Hi,
my first post is a question that has probably been asked many times....so

I have just bought a small boat to go fishing with ( 14') , What should I be fishing for in the Thames Estuary/Blackwater area - Do the Mackeral come up this far?

I am hoping to get the kids involved in fishing and will probably be asking your sage advice along the way

Welcome to AN.
I can't be of much help but I did see on the front page of Sea Angling News a picture of a FIVE POUND WHITING, I know Cod anglers that would like a Cod that size let alone a whiting. It was caught in the Thames estuary

Tight lines.

Alan

Can't really help you with your question Matthew, but welcome to AnglersNet If you've been lurking for any time, you will already know we are a helpful (if sometimes tetchy ) set of worm botherers, so ask anything you like

Tight lines

Everybody lurks for a while!!!!

And your right I see that you are a good bunch so I've signed up...Thanks for the welcome Chaps

I fish the Estuary quite a lot, both from the shore and from a boat, this time of the year, should be getting Thornbacks, anywhere from the pier outwards, will always pick up Whiting, Pout and small Schoolies with nice flatties further out, Tope around June(ish) Am hopefully going out on a boat this Saturday, so keep an eye on the reports, as I will post a few lines on Monday on how we got on.

Hi Matthew,

I'm fairly new to AN myself - like you, I lurked for quite a while.

I'm not a sea angler myself but I'm sure that, as you've got your own boat, plenty others would be very pleased to come and show you how its done

Hi Matthew,

I fished that area many years ago from a 14ft Dejon.

I once had a huge stingray!

This time of the year you should be getting Thornback, bass, perhaps tope (there used to be lots caught back then!), eels, plaice, flounder, sole toward Clacton.

Come the winter, whiting and cod (if you are lucky!).

Too muddy for mackerel though

Tight Lines - leon

Mackerel and gars around Southend pier (summer), but read, talk and learn .....

bass, smoothhounds and rays the main game.

Uptiding recommended in less than 40' of water ......

the Charter Skippers are not usually shy to tell you what is going on, but don't broadcast it .......

A good set of charts in that area.
I live in Felixstowe (Suffolk) which is on the opposite side of the River Orwell to Harwich (Essex)
From here all the way down to the Thames estury is very hairy.

The mackeral do come in in the summer if the water is clear which is very very rare for Inshore North sea waters.
You get all shapes and sizes of flat fish in that area and great bass fishing.

Well thanks people - I was hoping to get out this wekend but ......lame excuses!!

I am glad I have logged on here I can see it will be really helpful , and If I can offer any words of wisdom!!!! well you never know ...