IT'S been a reasonable angling week on our part of the coast.

January has never been a great month but we anglers are always optimistic!

Sprats have arrived in force into the estuary and boat anglers have reported big shoals showing on the sonars.

The shoals haven’t had any adverse effect on the fishing yet, but I will keep you updated on their movements.

The weekend saw very calm conditions arrive and boat anglers took advantage before our next storm.

Alan Tipple and Sandie Davis launched their boat from Gunfleet Boating Club on the Holland-on-Sea beaches.

They landed codling to 3lbs and some good-size whiting.

Alan reported that sprats were out in force and the cod were feeding on them.

Four boats launched from the Clacton Boat Club ramp by the Martello.

They fished close to the shore, with squid and lugworm baits.

Plenty of whiting were caught, with a few small codling and the odd thornback ray.

The Brightlingsea-based charter boat Sophie Lea has had a pretty good week with plenty of whiting, some codling and a few early thornback rays.

The beaches and piers have seen plenty of fish this week.

Most were on the small side, but nonetheless there were plenty of bites for this time of year.

St Osyth beach has seen plenty of whiting, with the odd thornback ray.

There have been reports of weed returning to the beaches and causing problems, clinging to the anglers’ lines.

This only seems to be happening on the ebb tides when it is running at its strongest.

Colchester Sea Angling Club fished their latest league match on the Holland-on-Sea beaches.

Seventeen anglers fished on a mild but overcast day.

Whiting were caught but not in the numbers that have been seen.

Codling were also caught, as well as the odd bass.

First place on the day went to Dave Clark, with 5lb 11oz, which included two codling.

Second spot went to the in-form Nik Highfield, with 3lb 12oz, and in third was Mark Sessions, with 3lb 9oz.

Mark also landed the heaviest flatfish - a 6oz dab.

The heaviest fish prize was shared between Nik and Grant Tappenden, both catching a codling of 41cm.

Two of the Clacton Boat Club members, Kevin and Chris Scrivener, left their boat at home and fished Halfpenny Pier in Harwich.

They fished an evening flood tide and both caught plenty of whiting, plus some dabs and a flounder.

Halfpenny Pier is free to fish but be careful of all the boat traffic.

Clacton Pier is still seeing those small whiting, but there is always a chance of a thornback ray or codling.

The Frinton beaches are still on form for those whiting.

More flounders are showing here, but weed has also been a problem here too.

Walton Pier is still a bite a cast from the top of the pier, with dabs still showing well, along with whiting and the odd codling.

The high tides for the weekend are 1.44pm on Saturday and 2.19pm on Sunday.