Half term holidays and despite the weather we did manage to get out a bit although most of the fishing was local,But this time of year it can be fruitful. and it wasn't bad ,I think we peaked Saturday with 20 + codling,4 Tub Gurnard ,1 dab and 100+whiting.many of the codling were returned and I think about 9 were kept.As most of my anglers know I don't like fishing the river but if the fish are there then its worth it.A lot of people book the South coast but in all honesty how many trips are cancelled.Its not a case of the further we go the more the fish .certain times the river comes to life and this was one such week .Monday an old party from Harlow area returned and weather dictated where we went,not bad few codling and a rake of whiting .Wednesday tried to go off ,got as far as Clacton and fished the wallet 5 adults and 3 teenagers but it was too rough,we had one skate ,whiting and dog fish and returned to the river for more whiting and couple of small codling .Thursday Nick Gilbert from Coopers 4 adults five kids all novices but we had fish,considering the conditions we did well .Friday Pete from Braintree area 5 adults and one junior again river trip but fish r us plenty of whiting and a few codling.Sat I think we peaked all had fish again river bound 20+codling one dab100+whiting and 4 tub Gurnard to 1.5 lbs.Sunday I had my hands tied a bit the party have had their fill of skate this year and instructions were no skate no dog fish.and the weather was perfect for going off .Well we sat in the river for a while ,few whiting but slow ,The tides have really dropped and NO TIDE NO FISH!!!!.left the river and tried the deeper water by the spitway ,2 codling ,whiting and dog fish.Tried the shallow water by the gunfleet mast ,nothing ,by this time the tide had started to run so we came back to the mark that had been producing .We caught another 12 codling 8 were kept and plenty of whiting. I really don't like targeting these fish although keepers they aren't exactly big. Best we had this week was 5lbs. I do hope that other anglers/skippers are as generous as us with the size .If they are only just size able PUT THEM BACK!!!.We hear whispers of a cod ban.what should be done is the size limit raised .Given till March/ April a lot of these fish will put on between half a pound and a pound ,How MANY FARMERS HARVEST THEIR CROPS B4 THEY ARE RIPE?.Sorry but everything we take matters.If five charter vessels take 25+codling a day for say 4 days a week not counting the netter's and private dinghies that is a lot of fish from a small area.MOVES NEED TO BE MADE!!!but that should not mean a ban by the no nothing authorities .common sense and a responsible attitude or moves by angling bodies like size limits or bag limits should be offered.to demonstrate our commitment to our sport and lively hood.