Deal Pier

Fresh lugworm, ragworm and the usual selection of frozen baits can be obtained from:

Revised Pier Opening Hours wef 4th July 2020
Monday to Thursday	10am to 5pm
Friday and Saturday	9am to 6pm
Sunday	9am to 5pm
Revised Pier Restaurant Opening Hours wef 4th July 2020
Monday to Thursday	10am to 4pm
Friday and Saturday	9am to 5pm
Sunday	9am to 4pm
Pier Telephone	01304 363815

Summer Fishing Charges: 1st April 2020 to 30th November 2020
	Adults	Concessions [1]
8am to 5pm	£6.20 per rod	£3.10 per rod
5pm to 10pm (midnight on Fridays)	£4.70 per rod	£2.40 per rod
10pm to 6am	£8.70 per rod	£5.10 per rod
Combined day/night ticket	£11.20 per rod	£7.20 per rod
Club hire of Pier per night	£200.00	Book Online
Drop nets & handlines	£1.50
[1] Concessions include juniors under 16, unemployed, senior citizens, disabled and students

Deal Pier (length 1,026 ft) is a popular place to fish with benches lining its length as well as a number of shelters and disabled access. According to local anglers, fishing for mackerel, garfish, mullet, pollack and sole is popular in summer. In winter, whiting and codling tend to make up the bulk of catches. The two most popular marks to fish Deal Pier are

the lower deck at the south and north corners and
the upper deck between the 2nd and 3rd shelters (facing south towards Dover) fishing into the flood tide.

Because the Pier can be snaggy, popular rigs are pulley and standard Pennells. However, the sea bed surrounding the Pier is occasionally dragged following which the seabed is considerably less "snaggy". If concerned about losing end tackle try some of these fishing methods:

feathering down the sides of the pier
drift-lining
spinning with a baited (flounder) spoon, mackerel-spinner or other artificial lure
float fishing
fly fishing

or use a rotten bottom rig weighted with one or more hagstones of a size suitable for the tide-flow.

For the record …

By email dated 20 March 2017 Dover District Council has confirmed that "Deal Pier is not a listed structure."

The South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 14 April 1863 at page 5

The New Pier

Deal, in a few months, it is said, will again be provided with a landing pier, to which steamers may draw and passengers land, and which will also add much to the general aspect of the town. It must be admitted, however, that many of the inhabitants, including the most influential, are of opinion that it is not likely to work wonders, or realize the professed object in view, namely to promote the general interests of the town, should it interfere with the services of the boatmen - the main point to be considered, and to which weight is justly attached. The ceremony of driving the first pile, or rather of embedding the first column in concrete, came off on Wednesday. The proceedings did not occupy many minutes, including Mr. Hugessen's address, which was terse, appropriate, and fraught with good wishes to the undertaking. It is confidently said that it will be three weeks before anything more is done, a statement which seems strangely at variance with a report that the advanced arrangements of the contractors would enable them to make rapid progress with the structure.

The South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 17 November 1863 at page 5

Deal

The Gale

During the recent gale from the N. N. E., the floating raft, constructed of huge masses of timber used for fixing the piles at the new pier, parted from her moorings, and after drifting a short distance was brought up by the anchor becoming attached to the drain pipes of the barracks. To secure the balks several boatmen were engaged, and among the number a man named Castle, who unfortunately received a violent blow just beneath the knee, which broke his leg. He was immediately conveyed to Deal, where surgical assistance was promptly provided, and he is going on favourably.

The South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 22 December 1863 at page 4

Deal

At about 7 o'clock on Sunday se'nnight, two guns were fired from the gull Light, signifying that a vessel was in distress on the Goodwin. Without delay a long galley, named the "Arrow", with a crew of eight men, hastened to the spot, but on reaching it they found that a Ramsgate lugger had saved the crew of the vessel, and consequently that their services could be dispensed with. Before reaching home their own lives were imperilled. The Arrow, it seems, carried too much sail, and a sudden gust of wind, when about 80 yards from the shore, caused her to capsize. After buffeting the waves for a short time, four or five succeeded in reaching the columns of the pier, to which they clung till assistance arrived. The rest were saved by a ship's boat which happened to be near. The operations at the pier, during the last week, have been vigorously carried on, and it now extends seaward 280 feet, leaving 722 feet for its completion. On Thursday night several of the wooden piles were displaced by the sea, and have not yet been recovered.

Accidents

A few nights ago Mr. Hubbard, Trinity Pilot of Deal, while in charge of a vessel which was being towed by a steamer in the river, was pacing the deck (the night being extremely dark), when he approached too close to the aide of the vessel and fell overboard. A rope was instantly thrown to his assistance, which, failing to grasp, he called out "If you again miss me I shall be lost". Happily the second rope proved successful, and nothing could exceed the satisfaction of the crew when the pilot safely reached the ship, with no other inconvenience than a wet jacket.

The South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 12 January 1864 at page 5

Deal

The sum required to defray the Parliamentary expenses and to obtain a Bill for the construction of a harbour is estimated at £2,000, towards which amount £1,800, from various sources, have already been subscribed. The remainder will be forthcoming when desired. A few days ago, the raft called the "Albambra", used for raising and fixing the iron columns at the new pier, again parted from her moorings, and by the combined influence of wind and tide drifted against one of the large columns, which was so completely severed by the collision as to render the support of two heavy balks of timber necessary. The strong tendency of cast iron to break, for example chain cables, from the effects of intense frost, is well known to the mariner, and to this circumstance the fracture in question is ascribed.

The South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 19 January 1864 at page 5

Deal

The Channel Fleet is shortly to rendezvous in the Down.

The operations at Deal Pier are about to be discontinued for a month or six weeks (so far as pile driving is concerned), on account of adverse weather. The iron columns not yet used are placed on the Esplanade, collected together, and confined by a strong chain.

The South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 29 March 1864 at page 5

Deal

On Tuesday, owing to a heavy sea and high tide, about 20 of the wooden piles used in supporting the stage for the workmen engaged in securing the iron columns for the pier were forced from their position and drifted in various directions. Some boatmen with difficulty recovered most of them, and received 30s. for their trouble.

The South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 26 April 1864 at page 5

Deal

The numerous improvements at present going on here, and others in contemplation of comparative magnitude, bid fair, among other advantages, to open fresh sources of employment, and advance the general interests of the town and neighbourhood. As regards the Docks and Harbour Bill, the matter is satisfactorily settled; the pier now only wants 240ft. to completion …

The South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 24 May 1864 at page 5

Deal

During several evenings of the past week the sea at the water's edge seemed teeming with life, arising from countless myriads of young smelt of the most tiny description, which, to get clear of mackerel, made for the beach, and from their numbers they deeply coloured the water.

The South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 7 June 1864 at page 5

Deal

Mackerel

Larger quantities of mackerel have been caught within the last few nights than have been known here for many seasons. Two boats, the Louisa and the Himalaya, caught nearly 10,000 fine fish, which were quickly transferred to Ramsgate and other markets. As to getting choice fish here nobody, except strangers, expects it, unless indeed a sudden and unexpected glut should take place.

The South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 14 June 1864 at page 5

Deal

At the Petty Sessions on Thursday … Frederick Cavell, a workman employed on the pier, was charged with being drunk and riotous thereon. It appears on Wednesday, by way of refreshment, Mr. Denne, brewer, generously gave the men employed a barrel of beer, of which a man named Cavell, feeling thirsty, the weather being warm, drank rather too freely, and as all things may be abused, and even beer taken to excess he refused to leave the pier, when desired to do so by the authorities, and was accordingly taken into custody by the police and lodged in gaol. As no one appeared to press the charge, he was discharged, this being his first offence, with a caution to be more circumspect in future.

The South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 21 June 1864 at page 5

Deal

Regatta

The annual regatta is expected to take place in the early part of August. Preliminary steps in furtherance of the object, as regards the appointment of a committee and other arrangements, were adopted at a meeting convened by the Mayor at the Town-hall on Friday. Tuesday, the 23rd of August is the day fixed for the Deal Regatta.

The Downs Harbours and Docks Bill

This bill has passed the ordeal of a third reading in the House of Lords, and now only waits for the royal assent. This really important intelligence reached Deal by electric telegraph on Friday night, soon after the result was known, and was welcomed with feelings of the liveliest satisfaction. The required powers having been obtained, the undertaking, despite of many a shake of the head and adverse prediction, taken up as it, is with commercial spirit by British capitalists, will commence at no distant period, as it is well understood that definite plans are arranged.

The South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 28 June 1864 at pages 4 and 5

Deal

We are informed that the Downs Harbour and Docks Bill has received the Royal assent.

Another Life Boat

A brick building is about to be erected between the site of the old castle at Sandown the windmill on the beach, for the use of another life boat.

At the Petty Sessions on Thursday, Edward James Lloyd, James Wright, and Edward Salusbury, soldiers belonging to the 23rd Regt., were charged with being drunk and disorderly, and assaulting the police in the execution of their duty, on Wednesday night … The prisoners, who had nothing to say except that they were drunk, were severally sentenced to seven days' hard labour. The superintendent informed the Bench that several persons were appealed to for assistance, but refused. The Bench said it was well to know that a refusal to assist was an indictable offence, and that in future such conduct would be severely dealt with by the magistrates.

The South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 5 July 1864 at page 5

Deal

Fire on Deal Pier

A few days ago a fire broke out on the new pier, caused by the boiling over of two barrels of coal tar. The general belief was that the wooden part must fall a sacrifice. Happily there was a large quantity of gravel at hand, by the timely-use of which the flames were checked, and ultimately got under without doing much damage.

The South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 19 July 1864 at page 5

Deal

The improvements which have recently taken place here, and are still progressing, afford a favourable augury of a prosperous future, The past week was one of unusual interest, on account of the opening on Thursday of the new pier. The Mayor, with his usual spirit of courtesy, lent to the inauguration pageant the display of a civic procession, which derived additional interest from the presence of Colonels Burton and Maxwell, with a large military retinue, accompanied by the bands of the garrison.

The pier, which of itself is a great improvement to the town, presented on this occasion an imposing appearance, and attracted an immense concourse of spectators.

The only drawback to the proceedings was the newly-made asphalted walk on the pier, the surface of which freely yielded to indentation, and became so pasty from the effects of the sun's rays as to adhere with annoying tenacity to the boots and dresses of the ladies. This was not the only disastrous incident which took place - a fine specimen of the canine genus, a valuable Pomeranian dog, belonging to a gentleman in the Walmer road, having followed him to the pier, deliberately laid himself down, but soon after, despite repeated struggles, found that he was unable to move, and was only released by the owner cutting away a large quantity of hair.

… The asphalted coating of the pier is being removed. One lady had a rich dress entirely spoilt.

Extraordinary Spectacle

An immense shoal of porpoises in a single line was observed on Thursday evening, about half a mile from the beach, proceeding in a northerly direction. The salient powers of several were considerable, as they sprang from the surface of the water to a height of not lees than three feet.

The South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 26 July 1864 at page 5

Deal

By permission of Colonel Burton and Lieut.-Colonel Maxwell, the brass band of the 6th Dépôt will perform on the Pier every Friday evening, from half-past six to nine o'clock; and the fife and drum bund of the Royal Marines, and Sergeant Goddard’s troupe of hand-bell ringers, every Monday and Wednesday, at the above time, during the season.

The South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 15 November 1864 at page 11

Deal - Opening of the New Pier

The new pier, having reached completion, was formally opened on Tuesday with great éclât, the ceremony being performed by Mrs. E. H. Knatchbull-Hugessen.

The pier is constructed entirely of iron; it is 1,100 feet long, 26 feet wide; it has a T shape, and the head is 120 feet long and 50 wide, the abutment being 100 feet by 407. The body of the pier rests on about fifty ornamental iron columns of about 18 inches In diameter, which are screwed into the rock; they are tied horizontally by diagonal braces of wrought iron, and are surmounted by ornamental caps. The pier head, where steamers can be moored alongside in any state of the tide, rests on the same kind of pillars as the body of the pier, but for greater strength they are tied diagonally, vertically, and horizontally, and are surrounded by a timber fender. The work has been executed under the immediate direction of Mr. Reid, the superintendent. Along each side of the pier is ranged a continuous seat, the back formed of an iron network, which forms an elegant finish to the top of the structure.

The whole pier is said to be of very great strength. It is wonderfully light in appearance, and from the character of its construction offers a very slight resistance, either to the violence of the wind or the sea. At the entrance there are two very prettily-designed toll-houses, and at the head there is a corresponding shelter house, which it is expected will be used as a reading-room.

In every respect it is a work which the town may well be proud of possessing. Mr. J. M'Millan was secretary to the undertaking ; Mr. E. Birch, M. I.C.S., acted as engineer; and Messrs. Laidlaw and Son, of Glasgow,, undertook the actual erection of the pier.

At noon on Tuesday a procession was formed at the Naval Yard, and consisted of the directors and shareholders of the company, the workmen of the pier, the various clubs and friendly associations of the town, wearing their honorary distinctions and official regalia, each party being headed by an excellent band. The Worshipful Mayor and municipal body and clergy also co-operated and took a distinguished part in the spectacle. Altogether the sight was very attractive, and the multitude that streamed from all quarters to witness it furnished the best evidence of the interest taken in the event. For a day in bleak November, the weather was as favourable as could be expected.

The procession having walked round the town returned to the Clarendon, and thence proceeded to the pier, which had been lined by this time from end to end, through the courtesy of Colonel Fellowes and Major Hughes, with troops, from the depôt. Flags and banners floated in all directions, and the scene was an exceedingly gay and animated one. A truck was carpeted and decorated, and an easy chair placed in it, and about two o’clock Mrs. Hugessen took her seat upon it, and was drawn by the workmen to the pier-head. Three cheers having been given the Chairman invited the lady to open the pier.

Mrs. Hugessen then rose, and said:

"I thank you for the honour you have done m in wishing me to take part in the interesting proceedings of this day. I congratulate you upon the successful termination of your undertaking, the result of which we see in this beautiful pier. I hope it will contribute to the prosperity of your town, in which I feel I shall always take so much interest. I have much pleasure in declaring the pier now opened." [loud cheers].

Three cheers were then given for Mrs. Hugeseen, for the county and borough members, for the contractor, the engineer, and the company.

The National Anthem having then been sung, Mr. M'Millan, addressing Mrs. Hugessen, said

"Madam, I have the honour to inform you that at a full meeting of the directors and officers of the company it was resolved unanimously that the most cordial thanks of the board be conveyed to Mrs. Hugessen for her kindness in consenting to attend and formally open their structure which was so happily commenced by Mr. Hugessen in April 1863, and that Mrs. Hugessen be requested to accept a pictorial illustration of the pier as a memorial of the auspicious event; the same to bear the signatures of the chairman, directors and officers of the company."

Mrs. Hugessen was then drawn back to the entrance to the pier, and this brought the proceedings at the pier to a close.

A large party afterwards sat down to dinner at the New Assembly Rooms ; Mr. Outwin, of the Clarendon, providing an excellent dinner. Mr. John Atwell, the chairman of the company, presided, and there were present Lord Clarence Paget, M.P., Sir Brook Bridges, M.P., Sir E. Dering, M.P., Mr. Hugessen, M.P., Mr. Laidlaw, Mr. E. Birch, Mr. Browne, Mr. M'Millan, the Mayor (W. M. Cavell, Esq.) and members of the Corporation of Deal, and several of the most influential inhabitants.

After the cloth had been removed, the usual loyal toasts were drank, followed by the "Army, Navy and Volunteers". Colonel Fowler responded for the army, and Lord Clarence Paget for the navy. In the course o f his remarks, his Lordship said, from the erection of this pier, whenever it was necessary to collect a squadron in the Downs they had an easy and facile access to the shore; this pier would be of the greatest importance in rendering communication with the ships in the Downs perfectly secure. As a public officer he must say they had a considerable garrison, they had a magnificent body of marines and a considerable depôt of troops in this district, and he should recommend them so to frame their charges that they would tempt the government to embark troops from this pier. They had now the pier: they would shortly no doubt have good houses where the Naval Yard now stood, and Deal might then well become the rival of Dover and Ramsgate.

The Chairman having proposed "The Bishops, Clergy and Ministers of all Denominations", to which the Rev. T. L. Griffith responded.

Sir Brook Bridges, in giving the health of "The Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports", expressed his sincere congratulations to the town and all connected with the enterprise, on the successful completion of this important work.

The Chairman next proposed "The Health of Mrs. Hugessen", which was drunk with much cheering.

Mr. Hugessen returned them most sincere thanks on behalf of Mrs. Hugessen, and then went on to propose "Success to the Deal Pier". Although it was always a pleasure to come amongst them he never rose with feelings of greater or more unqualified satisfaction to address his constituents than he did that night. He recognised in the proceedings of that day the fact that Deal was about to take her proper place among the seaport towns; the spirit of improvement was abroad, and they might look to the future for increased prosperity.

Mr. Davison briefly returned thanks.

Mr. E. Browne then proposed "The County and Borough Members".

Lord C. Paget responded, and gave "The Mayor and Town Council of Deal".

The Mayor (Mr. W. M. Cavell) briefly replied, expressing his great satisfaction that the pier was completed so nobly.

Mr. Hughes proposed "The Chairman and the Directors of the Pier" to which the Chairman briefly responded.

Mr. Hugessen gave "The Engineer (Mr. E. Birch), the Secretary (Mr. J. M'Millan), the Solicitors, and the Superintendent (Mr. Reid )".

Mr. Birch, in a very neat speech, responded; and some toasts of a minor character having been disposed of, the party broke up.

The Illustrated London Evening News (1864)
Opening of the new pier at Deal

The South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 6 December 1864 at pages 4 and 5

Deal

… Lord Clarence said he had now had the honour of representing that borough 17 years, and his earnest ambition was to remain their member [cheers]. The noble lord then proceeded to remark upon the present position and future prospects of Deal. That place had lately shown great improvement. Through the enterprise of many there they bad succeeded in raising a very beautiful structure in the shape of a pier. The site of their old dockyard, an unsightly, rotten pile of buildings had been sold to the Conservative Land Society to make way, he hoped, for a handsome row of houses.

After touching upon one or two other local improvements, Lord Clarence referred to the Bill brought before Parliament last Session for the creation of docks in the Downs. The Downs was to all sailors an historical spot, and that place might, before all others, be called the key of the Channel. When the question of forming a great harbour of refuge was before the country some 30 years ago he believed the weight of naval evidence was in favour of the Downs as being an infinitely superior site to Dover [hear, hear]. But in an evil hour for the country Dover was chosen in preference to the Downs [cheers]. Happily, however, in these days of enterprise, the creation of docks and basins at Deal had been projected. A crippled ship was now obliged to run for Ramsgate harbour, and they all knew that a more intricate and dangerous navigation than the approach to Ramsgate did not exist. They could readily conceive, then, how thankfully hundreds of vessels would avail themselves of a harbour in the Downs for repairs and for safety. There was one broad fact which stared them in the face, namely, that between Portsmouth and Sheerness there was not a single secure harbour on the coast [hear, hear]. As a sailor, therefore, he felt certain that the time would come when that great and magnificent national work would and must be undertaken [hear]. He could only say that, as far as he had any influence in the country or in the Government, he should deem it his duty to forward in every possible way so noble an enterprise [cheers].

Stations des poissons dans les ports de mer (1866)

The South Eastern Gazette, Saturday 23 March 1872

Deal

The pier proprietors, Messrs. Laidlaw, have appointed Mr. William H. Randall sole manager, who contemplates great alterations beneficial to the visitors and inhabitants in the forthcoming season.

"The Sea-Fisherman" (1884 - 4th edition) James Carrall Wilcocks at pages 168 & 169

The Plaice (Platessa vulgaris)

… Small plaice, dabs, flounders, and freshwater eels may be taken from off most piers on the coast by the rod and a pater-noster line, hooks No. 4 size, Kirby or Limerick, and the bait a boiled shrimp peeled, rag-worms, and lugs.

"Angling in Salt Water: A Practical Work on Sea Fishing with Rod and Line from the Shore, Piers, Jetties, Rocks and from Boats" (1887) John Bickerdyke at page 51

Pier-head, harbour, and shore fishing are all peculiarly adapted to those persons who, when in boats on the restless ocean, are wont to render a votive, albeit unwilling, offering to the sea god.

"Angling in Salt Water: A Practical Work on Sea Fishing with Rod and Line from the Shore, Piers, Jetties, Rocks and from Boats" (1887) John Bickerdyke at pages 36, 50 & 51

It must be acknowledged that, as a general rule, the quantity of fish taken from these places is not great … It must be remembered that fish which frequent harbours and haunt the piles of piers are fished for a great deal, and get shy, like, but not to the same extent as, their harassed fresh-water brethren. Fine tackle, therefore, is very advisable, and the importance of ground-baiting can hardly be overrated.

When about to fish from a pier-head, or, indeed, anywhere else, the first thing to do is to make some inquiries of local anglers, the pier master, old salts, or the fishmonger, and obtain some idea of the fish which are likely to be caught … Some of the following fish may nearly always be expected: Bass, from April until cold weather sets in, rock-fish, pout, whiting, mackerel, coal-fish, pollack, horse-mackerel, grey mullet, red mullet (rarely), codlings, smelts, congers, flounders, plaice, dabs, chad (small sea bream), and cod. There are also two prickly little fish, whose spines inflict nasty wounds - the long-spined bullhead and the dragonet. They are not unlike miller's thumbs. They may be known by their ugliness and ferocious appearance … If the angler can discover the nature of the bottom where he is fishing, he can in general form a good idea of the fish he may expect and the best baits to use. A very simple arrangement, used by sailors, and shown in section on page 36 [1], can be used where the water is so deep that the bottom is not visible at dead low water. It is simply a cone-shaped lead plummet, varying in size according to the depth of water to be sounded, in the bottom of which is a hollow space containing tallow; the cord passes through the ring on the top. This weight is let down to the bottom, and, on being hauled up again, whatever is sticking to the tallow - sand, mud, fragments of seaweed, shells, &c - tells the angler of what the bottom is composed.

… among the best (baits) are sand-eels, ragworms, mussels, lugs, herrings, sprats, pilchards (entrails or body), strips of mackerel skin, and shrimps, alive for pollack and the lesser flat fish, peeled but not boiled for most other fish. Ground-baiting … is all-important for success … In grey-mullet fishing, some of these are merely thrown on the surface; but more commonly the mixture is placed in a weighted net … and sunk within a foot of the bottom, as close as possible to the spot where the baits are dangling ready for the fish to seize them. A judicious shake now and again, given to the cord to which the net is attached, sets loose some of the bait, which the fish seize. In placing the ground-bait net, the angler should note carefully the set of the tide, and place his tackle so that whatever is washed out of the net is carried past his hooks. The ground-bait not only attracts fish, but it induces them to take the bait on the hook, under the belief that it is one of those harmless fragments which have come out of the net.

[1] At page 36: The plummet illustrated in section in Fig. 47 is used for taking the depth and one other purpose. On its lower surface a hole (B) is scooped, in which tallow may be placed. The nature of the bottom is then easily discovered. The hook is put through the ring and into a piece of cork (A) let into the lead. Such a plummet should weigh about half a pound.

"Sea-Fishing on the English Coast" (1891) Frederick George Aflalo at pages 47, 55, 56, 106 to 108, 117 & 122 to 126

Chapter IV

Baits and Diary

Natural Bait

… First, the Pollack, though a rock-dweller, feeds anywhere (vide Deal Pier); …

Part III - Locality

Fishing from Piers and Harbours

I shall have occasion to mention so many piers, and at least half-a-dozen harbours, that I think it necessary, for the benefit of beginners, to add a few remarks on the methods peculiar to these spots.

During the spring and summer months Bass enter most of our South Coast harbours, and may be taken by three methods: float-fishing, drift-lines, or throw-lines. With the first of these methods I have not, as I have already said, much acquaintance. The best bait for all harbour Bass seems to be the living sand-eel. Sixteen out of twenty-two large fish that I have ever seen caught in harbours were taken on this bait.

To drift-line fishing I have already referred; either no lead, or very little, is used. Mr. Wilcocks practises this method of fishing with much success, the favourite bait being live sand-eel. From half-ebb to low water, or about half-an-hour afterwards, is the best time. The throw line may be used with or without a rod. Fig. 57 shows the best form of these lines; the line being kept taut between the hand or rod-top and the lead, the least bite can be felt. Green crab is the best bait. In using the paternoster from piers, the lead is swung once or twice near the water, and then let free, the line being uncoiled for the purpose. It can be used sloping, thus permitting the angler to fish water at some distance.

At Deal, and other places with a strong tide and sandy bottom, it is customary to use only a light lead (8oz), just above which is one of the hooks, which drags the sand for ground fish. From a rocky shore this would, however, be dangerous, as the dragging lead would get caught in the rocks.

After September Bass-fishing in harbours is very uncertain work; but Mr. Wilcocks attributes this to lack of bait rather than absence of fish. Harbours, and especially those which receive rivers, generally contain Smelts; and they are to be found at the month of any small creek or back sluice.

Chapter V

Time and Tide

The two hours before and the hour after high-water are the best for fishing, the latter being known as "slack tide" owing to the water remaining almost stationary at high-water mark for some time before returning. The rising tide is called the "flood" and it is during this flood that the fish are hungriest. Still, in places where the falling tide is not too strong for your leads, plenty of fish may be caught at all times from boats.

Piers, however, are, as a rule, too shallow at low-water; but exceptionally long ones {e.g., Deal and Southend) are good at all times of the tide.

To the general rule that a rising tide is best for fishing, I have found an exception in all small fish, e.g,. smelts, pout, and chad. Perhaps they find it safer to wait till their enemies have gorged themselves throughout the flood.

Early morning and late evening are the best times for fishing, providing the tide suits ; but for ground-fishing for bass, I believe midday to be the best time. Fly-fishing for pollack and mullet may be practised from half-an-hour before sunset. Night-fishing is almost a distinct sport; but it is usually too cold to angle, hand-lines being resorted to. Many fish change their locality during the night. Pollack, and even gurnards, are taken on the sand near a reef of rocks; and mackerel and mullet, that during the day remain within a few feet of the top, may be caught within a foot of the bottom.

Chapter XIV

The South-East Coast

From an angler's point of view, this commences south of the Thames and extends to Eastbourne. The fishing at this south-east corner is very good indeed, including, as it does, Deal, Dover, and Hastings, while in the size and quantity of its fish, it closely resembles the south-west coast, which is, however, superior. It is very well adapted for fishing, there being, as one advances to the westward, a very suitable combination of rock and sand, in which large bass, mullet, mackerel, pollack, and conger, are all abundant. It presents varied fishing at all times of the year, the best months being, perhaps, July, August, and October.

Deal (3 hours from Charing Cross; 3rd return, 8 days, 11s.)

This is, perhaps, the best spot for angling on the south-east coast, as indeed one could guess, without going there, from the repeated advice in the Fishing Gazette from Mr. Sachs and others, to go there. Mr. Sachs is well known at Deal, and it is to him that I am indebted, not alone for the idea of originally trying Deal, but also for some very practical advice on Deal Pier a few summers ago. The best months are July and October - January; the former for pout and pollack, the latter for whiting and cod.

There are but few places where the pier affords better fishing than boats, but Deal is certainly an example. The length of the pier, 1000ft., allows the angler to fish very deep water, and the strength of the "race" that sweeps round from St. Margaret's, brings many large fish under shelter on the north of the pier. The charges on the pier are 1d entrance, or 3d on and off all day, and each rod also pays a tax of 5d per diem. There is, in the season, a kind of depot at the end of it, where all the best baits can be had fresh every day. The pier master, Mr. Lawrence, was always a good friend to anglers, and often procured for me bait that was otherwise inaccessible.

For angling purposes, I found the Antwerp Hotel (Mr. G. Ottaway) very comfortable, and as it is just at the entrance to the pier, much time is saved in getting backwards and forwards.

The tackle shop is Frost's (ironmonger), in High Street. I have already mentioned his sea-paternoster. It is customary with the Deal amateurs to leave their rods in charge of the man at the turnstile for weeks, without taking them to pieces. This is surprising, considering what well-known amateurs visit Deal, and it is a piece of sheer laziness that I cannot recommend.

The fish caught here in the summer are pollack, pout, and plaice. The best tackle is the paternoster or the leger. Heavy leads* are required, as the tide is strong. The best summer baits are ragworms or cockles, the former being sometimes rather hard to procure. The capture of lobsters on a hook is by no means uncommon, and in past fishing papers I find no less than seven cases.

* Some of the Deal amateurs, headed, I believe, by Mr. Sachs, esteem a light lead a great advantage. This requires some skill on the part of the fisherman to feel a tender bite, and distinguish it from the motion of the lead dragging the sand.

In November there are plenty of cod and whiting, and the baits are fresh sprats or lugworm. The sprats (which cost about 1½d. for twenty-five) must be very fresh, and, to ensure this, they should be purchased direct from the smacks.

The best part of the pier, as a rule, is either at the end facing Ramsgate, or else facing Walmer, about half-way along the stage; this, of course, depending on the direction of the tide at the time.

Although the cod-fishing from Deal Pier is very good up to the middle of November and often later, yet towards the end of the year the best catches are invariably from boats, the fish generally retiring into deeper water before they disappear altogether.

Deal Pier has some big scores in anglers' diaries; I was never very lucky there myself, but have seen some very fine fish landed, and have read of many more. In Fishing for January, 1889, there is mention of a single rod taking 100lb of fish, including a 16lb pollack. In 1884, a cod weighing 14lb was taken on a hand-line, and in 1885 Mr. Sachs' rod accounted for one weighing 11lb. This gentleman also mentions a lady having taken three lobsters (one of 3lb), and an angler catching a 3lb plaice. So much for Deal Pier.

There is also some fishing to be had from boats. I recollect the position of a swim that in August, 1887, yielded a good many pout and flat fish. Unfortunately, though, I omitted to put the marks down in my diary - a piece of carelessness of which I am thoroughly ashamed. An idea of its approximate position, however, can be formed by a glance at Fig. 63. The boat's head was kept due east from the pier-head till about half as far out again as the length of the pier, and then turned straight for Ramsgate. The swim was about 200 yards from the pier-head. Boats also take parties out to the Goodwin Sands in smooth weather (charge 10s), where large numbers of pouting, as well as skate and other flat fish, are taken with lug and mussel. A favourite spot is Trinity Bay, where there is, at high water, nearly 60ft of water.

At the back of the Goodwins is some very deep water, much frequented by French trawlers, which often knock up against our Ramsgate boats. In fact, Deal affords every kind of fishing.

I have omitted to mention spinning from the pier for pollack with the piece of parchment (Fig. 48), as well as throw-out lines from shore, which is, I am told, not so good as formerly. Marsh is a good boatman.

"The Sea and the Rod" (1892) Deputy Surgeon-General Charles Thomas Paske & Frederick George Aflalo at page 96

The Cod

There is also some good cod-fishing during the late autumn from Deal Pier, the favourite bait being sprats or lugworm, and the best tackle, as usual, the "paternoster". Pieces of squid and herring form at times a deadly variation in the baits, the oleaginous nature of the latter being especially attractive - the fish being first slit open and then carefully boned and cut diagonally.

"Sea Fishing": The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News 24th November 1894

"Hints and Wrinkles on Sea Fishing" (1894) "Ichthyosaurus" (A. Baines & Frederick George Aflalo) at at pages 82, 83 & 87 to 91

Sea Sickness &c

Where there is an old wooden or stone pier well encrusted, give it preference over the newer, more comely structure of bright metalwork.

The chief south coast piers from which there is any fishing during July and August are as follows: Deal Pier, pollack and flat fish; Dover Admiralty, bass, pollack and mullet; Promenade, pouting …

Some piers are not open for Sunday fishing later than eight in the morning; on others it is altogether forbidden. Sunday tickets for the Dover Promenade Pier are sold by the boatmen, no money being taken at the turnstiles.

Natural History and Sport

Pollack which with bass and mackerel constitute the sea fisherman's "game fish", feed at the surface during the warm July and August evenings; in October they still take artificial baits at midwater or lower; in the early part of the year they are caught with paternoster tackle, sand eel or rockworm being a killing bait.

But even in neighbouring localities a slight difference in conditions will entirely alter the habits of fish. Take the pollack, for instance, immediately north and south of the S. Foreland. At Deal, they are always under the end of the pier all the summer through, and may be taken with ragworm. You might rail along east and west of the pier all day and all night and very probably catch not one in a week. At Dover, on the other hand, they are not confined to any one spot, but hunt all over the rocks and are caught at the surface, or deeper down, anywhere between Shakespeare Cliff and the Cornhill.

Sea Fishing near London

There are a great many seaside towns within reasonable distance of London; and it is nowadays quite easy to leave town after breakfast, enjoy several hours of sea fishing and return the same evening with a good basket of fresher fish than might even be sold at Sweeting's - no disparagement to that admirable establishment. [4]

… But there are ten times as many places where one can get the whole tides fishing, and only sleep the one night away; and these, being within eighty miles of town, are well adapted to the requirements of a summer holiday.

Kent - The coast of this county extends from the south bank of the Thames estuary as far as just beyond Dungeness. It has some fishing stations of great importance reached by the S.E.R. and L.C. & D.R. trains; [5] and the aforementioned Sea Anglers' Society are therefore to be congratulated at having so soon obtained concessions from both these companies.

There are half a dozen places at which I have taken large fish; Sheerness, Herne Bay, Margate, Ramsgate, Deal and Dover, bass and pollack in the summer, cod and whiting between November and January.

The first two are the least important, though some good bass are generally taken in August at Sheerness, and Herne Bay gives some very fine dabs.

At Margate they use skate's liver for the bass.

The Broadstairs anglers fish off the "Falls", a couple of miles off, where they get plenty of silver whiting.

Deal is one of the chief sea-fishing places near town. Messrs. Laidlaw, of the pier, have recognised this and the result is a daily tax imposed on each rod. One sometimes makes a good catch of cod and whiting, but more often the catch is dear at threepence.

The tackle used is a paternoster with a light lead from the west stage, and the lead is allowed to drag over the sand. From the east stage, however, a heavier lead is advisable as there are rocks a little way out and if the lead gets among them it generally prefers to stay there. The pollack, which do not run above a couple of pounds, are caught under the steps with ragworm for bait. It must be procured from Dover, from either Mr. Pilling (No 6 Middle Row), or a Belgian, who lives at 65 Oxenden Street. The piermaster will generally allow the tins to be addressed to him at the pier, which makes it convenient.

Lugworm and cockles are for sale at the pierhead in summer; in winter one may find some at Mr. Hanger's (North Star), but his visitors and regular customers, of course, get the preference.

The boat fishing here is really good, especially when the breeze is north, and a party take a lugger out to the Goodwins and slay large cod, and maybe a skate or two. In the winter, too, you may catch cod within a couple of hundred yards of the shore. The best time is from an hour before dawn till about nine. The White Buoy is a favourite swim. Dick Philpott, who was for years in charge of the bait stall on the pier, has of late come into some boats, for which he finds plenty of custom.

Dover is another favourite station. Personally, I prefer it to Deal, as there is more going on if the fishing is slack. Deal is the slowest place on the whole coast. At Dover the angler has a chance of a good basket of bass or mullet in August, pollack in September or cod in November. The bass are caught at the end of the Admiralty, fresh herring be the best bait obtainable. The mullet are fished for from the west of the same pier; where they are caught I don't know, certainly not there. The pollack are caught by railing along the Mole Rock, or off Shakespeare Cliff, just in the twilight of summer evenings, especially when there is any phosphorescence on the water. They take the white and red rubber eels mounted with small spinners. They also take rockworm just inside the Admiralty beyond the Calais boat but they are smaller than those taken by railing.

The best cod fishing is from boats either westward off the buoy, or eastward about a mile out and opposite the Cornhill. Lugworm, sprat and the beards of Channel oysters are the most favoured baits. The jetties at the east end of the parade are also good spots for summer pollack fishing, but only of an evening.

Folkestone has much the same fishing as Dover, though the pollack are scarce. Bass, on the other hand, are rather more numerous.

We pass the extraordinary shingle bank at Dungeness and Romney Marsh, with its flocks of sheep, and we soon arrive at the frontier of Sussex (S.E.R. and L.B. & S.C.R.), the chief port of which is Rye. Rye Bay yields tha trawlers a rich harvest, but the amateur's headquarters had better be at Hastings …

[4] Editor's note: Sweetings Restaurant in the City of London: 39 Queen Victoria Street, London EC4N 4SF, first opened for business in 1889.

[5] Editor's note: The London, Chatham and Dover Railway (LCDR) was a railway company in south-eastern England created on 1 August 1859, when the East Kent Railway was given Parliamentary approval to change its name. Its lines ran through London and northern and eastern Kent to form a significant part of the Greater London commuter network. The company existed until 31 December 1922 when its assets were merged with those of other companies to form the Southern Railway as a result of the grouping determined by the Railways Act 1921. The South Eastern Railway (SER) was a railway company in south-eastern England from 1836 until 1922. The company was formed to construct a route from London to Dover. Branch lines were later opened to Tunbridge Wells, Hastings, Canterbury and other places in Kent. The S.E.R. absorbed or leased other railways, some older than itself, including the London and Greenwich Railway and the Canterbury and Whitstable Railway. Most of the company's routes were in Kent, eastern Sussex and the London suburbs, with a long cross-country route from Redhill in Surrey to Reading, Berkshire. Much of the company's early history saw attempts at expansion and feuding with its neighbours; the London Brighton and South Coast Railway in the west and the LCDR to the north-east. However, in 1899 the S.E.R. agreed with the LCDR to share operation of the two railways, work them as a single system (marketed as the South Eastern and Chatham Railway) and pool receipts: but it was not a full amalgamation. The S.E.R. and LCDR remained separate companies until becoming constituents of the Southern Railway on 1 January 1923.

"The Badminton Library: Modern Sea Fishing" (1895) John Bickerdyke at page 337

The best pollacking is enjoyed during the early autumn, but a quantity of small fish are caught during the summer … About pier heads and suchlike places there frequently lurk a few pollack, and those who would catch them must rise early, before the water has been disturbed by boats, steamers, and paternosters, and let a single hook baited with a live pollack worm hooked through the head the line being weighted with a half-ounce pipe lead down among the fish, which, if not feeding very bravely, will often be tempted, particularly if a slight sink and draw motion is given to the bait. A few pollack are caught from Deal Pier in this manner during the early spring and summer.

"Practical Letters to Young Sea Fishers" (1898) John Bickerdyke at pages 9, 142, 143, 145 & 146

The autumn and winter fishing for whiting in the Downs, off Deal and Ramsgate, is first rate. From Deal Pier it is very fair.

… we may try our fortune on the pier, where we may expect to get small pollack, pouting, a few flat fish, and, if on the east coast, codling. In some places we shall get whiting in autumn and winter. In fact, there are much the same fish … as being caught from the shore.

We are now fishing immediately under the point of the rod, and the paternoster is again the best tackle. If, owing to piers, piles, and so forth, there is a number of eddying currents, we may find our hook links being continually twisted round the upright portion of the gut, and in this case it may be advisable to use a wire boom of some kind to keep them out … But these additions to the tackle should not be used unless they are absolutely necessary.

In some places better sport will be obtained twenty or thirty yards from the pier head than immediately under the point of the rod, and then, unless the bottom is foul, the paternoster with the single link bearing two hooks is an excellent form of tackle, as it can be cast out a considerable distance. But of one is fishing particularly for bass, the ledger is to be preferred for the reasons already given.

From the pier, as from the shore, one may throw out from the reel … and here, as at all times in sea fishing, the angler should ascertain the tides during which the fish come inshore and feed best. Night fishing from piers is often successful, and the little bell dodge [2] (see page 68) should be borne in mind.

I have said that whiting are not often caught inshore, but one place occurs to me where a large number are captured. The Downs simply swarm with whiting in the autumn months, and during spring tides these are found close to the pier head. If the tide suits, the best time to catch them is in the dusk of early morning. An angler may catch two to three dozen before six o'clock, while during the rest of the day his bag my consist of only half a dozen.

Small pollack are often found round about pier heads, and for them, so long as we fish under the point of the rod, there is no other tackle required than a pipe lead of about half an ounce strung on the running line, and beneath it a yard and a half of single gut. At the end of the gut is a single hook, on which is placed a couple of rag worms caught through the head. Failing these, a small sand eel, alive for preference, may be used, or a strip of mackerel skin. Grey mullet sometimes take these rag worms, and so do bass. The bait should be kept in motion.

If there is a strong current running off the head of the pier we may use a very lightly leaded drift-line, either worked by hand or from the rod … letting the tide carry it out as far as possible.

If it is desirable to fish at any considerable distance from the pier, then it becomes necessary to add a float to the pipe lead and length of gut. I have often heard sea fishermen say that they never could find any use for a float in the sea, but there are many situations in which it is most useful for surface and mid-water swimming fish, or even for fishing on the bottom where the water is shallow. I have often caught mackerel by its assistance.

[2] (at page 68) "On some pier-heads a good deal of fishing is done at night, the angler frequently using a couple of rods. It becomes tedious to hold one of these while waiting for a bite, and it has become a common custom to attach a little bell to the end of the rod, which rings and gives a warning if a fish has gone off with the bait. The best form of bell for the purpose is that known as the sleigh bell, rather larger than those commonly attached to the collars of lap dogs and pet cats. On windy nights the fisherman is often glad to put down his rod and retire to some sheltered nook, and this the addition of a bell to his gear enables him to do."

"Sea Fish" (1898) Frederick George Aflalo at pages 102, 126, 127, 129, 139, 140, 182 & 215

Chapter V

Fishing from Piers and Harbours

On the whole, it must be admitted that the majority of our piers offer so little in the way of sport as to make it scarce worth the trouble of putting a rod together; though in some few cases - that, for instance, of Deal pier in the fall of the year - really good sport may be obtained in this way, which is sure for the rest to commend itself to those who suffer in small boats, or who object to the constant expense of their hire …

… The best time for pier-fishing is, for those who have the energy, between dawn and breakfast-time.

Pollack

… one pound is above the average weight of pier pollack. These fish will often be attracted by a moving bait in preference to one which is at rest; and it is for this reason that success often crowns the efforts of those anglers who, on the Deal or Eastbourne piers, work a parchment bait, an article that bears about as much resemblance as the average salmon-fly to anything living or dead, with rod and line, up-and-down fashion, just before sunset. The best bait for these pier fish, however, is unquestionably the rock worm; when that is not obtainable the ragworm is a good substitute, but on no account to be reckoned the equal of the other. The very best rock-worms I have ever used come from the chalk-beds at Dover, or rather a mile or two west, just beyond Shakespeare Cliff. Never very cheap, the average price that rules even on the spot is scarcely ever less than four pence a score, and the normal supply is as a rule disposed of by previous arrangement to regular customers. The best way for the stranger will be to seek out a loafer in the narrow old streets near the Lord Walden, where loafers are as thick as thieves, and offer sixpence a score, making it quite plain at the outset (and whether it be strictly true or not) that he knows the smaller rag-worm perfectly well (NB it is called the mudworm at Dover) and will have none of it.

To obviate … vexatious breakages, it is a good plan when throwing out tackle for the first time in unknown waters, to try the ground first with a stone made fast to the extremity of the line by a strand of weak string. Throw this out as if it were the leger, and as soon as the stone has reached the bottom, drag it slowly over the ground to the pier; if there are any obstructions, the stone will catch in them and the line may be released from the weaker string with a sharp pull.

Cod

This large and important fish is caught from Deal pier between October and Christmas, when, unless the water is too thick, anglers are to be seen almost any fine day either at the end or half way along, their rods projecting from the upper deck. The favourite tackle is the paternoster, some local fishermen being in favour of a light lead only, which drags on the sand. I believe this is a method much used by Mr. Sachs, the veteran of Deal pier. Lug-worm or mussel are always good baits, but sprat or fresh herring will answer as well, indeed few fish are more catholic in their tastes. Cod show but little fight. There is a stately assertion of strength in any fish over 5lbs, but after this first move, the cod soon turns up the game, coming to the gaff like a lost anchor. Codling and silver whiting are also caught on the same tackle and baits and at the same season, but the hooks may be a size smaller.

From the pier … many a good day's fishing may with a little attention to detail be had for a few pence. On a few piers indeed, as at Deal … a trifling charge is made for each rod or line, but it is so small as to cause no one inconvenience and yet keep the pothunter away.

Deal With its autumn cod and whiting, this place has, particularly since the arrival of the B.S.A.S. on the scene, achieved considerable notoriety among London, and even provincial, sea-anglers.

Though knowing it well, I have preferred to get these notes from one who visits the place regularly, and Mr. G. Read Clarke, of the B.S.A.S., has kindly come to the rescue. Besides the cod and whiting-fishing aforementioned, there is, he says, an earlier season (roughly May to September) for pollack and ground-fish.

Chapter VI

Boat Fishing

Cod

The cod, caught in some numbers on Deal and other piers, does not come in shore until the fall of the year …

Appendix

There is fishing, of a sort, from the pier throughout the season, and in the autumn some really good cod and whiting are taken here …

The South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 17 January 1899 at page 7

Winter Sea Angling at Deal

"Sarcelle" writes, on the above subject in the Field. He says …

A pleasant Channel crossing, after a glimpse on this side of our new Viceroy on his way to the glories of his Indian realm, was the prelude to my being deposited, on the night of Dec. 15, with two stout sea-rods among my impedimenta, at the door of Ned Hanger's snug little inn, the "North Star" at the north end of the delightfully marine and fishy town of Deal, where I received the warmest of welcomes from the gallant lifeboat coxswain, and immediately found myself at home among new friends.

Just across the road stood the lifeboat in which my host had done such good work, while other craft of all sizes and rigs lined the crest of the steep bank of shiny shingle, at whose base the lap and scrape of the surf made soothing lullaby, for the expectant sea-angler. In the taproom were pictures and photographs of wrecks and storms, lifeboat adventures, men-of-war in fierce gales, while the cosy snuggery behind the busy bar possessed, among its varied adornments, sundry suggestive specimens of stout sea-tackle. The said taproom and bar were frequented during the evening by relays of honest, sturdy, kind-hearted, genial Deal boatmen and fishermen, some of the best types of their class I have ever met, cheering contrasts to the loafing land sharks one meets at some fashionable watering places.

Sport had been fair, I learned, two well-known amateurs in a boat having that day secured five score of whiting, and nine codlings and cod, biggest 16 lb.; lugworm would be procurable in the morning, but sprats were scarce, my host's own net having only brought in a couple, while other boats had very small catches; but this was likely to improve, and chances of cod would be concomitant.

Next morning, after a passing survey of my most novel and congenial marine surroundings, I made a late start for the pier, with some lug, which had been dug some distance to the north, and five sprats which my host had saved for me. Three pence for a day ticket and the same for each rod or line used are the modest charges, and the partly-sheltered end of the pier is a pleasant haunt and lounge for many a well-known member of the B.S.A.S., and many a skilful local hand at the pastime, with friends and promenaders frequently coming to exchange greetings and see how sport is going. The spacious saloon above affords varied attractions in the summer season, and a comfortable bar was found useful during my wintry stay.

Down below, among the mussel and barnacle-covered and weed-fringed maze of strong iron posts and girders, Teddy, the well-known attendant, his own line put on the chance of a codling, was busy catching, in nets baited with fish offal, numerous hermit crabs, for sale to anglers whose supply of lug or sprat might run short, or who might like to try a change.

The views of gay Ramsgate shining across the bay to the north, the long sea-front, lines of stout boats, and fine buildings of Deal, with Dover cliffs in the grey distance, numerous sailing ships at anchor in the Downs, and big steamers passing up and down Channel, were pleasant, but sport was slow; it was, for the pier-head, the one blank morning of the season, while from the upper structure only two small codling and a whiting were caught.

The flood-tide does not generally fish well here; fish take better on "the slack of the flood", beginning about an hour and a half after high water. Returning to the scene after a hearty lunch, I found much more company, rod-men almost shoulder to shoulder, and fish coming on, of which I soon began to get my share, securing about a dozen and a half of whiting and pouting in a short afternoon. The whiting averaged fully double the size of the small specimens generally caught on Calais piers, and I saw one of quite 1½ lb. The tackle used was rather heavy; thick, twisted gut paternosters, mostly with brass swivels and booms: I preferred single gut, and the fine French spreaders of twisted white wire which stand out so truly at right angles, as inducing more bites and missing fewer, but my Deal friends often fish far into the evening, and are liable to hook large cod and a casual conger; they care not to fish too fine.

Things were rather more promising next morning; a well-known pier frequenter and chronicler was gradually collecting a nice string of plump dabs, one of which was about 1½ lb., while others were getting a whiting here and a pouting there and depositing them in great wooden pails, to be hired from the above-mentioned Teddy for a penny a day.

I had a nice little lot by lunch time, after which W., a new arrival, induced me to join him in an afternoon boat cruise with Will Baker, one of the good Deal fishermen. We went a mile or so to N., off the forlorn wreck of a foreign steamer. Sea smooth, water rather clear, fish not over plentiful, but we were never long without bites, missing a great many whiting and pouting through using rather large hooks and baits. Our afternoon's take was three score and two of these kinds, one codling slipping off alongside the boat; the big cod had apparently followed the sprats in another part, of the bay, whereof the boats made fair takes in the evening.

Thirty or more boats were out on Sunday, and takes moderate. I heard of no large cod, though a few were taken by the spratters while drifting in the evening, and I was offered one of about 18 lb. for two shillings. I was amused to see how the fishermen sold their own little catches, laid on boards or on the smooth shingle of the sea front, and to hear how cod and big whiting followed the nets to tear out the imprisoned sprats, and how the big cod often got rolled up in the nets and caught.

Next day W. and I fished the pier, doing next to nothing in the morning, but getting fairly well among the whiting in, late afternoon and early evening; we had over two score of whiting and pouting between us. Codling were conspicuous by their absence. On the Tuesday I was dubious about going afloat; there was a hard northerly wind blowing and a rather heavy swell breaking on the shingly beach, but the eager and hardy W. persuaded me, and we set off with Baker about 8.30 a.m., and were soon having a bitterly cold buffeting with winds and waves beating up to windward.

Swathed in many thick garments, it was not quite so bad when we were anchored, and turned our backs to the freezing blast, especially when the fish began to bite, and when we noticed outward-bound ships getting up moderate canvas to run before the strong favouring breeze, and a big steamer coming into the Downs to land her pilot, and the trim cutter of the Missions to Seamen beating her way out to the lonely men on Gull Lightship with good cheer for Christmas, and when we gathered a whole crowd of clamorous, dark-eyed grey and white kittiwake gulls round us, and laughed to see how swiftly they picked up spare sprats we threw them. Five Brent geese swung past us almost within range as we heaved and tossed in the strong wind that, as our good boatman said, was stiffening every minute, and soon after noontide, after disposing of our lunch with wolfish appetites, we deemed it prudent to run for the shore, lest we should have difficulty in landing.

Our joint take, in about three hours, was 69 fish, 35 to W. and 34 to me; but I had nine codling to his five, and once thought. I had really hooked one of the big chaps we were always talking of, till a four-pounder came up on the bottom hook, with one! of about 1½ lb on the top one. Getting near shore, with lots of willing hands to help us, we waited for "a smooth", and the boat was run up the beach in grand style; not like a larger craft in the afternoon, which essaying to sail on shore, I saw covered by a smother of white water, everybody and everything on board drenched and the boat half-filled.

We tried the pier in the afternoon, but the water had become thick as pea soup; there was absolutely nothing doing, and it was so atrociously cold that I gave it up at five o'clock, and enjoyed a walk through the bright town, with its many blue and red jackets of sailors and soldiers, its gaily lighted shops bright with good Christmas cheer - toys, crackers, and all kinds of delights for young and old. The indefatigable W. stuck to it till seven, getting only one small whiting, but seeing a conger of about 8 lb. caught. Going, after dinner in search of a man named Williams, who keeps a supply of lugworms, in a by-street near, we saw a lucky, local hurrying home with a 17 lb. cod, which he had just caught on the pier.

The big black lugs were dispensed to W. by a polite lady, at the price of fourpence per score for small, and sixpence for big ones. They have to be caught at a distance, and fourpence per score is the usual price. Sprats are only about sixpence per hundred. Charges for small boat and man are eight shillings per day, including bait - very reasonable when divided between two anglers; larger boats are to be hired by a party at a pound to thirty shillings. Deal must he a very pleasant place for a summer holiday, but the fishing is poor then, the cod and whiting fishing being winter sport.

I left on the 21st; W. got afloat with a new-comer, and their take, though numerically small, included cod of about 9 lb. and 11 lb. Both cod and conger of 20 lb. and over are occasionally caught on the rods. I had fallen on a very poor time, yet in my four days' fishing had landed 54 fish from the pier and 57 from boat. I enjoyed a most refreshing holiday, and would not want snugger or more home-like quarters than those where I spent my pleasant, but too few, December days at Deal.

"Dover as a Sea-Angling Centre" (1900) Deputy Surgeon-General Charles Thomas Paske at pages 46 & 47

Chapter VI

The Promenade Pier … A fee of 2d. per line, and entrance the same, entitles the angler to fish there all day if so inclined; but leaving, and afterwards returning, subjects him to another admission payment. This somewhat vexatious proceeding might be done away with by substituting the plan in vogue at Deal, where 6d. entitles the ticket-holder to go off and on whenever so disposed. This may be considered as mere hair-splitting, nevertheless, such seeming trifles often make all the difference between convenience or otherwise.

The Daily Express, Wednesday 7 November 1900

Angling

Immense numbers of silver whiting are now to be met with off Deal, and sea-anglers have made some exceptionally large baskets. Two rods upon one occasion accounted for 440 whiting, one rod and a hand-line took 380, and in two hours a couple of anglers caught 74. In one night it is estimated that over 1,000 whiting were caught from Deal Pier. One ½ lb. whiting secured from a boat between two and three miles out had eight partially-digested small fry in its inside, and when pulled in was found to have taken two pieces of sprat and to have been hooked twice.

Deal, Walmer & Sandwich Mercury, Saturday 31 January 1903

The Pier and Fishing

Nothing worthy of record was taken last week by the half-dozen anglers who at various times tried their skill in dab fishing, but the present week has witnessed material improvements in sport, though circumstances of wind and weather have left much to be desired.

A few local anglers fished for several hours on the morning of the 25th, but their respective catches were small and the size of the fish also small. The afternoon's attempt by two persons also proved abortive.

Master Harding secured 16 sizeable dabs on Monday, 26th, by sheer hard fishing, and his fellow sportsman, Mr. Crane, met with little less success. Two or three rods were in evidence during evening hours, but the results were very different.

A strong wind from the south-west, with exceptionally clear water, gave scant promise of sport on Tuesday, 27th, yet the day's catch proved far in excess of anything recently witnessed, Master Harding heading the list with about a score, including several very fine ones. Mr. Hatton and Mr. Crane also did satisfactorily.

The water on Wednesday, 28th, was in perfect condition and results again proved extremely good, the general run of the dabs taken leaving nothing to be desired.

Thursday, 29th, again witnessed fair sport, though only some two or three anglers were present to enjoy it.

Sprats have recently been conspicuous by their absence though it is the general opinion of local experts that they have not yet left the locality, and strong hopes are entertained that good catches may be again general just after the top of the present spring tides. Lugworm is again the essential bait, though a few fish have fallen victim to a small piece of sprat.

Deal, Walmer & Sandwich Mercury, Saturday 7 February 1903

The Pier and Fishing

Local fishing has proved remarkably poor during the past week, the weather having been very unsettled, and the water at times very thick.

On Saturday, 31st January, Master Harding took two codling and a whiting after sunset, but nothing else came to hand during the evening.

Mr. Baker had one codling on the following day, and Mr. Gray a decent bag of dabs, all of small size.

Monday, 2nd, was ushered in by a strong north-west wind, and the total day's catch only amounted to six small dabs.

The wind on Tuesday ranged from west to west-north-west and sport somewhat improved, but Messrs. Crane, Harding and Norman only totalled about a score of fish between them.

A slight improvement took place on Wednesday, each rod accounting for about half a score, though not one large fish was taken.

Thursday proved almost devoid of sport, the day's total catch only amounting to some dozen dabs, nearly all of small size.

Deal, Walmer & Sandwich Mercury, Saturday 14 February 1903

The Pier and Fishing

The present week has provided poor sport for pier anglers, though one or two decent catches have been made. A few small poutings and a stray plaice or two have also been included in the week's captures.

Mr. Gray experienced some very fair sport on the morning of the 8th, Mr. Glen and Mr. Snowdon also doing fairly well, the last named gentleman including a magnificent dab among his catch.

Monday, 9th, proved fairly successful upon the flood tide, everyone doing very well, but the ebb tide was quite devoid of fish.

On Tuesday, 10th, Messrs. Norman, Stanley, Snowdon, Bushell and Harding, together with Mrs. Philp, put in an appearance, but the only catch of any importance was made by Master Harding, who carried off fourteen dabs, most of them small in size, and Mr. Stanley's bag of a score of small dabs.

Mis Curtiss was the only newcomer on Wednesday, 11th, but matters ruled very slow throughout the day.

Thursday witnessed no material improvement in sport, though several very fine specimens of dabs were landed but, strange to say, not a single pouting.

Deal, Walmer & Sandwich Mercury, Saturday 21 February 1903

The Pier and Fishing

The water has been unusually clear throughout the past week and sport has proved rather slow with onr or two notable exceptions.

On Saturday, 14th, one rod accounted for a score of fine dabs, one of which was of exceptional size - probably the largest ever seen in this locality.

Messrs. Gray, Glen, Stanley and Norman fished for several hours on the 15th, and were fairly successful, though the size of their respective catches left much to be desired.

Additional anglers on Monday, 16th, comprised Messrs. Marden-Smith, Ashby and Bushnell, but the prevailing north-east wind rendered fishing anything but enjoyable, and the day's catch proved a very meagre one.

Tuesday, 17th, proved a charming day, but the catches were very poor, one catch of a dozen fish being the highest total. Three or four fair-sized fish were taken, but no round fish of any sort.

Wednesday, 18th, witnessed no improvement whatever, the water being as clear as gin, and only three anglers plying their rods during the day.

Thursday, 19th, proved even a worse fishing day, and most of the usual pier patrons wended their way to Sandown to tempt sport in that neighbourhood, where some good catches have recently been made.

Our National Fisheries

The Globe says:

"At the Fly Fishers' Club dinner there was virtual unanimity of opinion that some effectual measures should be adopted to protect and develop British fisheries, both maritime and inland … Sport is promoted, both inland and on the coast, sea angling having latterly come into great vogue at Deal and elsewhere, and at some of the local fishing competitions there are sometimes between 2,000 and 3,000 entries … It is full time to bring into being a powerful central organisation capable of exercising pressure on the Government, should such be required, to secure any needed legislation."

Deal, Walmer & Sandwich Mercury, Saturday 28 February 1903

The Pier and Fishing

A few local anglers, together with several visitors, have recently patronised the pier with a fair amount of success, dabs and a few plaice having come to hand daily throughout the present week.

On Saturday, 21st, a south-west gale prevailed, yet the water remained particularly clear, and for the first time for many months not a fish was taken throughout the entire day.

Only two rods were in evidence on the 22nd, but both rendered yeoman service, Mr. Snowdon and Mr. Stanley both making a fine catch of dabs, the general run of them leaving nothing to be desired.

On Monday, 23rd, Messrs. Bushnell, Morewood and Hannan fished for several hours with considerable success, their catches consisting of dabs and a host of small pouting together with one codling.

Fresh arrivals on Tuesday comprised Mr. Morris and Mr. St(?) but the day's catch did not pan out well, though it included about a score of dabs and also two whiting, one of the latter in splendid condition. Two of the same species were taken in a boat the same day, and one in a sprat net.

The next gale which sprang up on Tuesday night so thickened the water that little chance for angling obtained on Wednesday, 25th.

Mr. Meadway joined forces with three local gentlemen on holiday, but the day's take was not worthy of recording until afternoon hours when some very nice dabs came to hand. Mr. Meadway took three codling of about a pound and a half each and several poutings. Mr. Bushnell, Mr. Harding and Mr. Macleay were the only anglers on Thursday morning when a considerable number of dabs and one very large flounder constituted the morning bag.

Deal Promenade Pier

We congratulate Mr. Geo. Rivers on his promotion to the post of Pier Master of Deal Pier, in the place of Mr. J. E. Lawrence, who had held that position for so many years, and who now retires on superannuation. The change takes place on the 1st of March, and we understand that Mr. T. Marsh has been appointed Collector in the place of Mr. Rivers, who has held that position now for the past twenty years.

Deal, Walmer & Sandwich Mercury, Saturday 21 March 1903

The Pier and Fishing

Pier fishing has offered little sporting action to anglers during the past week, the unsettled weather, no doubt, causing all fish to "lie low". Though the boats have recorded some remarkably good catches of codling during the evening and early morning hours, yet but few () to the lot of pier fishers.

Mrs. (Macleay) met with fair success on Saturday, 14th, while all others drew a complete blank.

The weather proved wet and unpleasant on Sunday, 15th, and Messrs. Gray, Baker and Bowles, who fished in the morning, took nothing but a few dabs, some of them very small. Mr. Gray had another turn in the evening and was rewarded with a few codling though the variety bit very shyly and needed a lot of catching.

Monday, 16th, opened bright and fair and these improved conditions of weather brought out one lady and six gentlemen, but all were victims of disappointment as the entire day's catch was unworthy of record. Seventeen boats went codding just after sunset, and some heavy catches were landed between nine and ten o'clock, twenty four being the highest number for any individual boat.

A Strong southerly wind ushered in the morning of Tuesday, 17th, and a rough sea prevailed in consequence, the angling pier patrons on this day comprising Mrs. Macleay, Mr. Spicer, Mr. Carey, Mr. Philp, Mr. Curtiss, Mr. Fancourt and Mr. Harding. Little sport was, however, obtained, the total from seven rods amounting to less than a dozen fish.

Wednesday, 18th, winessed but little improvement, although conditions of weather and water left little to be desired. Mr. Curtiss was fortunate in landing one fine dab and a few codlings, and Mr. Fancourt and Mr. Philp also met with some success, while several others failed to make any show whatever.

A strong south-west wind prevailed on Thursday, 19th, and no one put in an early appearance, the three who tried later in the morning plying their rods in vain.

Deal, Walmer & Sandwich Mercury, Saturday 28 November 1903

Mayor's Banquet, Deal, Tuesday, 24th November 1903

The suggestion in regard to the institution of a fishermen's feast, to be to Deal what the famed oyster banquet is to the Essex town, is well worthy of consideration. Year by year Deal increases in popularity as a fishing resort, and the hospitable entertainment of our angling visitors in this way would tend to cement the ties which attach them to our town, and would, as Mr. Russell urged, be a good advertisement for our Borough. We hope we have not heard the last of this proposal, and we would commend it to the attention of the powers that be.

Saturday Night's High Tide

During Saturday night, the sea swept the parades, and boats had to be hurriedly hauled up into the roadway at the last minute, for the wind, during the early part of the evening, had not been blowing heavily enough to render the precaution necessary. Much shingle was thrown on to the parades, and men were employed the following morning sweeping it back. Very little damage, however, seems to have been done.

The Pier and Fishing

The general class of visiting and local anglers experienced a like measure of lack of sport as did their competing brethren on Saturday, Sunday and Monday last, but the following day witnessed a grand improvement, and the whiting were fairly on the feed for the greater part of the afternoon on that day. All anglers on the pier head, including several ladies, were fortunate in securing heavy bags of whiting, and one lady, Mrs. Brooks, also secured a splendid codling of four and three-quarter pounds.

Some good catches were also made during evening hours, Mr. Akenhurst securing a shapely little cod of 8 lbs, the largest of its species caught upon the Pier this season.

Wednesday's sport proved far less brisk, although some of the more persistent rodsters accounted for a goodly number of fish.

Thursday morning yielded practically nothing, and the very inclement weather rendered fishing operations extremely unpleasant, while the afternoon did not witness much improvement.

Cod-fish have been more plentiful in deep water this week than at any other period of the season, and a number have daily been brought ashore varying in weight between five and sixteen pounds.

A splendid eleven pound turbot was caught on a handline by George Baker, junr., on Wednesday and was much admired by the large number of persons who witnessed its landing.

Herrings and sprats are still very scarce, and grave fears are entertained that the present season will prove an abnormally bad one.

Deal, Walmer & Sandwich Mercury, Saturday 5 December 1903

The Pier and Fishing

A few large whiting fell to the lot of pier anglers on the afternoon of Friday, 27th, and also a good number of large pouting, though sport proved anything but brisk. Mr. Curtis fished for some time after dark and took two codlings, weighing together just over 8 lbs.

Boat catches of whiting on this day were remarkably good, both for size and numbers, and cod-fish were more plentiful than usual, about a score being landed, the largest, a well-baited fish of 22 lbs, falling to the lot of George Baker, junr.

Saturday, 28th, yielded poor pier returns generally, but Mr. Quennell had a small cod of 7 lbs, and a few other anglers creeled some fine poutings. Some remarkable catches of cod and whiting were landed in the afternoon, Mr. Fisk having nine cod totalling 68½ lbs, three score of large whiting, and four flat-fish. His largest cod turned the scale at 14 lbs. Mr. G. R. Clarke and Dr. Patterson took one 18 lb conger, eight cod and four codlings, together with a heavy catch of whiting, while Mr. Manuelle and his son brought in four cod, the largest 13½ lbs, and a splendid lot of whiting.

Being advised by wire of the above good results, a large number of London anglers put in an appearance on Saturday night, hopeful of like sport on the following day. Unfortunately these hopes were sadly dispelled, in consequence of the strong north-east wind which sprang up during the night, and rendered all boat fishing impracticable. Not to be entirely outdone, many sportsmen tried their skill upon the pier, but meagre catches resulted, only a small number of pouting being taken. Mr. Waddell had one codling in the early morning, but his companions mostly drew a blank.

No boats were able to put off on Monday morning by reason of the inclemency of the weather, and Mr. Onslow was the sole occupant of the pier, his sole reward being one whiting.

Tuesday was ushered in by strong snow squalls and a biting north-east wind, and no one had the temerity to wet a line until the weather had somewhat improved in the afternoon, when five rods were in evidence for a few hours, but without yielding any returns.

Wednesday's weather did not offer much inducement to anglers, and Mrs. Dodd, Mr. Onslow and Mr. Curtiss fished the thickened water for a few hours quite unsuccessfully.

Five anglers did scarcely anything on Thursday, though the change of wind to south-west gave them some hopes of sport. Sprats and herrings are not yet coming to hand in paying quantities.

Deal, Walmer & Sandwich Mercury, Saturday 12 December 1903

The Pier and Fishing

Strong successive gales which have recently prevailed with such persistency have greatly interfered with all local fishing, the sea on several occasions being too rough to enable small boats to launch, and rendering Pier angling anything but an enjoyable pursuit. Ample proofs are daily evidenced that the whiting are still with us, as many have been caught in the sprat nets and upon long lines, and cod and codling are more plentiful in the Downs than they have been doe several previous years. Should the weather settle down for a few days, so as to allow the water to clear, sport among big fish, so dear to the heart of every angler, should speedily ensue.

Pier angling has yielded but meagre returns lately, though some nice fish have fallen to the lot of individual members.

On Saturday, 5th, Mr. W. Thompson hooked and landed a nice cod of 8½ lbs, the heaviest pier fish of the present season. On the same day Mr. A. E. Hills took one of 6¼ lbs and his brother one of 4¼ lbs, Master Eric Ray having a substantial catch of fine poutings, and Mr. W. F. Cobb three codlings of 5, 4¼ and 2¾ pounds respectively. A few whitings were also taken during evening hours, but the number per rod was small.

The biting wind on the following day deterred many from putting in an appearance, and the day's catch was not numerically strong, and proved so very spotty that several patrons of the Pier did not get the satisfaction of a bite throughout the entire day. Mr Glen took premier honours with three codling, the largest scaling five pounds, Mr. Waddell having one of 4 lbs, and Mr. Edwards and Mr. Van Joel a small mixed bag.

Monday's anglers included four gentlemen from Tonbridge who fished throughout the heavy down pour on that day with a singular lack of success, their only reward being a few small codlings taken just previous to their departure. Mr. Stoate, fishing on the same day, had the good fortune to include a cod of 8½ lbs in his afternoon's catch.

A few whiting and pouting were brought up on Tuesday, but large-size fish were conspicuous by their absence.

Little was done on Wednesday with the exception of a five pounder, which fell to Mr. G. Harvey, and one of 7 lbs to Mr. Johnson.

Mr. Ray had a few pouting on Thursday morning but nothing else came to hand except an occasional whiting.

No one took advantage of the improved conditions of weather early on Friday morning, and the forenoon's catch proved very indifferent.

Herrings have been caught only in very small quantities, but sprats have been so plentiful that it was difficult to find a market for them, and recent prices realised have scarcely been remunerative. Mr. James Edgar has found it impossible to cope with the supply, and has had to refuse to take further consignments for a few days.

Some satisfactory numbers of cod have rewarded the long-liners, but the inclement weather has sadly interfered with their operations.

East Kent Mercury, Saturday 19 December 1903

The Pier and Fishing

Fishing of all kinds has proved fairly brisk throughout the past week, improved conditions of weather having aided considerably to this end. Pier anglers have had little to complain of in the way of sport, boat fishing has yielded paying results, and drift nets have taken a fair quantity of sprats, though the prices realised for these latter have been unusually low owing to the very limited local demand for them. The neap tides at the end of last week did not prove conducive to successful pier angling, and Saturday's patrons took little else than poutings and a few small whitings.

Few pier fishermen put in an appearance on the morning of the 13th, but these fortunate ones were richly rewarded, Mr. Baker and Mr. Liddiard making excellent bags of whiting and dabs. Many others who arrived later on the scene found matters decidedly slow as the fish had taken into deeper water upon the ebb tide.

The whiting were well on the feed on Monday, the 14th, and some excellent sport was witnessed on that day, Mr. Cobb heading the list with forty-seven fish taken by him previous to his breakfast hour.

This encouraging sport brought out a goodly array of anglers on Tuesday, the 15th, among them being Mrs. Hervey MacLeay, Mrs. Finn, Mrs. Dodd and Messrs. Igglesden, Waddell, Bushnell, Cobb, Bailey, Ray, Hayman, James, Brooks, Stoate, Leakin and Arnold. The early arrivals among these had no cause of complaint, and were fairly successful, but the day's catch did not proved heavy as the strong south-east wind made the fish attack the bait in a very shy manner. Mrs. MacLeay was fortunate in hooking and landing a shapely cod of eight and a half pounds, the heaviest pier fish of the day.

Only a few rods were in evidence on Wednesday, the 16th, and the fish did not then take kindly to sprat bait, so that the few anglers who had possessed themselves of lugworm obtained most patronage and secured the best catches.

Thursday's weather was mild and pleasant, but the water was unusually bright, and whitings were, consequently, only to be found in deep water, pier fishers having to be content with a few fine dabs. Fishing late into the night, nothing whatever was done, and Friday morning's experience was equally bad.

Boat catches, though very spotty, have generally been satisfactory, many of the fish being caught being of almost phenomenal size, as noted below.

Mr. Boydell, fishing with Teddy Hanger on the 12th, had a cod over 20 lbs in weight and a heavy catch of whiting. Dr. Patterson on the same date brought in a 13 lb cod, some dogfish, and some large whiting, and a monster whiting of four pounds and quarter of an ounce was taken upon a long line.

On the 13th, Mr. Wood had a 9 lb cod and three score of whiting, Mr. Nunn and Mr. Marshall 68, and Mr. Boydell and a friend just over four score.

Mr. Zeehnsdorf and Mr. Philp, fishing with J. Cook, on Tuesday 15th, landed 50 beautiful whiting, caught within half a mile from the shore. Mr. T. Finnis was the fortunate captor of a fine cod of 20 lbs on the 15th inst, and some heavy catches have been taken by the long lines.

Mr. C. Walmsley included four large rig in his catch on Thursday, and on Friday, Mr. D. Philpott brought in a huge 19 lb conger, as well as a quantity of very fine whiting.

Fresh sprats are so scarce at present that the boatmen have recently almost invariably had to bait with stale or salted ones, and fish do not readily take to them. Herrings seem to have taken their departure, but sprats have been caught in fair quantities, though, on account of the very limited demand for them, prices realised have proved anything but satisfactory.

The Daily Express, Tuesday 16 August 1904

What to do at the Seaside

The Growth of South-Eastern Resorts

Places for Anglers

…

Deal is an excellent centre for deep-sea fishing. The British Sea Anglers' Society have an active branch here. Mr. E. Hanger is the local secretary. There is good bathing from the machines on the foreshore. Mixed bathing is not allowed, although at Kingsdown, a mile or so along the front, bathing en famille from tents takes place. Sea excursions are run daily to neighbouring coast towns, and across Channel once or twice a week in the season. Private apartments can be obtained for as little as 30s. a week.

The Daily Express, Thursday 14 December 1905

Deal Angling

Some of the Attractions of Winter Sport

All Sorts of Fishing

The many angling competitions which are being held now in sea-angling, in which both men and women take part, shows the sport to be a growing attraction.

The time was, not so many years ago, when the fresh-water angler, proud with memories of fighting trout or plunging pike, affected to think that neither skill nor art need be exercised in salt-water fishing.

But his opinion, like all opinions founded on insufficient knowledge of the subject, has undergone change - a change which is as revolutionary in its character as it is enthusiastic in its nature.

The fresh-water angler can, it is true, look back to a holiday spent on the banks of some quiet stream and view his "takes" of roach or dace, chub or barbel, as red letter days.

The sea-angler can do more than this. He can fish in the happy knowledge that all is food that comes to his creel; that the "bag" is invariably measured not by ounces, but by pounds, and that all the time he is pursuing his sport he is breathing ozone.

We take so many holidays in the summer that we are apt to forget that it is in winter that we need them most !

There can be no more health-giving holiday than a few days' sea-angling; and there can be no more delightful centre from which to fish than Deal.

An Unrivalled Spot

Fish of all sorts, cod, whiting, soles, plaice and other flat fish, congers, skate, pollack, mullet (when in season), with an occasional bass or turbot, are caught from the pier and from boats in quantities that no other place on the coast can rival.

Those who form their opinion of sea angling from the small catches of the "cold-blue" anglers usually to be seen in winter on the piers round our coasts (and who generally fish with hand-lines) may envy the patience which rises superior to results, but must form a very poor idea of the quality and quantity of fish to be taken by rod and line.

For disillusionment they should visit Deal, and have a day (say) off the south-west Goodwin, by the Brake Buoy, or in Sandown Bay - to say nothing of the pier, and they would quickly alter their mind.

What do such casual observers know of the splendid exhilaration of a battle with a sixteen-pound cod?

Or again, take a day's whiting. Arrived at the ground, the lines are baited with herring or sprat or lug, as the case may be, and are no sooner stopped over the side than two and sometimes three fish eagerly seize the morsels. Only the other day two visitors to Deal took in two or three days fifty-nine score of whiting and seven cod and codling scaling 45 lbs., besides several pouting, eel, and dogfish.

Heavy "Bags"

On another day recently all the boats that went out came back averaging six to eight score of whiting per boat, besides codling, eel, pouting, and other fish.

And here, as a general note, let me give a hint to intending anglers where to fish. If you are after big cod or conger or dogfish, go to the Brake Buoy, south-west of the Goodwins, near the Patria wreck. For whiting, either the old wreck at Sandown or (at low water) 150 yards in a bee-line from Deal Castle, or three-quarters of a mile west of Walmer Castle, taking it, as a rule, when the north-east wind blows, and make all speed to the Goodwins.

Nor is the pier fishing to be despised, and will be found a capital hunting-ground indeed.

This pier-fishing deserves a word to itself, for it offers scarcely less attraction than boat fishing, and nearly as heavy fish are often caught; from it.

A light, stiff rod, not too long, about seven feet is sufficient; a four-inch winch and 100 yards of good line, not too thick, with two or three leads - or weights - of four, eight, and ten ounces respectively; two or three yards of good gut, some hooks of various sizes, and, save for bait, the pier fisherman's "tools" are complete.

Best Bait For Cod

For cod the best bait is generally considered "hermit crabs", commonly called "soldier crabs", a soft crab inhabiting whelk shells, from which it drives the unfortunate owner, but which are not always easy to procure; and then lug worms (red worms dug from the sand at low water), which indeed is the universal bait, are used.

Of these there are two kinds - "yellow tails" and "reds" - sold by the local boatmen. Failing a supply of "lug", herring or sprat answers the need. I have seen over thirty large codling taken by one angler in a day, and sometimes as many as five score of whiting fall to a single rod in a few .hours' fishing, not to mention dabs, or pouts innumerable.

Spinning for pollack is another capital method of angling from the pier, and many fine fish are captured.

Since the formation of the Deal and District Angling Association a great impetus has been given to the fishing, and much has been done to bring the merits of Deal as a fishing station before the public. Taking it all in all, Deal may be pronounced the ideal fishing ground of England.

A. M. Y.

Deal Pier (postally used 1905)

"Practical Sea-Fishing" (1905) P. L. Haslope at page 145

Chapter XI: Rod and Hand-Line Fishing From Rocks and Piers

… As a rule there is a greater variety of fish to be met with from piers or breakwaters than from rocks, with more likelihood of sport. Rocks, however, are less frequented, and therefore offer special attractions to the solitary angler. The best time for all rock and pier fishing is from low water to about half flood during the spring tides. The whole of the flood-tide can, however, be fished with success, but the ebb, except in special localities, yields poor sport.

"The Salt of My Life" (1905) Frederick George Aflalo at pages 5, 13, 19, 21, 52, 53 & 54

Speaking Generally

The sport is a development of comparatively recent date. Twenty years ago, anyone who unpacked a rod on a pier was almost as certain of drawing a crowd as if he had produced a performing bear. Today, a score of rods wave unnoticed from the piers at Deal, Brighton, Plymouth and a hundred other resorts east and west, while the old-fashioned throw-out line is less in evidence every year.

I have done that winter-fishing with the maddest; blown on my fingers before daybreak on Deal pier and knocked the rime off my sea-boots in many a boat that cleaved wintery seas …

To night-fishing and fishing in winter time let me here add a third recantation, pier-fishing. A few piers contrive, by charging a high entrance or fishing fee, to exclude all but anglers from the stages. On the Prince of Wales' Pier, at Dover, for instance, the charge for fishing is one shilling a day, higher, I believe, than on any other in the Kingdom. At Folkestone Harbour, the proprietary railway company charges fourpence to anyone wishing to fish from the splendid pier that has lately been built at great cost. Such charges look high, but they are really beneficial to the angler, since they keep the crowd at a distance, and the crowd is the chief drawback of pier-fishing: Fifteen or twenty years ago I spent many happy days under various piers, often alone with the plosh of the water against the limpet-covered piles.

Now and again, it must be admitted, one hears of better catches on piers than in boats, but these are the exception. Nevertheless, a cod weighing 18lb and a lobster of 8lb are a proud record for one week, and these go to the credit of Deal … Sometimes, too, piers yield most unexpected booty, and those who angle from such structures must expect anything from a crab to a victim of shipwreck …

Early Memories

Of late years the coast of Kent, thanks chiefly to the popularity of Deal with London anglers, has assumed great importance in the annals of the sport. Odd days of luck I have had there, as well as at Margate, Ramsgate, Dover and Folkestone, but the county has not treated me as well as some further west …

From Deal Pier I have done both summer and winter fishing, though I never, as already stated, took part in those monster competitions, which have brought a little fame and fortune to that ancient town. No useful purpose can be served by criticising, from a purely personal, and perhaps eccentric, standpoint functions which afford much harmless amusement. I simply do not like them, but the reason why, I cannot tell. I cannot, however, let the opportunity pass of criticising what has always seemed to me an extraordinary condition of the weigh-in. It is that dogfish are not allowed to count. Why not ? Surely, the test of skill is not the capture of fishes that are best to eat; and, if it were, I fancy that dogfish have far more admirers than, for instance, pollack. It is not possible for the most skilful fisherman to prevent a dogfish seizing his bait, and when it does so it requires just as much patience and adroitness to play and kill it as any other fish of the same size. The unfairness of such a regulation is that a competitor's boat may, through no fault of either his or his boatman's, be anchored over a shoal of dogfish, and he may waste half his day playing and unhooking the vermin without getting any nearer his goal. As I have already owned to taking no personal interest in these functions, such dispassionate criticism may be regarded as gratuitous, but the condition seems to me likely to operate unequally, and on that ground alone I have ventured to take exception to it. That crabs and mussels should be excluded seems equitable, since it would be possible by leaving a large bait lying on the rocks to catch quantities of the former, and a bare hook, with no bait at all, would, skilfully manipulated, dredge pounds of the latter. But to shut out the dogfish which takes a bait in the same way as other kinds that count, seems to me an arbitrary rule calling for at any rate explanation.

The Daily Express, Friday 19 January 1906 at page 6

Fair Sea Anglers

Nothing is more striking than the way ladies generally have taken to the sport of sea angling. Only a few years ago one rarely saw a man - and never a woman - fishing with rod and line on our piers and now, at nearly every seaside resort on our coast, ladies are to be seen fishing side by side with the men - aye, and frequently beating them at their own sport!

At Deal, so enthusiastic are the sportswomen that the formulation of a ladies sea-fishing club is discussed in connection with the Deal and District Anglers Association.

Should such a branch association of lady anglers be formed, it will follow the example set by Great Yarmouth, where a ladies' sea angling club has already been formed, and is the only one of its kind yet in existence.

The great stride that sea angling has made is well instanced in this as in the formation of a National Council of Sea Anglers, and the great increase in the institution of clubs, societies, and associations round our coasts.

The heavy seas have prevented boat fishing recently, but several very excellent days' sport have been had upon the pier.

The Daily Express, Saturday 20 October 1906

Sea Angling Competitions

One of the principal events of the sea angling season will be a competition to be held on Deal Pier today and tomorrow under the auspices of the Deal and Walmer Angling Association.

The competition will be open to all members and affiliated members of the association, and will begin at 9 a.m. and finish at 5 p.m.

Prizes will be given for the heaviest weight of fish taken, the largest specimen fish and the greatest quantity of any individual kind.

Lord George Hamilton has presented a challenge cup value £15 15s. to be fished for by members of the association. It will be known as the Deal Castle Cup, and is to be held for one year. It carries with it gold and silver medals, and when won three times in succession becomes the property of the fortunate angler.

The Daily Express, Monday 22 October 1906

Triumphant Woman Angler

Miss Allison Wolff carried off all the honours at the two days' pier angling competition of the Deal and Walmer Angling Association which began on Saturday. She caught the largest cod, the heaviest flatfish and the largest pout. There were fifty competitors, seventeen of them being women. The fish were shy and the catches were very light. Miss Wolff's total catch for the two days weighed only 5 lbs. 11 ozs.

The Daily Express, Thursday 1 August 1907

Sea Angling for the Holidays

Prospects of Sport for the Amateur Fisherman at Deal

Although the weather during last month has been anything but kind, and the sea has not yielded up its usual complement of finny prey, yet the prospects for August holidays, especially on the east coast, are better than they have been.

The steady increase in the popularity of sea angling has never been more marked than it is at present, and local preparations are going busily forward to deal with an anticipated "rush" of enthusiastic anglers - men and women, for the latter have taken roost kindly to the sport in towns where only a few years ago the average amateur fisherman was represented by a hopeful little boy and a piece of string.

Nowadays the sport of sea angling numbers its votaries by hundreds of thousands, and annually some hundred of thousands, and annually some hundred of tons of fish are taken out of the sea by rod anglers alone. Men and women not only go to the seaside to lounge on the front or parade the pier, but to fish, and thus get the full benefit of both the muscular exercise and the fine life-giving sea air.

Deal, being one of the first angling stations in England, naturally comes in for a large share of this attention.

Possible Catches

Nor are visitors this August likely to be disappointed; for among the fish which may be taken are mackerel and there is no more delightful sport than mackerel spinning from a boat, bass (from the Kingsdown Rocks), cod (which are already "coming in", and afford one of the finest specimen fish caught on the coast), conger (out by the Bank Buoy), eels, dabs, flounders (towards Pegwell Bay), herrings, skate (10 to 16 pounders), whiting and whiting cole or pout, generally in great numbers, with an occasional sole, a fine turbot, pollack, and plaice, to say nothing of crabs and lobsters, which, although they play havoc with one's bait, nevertheless afford compensations when caught.

Nor need the sport prove an expensive one. A half-guinea rod, a sea-winch, a hundred yards or so of good stout line, with a few odd leads from 4 ozs. to lO ozs., and, roughly, the equipment is complete.

Bait - lug worms, mackerel, herring, etc - costs but a few pence a day, and if one wishes to dispense with the expense of a boat, there is always the pier or some rock or groyne from which, at hightide, fishing can be successfully carried on.

Very good sport can invariably be had at Deal from the beach, either from near Sandown Castle or towards Walmer.

This year sea-fishing competitions will be well to the front, and the arrangements for the forthcoming festival indicate that the policy of "Forward", which has been the watchword of the Deal and Walmer Angling Association since its inception, has been well maintained. Of these the principal events take place in September, October, and November.

Good Summer Sport

Some surprise may be expressed that these festivals are not set earlier in the season, but the reason why they are held on this part of the coast somewhat later than those of many angling associations is that the finest cod, whiting, etc., are generally more abundant in October and November, though it is true much good sport may be had throughout the summer, especially among the mackerel, pollack, and flatfish.

Moreover, the fine seaworthy boats and the magnificent seamanship of the famous Deal and Walmer boatmen render the sea angler less dependent on the weather than at other resorts, and act as a continual guarantee for both the safely and comfort of the deep-sea angler.

The splendid fish caught on these occasions (some of the cod taken last year scaled nearly 30 lbs.) prove not only the value of these fine fishing-grounds, but also the wisdom of the committee in fixing these competitions in conformity with the natural features of tho sport. The great success which attended the ladies' angling competitions of last year has naturally resulted in a similar fixture being held this Season.

The Daily Express, Friday 27 September 1907 at page 2

Women Sea Anglers

Small Baskets at the Deal Competition

Fifty women of all ages, sizes, and degrees of beauty took part yesterday in the Ladies' Sea Angling Competition at Deal, which was organised by Mrs. Percy Edgar. There would have been more entries, but the number was limited to fifty on account of alterations which are being carried out on the pier.

The youngest competitor was a blue-eyed maiden of eighteen, and the oldest a severe looking matron of fifty. There was a great variety of costumes. Some of the ladies wore regular fishing costume, with sou'wester and oilskins, while others wore open-work blouses and short walking skirts. Some wore motor veils and dust coats.

The ladies fished patiently from 10.20 a.m. Until 4 p.m., in spite of the fact that the sport was rather poor, and they were the butt of a running fire of sarcastic remarks from the crowd of spectators. When a fish was landed a cheer went up from the crowd assembled on the pier.

The first prize in the codling class was won by Miss Edith Turner with a basket of 4 lbs. 6 ozs. Miss Sexton won the first prize in the pollack class with 3 lbs. 5 ozs. and Miss Puckeridge won the prize for flat fish.

Lady George Hamilton presented the prizes.

Photographs of scenes at the Deal competition will be found on page 7.

The Daily Mirror, 25 September 1908 at page 14

Sporting News Items

The following were the winners in the ladies' sea-angling competition at Deal yesterday: Miss Band (heaviest weight), Mrs. Goodwin (heaviest weight of whiting), Miss B. Walker (heaviest catch of cod), Miss Todd (heaviest weight of flat fish) and Mrs Hyde (greatest number of flat fish).

The Daily Express, Saturday 23 October 1909 at page 2

Cult of the Rod and Line

Sea Fishing

Boisterous, weather has prevailed of late along the south coast, and on many occasions the boats have been unable to go afloat.

The piers, however, have done very well, and those anglers have been rewarded with excellent baskets of cod, congers, pouting, and flatfish.

Codling are now plentiful at Deal, and in two days members of the local angling society secured over 400 lb. of these fish.

Mrs. Rowe, fishing in the ladies' pier competition at Deal, killed a conger of 8½ lb …

The Daily Mirror, Friday 13 January 1911

Passenger Steamer’s Peril in Gale

Lifeboat's Danger

Deal Lifeboat in Trouble

In going to the assistance of the brigantine Sela, of Faversham, which had been in collision with a steamer in the Downs, the Deal lifeboat Charles Dibdin yesterday nearly capsized in the tremendous sea, the crew clinging to one side of the boat.

She was righted, however, by splendid handling, and made for the vessel, to which she rendered assistance.

Later in the morning the Brazilian ketch Flores, of Maceio, dragged her anchor, and, just touching Deal Pier, drifted southward. The Walmer lifeboat was launched, but owing to the wind was unable lo roach the schooner, which went ashore between Deal Castle and Walmer lifeboat house.

The rocket apparatus was brought up by the coastguards, but they had only got three men ashore when the schooner's cable broke, and the vessel swung round, rendering the apparatus useless.

Plucky Coastguardman

The skipper and mate threw a line over the side, and tried to climb down, but their, rescue was effected, thanks to a plucky action by Coastguardman Coates, who, supported by his comrades, waded waist-deep into the water, caught hold of the end of the line, and helped the two men ashore.

A huge amount of shipping took shelter in the Channel between Dover and Folkestone, while in the Naval Harbour dozens of sailing vessels sought refuge.

A Danish three-master - the Marthing - ran into the Admiralty Pier, forced her bowsprit into a new electric crane, and knocked the back out of the engine-room. Before a harbour tug had dragged her clear the heavy seas had lifted the ship with the impaled crane repeatedly, thereby seriously damaging the crane.

The Daily Express, Friday 27 October 1911

Izaak Waltons in Skirts

Seven Hours' Ordeal on a Pier

"Express" Correspondent

Deal, Thursday, October 26th.

The wettest place in England today was undoubtedly Deal Pier, where three-and-fifty ladies fished all day in the annual sea-angling competition.

At least, there were fifty-three ladies until one timid competitor caught a peculiarly repulsive dogfish, and abandoned her rod and her chances in feminine horror.

Then there were fifty-two, and they, clad in gleaming black oilskins and sou'westers, braved seven long hours of the rain and wind-swept day. The gallants whose knightly duty it was to impale nasty red worms on fishhooks made an early flight before that riot of rain, but, with chilled hands grasping their rods, the drenched but doughty ladies kept their posts.

By twelve o'clock curls had become dank, dripping tresses. One o'clock brought a kindly steward of ceremonies down the thin black line to wring out the fringes of rain-soaked skirts, but still the anglers watched their wind-blown lines, fishing for fame and a pair of silver-backed hairbrushes.

Mrs. Percy Edgar, who organised the competition, was ahead early in the day by the capture of a big cod and, encouraged by this success, she went home and changed her clothes.

Mrs. Edgar looked an easy winner until about three o'clock in the afternoon. Then Mrs. Rose landed another corpulent cod, and promptly wrapped it in a wet cloth so that it would not lose any weight by getting dry.

An experienced angler, this Mrs. Rose. "I would not let any one breathe on that fish" she confided to me, "for fear they might blow a scale off it. It all counts in the weighing in."

So all through the day the oil-skinned anglers re-baited their hooks and cast their lines, while sheets of rain smote the boards, and the. waves thundered among the ironwork of the pier-head. At four o'clock the rain ceased, and at half-past four a whistle sounded, and the lines were drawn in.

Then, carrying their precious catches, the anglers gathered in the pavilion where they made a group that looked like Mr. George Edwardes' idea of a musical comedy lifeboat crew - a laughing crowd of young women in shining oilskins, their wet hair tumbling out from big sou'westers over wet, rain-beaten faces.

The weighing in was a solemn affair, but in the end Mrs Edgar scored a very popular victory. She only caught one fish, but it weighed four pounds five and a half ounces.

So Mrs Edgar wins the pair of hair brushes and Mrs Rose, whose fish weighed 3 lbs 12½ ozs., carries off the fishing-rod which is the second prize.

The total weight of fish caught was 21¼ lbs., which works out at less than half a pound of fish per angler.

Women's Fishing Championship
Women anglers competing on Deal Pier for the deep sea fishing championship of the United Kingdom

"Sea Fishing" (1911) Charles Owen Minchin at pages 144, 145, 206 to 209, 296 & 297

Chapter X

The Pollack

In fishing from Deal Pier it is the practice to use a short roach-rod, because that is found to be handiest for dropping the line into the confined spaces of the ironwork in such a way that the bait may drift under the lower tier of the girders, where the fishes lurk. The bait used there is either a ragworm or a small doubled slip of parchment cut into the shape of a fish. This lure, which, appropriately enough, was devised by a clever lawyer, seems to answer extremely well - better by far than the regulation soleskin of the tackle-shops. At Deal no float is needed, and the bait is worked on the "sink and draw" method. At most piers, however, it is better to use a longer rod with float-tackle, the float being a "traveller" sufficiently large to carry a single pipe-lead, which should be fixed on the long gut trace at about 3ft from the hook. The trace should be … not less than 6ft in length, and the hook should be of the "tied" and not the "eyed" kind, because the former is easier to bait with two ragworms, which are more attractive to the fish than a single one. Pierce one worm below the head and push it up till it is on the gut just above the hook, and then put the point of the hook through below the head of the other worm so that they dangle side by side.

Chapter XV

Fishing from Rocks, Piers and Beaches

… The most popular fishing resorts are without question the promenade piers which run out from the shore at short intervals all round most of our eastern and southern coasts. A typical pier of this kind is that at Deal, in Kent, but it is rather longer than usual (nearly 400 yds) and the T is in fairly deep water so that the common local fishes, cod and whiting, pass and repass with every flow and ebb of tide, though generally more abundant at the spring tides (which fall due there about midday and midnight) than at the neaps. A great many fairly large cod have been taken from Deal Pier, and those of from 8lbs to 10lbs are quite common in good seasons; and, though the whiting which come round the pier are usually small, they are occasionally plentiful enough. On favourable days there are sufficient fish to provide full bags for half a dozen to a dozen anglers, but when divided among eighty rods, which is no very unusual number, there are not many to go round, and most of the fishermen must consequently depart "in ballast".

As the tide runs pretty strongly and all the fishing is on the bottom (except for a very few minute pollack among the iron girders) and as it is desirable to cast a 6oz or 8oz lead well out from the pier, short strong rods of 7ft to 9ft are always used, and those fishermen who can cast the farthest and thus get well away from the ruck do much the best.

A large ring-net is kept handy for the public benefit, and there are always obliging bystanders who know how to slip it under a fish too heavy to be hauled up by the trace alone.

When whiting are feeding a paternoster with "revolving" booms (which generally jam and do not revolve) is the most effectual tackle, but for cod, codling and flat-fishes three hooks trailing below the lead are better because they lie snugly on the bottom where those classes of fishes feed.

At Lowestoft the style of fishing is much the same as at Deal, but the fishing season, for whiting at all events, comes rather earlier in the year and the crowd is consequently even greater, for Lowestoft Pier in September or October is balmy in comparison with Deal on a bleak December morning, with the wind in the north-west carrying flakes of snow mingled with drifts of icy rain.

In consequence of the throngs on these two popular resorts it is impossible in casting out to use the underhand slinging throw usually adopted by pike-anglers, and an overhand cast of some kind has to be practised. The usual method is to turn the back to the sea and hold the right hand below the reel, with the forefinger along the rim so as to restrain it until the swing is made, while the left hand grasps the rod midway between the reel and the first ring. In delivering the cast the rod is brought right upwards and over the shoulder and the reel released when the rod begins to come below the perpendicular, and the caster turns sharply on his left heel so that he faces the sea before the lead falls. Great accuracy in direction is attainable by this method, and overruns or "back lashes" as the Americans call them, are unknown to the experts.

Chapter XX

Some Practical Hints and a few words on Nature-Study

Drift-nets have the right of the water as against other kinds of fishing, crab-pots and lobster-pots as against trawlers, but they have to take their chances, and the coasting excursion steamers often play havoc with them. Line fishermen seem to have no rights as against any one else; and a pier-fisherman should remember this, and haul up their lines out of the way of passing boats, for though permission to fish from a pier gives the "user" of the water, it does not give the exclusive "user" of it as against boats navigating the sea, that being the purpose for which the sea is presumed to be primarily intended.

The Daily Mirror, Friday 1 September 1916

Sir D. Haig's Daughters as Anglers

The two little daughters of Sir Douglas Haig, Alexandra and Victoria, took part in the fourth annual angling competition for juveniles from Deal Pier yesterday. Among the spectators were Lady Douglas Haig, Lady Loreburn and Lady George Hamilton.

Daily Mirror, Friday 13 October 1916

The ninth annual ladies' sea angling competition was held from Deal Pier yesterday.
A number of convalescent soldiers assisted in various ways.

The Daily Mirror, Friday 31 August 1917

Baby as Fisherman

Youngest Competitor Who Angled from Perambulator

A novel feature of the children's fifth annual angling competition from Deal Pier, yesterday, was that the youngest "fisherman", Ethel Holworthy, aged two years and four months, dangled the line from a perambulator.

The first prize for girls, a silver wristlet watch, given by the Countess Beauchamp, was won by Florence Arnold, with a weight of 1 lb. 10½ oz. while William Belahoyde, with a weight of 2 lb. 7¼ oz. carried off the boys' first prize, a silver hunter watch given by Lady George Hamilton.

During the match Lord and Lady Hamilton visited the Pier and chatted with the children.

The Kent Messenger, Saturday 15 June 1918

While fishing from Deal Pier Mr. Philcox, a member of the London Police Force, caught a codfish weighing 20 lbs. It is the largest fish caught from the Pier this season.

The South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 27 August 1918

Wounded Anglers Competition

One hundred and fifty wounded sailors and soldiers took part in an angling competition on Thursday from Deal Pier, arranged by Deal and Walmer Angling Association. Among the comipetitors were a number of Canadians and Australians, and several men who took part in the attack on Zeebrugge. Some were maimed and fished from bath chairs. Thirty were successful in catching fish. The first prize, a silver wristlet watch, given by Lady Haig, was won by Pte. Lyon. At the close of the competition the men were entertained to tea and a concert, after which the prizes were distributed by Brigadier General Parsons.

"Angling in Rivers, Lakes & Sea" (1920) Walter Matthew Gallichan ("Geoffrey Mortimer") at page 101

Part III

Sea Fishing

Chapter I

Angling in the Sea

Where to go

The question "where to go" must be determined by the kind of fish that you wish to catch, as well as by the season of the year. Deal is a popular resort of the London fisherman, who pursue their recreation from the pier and in boats. The fish are codling, dab, plaice, whiting, pollack, and conger. October is the best month for fishing from Deal pier. There is good whiting fishing off Dover in the autumn.

"Modern Sea Angling" (1921) Francis Dyke Holcombe at page 251

Another well known pier is that at Deal, where the fishing is of the same general character as that at Lowestoft, namely, cod, codling and whiting, and sometimes dabs. Here the angler will find that the reel very generally employed is Washburn's "Facile", which the writer believes was first used there by Mr. J. H. Hards, and has been adopted by a good many of the other anglers who habitually fish from this pier. The fishing from Deal pier in 1919, by the way, was on the whole remarkably disappointing, and it is a curious illustration of the glorious uncertainty of all angling, both fresh and salt, that although sprats were unusually plentiful at Deal in November and December of that year the codling taken from the pier there were both scarce and small, any fish over 2lb being distinctly a rarity. Here also, as at Lowestoft and many other places round our coast, baby whiting have been a perfect pest to pier anglers recently …

In all pier fishing of course the angling is done in fairly shallow water, and in consequence it will often be found that the best fishing is at night, especially if the water be clear. This is a cold and draughty business for which the writer is afraid that he personally has little use, although he greatly admires the pluck and persistence of the hardy enthusiasts who habitually practise it. It is superfluous to warn the angler that if he essays it he should be well wrapped up. Long casting is usually conducive to success, and it will often happen that, other things being equal, the angler who can out cast his neighbours stands the best chance of getting fish …

The Daily Mirror, Monday 17 September 1923

Girl's Rough Sea Swim

14-Year-Old Athlete Makes Trip From Dover to Deal in 3½ Hours

In a rough sea, Miss Ivy Martin, the fourteen-year-old daughter of Mr. Francis A. Martin, a Dover licensed victualler, swam from the Admiralty Pier, Dover, to Deal Pier yesterday in three hours and twenty minutes.

Daily Mirror, Saturday 14 February 1925

Angling for Charity.
Competitors in the novel angling contest on Deal Pier.
The winner received the combined entrance fees and had the honour of handing them to the war memorial hospital.
Unhappily they did not get the weather they deserved.

Daily Mirror, Monday 28 December 1927

Great Channel Gale

Boat Services Cancelled for the First Time for Twelve Years

For the first time for more than twelve years all cross-Channel services connected with the Southern Railway, except one special boat which took 200 passengers from Dover and Folkestone to Boulogne, were cancelled yesterday owing to the great gale raging in the Channel.

No boats arrived at Folkestone from Boulogne or at Dover from Ostend. The Ostend boat remained at Dover.

No Continental expresses arrived at Victoria from either Dover or Folkestone, a thing which has not happened for years.

Deal Pier which, since its erection over fifty years ago has weathered some terrific gales, suffered to such an extent that it was temporarily closed.

At Kingsdown heavy falls of cliff occurred.

The steamer Indier, of Antwerp, struck the southern breakwater when attempting to enter Dover Harbour, and her bows were damaged.

The motor vessel David M., reported bound for London with a cargo of bricks, was driven ashore off Birchington. The crew were landed.

The Daily Express Friday 23 August 1929

Excitement was intense on Deal Pier yesterday during an angling competition for boys and girls.
Parents were present in force to watch the skill of their children.

"Sea Fishing Simplified" (1929) Francis Dyke Holcombe & A. Fraser-Brunner at page 43

Chapter VII

Pier and Shore Fishing

Pier fishing nowadays is remarkably popular; indeed, there are few piers on the English coast that are not crowded with fishermen during the holiday months. The angler from a pier gets plenty of fresh air, and his sport costs him little. There are sometimes, however, more fishermen than fish; while one is usually assured of a good "gallery" which is apt to be a little disconcerting if anything should happen to go wrong in casting out the line.

The prospects of Pier Fishermen are nevertheless much more favourable than those of their fresh-water brethren, since the harvest of the sea is unlimited, both as to quantity and size - whereas that of the river is strictly defined.

If you try it, you should use … Wadham's paternoster or flowing trace, pattern 1. Bait with lugworm, mussel or small strips of mackerel or herring. The lead should be from 4 oz to 6 oz and it is usually an advantage to cast the baits as far from the pier as possible.


(Deal) Pier Fishing (page 29)	"Wadham's Invisible" Sea Paternoster

"Wadham's Invisible" Sea Paternoster

The Daily Express, Monday 25 August 1930

Long-Distance Swims

Deal, Sunday.

Two long-distance swims, one by an Indian student, and the other by a thirteen-year-old Ramsgate girl, will be undertaken tomorrow. The Indian, Ahmed Shah, of Osmania University, Hyderabad, will attempt to swim the twenty miles from Dover to Ramsgate as a preliminary to a cross-Channel swim.

The girl, Florrie Proctor, will set out to swim from Deal Pier to Ramsgate. She has already won a number of swimming trophies.

The Daily Mirror, Wednesday, 27 August 1930

Young followers of Izaak Walton busy on Deal Pier yesterday.
They are seen taking part in a children's angling competition which drew 270 entries.

The Daily Mirror, Wednesday 27 August 1930

Child anglers at Deal

One-fifth of an ounce of fish per child was the average catch made in the annual fishing competition for boys and girls on Deal Pier.

The Daily Mirror, Friday 16 September 1932

Mrs. Miller, meteorological officer, taking the temperature of the water from Deal Pier.
She has done this daily for years. A women's angling competition was held yesterday.

The Daily Mirror, Friday 10 August 1934

The Daily Mirror, Monday 26 November 1934

Eighty-eight anglers fished continuously for six hours from the Deal Pier (Kent) and established a new low record for the world. They caught six fish - total weight 4 lb. 2 oz.

The Daily Express, Monday 26 August 1935

Crowd Cheer Boy Hero

Sea Rescue Drama

Deal, Sunday

Holiday makers on the beach near Deal Pier this afternoon cheered Harry Pitcher, fourteen-year-old son of a boatman, when he rescued a boy from drowning.

The boy grabbed Harry so tightly that he nearly pulled him under; and Harry's father and a Marine, John Gilbert, helped him to get the boy, Toni Cox, aged eight, son of a collier, up on the beach.

As Harry walked away in his dripping clothes be was loudly applauded by crowds of visitors.

The Daily Express, Tuesday 3 December 1935

One Fish - Angler Wins Four Prizes

A cod weighing 7 lbs. 13 ozs., caught from Deal Pier, Kent, yesterday, won four prizes, in the closing day of the Deal and Walmer Angling Association's Festival, for Mr. Edward H. Shuttleworth, of Deal.

Mr. Shuttleworth received the cup for the heaviest cod, another for the heaviest fish of the festival, another for the heaviest one-day's take, and the National Federation of Sea Anglers' bronze medal.

The Daily Mirror, Wednesday 15 January 1936

Couple whose Luck won't go Wrong - Fish, £1,500 and 40 Prizes

DEAL, Tuesday

A married couple are the envy of all the anglers here - and you will envy them, too, when you hear their story. They are Mr. and Mrs. George Belsham, of Brighton, and while fishing from Deal Pier they have caught twenty-eight plump codlings, eleven dogfish and numerous whitings and dabs.

Other fishermen have had no luck at all. All this has happened in a week.

A Mr. Alfred Winchcombe did manage to catch a flat fish weighing 1 1b. 5½ oz., but then, you see, the Belshams were not on the Pier. "We are treating ourselves to a fishing holiday at Deal", said Mr. Belsham to me as we sat at the end of Deal Pier.

£1,356 Windfall

"Not only have we had plenty of luck with the fish but we have had a jolly fine windfall in another kind of sport - football pools. In one week last December my wife and I won £1,656 14s. 7d. But that's not all. During the last eighteen months, while fishing at Brighton and Deal, we have won seven silver challenge cups and thirty-three other prizes."

We adjourned to the Pier buffet and celebrated. When we came back Mr. Belsham had two fish on his line.

I'm Sure it was two … I saw two.

The Daily Express, Monday 13 July 1936

The Daily Mirror, Monday 17 August 1936

250 Child Fishers Sure to Have a 'Bite'

Deal, Sunday

Two hundred and fifty toddlers will invade Deal Pier tomorrow to fish.

It is the twenty-third annual open sea angling competition for girls and boys from five to fifteen years.

There is a prize for every child, whether they get fish or not.

All the children are bound "to have a bite". Three or four bushels of apples, hundreds of buns and cakes will disappear somehow.

The Daily Express, Monday 17th August 1936

Young Anglers

Two hundred and fifty children, aged five to fifteen, will take charge of Deal Pier today for their annual open sea angling competition. Training has been serious, but - catch or no catch - there is a prize for every one.

The Daily Mirror, Wednesday 26 May 1937

The Daily Express, Friday 28 May 1937

Swimmer Saves Alsatian

Daily Express Correspondent

Deal, Thursday

Bathers on the beach opposite Walmer Castle today saw an Alsatian wolfhound swimming wildly out to sea. The dog swam a mile, then turned inshore.

Mrs. Ethel Kellingley, of Deal, snatched up a large bathing towel, dived in, swam to the dog, lassoed it with the towel, and brought it ashore in a strong flood tide still struggling and snapping.

The dog was taken to the police station. Police refused to keep it until it had been "doped" by a veterinary surgeon.

Later, the dog was claimed by Mr. Donald Robinson, of Deal. He had taken the dog - its name was Rex - down to the beach to see if it could swim.

The Daily Express, Wednesday 8 September 1937

Long-Distance Swimmer at 53

Mrs Ethel Kellingley, of Deal, is fifty-three. Yesterday she swam breaststroke from Dover's eastern breakwater to Deal Pier - ten miles - in two and three quarter hours.

Last May, at Walmer, she swam after a mad Alsatian wolfhound, "lassoed" it with a bathing towel and brought it ashore.

"Modern Sea Fishing" (1937) Eric Cooper at pages 57, 58 & 59

Harbour, Pier and Estuary Fishing

There will always be days when the boat angler will be unable to get afloat, or the shore angler to fish in comfort. On such days there is often a chance of getting a really good fish from the pier.

It is not suggested that all piers will provide good fishing; from many of them you will be lucky to get more than crabs and weed.

The angler who is a stranger to pier fishing should not conclude that the farthest point from the shore is necessarily the best for the fishing, nor that, as with harbour fishing, the greater the distance he can cast his bait, the greater his bag.

If bass or mullet are being tried for, they will be close in, feeding around the wood or iron piles.

It is as well to consult someone who knows the conditions before casting out your tackle. Round many of our piers there are patches of very foul ground, delighted in by the local tackle dealer, but avoided by the resident angler as the plague.

For pier casting the rod must be fairly powerful, one which will be capable of lifting your fish - and it may be a good one - from the water to the deck. Some piers fortunately provide anglers with a net for this purpose.

From a crowded pier, the direct overhead cast should be made in preference to the side swing: not only on account of the danger from flying hooks, but to lessen the possibility of fouling the lines of near-by anglers.

The Daily Express Saturday 13 August 1938

Swims 10 Miles at 55

Mrs. Ethel Maud Kellingley, of Deal, walked unaided up the granite steps in Ramsgate harbour yesterday afternoon, and sweeping off her goggles and helmet revealed a head of wavy grey hair.

Mrs. Kellingley is fifty-five.

She had swum the ten miles from Walmer lifeboat station in 3 hours 5 mins. Last year she swam from Dover to Deal Pier in 2¾ hours.

Her husband, Billie Kellingley. swimming coach and trainer of many Channel swimmers, says his wife's next long-distance swim will be somewhere around the Goodwin Sands.

The Daily Mirror, Tuesday 8 August 1939

Saved by Sinking Boat

With his boat rapidly filling with water, Harry Pitcher, a Deal boatman, yesterday rowed a quarter of a mile to rescue two girls, Lise Fliegel, a Viennese, aged ten, and ten-year-old Lucy Reite, who were in difficulties near Deal Pier.

So hurried was his launch that his boat had no plug in it. By the time he reached the shore with the two girls the boat was more than half-full of water.

When Pitcher first saw the two girls both were exhausted, and one was trying to hold the other up.

He rowed out at top speed. The bigger girl had just enough strength to hang on to the boat while he pulled the younger girl on board.

The Daily Express, Tuesday 11 June 1946

Fishermen Saved

Skilled handling of the motorboat Arcadia saved two fishermen whose waterlogged boat, the Ann, was trapped in the wreckage of Deal Pier.

The Ann became unmanageable in the gale, dragged her anchors, and was driven broadside on among the twisted girders of the Pier. Motor boats put off to the rescue through heavy shore breakers.

The Arcadia, the first ,to reach the Ann, was steered alongside the sinking boat, and the occupants, Mr, E. Cartledge and Mr. J. Fowler, were dragged on board.

The Daily Express, Friday 26 August 1949

Birthday Swim

Mrs. Ethel Kellingley, aged 68, of Deal, Kent, celebrated her 72nd birthday yesterday by swimming between Brighton's two piers, and back - 1½ miles in 57 minutes.

"Approach to Angling in Fresh and Sea-Water" (1950) E. Marshall-Hardy and Lieut. N. Vaughan Olver, R.N.V.S.R. at pages 196 to 199

Section IV: Sea Fishing from Jetty, Pier or Shore

Chapter III

Fishing on a Sandy Shore

The Tackles

… Oddly enough long casting is seldom an advantage when fishing from the shore or a pier. But you will find that anglers are very competitive in this matter. A sees B make a prodigious cast and immediately attempts to emulate him - don't do it! You are just as likely to catch a fish near to, as far from the pier. And when fishing from the shore, if you can cast your bait just beyond the breakers it is usually all that is necessary; because the fish are foraging in the disturbed water. Sheep which seem always to regard the pasture just beyond the barbed wire as preferable, lose a lot of wool; and anglers who try to cast too far lose a lot of tackle.

When you have learned to cast a double-handed-side-swing, practice the overhead.

Very often when fishing from a pier you will find not only that you are one of a serried rank of anglers, but that you have an audience, composed all too often of people who do not realise that fish-hooks in the pants are painful and may be dangerous, not to speak of the disadvantage of being clubbed with a four ounce lead weight. The overhead cast shown in Fig. 127 is the most compact and useful when pier-fishing. Here again the principles of control are identical with those for any other cast. The illustration will I hope, make the movements clear.

… Having cast, tighten up your line on the lead and holding the rod comfortably under your arm (with the point up keep the line taut), hook your finger under the line between the reel and the first ring. This will enable you to detect delicate bites.

The bites of various species are typical and varied; small fiat fish give a tremulous nibble, school-bass two quick tugs, and so on. But it is not within the scope of this book to go deeply into these differences. You must fish and learn from experience. The best method is, "when in doubt, strike".

If you feel a suspicious movement of the line which passes over your finger, raise the rod point smartly stepping back a pace simultaneously, and if the fish is hooked you know what to do, be it a dab or a large bass.

From your reading of this section you may be under the mistaken impression that one has only to chose a fishing mark with knowledge and intelligence, to guarantee a catch. Of course this is not true, indeed angling would lose much of its fascination if this were possible.

Sea-angling can be a slow game, so when the fish are not feeding the rod-rest can be used. There is usually a convenient support on a pier or a jetty. A bell is clipped to the rod, just below the top ring, and this will sound when a bite jerks the rod top. I advise you, however, to hold the rod as soon as fish appear to be interested in your bait, for you will be able to detect many small nibbles which are not strong enough to agitate the bell. You will also be ready to strike and keep in contact with the fish, which is most important.

From half flow to ebb tide, is the time to fish - after that you can "pack up".

"The Technique of Sea Fishing" (1953) W. E. Davies at pages 55 to 57

Chapter V: Rock, Pier and Beach Fishing

From the Pier

In fishing from piers and jetties one can expect to be a little crowded for space and the only possible way of securing a good position is to be up early. Many anglers use a couple of rods, one for float work and the other for ledgering or fishing the paternoster. For my part one is sufficient as with two you are bound to divide your attention, often at the moment when your concentration is most needed.

Around most piers and jetties there is always a good depth of water which is inhabited by quite a few fish. They are constantly on the watch for their enemies or any movement between themselves and the light. They would, therefore, be more likely to see a bait that is above them than one that is on the bottom. Of course on occasions most fish that reside inshore around piers and jetties often go "grubbing" among the foundations for food and it is then that a ledger will be found quite good. These occasions normally coincide with very low water.

At high water and also when the tide is on the turn the fish mostly keep off the bottom. Float fishing with a light paternoster is just the thing, for should you have fished deep without success you can rise the baits a foot at a time until you are rewarded. This is done by shortening the weight tackle and for this purpose strong nylon is most suitable, but taking it all round it is one of those things with which experiments must be made.

The use of heavy weights is often very unsatisfactory as it puts too much of a strain on rods and when a fish is hooked there is little sport because of the weight. In boat fishing such weights are a necessity due to the depths one has to go, but this is not the case when fishing from piers and jetties. It is rare that long casts are needed as the fish invariably congregate around the pier.

The feeding habits of fish are very unpredictable. Some days they will strike every kind of natural bait and artificial you may offer them and on the other hand, there are days they will look upon the most choice bait with disgust. To be able to take fish constantly under all conditions is a feat that very few expert anglers accomplish.

There are three major periods during a day to catch fish and while early morning and later afternoon are excellent, an hour before and, up to the top of high tide is considered one of the very best times. Skate, conger, bass, mackerel and mullet have all been taken by pier fishermen in the south and west, but on the east coast anglers have quite a lot of sport with whiting, gurnard, pollack and coalfish.

Kent Coast Sea Fishing Compendium

Deal Pier

BBC Coastal Forecast (North Foreland to Beachy Head)

Deal Tides

For parking information visit www.dealpier.uk

There is no fishing on the Pier until further notice

Deal Pier: Chart

Copyright © David Ramsdale 2010 - 2022
All rights reserved


Harbour walls demand that anglers use casting patterns that respect all other anglers' fishing areas. Mullet fishing is best done by a long-snood rig	With the paternoster, midwater and bottom species can be fished for using different hooks and baits such as lugworm and small dead sprats

Kent Coast Sea Fishing Compendium

Deal Pier

BBC Coastal Forecast (North Foreland to Beachy Head)

Deal Tides

For parking information visit www.dealpier.uk

There is no fishing on the Pier until further notice

Deal Pier: Chart

Copyright © David Ramsdale 2010 - 2022All rights reserved

Copyright © David Ramsdale 2010 - 2022
All rights reserved