May is Bream month although they stay around our section of coast for a lot longer than they once did. The larger fish come inshore to breed and there have been plenty of them caught right through the month. The SMAC Open Bream Competition was won by a 3lb fish and all in the top 15 were 2lb plus.
Harbours and marinas are full of mullet. When they first appear they are very difficult to catch because they are feeding on small natural items like weed and micro organisms. As the season progresses their diet extends to scavenging from things we drop in the water and are much easier to catch on bread for example. Not that they are ever that easy to catch! SMAC Fish of the Month was a 5lb mullet caught by Ray Plomer.
Mackerel and garfish are around in reasonable numbers but still not as plentiful as they once were. You will often see birds working particularly in the evening and at first light, and although there are plenty of fish there, they can be difficult or impossible to catch. This is because fish can be very single-minded if they are feeding on very small fry that have just hatched. They are either focussed only on tiny baitfish or their stomachs are full!
The first smoothhounds have arrived and will be on the usual marks. There are also plenty of bass, particularly the smaller ones shoaling up like mackerel. There are also plenty of the usual species to keep anglers busy like the nice Thornback Ray above that was John Calton’s Personal Best. There’s always a chance of an unusual bonus like a turbot. It would be nice if we had more of those again.
Next month we expect to see more catches of tope as the larger fish arrive inshore to have their pups.
Thanks to everyone for sending in photos for the gallery!