With the topic of specific venues to fish becoming a pretty big talking point across social media right now, I thought I’d offer my thoughts on the subject for what they’re worth. To be honest, this is the first time since the summer I have felt compelled to add to my blog and being a pretty emotive subject, it may well stir an interesting response. But firstly, did you really think you would click on the link and be handed a plethora of quiet hideaway’s previously only spoke

We’ve all been there. You haven’t had a bite for half an hour and decide it’s time for a bait change. You pick up the rod, wind down to the lead and raise the tip. Everything goes solid. Grrrrrrrr! It’s a frustrating situation but one that over time you come to accept as part and parcel of fishing over what has been historically referred to as ‘rough ground’. But what are the options when it comes to tackling up and are there ways to keep tackle loss down to a bare minimum? T

Don’t get me wrong, I really love guiding here on the Bristol Channel. It’s been one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever partaken in, but don’t think for one second that it is a walk in the park! The effort that goes into a guided session is immense, from selecting a suitable tide and venue appropriate for the target species and the angler’s level of fitness/experience, to ensuring that all tackle and bait requirements are fulfilled. And that’s all before we hit the c

It’s a simple enough question and one that from time to time crops up in conversation during a guided session. But how many rods should we use when fishing from the shore and what dictates this? Before I begin, I’ll pretty much assume that 99% of us use one or two rods at any given time, though I accept (and have seen in practice) that some have their reasons for using more. Logical thinking would suggest that more rods offer a better chance of catching what you are setting o

In answer to the questions I’ve received through the Facebook page regarding smoothhound fishing, here is a brief run down on how I like to target them. There would appear to be regional trends, and alternative approaches but this is what works for me on the Channel… Here on the Bristol Channel, the fish that everyone is talking about now is the smoothhound. Easier to catch than some may have you believe, the hound is more often than not the first fish that the sea angler wil

There is no escaping the general consensus that nationally, fish stocks are low and it is harder than ever for recreational sea anglers to find something worth catching. This may be true for some parts of the country, but down here in the Bristol Channel, I beg to differ. A recent social media post I made regarding the capture of a species of fish not normally associated with the location it was landed got me to thinking about just what we are catching, what has been traditio