THE last fortnight has seen settled weather and, with the water starting to warm up, the summer fish are starting to arrive.

There are still lots of thornback rays inshore, with the biggest reported at 18lb.

These females are laying eggs and should be returned alive. The best baits are squid and herring.

The first reports of bass are showing up, with the best reported at 9lb.

Remember, all bass must be returned alive until July 1 and then only one per angler.

The best baits are squid, worm and fresh mackerel.

There are a few smoothounds showing and these smaller male fish will take squid but prefer ragworm and crab baits.

There are still some nice whiting and pouting and the odd cod around, but these winter fish will soon move off.

This time of year, we quite often see gurnards, either red or tubs.

These pretty fish take squid baits and can grow quite large.

There has been a marked influx of summer fish, with the first flush of male smoothounds showing in most areas offshore.

These early fish will take most baits but prefer crab and rag.

There are plenty of thornbacks in all areas.

Generally the offshore fish are smaller and will take all fish and worm baits fished hard on the bottom.

There are some nice dabs and sole around.

These fish start to show as we use worm baits fishing for bass in May.

Small hooks are essential.

There are plenty of fish to be had on the bigger tides, with anglers reporting thornbacks, whiting, pout, school bass and odd codling.

The best tides are spring tides, two hours either side of high water with squid, crab and worm best baits.

The rivers are starting to produce thornbacks, school bass and whiting.

The prospects are excellent and with the seas warming up early, we should have a bumper summer.