Catch Fish in the Thames Estuary: GRAVESEND

[@alancarlile4252]

Many fishing channels but I truly believe this to the best - no nonsense, so stupid sound effects, clear filming showing location, tackle, bait - keep up the good work.

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Many thanks Alan - in choosing a style, I opted to focus on the fishing - hoping that, and some info along the way, would keep viewers attention. I appreciate your feedback.

[@tonycross5801]

Agreed backing music and sound effects don't do it for me.

[@PaintingKate1]

Great video about the area I grew up. Caught my first eels from a handline baited with earthworms from the PLA jetty when I was about 14. Great memories.

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Nice one and thanks for watching.

[@dpagain2167]

Rod, thank you for your videos which, interesting as they are, also are nostalgic to me as I grew up in S.E. London before emigrating to the USA. I was born in 1947 and in my childhood the river Thames was nothing but an open sewer. The fact that you now catch fish all over the estuary is a tribute to environmental protectionism.

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Thanks for that. I think there is still a lot of stuff going in to the river that shouldn't; but I've not fallen ill from eating anything I've caught from it so far! There are still many Thames Estuary marks I've yet to cover - but I'm working on that and there will be more from Gravesend, Greenhithe and West Thurrock on the way soon.

[@douglasbatley]

Rod , I came to watch your videos initially because they were about places where I fish however since then I realised you are actually a mine of information about all kinds of techniques, fish and tackle . I now watch any and all of them . When I was a kid 40+ years ago I just fished freshwater and the go to book was Billy Lanes Encyclopaedia Of Float Fishing . I have to say you really are the Billy Lane of the sea. Forgive me for saying this but your presentation style really is low key almost uncharismatic and I think that is what makes the videos even better .It's all about the fishing with you , not you trying to be some KZbin star . It works great long may you do it and thanks for all the tips and tricks.

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Many thanks for your kind remarks. Yes, I just post what happens and my thoughts on the sessions, trying to keep things real - no clowning or acting, just focusing on the fishing.

[@andrewfrost8422]

Mission accomplished. Nice Sole. I would imagine the conveyor puts people off more than it does the fish. 👍 good video

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Thanks Andrew👍 Yes fish don't seem too bothered about the conveyor belt being on - the noise / vibrations is another excuse we can use, if we don't catch.

[@neilturner6865]

Coming from Gravesend I know the venue well and lots of marks all along the River right upto the Shorne Mead Light house. Big Eels Bass were always a favourite in the summer. The famous Black Post where the deep hole is was always mobbed for the Big Cod in winter. I’m 58 and it has always brought back fond memories of fires at night and fishing Gravesend Promenade for big flatties on the spring tides. I also went to the NSTC so used to fish off the jetty there when the instructors allowed us. Sadly the fishing had fallen off these days and a big catch is very hard to get. The rocks have swallowed up many a lead weight as well. The NSTC (national sea training college) was where all the young lads went before heading off for a future at sea. It is now closed and used by the police. There were over 500 kids there when I was there in 78/79

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Thanks for your insights Neil. Yes, it used to be much better, but there are still a few fish about, just harder to get a decent catch.

[@johnjbh7089]

Another brilliant vid. You make even quiet days interesting. Well done and keep them coming.

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Many thanks for saying so John.

[@adriangalley]

Well done for keeping at it with the conveyor on ,it really paid of with a great Sole.I love watching your videos.

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Many thanks for that Adrian.

[@jerryoconnor309]

I really enjoy your videos Rod so thank you very much. I have been fishing for 50years or so and I still learn something new. I have never caught a sole and I guess the reason is that I know so little about their habits and where to find them. I live in County Kerry, Ireland and we have some great fishing. Famous for its bass fishing on the many storm beaches. One myth that I believed for many years was that sole could only be caught by night. I will have to research what kind of habitat is likely to have sole and try for them. Thanks to you I know what rigs and baits to use.

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Thanks for watching and commenting Jerry. There are plenty of soles around the venues I fish. It is better at night for them, but they will feed during the day, particularly if the water is coloured. My favourite fish - hope you catch one soon.

[@hungfaili19]

Like this programme

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Glad you liked it and thanks for watching.

[@kev596]

Enjoyable to watch , it must be hard work taking that much gear.

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Thanks Kev - its nothing compared with the amount we take coarse match fishing!

[@dukeonthewater]

Top quality info as usual, thanks Rod!

[@rodsangleuk6283]

My pleasure @dukeonthewater and thanks for saying so again!

[@chrischaralambous286]

Hi Rod. A good sized sole. Nice one. Goes to show you.....Sometimes when you hear advice or rumours (such as the vibrations of the conveyor belt), take it with a pinch of salt, as no one really knows for sure. Looking forward to the next video👍.

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Thanks Chris. Yes - you can catch when you least expect to, so just need to try and keep going until you do.

[@TheGlassman63]

An all to rare smile from Rod with the decent sized Sole.

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Yes, thanks for that Ryan. Soles are my favourite fish, so if anything's going to make me smile, it's catching one of them, after a long time trying!

[@anglingpassion5039]

I have had some nice cod off this mark but it is very snaggy and you do need to find the clean spots. Great video awesome

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Many thanks for that. Plenty of snags for sure!

[@TheWs25]

Hi Rod, good vid as usual. Have you ever fished further round by the sand jetty in front of Cliffe Fort? I'm going to try there in a couple of weeks, will see whats around!

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Not yet @TheWs25! Would be interested to find out how you get on - good luck.

[@TheWs25]

@@rodsangleuk6283 I've fished elsewhere in Cliffe but not from there before, I'll let you know how I do.

[@simonconstable9376]

Thanks rod great vid you had more luck there than I do am fishi g greys on Wednesday thanks again

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Good luck! Thanks for watching Simon.

[@jimmark2010]

Ragwarm is the best bit ! thank you very much

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Yes jimmark2010 - I've had more success with ragworm here in the past, but have had a problem sourcing it recently! Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@jonathanking4861]

Many Thanks again. Really interesting locations. I learn a lot. If you can explain why you use one rig rather than another that might help me. Take care and keep those videos coming!

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Nice one Jonathan. Yes - rig choice is quite a personal thing. Some swear by one over the other. Here, I want short snoods kept very close to the 'seabed' / riverbed, since that's how soles like it - boom rigs allow you to do this.

[@Arfabiscuit]

It's been a long time since i have seen this place . Never fished that part though, in the old days Sea Angler did a few articles on fishing there written by Shane Pullen who lives in Gravesend . Thanks for posting .

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Yes I remember reading Shane's articles and have watched one or two matches there over the years. Thanks for watching and commenting @Arfabiscuit.

[@bucko321]

I have just moved to the coast, your vids has inspired me to have a go at sea fishing , normally fresh water angler . Thanks keep up the good work.

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Many thanks for that Mark.

[@fishhubbd]

well content with beautiful option!!!!

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Thanks a lot 😊

[@Lth56]

Fished there many times in my younger days. That was when there was a chance of catching a decent codling or two.

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Still the odd chance now Les.

[@Lth56]

@@rodsangleuk6283 Here’s hoping Rod. Great videos by the way Rod, keep ‘em coming.

[@mimo1dz38]

Thanks a lot mate nice spot and i liked the send by the bank . But if you dont mind if you park in mark lane how do get access to the bank is it through the pub?🖒

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Thanks for watching @mimo1dz. Yes - there are limited spaces right next to the pub and parking before you get to the PLA Marine House. You take the path along the seawall straight in front of the pub to get to the fishing marks.

[@jameshogsdengolfcoursemain5046]

Hi Rod really love the information in your videos. Would love to sea you fish Canvey Island,there catching plenty of smoothies on the evening ebb tides to double figures to peelers or Rag from the point down to southals even as far a Thorny bay. Keep videos coming absolutely love them 👍👌

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Great suggestion James! Apparently they are also coming out of Southend, but I've yet to see someone catch one. I used to fish Southfalls in the winter trying for codling, but just catching whiting!

[@garysmith4469]

What made you go there for sole?

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Gravesend has been good to me for soles in the past, Gary. Thanks for watching.

[@mikesaul8711]

Thanks for uploading Rod, excellent as always, very informative. Kind regards Mike. Norfolk. 🐟🐟🐟

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Many thanks for saying that Mike.

[@simonsmith6053]

Great video again, Rod. Fair play to you for sticking it out - got to say that conveyor belt would have driven me half-mad!

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Yes - thanks for that Simon. My head was ringing a bit at the end!

[@andabossftw]

You should fish Rainham at low water as its fishable and also big bass (3-6 lbs) come out of the Thames at low tide

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Yes AndaBoss - 'The Bin' is on the to do list, together with a number of other Thames marks! Thanks for the suggestion and hope you're catching them.

[@user-ze4fc2gx3q]

I fish dead opposite where you are on a place called the cow patt on tilbury marshes. I have notice that there's not has many anglers fish ther like they use too.

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Yes - I've look at that side many times; but I've yet to take my gear there - it's quite a walk from where you can park.

[@user-ze4fc2gx3q]

@rodsangleuk6283 it's not to bad if you cycle but it can be tricky with the drift wood that washes up on spring tides.

[@gazellis1961]

Another great video Rod,loved the smile when you caught that decent Sole,after all that hard work it finally payed off..Quick question Rod are flatties your favourite eating fish? Stay safe.

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Thanks for that @gazellis1961 - in order of preference / taste in my opinion - soles, then bream, then plaice, then bass!

[@carper1325]

hi could be the vobration attracts the fish mate maybe next time wear ear protectors good luck colin

[@rodsangleuk6283]

That's a good point; but most think that its more likely that the change in seabed / riverbed sediment, with more sand / grit in it, as a result of falling off the conveyor belt, is what draws soles to structure.

[@pmay222]

lovely quality video.... we cycle down there and i have fished it a few years ago...its desperate down there, my friend fished the sea school pier this side , putting the lead in the L shape part of the pier.. and he totally fluked a 7lb Bass.... didnt even have a bite just wound it in because he thought a plastic bag had caught the line and it was a cracking fish.... the venue is raped by the trawler boats that drag a huge net right across the river from boat to boat a few times a week... they come up to shorne Fort.... i mean how bloody desperate it shouldnt be allowed...... trawl in the sea not an estuary where fish get some sanctuary...

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Thanks a lot for your comments @pmay222. I've seen a 6lb bass caught from the saltings further along, but have never been that lucky myself!

[@peterfordham5949]

Well done sir

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Many thanks Peter.

[@kenhenley7599]

Patience is a virtue so they say and it certainly paid off in the end. Pity about the lost one though. Think you need to pack some ear plugs next time you visit that venue! As a matter of interest is the sand being delivered by the ship or loaded onto the ship? Excellent video (as ever) and your filming / editing never ceases to amaze me. Keep safe, keep healthy and keep sane. Cheers. Ken

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Thanks Ken. Yes its nice when things eventually come good and against the odds. That's a good question - not sure if the sand is loaded on to the ships - I would guess its the otherway round and aggregates are graded and stored on the site to be moved by lorry elsewhere for the construction trade. Maybe someone else can enlighten us! Either way its noisy!

[@peterfordham5949]

Maybe you should try the Isle of Sheppey

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Yes - looking forward to going back there.

[@marksimpson5729]

What rods are you useing

[@rodsangleuk6283]

These are my well used Grauvell Teknos Due rods - I had three, but broke the spliced tip of one and then a middle section. Its a shame they are no longer available. There are plenty out there which are similar. Since Grauvell have gone, I may well switch over to Colmic for my continental rods.

[@keithslater2609]

Who does your filming ?

[@rodsangleuk6283]

I do all the filming (and it has cost me some fish being landed!) and editing Keith.

[@leeemery9796]

Great watch, new to the sea fishing, the estuary not far from me do you have Facebook etc to bend your ear Many thanks.

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Thanks Lee - I don't do Facebook, but you could always e-mail me - sometimes I get round to reading them!

[@peterfordham5949]

could fish Leysdown you can dig bait there

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Have fished there in the past for rays Peter, but not tried digging there.

[@demodorset7574]

I'll get you top rag I'm in Dorset though.give me days notice and I'll supply any amount of beauties hours old in sand not compost if you're in area

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Nice one Dean - where abouts in Dorset are you?

[@demodorset7574]

@@rodsangleuk6283 I'm in Wareham and enjoyed your video on Studland which I've fished but further to the ferry for big bass.ive been having a few sessions at lake pier Hamworthy where there are lots of big bream this year which is a first for me in Poole harbour which I've fished since knee high.thats also where I dig which isn't as good since commercial diggers rinsed it for few years.you also did a video at Weston shore where I've fished a lot as my brother lives in Eastleigh.just a heads up that we dig excellent rag at Weston but the clue is to only dig a few metres out from high tide mark.from both places I get roughly 50-60 rag in 45-60 mins gentle speed and only one spit deep so it's not too back breaking!!

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Many thanks for the info Dean. My father used to travel to Poole to dig, when he was into sea fishing. I've been meaning to fish Poole Harbour for flounders the last couple of years but just haven't got round to it - I know that its gone into decline for them, so its interesting to hear about the bream, which I also love fishing for.

[@demodorset7574]

@@rodsangleuk6283 well the funny thing is I was going to say that the bream showing up makes up for the absence of flounder's which I've only had 2 in last 5 years!!!also Poole quay is buzzing and many good plaice are being caught one of which my friend had at just under 5lb!bass are plentiful too but the lake pier venue is a no go on bright hot sunny days because of the kids using it as a dive sight,which is not allowed but not policed although distance required can be got from beach

[@demodorset7574]

@@rodsangleuk6283 if you do plan a short notice trip I'm digging every few days at the moment and always have a good amount I throw back.im not a digger for money so with a bit of notice you could catch me with a few spare if you'll be coming this way at all

[@seafishinggirl]

Was it you who wanted a supply of tri-lobe leads, if you serch for these on ebay using " All Size plain TRILOBE LIFT LEAD WEIGHTS SINKERS Sea Carp River fishing tackle"

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Thanks for the info.