Been a busy week fish wise .Tope and mackerel here but not in vast numbers .Friday Took out a mixed party from Southend area .Biggest fish of the day a well conditioned female skate tipped the scales at 15lb 2oz this fish caught by keith Elkin was weighed and returned also among the catch of approx 20+skate were tope, smooth hounds, bass and dog fish we had quite a lot of bass again to 5lbs.Saturday saw my revenge for the Black water challenge contest ,we were doing so well last year but the contest was halted early due to weather and although among the bass we ducked out.This year no way First fish by 8.20 then 36 bass to 5lbs by 8.45 .we then moved on. John Bryan caught another bass of 6.25lbs and a specimen Red Gurnard of 2.25lbs ,Keith Griffin had a skate of 11.75lbs Total catch was 38 bass ,16 skate 9mackerel 2 smooth hounds 2 dog fish 1 horse mackerel and 2 gurnard.I REST MY CASE WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS MY FRIEND. Sunday we made an early start ,reason is I have been finding a few good fish but we have been shadowed by other boats This has been apparent for a few days now and we have had to move from marks where we were getting fish rather than invite boats from everywhere to participate.we got there early and had 25 bass biggest was a rather slinky 6.5lbs fish caught by Dave Sayer Maldon.we had to leave again because we achieved our goal and boats were on the horizon.we went on to catch quite a lot of skate hounds ,small codling ,pout ,mackerel and dog fish.Best bait believe it or not a bick biro.On gutting one of the bass that's what we found inside [bet it couldn't get round the corners very well ] and no it did not work.some pictures below but lots more taken and to send if required but also reports being done for mags so see you asap think its tope this week but I know wednesdays part have had to cancel due to numbers what a bummer for them when the fishings so good.cheers Dave