IT was always going to happen in early March, rather than later in the month, and that is the early-spring thornback ray invasion!

A few years ago we would have expected an early run of these rays to arrive in the Thames Estuary around the beginning of April.

By early June, they would have all but disappeared.

However, the last ten years has seen them multiply out of all proportion to a point where it is now an everyday occurrence for anglers to catch them throughout the whole year.

Youngsters Oliver Yallop and Joshua Buist headed for St Osyth beach on a ray hunt and had great success.

Both caught rays.

In fact, they caught an amazing eight between them.

All their rays were caught on squid and bluey baits.

Colchester Sea Angling Club also fished the St Osyth beaches for the first of a series of six Colchester Bait and Tackle matches.

First place went to Neil Cocks, with 6lb 3oz, and his catch included three small thornback rays.

Second spot went to Steve Yallop, with 4lb 8oz, and third to Dave Clark, with 2lb 10oz.

Conditions were good, with light winds but plummeting temperatures.

Thornback rays, dabs and whiting were caught.

Other anglers have also fished here this week and reported that the rays are feeding prolifically.

It therefore looks like this is the venue to head for to target these heavyweight fish.

Clacton Pier has also seen a few rays this week, plus some bigger whiting and dabs.

The Holland beaches have been on the quiet side.

Very few anglers have been fishing here, but rays will be caught on the night tides.

Those spring codling are elusive, but a bit of good news is that it looks like those herring and sprat shoals are slowly thinning out.

Walton Sea Angling Club headed to the local pier for their latest midweek evening match.

They fished an ebb tide on a calm but very cold night.

There were plenty of fish caught, mostly whiting, dabs and pouting plus one solitary codling.

Most were on the small side.

Top angler on the night was James Everett, with 6lb 9oz.

Second place went to Nik Highfield, with 6lb 3oz, and third to Doug Sadler, with 4lb 5oz.

The heaviest fish was caught by James Everett and was a 2lb 4oz codling.

Walton Pier has seen some bigger whiting this week, with dabs and pouting showing well.

The next couple of weeks should see those rays moving in around the top of the pier and squid and bluey will be the top baits.

The boat reports have been very patchy this week.

There are still rays to be caught but cod are at a premium.

The high tides for the weekend are 2.06pm on Saturday and 2.09pm on Sunday.

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