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Kent Piers


DrBlox
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Force of habit means I use Deal, but that's become so snaggy recently (lower platform) that I'm a little peeved at how much tackle I'm losing. I want to show my kids "how to fish" but, I'm assuming, it will take well over a year for all of the new sea defences to get washed clean and the water quality get up to acceptable levels (especially for Mackerel).

 

I can't make out what the fishing is like from from Herne Bay (but it looks like it offers "...exceptional retail opportunities...") any forumeers with any suggestions, please?

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I got my lad fishing with a 9 foot spinning rod, small fixed spool, 2lb line, size 16 silver hooks and a few shot.

 

Just fling the hook on the end and 2 or 3 bb shot aboit an inch above. Toss over the side, let it drop a few feet below the surface and jig the rod once you feel the shot pull on the line! I have caught 30+ little fish with this method in a day. The kids love it. I return everything I catch. Chris can't be bothered with ANYTHING now. Bloody teens!

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  • 2 weeks later...

I second the suggestion of Hampton Pier and Samphire Ho is also worth a try, especially close in with float tackle.

It is snaggy for bottom fishing,..

 

Hampton Pier:

:yes: Excellent location as the free car park (courtesy of Canterbury City Council) was a complete surprise. The pub opposite was exceptionally welcoming, their bouillabaisse was as good as what my French mate makes (so good even my kids ate it without whining) and I was completely shocked to be served a pint of something wonderful from "**** and Scream" (Masterbrew on the landlord's recommendation). The Herne Bay side of the pier, judging from the fish the kids caught with their drop nets, is a bass nursery with lots of very young fish and very large shrimps (prawns?).

 

:no: Crabs. Fishing the Essex side every single bait was ripped off in seconds - using French booms to get the bait off the bottom just caused the crabs to climb up the -line and rip it off. The crab numbers were so large that when I, ahem, cocked-up a cast (fingers covered in mackerel oil) and reeled it in to find a crab attacking the bait - it must have been in the water for less than two seconds. I tried squid and mackerel. They even attacked "jellies" (worms and fish).

 

I also tried over the three visits (high tides) float fishing (for the first time) using bait, lures and feathers (this was in the calmer Herne Bay side) and all were ignored - although this might have been because of my "heavy" tackle. This place is possible better at night.

 

Samphire Hoe:

:yes: Stunning location. The kids didn't want to walk anywhere so I fished at the foot of the stairs (right next to the East - West sign). Parking OK(ish) for Kent (£2). Very strong rip tide on Tuesday. Couple of bites (float fishing with squid) - but my tackle is too heavy (I should have packed a light rod instead of two beachcasters).

 

:no: Having to buy a permit. I was told by all the 'experts' who walked past me that the fishing is better towards Folkstone. But I imagine that's quite a schlep - especially carrying two rods, tripod and box.

 

 

All of the regulars I spoke to at Hampton said that the coast fishing in Kent had been poor for the past three months - although someone mentioned that they had caught quite a few rays on a boat from Folkstone.

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A few lads are doing OK but the pier is not fisherman friendly.

 

Canterbury City Council are *****.

 

 

I got three steps onto Herne Bay pier (carrying rods and tackle) before being told "Do you mind, we're having a crabbing competition later...". Shame, as the harbour side of it did look promising.

 

A quick observation to the "Friends of Herne Bay Pier": a collection of sheds selling items that Lithuanian and Polish 2nd hand clothes dealers would turn their noses up at does not make "...exciting retail opportunities..."

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