Buzzing with that positive vibe every way you turned – this yearโ€™s Hutchwilco Boat Show held the latest boat and fishing tackle innovations, ideas, creations and more, the show was exciting to be a part of after a 2 year sabbatical and learning new things is always a good when it comes to enjoying fishing and all it has to offer. Presenting Masterclasses each day on โ€˜Catch Bigger Fish 100% Bait Freeโ€™ creating a snapshot of what so many are already thriving on, lure/jig/softbait fishing while catching bigger and better fish than ever before, a massive thank you to Hutchwilco.

One of the most enduring aspects of the boat show is meeting fellow anglers in person (you). The number of young families, old โ€˜forever baitโ€™ men, hard core fishoโ€™s, complete novices…all doing their thing, a wonderful cross section of our society who all have the joy of fishing in common, and it showed at the show.

The Blood Moon of the year looms, changing the current low-current tidal movement to a strong powerful flow within a few days as the planets re-align, this should really stir things up! The winds of change are loud and clear. The lower part of the Firth of Thames quietened down a lot last week, although some good snapper and even small workups were active in the mid to upper zone. Thereโ€™s lots of good gulf action still within eyesight of Little Barrier, right around it pretty much. From the shallows for softbaiting snapper particularly the eastern side, to the reefs just off it at various quarters โ€“ kingfish. Further away from the island just a few milesโ€ฆeast are good workups with all sorts of fish species keen to feed, west has lotโ€™s of skipjack tuna and presumably marlin? Only one way to find out and that is to be out there getting in amongst it wherever you choose to fish. This sudden big airborne chill will certainly hurry the changing of the guard out there, the sea temperature just dropped a degree gulf-wide. Winter mode fishing is heading our way but we have a bit of time yet to enjoy some Autumn thrillers out there.

Seeing the new Black Label LIVIES with their ultra-realistic action goes to show that improvement, innovation and technological progression is a never-ending process of development and the results can be eye-opening. If you didnโ€™t get to see the new Black Label LIVIES in action on the Boat Show thereโ€™s a 30second video of them on Catch Fishing Facebook and an exposeโ€™ of the โ€˜Espresso Double-Tapโ€™ action โ€“ itโ€™ll blow your mind. A new dimension to lifelike wriggle โ€˜n shimmy and fish catching triggers show how sensitive and lifelike the new softbaits really are!

What wonders does the rest of the year hold for you and your fishing adventures? We certainly have many choices, landbased, drone, kayak, jetski, boat…but what fish are on your short list, targeting them with your choice of fishing tackle and lures? All the best in your quests.

Espresso