Southend Pier Fishing; Catch & Cook Sand Smelt & Mackerel.

[@Trojwaterman]

Tip : they congregate at night under lights. When I was a kid we used to fish for smelt at night under the lights at the harbour and cook them up very tasty. When they would suddenly vanish from under the lights that was the sign that squid were about.

[@shorefishingessex]

Wow your knowledge of all things marine is encyclopedic, you have information on everything that swims!!

[@Trojwaterman]

@@shorefishingessex Most of my life has been spent on in or under the ocean. I would have liked to have been a marine biologist but my parents could not afford university plus my English at school sucked and I would have needed that at the time to get into university. But it never stopped me going down the beach, fishing and learning by experience. :) Love your easy style of videos going out fishing for whats around and trying different fish and shellfish

[@shorefishingessex]

@@Trojwaterman It's comments like that from other respected KZbinrs like you that make this all worthwhile for me, Thank you

[@leehotspur9679]

Hi Paul from NZ Ex N/Kent and S/Essex family Your fishing expeds reminded me of my childhoods days in the 50s and are very nostalgic Some of the best eating fish in my opinion are the small variety When you mentioned spratts My mother used to buy them in Gravesend Market ,they were very deep silver colour and a treat to eat I really enjoy your vids , My Kiwi kids says oy Dad he sounds like you 😂

[@shorefishingessex]

Lol Lee, thanks for the positive comments, glad I'm bringing back memories for you my friend, all the best, Paul.

[@TheBangersnSmash]

Nice to see kids that will eat real food. Good video again well done thanks

[@shorefishingessex]

Bangersnsmash UK Thank you kindly sir!!

[@barbaraannebird278]

A top guy, who cares about nature, the world needs more fellas like him.

[@learningtolivewithhumans1859]

love your video Paul dont ever apologise for the long vids we love them

[@95l3kwak4]

Top man, glad you are back, won’t be long till all your former subscribers return. Great to see you promoting the Essex coast again 👍

[@shorefishingessex]

95l3 kwak thanks, lets hope so, all the best pal

[@patrickcavanaghkilmartin]

I've caught Sand Smelt when fishing for Mullet. Will try them another time. Amazed at the size of the scales. Great vid

[@shorefishingessex]

Patrick Cavanagh sorry for the late reply, I've been away but definitely give the sand smelt a try, thanks!

[@willsanders84]

The most enjoyable fishing content on youtube for me!

[@helenprenderville9221]

you make wonderful videos and you have a lovely family the longer the videos the better no need to change anything your not a bad cook either.

[@shorefishingessex]

helen prenderville many thanks for the kind words!!

[@robertmedzai8163]

Theres nothing wrong with your videos they r great , just keep em coming .

[@shorefishingessex]

Robert thanks, you are too kind!!

[@x400tab]

What a cracking video, love fishing Southend Pier in the 90's where I would live bait for Bass by the RNLI Station, well done Paul.

[@stevejan88]

Great to see you back on here mate

[@slaneyside]

all those guys/channels you mentioned are brilliant and I'm delighted you're all promoting each other...can't have enough good fishing channels...smash, trojs, fish locker, love all those guys.

[@shorefishingessex]

slaneyside defo!!

[@andyr2011ar]

I was subscribed ages ago. Then for some reason you disappeared and all videos were gone. Was absolutely gutted. Found you through a recommendation video. Soo glad to see you back mate.

[@Johnx961]

Listen mate your vids are natural and interesting keep em coming.

[@shorefishingessex]

John thanks for the kind words!

[@rodsangleuk6283]

Great stuff! Have only just come across this vid. - as a Sarfender I really must get round to fishing the pier. Glad to see you're back - love the new channel trailer and the foraging videos from our Foreshore. Tasty - more please!

[@michaelblackmore2014]

good ti see you back good job

[@shorefishingessex]

michael blackmore thank you!

[@128will]

Don’t let anyone put you down! You are quality - keep the content coming!

[@shorefishingessex]

CapturedTV thank you sir!! I will try

[@stevem1208]

As an expat Southender I love your vids.

[@shorefishingessex]

Steve M many thanks, I do try to keep the videos as local as possible cheers!!

[@damianowens5066]

Hiya mate fantastic video I loved the disco alcie at the beginning I've met a few of them in my past specially in Cream back in the 90's!!! 😂🕺😍 100% agree with what you said about mackerel best eating fish in the sea! And of course a huge thanks for the shout out at the end it nearly brought a tear to my eye 🤧 As I've said in the past the reason why so many people have supported you is the fact that you are a really nice guy, one of us and make extremely good videos! Keep em coming mate and best of luck to you! 😉🎣👍

[@shorefishingessex]

Cheers Damo, my head won't fit through the door if I keep getting comments like that!!

[@damianowens5066]

@@shorefishingessex 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣 credit due mate can't wait to watch our Norway videos, don't forget that catch and cook ???????? 😉😂🤣👍 say no more mate

[@martinfaulkner2546]

Just stumbled across your channel, excellent video. Thank you for taking the time to make them. Looking forward to watching your older ones and ones to come. Thank you again.

[@shorefishingessex]

Cheers Martin, thank you for watching & the kind words sir!! I know a Stuart Faulkner, any relation?!!

[@martinfaulkner2546]

@@shorefishingessex not done the whole family tree but most of my family are Manchester based. Really liked the pier hunt video. Could spend hours in places like that.

[@chrischaralambous286]

Great video Paul. Don't mind these long videos at all. Nice of you to give a shout out at the end of the video too. I will definitely be following your channel mate, great content and editing.👍👌

[@shorefishingessex]

Chris thank you!

[@TheDarrenread]

Well done Fella your a great watch and everyone shouting you out agree you should be making videos.

[@shorefishingessex]

Darren Read thank you sir!! I will try to keep making the vids!!

[@t_poutsider]

Top quality as always fella, keep em coming 👍

[@shorefishingessex]

T_P Outsider many thanks!!

[@princeoffish]

All the channels you mentioned are fantastic ! Keep the videos going as they are great ,If you want to try up here on the Holderness Coast this winter give me a shout !

[@shorefishingessex]

andy Hind if I venture up that way I sure will, all the best, Paul

[@tommybaker6230]

Love the videos, inspiring me to get down Southend and give it a go!

[@shorefishingessex]

Tommy Baker cheers, I reckon the Whiting should be around soon, if not already!

[@alanevans6363]

Keep doing your thing your a brilliant watch

[@shorefishingessex]

Alan Evans thankyou kindly sir!!

[@DavidJohnson-pj8hp]

Just discovered your channel again, cuffed to say the least

[@maxwater3697]

Welcome back missed your videos.

[@shorefishingessex]

max water glad to be back, cheers!

[@protocolofficer2629]

Another great video Paul. FYI, living in Ontario (Toronto) we have a yearly smelt run ( when the ice melts in early May) where millions of freshwater smelts rush from the Great Lakes to a myriad of rivers and streams to spawn. The run is short but enthusiasts bring literally buckets of smelts home (caught mainly in nets). They are smaller than the ones you caught but are treated the same way you did. It’s optional to behead and clean them, then dredge them in seasoned flour then fry in oil. I’ve had them a few times as I can buy them frozen and cook them like white bait. Thanks for a great food adventure old boy. I really enjoy you, the lads and your experiences. Cheers, Colin.P.S. Looking forward to having a Bass beer I just bought after enviously watching you earlier in the day really enjoying one.

[@shorefishingessex]

Cheers Colin thanks for the kind words & insight into your local smelt fishery, enjoy your beer!!

[@TheFishLocker]

- I usually don’t like mackerel unless it’s smoked and peppered but prepared like you did looked delicious. Your lads are the double of you.haha. Great video mate. Shame about you cap. I get attached to stuff aswell. 😛👍🏻🎣 Nice shout outs at the end. 😉

[@shorefishingessex]

Cheers John, sorry for the late reply but I've only just noticed this comment as it was marked up as spam for some reason? I've heard lots of people say that the kids are similar in appearance to me, which is preferable to them being similar to the milkman at least!! Just hope they don't have my propensity to over eat!! Thanks for the kind words, it's not exactly ground breaking or Bluefin Tuna territory but it fills a hole for some people, cheers mate!!

[@TheFishLocker]

Shore Fishing Essex - Do people still have milkman? Haha. I enjoy your vids because the method in which you make them shares the “what’s going to happen next?” Factor. It is honestly brilliant. Seeing you react and interact as you are experiencing things is just like being there with you. 👍🏻😊

[@kaseythompson4670]

I found you through Smash Fishing, but I stayed and subscribed because of your content and your personality. It's a pleasure to meet you, sir. I look forward to more of your videos. Best to you and your lovely family.

[@shorefishingessex]

Storm Tater many thanks for the kind words & thanks to Jay at Smash fishing too!!

[@alfst5546]

Hi, when I was a kid, I use to catch loads of smelt, using small fresh water hooks with silver foil on the, using about 8 hooks on a foot long length of line, and you could catch dozens at a time.

[@greavste71]

Brilliant video......thanks for your efforts👍

[@shorefishingessex]

Stephen Greaves, no worries, thanks!

[@Verminterminator]

Great video - Love the vids and glad your back !!

[@shorefishingessex]

Blaser R8 thank you!!

[@MrCfish1]

Nice one Paul, glad to see your back, you've been missed greatly by lots of people, specially us Brits who live across the big pond. Over here on the Southern Oregon coast we get a yearly run of herring that come in the harbours and estuaries to spawn. Most people catch them for bait for lingcod, salmon and halibut. Us old ex-pats also eat them. Fresh off the shore, cleaned and split open or brined then smoked to try and make kippers. It's refreshing to see that you eat what you catch, most KZbin sea fishing channels are all catch and release these days, or so it seems. The American ones are on the whole, catch and cook. There's some West coast ones that make Sushi out of just about anything they catch, really good foraging vids and wilderness survival. Like I said at the beginning of this, great to see you back fishing, foraging and eating. I really must make some time to download some of my fishing and hunting videos and get them on my channel but, there's too much to do here and not enough time to get it all done. Don't know how I managed to get everything done when I was working as now I've retired I just don't seem to get the time what with boat and shore fishing, clamming, hunting for deer, elk, bear, grouse, ducks and more. It's tough work this living on the Pacific Northwest coast in a small town in between the ocean and the mountains and forests. I miss the south of England and fishing on the Channel beaches but, I don't miss all the crowds.

[@shorefishingessex]

Tony Hobbs thanks for the words of encouragement, it sounds like you live in paradise!! The crowds are a problem here in the South East of England, it's one of the most densely populated parts of Europe, You either have to fish midweek, unsociable hours or go where no-one else fears to tread!!

[@MrCfish1]

@@shorefishingessex I used to live in the south east of England and when I emigrated from there in 2003 it was very crowded Paul. I remember when where I was born and grew up was all fields and woods, great for ferreting for rabbits, shooting pheasants and wood pigeons. Normal things that country boys did in the 60's and early 70's. Then London spread out and the woods and fields of my youth got covered in concrete and buildings. Now, here in Southern Oregon I can head out into the forest and not see anyone for days. Mind you, plenty of people who don't know what they are doing or are badly equipped can just disappear and are never seen again. Once the bears, cougars, coyotes and now wolves find you, there's generally not much left. It's sort of like going back in time to a more wilder time where foraging is more for gathering food and less going to a store.

[@shorefishingessex]

@@MrCfish1 You would get on with one of my pals, he loves his country pursuits, he shoots & used to have ferrets too!!

[@MsTilda2]

Looks great😊👍 you guys are a real garlic family😅👍 macrells really are tasty, love seafood myself.. bon appetit chef👍 Allways watching till the end😊you are just so down to earth guy, love it🙏🙏❤

[@shorefishingessex]

Helle Dahl Kristensen sorry for the late reply but I've only just noticed this comment for some strange reason, thanks for the kind words & thanks for watching all the way to the end!!

[@MsTilda2]

@@shorefishingessex no worries 😊👍

[@aronmcintosh8000]

Off to Dover next week and pray the mackerel r still about. Can't beat mackerel that fresh and defo 1 of the Kings of the sea 😋 Like u sed ur not an expert forager and I think that that's gr8 cos as u learn u r helping others 😉 well done m8 hats off to u and gr8 to see u back! And thanks smash fishing for lettering people no 👍🏻

[@shorefishingessex]

aron McIntosh hope you snag some mackerel in Dover, they are much underrated!

[@rollinraver6056]

I used to go to southend pier with my dad when I was a kid, we'd take a couple of crab nets to & catch shrimp & edible crabs, ahh those were the days.

[@tollesbury1]

Oh that was awesome...loved it. It just gets better and better with you...keep em coming. As for lip smacking....it makes the fish look even tastier!! Yummy stuff!

[@shorefishingessex]

Nigel Norton cheers mate, wish those mackerel would play ball though!!

[@davidbooth1100]

Good stuff m8, keep them coming. Davey.

[@shorefishingessex]

Cheers Davey, all the best, Paul

[@danlancia]

so glad your back mate

[@shorefishingessex]

dan morgan thank you!

[@billmoss2502]

Welcome back mate,keep them coming.

[@shorefishingessex]

Bill Moss thanks pal, will try!!

[@DevonLerfer]

So glad you're back and uploading again mate, always engaging and interesting! I'd heard that Sand Smelt were supposed to be quite tasty so it was good to see that confirmed! I might actually take a few home the next time I find a shoal! Tight lines mate and look forward to the next upload 👍🎣

[@shorefishingessex]

Devon Lerfer thanks pal, glad you enjoyed the vid, tight lines, Paul

[@martinsmith1447]

Keep em coming geez!!!

[@shorefishingessex]

Martin Smith cheers Geeza, will try!!

[@johnbull1978]

First thing I’d have done with those smelt is stick one back down as live bait for the bass. But cracking vid buddy 👍

[@ironix1]

Sadly, Smelt can be used as livebait for about 30 seconds if you are lucky and then they turn to dead baits.

[@MyEejit]

i wouldnt mind being on washing up duty at your place paul after a good feed of mackerel, only one fork lol. glad your back your channel is very easy to watch because its always interesting, best wishes sir

[@shorefishingessex]

davie-m thank you kindly sir!!

[@jeremy87turbo87]

I used to watch you but you stopped and I'm glad to hear smash fishing told me you were back so I'm here again love watching you man I love your honest opinion on what you eat

[@shorefishingessex]

Jeremy O'Rourke many thanks, I owe Jay from Smash Fishing a big favour for doing that, all the best, Paul

[@Durjoy007imtiaz]

Mind asking what rig and hook size you used. I have been trying over and over with size 3 and 4 sabikis but I never catch anything except weed.

[@stephenjackson1828]

Great vid fella! I subscribe to every channel you mentioned quite a little community going on eh!

[@shorefishingessex]

Stephen Jackson many thanks my friend, that was my aim, all the best, Paul

[@billytankcomander1233]

did the bass do a grate escape attempt. jokes a side this is my favourite vid on your channel. I'm going to do the recipe but with sprats good vid

[@8r4ham]

Great stuff again 👍.... Don't pass up a chance to get on John Lockers boat as that guy never fails and the idea of you two on film will be great. All we have to do now is improve your taste in ale😀.... JS is the bottom of the barrel

[@shorefishingessex]

8r4ham defo mate, what ale do you suggest?

[@8r4ham]

I'm really enjoying St Ausell's Proper Job but maybe you like the amber ales so you can't go wrong with Tim Taylors Landlord or Shipyard,American IPA. Basically ASDA do a great choice of ales at 4 for £6.Hope you make the connection with John Locker and looking forward to any possible films coming. CHEERS

[@shorefishingessex]

@@8r4ham thanks for the advice on the ale, I've had proper job when I've been down in the South West & I'm quite partial to a pint of Doom Bar, will give the others a try, thanks pal

[@msclown1]

Great to see you back buddy! Where can I get one of those shore fishing Essex hoodies !

[@shorefishingessex]

msclown1 lol, there's only one in existence although you're not the first person to enquire about that!!

[@msclown1]

Ah I bet that’s coz it’s awesome ! Maybe one day then 😜

[@ivyanddadmetaldetectinguk9192]

Nice to see you back, maybe catch you down the pier one day

[@shorefishingessex]

Ivys metal detecting UK Thanks, I do occasionally bump into metal detectorists on the beach!!

[@ivyanddadmetaldetectinguk9192]

Shore Fishing Essex I’ve just bought me and ivy (5) rods today as she loves sea food and is so interested in catch and cook. Plus we try and do anything to keep ourselves away from staring at screens

[@shorefishingessex]

@@ivyanddadmetaldetectinguk9192 hallelujah to that, I think I spoilt my kids with the outdoor stuff when they was young, they still enjoy it but they absolutely love their devices too, so anything to get them away from their screens has got to be good!! Good luck, if the weather lets up for two minutes I should be uploading some more catch & cook soon!!

[@davelynoutdoors6654]

Paul don’t worry about lip smacking? You can’t beat eating your catch\kill. Out of on the field even better but that probably wouldn’t have gone down well on Southend pier. You’ve obviously sill got hunter gatherer in your DNA👍Thanks for the video please keep them coming

[@jasonperkins6905]

Great Videos There Dude, I just got back from Southend and was looking at uploads about Southend and stumbled across your uploads and you have opened my eyes to catching food to cook from the sea..... Top Man.. I've subscribed to your channel and look forward to more of your Uploads videos... "Your Like The Gorden Ramsey Of The North Sea Catch And Cook World"....👍👍👍

[@trampster7306]

Good one Paul - catching up with a few older videos (before I subbed to the channel!) I don't know that we get those Sand Spratts down here but they looked delicious! Handy having a Pier to dangle off! I was wondering whether you could catch them with a large deep drop net? Mackerel looked fantastic too - I haven't managed to get out after some this year as health not good but gonna try before real winter sets in! As you said, the tastiest fish in the sea, and good for ya! 👍👍

[@shorefishingessex]

Trampster thanks for the kind comments, I hope your health improves before the weather starts to go on the turn, I don't think a dropnet would catch these fish as they are super nervous! You could always try though, you never know mate, good luck!

[@WekaDigitalMediaNZ]

Nice vid Paul, good to see you getting your subs up again! Don't worry about people complaining about the way you eat, It means you are enjoying your meal. I was getting dumb comments like that from nobodies with no videos, they can get stuffed lol. Keep them coming Paul 😀

[@WekaDigitalMediaNZ]

And I just added you to my 'Check Out These Guys' list on my homepage😁

[@shorefishingessex]

Mike cheers pal, what would I do without you guys covering my back!!

[@jamesdu9753]

Welcome back

[@shorefishingessex]

James Du, thank you sir!

[@smokeycanopy]

Great stuff I've eaten loads n they taste great. I had wonder where u had gotten to know i know.

[@shorefishingessex]

Smokey Canopy outdoors cheers pal & thanks for the sub!

[@shorefishingessex]

Subbed you back!!

[@geraldswain3259]

Hi Paul just thought I would give you a tip ,there is no need to gut them or cut their heads off ,I just descale then de shit them with my thumb (just the same as if you were de pissing a rabbit) Wash in salt water then cook like white bait as you did,I have my oil a fair bit hotter than yours though when coocked I dress with salt and lemon juice bon appetite !.ps great vid again .

[@shorefishingessex]

Gerald Swain thanks for the advice & kind words!!

[@johnrickards1908]

Love the content, brilliant!!! Although I now live in Spain ( for the last 20 yrs since my retirement from Essex Police ) you ring some very loud bells. Have we met? It can't just be the accent. I worked at Basildon, HQ FSU and Training School for most of my service.

[@shorefishingessex]

John Rickards I've spent some time banged up in the cells down Basildon way, maybe you know me from there (JOKE!!!) I'm originally from the East End & haven't spent much time in Basildon so I reckon you're mistaking me for someone else but thanks for the kind words, all the best, Paul

[@Angrypostman1977]

That blokes the next strickly winner

[@shorefishingessex]

He's more entertaining that's for sure!!

[@matlyons5618]

a new vid bloody brill 👍if you fancy a catch and cook challenge try perch .Australians eat them (red stripes) americans , canadians , but out of favour in the uk for decades , ever fancied to try them ? thanks for the vids , missed ya

[@shorefishingessex]

Nita&mat Lyons I've heard Perch are nice to eat but if I posted a video about eating freshwater perch from a UK water, people would want to lynch me!! Thanks for the kind words!!

[@killack4944]

It goes very well with tomato rice 👍

[@ElectronicWallPlays]

Great video, whats the song you play when the dancing mans on screen 3min30?. I can find the play the words come but not the song

[@shorefishingessex]

Keith Taylor I can't locate it to tell you but when I do I will let you know!!

[@killack4944]

Deep fry whole, just salt and flour and black pepper “tiny bit” and omfgosh 👌🏾

[@BeachFishingAnticsUK]

Just discovered your channel and really enjoying it! I'll be sure to give you a plug on my next video. Like you I've been away from making films for a while, but I'm getting back out now and hoping to grow. Tight lines mate, Chas:0)

[@slaneyside]

"I'd rate that more than bastard" 😆 I take it this is some kind of AI subtitles.

[@shorefishingessex]

slaneyside lol!

[@labriochedor]

hi,how much does it cost to fish from the pier?

[@dariosmith4719]

Looking to go fishing on Southend on sea pier, any tips?

[@emmajduggan]

Hi Paul you half way to one k you know what that means 😂😂😂

[@shorefishingessex]

That means you got to eat something that I catch?!!

[@C1dagoat491]

Im fishing at grays tomorrow. Shame that u cant get mackeral there

[@shorefishingessex]

TheLemonizer, I've been thinking about fishing up river for a while, just don't seem to get the time lately, I used to fish around Rainham about 20 years ago & catch bass, flounder & eels caught on maddies dug from under the tilda rice factory, do you know if dover sole are still being caught? I heard since they built the new London Gateway container port that the sole fishing had been killed off. I would be interested to know how you get on, thanks, Paul.

[@naughtydorf18]

I heard the Gateway killed off the flounder fishery as well :(

[@shorefishingessex]

@@naughtydorf18 I used to catch tons of flounder in the Thames, they are my favourite shore fish, I tried once last year to catch some & had no luck, maybe that's the reason or maybe I should keep trying!!

[@lesdunn736]

Fantastic

[@kevinlegrice9941]

Great video mate. Some good Pike bait there. I can also second that your taste in beer needs to improve. John Smiths really is p*ss.😀

[@shorefishingessex]

Cheers Kev, I suspect JS is not on offer around the Le Grice household in a couple of weeks then!!

[@levasburakovas8580]

Smelt in Lithuania is delecacy people fish for them in winter on ice price in market can go as much as 1.5 euro per fish and standard price 1euro per one fish

[@johnmaggiorino4493]

These are tasty moresels

[@cavemanfisher3340]

Do KZbin and us a favour and stay put this time lol your videos are great keepit up looking forward to more

[@shorefishingessex]

Caveman Fisher thanks, I plan to stick around this time, all the best pal

[@christinadvoracek997]

Smelt are easier to caught by net i grow up spelt fishing as a kid in Wisconsin they are good to eat.

[@nick66100]

Don't apologise for the lip smacking who cares? Just enjoy, looked fantastic. I'll definitely look forward to trying that!

[@shorefishingessex]

Nick Carter thank you!

[@danielgoulding4623]

The things we do for love ...

[@shorefishingessex]

Daniel goulding lol, I love those sand smelt!!

[@eddiebarrera469]

Fish sticks,yummy

[@shorefishingessex]

Eddie they were delicious!!

[@slaneyside]

you are my type of curmudgeon 😆

[@shorefishingessex]

slaneyside we must have something in common!!

[@roybrown2327]

See if you can find me on Facebook and I need to talk to you I are fish the roach and the Crouch since I was a kid if you got a chance of that river I showed you a few spots

[@kamranfarooqui7619]

Where did you get that knife at 11:18 ?thanks

[@shorefishingessex]

Kamran, it's a 4 inch blade filleting knife made by Berkeley, I got mine from a small shop in Cornwall purely by chance, I reckon you will find something similar on the internet, good luck!!

[@ianfirkins6460]

Welcome back indeed! I’ll add you as a link on my blog ordinaryangler.blogspot.com 😉

[@johnmaggiorino4493]

😂

[@richardstoker810]

I give up

[@jeremy87turbo87]

Some reason the UK Ireland all those areas love watching might come from my roots I am Irish Roots my last name O'Rourke

[@shorefishingessex]

My best friend at school was O'Brien, his dad was from Wexford in Ireland & my surname has Scottish & Irish roots apparently, the Irish have contributed a lot to world culture, not least Guinness, which I love!! I visited St.James's Gate when I was in Dublin a couple of years ago to see the Guinness brewery then got completely drunk in Temple Bar!!