South Coast Spring Bite: Bass, Pollock, and Mackerel Running Hot

G'day, mates, this is Artificial Lure, your South Coast angling mate from down Devon way, comin' at ya with the evenin' fishing report for Saturday 4th April 2026, 'round 10 PM. Winds are light sou'westerlies at 8-12 knots, skies clearin' up after a drizzly start—temps hoverin' steady at 11-13°C, perfect for a late cast without freezin' yer bits off. Sunrise kicked off at 6:42 AM, sunset wrapped at 7:48 PM, so we've had a solid 13 hours of daylight to chase 'em. Tides today? High water hit 5.2m at Portsmouth around 2:15 PM, low slack at 8:30 PM—fishin' the flood tide mornin' to midday was prime, with currents pushin' baitfish into the shallows. Fish activity's rampin' up this spring; bass are on the prowl post-winter, mackerel shoals thick offshore, and pollack smashin' lures in the reefs. Recent catches? Locals report 20-30 bass per charter off Selsey Bill last week, up to 8lb, plus pollock to 12lb and a few smoothhounds on worm baits. Mackerel numbers are boomin', limits easy on feathers. Best lures right now? Ragworm-imitatin' soft plastics like 4-inch paddletails in pearl or mackerel patterns on 1/2oz jigheads—deadly for bass in the surf. For pollock, shiny silver Toby spoons or Dexter wedges, twitched fast. Bait-wise, fresh peeler crab or ragworm on a three-hook flapper for rays and hounds, mackerel strips for codling. Feathers or sabikis for the mackies—free bait once ya hook one! Hot spots? Hit Selsey Bill at first light for bass on lures, or Beachy Head wrecks for pollock—anchor up and drop metals. Stay safe out there, check yer gear, and mind the rocks. Cheers for tunin' in, folks—subscribe for weekly updates! This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai. Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn