I know in Clacton (only just down the road really) its mainly bass biting, a few pouting and oddly enough, I had a codling and a baby thornback the other night.
Bait we where using was rag and lug, pretty common bait, friend tried squid, but absolutly nothing was taking it.
Was thinking of buying a pushnet from my local tackle shop, only £9.99, can't see the harm in seeing what live bait I can get.
Anyawillow
