Super day out in the Channel again today. Slated as a Turbot day but conditions really not suited. We did have a small window and managed to bag a couple of Flatties off the bank in the hour set aside - the rest of the day was all about wrecking. Some more beautiful Cod and Pollock and decent size Tub and Bass as a bonus.
Great bunch of guys who made the day fly past.
Best wishes
www.brigandcharters.com
Yet another stunning day out in the Channel with yet another great bunch of guys.
Nigel Holt was king of wrecks with 7 good Pollock and a Cod to go with his Turbot and Colin topped the Turbot stakes with 3 to go with his Pollock.
We’re spoilt for choice on the fishing front currently and we decided that we would try a bit of Turbot with our wrecking. All target species captured and the Mackerel are also proving much more reliable with strings coming up thick and fast.
A real pleasure fishing with limited numbers and great to see such a great variety of high quality Summer fish.
Best wishes
www.brigandcharters.com
Fantastic day on the wrecks today with non-stop action from start to finish. Great to see ALL anglers going home with plenty of decent Cod & Pollock.
Well they just keep coming! In the last weeks fishing we have been catching Brill & Turbot on the the offshore banks and Cod and Pollock off of the wrecks. On some days we have had Brill, Turbot, Cod and Pollock all in the same day; a rare treat indeed.
It has not always been the easiest of fishing and we have had to steam quite a way to get the better quality fish but it has been well worth it.
It really is pleasing to see more Cod being caught on the wrecks that we have been fishing and often they outnumber the Pollock.
I don’t anticipate the Cod fishing remaining this good for too much longer so if that’s what you after get in touch.
Best wishes
www.brigandcharters.com
We are at the cross over period where it’s possible to catch everything from Bream and Plaice inshore to Brill, Tubrbot, Pollock and Cod Offshore - a spectacular time of year and the biggest decision is choosing which to catch...... a wonderful dilemma.
Best wishes
www.brigandcharters.com
More Turbot offshore and a few Pollock and Cod on the trip home - not an easy day but some lovely fish.
Great day offshore on the Turbot today. Some fantastic fish boated including Turbot (of course!), Brill, Pollock, whiting and some very decent mackerel.
Great to be back out in the deeps and targeting these magnificent fish.
Best wishes
www.brigandcherters.com
Weather has not been kind to us of late here on the South Coast but when we have managed to get out we have been having some cracking Pollock off of the wrecks to over 17lb. Average weights are up on last 2 seasons with double figure fish being far more common than single figure ones.
Great sport which will continue through until March when we prepare for Black Bream fishing inshore. Last year was fantastic with catches of 100 fish per day not uncommon and up to 4lb in weight.
Check us out on Facebook (Brigandbrighton) and if you want to get amongst the action you can book directly through this site.
Best wishes & tight lines
The excellent run of Turbot & Brill has continued throughout the Summer and we continue to see up to 40 fish/day being boated. With a few Cod appearing inshore we will soon be focusing our attention on them as we build toward the wrecking season.
Cracking day out yesterday - Turbot to 10lb 6oz and Brill to 7lb+. 40 flatties in total for the day.
Offshore fishing is really hotting up; Bass (C&R only), Cod, Turbot & Brill in good numbers with plenty of decent mackerel out there for bait and some specimen size fish for the table.
A lovely day out today with a wonderful crew. We lost some big fish (Almost certainly Tope on one occasion & Bass on the other), landed a total of 12 species including Brill, Bass & John Dory and yet still have a nagging feeling we could have done better.
Weather looks settled for the next week and Cod appear to be present in sufficient numbers to actually target them so we have a little of that planned in the coming week.
A couple of places Thursday for a Cod & Bass trip 0757206543.
Been super busy of late so not the usual updates.
In summary - we’ve been putting in the miles and hitting offshore marks at every opportunity targeting Turbot & Brill whilst the wrecks are not yet up to speed. Had some amazing days and even the slower days have seen us boating around a dozen keepable flatties each trip.
Latter part of the season has seen an abundance of cuttle snaffling baits before the flatties can get to them - the upside of that is a discovery that cuttle seared in pepper & chilli is quite special!
Water temps remain very high which is holding the summer species so I expect we will continue on the Turbot/Brill/Bass trips for the next few weeks at least.
Big rays are becoming more frequent with Big Blondes really testing the 12-20lb class gear and we are averaging 9 species of fish per trip so plenty to keep us guessing what’s putting the bend in the rods.
This month is full, opened up some new dates for 1st week of November so if you would like to get out drop me a line.
Best wishes
Steve
Well - we left early, came back late, moved around the banks and put in the miles but it was not a great day by our standards. Just four Turbot landed in very trying conditions - Fishing a Spring tide, on the flood with a building Westerly was always going to be tough. On the upside; a cracking Tub Gurnard taken by Frank, more monster Mackerel, some beautiful Turbot and great company who I look forward to welcoming back in a couple of weeks for an improved outcome - you guys were great!
Another day out on the banks today in search of the mighty Turbot. Had a great crew who are regulars and of mixed experience, 5 fishing and 1 mostly sleeping! Love fishing these offshore areas of mixed ground, they offer up so much variety as today illustrated;
Turbot
Blonde Ray
Thornback Ray
Red Gurnard
Tub Gurnard
2lb+ Mackerel
Dogfish
Cuttlefish
Seagull!!!
Pic of Jamie who fished really well all day for his personal tally of 5 Turbot to 8lb whilst helping his mates out with their rigs - top bloke.
August is now full but 3 days still availble in September if you would
like to have a go - 07572065543
Best wishes
Been a while since we have been out and very pleased to report that we picked up where we had left off with Turbot all the way! Just 7 anglers onboard on a short trip but still managed to boat 14 Turbot to 7lb, a nice 6lb Brill & huge mackerel topping the 2lb mark. Everyone caught and particularly pleased that Peter's 70 year wait for a Turbot came to an end today.
If you want to get out for some quality Turbot fishing give me a call.
Best wishes
Steve
Another great crew aboard today and whilst the conditions were not perfect, they were most certainly safe and fishable. Crew managed to land double figure Undulate & Thornback rays, plenty of Bream, 3lb Plaice and of course an abundance of Dogfish & Mackerel. Something big took off with half a mackerel very smartly....... and that particular fishy tale ended there!
Thanks to Malcom and his crew (Paul & Les too) for making the day so enjoyable - look forward to welcoming you all back in August for some offshore work.
Great day out today with a top group of Anglers. 15 Turbot boated in calm conditions with Sunshine all the way - doesn't get much better and a huge thanks to the crew today for making it an absolute pleasure.
Barry had the best fish of the day early on, it wasn't weighed but a deep fish around 7lb.
Another great day out on the banks today. Turbot, Brill, some big Tub Gurnard and more proper sized Mackerel. A very nice Brill landed by Dave which he safely returned, really nice to see.
A little bumpy on the way back (as anticipated) but the big Blythe just pushed on through it with ease.
Been a very busy couple weeks;
Dieppe - had a fantastic trip across the Channel with a great crew. Wrecks were shocking, even at distance with only a few small Pollock off of 6 good marks. Baitfish everywhere so they have clearly fled the sanctuary of the wrecks and are gorging themselves. Tracked an electric storm over France during the evening which meant that just as we started landing Turbot we had to make a dash for England. More Turbot and and some big Brill made up for the poor wrecking.
Bass evening session - been wanting to try this over a few marks and finally had a go last week - float fished live-baits worked a treat and we will soon be loading dates for short evening sessions on the best tides limited to 6 anglers/trip........ it's exciting stuff!
Turbot & Brill - we've been hitting the banks and a few new marks. Couple
of great days with Brill to 7lb and Turbot to 5 1/2 - 14 landed today by Mark and his crew.
Almost fully booked for the rest of the Summer, think we have just 3 days and the odd place available so if you want to get amonagt the Turbot/Brill/Bass/Bream drop me a line.
Best wishes
Steve
12 mostly novice anglers kept us busy today. Steve and his crew were a pleasure to have aboard and we didnt find it too difficult to improve upon their trip total of 3 fish last time out with another boat. Once we had them all set-up it was a steady stream of fish, nine species in total with plenty of decent sized including some big Rays, Smoothehound and Big Bream.
It's great watching the youngsters getting in on the action, when you can put an 11 year old who has never fished before onto some big fish it's a real pleasure.
Evening Bass & Sole trips now starting - whole boat bookings from £10 per person, all night sessions from £40 per person; Please call for details - 07572065543
Cracking day out with Nolan and his team yesterday. Plan was to do some inshore work and snaffle a few Bream and Plaice. As the tide built the Bream came on and they had some beauties with great sport on light gear.
An easing tide reduced catch rate so we headed off to a wreck to get a big bend in those rods - after a few hours on the Bream very interesting watching an angler get hit by a double figure Polloock repeatedly diving for the wreck! Used slack to travel and complete final part of he order managing to boat plenty of Plaice in the final hour...... great day, great company, great fish - job done!
Best wishes
Steve
Great day out today with Gabriel and his crew. Largely inexperienced but had a great day landing Smoothehound, Bream, Thornback, Mackerel and some nice Pollock. Charlie boated best fish of the day, beautiful 14lb Pollock which the boys will be dining in this eve along with their Bream.
Beautiful calm, sunny day with great company - doesn't get much better.
Limited availbleilty now throughout Summer so if you would like to get out with us drop me a line - 07572065543.
Best wishes
Steve
Www.brigandcharters.com
Another stunning day out on the water today and a break from the offshore trips of late. Bream are in town in numbers, fantastic sport on light gear and fabulous on the BBQ!
If you would like to get out for some action, drop me a line 07572065543.
Next month we will be running evening trips for Bream so if you can cobble together a gang or even if you are individual give me a call and I will do my best to accommodate.
Best wishes
Steve
A long day today, more Cod and Pollock to 10lb off of several wrecks on a glorious day - excellent crew again who gutted and filleted fish and did a wash down on the way back...... old school!
We went on a little tour yesterday visiting 8 wrecks with Bob and his fantastic crew. I had an idea where the Cod would be, took a little while to pin them down and very relieved when we did!
Not monsters but it is early season and now that I know where they are shoaled-up I will be back. No guarantee of course that they will stay in the same place so if you want the best chance of bagging an early season Cod give me a call 07572065543.... weather looks good for next few days.
Best wishes
Steve
Another fantastic day out on the wrecks today, landed over 30 Pollock to 14 1/2lb and I even had a chance to get in on action for a spell!
The big Cat made easy going of the stiff F5 and was a steady as a rock in the drift, a real pleasure to fish from.
We are full tomorrow and a couple of places Monday for more of the same - if you are keen to get in on the action drop me a line.
Best wishes
Steve
Great to welcome Andy & his crew aboard today. Plan was to have a nice relaxed day on the Plaice & Bream inshore but............. Having dodged 3 miles of commercial nets, avoided a couple of sets of beam trawlers and arrived on the reef with flat clam sea and little tide the frustration was beginning to tell!
Wrecking was the call and I opened up the engines and the tackle box - Billy cleaned up with almost a fish a drift (Carp anglers often do very well on the wrecks) and we had a great day landing over 150lb of fin perfect Pollock in the 6-8lb range...... not the monsters we are used to but fabulous eating fish.
My call on the wrecking so I pick up the additional fuel bill, only fair and you will all be treated to the same courtesy.
Best wishes
Steve
We took a trip out to the banks Friday and it was one of those days where nothing came easy. Water was coloured inshore (which made bait collection a struggle) and even on the banks we had to be patient - eventually located a shoal of mackerel which mad a fine mess of a 12 feather trace! The day turned into something of a species hunt with just about everything but Turbot coming aboard the boat. Unfortunately for the crew this was the first time we have not had Turbot off of these marks and we did put in the miles - Nobody more disappointed than us and grateful for the crews understanding.
Saturday was a different story altogether - Beautiful day, sun beating down and with a crew of mixed experience, on a big tide the easy option would have been to anchor up with smelly baits and sit it out..... Very pleased that we took the harder option and visited a few wrecks that often deliver early season fish. We had a steady stream of Pollock to 8lb, Bass to 7lb (returned of course) and our first Cod off of the wrecks this year which fell to Steven. A great day which kept Nick and I busy on the net........ Goes to show that if your prepared to put in the effort and miles the wreck fishing is still excellent out of Brighton.
As the water temp increases the Cod should start to show in decent numbers on the offshore wrecks so if you would like to get aboard check-out our calendar and get in touch.
Best wishes
Steve - 07572065543
A little bumpy out there later in day but a beautiful morning and we only cut the trip short by a couple of hours - we will make that up to the crew (who were excellent) on the next offshore trip with us.
A decent inshore day for April with around 50 Plaice and a bonus Turbot so well worth the effort.
Had a similar day Saturday with Plaice up to the 2lb mark and unlimited humour for Trev, Rod, Steve & Peter - albeit a little more relaxing in a F3 opposed to a F5!
Plenty of time to hit the wrecks and we are now gearing up for serious Turbot trips so check out the calendar or if you have any special requests drop me a line - 07572065543.
Best wishes
Steve
Put in a long shift today and had a really sprited crew aboard. Great watching anglers catch their first Pollock and equally great watching experienced anglers land a cracker like Mark did today. I was on feathering duty for a while and very satisfying to have stumbled across a shoal or two - mackerel out of Brighton? Give me a call - 07572965543.
Best wishes
Steve
Fantastic day at the Brighton Pollock competition day - we landed over 200lb of Pollock with many into double figures. Wrecking is on fire at the moment, give me a call if you would like to get involved.
Best wishes
Steve 07572 065543
A little bumpy out there today but the advantages of a big Catamaran is that we can often get out when others cannot........ worth considering when booking a trip.
As usual we put in the miles seeking where the fish are currently holed up and the crews determination and patience eventually paid off with rods bending drift after drift as they loaded up with some hard fighting Pollock. Nothing huge this time around but 5lb+ Pollock diving back to the wreck still take some stopping!
Really surprised to see what they were feeding on but now we know where they and what they are feeding on it does give tomorrows crew a distinct advantage.
Steve - 07572065543
The clocks have gone forward, Sun is shining, Plaice have arrived in numbers and the Bream will be hot on their tail.....welcome Spring!
We will be mixing up the wreck fishing (still excellent) with inshore trips to locate and capture the first of the big Bream to arrive off to our West. If you haven't fished for Bream before your in for a treat - light gear, simple rigs and great fun to be had.....also taste delicious.
If you would like to get aboard for one of these trips check our calendar for availability and give me a call.
Best wishes
Steve
A blowy February left us with few opportunities to get out so it was fantastic to be able put in some miles over the weekend. Great to have Pete and his friends aboard to celebrate his birthday and they worked hard all day to get land some fish to go with their keg of beer - hope it went down well guy's!
Weather was murky Sat so radar nav all the way out and fog only lifted at the back end. Some quality fish brought aboard, best of the day went Paul Bowen with a Pollock just over 14lb (that clearly did not want to leave to the wreck), Petes's gentle persuasion and our Masterline gear won the day.
Sunday was a different affair - wrecks that had seen gin-clear water the day before were coloured (it really was a case of "you should have been here yesterday"!) so we headed out and out and out again until we found the fish. Almost 100nm covered in the day (loving the 560HP new Boat!) until eventually we got amongst them. Some excellent anglers aboard and their patience was tested, thanks for hanging on in their guys and really look forward to having you back.
Weather is looking snotty this w/end but great in the build up so if you fancy getting out mid-week give me a call.
Best wishes
Steve
First charter with the new boat today, what a pleasure to be belting along at 18kn on a glorious Sussex day. The crew make the day of course and having Mason, Robert, Dave, Peter, John & co. aboard was a real pleasure.
Pollock was the plan and after a little searching around we were on them - best of the day this heavy set 17lber skilfully brought to the net by John.
If you want to get out to catch big fish on a big fast boat give me a call.
Best wishes
Steve
Well it's not great news I am afraid. We could fill the boat with Whiting (1/15 are keepers) so it's a numbers game on that front and confident I would send you home with a box of fish for the table if that's what your after...... they are fabulous eating.
We have turned toward wrecks and had mixed results depending on tide/water clarity with Pollock. Some excellent fish over the last 4 weeks in the 13-15lb class but it's a hit & miss affair.
Most positive news - in thick fog delivered the new Catamaran today for lift out, safety inspection & clean-up. An amazing boat with almost double the cruise speed and 3 times the space of the old one, exciting times lay ahead.
Best wishes
Steve - 07572065543
With inshore Cod fishing slower than expected we headed off to the wrecks in search of hard fighting Pollock and were not disappointed! As many were lost as landed taking repeated powerful dives into the wreck and taking baits so deep that they chomped through 30lb leaders. A great day out with great anglers onboard rounded off the year nicely.
It's been a great year with Turbot, Bream, Brill, Bass, Cod, Conger and above all the wonderful people that it has been pleasure to have aboard Brigand, you have really made it a great year, thank you all.
Very excited about the arrival of the new boat in February. 10m Catamaran with twin 280hp engines and a genuine cruise speed of 16kn will make those distance Turbot & wreck marks accessible in most weathers and that will be the focus of 2017.
Availabilty is limited for Jan/Feb which looks like being peak wrecking period so get in touch if you want to be amongst it.
Best wishes
Steve
After what seems like an age Brigand was back fishing yesterday & today..... At last!
Yesterday had Adam and co. Aboard, tough day with the wind shifts from S to N in such quick succession but they toughed it out and we moved around quite a bit thoughout the day. No Cod but plenty of Plaice, Dabs and some sizeable Whiting. Not as good as we are used to but all boats were struggling in those conditions.
Today out with good friends so plenty of laughs and Bass, Plaice, Dabs & Whiting kept us busy on the rods
Jan & Feb dates loaded which will be peak Cod season so don't leave it until the last minute. If you have a date in mind give me a call and I will do my best to adjust calendar and fit you in.
Best wishes
Steve
Sat 8th Oct
For the very first time this year we did not get all of the fish we were after, well we got some Bream but the Bass eluded us so I guess its fair to say it was 50% successful. We headed West, then North, anchored some, drifted a little, changed rigs several times, put in the miles and stayed out a little longer - it was tough! Anglers were great (particular thanks to Stuart for sharing the "bait of the day" which only he had, classy Stuart and much appreciated by all) and we ended up with some lovely deep plaice to go with the Bream so on balance a reasonable day.
Sunday 9th
Really needed a day off and hadn't planned on fishing but at 0900 received an SOS from a group that found their boat double booked and stranded in Brighton - what a horrible position to be in. 90 minutes later we are heading out to Sea and making plans on the hoof! Feathered some bait, headed West and had a great days fishing which included: Scad, Mackerel, Starry Smooth-hound, Bream, Dog fish (off course), Dabs, Plaice, Red Gurnard and our first inshore Cod of the year. Happy anglers with a box full of fish to take away and a ruined day salvaged at the last minute.
We are now prepping for serious Cod so its time to pack away the 12-20lb class and get the big guns out!!
Availability is limited (took another 4 bookings this morning) from repeat customers who clearly like what we do - Top quality tackle, unlimited free premium cuttle bait and free Tea/Coffee/Soup/Hot chocolate all day for £50 so if you are interested please give us a call and we will try our best to accommodate.
Steve - 07572 065543
--------------------------------------------- NEWS UPDATE---------------------------------
We are delighted to have been selected by Masterline Walker (Yo-Zuri/Rovex/Cortland/Ryobi/Jarvis Walker/Tsunami/Marttinni) as their preferred partner In Brighton Marina and will be carrying a full range of their fantastic Rods, Reels & terminal tackle onboard Brigand for you to try out for free.
Brigand operates on a very simple model - We aim to provide a great fishing experience at a very competitive price, values which we share with Masterline Walker so its a very exciting partnership.
Best wishes
Steve