Urban fishing London -Tales from the Thames - Blog 1

Fishing the tidal Thames at Thamesmead for flounders and whiting.

[@diamond66ist]

Me and my mates used to fish opposite the old Dagenham ford Factory way back in the seventies, didnt catch much , flatties and eels, mainly. we used to fire ball bearings from our catapults and hit the factory on the other side , happy days !!

[@ChuvaLemos]

They are in Gravesend and Erith, mainly small stamp. A guy fished Thamesmead last Sunday and caught flounders only

[@leemee88]

Great film.There have been fish as far as I can remember since the early 1980s.Used to use garden worm for eels and buy a pint of shrimps for the flatties.Its great to see the change in the Thames.It had been abused for far too long.

[@49mrbassman]

Anyone else ever encountered the monster conger eel that hangs around the Thamesmead /Plumstead marshes area.. I've hooked it several times, the last time was on a wire trace and large conger hook and it still got off leaving a straightened hook. We did get it up to the surface and almost into the drop net. We estimated that the head was about 6 to 8 inches wide and about a good 15 inches long. It really is a monster.

[@londoncityangler4200]

I’ve just had someone send me a picture of one caught round there was f*ng massive a good 6ft long!!

[@49mrbassman]

@@londoncityangler4200 this bugger is so big that several experts have said from the size of the head it could be between 10 to fifteen feet in length. I've been a sea angler for most of my adult life and have caught Skate to 20lb plus, Tope, A Bull Huss that weighed in at 18lbs, Conger to 15lb. Monkfish, Sea Trout and Salmon. Next time I go for this one though it will be with my Big Game rig and shark hook to 150lb wire trace and 100lb line. Running trace and 6 ounce lead weight and a whole salmon head for bait. If I can't land the bugger with that lot then I'll hang me Rods up

[@londoncityangler4200]

@@49mrbassman this does sound interesting! seems like theres a few about at the moment would like to tag along if you'd be up for it? give me an email if you want [e-mail]

[@dansreelswheels602]

Not far from me this spot, looks like some great fishing down there 👍 Skanna as a soundtrack too- love it 👌🏻 (Some people can't handle decent music)

[@tinabaker4662]

Sir Dee Of Gee the music’s rubbish, however perhaps you’re deaf!

[@ugm5kjl]

Really enjoyed

[@tobiasandersen1472]

I am on the north west coast in the States and those flatties would been in a frying pan here Nice video mate , make some more

[@joelglassjar5732]

Fishing can be a really "chill" experience .. the music ..does a good job a illustrating that for people who have never fished .. concentration and patience , Il look you up as local guide ..when in London ..bbq that fish on the spot

[@londoncityangler4200]

Haha I don't really eat the fish from there as they are generally too small but there's some good sport to be had anyway :)

[@londoncityangler4200]

Haha I don't really eat the fish from there as they are generally too small but there's some good sport to be had anyway :)

[@america1994]

Im American but I went there for my brothers wedding and it truly is a beautiful place.

[@ChuvaLemos]

Nice one mate, good to find you in here! Top videos, thanks for sharing. Luis

[@londoncityangler4200]

Is that Luis from the shop?

[@VladDumitrescuFishing]

No comment! great video.Congrats.

[@mariuszo2491]

Hi. I went tonight. Just 1 small bass. It's to early? What's u think which month is best to fishing there?

[@londoncityangler4200]

Mariusz O yes mate but you were lucky to catch a bass 👍 that. Oils bs a good sign for the spring

[@mariuszo2491]

Why Luckey? Which month is the best for catching Flanders?

[@londoncityangler4200]

Mariusz O because you caught a bass it's normally shit till may. The flounder starts about the same time as the bass

[@C1dagoat491]

Hello LondonCity Angler, I like your sea fishing videos. Can you tell me some good places to catch fish with no snags on the Thames. Is it possible to get Dogfish in the estuary in further out locations. Also, what is the most common fish in Spring as I heard it isnt the best time to go fishing. I would like to see another sea fishing video soon. I enjoy those videos a lot. Thanks

[@tomwinterfishing9065]

Bad-boy tune!

[@mossfisher8703]

Really interesting angling...with the volume turned down to remove the horrid music.

[@anjistone2946]

No taste.

[@perhaps8885]

I’m a beginner with a 11ft6in 2-4oz casting weight seabass rod. What size of the reel and line weight would you recommend me to use here in Thamesmead?

[@londoncityangler4200]

15lb and a big pit style reel will be fine

[@darakhaled6207]

hi mate where is this location. first I thought u was at Woolwich ferry then u changed to near barking Creek?

[@jordandelgiudice5691]

Dara Khaled thamesmead mate

[@Maginnifix]

aztek in the background wow that's old school

[@londoncityangler4200]

Yeah he was a legend in the south east when I was growing up. Proper wild sharp letters, loved it.

[@davisjim7694]

LondonCity Angler Asteks my dad I'm not joking

[@MACROPARTICLE]

Recently, I went fishing in the Thames just east of Woolwich Ferry port, and didn't catch shit (apart from a 2cm long fish fry that I randomly caught in my crab net and a few 5 cm long shrimps). It was early July, I used a 1.5 m £10 fishing rod from Sports Direct and bread, live worms and chicken nugget balls as bait. Furthermore, at most, I only managed to get the hook about a metre away from the bank wall, due to the shortness of my rod. Was there something wrong with my equipment or techniques, or did I pick a wrong spot to fish at?

[@londoncityangler4200]

MACROPARTICLE the rod should be no problem as long as the line on your reel isn't to thick 15lb at max. Bait wise raw chicken, lob worms, rag worm, lug worm, raw prawns will do the trick. Fish from the low tide up and you should have a good chance. Good luck mate

[@RicTic66]

Brilliant video

[@mikescott9410]

scanna this way ;)

[@BadBunnyYT]

nice once mate, im just a beginner and i got 2.7 m rod and 3000 reel with 3.0# 6.1kg line and im using 7ounce sputnik sinker to get hold for strong wind and current. is it too heavy for my rod and line?

[@londoncityangler4200]

Generally you want to be fishing as the tide comes up as when its going out even 7oz won't hold!

[@carpmad22]

great vid. could a 3lb cod at burch road. wicked tune too. peshay piano tune for next vid!

[@PeakyBlinder]

Are you the caretaker at the school in Beckton by any chance, He told me of some awesome fishing behind Asda there.

[@blikjekattenvoer]

Just returned from a trip to London. I noticed the intense current in the river, and was wondering whether people are actually fishing the Thames.... I am Dutch, so I couldn't fully understand what you use as bait.... What are you using? thanks for the vid!

[@londoncityangler4200]

Generally on the tidal Thames most of the fish are caught on the rising tide, where you only need a small amount of lead to hold bottom 2-3 oz

[@raduhulubei61]

Hello! I am getting ready to go on the Thames next to Greenwich this Saturday..got sea rigs 2 hook size seems a bit too large isn t it? Also I couldn t find the bait you are using and was planning to get some mackerel or raw chicken as you suggested in the comments? Thanks in advance!

[@londoncityangler4200]

You want to use rag worms or prawns this time of year, The whiting should turn up next month then use blueys or mackerel as bait

[@daveblackie5344]

Might have to give it a dabble mate nice one

[@Maginnifix]

yeah I know . pukka vids by the way that thames is starting to lokk more and more like a fridge to me.

[@MACROPARTICLE]

During the winter, I was fishing in Erith and Greenhithe, but apart from a 30 cm long whiting that I caught at night all the way back in early November, I caught absolutely nothing since. During my most recent trip to Erith pier (this Friday) I used a triple hook and double hook rig on two separate rods. I used bait cocktails of steamed prawn and raw salmon, which I left to rot in a jar for almost five days prior to using them, hoping that the awful stench would draw in fish. But yet again, after standing there in the cold for hours that night, I still caught nothing. Note that I arrived there just as the tide was rising, so I couldn't think of any flaws in my technique. Is it that Erith is just not a good spot for winter fishing, and I should visit Thamesmead instead? Or does the time of day of the fishing not matter, provided that I fish whilst the tide rises? Also, is it a good idea for me to walk the length dragging the baited hooks through the water with me to explore a larger area as to increase my chances of getting the attention of fish? I feel as if my fishing trips are cursed, nothing caught every single time. Or are the fish in the estuary poorly concentrated population wise?

[@londoncityangler4200]

The whiting only come up for a few months and when they go that will be it till next year. Try buying some rag worm for he flounders that will be your best bet.

[@MACROPARTICLE]

@@londoncityangler4200 Although lugworm and ragworm tend to be popular bait choices, would earthworms be a viable alternative? I ask this because I'd much rather collect worms myself than spend a good sum on buying them from a tackle shop (of which there are none locally). Are flounder still abundant in February, or have they migrated back to the sea?

[@londoncityangler4200]

@@MACROPARTICLE Generally i only catch eels on earth worms. The fish will probably still be there somewhere but i dont fish it this time of year so don't know where to start. Raw prawns can be good if you dont want to buy worms and you can pick them up from seewoo in greenwich foe about £5 a bag.

[@C1dagoat491]

Hey, a few years back I used to fish at Grays. Im now back into fishing and ive been looking at Erith pier. Even though you have not got anything, do you know some of the catches by other anglers or is there no success for anyone. Also, at Erith is pouting a common fish, they are tasty. Ive done a bit of research and have heard that Erith is a great place for Smelt

[@MACROPARTICLE]

@@C1dagoat491 whiting was the most popular catch, in mid November, I even saw someone literally catch a bass. Now that I've been to Thamesmead too, still without any luck, the only explanation I can think of is that the estuary is biologically dead during winter. Even other anglers had very limited success. I will continue to use Erith as my fishing location, and hope that spring will draw more fish in.

[@tomwinterfishing9065]

Bagged up. Nice!

[@alexteutsch9506]

what's the best time to catch up? What month

[@viktorgyorgy893]

Thamesmead stuff is very impressive! U not fishing at winter time ?

[@londoncityangler4200]

Little bits and pieces mate but my priorities change this time of yeah.

[@NikoHL]

What is the rig you were using for the whiting ??

[@londoncityangler4200]

Nick H just a two hook flapper with some beads for colour.

[@abuasfur7334]

did you just use mackerel fillets, or lugworm for the flatties?

[@londoncityangler4200]

tarzan 1 bluey fillet I've found to be the best

[@abuasfur7334]

cheers bruv

[@londoncityangler4200]

tarzan 1 I went last week and there was no fish there probably best to leave it another month until they turn up

[@abuasfur7334]

I only live 20 mins away from barking creek so was gonna have a go tonight or sometime this week, I heard flounder tastes like crap, would you recommend eating a thames flounder lol?

[@londoncityangler4200]

tarzan 1 I've never eaten one mate, not sure what the size limit is for them. The whiting and bass are fine though. The whiting are tasty when they turn up

[@virgo7525]

What you use for bait?

[@londoncityangler4200]

Rag worm is best down there but prawns will work as well

[@BrixhamBananaBuyer]

where is this

[@ChuvaLemos]

Yes! :)

[@londoncityangler4200]

Was thinking about going back there tomorrow. Do you know if the whiting are in yet

[@richardsales6996]

do you ever get any cod or coleys in the thames im from newcastle and do a lot of fishing in the tyne but where fish is only 7 or 8 miles from the sea

[@londoncityangler4200]

Very rarely do you get cod down as far as me mate but they do get them more towards gravesend.

[@richardsales6996]

how far are you from the sea m8 . and yes cod can be caught in the river as far up as newcastle although the bigger one tend to stay around within the 6 mile mark there's not much get caught in the summerapart from flatty's and eel's but from the end of september to march cod can be caught even on the banks of the tyne at newcastle my m8 got a 4lber in a place called byker yes yes i know lol its not byker grove haha and myself got a 5 lb plus from a place called northshields its not far from the coast and you are clearly mad about fishing just like me im 50 years of age know i started when i was 17 so i was a late starter i hope this helps you out with some of the questions

[@richardsales6996]

if you look around on youtube you can find a good number of ppl fishing the tyne including me

[@B455PL4Y3R]

I live in Gravesend town and im going to the pier near the Three Daws pub this weekend. Wish me luck

[@londoncityangler4200]

KurtSandford good luck kurt and let us know what you catch.

[@samcarballo8276]

Would you eat the fish caught here or always throw back?

[@londoncityangler4200]

I normally throw them back but I have eaten them in the past. The thames is actually very clean these day!!!

[@samcarballo8276]

Yeah I thought it was getting cleaner. Been fishing over in woolwich so not far from there, lots of whiting but not much else.

[@londoncityangler4200]

+Sam Carballo fish the low tides there normally better for the other species

[@samcarballo8276]

Ah ok, I'll give that a go, cheers mate.

[@londoncityangler4200]

+Sam Carballo no worries

[@deanconway8776]

Why the music?

[@pikeman4358]

Zone?

[@bakerfieldchristophee9278]

Yes looks interesting, I am Hungarian urban fishing specialist, I do the same exact thing, but you can expect much bigger fish, I can set you up.

[@londoncityangler4200]

Bakerfield Christophee that would be great. Will you message me on Facebook please

[@bakerfieldchristophee9278]

Yes, but I can't find anything on Facebook under LondoncityAngler. Would you search my real name: Kovács Krisztián

[@londoncityangler4200]

Bakerfield Christophee put spaces in the name London city angler

[@hidri86]

Why don’t you get them home and cook them ?

[@Zanderrrrrrrrrr]

Post code Please :) thanks

[@karalius8735]

do you need fishing license?

[@londoncityangler4200]

Karalius K not downriver of the Thames barrier

[@vincentbarringer9461]

Why is it always Gay Robot club music on these videos?

[@therinseman]

To piss you off mate.

[@vincentbarringer9461]

Lol evidently

[@dansreelswheels602]

That's Hardcore mate - proper London soundtrack ;)

[@michaelafrancis1361]

I would be really interested in your videos and likely subscribe but that horrible continual sounbd track of music spoils them.

[@sjovmaiin]

Isnt it polluted as fuck?

[@londoncityangler4200]

Christian tønnesen the Thames is one of the most cleanest rivers in Europe. The colour you see is from the muddy bottom

[@RicTic66]

I went to the wetlands trust Thames exhibition in West London. The survey proved that the Thames is the cleanest river that flows through any capital city in the world. The Thames is packed full of fish and cleaner than it has been for 200 years, fishing experts say. More than 125 species, including wild salmon, trout, Dover sole, plaice, haddock and bass, now live in the 215-mile waterway which was declared biologically dead in 1957. The stocks are attracting predators including porpoise, seals and dolphins which have been spotted as far upstream as London Bridge.

[@londoncityangler4200]

RicTic66 it's amazing what it holds, I've even heard of a sturgeon being caught but seen no proof. I've just started a new series of videos with the idea of fishing the tidal and seeing how many different species I can catch. Will take me a few years to do all the way to sheppy but will be a great adventure along the way.

[@RicTic66]

I just stumbled across your Blog today and pardon the pun 'I'm hooked.' As a London exile I was just looking for fishing videos from my old stomping ground down stream of Teddington. I never fished the tidal reaches , mind you in the 70s I don't think it was quite as clean as it is now. I wish you the best of luck with your 'great adventure ' and look forward to future updates now I've subscribed. I have always had a great fondness for 'Old Father Thames' and it's so good to see him looking so healthy these days.

[@NikoHL]

Christian tønnesen No.. The Thames is actually pretty good, especially as it's in the middle of a huge city.

[@alanwise9865]

Where is this please

[@alanwise9865]

Just fancy a day out when the lock downs finished

[@londoncityangler4200]

Anywhere between woolwich and thamesmead is good but it's the wrong time of year at the moment.