Catches improve as storms attract fish inshore

The recent storms have spilled lots of shellfish and marine life onto the local beaches in recent weeks and the fishing has been good in terms of numbers of fish, writes ALAN YATES. Razor fish, cockles, butterfish shells, crabs, worms and large gaper clams attract the fish inshore to feed and sea anglers flock to the region to fish and pick up the shells for bait. Seabrook, Hythe and Dungeness shores are especially good for sea angling at this time of year because of the storms and the natural food the seas dislodge. Freelance results from around the region include two thornback rays, with the best at 8lb, from Deal pier at the weekend. The latest club shore angling results include the Southern Circuit sea anglers from Maidstone who fished Princes Parade at Seabrook. Results were slow as the tide came in with most of the 15 competitors catching later at high tide. Winner was Paul Jarrett, of Maidstone, and he landed 26 fish, mainly dabs for 8lb 2oz. Secondplaced Callum Brennan included the biggest fish, a dogfish of 1lb 15oz in his total of 6lb 8oz, and third was Alan Jarrett with 5lb 6oz. At the Fountain Sea Anglers’ first event of the year, fished at Dungeness, the sea was rough and full of weed, making it tough going. Winner was Michael Warne, of Hythe, with a couple of dabs and John Wells, of Hythe, was second with a whiting and dab. The rest of the entry caught rockling or nothing. The latest Dungeness Sea Anglers’ competition at Dungeness in daylight saw a slight improvement over the Fountain’s event with dabs, whiting and dogfish. Winner was Callum Brennan with 4lb 6oz with a bonus dogfish of 1lb 9oz giving him the edge over second-placed Dave Wood Bignall on 2lb 10oz, and Nathan Elliott, of Dover, who was third with 2lb 3oz. Open sea angling competitions coming up include the Folkestone SAA Open on Sunday at Seabrook and Hythe. Fishing is from 11am until 4pm with competitors pegged between Sea Point and the Fishermans Beach. Book in at the Fountain Inn. More details from Peter Owen on 01303 253881. Other fixtures coming up include the Folkestone SAA Seniors competitions on Folkestone pier on January with fishing from 10am until 2pm. Meet at the pier elbow at 9am for the walk-off draw. Big open competitions coming up include the popular Fountain Open on February 2. Top prize is £1,000 with entries limited to 200, so don’t leave it too late to book in because the event usually fills quickly. For more details ring 01303 260875. On February 9, Dungeness Sea Anglers host their World Dab Championships and that is always proves a popular competition. It’s a rover around Dungeness with only dabs counting.