Chinook III Charter Fishing Report – May

This entry was posted on 5th May, 2016

The last fortnight has seen settled weather and with the water starting to warm up the summer fish are starting to arrive.

Inshore There are still lots of thornback rays inshore with the biggest reported at 18 lb, these females are laying eggs and should be returned alive, best baits are squid and herring.

The first reports of bass are showing up with the best reported at 9lb, remember all bass must be returned alive until the 1st July and then only one per angler, best baits are squid, worm and fresh mackerel.

There are a few smoothounds showing, these smaller male fish will take squid but prefer ragworm and crab baits.

There are still some nice whiting and pouting and odd cod around but these winter fish will soon move off.

This time of year we quite often see gurnards, either red or tubs, these pretty fish take squid baits and can grow quite large.

Offshore There has been a marked influx of summer fish with the first flush of male smoothounds showing in most areas offshore, these early fish will take most baits but prefer crab and rag.

There are plenty of thornbacks in all areas, generally the offshore fish are smaller and will take all fish and worm baits fished hard on the bottom.

There are some nice dabs and sole around, these fish start to show as we use worm baits fishing for bass in May, small hooks are essential.

Piers/Beaches There are plenty of fish to be had on the bigger tides with anglers reporting thornbacks, whiting, pout, school bass and odd codling, best tides are spring tides 2 hours either side of high water with squid, crab and worm best baits. The rivers are starting to produce thornbacks, school bass and whiting.

Prospects are excellent, with the seas warming up early we should have a bumper summer. Tight lines.



About the Chinook…

The place you need to come for a great day out fishing the Thames Estuary from Bradwell on Sea in Essex with one of the most experianced and friendly skippers on the East Coast. Whether you are a novice or experianced angler, they cater for both.

Due to an upturn in demand we have purchased a newer boat, she is a purpose built angling vessel, twin 330hp turbo diesels with a cruise of 20 knots, enclosed crew cab with seating for everyone, on deck toilet and a walk around island wheelhouse, she is a superb angling vessel, coded for 10 anglers.

To book a session on the Chinook III charter boat, which is based in Bradwell-On-Sea, Essex, contact Phil White on…

Visit – www.philwhitecharters.co.uk Call – 07786080771 Email – philwhite31@aol.com