shrek

Have been starting to try beach fishing this year. As I say, Ive only been sea angling since about last August and just caught the bug!! Started off Pier angling and just now broadening my horizons!!

Yup, went down to Deal Pier today with a mate and completely blanked. So did everyone else there, apart from one bloke that caught the smallest flatty you've ever seen!

I might just take you up on that Mike - Thanks

I hear ya Mike - thats why I said I FEEL like saying, and not, I SAY, I mearly meant that sometimes people dont think about the potentially dangerous situation they put themselves in, and that happens in every walk of life. I agree that people are just being friendly, but it can be irritating on a summers day when 30 odd people ask exactly the same question one after the other, - and yes I answer them without being aggresive or rude. I get very irritated with anglers that do not clear up after themselves as well, but I must admit Ive never fished with or near anyone who seemed to be yobbish or particularly loud - must be lucky I guess. My comment was only tongue in cheek - Ive made a career out of working with the public, I think you read it a bit too literally.

I go to Deal quite alot. Dont mind a chat at all. Me and a mate are going tomorrow all day. Probably won't go night fishing there for the next couple of months though (were trying out some other areas like Hythe), but I'll drop ya a line when I do!!

Hiya K2, Apart from the massive tackle loss, Deal Pier is normally quite good. I haven't been there and blanked yet (although have had some slow days!). I normally fish off the bottom deck on the left hand side, casting from the corner parallel with the beach. Last time I did that I didnt lose a single rig!! Lug and squid seem to work well up there, but fresh mackerel also brings in its far share of fish. I've heard that the 2nd and third shelter on the right hand side as you walk up the pier are the best fishing spots. Ive never tried them because of the flow of people walking past, but I might give it a go next week whilst the pier should be reasonably quiet (I hate it when your just about to cast and some strange non-angler type walks up BEHIND you and says 'caught anyfing?'. I always feel like saying 'no, but you almost just caught a six ounce weight travelling at 100mph in your mouth!')

Thanks for that - just the sort of thing I want to know.

Nope, my wife won't let me buy a boat, so you're safe!!

Cheers for that. I have been told Leybourne is a difficult lake to fish. Apparently the council is putting up the lease cost next year by quite a restrictive amount (which will reflect in membership costs) anyway. I also don't want to fish a water that is restricted to just carp. One of my mates likes to have one line in for carp and line on a float.

EEEERRRR - Not a boat rabbit no - I meant Ive got a telescopic rod so its easy to carry on my MOUNTAIN BIKE so that I can ride down the paths along the Medway and fish where I like (in the free parts). Sorry - should have made that a bit clearer. ROONEY???? NO - JUST PARANOID AGAIN!!!

Can't say its ever occured to me for sea fishing. I would also be interested for news from anyone who has found that it works.

I know what you're saying Rabbit, but I just want to give everything a try. I've got the telescopic rod so that I can ride down the Medway with a mate and just float fish where ever we feel like stopping / looks good. Thanks for that riverside. I've had a quick look but going to work now so will scrutinise that site tomorrow.

Hi guys, I'm new to the course fishing forum, and have recently joined the sea fishing forum. I started sea fishing last year and 'got bitten by the bug' quite quickly, and ended the year with 3 rods and more tackle than I knew what to do with!! What do you know - santa - brought me a fine set of course fishing gear for Christmas - 2 rod carp setup plus all the gear (shelter, seat bed etc. etc.), a telescopic rod and a fly rod / reels (I might have bought some of that and blamed it on Santa when my wife asked!! ). Anyway, where do you suggest I start with course fishing this year. I live about a mile away from Leybourne lakes, which is carp fishing, although I've heard they are having difficulty with council costs and maintaining the place. I believe there are some good spots in Tonbridge for Lake and River fishing, but I'd really like to hear your views.

That was enjoyable to read, and the pictures are superb. Cheers for re-posting that Elton.

I second that - Cheers back-lash (for the advice and the offer of further advice!) - thats what its all about. Cheers to Mike as well!!

We were casting out between 40 to 120 odd yards trying to find the area the fish were feeding in. We were also using mackerel and herring as bait since we were aware whiting was probably the order of the day, although on the double hooks we were throwing in some squid on the bottom hook.

Cheers for that Mike. I may just pay Hythe a visit next week. I'd certainly like to match that Cod ur holding in ur avatar (thats got to be a once in a lifetime from a beach - the way things are going now - but I hope not!!).

I haven't fished Hythe either (I only got into sea angling last year). Any good there? There is supposed to be a good fishing point for flounder at Sheppey in the RSPB reserve. Have you heard of that one? We noticed the reserve sign posted about a mile after the bridge on the island.

The tide only rose by, I guess about 15 - 20 feet up the beech where we were fishing. To be honest, we were goning to stay later, but as it started to get dark the wind chill factor started to bite a bit (something that doesn't bother me when I'm catching, but standing around for 2-3 hours you start to feel the cold!!).

Probably - It's the first time I've been fishing there. Its a shame because its the closest to Maidstone.

Hi Guys, I paid Sheppey a visit today with a mate, and I have to report that angling there is still slow and very weedy! We started fishing the estuary (just to the right of the bridge for those that know it), with no luck apart from the odd large clump of weed. No takes and no sign of life - a few small snags but nothing major. We moved after about two hours to the shingle/sand beach between Sheppey and Minster. There's alot less weed about to snag on, but again not alot to report. I caught a small Whiting (about seven ounces!!!), and the one or two other guys there and the customary 'old gent' who has fished these seas 'man and boy', all said Sheppey has been poor sport for a while. Back to Dover for me next week!!

Hi guys, Just wondered if anyone had been beach fishing up at sheppey in the last couple of weeks. Anything good up there?

Another pointless comment? I was talking about fishing stories, hints tips, and yes, at times politics and other stuff that is related. Why do you have to be so pedantic?

A bit late UncleFester - but here goes! You mention 'SAND' in your post. Theres lots of trouble with sand in your tropical tank if your not VERY experienced at fish keeping. It potentially blocks your filters. It compacts very solidly under the weight of the water, and it retains much of the detrius from the fish. Itis very difficult to clean effectively, and although the general surface area of the substrate does suggest it would have a positive effect on GOOD algae growth, generally I have found it does not because of the above reasons. I find small gravel the best substrate at about 3-4mm across. Also you mention 3 filters. Some fish do not respond well to alot of water movement. Since it is only the surface movement ofthe water that airates the water, try pointing the directional jets of you filters at the surface. If the filters are causing a strong current in the water, remove one or two, and buy a stronger single filter that is up to the job. Hope this helps mate.

Thanks for the reply Newt. Its good to know - especially for the new members like myself - that the administrators are watching whats going on. I fully agree with what you said, although I think MaidstoneMikes main gripe may be with the actual memebrs and not the administrators - his point being that alot of the conversation is not around the 'bread and butter' topic of angling in its raw form. Not much you guys at admin can do about that! Its down to the members !