Catch all these species aboard the Wight Sapphire
Bass
Bass are a prized catch, and are great fighters. Interestingly, they begin life as males, but change sex around 2 years old. A mature female can weigh up to 7kg. They tend to be found in deeper waters, between March and October.
Bream
Bream are usually found in the summer months, from April to September. They shoal over reefs, shelves and underwater outcrops, and feed voraciously. They can be caught on feathered lines like mackerel, or with strips of mackerel. They are excellent eating.
Cod
Cod is a great fish for eating and can be caught all year round, from the shoreline out to deep water. It can grow up to 2 metres long, and weigh up to 35kg.
Conger Eel
Conger eels are found on wrecks or rocky seabeds, where they hole up and ambush smaller fish. Large congers can be very large (the world record was 60kg). You will need a strong rod in case you hook a big one! They will take a variety of baits, including squid, cuttlefish, and whole mackerel.
Mackerel
Mackerel are plentiful in the summer months (April to September) when large shoals move inshore to feed. Fully-grown adults reach 800 grams in weight, and can be caught with feathers, lures, or calamari. A member of the tuna family, Mackerel have oily flesh with a distinctive rich flavour.
Plaice
Plaice generally live in areas with sandy or gritty bottoms, close to the mussel beds on which they feed. They are rarely found in depths of more than 50 metres. Mature Plaice reach sizes of between 30 and 40 centimetres long. They are not very exciting as sport, but are very tasty.
Pollack
Pollack are one of the most exciting sport fish in British waters, particularly if you are using light tackle. Mature fish can weight up to 3kg and are normally found over wrecks, while smaller fish tend to be found inshore. The most effective baits are lures or live sandeels or other strip baits.
Tope
The area around the Isle of Wight is known as a good tope fishing area. Summer is the best season, starting around May. Tope can be found in a wide variety of habitats, and hunt in packs, scattering smaller fish and using their speed to catch them. Any type of bottom dwelling fish make good bait, as does squid or cuttlefish.