THE last fortnight has seen settled weather and this has allowed the charter boats to get offshore, where they have had some fantastic sport.

There have been some excellent catches of everyone’s favourite fish, the smooth hound.

These hard-fighting mini sharks are common throughout the Thames Estuary in the summer and provide a real test of angler and tackle.

They can be caught on hermit and peeler crab and also rag worm, although tackle must be strong and robust.

They can grow up to 30lb and there are always several fish over 20lb reported every season.

There are a few bass around, with the biggest reported at 10lb.

Most of the bigger fish will fall for squid or mackerel baits but they also take a crab bait when fishing for smooth hounds.

The mackerel have returned with plenty offshore in the deeper channels.

These fish are a good size and provide great sport for everyone.

There are a few thornbacks offshore.

These fish will start to come back inshore as we get nearer to September and increase in good numbers.

The best baits are fish and squid but they will take most baits.

Inshore is still fairly quiet, as it always is this time of year.

However, things will improve as we get nearer to September with the thornbacks returning and codling and whiting will also start to show.

Prospects are excellent with a real mix of fish over the next few weeks.