June is definitely one of the top months for fishing in the Solent area. The summer species are abundant, and of course there are fresh mackerel around to provide a top bait. Bass are no longer a transient species, we catch them most months now but summer provides the best sport in numbers and weight.
There ae still plenty of bream around, and I have noticed that in recent years the bream that remain after the larger spawning specimens have departed are larger than they used to be.
There are plenty of mullet in the harbours and marinas, and having become more used to scraps of human food in the water, they are now more catchable.
Tope are target species for anyone that likes a tough fight. Very fresh mackerel is a top bait and on some days you can catch so many it is literally exhausting, and you have to stop for a rest! I prefer fishing for smoothhound with lighter tackle – the fight is just as exhilarating but it’s kinder on my aging back.
Gilthead bream are now a common catch in the harbours, and if you know the best marks you can catch some sizeable specimens. The only problem with fishing in harbours, and inshore for that matter, is the abundant floating weed which means a line can’t stay down for long before it has to be cleared.
Other fish featured in this month’s gallery are stingray, turbot and a sunfish. The range of species we have here is truly remarkable.