Spearfishing in Brighton (Brighton and Hove)

[Davids]

Hello guys,
I am almost new at spearfishing as I started this summer and had only around 6-8 times to dive but it was awesome indeed. Most of the time was spearfishing in Brighton, as it is closest place from London but the main problem I face is visibility as it is very unpredictable even it shows that weather was't too bad, when you arrive visibility is so shity and plans goes no where. Is any one has any advise what to do to avoid those empty visits or maybe some where is better place to spear except both west and main Pier ?

 

[sam18]

Sorry to take away from your question? Just wonderin what mm wetsuit you have on as im about to buy one now to dive year round in Brighton?

 

[Davids]

on late spring and early autumn I am pretty sure 5.5 mm is good enough as all the summer I was wearing it and it was very warm so should be alright. Despite that if planning to dive all year you probably need another 7mm or 9mm suit.

 

[Scoobaru]

Hello guys,
I am almost new at spearfishing as I started this summer and had only around 6-8 times to dive but it was awesome indeed. Most of the time was spearfishing in Brighton, as it is closest place from London but the main problem I face is visibility as it is very unpredictable even it shows that weather was't too bad, when you arrive visibility is so shity and plans goes no where. Is any one has any advise what to do to avoid those empty visits or maybe some where is better place to spear except both west and main Pier ?

I've heard around Brighton the water is often very murky, as I don't dive there I can't really advise about locations. Maybe look through the Sussex spearfishing thread and see if you can spot any locations in there, failing that try pm some locals to that area and ask for alternative areas to fish. Also have a look online and see if there are any webcams you can look at around that area to give you an idea of water conditions. Also before you plan a journey out make sure you check the wind speed and direction for the week leadin up to your session. And the tide can have an affect ie a spring tide normally causes worse Vis than a neap tide because there is more water movement.

Hope this is of some help to you

 

[Scoobaru]

Sorry to take away from your question? Just wonderin what mm wetsuit you have on as im about to buy one now to dive year round in Brighton?

Hi bud I dive a bit further alon the coast in dorset an I use a 3mm lined suit from may/June and hope to wear it until early November. Then If the water temp starts deceeasing a lot and i start getting cold i will be switching to my open cell 5mm suit. This keeps me warm all through the winter (I dive all year around for 4hours + each session) including night diving when the water temperature can be single figures or even minus figures. However I have always been in cold water and can tolerate cold quite well. Some people use a 7mm jacket and 5mm bottoms. Or the blokes that get really cold use a 7mm suit. Just remember the thicker the suit the less flexible it is and the more weight you will need on your weightbelt

Hope this helps

 

[Davids]

I've heard around Brighton the water is often very murky, as I don't dive there I can't really advise about locations. Maybe look through the Sussex spearfishing thread and see if you can spot any locations in there, failing that try pm some locals to that area and ask for alternative areas to fish. Also have a look online and see if there are any webcams you can look at around that area to give you an idea of water conditions. Also before you plan a journey out make sure you check the wind speed and direction for the week leadin up to your session. And the tide can have an affect ie a spring tide normally causes worse Vis than a neap tide because there is more water movement.

Hope this is of some help to you

Hi Scoobaru, thanks for posting, I'll try that, hopefully it will work Where do you normaly dive ?

 

[Scoobaru]

I normally dive anywhere in dorset from west bay to swanage. I try to do new spots as much as possible but I have a few around Portland etc that I try to dive regularly aswel. But anywhere where there's sea and fish ill have a go diving

 

[Davids]

I normally dive anywhere in dorset from west bay to swanage. I try to do new spots as much as possible but I have a few around Portland etc that I try to dive regularly aswel. But anywhere where there's sea and fish ill have a go diving

I have tried once at Durdle Door in Dorset and it was awesome visibility for me but no fish I could hunt, probably because of my low experience I am also wondering if further to west coast from Dorset viz is always good enough for spearfishing and what is max wind speed you ignore and what do you consider in general before your hunt ? Thanks for posting back

 

[Scoobaru]

Yea sometimes you get that problem, in clear Vis the fish can see you more easily so are often spooked easier or more cautious. Anything above 15-18mph is gunna be a bit uncomfortable in the water. You may find that the Vis is ok for a few hours but then gets worse as the seabed is churned up. Different areas are affected in different ways by the wind. For example hard rock cliffs may take longer to become churned up, than sandy areas with reefs as the sand is churned up quickly and then the particles cling to the reefs. Clay and limestone areas don't take much before they are churned up and can take a while to clear because of the sediment. Also tides affect it greatly with some places benefitting from a spring tide because the water clears the sediment quickly whilst other areas become worse with spring tides as the increased water movement brings in more sediment. The only way to find these things out are through experience (either personal or through the kind words of wisdom others provide you with).

 

[Davids]

Yea sometimes you get that problem, in clear Vis the fish can see you more easily so are often spooked easier or more cautious. Anything above 15-18mph is gunna be a bit uncomfortable in the water. You may find that the Vis is ok for a few hours but then gets worse as the seabed is churned up. Different areas are affected in different ways by the wind. For example hard rock cliffs may take longer to become churned up, than sandy areas with reefs as the sand is churned up quickly and then the particles cling to the reefs. Clay and limestone areas don't take much before they are churned up and can take a while to clear because of the sediment. Also tides affect it greatly with some places benefitting from a spring tide because the water clears the sediment quickly whilst other areas become worse with spring tides as the increased water movement brings in more sediment. The only way to find these things out are through experience (either personal or through the kind words of wisdom others provide you with).

Hi Scoobaru, thanks a lot for useful information, I believe that it will expand my spearfishing possibilities Now I need to find those places with your descriptions for hunting in windy conditions. Haven't been for spearfishing probably around for a month and cant wait for a go. You guys should feel lucky living close to the sea !

 

[Scoobaru]

Ah no worries bud. Always happy to help if I can. Yea we are lucky living right next to the sea but it can be very frustrating also when your at work or you can see the water an its all rough and churned up and all you want to do is go spearfishing

 

[bobandsausage]

Hello guys,
I am almost new at spearfishing as I started this summer and had only around 6-8 times to dive but it was awesome indeed. Most of the time was spearfishing in Brighton, as it is closest place from London but the main problem I face is visibility as it is very unpredictable even it shows that weather was't too bad, when you arrive visibility is so shity and plans goes no where. Is any one has any advise what to do to avoid those empty visits or maybe some where is better place to spear except both west and main Pier ?

Hi David, just seen your post. Nope, sorry mate, the viz in Brighton remains a bit of a mystery to me too. The main indicators of crap viz are S/ SW winds (though a strong easterly won't help either) and big tides. The tide can make a huge difference. You can expect viz to remain rubbish for a few days after a big blow, which is very frustrating on a flat, calm, sunny day like yesterday!

Re tides, viz tends to be best when the current is weakest (about an hour before high and low waters).

Re spots - those are as good as any I've found, but don't be afraid to explore other spots. Don't mean to teach you to suck eggs, but there are plenty of things to get tangled up on around the west pier, so be careful if viz isn't great.

For someone who allegedly lives in Brighton I don't seem to be here very often, but if you want a viz check PM me and if I'm around I'll oblige (FYI it's really not very good today...)

Nick

 

[swordfish12]

Hi David, just seen your post. Nope, sorry mate, the viz in Brighton remains a bit of a mystery to me too. The main indicators of crap viz are S/ SW winds (though a strong easterly won't help either) and big tides. The tide can make a huge difference. You can expect viz to remain rubbish for a few days after a big blow, which is very frustrating on a flat, calm, sunny day like yesterday!

Re tides, viz tends to be best when the current is weakest (about an hour before high and low waters).

Re spots - those are as good as any I've found, but don't be afraid to explore other spots. Don't mean to teach you to suck eggs, but there are plenty of things to get tangled up on around the west pier, so be careful if viz isn't great.

For someone who allegedly lives in Brighton I don't seem to be here very often, but if you want a viz check PM me and if I'm around I'll oblige (FYI it's really not very good today...)

Nick

Hi David, just seen your post. Nope, sorry mate, the viz in Brighton remains a bit of a mystery to me too. The main indicators of crap viz are S/ SW winds (though a strong easterly won't help either) and big tides. The tide can make a huge difference. You can expect viz to remain rubbish for a few days after a big blow, which is very frustrating on a flat, calm, sunny day like yesterday!

Re tides, viz tends to be best when the current is weakest (about an hour before high and low waters).

Re spots - those are as good as any I've found, but don't be afraid to explore other spots. Don't mean to teach you to suck eggs, but there are plenty of things to get tangled up on around the west pier, so be careful if viz isn't great.

For someone who allegedly lives in Brighton I don't seem to be here very often, but if you want a viz check PM me and if I'm around I'll oblige (FYI it's really not very good today...)

Nick

hi mate i do spearfishing and i live in
brighton,i m from italy, usualy i go alone becouse i don't know anyone that like do it,let me know if you want to go together ,
also i have a car to find new spots around brighton. let me know

fabrizio

 

[Davids]

Hi David, just seen your post. Nope, sorry mate, the viz in Brighton remains a bit of a mystery to me too. The main indicators of crap viz are S/ SW winds (though a strong easterly won't help either) and big tides. The tide can make a huge difference. You can expect viz to remain rubbish for a few days after a big blow, which is very frustrating on a flat, calm, sunny day like yesterday!

Re tides, viz tends to be best when the current is weakest (about an hour before high and low waters).

Re spots - those are as good as any I've found, but don't be afraid to explore other spots. Don't mean to teach you to suck eggs, but there are plenty of things to get tangled up on around the west pier, so be careful if viz isn't great.

For someone who allegedly lives in Brighton I don't seem to be here very often, but if you want a viz check PM me and if I'm around I'll oblige (FYI it's really not very good today...)

Nick

Hello Nick, it is very useful information, thanks a lot, mate. Regards West Pier, indeed it is tangled and even viz is good have to be careful.

 

[bobandsausage]

hi mate i do spearfishing and i live in
brighton,i m from italy, usualy i go alone becouse i don't know anyone that like do it,let me know if you want to go together ,
also i have a car to find new spots around brighton. let me know

fabrizio

Hi Fabrizio, sounds good - I'll PM you.

 

[bobandsausage]

Hello Nick, it is very useful information, thanks a lot, mate. Regards West Pier, indeed it is tangled and even viz is good have to be careful.

No problem David, good luck and happy fishing!