Available along the whole length of the Channel and ranging in size from Ounces to massive 30lb lunkers! These larger fish tend to come from the low water marks. The fish can move in as early as August depending on the water temperature and that all important first peeler crab. The peak months for the larger fish tend to be November to March. Most years we also get a late run of codling from March until early April, coinciding with the rise in water temperature and the availiability of the peeler crabs.

Essentialy a fish that pre-empts the arrival of the codling, usually from August until after Christmas. These fish will shoal in big numbers, usually in the 0.25-0.50kg range with the odd 2lb'er amongst them. They tend to be around in all weather but are more fun on calmer nights when the bites can be easily seen.

As with whiting they seem to be pretty abundant with large shoals roaming the Channel. Due to commercial pressures the larger ones seem a little scarce.

Shore, Three Beard and Five Beard Rockling are available all along the Channel. Being scavenger fish they will take just about anything.

Again, likely to turn up anywhere...and they can be a real pest destroying rigs in minutes! If you do intend targeting them, look for a river entering the sea and they won't be far away.

Widely available along the Channel with a good chance of a specimen anywere. The peak months are from May until Christmas. The low water marks from St.Audries to Stolford have yielded some hefty specimens in their time, some as heavy as 18lb! The usual method is to ledger a large smelly bait. Those who enjoy spinning should head for the low water marks from Porlock up to White Mark.

Rarely encounted along this coast, the fish have been known from Minehead but are very much the occasional visitor. There is greater potential on the sandy beaches, but locals rarely target them. Flounder do enter the Parrot Estuary and can be caught at Stolford, but rarely do they exceed 1lb.

Very common along the beaches to the west of Minehead. They will take Mackerel or Sand Eel on any size hook as they have large mouths and a voracious appetite. Fish rarely exceed 1lb but there is potential for bigger. The prime months are April until late September and they can be encountered at all ranges, sometimes only inches out!

Can be caught all along the coast , with most fish coming to baits intended for other species. Fish rarely exceed the 1.5kg mark and the best baits seem to involve Rag, Mackerel or Sand Eel, with crab a useful option. The cleaner water to the west of Minehead can yield fish to float and spinning methods. The prime months are from May until September.

Plenty of potential from the local harbours, to the usual light ledger or float tactics using bread chunks. They can also be targeted at the sewage pipe at Bossington with floating bread, or using the more unique method of fishing a small mepps spinner which is baited with harbour Rag and spun behind a bubble float. Fish this using the cast and retrieve spining method and make sure some one is standing by with a net as these fish will run in open sea. Calm seas are essntial as they will feed well in to the night.

Possible at the height of summer from the Porlock to Bossington Beaches. Float fished Mackerel or sand Eel set to a depth of 3 to 6 feet. They can also be caught using a flyer. This entails a snood being clipped on to the main line after it has been cast out which will slide down to a bead on your shockleader.

This is a pest to some and a saviour to others. Doggies can be caught in abundance anytime, anyplace, anwhere (except Donniford)! Expect bags of up to 30! If they are proving a pest use fish baits, and save tour crab and worm for another day.

Several have been taken from the Porlock beaches and a 15lb'er is not unknown. I have witnessed a 13lb+ Huss from Ivystone. The deeper water marks offer the best chances. Squid, Fish, Crab and Sand Eel are the best...in that order.

Usually around late June until September. They will take most offerings with a preferance for Sand Eels. Best venues are from White Mark to Porlock. A good fish is any over 0.5kg.

Occasionally caught in the upper reaches of the Channel from Lilstock to Stolford. Usually caught on baits intended for Cod. Probably too rare to target intentionally. The current record on the Channel stands at 1.5kg with some larger ones turning up in the nets at Blue Anchor.

Exotic fish that turn up in the height of summer, usually around the Porlock and Bossington areas. Use small hooks baited with Crab, Fish or Squid strips.

Some opportunities from Hurlstone point at Bossington and from some areas around Porlock. Crab, Lug or Rag fished under a float is the best method. Fish rarely exceed 2 kg.

Plentiful along this stretch of coast, the larger fish tend to come from the low water marks. Real monsters are availiable, with two fish over 30lb caught by the author of Secret Beaches. They are usually caught on rag baits intended for Cod. If you do intend targeting them try fresh Whiting or Pout with strong hooks and line. If you do hook one, keep the power on and don't give it line as it willl retreat to it's lair.

Common along the low water marks from St.Audries to Stolford. The top method is to fish Rag, Squid, Crab or Mackerel on a pully rig. Peak months are from March until Christmas. Look out for the tell tale dip on your rod tip as the Ray lands on the bait. Wait patiently until the fish runs. This could be several minutes.

At their most prolific in the spring months until late August. Best areas are the low water marks from White Mark to Porlock. Some large specimens do turn up with the potential of a British record. Prime bait is Sand Eel closely followed by Crab and Mackerel.

Multi-hook flappers for the Spotted Ray.

Single snood rigs for the Small eyed Ray.

Rays have loyal lifelong mates. Please put all rays back in the sea.