Sea fishing: I must admit to not fishing last weekend. Following the SAMF Masters I really felt fished out. I couldn't miss it totally so I managed to grab a few hours on the beach at East Lane with a couple of friends on the Friday! I'd wanted to go back to the same spot I had fished during the competition and see if the fish were still there.

I must admit to not fishing last weekend. Following the SAMF Masters I really felt fished out.

I couldn't miss it totally so I managed to grab a few hours on the beach at East Lane with a couple of friends on the Friday!

I'd wanted to go back to the same spot I had fished during the competition and see if the fish were still there.

I'm pleased to say that they were, despite dreadful conditions. Rafts of weed spoil East Lane in rough weather and Friday was no exception.

We only had a few fresh lugworms and some old frozen blacks but we proved that you don't need exotic baits to catch fish.

It's great news for this venue as well as it's took a bit of a battering in the last few years with regular reports of poor catches. It is encouraging to report a venue back on form and worth considering.

Orford boatman Peter Merrin reports the biggest cod of the week, a fish of 8lbs taken by a Lowestoft angler from the Narrows section of Orford Island.

Peter tells me a lot of small whiting are showing, taking bait meant for bigger fish.

Remember that cod like small whiting so don't be too alarmed. Up the size of your hook and perhaps attach a small hook to the bigger one in an attempt to lure a small fish for bait – you never know!

Dogfish seem to have taken up residence again and figure in Orford catches. Due to the rough conditions most of the fishing has taken place at the Narrows end or in the river with the Crouch being too difficult as the wind is with the flooding tide making it too strong to hold bottom with your weight.

The Dirty Wall has again produced fish. Dave Cook has managed codling to 4lbs, along with several big whiting well over a pound.

Heading north we leave the beaches of Aldeburgh and head for the flatter, sandier beaches of Sizewell, Minsmere and Dunwich.

Sadly these are adversely affected by north and east winds. Massive swells roll up the beach making these places virtually unfishable.

Calm waters are required at this time of year. Get the conditions right and we will see some serious dab action.

Three at a time will be common and these small but tasty flatfish invade the waters along our northern beaches in search of feed as they prepare to spawn.