I TOOK the freshwater fishing tackle for an outing on Sunday and despite the sunshine found the coarse fish harder to catch.
It's usual at this time of year when the frosts are only just starting to bite to see the fish go off the feed.
Then once the cold weather settles down they start to show again.
Around the region catches have slowed from the wild fisheries and the clearing water is a sure sign the fish are not moving around so much – time to get the pike gear out on venues like the Royal Military canal.
Elsewhere, the best catches will continue to come from the commercial fisheries and there are plenty around the region.
One of the largest is Cottington near Deal, which has a mixture of lakes offering silver fish, match fishing, specimen carp etc.
The mix of lakes allows some choice other than carp and Black lake was the venue for the latest competition and that was won by Folkestone angler, Martin Waters with a catch of skimmer bream and quality perch for 19lb 15oz.
A close second was James Young of Deal with 19lb 8oz and third was Pete Joiner of Lyminge with 12lb 15oz. Lake Heron and Lake Alder are reported to be the best of the freelance lakes with bream and carp showing to worm and pellet.
The other fishery in the region worth a look is the Sandwich Fishery on the Sandwich to Ash Road, again a mix of specimen, match and freelance lakes.
The first of the seasonal Christmas fishing events took place on Sunday when 23 members of Ashford Angling Society fished their Christmas fur and feather match on their match lake at Surrenden. The winner with a mixed net of 14lb 2oz taken on pellet was Ashford angler, Lee Talbot. Richard Payne of Ashford was the runner up with 11lb 2oz and he was fishing with sweetcorn.
Ken Crumbie was third with 8lb 3oz.
At sea whiting dominated the latest Martin Walters Sea Angling Club's beach fishing events with Gary Jago of Folkestone winning from Folkestone beach with 14lb 3oz. Second was Danny Jago with 9lb 5oz and third Andrew Gibson with 9lb 4oz. At the club's late night competition fished at Princes Parade, Seabrook the best catch was 15lb 8oz, again mainly whiting, for Barry Uden of Folkestone. The best flat fish was a sole of 14oz for Garry Jago.
The next open sea angling contest being fished in the region is this weekend when the Kent Open Series takes place at Princes Parade at Seabrook on Sunday morning.
It's a very early start with the fishing is from 7.30am until noon. Meet at the Murco Garage, CT21 6NB, at Battery Point.
Also coming up are several Christmas events. The Deal 1919 SAC 50 turkey open festival is on December 2, from 11am until 4pm.
This is the largest of the open Christmas events and has prizes and cash pools as well as the turkeys. Details from Deal 1919 AC.
The Dover SAA open Christmas event is on December 1, from 9am to 3pm. Entry details on 01304 204722 or email dsaa12@btconnect
If you have caught a big fish, won a match, freshwater or sea, why not let us know about it. Contact Alan Yates on 01303 250017, 07790 132656 or e-mail alankyates@aol.com.
