SEA FISHING: January and February are traditionally tough times on the region's beaches with usually little reported aside a few flatfish and whiting.

It doesn't look like the start of 2011 is going to buck that trend judging by recent match results.

Holt SAC held their annual New Year Open on the shingle at Kelling last Sunday, a gusty northwesterly making conditions far from ideal for the 28 competitors.

Dick Able claimed top spot on the day with three flatfish for 1lb 12oz, Chris Burgess snared three flatties also for 1lb 7oz and another three flats gave Tony Thomas third spot with 1lb 2oz.

There wasn't a round fish caught and more than one blank, a story largely repeated round the coast at Walcott for the annual Fur and Feather.

It was a Happy New Year for Brian Heritage, winning the match with a solitary rockling and not another fish carded from the 28 taking part there.

After fishing hard myself for four hours without a sniff, I asked Brian about his matchwinning tactics – he explained he didn't start until an hour into the match and packed up half an hour after that as it got weedy. I wonder if he'll pick my lotto numbers?

Round to Yarmouth and Lowestoft it's a similar story with only occasional flats and whiting reported in catches.

There do seem to be a few more flatties being caught around Dunwich and Sizewell and there have been several from the pier at Southwold.

Aldeburgh and Orford too offer little beyond the odd flat and whiting.

With an unsettled outlook and plenty of west in the forecast, I would think the shingle might be your best bet for a bite. Generally though it looks like it's going to be a tough week or two for anything but flatfish.

• http://www.east-anglia-sea-angling.co.uk