THE first hard frosts of winter have arrived, taking the temperature of the water down a degree or two.

The thornback rays have been affected by the sudden change and have slowed down in catch rate for the anglers.

There have still been a few for the boat anglers and they will return as they get used to the change of temperature.

The charter boat Sophie Lea’s monthly report shows a similar trend with thornback rays not in the quantities they were previously - slightly patchy and dispersed due to the colder conditions.

Dabs are now making an appearance and make a change from catching the massive quantities of whiting.

Lesser spotted dogfish have been wall to wall over the last month but these should be thinning out very soon.

Small bass are still shoaling up on the banks and this shows what a successful breeding season it has been.

Hopefully they will be back next season.

In general, it has been a fairly quiet week for the boat anglers, with plenty of whiting to be caught and a smattering of codling in between.

Neil Marples fished from his own boat Milore off the Walton coast and reported plenty of whiting and dogfish, a couple of bass and a lone codling.

The Brightlingsea charter boat Gloria B2 has had a pretty good week and Chris Sargeant had a trip during the week.

He caught some codling and also landed a 48cm whiting, which is a very good size.

Reports have said there are a few sprats and herring moving into the Thames Estuary.

In previous years this would have affected the cod fishing but, as the cod are still few and far between, they shouldn’t cause much of a problem this year.

The beaches around the Clacton area are catching dabs plus the odd bass and dogfish.

Once again, the thornback rays have slowed right down.

Those vast shoals of small whiting are still with us, attacking baits intended for other species.

Clacton Pier has seen some small codling plus dabs and whiting.

The Walton Pier Club headed to the Holland beaches for their latest match and were greeted with bright and breezy conditions.

There was a good colour in the water so hopes were high for a good competition.

All the anglers caught fish and there was very little to separate the competitors. The main catch was mostly whiting and dabs with the odd codling showing as well.

First overall was Peter Harris, with 4lb 15oz.

Second place went to Dan Winters (2lb 9oz), which included a 1lb codling for the heaviest fish.

Andy Grant was third, with 1lb 9oz.

The Walton beaches are still amazingly showing some very late soles and most are being caught only a matter of 20 yards out from the beach.

Joe Scammel also fished the local beaches and had some great sport with flounders.

These flatfish had all but disappeared from our coastline but in recent years they seem to be making a bit of a comeback.

If you have any fishing reports you can contact me at popplewell1@btinternet.com

The high tides for weekend are 3.37pm on Saturday and 4.26pm on Sunday.