THE weather has been settled over the last fortnight and this has allowed the charter boats to get out to the marks and give our anglers some fantastic sport, with a variety of species being caught.

There are plenty of smooth-hounds around, with reports of fish over 22lb.

These hard-fighting sport fish are great fun to catch and really test the angler.

They must be returned alive and the best baits are hermit and peeler crab.

There are some cracking bass now showing, with reports of fish to double figures.

Most of these fish will take squid, mackerel and worm baits.

From July 1 there is a one fish per angler limit at 42cm length overall.

There are good numbers of thornback rays around in most areas offshore.

These fish fight much harder in the clearer water in the summer and really test the angler and tackle.

The best baits are fish and crab but they will take most sea baits presented to them.

There are a few mackerel around, although numbers and location vary constantly.

The water is still very clear and there is always the chance of catching them just about anywhere offshore.

The best lures are the smaller Sabiki type.

There are a few flat fish around, mainly on the sandbanks.

Turbot, brill and dabs can be taken on worm and mackerel baits, fished on gentle tides.

Prospects are excellent, with good numbers of all our summer fish in the Thames Estuary.