FRUSTRATED fishermen are enduring the winter angling blues.

We seem to have reverted back to one of those good old-fashioned Januarys, when it's difficult to find a decent fish to catch or, in some cases, even a bite!

The first month of the new year can be a difficult time as the thornback rays and cod (which are very few) have moved off shore into deeper waters.

Most will be laying dormant until the water temperature rises a degree or two and then they will start moving back and feeding again.

There are still a few fish there to be caught, mostly small whiting and dabs, with the odd thornback ray from the beaches and boats.

Dave Hollands launched his boat from the Gunfleet Boat Club ramp.

He reported that the fishing was very slow, with just a few pouting, a small bass and one thornback ray.

The Holland beaches have been very quiet, with just small whiting and dabs, and this seems to be the same all along our beaches.

Walton Sea Angling Club headed to the Frinton beaches for their latest evening match.

They fished over high water on a breezy night and the fishing was slow, although as the tide picked up, small whiting and the odd rockling were caught.

Top angler on the night was Rob Tuck, with 22 fish for 196 points.

Second place went to Phil Wringer, with 16 fish for 138 points, and third to Vic Pearce, with 135 points.

The heaviest fish prize went to Rob Tuck, with a 31cm whiting.

Colchester Sea Angling Club fished their first league match of the year on the Felixstowe beaches.

Twenty-three anglers were greeted with blustery winds, although it did stay dry all day.

The fishing was patchy but, with everything over 18cm counting, there were plenty of fish to be carded.

Most of the fish caught were small whiting but the odd bass, pouting, dab and rockling was caught.

First on the day was Olly Yallop with a bag of whiting and dabs weighing 5lb 8oz.

In second was Nik Highfield, with 4lb 5oz, and in third was Dave Clark, with 4lb.

This included the heaviest round fish prize - an 8oz whiting.

The heaviest flatfish prize went to Gary Hambleton with a 7oz dab.

The high tides for the weekend are 12.13pm on Saturday and 1pm on Sunday.