Fishing in brighton marina

[Madeira2007]

I went fishing with my mate last thursday and we are going again this thursday. We caught some bream last week and we where thinking of trying out some bass fishing. It is a pier we are fishing from can anyone give some advice please as what rigs and baits are best as i am new to the fishing world. Also are there any other fish around at brighton marina pier?

[Vagabond]

Certhia and I went down to the Western Arm this morning.

We left home at dawn, and arrived to find a (very) brisk Northerly which flattened the waves of the rising tide.

The object was to try down the side of the wall for minispecies on small hooks and then use those as livebait for bass on a pulley-rig. Normally I would present livebait on a float, but tried something different today, as I wanted to keep the bait close to the wall without the risk of a float rig snagging the barnacles. The idea was to keep the bait close to where bass might be looking for blennies.

There were lots of tompot blennies down the side - a bite a chuck. I put one out on a pulley rig, which stayed there untouched until the tide turned just after midday, and then was released and swam away. Back to the drawing board......

Kept the pressure up on the minspecies (you never know what might be lurking at the foot of the wall) but apart from one baby pollack, it was tompot blenny after tompot blenny. All showing their gratitude at being unhooked by trying to bite your finger.

The chap next to me hooked a Golden Grey Mullet, - about a pound and a half - which I landed for him with my dropnet. He was using frozen black lug and sportingly gave me a few, but they didn't work for me. Pity, as I need that fish for my own species hunt.

By now Certhia was getting concerned about my lack of success with the bass - not on my behalf, but as to whether we were going to have anything for tea!
Next minute she had put a shrimp rig on and caught a couple of mackerel, which immediately became part of a plan that came to fruition at teatime in the shape of grilled fresh mackerel, served with rhubarb sauce and garnished with fresh chopped mint leaves. Superb.

[Greenheart]

Sounds very tasty. Genuinely fresh Mackerel are one of the best tasting fish in the sea. By fresh, I mean, caught & cooked within the hour.