Matt_B

Unfortunately having to sell my beloved boat :-( She is a 23ft Relcraft with Fly bridge, 130hp Volvo diesel, all the electronics. More info and pictures at www.zytiff.com/truefaith

Thanks for all the advice. Safety is always my main concern even in best weather conitions and times I always have extras on board, I certainly wouldn't go on my own!!! I said Small Boat - she's 26ft - so not that small. I was planning on going out in day light, stick the pin down and back in in day light. And preferably when I have guaranteed good weather (if there is such a thing). I was thinking of the area about 3 to 5 miles outside Brighton which is generally well within any major shipping areas. Am I likely to avoid the doggies at night?

As a small boat owner on the south coast I was thinking about going out at night, mainly due to not being able through the day due to work commitments. I've done this in the summer for the hounds but wondered if people had tried it in the winter for cod. I wasnt planning on going far out, <5miles, and just putting the pin down for the night. Any thoughts? Any reports of cod on the south coast yet?

Hi Mole I don't know those areas but if you're willing to travel to Newhaven then Brighton is only a few more miles and there are some well respected skippers there. They won't want any of your catch, unless you offer, tipping is up to you (I'm originally from Yorkshire so don't normally bother ) Decide what you want to do and give a few if them a call.

Crab is the favourite bait; but so far this year we've been catching a lot on squid (which is nice and cheap!!)

Morning all I'm after some advice on turbot fishing. Did some last year in Weymouth on the shambles and really enjoyed it. Is it just as simple as locating some sandbanks and trying? and are they only over sand? Do they have any prefence to depth of water? What time of the tide, and size of tide, do they feed? I'm in the Brighton area if anyone knows of any specific marks Thanks in advance.

The beach behind Shoreham Power station (just west of Brighton) is ok for a family day out with a spot of fishing. Nice big beach, easy parking and you can catch fish. Fished there a while a go in the summer - mackerel and gurnards, you may get the occasional bass as well, usual baits - squid/worms/fish will work. We used to take the BBQ down - a good day out.

It's been a while since I fished from the beach or the harbour walls. There are plenty of mackerel and gars showing whilst out on the boat, less than 2 miles offshore, so no reason why they shouldn't be around the walls. You could always pick up a nice bass round there as well - try livebaiting with a small mackerel or pout. Good luck.

Hope it is ok to put this on here... Thought I would let people know about our fishing club - Southwick Deep Sea Anglers. Based in Southwick, just west of Brighton near the Shoreham power station. New members always welcome, for more info have a look at: www.southwickdeepseaanglers.org

Had my first trip of the year to Kingmere yesterday and the Bream are there. Only got 2, the biggest being 3lb 2oz - caught on the first drop. Supprised there weren't many boats there, but then it was quite rough!!!

Hi Nick £2300, Matt

Lots to answer here!!! I went down this road 2 years a go so hopefully can help; thought I'd buy a little boat as the beach fishing was pretty dire. Bought a 17.5ft Shetland (which I am now selling if you're interested!!) which was a great little boat. Could comfortably go out 10 miles on a still day - far enough to reach the good wrecks. I would therefore advise firstly looking at what area you will be fishing and chose the boat accordingly. If you have great fishing within 2 miles then you don't need anything big, if you need to go out say 20 miles then obviously a bigger boat is a safer bet. Diesel is a good choice as it's a lot cheaper than petrol, about 30 - 40p a litre as you can use red diesel. I think there is some false economy in buying a small boat, ie less than 16ft, (in our area anyway) as I've seen a few guys do it only to find that they can't go out that far (1-2 miles)and therefore can't reach the good fishing ground - then have to buy a bigger boat. If it is your first boat I would recommend attending a boat handling course, I did one a few weeks a go as I have just bought a bigger boat - well worth the money and wish I had done it sooner, costs about £100 a day with a qualified RYA instructor on your own boat. Morring fees some to vary but where I am near Brighton I pay about £1000 per year for a 23ft boat, Brighton Marina would have been nearer £1600, but more facilities. You should have insurance, but this is quite cheap, mine was £160 a year. There is no need for a license or registration unless you go over to France at which point the boat should be registered with the Small Ships Register (SSR). Remember the importance of the VHF radio, GPS etc - vital equipment on any boat - but all add to the cost!! Hope this answers some of your questions Ant.