Fishing Ramsgate-fishing reports

 
 

Fishing Reports

February 2010

We were enjoying great fishing on Duke IV early in Jan with a fish a chuck, Whiting, Pout and Dogs and amongst all this the Cod. They seemed to be very mobile, here one day somewhere else the next. A strong tide stream was when you got the Cod. The smaller fish would slow off and then up comes a Cod then maybe a couple more then back to the smaller stuff, the tide slacken's so we move find a bit more tide and we are back amongst the Cod. Keeps the fishing interesting and we are lucky here at Ramsgate with the English Channel meeting the Thames Estuary and the North Sea on our doorstep there is always a good tide somewhere. Lug and Squid  the bait of choice with whole Squid next.

Then the sprats moved in!

I have never seen them so thick! The sounder would show a constant line of them around 15 feet below the surface and at times the screen would show them as the seabed so thick are they in places.

With all this fodder around its hardly surprising that the Cod along with everything else has come up in the water to feed on them, totally ignoring our baits. The fish I think, are here but we cant catch much at the moment.

The upside of this situation is that the fish are having a good feed and putting on weight so we can look forward to some good Codding when the sprats move on, this should be anytime now!

Where do all those sprats go the rest of the year?

Plenty of spent Skate purse’s on the beach so the Skate must be here, although we are only getting the odd one. The weather has'nt helped either, with the water temps dropping to around 41'f.

 Skate will move into the area in large numbers throughout Feb and March and good catches are possible. They are still an ‘at risk species’ so its good policy to return what’s not required in particular the females, every little helps as they say!
Feb/ March will also be the start of our spring run of Cod and if last year’s was anything to go by should be a good one. They should stay around through April, then gradually move offshore to the wrecks. The Bass, Hounds along with all our summer fish will be heading our way by now  So to sum up, once the Spratt’s move out we should have some excellent spring fishing to look forward to, so dust off your rods and get down here, do some fishing!

28/Dec/09

Bens group from Eltham had a fine weather day on Duke IV and along with some cracking Whiting they got amongst the Cod. The fish preferred a tip of squid with their lug today. The fish just kept coming and even the sun came out. Happy days!

23/Dec/09

Despite the weather we are getting out and getting amongst the Cod. Lug & Squid or just plain Squid doing the buisiness. The fish are between 5lb To 10lb. Chris Terry & Ric all Duke IV regulars enjoyed the day with these Cod along with some nice Whiting Pout and of course the Doggies. Still a few dates available over the holiday period so come out and test that new gear!

 
Ramsgate fishing report 7th Dec 2009
November has been an interesting month for the Charterboat Duke IV  in Ramsgate. I can't remember a month with so much wind! I have had to cancel most of my planned sea fishing trips and as I look out over Ramsgate harbour its raining and the wind is howling. This weather has though, given me the opportunity to get the beach caster out and I can say that Rob and I caught plenty of fish Whiting, Dabs and the obligatory Doggies we even caught a couple of nice fat Cod from Deal beach the other night so well worth the effort!
The fishing when we have got out has been as expected with lots of Whiting and Dabs along with Cod, Skate and the odd Bass. Jo and her friends had a good fishing trip on Duke IV with catch of Cod, Whiting and a Bass.
 We have had local peeler crabs available in Ramsgate, very late in the year for this area, I suppose the water temperature still in the 50s has encouraged this late peal.
The Herring and Sprats have arrived so the Cod are feasting on them, good for packing on weight but not so good for us trying to catch them..
A number of Spurdogs have been caught in the nets so maybe we will be able to catch a few, the law of averages should allow us a spell of settled weather required to get far enough offshore. Still dates available in December and the New year on Duke IV but the boat will be out for a month for maintanance from the 8th Jan.
Seasons greetings to you all !
 
7th November 
 
Winter has arrived with a bang with gales and rain, this is the time for Cod along the Kent beaches and out in the boats. Along with them are masses of Whiting and Dabs. The Whiting are not the undersized fish of the last few years but quality fish well worth catching. Good to see the return of the Dab as it is a favourite of many for the table. The Cod are around 5 to 7lb with the odd double and happy to pick up squid & lug baits and with fish of this size they are great fun on light tackle and look just great as they battle it out at the side of the boat.

It appears the protection given to the Cod is paying off, they are well spread over our area and of a good average size, this was not the case two years ago so lets hope fisheries keep up the good work and not allow the over fishing that very nearly finished them off five years ago.

Bass still around although more likely to be caught by accident while fishing for the Cod but when you hook into one it may well be a bigun.

Skate also still around although with all the other fish picking up the baits they don’t get a look .Again, these fish are being protected to some degree and are around here all year with many into double figures. Possibility of a Tope as they pass through or maybe even a Spurdog, a few were landed last winter.                       

18th Oct 09

A change in the weather from Indian summer to winter has coloured the water and brought in the Cod. Bens group of Firemen from London had a good day with plenty of fish including Cod Skate and some quality Whiting. The wind is blowing again as I write so perhaps the Bass will move out now. The Cod numbers should increase with plenty of doubles if last years fish have continued to grow as they should. We have been catching some fine Dabs lately, a small species but one that has been quite rare for a few years now. The fishing seems to be getting back to that of years gone by when there was plenty of species around with good numbers of large Cod. Its time to dig out the flotation suits & get out fishing!
 
14th Oct 09
 A fine days fishing for Martin and his group from Gravesend in Kent with plenty of Whiting and Large Dabs, Dennis landed a 10lb Cod that made his day. On return to harbour the birds were chasing the Whiting again, this gave us an opportunity with the lures and we managed around 40 Bass to 6lb. The water remains warm and quite clear, perhaps this is keeping the numbers of Cod that we expect at this time of year low?
They cant be far away as the Large Pout and Whiting are here already
 
Sea Angling News Report Sept 09

 

After a long and interesting summer with excellent Cod fishing on the wrecks with good numbers of doubles, we are finding them inshore now early September, this is early and may, we hope, be a prelude to an excellent winter. Plenty of Whiting around, the Bass seem to be chasing these more since the decline in sandeels. Seeing 12oz Whiting being chased to the surface and the herring gulls trying to eat what’s really too big can be amusing as they fight over the unfortunate fish. The Bass fishing has been sporadic, shoaling some days and others can’t find them anywhere with just the odd fish showing. Quality Skate still around just last week we returned a pregnant female of 13lb. Mackerel still thin on the ground, perhaps due to the winds constantly stirring up the water, fresh mackerel the best summer bait for Skate, frustrating when you struggle to get enough. The Bass should stay around until October so on a good day it’s possible to get a Ramsgate grand slam of Bass, Cod, Smoothound and Skate all in the one day !

 

 

Sea Angling News Report Aug 09

Fishing remains generally good despite the unseasonable weather, the wind stirs up the water, that’s not good for the mackerel, making it difficult getting them for bait and the Skate love fresh mackerel. Despite this we are still getting a few! Bass fishing taking off now with some good fish being taken. Lugworm the bait of choice with mackerel fished hard on the bottom for the big girls, Chris came close to a double yesterday with the one below caught on mackeral bait.

Whiting are still around along with Pouting and the odd Codling inshore.

September usually sees an influx of pin whiting, favourite food of the Bass. When the right weather, tides and clear water come together we can enjoy some excellent fishing with pirk and hokkai lures over the rough ground and banks.

The Hounds will be heading back out of the estuary, somewhat larger than when they arrived due to a summer of crab crunching, giving some excellent although sporadic fishing. This winter could be good  for Cod provided they have survived the summer with last years 4lb average now into double figures and hopefully some 20lb’ers and maybe the odd thirty? Just like it used to be!

            

Sea Angling News report July 09

The fishing off Ramsgate carries on apace with Quality Smoothounds here in numbers. Chris Wards group from London landing 16 to 10lb along with Bass and a solitary Thornback. Daniel Hays group also from London upped the anti with 23 Hounds to 12lb along with Mackerel and the obligatory Skate, both groups fishing on Duke IV elected to return all the Smoothounds bar 1 that was badly hooked.

 The Bass and Mackerel are still patchy with double figure Bass few & far between, hopefully the big girls will arrive soon with August usually the best month for these fantastic fish. The Cod still on the wrecks although declining in numbers. Pollack will increase in numbers along with Bass and maybe Black Bream to keep the wreckfishing interesting but with the inshore fishing so good, why go wrecking?

Quality Whiting still around, these fish have been here since last September giving good sport over the slack tide period. Thornback fishing still good with Mark Kingsmills group from Kent landing some 16 fish to 10lb
 

14th June: Getting amongst the Thorbacks again with some quality fish. Mark Kingsmills group from Kent having a fine day landing some 15, along with Whiting Bass and dogs. Wreck fishing still good although slowing slightly for the Cod with more Pollack turning up. Mackeral around although the northerly wind stirring up the water makeing them a bit hit or miss. Summer fishing should be at its best over the next month !

 
Sea Angling News report June 09

Plenty of species available inshore now with Smoothounds, Bass & Thornbacks along with quality Whiting all available. The offshore wreck fishing remains good with plenty of Cod to double figures along with Pollack and Bass.

The fishing in the Thames estuary remains top class with quality Thornbacks along with Smoothounds to 15lb. Hermit crab or live shrimp top bait for the hounds, not easy to buy but drop a baited net at slack water and get free bait that will catch all the species in the area.

The dreaded may weed has now gone, this should improve the Mackerel fishing that is often difficult here due to the coloured water.

The quality Whiting we are catching at the moment are unusual at this time of year, we usually see them late summer, we are also catching them offshore on the Mackerel feathers.

Large shoals of school Bass heading up the estuary, here one minute gone the next.

Overall the fishing is good but you may have to try a few marks before you find the fish and try the same spot tomorrow and they have gone. For latest fishing reports checkout www.fishingramsgate.com
 
Sea Angling News report May 09, Bob Marshall
Good fishing here at Ramsgate with excellent catches of Thornback Rays from all over the area, some boats catching 16 per trip. The wreck fishing has also lived up to our hopes with good catches of Cod along with a few Pollack to plastic eels and shads. The Mackerel are arriving along with some large Bass following. Bernie Power fishing from his own boat Mojo landing a fine specimen a shade under 12lb. As usual in the spring, netters catching Brill along with some large Turbot in areas where we often fish with Mackerel and Sandeel bait, perhaps a conserted effort is required targeting these fish locally to set up a new rod & line fishery. Perhaps with the return of Cod last winter the Varne bank will return quality Cod to pirks like the good old days when charter boats would drift up and down the bank throughout he summer, their crews jigging like mad sometimes huge homemade pirks, hard work but the rewards made it worth the effort. The windfarm now under construction, covering some 10 sq miles of previously good fishing grounds will I am sure improve fishing for the whole area when it becomes a haven for the fish.

Duke IV report April 15th -18th 

                                                      The Skate fishing has turned on with good catches all over the area. Derek Edmond's group had a good catch in the Thames estuary with 14 up to double figures, along with quality Whiting . Thursday saw us visit the wrecks where Terry Gage's group caught 25 Cod to around 12lb.On the way back we feathered up some Mackerel on the Falls bank. The fresh mackerel forced us to stop and try for Skate landing 5, the best weighing 13lb 8oz, again quality Whiting made up the numbers. Len Hoopers group were hoping to get on the wrecks today but the NE wind stopped us so we tried for Skate, landing 7 before the wind forced us inshore.

Dates available if you want in on the action! See gallery for more pics,

 

Sea Angling News report for April 09
 
The water warming up by the day bringing the summer species and bait. The crabs are  peeling now, the top bait at the moment for the Smoothounds and Bass. The Thornback Skate so prevalent all winter are now moving up river. The Cod have all but left the inshore grounds and moved onto the offshore wrecks.
Rumours abound of Spurdog having been landed, most welcome as this species has been notable by its absence. The best fishing seems to be south of Ramsgate with the fishing off Deal for Smoothound and Bass when you can find them a pleasure. For the hottest action get offshore to the 15/20 mile wrecks where there will be Cod along with Pollack and Bass. For the latest reports check out www.fishingramsgate.com
 
 

 Sea Angling News. Boat fishing report for March 09

 

The fishing is holding up well with plenty of Codling and Thornback Ray in the area. The Sprat shoals are thinning out and the Cod are feeding up on the small crab that have arrived here in abundance. This puts the fish back on the bottom where we can catch them more easily.

Some large female Thornbacks showing that are heavy in roe, so best to return these fish, anyway its always a pleasure to watch these majestic fish swim off and a photo keeps the memories.

Just back in from today’s trip, (4th March) with Grahame Lovedays group from Gravesend and the Codling kept coming all day with fish to 9lb, along with a few Skate and quality Whiting an excellent day.

This followed Len Hoopers group trip on 28th Feb where the Thornbacks dominated the day.

Lug & Squid cocktails fished uptide on a flowing trace seems to be the killer rig at the moment although lug only baits also good. The fish baits not so effective now the Sprats have thinned out.

The water has warmed a couple of degrees now, so along with the winter species, expect the first of the summer fish to show. Always one or two large Bass caught by accident this month.

The spring codling fishing should continue now till late April when they will drift offshore. This past winter has been the best for a number of years and just when you think its slowing down it picks up again so make the most of it and check out our website on www.fishingramsgate.com for latest reports.

 
28th Feb 2009

                                                         

Another trip with Len Hoopers group from Maidstone in Kent. After a slow start we got into the Skate and Codling and ended up with a reasonable catch. The best bait combo was lugworm herring or squid cocktails. The codling were crammed with crab, a good sign that the Sprats are thinning out. A fine day out with that summers coming feel !

See more pics in gallery

  

 

Lee and Paul had a good day today 14th Feb with a catch of Codling to 7lb and 10 Thornback Ray to 11lb. All the female Rays were returned. The fish were taken on  lug and squid or lug and herring cocktails from a mark off Margate. Sprats are thinning out. So it looks good for the spring codling run. See pics in gallery

 

Sea Angling News report Feb 09
Fishing difficult as expected for the time of year. Sprats are thick on the ground giving a false reading on the sounder, at times a constant line from 25' to 35'. I suppose everything that swims will be feasting on this high protien diet so trying to tempt them with anything else is a bit futile. This is a problem for us but a bigger one for the Cod as when they rise up to feed they are sitting ducks for the drift nets and some days many stone of Cod are being landed here, mostly fish around 3lb. If the remainder survive the summer it should be a good winter to come when they will be in the 8/10lb range. Along with the Sprats there are small Whiting in the area so plenty of fodder available. Skate will be arriving to spawn and should provide some sport inshore but the females should be returned to protect the future stocks. Large Bass will be heading towards the Thames Estuary followed by the schools of smaller fish. The fishing should soon improve with the spring codling run when they return to bottom feeding so along with the Skate and Smoothounds some good fishing ahead. Cod can be caught when the tide is running hard and the fish drop back to the bottom to escape the strongest currents or perhaps fish on top of the high spots. Along with the Cod the Dogfish and Whiting have returned so fish to be caught.
 
Sea Angling News report Jan 09. Bob Marshall
The cold weather has arrived here with daytime air temperatures barely getting above freezing and water temps dropped to mid 40s .This has upset the dogfish somewhat as they seem to have all but disappeared. The Sprats have arrived and the Codling are feeding on them, although they will still take a lug/squid cocktail bait. The Thornback Skate are arriving in numbers now and will become more interesting as the Cod become obsessed with feeding on the Sprats.
Still catching Whiting although not so many as December but good sport over the slack water period. Try baited feathers in clear water or 3 hook paternoster when coloured. Herring will remain a good bait for Skate and Whiting and will also pick up the odd Cod. No luck as yet with the Spurdogs, but we live in hope! Latest trip 31/12/08 Caught 12 Cod to 8lb along with Whiting and an 8lb Thornback with just 2 anglers onboard
 
Sea Angling News Report Dec 08. Bob Marshall
Just back from annual Marlin bash at Cabo San Lucas where we caught 32 Striped Marlin. See report on www.fishingramsgate.com  The fishing is still wide open from Ramsgate. The Cod are still around in good numbers and getting bigger on a diet of crab and Herring. The only problem we have is, when the water clears as happens in calm weather, the Cod tend to come up off the bottom to feed on the Herring and Spratts. This makes life difficult when bottom fishing with lug and squid. Skate are still around as they stay all winter provided, of course, they are not taken by the nets. I notice the difference in Skate numbers when the Soles are netted on a bank as the Thorns make them vunerable, so although the skate are not the target they dissappear until the Soles are cleaned up. Whiting, Pout and Dogs fill the gaps but it can be frustrating moving to different marks looking for the Cod that are there but difficult to catch. It will probably be difficult in January when the Spratts move in. The Skate fishing should be worthwhile though as we have some real crackers around now with a few fish in double figures. Most years a few large Bass are caught around the New Year and also a run of large Spurdogs that come inshore to pup. If you are lucky enough to get amongst these fish please return them as they are as rare as hens teeth the rest of the year. This species used to be so thick on the ground around Ramsgate they were sometimes a nuisance. Now along with Plaice they have all but disappeared through overfishing.  12/12. 15 Cod to 9lb for Chris's party from Herne Bay


 
Sea Anging News Report Ramsgate. Bob Marshall Nov 08
 
Water temperature remain high, still in the mid 50s and along with the clear water it must feel more like September than early November to the fish, so plenty of Thornbacks along with Bass and the odd Smoothound. The Cod fishing remains good with fish still being caught on the distant wrecks when the weather allows the boats to reach them.
Quality Whiting also around in better numbers amongst the small ones, this being the first year for many that these better fish have reached us along with the biggest Pout seen for a while. Perhaps the strong measures the fisheries are imposing on the commercial fleet is making a difference.Lets hope so as they are struggling with small quotas.
Inshore Cod fishing remains generally good, some days being much better than others, perhaps a few frosts and coloured water, more usual at this time of year will improve the fishing. December through to mid January, before the Spratts arrive is probably the best time of the year for the inshore Cod fishing and that we have been getting Cod inshore since September bodes well. Try north of Ramsgate on the large tides and South on the neaps for best results. A few small boats being launched from Palm Bay Margate enjoying the Cod revival but nothing like the numbers of past years when 20lb Cod were common, along with the odd 30lb fish, some weekends saw upward of 30 boats being launched from the slipway.
This is the best year of many for fishing this area, along  with good parking and we're only 90 minutes from London so give us a call and come on down and give Ramsgate a try?  There are still dates available for booking !16/11 Samir's party from London. 16 Cod to 8lb + 1 Skate
 
Sea Angling News Report Ramsgate. Bob Marshall Oct 08
 
Cod heading in and Bass moving out, you can catch them both on the same spot if your lucky, along with skate and the odd Smoothound. The Whiting have been around for a while now some of them a good size ideal for filleting. The Dogfish are still around but getting fewer as the autumn and winter species take over. Everyone wants lugworm now so getting more difficult to buy, but worth the expense as they do make the difference fishing for the Cod. The Dogs love the Squid bait, tearing it up and stopping the Cod getting a look in ! Plenty of fish around at the moment you just have to be prepared to go through the small stuff in the hope that the better fish will turn up, just make sure you have plenty of bait. Herrings replacing the Mackerel now and fresh or frozen one of the best baits for the Thornbacks that are around now in good numbers and size, just chop the herring up like you would a cucumber and fish on a strong 4/0 hook on a short trace of 30lb hook length.
Check out the Ramsgate charter boats this winter as we can often get out when the South Coast boats are stuck in the ports due to the SW winds.