 lb to combat conditions and that chance of a bigger cod.

One of the biggest winter mistakes made by many sea anglers, especially beginners, is using too big a bait. OK big bait, big fish - that's true, but a large bait is of no use if you cannot cast it far enough to reach the cod. So compromise between bait size, bait clips and lead size to maximise distance with your biggest bait and don't fall into the giant bait fished in the gutter trap!

The other common mistake of the novice is to recast a washed-out bait. Replace your hook bait fresh every cast, fresh worms etc means a fresh scent so the bait scent trail the previous cast set up is continued. Casting timing is also important - keep an eye on how long your bait lasts against crab and small fish attacks and set your timing between casts around that.

The major problem once the cold weather arrives is obtaining bait. Lugworm prices go up every year as the worms become hard to come by. The problem is that the army of part-time summer diggers cannot dig or pump enough worms to make it worth their while and generally it's only the real professionals that dig all winter. Thus fewer worms and a bigger demand make bait scarce … One solution is to collect your own, although many will quickly find out that it is easier said than done. Winter lugworm digging in stair rod rain, frost and decreasing daylight is not easy. Try it and you may not complain about the price or how small the worms are again!

There are a few solutions and one is to freeze your lugworms. Black lugworms freeze best and tying them on with bait cotton keeps them more intact and on the hook because they do go soft. Frozen baits can be used to extend a limited supply of fresh bait although lots of anglers swear by frozen on their own. One tip; treat frozen bait like you would your food - would you eat sausages that have been in the freezer for four years? Sort your frozen bait in terms of how long it's been frozen. Frozen lugworm from the spring tides can be used a week or month later when the tides are neap. That's the way to manage frozen bait and not keep it for years.

Frozen squid is easy enough to buy earlier in the year in bulk - it's cheaper. Break down into smaller amounts and store in the freezer and on some venues it's all the bait you need, although for the current crop of codling fresh yellowtails or blacks take some beating. You can obtain a supply by looking after your dealer - how many anglers buy their gear on the internet and then only visit the dealer when they are desperate for worms - small wonder he has none, he will be looking after his regulars. So keep it in your mind to keep in with the local fishing tackle shop and with luck you will get a supply.

Sunday, 2nd November, 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

This week has seen lovely warm weather again here in Deal and, despite the very clear water, fish are still being caught in numbers from the pier. On Saturday Barry Wilmshurst, fishing from the pier with herring, hooked three thornback rays, the biggest of which weighed 10 lb 4 oz and this ray is currently fish of the month.

Also, smooth-hounds, dogfish and some lovely Channel whiting are being caught from the pier and local beaches, particularly up at the north end - Coastguard Station (51.232006, 1.404140), Harold Road (51.234685, 1.403617) and Sandown Castle (51.238421, 1.401690). These beaches fished well on Saturday during the day with bass being caught at the Coastguard Station along with good-size whiting and pouting. So, good quality fishing all round this week. For the week coming high winds are forecast which will put colour back in the water so the week should see the codling return inshore to feed.

Please remember to catch and release your fish if they are not sizeable.

Please also continue to send me photos of the fish you catch in and around Deal for the website, together with brief details of where, how and when you were fishing.

All Hallows' Eve, 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

My son (Peter), cousin (Barry) and I fished Deal beach at Harold Road last night and enjoyed a great three-hour session during which we caught 22 sizeable fish including big dogfish and good size Channel whiting and pouting on pulley rigs with a single hook baited with lugworm and baby squid. All the fish were safely unhooked and returned to the water unharmed.

Chris Walters, fishing from Deal Pier yesterday during the day, caught a thornback ray and a good size bass. The water was (and still is) very clear and the best fishing is after dusk - we need a good north-easterly to put some colour back in the water.

Monday, 27th October 2014

Photo submitted by Roger Edwards (proud grandfather of Samuel and Amy)

My Grandson, Samuel Edwards (9 years) from Dartford and his first fish caught with his new rod on his first visit to the pier on Monday 27th October (and sister Amy age 7 years)

Tuesday, 28th October 2014	Sunday, 26th October 2014
Chris Waters, fishing the pier on Saturday, caught this lovely tope weighing just over 6lb.	Ben Ryan, fishing Sandwich Bay at night yesterday (Saturday), caught this lovely thornback ray on frozen blacks before photographing and returning it to the water.

Sunday, 26th October 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Well folks, customers of mine are reporting catches of codling (around the 1½ lb mark), good size whiting and fair numbers of dabs in Sandwich Bay despite the weather being warmer than dabs like so, hopefully, the best dab catches are yet to come and should keep rods twitching until February. There's still the chance of a good bass or thornback ray in this flat, calm water if you fish for them - the hot spots are:

opposite the 4th and 10th greens of the Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club
Harold Road
the five, privately-owned gardens 135 yards south of Cambridge Road (known locally as Walmer gardens).

The marks at the 4th and 10th greens are located in Sandwich Bay, situated behind the Royal Cinque Ports golf course north of Deal and are reached:

via a right of way along the Golf Road 1.1 miles from the Deal end of Golf Road at 51.23636, 1.3984 to The Chequers Inn, Golf Road, Deal CT14 6RG (01304 362288) at 51.251010, 1.39189, or
by following the sea wall north from Sandown Castle (at the end of Sandown Road at 51.238420, 1.40170) for 1 mile (not recommended as the surface is rough and the path very exposed).

Please remember to catch and release your fish if they are not sizeable.

Please also continue to send me photos of the fish you catch in and around Deal for the website, together with brief details of where, how and when you were fishing.

Wednesday, 21st October 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Ian Morris, fishing the pier at night on Saturday last, caught this lovely 6 lb smooth-hound.

Tuesday, 21st October 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Apologies for the delay in uploading my weekly catch report - I have been away for a few days with the current Mrs Curry.

Anglers report fairly good catches from the pier and local beaches - codling, whiting and dogfish are showing after dark as are lovely big grand-daddy pouting (best baits are luworm, ragworm, crab and frozen blacks). The same species can be caught during the day if there is colour in the water and, with the winds we have been seeing in the past 24 hours and forecast to continue for the rest of the week, there should be plenty of mucky water for the spring high tides tomorrow through Sunday.

Please continue to send me photos of the fish you catch in and around Deal for the website, together with brief details of where, how and when you were fishing. If you are throwing a sickie I can pixellate the image so that your boss can't recognise you …

Don't forget, the clocks go back an hour at 2am on Sunday (26th October) so you'll have an extra hour fishing!

Whackernoster rig for scratch fishing

More excellent scratch fishing advice from WSF here

Monday, 13th October 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Last week saw strong tides and a few days of strong winds here in Deal which was great for the fishing as it put lovely colour into the water which in turn brought the fish in to feed. A fair few codling were caught from the pier and local beaches along with Channel whiting and, towards the back end of the week, dogfish.

Click here to see the results in full of the British Open Shore Sea Fishing Championships. In summary:

Saul Page - 4.5 kg (23 fish)
Louis Smith - 2.58 kg (8 fish, including the heaviest roundfish - bass weighing 1.44 kg)
Martyn Reid - 2.41 kg (7 fish)
Darren Mills - 2.22 kg (7 fish)

I hear that a great day was had by all the anglers competing in the Open - the cafés and shops were kept busy which is good for the town. Well done young Saul …

Don't forget the Deal & Walmer Angling Association beach competition next Sunday (Horsa Road - members only) - details on the DWAA page.

Please continue to send me photos of the fish you catch in and around Deal, together with brief details of where, how and when you were fishing.

Friday, 10th October 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Yesterday, Terry Holden of Deal, fishing over high water at the 10th Green mark in Sandwich Bay, caught three lovely codling, a few good size Channel whiting and plenty of dogfish despite picking up weed which had been released by the strong spring tides and high winds. So, with lots of colour in the water it should be a good British Open this weekend.

It's not too late to book your bait from me at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104) in time for the British Open Championships on Sunday.

Tight lines all and please continue to send me photos of the fish you catch in and around Deal, together with brief details of where, how and when you were fishing. Good luck on Sunday if you are fishing the Open …

Sea Fishing: Alan Yates' October Diary

8 October 2014

Check out Alan Yates' excellent diary offering for October.

It's great to see the run of codling appearing this season, writes Alan Yates, sizes vary from region to region, but overall it looks like the species have had something of a comeback after recent poor winters.

Here in Kent there are a few fish around the 4lb mark and more just on the size limit but yet to arrive are the 'proper' cod and the calm weather of autumn did a lot to delay their arrival. Ideally a succession of south-westerly winds will produce a great cod season down south, while on the North Sea coast northerly and easterly winds are required. Overall a sea onshore wind is always better for cod fishing, especially in daylight, with coloured water the key - in clear water it's always best to fish after darkness.

Fishing after dark offers huge advantages in terms of results because fish come close to shore under the cover of darkness and with more fish around the chances of success are increased, even for the novice angler. However, fishing in the dark poses many problems and lots of anglers quickly discover it's not that easy and problems with casting are a major factor for some because it can be difficult to judge when the lead hits the water, when to slow the multiplier spool, or even the direction of the cast.

One way to solve the problem of cast timing is to switch to a fixed spool reel at night so that stopping the line as the lead hits the water is no longer necessary. If you want to stick with your multiplier then the solution is to reduce the reel's line-load and tighten up the magnetic\brake spool control. There is not always the need to cast a great distance in darkness and a multiplier loaded with less line with the brakes full on will be far easier to control and, if you miss the lead landing on the sea, with less line and a smaller spool line diameter, overruns become far less of a problem. Practice is essential - try a venue with nearby street lighting etc. before going into the pitch blackness.

Lots of sea anglers find darkness a bit scary too and more than one angler I fish with won't fish alone. For the novice, fishing with a pal is perhaps good sense anyway; that said it's often difficult to find a lonely spot to fish on many of the more popular winter venues! If in doubt, or you are nervous, then fish with a mate or a group. You may not realise it but this will make you more confident and help you to concentrate on the fishing rather than the spooky beach 'crunches' behind you.

Night fishing on many beach venues during the winter is at its most productive between 7pm and 3am with high water before midnight, and two hours either side of midnight is often the 'hot' time. Expect codling, whiting, pout, dogfish and, if you are lucky, a cod - all of the winter species feed in darkness.

Here are a few night fishing tips:

Not all beachcasters have tips marked for easier night time bite detection so all you need to do to improve the sight of your tip is to use a wrap of reflective tape (available from most tackle dealers). Simply cut it into a tapering strip and wrap it around the rod tip. Another easy way to make your rod tip stand out at night is to employ a small headlamp fixed to the rod rest and luminous, or stainless steel, rod ring inserts.
Alternatives are the purpose-made tip lights - Betalights etc., which come in blue, green and even red, the latter suits a lot of anglers who suffer 'spots before their eyes' watching tip lights. Then there are the starlight type of chemical lights which can be taped (no tape, use bait elastic) to the rod tip. You break and shake these to set them off and they last for 12 hours or more. Beware of the larger battery tip lights which can trap your line and threaten a tip snap off.
If you use a fuel lantern then it will benefit from being raised off the ground - an upturned bucket does the job but a pole is better - and the higher you place the lamp the bigger its pool of light.
Lots of venues fish best at night but only for a short period at a particular state of the tide. Marathon night sessions can be tiring and a shorter session to coincide with the best fishing time may be more comfortable and productive.
It's easy to forget your timing between casts in the dark. Hook baits become washed out or stripped by crabs, shrimps etc. Replace baits every half hour minimum and don't leave rods to fish for themselves for over long periods.
Boredom can cause night anglers to fall asleep during marathon sessions with big bait tactics producing little action. Use a second rod and fish with a multi-hook rigs for the smaller species. This will keep you alert and guarantee a catch to take home. Small fish and crab activity can be a vital clue to big fish behaviour on lots of night venues. If your bait is vanishing in seconds it's a good bet that there are no large predators around, while you may notice a drop in crab activity when the bigger fish show.
Losing tackle is a major headache for the night angler and the solution is to move position - even twenty yards further along the beach can make a difference - but because it's a major exercise many don't bother and end up throwing rig after rig at a snag. If you don't move at least cast to a different place, shorter, further, at an angle … try to avoid the snag.

Finally, I have fished often alone into the black depths of the night all over the world for many years and am yet to see anything that could not be explained - no UFOs, ghosts, space men, black panthers etc. I did have a fear of a grizzled, clawed-hand coming over the pier wall from the sea side when I was younger, but since then I was always too busy fishing to notice!

Sunday, 5th October 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

With the weather now slowly on the change and the seas starting to dirty up with the strong winds, the fishing can only get better folks. Last week we saw codling, whiting and dogfish being caught from the pier and a fair few schoolie bass were showing in Sandwich Bay which was much the same as the pier. Sole are still being caught from the beach at Walmer Gardens (Cambridge Road) - fish for them in calm conditions with ragworm or frozen blacks. Thornback rays are still showing on the pier and down at Sandwich Bay - bluey is the preferred bait.

This week it is particularly important that you book your bait early from me at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104) as Deal hosts the British Open Championships on Sunday and we anticipate a strong demand for bait.

Sunday, 28th September 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Just back from my holiday to hear that the codling and good size Channel whiting are starting to show on the pier and local beaches which is great news. The thornbacks are still here and being caught in numbers, mostly from the pier, with one chap having three of them last week. So, on the whole the fishing is holding up. Good baits to use for the codling are worm and squid and for the whiting and thornbacks bluey is the preferred bait. Most of the codling are being caught after dark so check your lamps etc are charged and fueled up ready for the night shift. You still have a good chance of a good size bass as well if you fish for them.

The worms are now spawning reducing the numbers being dug so, for that reason, please remember to book your bait early from me at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104).

Tight lines all and please continue to send me photos of the fish you catch in and around Deal, together with brief details of where, how and when you were fishing.

East Kent Mercury: Thursday, 25th September 2014

By Alan Yates

… Locally, the shore fishing has continued to be slow in daylight with the best catches coming after dark and from Deal pier.

The latest Deal and Walmer Angling Association's pier competition included 15 members fishing Deal pier with the lower deck the hot spot. Winner was Brian Smith who managed to scratch out four fish, including the biggest fish, a dogfish of 590 grams for a total weight of 1.620 kg. Second was Tim Fagg with 1.480 kg and third Les Brown with 1.290 kg. Steve Hackett was fourth with 1.260 kg and Ivan Rubins was fifth with 1.070 kg.

… coming soon is the British Open Championships being fished from the Deal beaches. It's pre-book only: telephone 01303 253881.

Sunday, 14th September 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Last week saw lots of north-easterly winds and big tides bringing plenty of weed and some lovely colour to the water. On the pier we have seen dogfish, small whiting and sizeable codling being caught as well as a few thornback rays and, on the whole, fishing on the pier is holding up nicely. Lots of schoolie bass are showing in the surf on Sandwich Bay and favourite baits include crab, hermits and frozen blacks. The rays are still showing in the Bay. The best baits for this time of year are frozen blacks, bluey, ragworm and lugworm which fishes very well this time of year now they are starting to "milk out".

Don't forget the Deal & Walmer Angling Association pier competition next Sunday (members only) - details on the DWAA page.

Please continue to send me photos of the fish you catch in and around Deal, together with brief details of where, how and when you were fishing.

Alan Yates' September angling blog

September 2014

Check out Alan Yates' excellent blog.

I have managed to catch a few codling writes Alan Yates, although they have been mainly small with a mix of fish between 20 and 40 cm from the Kent shore. Listening to the Facebook grapevine it looks like most of the English Channel and lower North Sea have the same populations of 1 lb to 2 lb codling. Trouble is, so many anglers exaggerate the size and around my neck of the woods fish of 5 lb are being reported, it's odd that not one of the Kent competition results - and there are hundreds - has produced a codling of more than 2 lb 8 oz. However, having said that it's been nice to sit on the beach and see the rod tip buckle over because even a 2 lb codling can give you a great pull down or slack line bite.

Best bait has been black lugworm for me with a two hook, loop rig the ideal terminal set up for long range when the weather is rough and distance crucial. At other times I have stuck to a two hook flapper with size one Kamasan B940s (short shank Aberdeen hook). In the coming weeks a change in the weather will produce more codling with an onshore sea the best conditions, south west in Kent and along the Channel coast is best whilst up the North Sea a north east is usually considered ideal. Also, look to fish after the gales have subsided - don't leave it a couple of days, go when the wind drops.

Between the codling have been a few big bass and it's the time of year when bass and cod are caught together or in consecutive casts on some southern venues. I love nothing than a really calm night to fish a small live whiting in the margins of a steep shingle beach. Some big bass are there to be caught from now up until Christmas and, like others, the bass season has been extended again thanks to global warming.

Pier & beach catch report: Saturday, 13th September 2014

Catch report by Michael Hayes

It has been another good week down on the pier and the local beaches and, when fishing becomes a little harder as we enter the cross over period from summer to autumn, patience and knowledge pay off every time. On Monday, for instance, Sam Cox, fishing the lower deck, caught seven bass to just shy of 4 lb, while "24 John" and I assembled a mixed bag of dogfish, pollack and codling. I have seen quality fish most days this week and, this being "bass time", many of the larger fish are now in range. The number of codling has increased and the first of the whiting have been showing at dusk. Smooth-hounds continue to be active after night fall as are the thornbacks which tend to be smaller specimens falling to small fish baits.

The fishing is generally improving and will continue to do so as we move into the shorter days. Sandwich Bay, too, is giving up fish as are the local beaches which are coming into their own after dark with sole and codling taking worm baits. With the big tides of this week falling back some nice catches are on the cards.

A big thanks to everyone who showed interest in the cod fishing dates, the first of which is next week. If anyone is interested in a day's cod fishing, please email me at mikewhodares@aol.com for details or catch me at the pier.

As always, if you are coming down to Deal to fish, pick Dean's or Fred's brain for up-to-date information - both will have tip top bait.

Friday, 12th September 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Stevie Nye, fishing at Sandown Castle last night, caught this 3 lb 11¼ oz (1.678 kg) bass on a Pennell pulley rig baited with bluey fillet.

Mackerel starting to show as they migrate south

East Kent Mercury: Thursday, 11th September 2014

Sea catches are improving with more codling reported among the odd sole, school bass and this week the mackerel showed along the south Kent shore on their autumn migration journey south, writes Alan Yates. Deal Pier offers codling with the odd smooth-hound and still a chance of a ray towards the evening with mackerel when the sea is settled.

Alan Yates' angling column

August 2014

Check out Alan Yates' excellent blog.

There is no doubt, writes Alan Yates, that from September onwards shore fishing is not for whimps with wands, it's a time when casting distance and keeping a lead where it lands is very important. But it's also a time when lots of novices catch their biggest ever bass with the species picking up a short cast big bait and so let's start there and look at the prospects for a giant bass.

Big bass are usually solitary because the rest of their shoal have been caught or died. But there are enough still around to ensure that some lucky angler will nail a lunker in the next month or two. Luck plays a big part because bass are caught really close to the sea edge and rarely at long range. So the early winter cod angler fishing a giant bait in the edge is the one with the best odds of catching a big bass and that's the novice. Few experienced cod anglers will deliberately fish a big bait close in for cod and so the novice with his inadequate cast is the most likely to get that lunker bass. That is unless you deliberately target a big bass by fishing close in.

AND the best way to do that is with a live bait. Pick a calm, dark night and a steep deep beach venue and hook on a small pout and fish it in the first twenty yards from the water's edge. Keep the noise and light flashing to a minimum and you may catch a big bass. Often at this time of year the bass arrive on a venue because anglers are returning small fish or gutting mackerel etc, especially as dusk and darkness arrives. A favourite way to target bass is to slide a short trace down the main line of a rod cast out with a lip or tail hooked pouting on a strong 3/0 so that it floats in the edge.

Sunday, 7th September 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

We are starting to see a fair few codling after dark now on the pier and local beaches along with dogfish, pouting and small smooth-hounds. Good-size thornback rays continue to show down at Sandwich Bay. One of the kayak boys, fishing from his yak stationed off Sandown Castle, caught 12 dogfish and a thornback ray yesterday. So, the fishing still looks good here in Deal, particularly for this time of year and it can only get better.

Please continue to send me photos of the fish you catch in and around Deal, together with brief details of where, how and when you were fishing.

Saturday, 6th September 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Daniel Bradley, fishing Sandwich Bay in perfect sea conditions last night, caught these double-figure sized thornback rays on a Tronix pulley rig and size 4/0 Aberdeen hook baited with bluey.

Alan Yates' angling column

East Kent Mercury: Thursday, 4th September 2014

Freelance sea angling catches continue to produce codling, sole, dogfish, pouting and the odd bass with sport improving as light evenings fade and temperatures fall. The flush of codling is promising although most are under 2 lb with just the odd fish bigger.

Pier catch report: Monday, 1st September 2014

Catch report by Warren Hayes

Arrived at the pier for 7:30 am with one other angler waiting to walk on the pier. I chose to fish the lower deck, as usual, with Pennell rigs. Baits were mackerel, herrings and squid. First casts were made by 8 am with dogfish finding the baits straight away. 9 am quickly came and so did another bite resulting in a nice 2 lb bass. When the tide hit low water all the bites stopped so we took the chance for a cup of tea. When the tide turned and had a bit of flow to it baits were sent back out and, shortly after, my rod showed signs of life. I thought it was another dogfish but it turned out to be a nice female thornback of 5 lb 3 oz which is currently the September fish of the month. After this it was dogfish for the rest of the day. Fred Leach of Channel Angling put in a few hours practice in the evening and, using crab, caught pouting and a nice codling. So there's plenty of fish out there - it's just trying to find them. This time of year will see the smooth-hounds in the evening and big bass also as they start to spawn and, at Sandwich Bay, where the thornbacks are still showing in good numbers with at least 6 caught on Saturday night. Soon, and with the chilly air in the nights now, it won't be long till the whiting and bigger codling will be close to shore. Remember to book baits at Channel Angling or Pleasure Angling to avoid disappointment.


Warren and his 5 lb 3 oz thornie	Warren and his 2 lb bass

Sunday, 31st August 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

This past week has seen a fair few small bass being caught from the pier, along with the odd dogfish, pouting and, after dark, codling and it has been much the same picture for anglers on the local beaches. Baits to use include lugworm and squid for the codling and ragworm or fishbaits for the doggies and don't forget to have a go with blueys for the thornback rays which are still there for the catching from the pier and beaches.

South-westerly and west-south-westerly winds are forecast for the coming week which will bring clear water so we might see the mackerel reappear. Fishing will start to improve each week now that September has arrived and tomorrow is, officially, the first day of autumn.

Please continue to send me photos of the fish you catch in and around Deal, together with brief details of where, how and when you were fishing.

Bass season starting to change

East Kent Mercury: Thursday, 28th August 2014

Several big bass have been landed in the last week and that is a sure sign of impending autumn as the species move south through the English Channel, writes Alan Yates. An increase in the different types of species is also a sign that the season is changing as the summer species and winter species cross over during the next month or so.

… The Deal & Walmer Angling Association held a beach event with 19 competitors taking part in a 'sole only' pegged beach competition, fished on a rising tide at Walmer Gardens. Six sizeable soles were landed with Dover's John Smissen winning with a 30 cm sole. Joint runners-up were England Junior team member Joe Smith, Deal tackle dealer Dean Curry and Deal's Andy Manning with soles of 29 cm. Saul Page and Mike Cox had slightly smaller soles for third and fourth spots.

Sunday, 24th August 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Last week again saw calm sea and weather conditions on our part of the east coast but we did have a few days when the water had some colour. The pier continues to produce mackerel and dogfish in fair numbers together with some big pouting after dark and one lucky angler caught a 2 lb codling from the pier "down the side" on a hand line. So, on the whole, the fishing is not too shabby at the moment.

Deal and Walmer beaches are doing well. The DWAA fished its sole match last night on a lovely, still evening. A fair few sizeable codling, dogfish and some big pouting were caught (as were a few small silver eels) and six sizeable sole which were measured and released. In these conditions the best baits to use if you are fishing for sole are ragworm or lugworm - but fish after dark for them. Finally, I would like to thank Brian Smith for pegging out the DWAA match. View the match results, updated leaderboard and competition rules here.

The next DWAA fishing competition takes place on the lower deck of the pier on Sunday, 21st September from 5pm till 9pm. DWAA members are reminded to book in between 4pm and 4:30pm at the pier entrance for the draw. The weigh in will take place at 9:15pm at the DWAA HQ on the lower deck. Prizes as for all Club matches - 1st, 2nd and 3rd heaviest bags, plus heaviest flattie and heaviest round fish. DWAA competitions are strictly members-only.

Please continue to send me photos of the fish you catch in and around Deal, together with brief details of where, how and when you were fishing.

Pier catch report: Monday, 18th August 2014

Catch report by Michael Hayes

I went to the pier on Monday with Warren and James to see how the fishing was. Arriving first thing we fished the lower deck using squid and fish baits. Fishing at long range and short we managed bites from the start, with dogfish soon on the deck.

Fishing was steady so we thought we would put in a full day and, for our efforts, we put together a good bag of fish which was made up of dogfish, mackerel, pouting and two bass, the bigger of which was 3+ lb, also a lovely wrasse of around 2 lb laden with spawn. She was returned gently to the sea.

It was great to see many of the "ugly bunch" and hearing of the first codling and whiting showing. So anyone wishing an early crack at them should book their bait with Fred and Dean who will do their best to look after your bait and tackle needs.

I have arranged several boat trips starting mid September and going up to December and will be targeting cod on a local charter. These will be full day charters and include a hot meal so, if anyone is interested in a day's cod fishing, please email me at mikewhodares@aol.com for details or catch me at the pier.

Deal Pier: Sunday, 17th August 2014

Photo and report submitted by Jano Barry

On Sunday, 17th August, whilst fishing lug on a two-hook flapper from the lower deck of the pier, the current Mrs Barry caught this 2 lb bass (0.907 kg) which was returned to the water promptly after a quick peck on the operculum.

Deal Pier: Sunday, 17th August 2014

Photo and report submitted by Ian Alcock

At 02:55 Sunday, 17th August, whilst fishing mackerel fillets on a Pennell rig from the 3rd shelter on the pier's top deck, my 13-year-old daughter, Leah Alcock, caught this 7 lb 2¾ oz (3.255 kg) thornback ray.

This thornie subsequently won the August 2014 fish-of-the-month competition.

Sunday, 17th August 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Last week saw big spring tides on the east coast which introduced some colour to the water. We saw some sizeable bass, thornback rays and a good size (5 lb) smooth-hound caught from the pier. We are still getting a few mackerel and there are reports of a few sizeable codling showing around the coast and, hopefully, we will see some taken from our pier and beaches this year. The local beaches are seeing a lot of pouting, dogfish and bass and those fishing at Sandwich Bay continue to catch smooth-hounds on hermit crab bait.

Tight lines all and please remember to book your bait early this week from me at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104) as it is a bank holiday weekend and the DWAA sole competition is being held on Saturday evening.

Please continue to send me photos of the fish you catch in and around Deal, together with brief details of where, how and when you were fishing.

"24 John" pulling an all-nighter on the pier …

Deal Pier: Friday, 15th August 2014

Photo and report submitted by Dave Morris

Arrived at the pier after 6pm and did not have a bite until about 8pm when my rod went with this 5 lb smooth-hound caught on whole squid. Nothing again until after 9pm when non-stop dogfish with every cast on lug and squid until 11.30pm.

Best fishing of the year not far away …

East Kent Mercury: Thursday, 14th August 2014

Sole, eel, school bass and the odd codling are coming from the local shoreline with sea anglers finding darkness their biggest ally, writes Alan Yates. However, the weekend weather reminded us that autumn is on the way with the prospect of big improvements in a matter of weeks as summer comes to an end.

All those fish that have passed through the Dover Straits on their northern migrations are about to return and this usually kick-starts the best fishing of the year for Kent shore and boat anglers. Get ready for the chance of a big bass among the codling and whiting, plus there is still the chance of a species surprise with smooth-hound, ray and tope for boat anglers.

Pier catch report: Monday, 11th August 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Nigel Woodcock, fishing whole squid and large, fresh mackerel strip baits cottoned down on Pennell rigs from the pier on Monday, caught three bass, all about 3 lb and a thornback ray (whole squid on a Pennell rig).

Sunday, 10th August 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Last week saw some lovely bright weather for half the week with clear, still water and light winds and the fishing has not been too bad for this time of year. Dogfish are showing again, along with the odd sizeable bass and pollack over the side near the pier legs. As the week progressed we had some good south-westerly winds which pushed the mackerel inshore and a fair few were caught from the pier and, at high and low water on Saturday, the kayakers fishing inshore were also catching them in good numbers. The beach is still seeing the occasional good size smooth-hound, dogfish and bass so keep trying folks as the fishing is set to improve over the coming week with big spring tides during the day: 12:20 (6.50m) Monday, 13:04 (6.70m) Tuesday and 13:48 (6.70m) Wednesday.

Tight lines all and please remember to book your bait early from me at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104), particularly if you want ragworm which now arrives on Fridays - book by Tuesday if at all possible.

Tuesday, 5th August 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Scott Alan, fishing at dusk 70 yards out from Sandown Castle in north Deal, caught this 11 lb 1 oz smooth-hound (Mustelus mustelus) on crab bait presented on a long pulley rig. The UK shore-caught smooth-hound record is 20 lb 3 oz and they can grow up to 4ft and 25 lb. Read more about them here.

Sunday, 3rd August 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Well, last week saw a few sizeable fish being caught from the pier, including a 9¼ lb bass last Tuesday and a 7½ lb thornback on Thursday. On my way in this morning I spoke with the pier attendent, Chris, who told me that Saturday evening saw two nice bass caught, the biggest of which was 6 lb 2 oz (the other weighing 4 lb) and yet another thornback and a sizeable codling - yes, you are reading right, a codling! Still plenty of mackerel and pouting in the well for the kids using handlines and drop nets for crabs which is great fun this time of year. On the beach and at the Bay still the occasional thorny (if you fish for them) and bass along with the odd small smooth-hound. Two soles were caught yesterday from the beach opposite the Coastguard Station (Horsa road) at the north end of Deal.

James Russell and his 13 year old cousin, Luke, who had travelled 300 miles from Middlesbrough for a holiday in Deal, fished the pier's lower deck from 11am on Saturday to 3am on Sunday. Although no garfish were caught over high water, there were plenty of bites and a few mackerel. They then moved to the Deal 1919 hut side of the lower deck and resumed fishing using peeler and hard back crabs, bluey and squid. Their drop net caught loads of crabs and two small lobsters. At about 7:30pm James caught a skate on whole squid fished at maximum range on a Pennell pulley rig. Then Luke, James' 13 year old cousin, caught a 6 lb 2 oz bass (his first ever bass), again using squid bait fished on a Pennell pulley rig: "If the rod hadn't been tied on, it would have been in!" James and Luke also caught about 10 doggies, one codling, "100+" pouting down the side and 3 mackerel.

Please continue to send me photos of the fish you catch in and around Deal, together with brief details of where, how and when you were fishing.

Tight lines all and remember to book your bait early from me at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104), particularly if you want ragworm which now arrives on Fridays - book by Tuesday if at all possible.

Thursday, 31st July 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Thornback rays are still showing and today saw a 7½ lb thornie caught from the lower deck of the pier on bluey. In the past week we have seen mackerel, dogfish, scad, smooth-hound, wrasse, pout, pollack, black bream, garfish, specimen-size bass and rare shad being caught from the pier so, with the weekend almost upon us, give the wife and kids a rub down with the Angling Times, jump in the car and come and join the fun. Don't forget to give me (01304 239191) or Fred (01304 373104) a call to book your bait before you set off.

Deal Pier flying the flag …

East Kent Mercury: Thursday, 31st July 2014

With most of the area's piers affected by closure, Deal Pier continues to fly the flag, writes Alan Yates. Just when the mackerel arrive, Folkestone Pier is closed for four weeks for restoration work. At least that's the estimate, although going by the state of the piers around the area, it could be longer.

Dover's Southern Breakwater is shut completely due to winter storm damage and is in need of railing repair, while fishing is limited to the first half of Admiralty Pier, with the extension closed - again because of winter storm damage. Conjecture abound about the future of the Dover piers but a spokesman for Dover Sea Angling Association said that rumours that work was to start on the Breakwater were just that.

Deal Pier continues to produce mackerel, scad, smooth-hound, wrasse, pout and the odd ray when the weather and tide are suitable. Most of the action is coming from the front lower deck during the flood and ebb tide runs and especially in the evening.

Tuesday, 29th July 2014

Catch report by Lindsey Wells

At 15:25 today, when fishing from the 3rd shelter on the upper deck of the pier, Andrew Ilsley caught this 9 lb 4 oz (4.195 kg) monster bass using a Pennell rig baited on its bottom hook with a chunk of mackerel. This magnificent fish, not surprisingly, leads the July fish of the month competition with one day to go … now confirmed as fish of the month for July 2014.

The water has cleared following a change in wind direction resulting in the return of the mackerel shoals …

Deal Pier: Sunday, 27th July 2014

Catch report from Chris Crawley

Had a great day fishing with friends on Sunday, but only caught a few pouting and a mackerel (Cody's first ever fish!) …

Deal Pier: Saturday, 26th July 2014

Photo submitted by Rob Molinari

On Saturday, when feathering from the lower deck of the pier, Rob Molinari caught this lovely 1 lb 9⅛ oz (712 gm) Allis Shad (Alosa alosa) which was returned alive to the sea. Allis and Twaite Shad are "critically endangered" species and are protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and EU legislation (Berne Convention), which legislation requires the immediate return of all such rare fish. Rob also caught 30 mackerel feathering …

Friday, 25th July 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Four fishtastic spring tides this weekend: Friday (11:20), Saturday (12:07), Sunday (00:29 for those "overnighting" on the pier and 12:39) and Monday (13:11). Plenty to catch - doggies, mackerel and pouting in numbers with pollack "down the sides" (on feathers tipped with thin strips of squid). For a change, try for edible crabs, hermits and prawns with a drop net - the 'hounds love them.

Please continue to send me photos of the fish you catch in and around Deal, together with brief details of where, how and when you were fishing.

Sunday, 20th July 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Lots of warm weather, clear skies and calm water last week. The pier has seen mackerel on and off throughout the week but not in big numbers. Shane Bradford caught a black bream which is a rare species in these parts although we used to see lots in the summer years ago … perhaps put that down to "global weirding". Garfish have been caught this week on light tackle and pollack are still showing in numbers down the legs of the pier and are being caught on feathers tipped with thin strips of squid.

So, with the warm weather it's been a mixed bag this week on the pier and beaches and it has been much the same at the Bay where the odd thornback ray, small 'hound and occasional bass are still being caught on bluey. In the week coming we will see the odd east wind which will colour the water a bit.

Please continue to send me photos of the fish you catch in and around Deal, together with brief details of where, how and when you were fishing.

Sunday, 13th July 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Last week saw too much colour in the water for the mackerel to show up in numbers, but we did see the return of lots of dogfish to keep the rods bending, along with a fair few smooth-hounds the biggest of which (so far this month) weighed 8½ lb and this 'hound is leading the July fish of the month competition.

On Friday Matt Douglas from Deal, fishing after dark from the lower deck, caught a lovely 8lb bass with mackerel bait on a Pennell pulley rig and plenty of pouting. There are still lots of sizeable pollack to be caught fishing "down the side" so feather up and join the fun!

Please continue to send me photos of the fish you catch, together with brief details of where, how and when you were fishing.

Matt Douglas and his 8 lb bass

Thursday, 11th July 2014

Alan Yates, East Kent Mercury

Deal international sea angler Saul Page came close to winning the prestigious National Penn final at Morecambe in Lancashire over the weekend. A double shot of plaice on his last cast pushed Page into the runner-up spot just 17 cm behind the eventual winner, Steve Smith of Whitehaven. Saul, who will be in the England squad for the forthcoming World Sea Angling Championships in Spain, was fishing from peg four in Morecambe Bay and landed four plaice.

… Freelance catches include smooth-hounds from Deal pier front lower deck with the current pier leader for the monthly prize set at 9 lb. Local anglers among the smooth-hounds include Brian Smith and Ivan Rubins but peeler crab has been the essential bait. There have also been a few more mackerel from Deal pier this week and reports from Dover and Folkestone piers suggest numbers are improving with a mix of small joeys and jumbos.

Wednesday, 9th July 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Steve Lewis, fishing the pier on Tuesday, caught garfish and 30+ pollack "down the side" - a great day's sport and all fish caught were returned alive to the water. If you want to try for them folks use a light weight of 3 oz or so and a set of plain feathers with the hooks baited with thin strips of squid. Simply lower the feather trace to the sea bed and, with one turn of the reel handle, lift the rig just off the bottom (a "smidge" as we say up the north end). The pollack (and other species such as mackerel and bass) cannot resist … tight lines all!

If you send me photos of the fish you catch, together with brief details of where, how and when you were fishing, I can upload to this page.

Sunday, 6th July 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Last week's weather was warm and the water clear. Mackerel continue to show at the pier with most being caught from the upper deck, along with smooth-hounds, pouting and pollack down the pier legs. Use boom rigs, spread so they don't tangle, and bait with thin strips of squid, peeler or hermit crab. The thornback rays are still about so get your blueys and try for them.

Sea conditions are perfect at the moment with no colour in the water making the fishing challenging so try different baits and rigs. Soles should be showing now so get some ragworm and give them a try - the early evening tide would be best.

Please continue to send me photos of the fish you catch, together with brief details of where, how and when you were fishing.

Monday, 30th June 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

With the water having cleared, the mackerel have arrived at Deal Pier in numbers so feather-up … but if you are looking for more sporting methods to catch mackerel and garfish check out Alan Yates' excellent top tips below.

Five sizeable bass were caught from the Pier on Tuesday and returned to the water alive.

It's fishtastic on Deal's Pier and beaches so get your rod out and take advantage of the fab weather and superb fishing - more current bun forecast for tomorrow. It's cheaper than Florida and the beer is better …

John Green takes the June fish of the month competition with a thornback ray weighing 9 lb 10½ oz (4.38 kg) caught in the early evening of Monday on a mackerel flapper cottoned down neatly on a Pennell pulley rig.

Sunday, 29th June 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

As reported in last week's East Kent Mercury, a fair few smooth-hounds have been caught from Deal pier - mainly on frozen hermit crab bait - and they will continue to show in the clear water we have at the moment. Still plenty of dogfish being caught from the pier and local beaches. If you are targeting 'hounds, you could try dropping a net down the well on the lower deck of the pier to catch some live hermit crabs and, possibly, a lobster or two. Alternatively, I have frozen hermits which will do the job just as well.

Pouting are still showing after dark on the pier and on the beaches. Much the same species in the Bay along with some good size bass which can be caught from the shore by lure or bait - good sport with either method.

Walmer beaches are also seeing lots of doggies and the occasional, small smooth-hound.

On the whole, Deal continues to fish very well but there is still no sign of the long-overdue mackerel shoals - but fingers crossed, it won't be long now.

Please continue to send me your snaps of the fish you catch, together with brief details of where, how and when you were fishing.

Thursday, 26th June 2014

Alan Yates, East Kent Mercury

"… Deal pier remains one of the most consistent shore venues for smooth-hound and ray with the odd mackerel to feathers and float-fished strip when it's calm and clear.

Local sea anglers Brian Smith and Ken Withington landed smooth-hounds from the pier's lower front deck with most under 6 lb.

One lucky catch this week was an angler (David Brenckley) fishing Sandwich Bay who had a miscast and decided to leave his worm bait where it landed. The result was a bass of 9 lb 13 oz, officially weighed at Pleasure Angling, Deal. So often the bigger bass are caught by a short cast - a tactic worth remembering!"

Sunday, 22nd June 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

In the past nine days we have seen persistent easterlies which have coloured up the water around the coast so the mackerel are not yet showing in numbers. However, the smooth-hounds are still around along with dogfish and the odd good bass being caught from the pier and the beaches.

Lots of anglers were out last weekend trying their luck and reporting smooth-hounds at Deal and Sandown Castles and, in Sandwich Bay, schoolie bass, small plaice and dogfish. On the whole, not too shabby for this time of the year.

More light easterly winds are forecast for this week so the water will keep its colour.

Please send me your snaps of the fish you catch, together with brief details of where, how and when you were fishing. Tight lines all and please remember to book your bait in advance from me at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104).

David Brenckley, from Rochester, fishing Sandwich Bay earlier this morning on the flood tide, caught this monster 9 lb 13 oz bass (which we weighed at my shop at 9:10am) using black lug bait on a 3 hook flapper with size 1/0 hooks.

And finally, John Goodson, fishing in Saturday's glorious sunshine from his inflatable dinghy moored just off the pier-head, caught plenty of smooth-hounds on frozen hermit crab bait …

Saturday, 21st June 2014

Catch report by Warren Hayes

I fished Deal Pier on Saturday, 21st June, from 6pm till 8:30am Sunday morning.

On arrival at the Pier the tide was still pushing hard and, since I wasn't planning to fish the flood tide, I waited for the slack water and ebb tide before I made my first cast to try and catch a smooth-hound. My first cast was made around 8:30pm with a 4/0 Pennell rig baited with peeler crab and was cast long-range. This produced a dogfish. As dusk fell and the tide eased off slighty I expected to catch some 'hounds and I wasn't disappointed as at 10pm I had the first one of the evening weighing in at 4 lb 12¾ oz (2.177 kg).

After I took a quick picture of her, she was returned unharmed to the sea, none the worse for wear. Shortly after I had my second 'hound on the deck weighing in at 5 lb 13⅛ oz (2.64 kg). Again, the 'hound was released alive and well after pictures were taken.

After this the bites fell away as dawn arrived and the sun rose but, at 4:30am, I had a small pup which I photographed and released.

All fish fell to peeler crab and all were promptly returned to the sea unharmed. The biggest smooth-hound caught now leads the June fish of the month competition and, hopefuly, there will be more caught as catches seem to be good still even with tricky conditions. Tight lines all.

Thursday, 19th June 2014

Alan Yates, East Kent Mercury

Midsummer heralds a slowdown in sport for anglers, especially sea anglers, as the shoals of different species circumnavigate the UK on their migration routes northwards.

Global warming has also been blamed in recent years for pushing many species further north and, as a result, shoals are bypassing our region and for a few months there is a lull in catches.

The good news is the fish will return in numbers late in autumn but, at present, daylight fishing in clear water is not that great, with advice to all - fish at night if you can, or go when the sea is rough and coloured.

Deal pier remains one of the best shore venues and continues to produce rays and smooth-hound despite the mixed weather which is hampering beach anglers.

… Staying with Deal pier, an angler who was feathering, foul-hooked a rare sunfish from the pier at the weekend. A tropical species, the sunfish is an occasional visitor to the English Channel and this shows where the water temperature and season is. The fish, estimated at 20 lb plus, was not landed.

The Deal and Dover Juniors event at the Prince of Wales pier at Dover saw few fish, with dogfish, whiting and a few small blennies making up the catch, measure and return results. The event saw England international Chris Clarke visit as part of an initiative by the Angling Trust. Local junior Joe Smith won the event with 101 points with Lilly Farnworth second on 68 points and Josh Hurrell, fishing his first ever competition, third with 66 points.

Dover and Deal Juniors fishing the Prince of Wales pier at Dover
East Kent Mercury: Thursday, 19th June 2014

Wednesday, 18th June 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Ken Witherington, from Deal, fishing the pier yesterday with frozen crab and live prawn on a rising tide, caught four smooth-hounds each weighing up to 5 lb and a 2 lb bass. All the fish were returned safe and well to the sea … but the prawn was not so lucky.

Sunday, 15th June 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Smooth-hounds have been predominant in catches from the Pier this week and on Saturday night DWAA member Shane Bradford caught three from the lower deck, one of which was this four pounder falling to hermit crab fished on a pulley rig. All three hounds were returned alive and well.

Dogfish, pouting, pollack, garfish and the occasional mackerel continue to keep the Pier and beach rods busy but the coloured water could delay the long-awaited arrival of the large mackerel shoals.

Thornback rays are still showing in the Bay along with good-sized bass; use the customary fish baits - herring, bluey, mackerel and sandeel.

If you email me photos of the fish you catch I can upload them to this page - please include details of when and where you caught them and the bait and rig used. To avoid disappointment, please remember to book your bait in advance from me at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104).

Tight lines …

Alan Yates' Fishing Blog: 12th June 2014

More top tips from Alan Yates - check out his excellent fishing blog

"… For those who just want to catch a few mackerel for the bait freezer or barbeque the answer is to stay away from the crowded and popular venues and to use a more sporting method than six-feathered lures. OK, if you need a quick fix of mackerel six big, fizzy lures with a heavy lead (5oz minimum) will usually get a result. But a single silver sprat spinner fished at dusk will produce more sport.

Then there are the other methods to fish for mackerel and by far the best is with a float and a sliver of mackerel or garfish as bait. Cast and retrieve that slowly on a lighter, spinning-type rod for maximum fun.

Another tactic is to use a sliding float rig and this is a short float rig made up to an American snap link which is simply clipped on the main line of the rod already cast out and then slide down the line to the surface. The method allows the angler to fish a bait on the sea bed and a bait for mackerel or garfish etc on the surface.

… I am holding an LRF (Light Rock Fishing) Championship match at Samphire Hoe, near Dover, on Sunday, 10th August. It's an experimental competition. You can fish with any form of LRF gear - basically a short spinning style rod, single hook bait/lure. It's all catch-and-release with fish photographed on the smart phone on the day's fish measure. Fishing is from 10am until 4pm, all are welcome and it's a complete rover anywhere around the Hoe. Prizes for species points, biggest and best average fish."

Catch report from Lionel Ball

Sunday, 8th June 2014

Lionel Ball of Coventry Court, Deal, caught this monster 9 lb bass from Walmer Beach at 8:30pm on Sunday, 8th June. Bait was herring strip well cottoned-down on a 3/0 hook fished on a pulley rig.

"The secret of successful angling is to fish in the right place, at the right time, with the right lure and the right tackle."
The Sea Angler Afloat and Ashore" (1965) Desmond Brennan

… to which I would add "and wearing the right t-shirt". You can buy a copy of Lionel's well-dodgy t-shirt (Police World Tour 2007-08) on eBay.

East Kent Mercury: Thursday, 19th June 2014

Sunday, 8th June 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

The south-west winds brought clear water to the coast this week attracting smooth-hounds up to 5lb inshore. Also, we are still seeing lots of dogfish and the thornbacks are still showing, albeit in reduced numbers on the pier, in Sandwich Bay and at the beach at the north end of Deal. A few mackerel were caught from the pier along with pouting and pollack down the legs of the pier. Have a try for a sole now folks - clear water, calm seas, nice ragworm on - you may also see a few plaice. Please call either Dean at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104) to book your bait and, if you email me your photos of the fish you catch, I can upload them to this page. Tight lines …

Monday, 2nd June 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

We are still seeing lots of thornback rays being caught from the pier and beaches in Deal on bluey and herring baits. Smooth-hounds are also now showing in numbers and can be caught on crab (peeler or hermit) bait. Now is the time to try for a Dover sole on light tackle - small hooks on a flapper rig with ragworm bait. The Coastguard Station is a great venue for these flatties and "2 up, 1 down" (two hours before H.W. and one hour after) is the best time to fish for them. The dogfish will keep you busy as they are still here in numbers and they give good sport. Please remember to pick your rubbish up after fishing and put it in a bin as it helps us keep the beaches clean at this busy time of the year.

Please call either Dean at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104) to book your bait and, if you email me your photos of the fish you catch, I can upload them to this page. Tight lines …

Saturday, 31st May 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Dan Townsend, fishing Sandwich Bay on Friday night, caught two thornback rays weighing 6 lb and 6 lb 4 oz.
Bait was herring fillet cottoned-down neat and compact and presented on a pulley rig with size 4/0 hooks.

Deal Pier: Thursday, 29th May 2014

Photo submitted by Justin Price

Fishing the lower deck, Justin Price caught this lovely 9½lb (4.31kg) thornback ray on bluey fillet.

Monday, 26th May 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

On bank holiday Monday, Brian Smith and Fred Leach, fishing from the lower deck of the pier, caught smooth-hounds weighing between 2 and 5 lbs on crab bait.

Sunday, 25th May 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

In the past week we have seen eight thornback rays weighing between 5 lb and 10 lb caught from the pier along with pouting and a few pollack caught down the side of the pier around the columns. A fair few smooth-hounds have been caught from the beach on hermit crab bait, the biggest of which weighed just over 7 lb. Dogfish figured prominently at the weigh-ins of club fishing competitions this week along with the odd sizeable bass. We are still seeing good numbers of thornbacks being caught from the 10th green in Sandwich Bay on bluey, herring and sandeel baits with smooth-hounds falling to hermit crab at the same mark and bass to peeler crab, lugworm with and without a squid tip which is also catching pouting and dogfish. For pollack use very thin strips of squid on a boom rig.

Wednesday, 21st May 2014

Catch report by Warren Hayes

Michael Hayes, who has been fishing with Warren Hayes and Ivan Rubins since the thornback rays started showing, has never had much luck with them until today when, fishing from the lower deck at range with Pennell rigs and size 6/0 hooks baited with mackerel, he landed his first thornback of the year and his first ever from a pier or beach. The ray was a female weighing 8 lb 14½ oz (4.04 kg) which was safely returned to the sea.

On his next cast he soon had another ray hooked and on its way in. Again a lovely female fish of 7 lb (3.18 kg). Like the saying goes, wait for one and two come along at once. There was also one other ray caught from the lower deck by another angler who was using a flapper rig baited with a single lugworm and a strip of squid which was his first ever from a pier or beach and which weighed 10 lb 12¾ oz (4.9 kg). This ray was also returned live to the sea.

With the bass and smooth-hounds now showing please call either Dean at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104) to book your bait in advance - peeler crab for the hounds and bass which will also take lugworm and squid. Good luck all and tight lines till the next time …

Sunday, 18th May 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Well folks, Deal Pier and the local beaches have again fished very well this week and, in addition to the rays, schoolie bass, doggies, plaice, pouting and dabs which continue to show in good numbers, smooth-hounds from 2 lb to 4 lb are now showing in the clear, calm waters. Deal, at the moment is, in my view, the best sea fishing venue in Kent.

With the spring bank holiday (Monday, 26th May) next weekend it is even more important to phone in your bait orders and call either Dean at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104) and, if you email me your photos of the fish you catch, I can upload them to this page. Tight lines …

Sunday, 18th May 2014

Catch report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

We are still seeing some excellent fishing from Deal Pier with large numbers of dogfish being landed as well as plenty of big pouting, a few schoolie bass, the odd dab and some small pin whiting. Each day we are still seeing a few thornback rays. Yesterday (Saturday) one happy angler was Davy Morris, 9 years, who lives in Erith. He was fishing the lower deck with fresh herring as bait and he landed a 3 kg ray.

Sunday, 18th May 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Davy Morris caught this 7 lb 3 oz (3.26 kg) thornback ray on herring on Saturday morning whilst out fishing on the pier with his grandad.

Friday, 16th May 2014

Catch report by Warren Hayes

Damian Card and I fished Sandwich Bay on Thursday night arriving at 8.30pm with the tide just starting to flood. Using Pennell pulley rigs with 4/0 hooks baited with bluey, herring and peeler crab, my first cast resulted in a slack-line bite and a lovely 8 lb 1½ oz (3.675 kg) thornback ray which I returned to the sea to carry on her journey. A few casts later I had a strange bite (slight weight) and was surprised to have caught a smooth-hound pup on bluey intended for the rays. Up to this point Damian hadn't caught anything but shortly after he quietly walked up the beach with a lovey 5 lb (2.27 kg) thornback which was unhooked and released. At about 4am we decided to quit and head home happy with the job done. We will be returning again soon for more rays and bigger smooth-hounds.

Friday, 16th May 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

The Thursday Club, led by Doug Pettit (Secretary of the DWAA), started off yesterday's fishing session with a 6½ lb (2.95 kg) thornback ray, one of four caught during the day - bait was sandeel. Yesterday afternoon, in the clear water, the smooth-hounds arrived at the Pier and in the Bay. Brian Smith caught three smooth-hounds weighing between 2½lb and 4lb, all caught on crab. Also, two sizeable bass were caught from the Pier on worm-tipped squid. All fish caught were released alive.

Sea conditions on the east coast are clear, calm and ideal this weekend for a change, with ragworm, to fish the sand pockets at Cambridge Road Gardens (51.210211, 1.402760) and Coastguard Station (51.23200, 1.40433) for an early sole (half an hour before dusk and dawn, preferably on a rising tide an hour before and after the flood) or plaice in these clear, warm, calm waters. Deal Pier and the local beaches seem to be the top sea fishing mark in the UK … don't miss out.

Please remember to phone in your bait orders and call either Dean at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104) and, if you email me your photos of the fish you catch, I can upload them to this page. Tight lines …

Sunday, 11th May 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Last week saw a mixed bag of fish caught from the pier and local beaches.

Three bass were caught from the pier on Thursday in the clear water along with lots of dogfish. The thornback rays are still here in large numbers with one weighing 11 lb 2 oz (5.05 kg) being caught from the pier's lower deck on Friday and another ray weighing 12 lb 7¼ oz (5.65 kg) caught from the pier on Saturday.

I have had reports of two plaice being caught in the groynes and one small smooth-hound in the Bay where the rays can also still be found in good numbers. Two bass were caught in the Bay on the flood tide (see photo) as well as lots of dogfish - baits are herring, bluey and sandeel.

Friday, 9th May 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Fishing from the pier's lower deck today, Brian Drury from Hextable caught a thornback ray weighing 11 lb 2 oz (5.05 kg) which led the May fish of the month competition for 24 hours before being overtaken by a ray weighing 12 lb 7¼ oz (5.65 kg) caught on Saturday, 10th May.

Sunday, 4th May 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Well folks, dogfish have returned in numbers this week which has been good for the anglers coming down to the pier and the beaches to fish over the bank holiday weekend and, as you can see from the website catch reports, lots of big thornback rays are still being caught. Over ten thornies were caught from the pier's top and lower decks on Saturday, three of which - weighing between 5lb and 9lb - were caught by Brian Smith. The killing baits continue to be whole squid, bluey or herring fillets cottoned down neat and tidy. Also, I have been told of a few plaice being caught at Sandown Castle so, on the whole, the fishing has been very good. The May fish of the month competition is currently being led by "ugly buncher" Ivan Rubins with his 10 lb 12¾ oz (4.9 kg) thorny caught on Saturday afternoon from the lower deck.

In his excellent Angling column in this week's East Kent Mercury under the headline "Greg lands top haul from bay of plenty", Alan Yates reports on "one of the best catches of thornback rays from a beach in Kent" going to Folkestone specimen hunter Greg Dixon, who landed 16 in a single session from the Sandwich Bay shoreline. Fishing near the Sandwich Yacht Club slipway through the low and high tides, Greg's catch included four double-figure rays, one of which was a personal best of 15 lb 1 oz (6.83 kg), with all the rays falling to fresh herring and bluey. Alan Comments:

"It is noticeable this year that the ray numbers and size are increasing rapidly as their population expands inshore from the Goodwin Sands and this is undoubtedly partly due to anglers continuing to catch and release all rays."

Sea Angler magazine agrees Alan's analysis: Top tips for catching rays from the beach.

Deal Pier: Sunday, 4th May 2014

Photo submitted by Stuart Bush

Fishing the lower deck on Sunday, Stuart Bush caught this lovely 12½lb (5.67kg) thornback ray using herring fillet on a pulley Pennell rig with a size 4/0 hook. This ray is now fish of the month for May …

Sandwich Bay: Saturday, 3rd May 2014

Photo submitted by Dan Townsend

Dan Townsend caught this 8lb 13oz (4kg) thornback ray, one of seven rays he caught during the Saturday night session, all coming on herring bait fished on a pulley rig with a 4/0 Kamasan hook

Friday, 2nd May 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Fishing from the pier's top deck, 2nd shelter, Ian Swaine today caught a thornback ray weighing 10 lb 9⅓ oz (4.8 kg) on a whole squid cottoned down. This ray is now leading the May fish of the month competition.

Thursday, 1st May 2014

Catch report by Michael Hayes

With the last chance at a shot at the April fish of the month competition drawing to a close yesterday, some of the ugly bunch as they have fondly become known tried their luck at toppling Warren from top spot. With a big tide to tame, the fishing began slowly with large dogfish and pouting taking the fish baits put out. However, as the tide began to fall, local fisherman John Henderson caught a cracking female thornback of 10 lb 4 oz (4.65 kg) on herring bait.

This was followed very quickly by another female of around 9 lb to an angler who had made the effort to visit Deal Pier and who had stayed the course during a fierce tide. Warren Hayes finished the run of rays with another coming in around 6 lb, also caught on herring bait. So, Warren's thornback of 10 lb 8 oz (4.76 kg), caught on Tuesday, 8th April, stood to take the fish of the month award for April.

With the sea warming nicely there has been an increase in reports of bass, and mackerel should soon be showing.

So, all in all the Pier is still a top venue and should produce some great fishing over the summer months. Dean and Fred both offer great advice and bait at their tackle shops so pop in and make a friend. See you soon on the Pier …

The image to the right shows the 6lb ray caught by "ugly buncher" Warren at about 7pm on a bluey-sandeel wrap fished on a 4/0 Pennell rig at distance. This is one of three rays caught yesterday by Warren who confidently predicts "big bass and hounds soon" … you read it here first.

Deal Pier: Wednesday, 30th April 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Ivan Rubins caught this 8½lb thornback ray from the Pier on Tuesday using herring bait presented on a pulley rig with a size 4/0 hook.

Deal Pier: Friday, 25th April 2014

42cm bass caught by Joe Smith during Deal & Dover Junior Competition

Alan Yates' Fishing Blog: 24th April 2014

More top tips from Alan Yates - check out his excellent fishing blog

"Last month I talked about the growing popularity of LRF, that's Light Rock Fishing, indeed a feature I wrote in Sea Angler Magazine received lots of attention although not all positive. I think LRF is just another branch of sea angling worth a try - I wouldn't want to fish just LRF for the rest of my angling days. It's a fun way to fish for the tiddlers and has the possibility of producing the odd bigger specimen.

LRF may be typecast by its name, light rock fishing being the very basis of a technique of fishing that has expanded and developed widely since it took off amongst serious sea anglers. The one thing it has done is to expose the UK sea angler's hidden desire to fish with lures! LRF with tiny lures alongside rocks, piers, harbours, etc includes all the excitement and imagination of bass fishing with lures, although in miniature. As well as lures, anglers also fish the tactic with bait and this has enhanced results, finesse and fun even more. And the fact is that LRF is a fantastic way to escape the harsh reality that much of today's sea angling around the UK is poor! We sea anglers put up with a lot and, apart from the barren seas left for us to fish by the commercial scourge, politicians and the EU we have to contend with the fact that a majority of sea species average under 1lb, are seasonal and only show for a few weeks of the year and worst of all are lost in the vastness of the ocean.

… Time to put the Sibiki lures, floats and other summer paraphernalia in the tackle box. A great time of year when the sea is calm, clear and lifeless except for a crazy shoal of mackerel and some surface popping garfish. A real challenge to make sport fun rather than carnage and, like LRF, it involves a bit more sneaking around in the early hours and low light to find those better bass etc - light sea fishing gear, lures, a free-lined ragworm head hooked so it can swim, tiny lures - have you ever tried fishing a floating soft crab at 4am, or crust in the corner of the harbour? The possibilities are endless. So, get away from the summer stereotype with a bit of imagination and effort and give it a go!"

Sunday, 27th April 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Last week saw lots of dogfish and small codling being caught, particularly from the beach, and a 42 cm bass caught by Joe Smith on Friday during the Junior Pier Competition. The beach by the 10th green and Sandwich Bay slip-way are still seeing a lot of thornback rays being caught on blueys and herring fillets. Please remember to phone in your bait orders and call either Dean at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104) and, if you email me your photos of the fish you catch, I can upload them to this page. Tight lines …

Charlie Cross & Thornback Ray: Monday, 21st April 2014

Photo by Mark Cross

Sunday, 20th April 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Last week saw north-east winds return to the coast again - not pleasant weather conditions for Easter but still lots of brave anglers came to fish Deal pier and Deal's beaches at the the north end and Walmer. I have reports of two thornback rays caught at the 10th green mark on Saturday along with lots of dogfish and a good size bass. The pier saw lots of small codling again with dogfish, pouting and three rays caught on Saturday evening. I expect to hear of a few smooth-hounds being caught soon when the water clears. Please remember to phone in your bait orders and call either Dean at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104) and, if you email me your photos of the fish you catch, I can upload them to this page. Happy Easter to one and all and tight lines …

Saturday, 19th April 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Ivan Rubins caught two thornback rays on Saturday, both just shy of 9lb.

Deal Pier: Saturday, 19th April 2014

Photos of a 6lb pier-caught lobster submitted by Simon Yardwood

Monday, 14th April 2014

Catch report by Warren Hayes

Fished the pier today from gates-open until 8pm. From the off it was a fish a cast for everyone on the pier, mainly dogfish and pouting but, nevertheless, there were fish. As the tide turned to come back up the number of bites reduced, as did the fish, until they stopped showing completely. As this was happening I didn't fish until the tide had stopped pushing through and my bait could hold bottom which was around 2pm at which time the dogfish came back on the feed and, around 4pm, I had a slack line bite and a good fight all the way in to produce this lovely thornback just short of 10 lb which was caught at distance on a Pennell rig baited with herring. At this busy time of year, to avoid disappointment please remember to phone in your bait orders and call either Dean at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104). Dean and Fred can also tell you how the pier is fishing and answer any questions you may have.

Monday, 14th April 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

The pier fished very well again last week, as did the beach. Lots of dogfish showing up with a fair few dabs and seven thornback rays ranging in weight from 5 to 7 lb. North-east winds kept colour in the water which helps the fishing alot. Unfortunately, the colour had gone by Sunday evening and the fish did not show up at our DWAA club match. Never mind - it was a lovely evening and thanks go to Brian Smith and Andy Manning for their help on the night. The weather this week gives light north-east winds so the colour should return to the water - fingers crossed we should see the fish again. The forthcoming Easter weekend is likely to be busy so, to avoid disappointment, please remember to phone in your bait orders and call either Dean at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104). Tight lines …

Tuesday, 8th April 2014

Catch report by Warren Hayes

I fished Deal pier today in perfect conditions for thornback rays. Bait was herring fished at long range all morning but producing only dogfish and whitting when, at 4pm, I had a different bite which resulted in a 10 lb 3 oz (4.626 kg) thornback. After it had been weighed in for the April fish of the month competition I sent out a fresh bait and, shortly after I had put the rod down, I had a brilliant take resulting in another thornback, this one weighing 10 lb 8 oz (4.76 kg). This fish now leads the April fish of the month competition. At this busy time of year, to avoid disappointment please remember to phone in your bait orders and call either Dean at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104).

Sunday, 6th April 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

With the lovely weather this week gone and light winds the water lost its colour at this end of Deal. The pier produced lots of dogfish and small codling along with the odd flattie but it seems that Sandwich Bay was the venue to fish with the rays again showing in numbers and a fair few of them being caught and returned. The fishing is great at the moment here in Deal - beaches, pier and the Bay. Please keep sending me your photos and any news or catch report you have written up. Please also continue to phone in your bait orders and call either Dean at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104). Enjoy your week folks and tight lines …


Simon Roberts with thornback ray at Sandwich Bay	Robert Allen casting at Sandwich Bay

Sunday, 6th April 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

4am Sunday morning, fishing in Sandwich Bay, Damian Card lands his personal best - a 14 lb 3 oz (6.44 kg) thornback ray caught on a bluey-herring cocktail bait. Other fish caught included codling and whiting.

Friday, 4th April 2014

Catch report by Warren Hayes

On Friday Damian Card and I set about finding him his first ray of the year and another to add to my tally. The venue was Sandwich Bay by the slipway. Baits were bluey, herring and peeler crabs. Rods were in the water by 9pm with Pennell rigs baited with bluey - Damian had a second rod baited with bluey and crab. At 9:45pm Damian got a slack-line bite and his first ray of the year, a 7 lb female, which was weighed and released. Half an hour later Damian caught a second ray (5 lb) followed by me having one of the same weight. All went quiet until about 2am when, having deciding to pack up, Damian caught his third ray, also weighing 5 lb, which was also released. Two fish were kept for the bucket and the female and smaller male returned. All fish were caught on bluey mounted on Pennell rigs apart from the female which was caught on a bluey-crab cocktail.


Damian and his three thornback rays

Alan Yates' Fishing Blog: Spring 2014

More top tips from Alan Yates - check out his excellent fishing blog

"Some good news for UK cod anglers - there is a huge glut of small codling showing in many regions around the UK with the fish moving inshore to feed on the spring crab moult etc. The codling are mainly under the 35 cm minimum size limit, although it has to be said in many regions, like here in Kent, the codling are close to the limit and will grow fast over the next few months. So hopes are really high that next year's winter season is going to be a good one, exceptional compared with recent years. Fingers crossed.

In the meantime, summer is on the horizon and should be early this year with the mild winter and it won't be long until the first mackerel arrive at the northern end of the English Channel which, along with the mass crab moult and the return of the small bait fish like whitebait, sandeel etc., will fuel some excellent shore fishing. It's a great time of year as species spread around the coast in the clearing water although it's a whole new ball game in terms of the fishing.

Back into the tackle box go the feathers, the floats, all manner of lures and I have taken to adding an LRF (Light Rock Fishing) rod and braid reel to my summer shore sea fishing tackle in recent years as an alternative method for those days when standard beach gear doesn't happen. LRF is mostly about catching the small fish when they are all there. Using a single small hook or lure with all the lead on the hook, a small spinning rod and braid line allows the angler to fish the nooks and crannies with worm or lures.

It works best in the wilds of Ireland where you can trickle and tickle a lure alongside the steep rock marks and in and out of the kelp fronds and rock ledges from cliffs in search of wrasse and bass but here at home its surprising what you can catch close in if you scale down enough and, although it is mostly about small fish, when you hook a bigger one the gear allows even a 12oz fish to perform. LRF from the pier, jetty, beaches etc, especially from a pier with stilts or piles (e.g. Deal Pier) can prove great fun for mackerel, garfish, scad, coalfish, pollack, even bass.

I recently fished from a beach on the Isle of Wight with LRF gear swimming a ragworm close in under the edge of the estuary lip. The bass where mainly under 2lb but they attacked the worm as I retrieved it slowly and on 15 lb braid and a 7 ft spinning rod, I had discovered a way to make chequer (small bass) fishing enjoyable!"

Sunday, 30th March 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Lots of anglers turned out with the weekend weather being so good again. Last week began slowly with cold east winds then, on Thursday, it started to kick into gear with the Thursday crowd, who meet up once a week, catching lots of different species - dogfish, codling (some sizeable) and a few dabs which were all returned. Friday night in the bay saw Gary Seare catch a lovely thornback ray just tipping the scales at 11 lb - well done Gary - with a few more reported by others fishing the bay and pier. On Saturday (day and night) the pier saw lots of fish being caught including four thornbacks on Saturday night (pictures to follow). Key baits are bluey, herring fillets, rag and lugworm fished on pulley, Pennell pulley and two hook flapper rigs. To avoid disappointment and to help me and Fred match bait supplies with anglers, please continue to phone in your bait orders and call either Dean at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104). Enjoy your week folks and see you at the weekend.

Deal Pier: Saturday, 29th March 2014

Will Humphrey with his pier-caught 12 lb thornback ray caught on a pulley Pennell rig baited with herring from only about 20 to 30 yards out from the DWAA cabin on the pier's lower deck.

Tuesday, 25th March 2014

Catch report by Michael Hayes

With the weekend seeing the pier and beaches continue to produce some great fishing, the run of thornbacks did not disappoint with double figure fish showing once again with most of the familiar faces in among the fish. For those out for entertainment, the whiting, pouting and small codling provided great fun. There seems to be a run of good, sizeable whiting coming through along with the first really large dabs which is better late than never. Codling up to 35cm caught on worm and even herring strips meant bigger prey. The first good-size bass are starting to show coinciding with the arrival of small pollock around the bottom deck. On a recent outing Warren Hayes and John Green, both DWAA members, put together eight different species. So there's plenty to keep everyone busy. I would advise anyone to tap the local knowledge, which both Dean and Fred will be only to pleased to provide along with quality bait and tackle. The weather looks like it is going to cool down a little but no adverse conditions are forecast. A big thanks and good luck to Roy Holmes who is about to start his retirement. See you on the pier …

Sunday, 23rd March 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

It has been a very good week again for fishing (and Deal's shops) with people coming down with the weather being fair. Thursday saw Stuart Bush land yet another thornback ray from the pier. As well as the thornies there are plenty of dogfish showing on the pier and the local beaches as well as a few sizeable codling. Glad to see that you are ordering bait in advance by phone which helps me and Fred match quantities of live bait with the number of anglers and saves disappointment particularly for those travelling any distance. So, please keep the phone orders coming and call either Dean at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104). North-easterly winds (and sunshine) are forecast for this week which should put some colour back in the water so next weekend is set to be good fishing. Enjoy your week folks and see you at the weekend.

Deal Pier: Saturday, 22nd March 2014

Stuart Bush with his pier-caught 10 lb ¾oz (4.55 kg) thornback ray.

Sunday, 16th March 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Last week saw four days of nor'easterly winds which we have not had here in Deal since before last October. The significance for anglers is that nor'easterly winds push food and fish inshore which explains, in part, why last Tuesday's three hour fishing competetion was won with 18 dogfish (and other species). This weekend has again seen lots of anglers in town for the thornies and the Bay has also produced a few. Well done Robert Allen who travelled down to catch some rays (that's sunshine and thornbacks) and the photo below right shows the ray he caught on Saturday night. The pier has seen lots of thornies, dogfish, whiting, pouting, codling and dabs - best baits are bluey and herring fillets, lug and ragworm. Ivan Rubins continues to land sizeable thornies from the pier and the two photos below are of his pier-caught 9½ lb and 10½ lb thornies caught earlier today.


Ivan Rubins with a 10½ lb thornie	Ivan Rubins with a 9½ lb thornie	Robert Allen with a thornie

Please keep sending me your photos and catch reports and remember to book your bait in advance to avoid disappointment (particularly orders for bluey): call either Dean at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104).

Ryan Lee fishing Deal Pier (upper deck): Saturday, 15th March 2014

Sunday, 9th March 2014

Catch report by Warren Hayes

Barry Wilmshurst, fishing Deal pier today, landed a fine thornback ray of 12 lb 13 oz (5.81 kg) on fish bait at range. This ray now leads the March fish of the month competition. A good number of anglers were fishing the pier today and Barry's ray was one of three thornbacks caught with local angler John landing a ray of 4 lb and young Robbie Norris landing one of 9 lb. Barry returned his female thornie to the sea so that she could continue to lay her eggs - well done Barry.

Please remember to book your bait in advance to avoid disappointment (particularly orders for bluey): call either Dean at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104). See you on the pier …

Barry Wilmshurst and his 12 lb 13 oz thornback ray

Sunday, 9th March 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

We have had a week of lovely weather (at last) and the weather forecast for this week also looks good. Still lots of thornbacks being landed - seven were caught last Friday and a further five on Saturday night weighing between 5 lb and 10 lb. Baits are herring fillets and the famous blueys. Use a Pennell pulley rig with at least a 4/0 hook and a nice chunk of fish cottoned-down neatly. Still lots of dogfish, pouting and whiting showing.

Keep a look out on the DWAA page for the results of the DWAA beach competition held on Sunday evening …

Friday, 7th March 2014

Catch report by Warren & Michael Hayes

Fishing Deal pier with a Pennell pulley rig [1] and size 4/0 hook with herring for bait at distance, Warren Hayes landed a 10 lb 12¾ oz (4.898 kg) thornback ray which now leads the March fish of the month competition.

With the new month just started, the March fish of the month competition is now in full swing. Ivan Rubins opened with a very good thornback just short of being a double, which lasted almost a week … until today when Warren Hayes found a lovely ray of 10+ lb which has tipped the March fish of the month competition in his favour. This was one of several rays that were taken today. The thornbacks have shown all week from the pier with many just nudging double figures. Herring again has been the bait of choice. The ray activity is increasing and it looks like being a great season for them as the water clears and warms which will also improve the prospects of catching a bass.

There are also lots of good size dogfish, whiting, small codling, etc being caught on the pier and, with the weather forecast giving warm settled conditions, the pier and surrounding beaches have got to be the venue if you are after a good thornback or two. With the pier likely to be busy, space will be tight. Please also give a thought for the others who visit the pier and town.

Dean and Fred are waiting to take your bait orders and both are carrying everything you will need. Please remember to book your bait in advance to avoid disappointment (particularly orders for bluey): call either Dean at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104). See you on the pier …

[1] Editor's Note: Henry Cholmondeley-Pennell (1837-1915) was a British naturalist and editor who published poetry and many volumes on coarse, fly and deep-sea fishing. He writes about the two-hook rig which now bears his name in The Book of the Pike, first published in 1865. Next year (2015) sees the 100th anniversary of the death of Henry Cholmondeley-Pennell and the 150th anniversary of this famous two-hook rig …

Tuesday, 4th March 2014

Catch report by Rob Dunk

Rob Dunk with 9lb 10oz (4.365kg) thornback ray caught in Sandwich Bay

Oscar Rae's first ever catch: 2nd March 2014

Sunday, 2nd March 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Congratulations to Warren Hayes for winning the February fish of the month competition with his 14 lb 12⅓ oz (6.7 kg) thornback ray. Thornbacks continued to dominate catches all week from both beach and pier and a few thornies are showing in Sandwich Bay between the 10th green and the Sandwich Bay Estate T-junction marks.

Dave Morris and his son (Davy) had another successful day's fishing on the pier on Saturday with a crab line catching seven codling around the 1lb mark, loads of doggies and whiting and a couple of pouting.

Nice to see Barry Lee has recuperated from his long illness and I hope he celebrated with a good day's fishing.

Eight to ten thornies were caught from the pier on Saturday night ranging in weight from 7 lb to 10 lb and Ivan Rubins now leads the March fish of the month competition with a 9 lb 14¾ oz (4.5 kg) thornie.

Don't forget it's the second DWAA beach competition on Sunday 9th March (members only) with a 4pm book in at Walmer Castle (top car park).


Warren Hayes with ray	Davy Morris with his monster codling	Davy and doggie

Davy and another doggie	Davy and yet another doggie	Davy and whiting

Sunday, 23rd February 2014

Catch report by Warren Hayes

I fished Deal pier on Saturday, 22nd February. I arrived at 6:45am and by 7am twelve other anglers were behind me waiting to get onto the pier to catch a thornback ray, while others were at the pier just to be out for the day. All was quiet until 10am when fishing a herring bait at range produced a 11lb thornback which I didn't get a picture of as it was quickly unhooked and returned to the sea as she was laying eggs. A couple of hours later, fishing at distance with sandeel and bluey wrap, I hooked into a second ray weighing 5 lb. No sooner was this landed when my good mate and local fisherman Stuart Bush, fishing at distance with herring, was into a ray which tipped the scales at 7 lb. Hopefuly the fishing will get better and the thornback numbers will increase. We have a short period of windy weather coming which may put some of the fish off until we get a little settled weather but you won't know until you try. So get a bait out there and remember to book your bait in advance to avoid disappointment (particularly orders for bluey): call either Dean at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104). Tight lines all.

Sunday, 23rd February 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

What a fab week we've had on Deal pier - good for the anglers and the town. Lots of thornback rays ranging in weight from 5lb up to 14 lb (see photos) being caught from the pier's lower deck (north and south corners). Warren Hayes (again) caught two rays (5 lb and 11 lb) while Stuart Bush caught a 7 lb ray. Key baits are herring and bluey. Also dogfish and whiting still showing in fair numbers along with the odd smooth-hound. With five days to go the challenge is to beat Warren Hayes' 14 lb 12⅓ oz ray to be February's fish of the month. Please keep sending me your photos and catch reports and remember to book your bait in advance to avoid disappointment (particularly orders for bluey): call either Dean at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104).


Warren with 5 lb ray	Shane	Stuart with 7 lb ray

Friday, 21st February 2014

Catch report by Michael Hayes

Now the weekend has arrived and the weather forecast for Saturday is very good, anyone in two minds about an outing or a venue need look no further than Deal - at the moment this spot is on fire with more double-figure thornback rays showing and now reports from the beaches of rays being taken. As the tides get smaller there could be some stunning catches. With both the pier and beaches up to Sandwich Bay expected to be booming over the weekend, please try to book you bait in advance to avoid disappointment: call either Dean at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104). Also Dean has some great deals on offer this weekend - well worth checking out. And for those who just want a chilled day out, there are still plenty of smaller fish around - dogfish, whiting, codling (some up to 3lb) - so load up with supplies and tackle and take advantage of this top venue and the weather. See you down there …

Alan Yates' Fishing Blog: February 2014

More top tips from Alan Yates - check out his excellent fishing blog

"… The mild winter - it may have all changed by the time you read this - has lulled anglers into the false dawn of spring. Thoughts are already on plaice bling and rays and, surprise surprise, the latter are already showing in Kent. Are they late autumn or early spring is the question ? The answer, I believe, is that ray numbers have increased in recent years as they took over the habitat of the missing cod etc and they are now appearing inshore earlier simply because of the overflow of stocks. In my region rays always were a winter species for the boats when the cod left - now they are a winter species for the shore rods and have replaced the cod. Now rays are never going to set the world alight in terms of their pace or guile, but for sheer plastic-bag-in-the-tide pull they take some beating - Shame they don't make the 100lb mark. I remember some diamond rays I hooked from the beach in Africa that ran all the line off and Gambia's sting rays take some stopping once they beat the 50lb barrier. All in all ray fishing can be fun when there is nothing else of any size to fish for - some people even eat them!

However, it's plaice that get my attention now that the light evenings have hit 5.30pm. The species has been in decline for the last couple of decades with the numbers and average size having dropped dramatically, but last year they made a small comeback along the Channel coastline. OK, not the mega size plaice of the past but enough tipping the pound to suggest they were worth fishing for deliberately. Anglers flocked to venues like Brighton and even Kent could boast a couple of plaice venues with Dengemarsh and Seabrook amongst the pick. The reason given for the upsurge in the plaice population was that the commercial quota limit had been reduced. Well, a Marine Conservation Zone is about to come on line in Hythe Bay and that should do the region's flattie population a power of good because soles and plaice are plundered mercilessly by the region's trawlers.

Back to the plaice and it's time to check out the bling that you can add to hook snoods to attract plaice to your baits. I am a big fan of pop up beads, the luminous pattern with pink spots from Gemini, although beware because they can lift bait clear off the bottom - too many beads and you will be fishing for garfish on the surface. Sequins and plastic beads are also a favourite of mine and, during a trip last year aboard Brighton Diver out of Brighton after plaice, I discovered the deadliest bead combination ever: twelve standard plastic coloured beads on a snood with red, green and yellow bringing the best results. Bait was lugworm and you could do worse than add a sliver of squid to the hook point - plaice seem to like that! As for spoons, they also work with a short snood full of beads and sequins and, if you bend the sequins alternatively, that adds extra reflection angles! Not so keen on blades because they spin and cut casting distance although, in summer, they do add the chance of a mackerel to the catch."

Monday, 17th February 2014

Catch report by Michael Hayes

Once again there has been another change in the February, pier-caught fish of the month competition. Yesterday's great thornback ray caught by Ivan Rubins would have been hard to beat in any fish of the month competition, but was beaten today by a heavier (female) ray caught by Warren Hayes weighing in at a cracking 14 lb 12⅓ oz (6.7 kg) - a stunning fish that gave a great account of itself when hooked. Warren followed this up with another ray weighing 10 lb 8 oz (4.76 kg). The thornback season has arrived early and holds great promise, as does the coming weekend as the pier is available for fishing through Saturday night. We have heard lots of anglers planning to fish the pier this weekend as the weather is looking promising and I would therefore advise anyone planning to do so to book their bait and tackle in advance with Dean at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104), as there could be a run on both.

Monday, 17th February 2014

Catch report by Warren Hayes

I fished Deal pier today and my first cast resulted in a lovely 6.7 kg (14 lb 12⅓ oz) female thornback ray caught on a 4/0 Pennell rig with fish bait at range. All went quiet for a good few hours when, at 2pm, I hooked into a second thornback ray of 10 lb 8 oz (4.76 kg) using the same rig and bait at range. The heavier of the two rays now leads the February fish of the month competition.

Monday, 17th February 2014

Catch report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

Ivan did not hold the lead in the February fish of the month competition for long. At 08:15 hours today Warren Hayes, with his first cast of the day from the lower deck, landed a thornback ray weighing 6.7 kg (14 lb 12⅓ oz). Bait was herring.

Sunday, 16th February 2014

Catch report by Michael Hayes

We fished Deal pier today in hope of catching some more thornbacks, and I'm pleased to tell everyone that they were there and feeding.

A total of eight rays were landed, one of which almost doubled the size of the current fish of the month.

In action again today was Ivan Rubins of Deal who landed a fine female thornback ray weighing 13 lb 2 oz (5.95 kg) which is now fish of the month.

All the rays were taken over low water. We also saw the first smooth-hound of the year along with small codling, whiting, etc.

If the weather stays settled we could see the bass starting to show in numbers.

There was a good turn out on the pier today and, for many of them, there were good results to show for their efforts.

Sunday, 16th February 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Last week saw lots of high winds and heavy rain but these extreme conditions did not deter those few brave souls who fished the beaches and pier. As reported last Monday by Michael Hayes, along with the sizeable thornback rays caught by Warren Hayes and local lad Ivan Rubins last Monday, plenty of dogfish, whiting and pouting are also showing. Fishing from the pier's lower deck today, Ivan caught a 13lb 2oz (5.95kg) thornback ray on a Pennell pulley rig baited with herring and today's Marine's competition reports big grand-daddy pouting and dogfish being caught in good numbers. Dabs are still few and far between at the moment but there are a few bass being caught from the beach so start stocking up on bluey as this week's weather is forecast to be much improved on last week's. Tight lines folks and please remember to book your bait in advance to avoid disappointment: call either Dean at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104).

Monday, 10th February 2014

Catch report by Michael Hayes

Today I took full advantage of the recent weather window and, together with some great local faces, got an early start on a falling tide. Although fishing has slowed a little, which is to be expected at this time of year, there was still a mix of species to be taken - whiting, dogfish and rockling falling to worm baits. As low water drew closer a change of tactics was in order and a gamble taken. A switch to fish baits on a Pennell rig soon produced a fine thornback ray of 7 lb plus close on the heals of Warren's 7 lb ray caught at the weekend. This was followed by two more rays at 5.8 lb (2.635 kg) and 5 lb (2.268 kg). All three rays were caught by Ivan Rubins of Deal. Ivan also dropped another ray just short of the pier after playing the fish for some time - herring being the killer bait on this occasion. So a word from the wise to the wise … spring may be drawing closer and it may just be worth the extra effort to find the fish. Anyone looking for good all-year-round fishing need look no further, with great bait available from Fred and Dean and up-to-date catch information on hand from the pier attendants.

Saturday, 8th February 2014

Catch report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

We are still seeing plenty of whiting and codling but they are all very small. A fair number of doggies and the odd dab have also put in an appearance and, at 16:05 hours yesterday (Friday) Warren Hayes of Ramsgate, fishing the lower deck, landed a thornback ray weighing 3.2 kg (7 lb ⅘ oz).

Friday, 7th February 2014

Catch report by Warren Hayes

Fished the pier today from 7:30am till 5:45pm using a 4/0 Pennell rig with bluey and Dungeness blacks baits. I had fish every cast using bluey baits - mainly dogfish and whitting - intended for thornback rays. Around 2pm I ran out of bluey and started to use Dungeness blacks. My first cast with a worm bait resulted in a codling of around a pound then the following cast produced a 3.2 kg (7 lb ⅘ oz) thornback ray caught at distance from the lower deck. This fish now leads the pier's February fish of the month competition.

Sunday, 2nd February 2014

Shane and his codling caught from the pier on Sunday.

Sunday, 2nd February 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Lots of whiting, dogfish and small codling showing in numbers on the pier and beaches and, with a bit of luck, we could see a spring run of codling. Dabs are also starting to show in numbers and thornback rays are always present so great sport for all. Deal & Walmer Angling Association is hosting its first members-only beach competition of 2014 next Sunday - look out for the results which will be posted here. Tight lines folks and please remember to book your bait in advance to avoid disappointment: call either Dean at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104).

Alan Yates' Fishing Blog: January 2014

More top tips from Alan Yates - check out his excellent fishing blog

"… The end of January, February and March are the worst months of the year for shore sea angling around the UK in general and the reason is that most species move away from the shore to spawn and all that are left are the tiddlers that cannot spawn and the few species like flounders, dabs and rockling that spawn closer to shore. It's a time when tiddlers are it and no amount of imagination can conjure up a big cod on many venues, let alone a double calamari squid! In the boats it's a different matter with the chance of a very big fish from some of the wreck fishing port when the weather allows a long range wreck to be reached.

Sadly most shore anglers give up until spring, whilst a few hardy souls and the matchmen fish on through the worst of the weather. I must admit it's a time of year I enjoy - it's probably the challenge of getting a bite that does it for me and, because it's mostly small fish, you get to appreciate what you have and make the most of it.

Typical February fishing gear is a lighter match rod, 12lb line or braid on a fixed spool, wire booms which allow you to fish lighter hook snoods tangle-free, more beads and sequins and smaller hooks. Catching the smaller-mouthed species may not be enjoyable in terms of the fight they put up, but the difficulty of catching them does it for me. Obviously it's not so much fun if you are not fishing a competition although the challenge to get a bite - any bite - can be addictive."

Sunday, 26th January 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

This last week saw a great number of fish being caught on the pier and beaches. On Thursday Doug Pettit and the "usual suspects" caught lots of codling and good numbers of whiting, pouting and dabs from the pier and beach anglers are reporting the same. Thornback rays are being caught in Sandwich Bay on bluey and lugworm. Tight lines folks and please remember to book your bait in advance to avoid disappointment: call either Dean at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104).

Sunday, 19th January 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Still lots of dogfish showing on the pier and beaches along with dabs, whiting and pouting etc but no big fish at the weekend. One of my customers caught a mixed bag of fish at Boundary Road on Saturday including a sizeble bass. Try putting a nice bluey bait out for a thornback ray down at the Bay or on the pier (top or lower deck). Tight lines folks and please remember to book your bait in advance to avoid disappointment: call either Dean at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104).

Tuesday, 14th January 2014

Catch report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

The mild temperatures that we have seen throughout this winter appear to have had an effect on the fishing. Normally it goes very quiet from now until spring but, with the sea temp at 9°C (usually around 6°C) we are still seeing large numbers of whiting as well as doggies, dabs and small codling. The big surprise is that thornback rays (normally appearing from the end of March) are being caught from the pier. Last weekend three were landed, the largest being one of 3.85 kg (8 lb 7¾ oz) which was caught at 05:50 hours on Sunday morning by Macauley Skirrow of Deal, who now leads the January fish of the month competition.

Sunday, 12th January 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Deal seems to be fishing very well for this time of the year with lots of whiting, small codling and dabs being caught. Saturday night saw yet another good thornback ray landed (3.85 kg - 8 lb 7¾ oz) and it now leads the January pier fish of the month competition. 26 members of Margate Fishing Club held their first competition of 2014 at Walmer Gardens (18:15 to 22:30) on Saturday, 11th January. The match was won by Dave Andrews who caught seven dogfish, three pouting and a whiting for a catch total of 8 lb 15 oz. Tony Libby was second with seven fish weighing 4 lb 14 oz. The winning baits were ragworm or lugworm tipped with squid. Tight lines folks and please remember to book your bait in advance to avoid disappointment: call either Dean at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104).

Saturday, 11th January 2014

Catch report by Michael Hayes

I fished Deal Pier on Saturday afternoon and on into the night and was greeted by a great turn-out. It was very busy and many stayed until the following morning. Many of these anglers had chosen to fish Deal Pier because the recent bad weather had closed both the Admiralty and Prince of Wales Piers in Dover harbour. Good decision - the fishing was again productive with dogfish, pouting, pin whiting, small codling, large dabs and two sizeable thornback rays (4+ lb and 7+ lb) being caught. Other anglers reported dropping other good-size rays … Rays are beginning to show in the Bay and are being caught on bluey. This gives visiting anglers the option of using scratch methods e.g. flapper rigs or the chance of an early ray with a Pennell rig and fish bait. Let's hope the mild weather and early show of rays continues. Well done Fred and Dean for top bait again.

Alan Yates' Fishing Blog: Friday, 3rd January 2014

More top tips from Alan Yates - check out his excellent fishing blog

"Favourite terminal rig … this month's favourite terminal rig has to be scratching booms. I am a big fan of the very fine wire continental-style booms that allow the angler to use light line snoods and small baits without them tangling. It's a case of horses for courses and fishing for what's around rather than a whole calamari on a 4/0 Pennell rig. Booms allow the delicate presentation of small baits for small-mouthed species and that's the key. Flatties and many of the other species have a greater liking for small wriggly worms etc and these can be fished more efficiently on a small hook and light line so they appear as natural as possible to entice the smaller fish. Of course the element of strength has to be retained in rigs and gear so that should a bigger fish come along you can land it, but overall finesse is a vital tactic to catch the smaller fish at this time of year."

Sunday, 5th January 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Still lots of anglers coming to Deal to fish the pier and beaches which is also keeping the town buzzing and has helped Deal win the Daily Telegraph's inaugural "High Street of the Year" award.

As you know, this week has seen lots of very strong winds with heavy rain but the fishing has been great on the pier. In addition to the 4 lb 10¾ oz (2.12 kg) codling caught on Friday by 7 year old Davy Morris, four more codling were caught from the pier that day along with whiting, pouting dabs and dogfish. The beach is fishing much the same but for a few days last week the beach was unfishable due to the rough seas. Well done to Wayne Shorter for winning December's fish of the month pier competition with a codling weighing 3 lb 10¼ oz (1.65 kg). Tight lines folks and please remember to book your bait in advance to avoid disappointment: call either Dean at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104).

Winner of the December Fish of the Month Competition …
and Wayne Shorter

Sunday, 5th January 2014

Catch report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

The recent rough weather and high tides have kept the fishing from the pier interesting. Most days a few boards have floated out from the lower deck but we have managed to put them back and keep the entire deck open for fishing. We are still seeing plenty of whiting and doggies as well as a few codling, most about the 2 lb (0.9 kg) mark, and the odd dab and pouting. The January fish of the month competition has seen a couple of changes to the leader recently. Local angler, John Green, hopefully went into an early lead with a 2½ lb (1.134 kg) codling on Thursday. He didn't stay there long when, on Friday, 7 year old Davy Morris from Erith, fishing the 3rd shelter, caught a codling weighing 4 lb 10¾ oz (2.12 kg). Another change came at 23:15 hours yesterday when Robbie Norris of Deal, fishing the lower deck, landed a thornback ray which tipped the scales at 6 lb 13⅓ oz (3.1 kg). Bait was yellow tails.

Friday, 3rd January 2014

Photo submitted by Dave Morris (proud father of Davy)

Davy Morris and his 4 lb 10¾ oz (2.12 kg) codling caught from the pier on Friday. This codling was January's fish of the month until 23:15 on Saturday …

Sunday, 29th December 2013

Report by Michael Hayes

I thought I'd have a session on the pier before the new year rolled in, so Saturday 27th arrived to find a very busy pier, great turnout of people trying to shake off their Christmas festivities and maybe a little too much turkey, me included. Weather was fine and the recent winds had eased. Fishing was quite good with whiting, pouting, rockling, a fair sprinkling of codling and large numbers of good-sized dogfish. Worm and squid cocktails were the killer bait … Fishing is consistent at the moment but the dabs have not yet arrived in numbers. Both Fred and Dean providing top quality bait. Some great fishing at the moment - don't miss it.

Sunday, 29th December 2013

Report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Lots of big female dogfish being caught at the moment on the beaches and the pier, along with some good size whiting, pouting and some lovely sprat dabs. There are also reports of codling still being caught here and there on the beach. Let's hope the good fishing continues for the next two months or so to take us into the thornback season. I wish you all a happy new year and please remember to book your bait in advance to avoid disappointment: call either Dean at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104).

Sunday, 29th December 2013

Report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

Not much has changed on the fishing front over the last couple of weeks. Currently we are seeing large numbers of doggies, many of them good sized, lots of whiting (mainly small) a few tiny codling and the odd dab. Maybe things will improve in 2014. All that remains is to wish our friends and customers a very happy new year.

Sunday, 22nd December 2013

Report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Well folks, with Christmas almost upon us we are still seeing good numbers of fish being caught from the pier and beaches and, last Thursday on the pier during the day, Doug Pettit and his fellow DWAA members saw lots of good whiting, doggies, codling in the 2 lb mark along with some fine size sprat dabs. On Saturday, during a junior competion on the pier, anglers had lots of fish including codling so get your rods out during the Xmas hols but please remember to book your bait in advance to avoid disappointment: call either Dean at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104). Merry Christmas to all my customers and thank you for your loyal support this year.

Sunday, 15th December 2013

Report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Still a nice show of whiting from the beach and pier with dogfish, pouting and, with the water temperature cooling, dabs feeding up before they spawn in the new year (January to March). Now that John's Tackle has closed, it is important that, whenever possible, you book your bait to avoid disappointment: call either Dean at Pleasure Angling (01304 239191) or Fred at Channel Angling (01304 373104). Both shops will be open over the Christmas holidays, although I will be closed on Christmas day and will be closing at noon on Boxing day and at 4pm on new year's eve. So, happy Christmas and tight lines.

Sunday, 8th December 2013

Report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Well folks, the two spring high tides at Deal on Friday (00:46 and 13:14) were accompanied by force 8 westerly winds which, fortunately, eased during Thursday afternoon sufficiently to reduce the tidal surge and avoid structural damage to the pier and flooding of the town. Had the wind been a north-easterly we would have lost the beach … and chunks of the pier.

The fishing last week saw the odd small codling being caught during the day along with big channel whiting, dogfish, pouting and dabs. On Saturday night a codling weighing 1.65 kg (3 lb 10¼ oz in old money) was caught from the pier by Wayne who now leads the December fish of the month competition. The beach fishing is much the same with the usual suspects being caught.

Still a dozen or so shopping days before Christmas, so if you are looking for ideas for presents for friends and family and don't know what to buy, get him/her/the boss a fishing voucher or perhaps a copy of Dave Chamberlain's new book Deal and Walmer's Piscatorial Past on sale at Pleasure Angling and Channel Angling. Tight lines folks ...

Sunday, 1st December 2013

Report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

With plenty of colour in the water last week, lots of fish were caught - whiting, dogfish, dabs and pouting and the occasional codling which are now coming inshore in numbers to feed (catch them with big baits). It was also good to see a big increase in the number of anglers coming to fish Deal's beaches and pier which is great news for the town. The pier was dragged last week which should reduce the incidence of lost end tackle and you can see the photographs of the 'Defiant' on the News and Photos pages of this website.

If you are buying Xmas presents for friends and family and don't know what to buy, get him/her a fishing voucher or perhaps a copy of Dave Chamberlain's new book Deal and Walmer's Piscatorial Past on sale at Pleasure Angling and Channel Angling. Tight lines folks …

Tuesday, 26th November 2013

Guest report by Ken Herbert

My Brother, my nephew and I fished on the bottom deck yesterday from 9am to 9pm. We had a fantastic day and evening fishing and, although no cod were caught, we did catch about 40 small whiting, one pout and eleven dogfish. It was slow to start with but we started catching after dark and we were kept busy - all the fish we caught were returned to the sea alive. We plan to become regular visitors to the pier and hope to be soon reporting a big catch.

Sunday, 24th November 2013

Report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Well folks, last week saw more rain and north-east winds which put some colour in the water. We saw lots of whiting, large pouting, dabs and dogfish being caught from both the pier and beach and, from the beach at the north end of Deal, a 14½ lb cod was taken. So, fingers crossed, this week should see more cod and codling being caught from the pier and beach. Don't forget to book your bait early from Pleasure Angling (Dean: 01304 239191), Channel Angling (Fred: 01304 373104) and, until 14 December, John's Tackle (John: 01304 800698) - tight lines.

Tuesday, 19th November 2013

Report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

Fishing from the pier is still good, particularly after dark, with large numbers of whiting and dogfish being landed as well as a fair number of pouting, the odd dab, an occasional small bass and a few codling (a 3 pounder was caught last weekend). We are still seeing the odd thornback ray and, last Saturday night at 23:05, Craig Knowles of Deal landed one weighing 4.12kg (9lb 1⅓oz) from the lower deck and he now leads this month's fish of the month competition.

Sunday, 17th November 2013

Report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

The local beaches - Sandwich Bay, Sandown, Deal, Walmer and Kingsdown - are stiil very busy with lots of channel whiting, dogfish, dabs and pouting being caught. On Saturday night on the pier, which is also fishing well, yet another thornback ray over 4 kg (9 lb) was caught, as were a few codling and lots of whiting, dabs, grand-daddy pouting and dogfish. A few days of northerly winds has put some colour in the water and pushed the food and fish inshore. Please take a camera with you and take a photo of your catch and send it to the website so we can build up the photo gallery page. Book your bait early from Pleasure Angling (Dean: 01304 239191), Channel Angling (Fred: 01304 373104) and John's Tackle (John: 01304 800698) - tight lines.

Monday, 11th November 2013

Report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Well folks, last week was up and down due to the rain we had but lots of brave anglers came and fished our pier and beaches catching a mixed bag of fish. The beach at Deal's north end is showing codling, large Channel whiting, dogfish, grand-daddy pouting and some lovely sprat dabs. The pier is also fishing very well with much the same species showing and they are still seeing the odd good bass, smooth-hound and a few thornback rays. Please take a camera with you and take a photo of what you catch on Deal's pier and beaches and send it into the website so we can build up the photo gallery page. Book your bait early from Pleasure Angling (Dean: 01304 239191), Channel Angling (Fred: 01304 373104) and John's Tackle (John: 01304 800698) - tight lines.

Tuesday, 5th November 2013

Report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Four codling were caught from the pier on Tuesday - the biggest, over 4 lb, from the top deck.

Sunday, 3rd November 2013

Report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

Fishing from the pier continues to improve and over the last few days we have seen plenty of doggies and good-size whiting as well as the odd small bass, dab and grand-daddy pouting. Several smooth-hound have been caught as well as a couple of thornback rays and today a couple of codling have been landed. Leader in the November fish of the month competition is Martin Foulcer of Beltinge who, at 17:50 hours yesterday fishing with crab bait from the lower deck, landed a thornback ray weighing 2.3 kg (5 lb 1¼ oz).

Sunday, 3rd November 2013

Report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Deal pier was throbbing with anglers this weekend which is good for the town - lots of people in and out of the shops and having breakfast etc a joy to see. The fishing was very good as well with lots of fish being caught including two thornback rays landed on Friday evening, lots of big channel whiting, very large grand-daddy pouting, full-size doggies and a few good-size sprat dabs. The north end beaches are fishing very much the same as the weather continues to be unseasonably mild. So, remember folks, always book your bait early because of the weather conditions - we can't dig bait in heavy rain.

Monday, 29th October 2013

Report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Fishing from the 10th Green of the Cinque Ports Golf Club is producing thornback rays in good numbers including two sizeable ones caught by local angler Damian Card. Also being caught are whiting and dogfish and, after dark, the occasional codling. The pier is producing schoolie bass, channel whiting and dogfish and, after dark, large pouting. Popular fishing marks on the pier include the 1919 and Deal & Walmer Club "corners" on the lower deck and, as always, the 2nd and 3rd shelters on the upper deck facing Dover. Popular baits include frozen blacks, lugworm (tipped off with squid and fish bait) and sandeels. Key marks for codling after dark are Boundary Road and Deal, Walmer and Sandown Castles on a good spring low water and from the top of the railings at Sandown Castle on a high water tide. The 4th, 6th and 10th Greens at Royal Cinque Ports on low and flood tides continue to be top fishing marks.

Now is the time to pre-order your bait with Channel Angling (Fred: 01304 373104), Pleasure Angling (Dean: 01304 239191) and John's Tackle (John: 01304 800698) as weather and temperature changes at this time of the year can disrupt bait digging.

Tuesday, 22nd October 2013

Report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

I have just returned after a week's leave only to find that not much has changed on the fishing front. Daytime catches have continued to be pretty poor although things have improved considerably after dark. A fair number of sizeable whiting and doggies have been caught as well as the odd small bass and codling but these have been few and far between. The one exception was a 7½ lb bass caught at 23:00 hours on Saturday evening by Jess Boswell at the third shelter. Bait was a strip of mackerel.

Monday, 21st October 2013

Report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Codling are still showing on the pier and Saturday's Junior Open Competition saw a codling caught from the top deck and, at 23:00 on Saturday Jess Boswell, fishing a whole mackerel from the 3rd shelter on the top deck, caught a 3.4 kg (7 lb 8 oz) bass. Also showing are good channel whiting and dogfish. Catches are likely to improve this week with south-west winds forecast putting some colour in the water. Late afternoon high tides this weekend will be good for fishing the beaches and pier. Baits to use include lugworm (fresh, frozen and blacks) and ragworm tipped with fish bait or squid. Try for a bass with a big bait. Please send in photos of your catches - tight lines all. Fourteen sizeable bass were caught from the lower deck of the pier on Tuesday the largest of which, estimated to be about 5 lb, escaped as it was being landed.

Tuesday, 15th October 2013

Report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Onshore winds blew hard last week putting colour back in the water and food inshore so the fishing is starting to look good on the pier and beaches which are now showing a few good-size whiting, dogfish, codling and pouting and the odd thornback ray - so get your rods out. The 2013 British Open Sea Shore Angling Championships will be here on Sunday so book your bait now from Deal's three bait and tackle shops - Pleasure Angling (Dean: 01304 239191), Channel Angling (Fred: 01304 373104) and John's Tackle (John: 01304 800698). Key baits are worm - lugworm, ragworm, frozen blacks - tipped with fishbait. Tight lines all.

Alan Yates' Fishing Blog: Saturday, 12th October 2013

More top tips from Alan Yates - check out his excellent fishing blog

"Overall an onshore wind may be the most unpleasant to fish in, but it's usually the most productive, especially in daylight when it colours up the water. The fish don't like sunlight and if that can penetrate the water to the sea bed they will not venture into it. That fear is universal among the major winter species, so the rule is. Fish in daylight when it's rough and in darkness or very deep water when it's calm! OK, like most rules there are exceptions and one to look out for is what I call a chalky or milky sea - sometimes the sea is only just coloured and the fish will come inshore. Another phenomenon to watch out for is an impending storm. Fish can desert the shoreline the tide before an impending storm and then reappear as if by magic as it dies away! All things that help the shore angler to pick the best times to fish."

"Top of the cod bait list is a live whiting with the live bait rig worth trying. This involves a large hook with a small baited hook (2) attached with a whiting taking the bait and then becoming bait itself. The other bait worth using this winter, if it's a big shore or boat cod you want, is a whole (or even two frozen) cuttlefish. Remove the bone and fish on minimum 6/0 Pennell rigs. Bites will be few and far between but could be a lunker! My tip for fishing from now on is to fish a large bait close in on a second rod as there are still some monster bass to be caught, especially in the south of the country."

Monday, 7th October 2013

Report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

Daytime fishing from the pier has been a bit on the quiet side but things have improved a great deal after dark. In the past week we have seen a fair number of smooth-hounds, quite a few bass (most of them small) and a couple of thornbacks as well as several doggies and a few whiting. The lead in the fish of the month competition has changed hands a few times - at 11:05 hours on Wednesday 2nd October Stephen Carroll of Canterbury caught a smooth-hound weighing 1.7 kg (3 lb 12 oz). At 12:30 on 3rd October Cyril Keating of Deal led with a thornback ray weighing 2.35 kg (5 lb 3 oz). He was replaced at 22:50 on 4th October by Ian Swain of Sittingbourne with a bass of 2.42 kg (5 lb 5½ oz) and the current leader is Sean Craig of Deal with a smooth-hound tipping the scales at 3.5 kg (7 lb 11½ oz) which he caught at 22:05 hours on Saturday 5th October.

Monday, 30th September 2013

Report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

Fishing has improved and last week started with a few mackerel being caught but, as the wind got up and the sea coloured, the mackerel left. Over the weekend a fair number of sizeable whiting were landed as well as a few small codling, mainly about 1½ lb, and several smooth-hounds up to 4½ lb. At 03:30 hours on Sunday Warren Hayes of Ramsgate, fishing the lower deck with a Pennell rig baited with mackerel strip, landed a bass weighing 7 lb 2 oz (3.232 kg) and he now leads the September fish of the month competition.

Sunday, 29th September 2013

Report by Warren Hayes

Early Sunday morning, fishing at distance from the lower deck, Warren Hayes caught a bass weighing 7 lb 2 oz (3.232 kg) on a Pennell rig baited with mackerel. A timely reminder that his charity fishing match in aid of McMillan Cancer will be held on Deal beach on Sunday, 6th October from 10:30 until 15:30.

Thursday, 26th September 2013

Report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Sizeable codling are being caught, as are smooth-hounds, dogfish and pouting in numbers. Channel whiting are starting to show. Baits to use include lugworm or ragworm tipped with squid and blacks for the codling (frozen or live).

Monday, 16th September 2013

Report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

So far this month fishing from the pier has remained very quiet. The sea has coloured up and, as a result, the mackerel have disappeared. A couple of smooth-hounds have been landed and I am told that one was about 10lb but it was not weighed in so I cannot confirm this. We have also seen a few bass up to 3lb, the odd doggie and an occassional pouting and last week one codling, just sizeable, was caught. It can only get better.

Monday, 2nd September 2013

Report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

Over the last couple of weeks fishing from the pier has been unbelievably slow. Apart from some small pouting, the odd dogfish, pollock and mackerel and one 2 lb smooth-hound there has been nothing of interest caught. Let's hope that September shows some improvement.

Tuesday, 27th August 2013

Report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

With early codling starting to show off the local beaches, try fishing for them now after dark on a spring tide (low water) at venues such as Boundary Road, the three castles (Deal, Walmer and Sandown) and the 4th and 10th greens of the Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club (north of Sandown Castle at the north end of Deal). Key baits for codling include live yellows, frozen blacks and whole squid. Boundary Road is also a good mark for bass, particularly at dusk and dawn, using whole squid or crab cottoned down to present a neat, compact bait. Whiting and sprat dabs will slowly start to appear as the water temperature steadily drops - preferred baits are blow lug tipped with fish bait on a three hook flapper with size 1 hooks. The two most popular marks to fish Deal Pier are (1) the lower deck at the south and north corners and (2) the upper deck between the 2nd and 3rd shelters (facing south towards Dover) fishing into the flood tide. Because the pier can be snaggy, popular pier rigs are pulley and standard pennells (click here to watch Alan Yates demonstrating pulley rigs). Don't forget to call (01304 239191) to order your bait and get the latest catch info.

Kayaking is becoming a very popular sea fishing method in the Deal area - particularly in and around Oldstairs and Langdon Bays - for smooth-hounds, bass, pollock and mackerel. Sandwich Bay is also popular for kayak fishing for thornies, flatties and bass using squid, sandeels, blueys etc. For safety reasons always go in pairs and take a ship-to-shore radio or your mobile in a waterproof bag.

Thursday, 22nd August 2013

Report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

Fishing from the pier has been very quiet this week. A few mackerel have been caught each day but it has been hard work finding them. We have also seen a fair number of pollock about the one pound caught on feathers as well as the odd garfish, an occassional doggie, a few pouting, a couple of bass - one 3 lb and the other tiny - and last weekend a codling of 1½ lb was landed.

Sunday, 18th August 2013

Report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

This weekend has seen a few schoolie bass and smooth-hound pups off Deal beach at Godwin Road. The continuing warm, calm sea and weather conditions suit thornback rays which can be caught from both beach and pier, or you could try float fishing for bass using a mackerel bait. The pier continues to report mackerel, garfish and pollock (down the side) and the kids on holiday with their parents are fishing with handlines in the well on the bottom deck catching pouting in good numbers. But please remember that youngsters must be accompanied by a supervising adult at all times when fishing from the pier.

The evenings are drawing in and, as we get closer to September, the sea temperature will slowly drop coinciding with lugworm starting to "milk" during breeding which makes them a very attractive bait as they give off a strong scent. This process will last for another 4 to 5 weeks before the milk ceases when the lugworm will shrink slightly and harden up for the winter. Don't forget that, come the end of October, commons will reduce in number due to the colder weather conditions driving them deeper into the sand. To avoid disappointment please order your bait by phone (01304 239191) 48 hours before your trip to Deal.

Alan Yates' Fishing Blog: Thursday, 15th August 2013

More good advice from Alan Yates - check out his excellent fishing blog

"August has been a bit slow in my region of Kent although things are just starting to improve with the first codling and the whiting returning. Some big bass, sole and still the odd big smooth-hounds are showing and, as the light evenings fade and the temperatures drop, sport in general should improve so don't miss those early weeks of autumn. Lots of anglers think the cod season starts in October - well they are wrong and in many regions codling are showing now so don't miss them. It's also the time to catch a rare species with the red mullet and the trigger fish among the species likely to show up as the summer species leave and the winter species arrive - it's crossover time!"

Sunday, 11th August 2013

Report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

It has been a while since the last update. I have been on leave for a few days but I am back now so normal service can resume. In recent days a fair number of mackerel have been caught from the pier. We have also seen a few thornbacks and the current leader in the fish of the month (August) competition is one of 3.02 kg (6 lb 10½ oz) caught from the lower deck by Jason Horton of Deal on a mackerel strip bait. We have also seen several garfish and yesterday, saturday, one angler had over a dozen. And a fair number of smooth-hounds have put in an appearance - seven up to 5lb were caught yesterday evening before midnight. Add in a few doggies and some pouting and it's not bad sport.

Thursday, 9th August 2013

Report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

The prevailing sea and weather conditions (clear, bright skies, warm sea conditions and gin-clear water) continue to present a challenge for fishing during daylight hours, but are still producing a few good size pollock down the legs of the pier using a single hook boom rig baited with lugworm, mackerel or squid strip. The mackerel are still shoaling inshore and being caught from the pier and beach from Sandown castle to Walmer castle - great fun for expert and novice alike. The occasional thornback ray, schoolie bass and smooth-hound are being caught from the pier, Deal and Walmer beaches and Sandwich Bay (Chequers to the slipway). Preferred baits are:

for thornies - bluey and sandeel
for schoolie bass - live yellows
for smooth-hounds - fresh, live peeler crab (if available) and frozen hermit crabs (always in stock).

We are all looking forward to the 1919 Club Junior Pier Festival on Sunday, 11th August from 11am to 3pm - don't forget to call to book your bait.

Saturday, 3rd August 2013

Report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

With clear, bright skies, warm sea conditions and gin-clear water, large shoals of mackerel chasing whitebait (young sprats, most commonly herring) and garfish are being caught on the beach and from the pier, particularly in the evening when weather and sea conditions are calmer. Thornback rays continue to show from the pier (fish of the month for the past four months) and, from the beach at Chequers, schoolie bass and the occasional smooth-hound are being caught on fresh yellows, frozen blacks and hermit crabs.

Monday, 29th July 2013

Report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

Fishing from the pier has been a bit disappointing over the past week. A few mackerel, pollock, dogfish and garfish have been caught each day and we have also seen three thornbacks, the largest being one of 8 lb and a 3 lb smooth-hound. All in all it's not been very exciting.

Saturday, 25th July 2013

Report by "Bean Head"

On Saturday Damian caught four smooth-hounds from Deal groynes, the biggest of which was 7 lb 12½ oz and all were caught on peeler crab presented on a pulley Pennell rig.

Tuesday, 16th July 2013

Report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

Fishing from the pier continues to improve. Thanks to the good weather the water has cleared and we are seeing a few mackerel and herring. Last weekend seven smooth-hounds were landed (six from the pier stem), the largest being an 8 pounder. Several thornbacks have also been taken, the largest being one of 3.85 kg (8lb 7¾oz) which was caught by local angler, Stuart, which now leads the July fish of the month competition. We have also seen the usual regular amount of doggies. The most unusual catch fell to another local angler, Jay who, this afternoon, fishing the bottom deck, landed two thornbacks, one of 6 lb and one of 8 lb on top of each other. In this heat you would think they would know better. We have also seen plenty of pouting and a (Norwegian) topknot has just been landed.


Jay's two Thornback Rays	Warren's Norwegian Topknot (Phrynorhombus norvegicus)

Tuesday, 9th July 2013

Report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

It's all been a bit quiet on the fishing front recently. Each day we have seen a few doggies and pouting and mackerel have continued to show, but no more than 20 a day in total. Last Friday evening a thornback ray, weighing 2.28 kg (5lb ½oz), was caught and briefly went into the lead in July's fish of the month competition. Most days a couple of bass around the 2lb mark have been landed and at 00:24 hours Sunday morning, Josh Bullock of Dover caught a bass weighing 2.4kg (5lb 4½oz). He now leads the competition.

Work on the lower deck is progressing steadily. A few boards have gone down but, at present, I cannot predict when it will be open for fishing.

Friday, 28th June 2013

Report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

We have not seen any thornies this week but the fishing from the pier continues to improve. We still have our usual number of doggies and pouting being caught but this week at least half a dozen bass, up to 2lb, have been landed and, at long last, the water has started to clear and several good-sized mackerel have been caught on feathers. Let's hope it's the start of our overdue hot summer.

Saturday, 22nd June 2013

Report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

We have a new leader in the June fish of the month competition. At 10:30am on Friday Michael Crotty, of London, fishing near to the 4th shelter, landed a thornback ray weighing 6.28kg (13lb 14oz). Bluey was the bait. This week we have continued to see loads of doggies as well as a fair number of grand-daddy pouting and a couple of small smooth-hounds, the largest being a four pounder.

Michael Crotty with his 13lb 14oz (6.28kg) thornback ray
caught from the pier using bluey.

Saturday, 15th June 2013

Report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

The last week has seen some excellent fishing. Every day large numbers of dogfish have been taken as well as a few pouting but the main interest has come from the number of thornback rays that were caught in the early part of the week. From a week ago Friday until Wednesday we had a fresh north-easterly wind blowing and we saw a regular supply of good-sized thornies, most being taken in the two hours after high tide. The star of the week was Louie Smith of Deal who, on Monday, fishing just after the 3rd shelter, landed three thornback rays - one of 8lb, one of 9lb and one of 13½lb (6.12kg). Bait was bluey and mackerel. He now leads the June fish of the month competition. The next day he landed another three. On Wednesday the wind direction changed to a south-westerly and all we have seen since is loads of doggies but no thornbacks.

Another bit of good news is that, on Thursday, C.J. Grays started repair work on the south side of the lower deck. The work is progressing steadily but could take some time yet.

Louie Smith with his 13lb 8oz (6.12kg) thornback ray
caught from the pier using bluey and mackerel.

Friday, 7th June 2013

Report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

Fishing from the pier is certainly improving. At 20:45 hours on Tuesday a thornback, weighing 3.35kg went into the lead in the June fish of the month competition. Wednesday and Thursday were pretty much ordinary but it all changed today (Friday). Large numbers of dogfish were caught but we also saw 7 thornback rays, 6 of which were landed. At 12:25 Allen Ager of Sidcup landed one of 3.78kg (8lb 5oz) at the 2nd shelter. Bait was lug and squid and he took the competition lead but it was short-lived. A short time later Peter Swift of Rochester, also fishing near the 2nd shelter, landed one of 5.35kg (11lb 13oz). Bait was two squid heads. These fish were all caught before I left the pier at 16:00 hours. Let's hope there are a few more out there.


Allen Ager	Peter Swift

Wednesday, 5th June 2013

Report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

The last few days have seen a regular supply of dogfish and not much else. The one exception arrived at 8pm on Monday evening when Beryl Foord of Sittingbourne, fishing the 3rd shelter, landed a thornback ray weighing 3kg (6lb 10oz). Bait was herring and squid. Beryl now leads the June fish of the month competition.

Now for the really good news ... I am reliably informed that work to repair the lower deck should commence tomorrow, Thursday 6th June. Let's hope it happens.

Saturday, 25th May 2013

Report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

Despite the large amount of mayweed currently in the water lots of doggies have been caught this week as well as a few pouting and the odd small bass. Today, the 1919 Club youngsters fished their pier competition and they too were rewarded with a fair number of dogfish but the catch of the day went to 8 year old Georgie Withington, fishing close to the 2nd shelter, with a bait of mackerel and lug. She landed a thornback ray measuring 47cm (18½ inches) across the wings. At 4½lb it was not heavy enough to take the lead in the fish of the month competition, but it made her day.

An update on the lower deck - tenders for the work are now in and it is hoped that work will start in the next 2 - 3 weeks but don't hold your breath ...

Sunday, 19th May 2013

Report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

Plenty of dogfish are currently being caught from the pier as well as a few pouting. At 16:05 hours today (Sunday) Alex Stock from Maidstone, fishing next to the 2nd shelter, landed a thornback ray weighing 3.31kg (7lb 5oz) - bait was a cocktail of bluey, squid and ragworm. Alex now leads the May fish of the month competition.

Sunday, 12th May 2013

Report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

It's still pretty quiet on the fishing front although a fair number of dogfish were landed on Saturday. One bit of good news is that at 13:00 hours on Friday Rigo Berto of London landed the first smooth-hound of the year weighing 2.9kg (6lb 6oz) - bait was squid. He now leads the fish of the month competition.

Tuesday, 7th May 2013

Report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

The last week on the pier has been a bit disappointing to put it mildly. Apart from a few dogfish and a couple of small bass, catches have been virtually non-existent. However, today, has seen the arrival of the first mackerel of the summer. Some good-sized specimens have been landed today, not lots, although one angler landed four. Let's hope that these are the first of many.

Monday, 22nd April 2013

Report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

We are still seeing a fair number of doggies, small codling, whiting and dabs and over the weekend a couple of thornback rays have been caught. The first, caught by the 4th shelter at 9.25 p.m. on Saturday by Nathan Yates of Sittingbourne on a prawn bait, weighed in at 2.8kg (6lb 3oz). It now leads the April fish of the month competition. Another 6 pounder was caught by the 3rd shelter on Sunday evening on a bait of bluey. This fish was not weighed in for the competition. Both rays were returned alive to the water.

We are still not able to use the lower deck and repair work will not start until the middle of May at the earliest.

Tuesday, 16th April 2013

Report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

As confidently predicted in my 11th April catch report (see below), the thornies are back and four were caught from the beach at Sandwich Bay on Sunday.

Sunday, 14th April 2013

Report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

At long last, the weather is improving, the sea temperature is slowly rising and the fishing is gradually getting better. This week we have seen a fair number of codling, all about the 1½lb mark, so just sizeable. Several dogfish have also been caught with a few small whiting and dabs. In the early hours of this morning (03:45) a local angler, fishing the 4th shelter with lug and squid as bait, landed the first thornback ray of the season, tipping the scales at 2.3kg (5lb 1oz). It now leads the fish of the month competition ... but there is surely a bigger one out there ?

Thursday, 11th April 2013

Report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Greetings fellow anglers! The worst of the bad weather is now behind us and the fish have returned inshore. The beach and pier (now open until 10pm) are producing sizeable codling (particularly after dark), dogfish, whiting and dabs and the preferred bait is the customary cocktail of lugworm tipped off with dirty squid. It won't be long now before the thornies are back so stop polishing your rod and get down to the beach and pier and take advantage of the improving weather and spring tides ...

Wednesday, 3rd April 2013

Report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

Thanks to the bitter east wind blowing along the pier, anglers have become almost extinct. The few that have ventured out have been rewarded with a few small whiting and pouting and not much else. However, at 11:25 hours today, Stephen Carroll of Canterbury, fishing the 4th shelter, landed a codling weighing 1.65kg (3lb 10oz). Bait was squid and lug. He is an early leader in the April fish of the month competition.

Monday, 25th March 2013

Report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

The recent dreadful weather has done us no favours on the pier. Very few anglers have tried their luck (I cannot blame them in this bitter east wind) and, as a result, nothing much has been caught this month. We have seen a few under-sized codling, the odd sizeable whiting, a couple of small bass and the odd little pouting. We appeared to be heading towards another month without a fish of the month until 16:00 hours on Friday, 22nd March when Rod Flegg of Dartford landed a codling weighing 1.25kg (2lb 12 oz). He now leads the competition. Whilst it's not massive it may be a sign that the fishing is starting to improve ...

Tuesday, 26th February 2013

Report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Hello fellow anglers! I haven't put in a catch report for the last couple of weeks as I didn't want to repeat myself. As you know, it is a quiet time of year for fishing - a few dogfish and dabs and the odd, good-size whiting. However, with March almost upon us the thornback rays will slowly return so dust off your gear and get down to the beach or pier - the beauty of sea fishing is that you never know what you will catch.

Alan Yates' Fishing Blog: 17th February 2013

More good advice from Alan Yates - check out his excellent fishing blog

"Species of the month is plaice - they are showing already from Brighton so I hear. The complete opposite to the dogfish, plaice are rarer than rocking horse dung in my neck of the woods. That was not always the case, but because they are slow growing and easily caught by trawlers their numbers have declined in recent year.

I am told that the reduction in plaice quotas for the commercials has lead to a small population explosion of the species in some inshore regions. I hope that's the case because there is nothing like a plump red spot surfacing on the end of a trace. Tips to catch them include the customary bling, sequins, and beads; don't forget the pop up beads and any manner of glitter, because it does attract the species. So get your sea fishing tackle out, add a worm bait, lug is best in my opinion and more the better occasionally, and that's all there is to catching dabs. Why do I think lugworm is the best bait for plaice? Because lugworm tastes like plaice, don't ask how I know that!"

Wednesday, 5th February 2013

Report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Despite colour in the water and colder sea temperatures, catches on the beach and pier continue to be slow with mainly dogfish, dabs, pin whiting and rockling being caught. The days are getting longer bringing improved prospects of landing a thornback ray so come to Deal and enjoy a day's fishing on the beach or pier.

Alan Yates' Fishing Blog: 31st January 2013

Good advice from Alan Yates - check out his excellent fishing blog

"Back home it is the season to be scratching with the shore fishing notoriously hard in February. The major species for many anglers are rockling, dabs, pin whiting and flounders - not exactly awe inspiring and I can't blame lots of anglers for shelving their rods until the daylight and sunshine returns. Time to top up the fishing tackle box etc and a trip to the tackle dealer or a web site, both will reveal lots of new tackle around.

If you do carry on fishing and lots of freelance, club and match anglers do, then there are a few things you can do to improve your chances of catching something. First pay extra attention to your bait. A few white ragworm or maddies added to the hook can increase your bite ratio, whilst stale lugworm and sometimes shellfish, really comes into its own in and after stormy weather.

Perhaps the biggest tip I can give anglers at this time is not to cast too far. Most of the species around just love hugging the breakers and that lip or gully created by the low tide waves. A lob of 30 to 70 yards can often be all you need to reach those rockling, dabs, flounders, etc, although you also need to be aware that spring will kick start the fishing again as the light evenings extend and a ray, a spring codling or a bonus match winning dogfish could be the result of a longer cast."

Tuesday, 29th January 2013

Report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

January and February are usually pretty quiet and this year has been no different. The recent cold weather has meant that very few anglers have been willing to face the elements. Those that have ventured out have seen a fair number of dabs although the vast majority are small. A few dogfish and whiting have also been caught. Roll on summer …

Monday, 28th January 2013

Report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Despite a drop in sea temperature to circa 7° centigrade (45° fahrenheit), catches on the beach and pier continue to be slow with mainly dogfish, dabs, whiting and "slug" (ling) being caught. However, now the evenings are beginning to draw out the thornback rays should start slowly returning and there is a still a chance of catching the odd codling or bass.

Monday, 21st January 2013

Report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Sea fishing this past week has been very slow due to the weather (snow) and very few of you have braved the weather to fish from the pier or the beach. There are still some good-sized dabs, pin and channel whiting and the ling have arrived. There's still a good chance of catching a thornback ray from the pier and they should soon be starting to show in numbers. Finally, it's the last week of the sales at Pleasure Angling and John's Tackle so go and pick up a bargain or two.

Monday, 14th January 2013

Report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Strong winds this past week have coloured the water well but still no codling as the water, at between 8° and 9° centigrade (46° and 48° fahrenheit), is still too warm despite the air temperature now touching zero. Main catches for pier and beach are dabs, whiting, the occasional dogfish and ling (slugs as we call them up the north end). But, you still have a chance of a stray cod if you fish for it with the right end tackle and bait. Don't despair - it always gets a bit "scratchy" this time of the year. According to Alan Yates, "In the past, the first few weeks of the new year have produced some huge cod from the piers at Deal, Dover and Folkestone, so don't give up on the cod yet." The current fish of the month for January is a thornback ray so you still have a good chance of catching one from the pier.

Monday, 7th January 2013

Report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Whiting, dabs (in good numbers) and dogfish continue to dominate catches in the continuing calm conditions and clear water. To catch dabs try some smelly frozen blacks tipped with fish bait and, for the bonus cod that might be lurking around the pier and beach, try a Pennell rig baited with a whole squid cottoned down. The codling are now of a good breeding size and will soon move off to deeper water so, if you are chasing codling during the next few weeks, your best bet is to go wrecking in a local charter boat.

Wednesday, 3rd January 2013

Report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

Winner of the December fish of the month competition was Chris Waters of Deal with a thornback ray weighing 3.7kg (8lb 2½oz). We already have a leader in the January competition - Carlyle London of Stanmore who, whilst fishing the lower deck at 15:06 hours on New Years Day, with squid as bait, landed yet another thornback, this one weighing 2.31kg (5lb 1oz).

Monday, 31st December 2012

Report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

The recent strong winds have given us plenty of colour in the water. As a result we have seen large numbers of whiting and a fair amount of dabs. Yesterday, Sunday, a codling of 3½lb was landed on the pier stem and on the lower deck, just before closing time (6pm), two thornback rays were landed, the largest of which just failed to take the lead in the fish of the month competition, tipping the scales at 3.6kg (7lb 15oz).

Saturday, 29th December 2012

Report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

We have had a fair few strong winds over the past week but there is still no sign of the codling returning. However, there are plenty of whiting, dogfish and dabs, some of which are a good size. Between now and the end of Febuary, a smelly frozen black worm bait tipped with fish bait will fish very well for dabs and other species. You could also try some clams which work well, are free to collect on the beach and are common, especially after a strong wind. Butterfish clams are also good, as are pittock clams if you can find them (Sandwich Bay). Clams are a matchman's life saver this time of year in the competitions. I wish all my customers a happy new year.

Monday, 24th December 2012

Report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

Throughout the month of December we have seen large numbers of whiting, a fair few dabs and some dogfish. The month started with a 3.18kg (7lb) thornback ray (caught on the 3rd December) which still leads the fish of the month competition and we also saw a nice flounder weighing 680g (1½lb) but, despite conditions appearing to be ideal, we have not seen any cod. The pier staff would like to wish all of our visitors a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Monday, 17th December 2012

Report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

The majority of fish caught from the beach during the last week were whiting with a fair few dogfish, some lovely big sprat dabs and the occasional codling after dark. Although not as many fish were being caught as we would like, the recent beach and pier competitions have produced good-size catches for the weigh-ins. If you want to fish for dabs try a three hook flapper rig with short hook lengths and a size 2 hook baited with lugworm tipped with fish bait such as mackerel or herring. Cast the rig a short distance of between 30 and 40 yards leaving a tiny bow in the line for resistance. For the usual distance fishing for cod, use a pulley or pulley Pennell rig with a big bait or try a live bait rig (see the 23rd November 2012 fishing report below for details).

Monday, 10th December 2012

Plenty of big sprat dabs, whiting, dogfish and the occasional good-size codling are being caught from the beach north and south of the pier. The north winds have given the water a good colour and more of these good-size codling will be caught on the spring tides from Wednesday - try the Pillbox, Boundary Road, Deal Castle and 10th Green marks at night on low water.

Wednesday, 5th December 2012

Codling of various sizes between 3lb and 6lb are being caught from the stretch of beach from the Sailing Club to Walmer Castle (Cambridge Road mark).

Tuesday, 4th December 2012

Report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

The seasons have all gone wrong. Yes, we are still seeing plenty of whiting, doggies and pouting but yesterday, Monday, at 14:08 hours, one hour after high tide, Chris Waters of Deal, fishing the lower deck, landed a thornback ray weighing 3.7kg (8lb 2oz). Bait was lugworm. This is a summertime fish which we rarely see after July. It now leads the December fish of the month competition.

Friday, 30th November 2012

Report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

Fishing over the last two weeks has been a bit boring. We have had plenty of whiting, many a fair size, and lots of doggies as well as a few dabs but nothing of real interest. That changed yesterday (Thursday) evening when anglers fishing the low tide from the lower deck had a bit of good fortune. Just before 8 p.m. Adam Johnson landed a cod weighing 3.94kg (8lb 11oz). He also landed another of 6lb and Ivan Rubins landed a 7 pounder. Blacks were the bait for all three. Adam's cod wins November's fish of the month competition.

Thursday, 29th November 2012

Kevin Scott with his 17lb 2oz (7.8kg) cod caught from the beach using a free-line, live bait rig.

Monday, 26th November 2012

Until Friday the clear water continued to prove challenging for anglers on the beach and pier, particularly during daylight hours. Fortunately, strong westerly winds on Friday put some colour in the water producing mixed bags of whiting, dabs and dogfish for anglers on both beach and pier. However, the newly laid shingle (part of the beach feed works) already shows signs of erosion making fishing from the beach problematic, and it will be interesting to see how the new, steep beach profile responds to the north-easterly winds forecast from Tuesday evening until Friday ... the prognosis is not looking good.

Anglers on the pier are advised to use a pulley rig and, for those brave enough to fish from the beach, the two hook clip down pulley and Portsmouth rigs are recommended. Good baits for both venues are lugworm and frozen blacks tipped with fish bait.

The clear water is also making fishing difficult during daylight hours on the stretch of beach from the Sailing Club to Walmer Castle but catches improve markedly after dusk. Again, as with north Deal and the pier, the main species being caught are whiting, dogfish and dabs but, although the whiting being caught are getting bigger, cod remain elusive.

From Walmer Castle to Kingsdown Butts the fishing is much the same save that a few codling of around the 2lb mark are being caught. Successful baits include lugworm, squid and frozen blacks. The water is getting some colour and the fishing will improve considerably during the week with the arrival of the spring tides and north-easterly winds on Tuesday evening. The 11am high tide on Wednesday is looking good ...

Friday, 23rd November 2012

Daytime pier and shore fishing continues to be challenging in the clear water created by the persistent westerly and south-westerly winds and only whiting, dogfish and dabs are being caught. However, anglers are hopeful that a few codling will be caught during the weekend on the evening tides.

As recommended in the 19th November Flog below, livebaiting for cod is a useful boat and pier fishing method (particularly in these difficult conditions) but, because the livebait cannot be cast any distance (as the bait will not survive the impact), it is unsuitable for shore fishing. However, a twin-hook terminal rig (with one hook baited to catch the livebait) will overcome the bait presentation problem and, once hooked, the livebait will attract a larger fish (cod). Experienced anglers use a rig comprising a size 6/0 hook (for the cod) and a baited size 2 hook (for the livebait) attached to the eye of the larger hook by a short length of mono so that the two hooks lie side by side. To improve the catch rate use two such livebait setups on the same rig (but not in competitions).

Top winter shore fishing tips:

avoid shallow shelving beaches, particularly in very cold weather and following heavy rain and snow melt
fresh-frozen blacks and dirty squid are excellent baits when lugworm is in short supply
the clipped one up, one down loop rig (aka "Golds Rig") with two sizeable baits is a top cod-catcher and casts well.

The "Golds Rig" (see image below) is the best configuration for achieving maximum casting distance as it places two baited hooks directly behind the lead weight for minimum drag, enabling the sea angler to achieve those valuable, extra yards. It is designed primarily for fishing at extreme range with fairly large baits and can be used for cod when a bait has to be fished that little bit further out ... the rig is so streamlined it can punch baits into a strong head, or side, wind.

Monday, 19th November 2012

The clear water brought in by the continuing westerly and south-westerly winds is making daytime fishing on the pier and local beaches very hard at the moment. The main species caught during the day are whiting, dabs and the occasional dogfish but at night the fishing is a lot better. Try using a live bait rig to catch a good-size bass or cod. Boats are catching cod only a mile offshore using lugworm, frozen blacks and fish baits (mackerel, herring, sprats and bluey) and all we need is a good north-east blow to push the fish inshore.

Friday, 16th November 2012

Report by Nigel Chandler, Pier Superintendant

The calm conditions that we are currently experiencing have led to the sea water being totally clear. As a result the daytime fishing has been rubbish over the last week although there has been an improvement overnight. Catches have been of whiting, dogfish and a fair number of dabs, many of a good size. We need a good storm ...

Thursday, 15th November 2012

The beach is fishing very well from the groynes up to Sandwich Bay with plenty of channel whiting showing during the day and dabs, dogfish and pouting at night. Main baits are lugworm and fish baits (herring, bluey and mackerel) with frozen blacks proving successful for the large "sprat dabs". A few nice thornback rays are still being caught with bluey on the neap tides when the water is flat calm.

On the pier, lots of whiting and dogfish are being caught with a few nice dabs and still the odd thornback showing up. Codling are few and far between at the moment as the water is clear and the weather calm. Again, the best baits are lugworm, frozen blacks, squid and fish baits.

Walmer beach from the Sailing Club to Walmer Castle is fishing well at night on any state of the tide including neaps. Dogfish and plenty of good-size whiting are being caught along with the odd codling to 2lb. Daytime fishing is good provided there is colour in the water. The last spring tides brought a lot more codling and whiting with a few dogfish for good measure. From Walmer Castle to Kingsdown Butts the fishing is similar save that the codling being caught are of a slightly bigger size.

dealpier.uk

Archived Deal Pier & Beach Catch Reports: 2012, 2013 & 2014

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Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

26th December 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

18th November 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

21st October 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Photo submitted by Roger Edwards (proud grandfather of Samuel and Amy)

Tuesday, 28th October 2014

Sunday, 26th October 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

More excellent scratch fishing advice from WSF here

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

8 October 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

By Alan Yates

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

September 2014

Catch report by Michael Hayes

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

East Kent Mercury: Thursday, 11th September 2014

August 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

East Kent Mercury: Thursday, 4th September 2014

Catch report by Warren Hayes

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

East Kent Mercury: Thursday, 28th August 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Catch report by Michael Hayes

Photo and report submitted by Jano Barry

Photo and report submitted by Ian Alcock

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Photo and report submitted by Dave Morris

East Kent Mercury: Thursday, 14th August 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

East Kent Mercury: Thursday, 31st July 2014

Catch report by Lindsey Wells

Catch report from Chris Crawley

Photo submitted by Rob Molinari

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Alan Yates, East Kent Mercury

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Alan Yates, East Kent Mercury

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Catch report by Warren Hayes

Alan Yates, East Kent Mercury

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling

Sunday, 8th June 2014

Catch report by Dean Curry, Pleasure Angling