Muscle Fishing

02/01/2026

Rolling past a frozen coastline this morning near Bexhill – snow on the beach, sea looking moody and fishy… and I’m stuck on the train watching it go by.

Be honest… would you brave the cold and get a line in, or would you stay at home looking out the window instead?

What’s the best catch you’ve ever had with snow on the ground? 👇

02/01/2026

Beach rods out on a winter session and I spot this huge commercial vessel steaming past what looks barely a mile off the beach.

It wasn’t fishing at the time – just under power heading somewhere – but it still got me thinking…

what’s it targeting that keeps it working this close to the coast?
Herring? Sprats? Mackerel? Whiting? Something else?

Curious to hear what you reckon 👇🎣

01/01/2026

Just a tiny rattle on the rod tip before it’s fish on. Winter bites are often easy to miss, so keep your eyes peeled.
Can you spot the subtle bite in this clip – and what species do you think it is? Drop your guess in the comments 👇🎣

31/12/2025

Game-changer bit of kit!

I’ve recently added a Tripod Mesh Gear Basket to my setup and I genuinely wish I’d bought one years ago.

Such a simple idea but it makes a massive difference – keeps all your bait, leads, scissors, spare rigs and session essentials up off the stones, dry, clean and right where you need them instead of rummaging through bags on the beach.

It’s already become one of those bits of kit I won’t go without.

What’s the one bit of tackle you’ve added recently that’s made a big difference to your fishing?

Let me know below 👇🎣

31/12/2025

There is currently a sale on at XTRATUF

I’ve just ordered a pair of white boots for the new year. Albeit 1 size to big but with warm socks or my drysuit socks in them as well as my feet, I’m sure they will fit fine.

Bargain if you’re able to find your size and in the market for a pair!

Not sponsored, just want to share a good deal when I see one!

XTRATUF Men's White Ankle Deck Sport is built from a high-performance foam ProLite; which is ultra-durable and slip-resistant.

31/12/2025

With winter setting in hard I sometimes like to reflect back on the long summer days and autumnal sessions to keep the mood high.

After a brutal fight we finally managed to leader and secure this big bluefin tuna. Measuring over 100 inches and estimated at 500lb+, it was a fish I’d dreamed about for years – and one I can confidently say is my biggest to date.

Can 2026 beat that? I really hope so! 🎣💪

30/12/2025

Where have all the Thornback Rays gone? 🤔🎣

Over the last couple of years I’ve really noticed a big drop in the number of thornback rays being caught locally from the shore – and I’m definitely not the only one saying it.

What’s worrying is that it’s not just shore fishing either… even from the boat I’m now struggling on marks that used to almost guarantee a decent thornback session. Yet at the same time, dogfish seem to be absolutely everywhere in far bigger numbers than before.

Spots that were once reliable now seem quiet, even when conditions look perfect. I don’t know of any solid research explaining why, but something clearly feels very different compared to a few seasons back.

Is it pressure? Commercial activity?
Changes in water temperature or baitfish?
Or are the rays simply moving elsewhere?

Have you noticed the same decline where you fish, or are you still finding them? Let’s compare notes 👇

30/12/2025

Winter beach fishing doesn’t have to be miserable – you just need to play it smart.

Here are my 3 simple tips that genuinely improve winter sessions:

1️⃣ Fish for what’s actually out there – target the species that are active in winter, not what you wish was around.

2️⃣ Pick a favourable day – overcast and dry is often far better for bites than bright sunshine. Blue-sky winter days feel great for the angler, but they don’t always help your catch rate.

3️⃣ Bring a hot flask – it keeps your body warm and adds a bit of comfort from home when the conditions are tough.

Get these right and winter sessions suddenly feel a whole lot more enjoyable 💪❄️🎣

29/12/2025

The time had finally come to get back out fishing!

Admittedly, not the kind I’d really like to be doing — I’d much rather be 30 miles off the Eastbourne coast — but with an early finish at work and a well-timed high tide, I couldn’t really turn down the chance to go shore fishing.

I must admit, I also had a few fishing-related birthday and Christmas presents that I was itching to try, so that definitely helped get me out!

First stop was Anglers den to collect 20 lugworm. Today’s session turned into a real scratching session — the sort you try to catch whatever is in front of you.

Armed with Limitless Sea Fishing LTD match hooks and my homemade 1-up, 1-down rigs, I fed on worm baits and cast into the muddy water at Pevensey.

It took about an hour before I started getting some bites, but when they came, my species predictions were pretty much spot on.

Over the four hours I fished, I managed to land around 10 fish — and a surprisingly decent mix of four species:

• Plaice
• Bearded Rockling
• Whiting
• Dab

I was really hoping to hit five species, which realistically would have meant a dogfish. I tried squid, but it wasn’t to be this time — although to be fair I only used squid strips for the last half hour.

All in all, not a bad little session at all. It was great to be back out, and a YouTube video will be coming in the next few days.

My biggest tip for winter fishing: fish for what’s in front of you. Scale down, catch fish, and it keeps you busy while taking your mind off the cold.

Hope everyone’s had a great Christmas — and I’m looking forward to getting back into the fishing properly now… weather permitting! 🎣

29/12/2025

Well the teletubby suit is on and it’s time to go and hit the shingle!

It’s not very motivating seeing the catches right now, nor am I that pumped to be getting out if I’m honest. But I will try anyway and see if a few little fish are hungry!

28/12/2025

Putting a big bend in the Howk 30 Class as we start getting towards the business end of a proper scrap with this British bluefin tuna.
I called it — “nearly ready.”
My mate wasn’t so sure… just a quiet shake of the head that said it all.
Short pumps, steady pressure, and still this fish wasn’t done yet. That last part of the fight always tells the real story. 🎣