Hi all. As a relative newcomer to this very rewarding sport, I have so far fished only the Essex lakes/reservoirs. Being so close to miles of tidal estuaries this potential opportunity looks too good to miss - not only for the sport but also the freezer! I am therefore looking for some help and guidance in identifying any suitable locations and if possible the fish which might be caught this way.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated
Thanks

Hi i don't have experience of the essex area but i live in the north devon area and fly the estuaries for time to time. the main species i target is bass although there are usually good numbers of mullet (not the easiest to target with a fly!!!! beware!!!!!) and makarel (yet to catch on fly but go like rockets on very light gear )
Being in the estaury the majority are school bass although a keeper does turn up from time to time but i actually put them back. A couple of points first safety(sorry to sound like a jobs worth) estauries can be dangerous places the water moves in very quick as ideally you want to be fishing either do to low tide and on the push. Estauries tend to have a habit of not filling up evenly and you can find yourself in knee deep water whilst a little way behind is waist deep fast running water. point 2 -Use barbless hooks, as the vast majority are schoolies try to unhook in the water and let them go asap watch out for the spinny dorsal fin and gill covers. I would suggest wearing chest waders although when warm enough i know people who wear shorts, a line tray is useful can easliy make your own to. take minimum kit and travel. the area i fish primarily in the estaury is around low tide rocks and muscle beds. There are often pools left filled which from time to time have fish in them however these are often quite warie. Don't use big fancy flies most of the success i have had comes from using small patterns usuaully with a small head with various colour strands of silver, blues etc. some people using trout lures just try a few out, obviously they won't like the salt. I need to stop
check the area out at low tide look for holding areas signs of fish, other fisherman, i would like to think most would be friendly explain your new to it. all the best cheers jon

Get a tiidetable absolutely vital for getting it right and being on the money. Record tides sizes and conditions etc and fish caught or not build up a picture of when and where is best. in terms of rods and line etc your standard weight 7/8 rod and floating line (depending on depth) should be fine. Be aware that some reels won't lilke the salt but always rinse kit after anyway. Line is probably best flurocarbon and 8lb should be fine possibly lighter depending on location and fish size. the flies i was thinking of are clouser and deceivers fastmail have a selection at good prices, quite easy to tie yourself to. Yorkshire game have a pike/sea kit forsale at the mo for just over £7 bargain going to get me one. any further questions get in touch, p,s like wise ignore me but i hope it has helped a little

Thanks very much for those comments; I certainly take on board the references to 'safety'. I reckon the best move would be to go walk-about and chat to any one actually fishing!
I remember being on the North Norfolk coast many years ago - near Blakeney I think and was overtaken by the incoming tide, only up to ankles though but it really was shifting

Hi mate,

I did some fishing in the salt around Essex last year, sadly this year unfortuantely not had the time. I have to admit I didn't do too well.

I fished mostly around Clacton and Walton, the biggest problem I came up against was water clarity it can be very murky. However there are certainly fish close in around the breakwaters. The advice I was given was to try black and orange patterns.

However (I haven't been able to do this myself) moving up into the actual estuaries can be a better move as the water can be clearer and better for the fly. I heard of people being successful doing this. Also the water up round the back of the Naze is much clearer, though it's a hell of a trek I caught it at low tide and it seemed a death trap of mud, so I would advise caution

You can get mullet in the rivers and by all accounts can move quite far up river, I tried the Maldon area once although I just came across chub! (Slob Chub maybe...)

Looking at the sea fishing forums they certainly get fish around Southend pier people have fly fished underneath it. They get mackeral there towards late summer to.

Sorry most of this info is a bit second hand but hopefully it helps a little

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Squirrels - I can only offer my abject apologies for failing to acknowledge your last post [sic] on this topic. I've heard elsewhere that the Essex coastal waters esp estuary, can be very murky, I guess that it stands to reason with all that (in)famous mud.!
In the event I never had the opportunity to check out the possibilities myself but you have given me some valuable pointers as to areas to consider; I'll probably take myself off to eg Walton and look out for a local tackle shop and make enquiries within.
Thanks again