JUST when you think our shore fishing is on the up, something comes along to hamper the beach anglers.

Clumps of weed that hang on the anglers' line are causing all kinds of problems.

The saving grace is that it only seems to occur on the ebb tides, so be prepared.

The prevalent onshore wind has caused problems but it shouldn’t last long.

One of my trips this week was to the Frinton beaches and, to be honest, the fishing was slow, with just the odd small bass showing.

That dreaded heavy weed appeared after high water and I packed up and went home.

St Osyth beach has seen the odd thornback ray being caught, along with school bass.

Those heavyweight stingrays seemed to have moved off-shore for a while.

If the wind drops and the sea clears, it's always worth heading for the Clacton and Jaywick beaches to try some lure fishing for bass.

Local angler Alan Humm has had some good catches on spinners and lures from around the breakwaters.

It’s a case of putting in the time and you will reap the benefits.

Clacton Pier has seen bass being caught and local angler Peter Rose had a good day, landing fish to 3lbs from around the pier piles on ragworm baits.

The Holland beaches have been slow.

It really isn’t unusual for this time of year but if the fishing is slow you can always enjoy the sunshine and scenery.

Walton Pier has had a good week and has to be top venue this week.

Thornback rays are a regular from the top of the pier and this week they have even been caught from the lower reaches, along with a few hard-fighting smooth hounds from the top of the pier.

Peeler crab will be the top bait if you fancy a go for these mini sharks.

I had a second trip this week to the pier in search of those summer mackerel but still no sign of them, although I did catch anchovies on very small lures.

These small silver fish are normally found in the Mediterranean and around the Spanish coast.

It looks like global warming is pushing the shoals our way.

Who knows what we will catch next?

Colchester Sea Angling Club headed for Walton Pier for their latest match. Conditions were good, with unbroken sunshine.

The whole pier was open to the 18 anglers that fished.

The fishing was patchy but most anglers caught.

First place went to Mark Sessions, with 11lb 11oz, which included two thornback rays.

The biggest weighed in at 5lb 6oz which won Mark the heaviest fish prize.

Second spot went to Mick Bradley (4lb 7oz) and third Vic Pearce (2lb 10oz).

Alan Tipple and Dave Vennels launched from Gunfleet Boat Club and headed for the Swinn.

They landed some big smooth hounds plus plenty of school bass and Alan also reported that weed was a big problem.

The boats have seen plenty of fish this week.

The charter boat Sophie Lee has seen smooth hounds to 14lbs, along with thornback rays and bass to 8lbs.

Neil Marples’ private boat out of Walton’s Titchmarsh Marina reported plenty of fish - 17 bass to 6.5lbs.

Louise Croucher, Neil’s daughter, has also caught her fair share of bass from her dad’s boat.

The high tides for the weekend are 1.42pm on Saturday and 4.21pm on Sunday.

If you have any fishing reports or photos you can contact me at popplewell1@btinternet.com.