THE spring run of thornback rays is certainly under way and I'm really amazed at the amount in the Thames Estuary.

Most of the seabed seems to be paved with them and whether you are a boat, beach or pier angler, it makes no difference - there are rays being caught everywhere.

Every year now we are seeing more and more of these rays turning up and staying in our waters for most of the year, which can only be good news for all anglers.

The charter boat Sophie Lea reported that the weather had allowed them to travel further afield in search of different species.

Although results have been predictable, with thornback rays in every area of the estuary, small smooth-hounds and rays are showing on the sand banks but there are no cod to talk of.

Once again, the smaller fishing boats are reporting the same, with masses of rays, dogfish and the odd bass showing.

Walton Sea Angling Club headed for the Frinton beaches for their latest evening match and were met with a bitterly cold easterly wind, which made fishing very uncomfortable.

Plenty of small fish were caught, which included bass, whiting, pouting and the odd dogfish.

First place went to Rob Tuck, with 5lb 12oz, second to Doug Sadler, with 2lb 7oz, and third to Nik Highfield, with 2lb 5oz.

The heaviest fish was a 1lb 9oz dogfish for Rob.

Walton Pier has had a great week on the ray fishing front and Colchester angler Paul Packman took full advantage.

He fished a 12-hour session on the top of the pier and recorded an amazing catch of 12 thornbacks to 10lbs.

It hasn’t been unusual for anglers to catch two or three rays each per tide.

The surprise of the week has been a couple of rare cod weighing in at around the 7lb mark.

My trip this week was to the pier and within less than an hour I had landed two rays.

Both fish were caught on squid baits.

The Walton beaches are now seeing more small bass being caught together with some flounders and eels.

Colchester Sea Angling Club fished the Holland beaches for their league match and the weather threw everything at them - rain, sleet and snow.

The fish were feeding though, and all anglers caught fish.

Whiting, pouting and dogfish were in abundance.

First spot went to Steve Yallop, with 9lb 14oz, closely followed by Mark Sessions, with 9lb 6oz.

They were followed by Olly Yallop, with 6lb 14oz, Phil Buy, with 5lb 2oz, and Bill Paquette, with 4lb 2oz.

The heaviest fish prize was a tie between four anglers.

Steve Yallop, Mark Sessions, Martin Close and Phil Buy all weighed in 1lb 15oz dogfish.

Clacton Pier has fished much the same as its local neighbour with rays showing on most tides and some bass and dogfish after dark.

St Osyth Beach is still the venue to head for and those rays are feeding in force.

The whole stretch of beach, from the rocky breakwaters all the way up to the nature reserve, are fishing well, plus some bass are now also being caught from here as well.

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

The high tides for the weekend are 12.54pm on Saturday and 1.12pm on Sunday.