IT'S been another slow weekend, but we now expect this in the run up to Christmas.

Previous years have shown this to be the case, with nothing very big being caught.

This trend will probably run through the first month of the new year, too.

Whiting and dabs have dominated again, with some rays as well.

Clacton Pier seems the venue to head for if you're intending on catching rays, as it seems to be a holding area for them.

Once again this week, thornbacks have been caught, with fish being landed on both day and night tides, and squid baits are catching the most.

Plenty of dabs are also showing in the calm conditions that we have seen this week.

St Osyth beach has seen a few thornbacks caught from around the Nature reserve, although small whiting can be a nuisance here, quickly devouring baits that are intended for bigger species.

The Clacton and Holland beaches have been slow, with only small whiting and a few dabs to be caught.

The Walton Pier Club held their Christmas match on the local pier in thick fog and flat seas.

Nineteen anglers fished and 151 fish were weighed in.

Whiting, dabs and rockling were the main catch.

First place went to Peter Harris, with 2lb 14oz.

In joint-second were Tom Day and Barry Adair, with 2lb 5.5oz, and fourth place went to Dean Parker.

Walton Sea Angling Club will once again be holding their annual Boxing Day competition on the pier, with fishing from 10am until 12pm.

This is always a well-attended match with a great raffle afterwards, so even if you are not fishing come along and blow the cobwebs away and join in with the raffle.

The boats have had another quiet week.

There are still plenty of whiting and some bigger thornback rays showing, though, plus the odd big bass.

The high tides for the weekend are 7.40am on Saturday and 8.44am on Sunday.