SEA FISHING: Sport has eased a little over the last week, not surprising given neap tides and some cold overnight temperatures. There are still a few bits and pieces on most of the region's beaches though and always the chance of a decent fish.

Sport has eased a little over the last week, not surprising given neap tides and some cold overnight temperatures.

There are still a few bits and pieces on most of the region's beaches though and always the chance of a decent fish.

Paul Blyth targeted bass at Cart Gap on the east Norfolk coast and was rewarded with a nice codling a little under 4lb. He never managed any bass but did add a 34cm flounder and a big old rockling to go with the codling. Reports from hot spot Trimingham have dried up over the last week or so, due in no small part to the weed that so often frequents this bit of coast after a southwest blow.

It has spoiled sport a little at Mundesley and Cromer too, though it does seem to ease after high water. Anglers on the pier at Cromer have had a few dogfish and the weed doesn't seem such an issue here as you're not fishing across the tide like you are from the beach.

The shingle ridge in north Norfolk has been patchy too. Odd bass to 4lb have been caught and there's usually a few pouts and flatfish to catch. Matt Lawes and a friend had good session at Cley with a few nice school bass to 35cm, some whiting and dabs. It should be noted that the minimum commercial landing size for bass is 36cm. I believe the national federation of Sea Anglers' figure is around 45cm, which should give the bass a chance to spawn.

Don't be fooled by the site of small bass on supermarket fish counters, these are farmed fish. By all means enjoy eating your catch, just please make sure it's of a legal size.

From Yarmouth round to Lowestoft there seems to be a similar variety of species showing. A specimen challenge held at Gorleston produced a good mix to anglers fishing the harbour side and the seaward side of the jetty. Steve Smith won the specimen match with some bits and a fine dab of 31cm, just edging out Stephen Boyce.

Reports have been slow again from the south of the region. There have been one or two nice sole off the pier at Lowestoft and some school bass and undersized codling round at Dunwich. Dogfish seem to be about in numbers at Orford, with anglers reporting catching 12 or more in a session plus a few undersized codling and whiting.

As we head into May, and what is traditionally one of our best bass fishing months, I would imagine we'll see some nice fish over the next couple of weeks. Lug and peeler crab should be the first baits in your box and May, I think, gives you the best chance of a lunker bass off our beaches.