Canvey Island’s beach is sand running onto mud with small rocks and offers excellent sea fishing opportunities. Groynes stretch 50 yards out and are at intervals of approximately 100 yards. A high sea defence wall protects you from the weather and you fish from the base of the sea wall.

This long sea wall has a varied mix of marks. Best fishing time is about two-and-a-half hours either side of high water. The fishing is over mud into shallow water so distance can be an advantage. It is worth casting to the end of the groynes where the fish can be located.

SPECIES

Whiting, flounders and codling show in winter, with big bags of whiting at night. Long casting can produce better catches of codling, although flounders and whiting appear quite close. Summer produces eels, bass and founders. Bass taken at low water and at night after a southerly blow.

BAIT AND TACKLE

Winter baits are lugworms on their own or tipped with squid or mackerel for the codling and whiting. In summer you should use peeler crabs and ragworms. Peeler crabs are a must for the eels.

Use a standard beachcaster or bass rod with a multiplier or fixedspool reel loaded with 15lb mainline with a 60lb shockleader. Rigs should be two or three hook paternosters with grip lead weights. Some tackle losses may occur on the rocky ground.

GETTING THERE

Take the A13 to Victoria Corner roundabout and follow the signs to Canvey, going past Benfleet and onto the island. Once on the Canvey road, follow it over the first roundabout, turn left at the next and go to the traffic lghts at the King Canute pub. Turn right into Haven Road and follow it to the Lobster Smack pub.

The popular point area is just off the B1014 down Beveland Road with parking at the bottom along the base of the sea wall.

TACKLE SHOPS

Gone Fishing, Unit 40 Shannon Way, Canvey Island, tel: 01268 691542.
Opening times: 8.30am-5.30pm Monday to Thursday & Saturday, 8.30am-6.30pm Friday, 10am-2.30pm Sunday.
Bait: Fresh lugworms, ragworms and maddies (to order) and frozen bait.

Hook, Line and Sinker, 15-17 Kents Hill Rd, Benfleet, tel: 01268 792573.
Opening times: 8.45am-6pm Monday to Thursday and Saturday, 8.45am-7pm Friday, 9am-2pm Sunday.
Bait: Fresh lug, rag and peeler crabs in season, and frozen bait.

Directions : Take the A13 to Victoria Corner roundabout and follow the signs to Canvey, going past Benfleet and onto the island. Once on the Canvey road, follow it over the first roundabout, turn left at the next and go to the traffic lights at the King Canute pub. Turn right into Haven Road and follow it to the Lobster Smack pub
Season : Winter for whiting, flounder codling, summer for eels, bass and flounder