Allowed to fish from Farlington Marshes?

PompeyLocal · Member Joined: Nov 03, 2008 Posts: 30 Location: Pompey

Anyone know if you are allowed to fish from the path in Farlington Marshes?

I'm considering resuming my stubborn (some would say futile) search for flounders in my local body of saline water (unsociably early) tomorrow morning... I'm determined to find a flattie of some kind local to me!!

The reason I ask about Farlington Marshes is that it should afford some protection from what is promised to be a biting Northerly wind - but cold generally = good for those now rare, Pompey flounder.. Additionally there are some decent sized gullies that should be easily castable from the path.

I know they are scarce, but I'm willing to risk a dreaded blank!

Opinions please?!?!

bassmanrob · Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 12:47 pm Post subject:

I can't help your question about Farlington Marshes, quick google search on the venue has me agreeing with you on it's potential though.

This disappearance of flounder down Pompey way is concerning though, numbers seem to be down in Southampton water compared to what they used to be too. There are various theories (seals, pot bait, bass nurseries etc) going around but as anyone actually done a study into why numbers have dropped?

How is Fareham Creek fishing for flounder these days? In my opinion it was THE place for flattie bashing in Hampshire, had my first fish and also my biggest ever flounder there.

skilling · Occasional Joined: Jan 13, 2007 Posts: 207

it used to throw up alot of flounder 10 years ago. we uswd to bag up in that area. i used to fish next to eastern road and bag up. but in recent years the flounder has declined ten fold. the best area these days is weston shore or hythe, southampton.

its worth ago there though and id be intrested to know how you get on there. what part are you thinking in fishing? big grin

bassfly · Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 1:11 pm Post subject: marshes

I have fished there but with a fly rod and have seen others fishing the with bait so i presume its ok.There are no signs saying otherwise.Its a bit of a trek from the carpark by the motorway.
Good luck.

crapcaster · Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 1:29 pm Post subject:

Hi bassfly. Did you have any success at Farlington? Its a place I have Googled and intended to try.

flattiefanatic · SE Coast Moderator Joined: Oct 03, 2007 Posts: 419

Like most areas in portsmouth flounder fishing has been poor,farlington marshes used to be good for fishing not just for flounder but there is a bass mark there also but its a hell of a trek and you need waders and king rag winking

I would still say go to tipner either take the walk over the causeway and fish the back of the base you will have to w8 for the water to go down again as they have fenced it off now,as you used to be able to go up to the bridge.

Failing that underneath the m275 behind the greyhound track that has known to throw up a few now and then but even that area has dwindled.

From recent reports forget hythe like has been suggested,the seal has been having a field day there sad

,saying that last year was good for flounders,weston shore was a bit pants last year and the competiton this year was dire,however a cold snap might change that

Try porchester castle as well that might throw up a surprise.

Fareham creek can still be good for the odd flounder and shoal bass,the way i fish for them there is digg my bait oppostie the marina and set up a float rod in the little channel and catch flounders and shoal bass that way,it was a bit of fun whilst i was digging.

Sorry i cant be more helpfull,i have spent near on 25 years flounder fishing in the winter and have fished every mark there has to offer over the years around portsmouth and buds farm,langstone bridge and the used to be famous oyster beds,there used to be some great sessions,but unfortunately and dissappointingly the numbers have gone down,however that wont stop me trying again this winter,we just need a good hard frost.

If anyone is up for a Find a flounder fishing once the frosts hit then your more than welcome to join me big hug

PompeyLocal · Member Joined: Nov 03, 2008 Posts: 30 Location: Pompey

Cheers all for responses - I agree the decline is worrying and also a real shame.

I may be a wuss and try from the car park rather than trek right around the path to the marshes proper. There are a few deep gullies there that should be easily reachable.

As a Milton boy I'll persevere with Langstone - I will give Pompey harbour a go at some point though as per FF's advice!

It may be a blank (first in a while), but I will keep on trying to locate them..

flattiefanatic · SE Coast Moderator Joined: Oct 03, 2007 Posts: 419

Pm me later m8y when the frosts come i might have a spot worth while for you to try happy

bassfly · Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 5:31 pm Post subject:

crapcaster · Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 7:19 pm Post subject:

Yeah, I know that feeling!! whew!

PompeyLocal · Member Joined: Nov 03, 2008 Posts: 30 Location: Pompey

Tried my luck right next to the carpark next to the roundabout at the top of the Eastern Road starting at about 5:30am.

Had a bass of about 1lb fairly close in and lots of bites. Not a flounder to be had at all... Anyway, the bites eased off a bit once daylight broke the darkness.

As the tide dropped I decided to mooch about in search of gullies which may be hiding my flat, white bellied foe.. Bagged a 3lb bass for my trouble, but no flounder - gutted winking

For those that are interested I used rag for bait (little maddies)...

flattiefanatic · SE Coast Moderator Joined: Oct 03, 2007 Posts: 419

Nice going m8y,bit early for the flatties still for that area but well done on the bass winking