Mullet fishing in west bay
Channel: Fishwish
Date: 08/08/2021

Fishing in west bay is more about catching up with brother than it is about the fishing, but we try and do it at least once a year.  A very early start is the only way to avoid the heaving masses of tourists and broadchurch fanatics, so we start fishing at 5:30 and are all done by 9.  

What are the fish you can see in the harbour?  Mullet!  And they provide brilliant sport.  Fishing with my older brother means that competitiveness creeps in quite quickly.  I also have a score to settle as he has caught more mullet than me at this venue for about four years running now.  I don't know if it's possible to be unlucky fishing or whether you make your own luck, but I really struggle to catch mullet on bread and the curse seems to continue.  Thankfully my brother has more luck, but unfortunately spooks all the other fish away in the process.    

The River Brit runs into the harbour and allows float fishing with light tackle as the water is held back by the sluice gates.  Thanks to persistent and ongoing pressure to improve fish migration by a handful of individuals, the hatches are now kept open throughout the year, so fish no longer have to wait for big tides.  The thick lipped mullet tend to stay in the main harbour but above the weir, sea trout, bass, flounder, eels and even carp can make a guest appearance.     

This is great news because fish queuing up for big tides made easy picking for poachers.  On that note, if you're wondering if you need a rod licence, you don't.  BUT...fishing the river brit requires a migratory fish (salmon and sea trout) rod licence from the environment agency, if you are using anything other than a typical mullet fishing set up - so light 4-6lb line with bread or spinner baited with ragworm (see my other vid).

#fishwish #shortvlog #mullet