If you find long walks to a venue hard work, this mark could be just the ticket
Words WESLEY SHRUBSOLE Photography LES BATES and STEVEN HARVEY
Ramsgate East Pier
Dover was once the premier place to go fishing in Kent, with its two piers and a breakwater being popular attractions. Currently there are none available for the foreseeable future, so here’s an alternative.
This caused problems for anglers with limited mobility because the lower deck of the Admiralty Pier was open to disabled and the older anglers who could fish from their cars. But there is some light at the end of the tunnel in the shape of Ramsgate’s East Pier. It might be the answer because anglers can drive on and fish for free. There are toilets on the pier too.
When you drive on to the pier it is advisable to park as close to the railings on the inside to allow access for port authority vehicles.
SEASONAL SPECIES
Although in general the fish may be of a smaller calibre, there are some good ones caught. This makes the pier worth a visit, especially for anglers who find long walks over shingle difficult.
Species include bass, flatfish, dogfish and rays, while in the colder months there are whiting, pouting and dabs. It is also worth a look for the mullet that inhabit the marina, where it is possible to see some good fish cruising just below the surface on the inside wall. Using a bread bag for groundbait would be worth a try when fishing bread or small ragworms under a float.
TACTICS
The ground is mixed with patches of small rocks and sand, but the water is fairly shallow at the start of the pier and is best avoided. The tide is not too strong so breakout weights will do the job. Big casts are unnecessary.
A two or three-hook Wessex style rig will get plenty of bites. For the rays, try a Pennell pulley baited with either bluey or crab. The dogfish can be a nuisance with this set-up but it is still worth a try.
The pier gets very busy in the summer so fishing early or late is the wise choice. There are no problems in the winter when you could have the venue to yourself.
Check the tides when planning your session at what has become a rare thing in Kent, an angler-friendly pier. A bonus is the fact there is a tackle shop opposite the pier entrance, from which bait can be ordered. There is also a fish and chip shop.
To check the weather and ensure the venue is open, contact the Port office, tel: 01843 572100 or email: portoframsgate@thanet.gov.uk
NEED TO KNOW
Getting there: From London, follow the M2 motorway to Faversham, where it becomes the A2 and takes you straight to the Port of Ramsgate.
From East Sussex, travel via the A229 through Smarden toward Charing and at Ospringe, where you will join the A2 to Ramsgate.
TACKLE SHOP
Fisherman’s Corner, 6 Kent Place, Ramsgate, CT11 8LT, tel: 01843 582174.
