Where has January Gone?
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Published on January 20, 2026
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Better Late Than Never
It's been a busy time....
Better late than never, but happy New Year to you all. I hope 2026 has started kindly wherever you’re reading this from, and that you’ve managed to sneak in a few casts this January. It’s been a busy old period for me, to put it mildly. Christmas and New Year always seem to blur into one, but throw in leaving Veals after twenty years and settling into a new role with Tide Together Competitions, and it’s fair to say life hasn’t exactly been ticking over quietly. Funny where life takes you though. I’ve always believed that if you’re busy, you’re usually moving in the right direction. I’ll be continuing to support Veals and send any of you guys there when you ask me about this rod, that reel and so forth. I'll also be looking forward to once again writing for Sea Angler magazine in 2026, so lots to do!
A New Season
Speaking of keeping busy, myself and Ben will be embarking on our first guiding and coaching sessions of the year next month. I haven’t actually run a session myself since November, so I’m genuinely itching to get back out there. There’s something about guiding that never gets old – the anticipation of the session, reading the conditions, making a plan, and hopefully putting clients onto fish they didn’t think were on the cards at this time of year. Winter sessions can be tough, no question, but when they come together they’re often the most rewarding.
Which brings us neatly on to the obvious question: what can we realistically expect to catch right now? Traditionally, with the absence of the once prevalent cod, this time of year is the quietest, both in terms of bookings and perceived fishing potential. Fish are supposed to have switched off, anglers are meant to be tucked up at home tying rigs and watching the weather apps. Yet, as so often happens, reality doesn’t quite match the textbook. It’s actually been a pretty decent start to the year, and the fishing has been better than many would expect.
Not a bad start to the year
I’ve been plodding away myself through the first half of January, grabbing a few hours here and there whenever work and weather allowed. When I fish on my own at this time of year, it’s usually very focused- just a short window around the peak stages of the tide. That becomes especially important in winter, when you want to stack as many odds in your favour as possible. Concentrating mainly on the upper Bristol Channel, where the bulk of my coaching takes place, I’ve been fishing smaller baits on lighter end tackle and scaled-down hooks. Even when the thermometer reads -2 and the wind feels like it’s trying to fillet you on the spot, it’s surprising just how much will still have a feed.
So far, I’ve landed rays, bass and flounder, often in genuinely grim conditions. These aren’t sessions you’d describe as comfortable, but they’re hugely encouraging. The signs are all there that if we get a prolonged mild spell - and it doesn’t take much - the fishing could improve very quickly indeed.
A small bass to add to the bag
Scaling down and fishing at closer range is always a great way to encourage a few bites at an otherwise tough time of the year. Reel Fun Fishing in Portishead have been getting some quality wild ragworm for some time now and it's a fantastic bait at this time of year. It's always best to book your bait in advance, as with anything worth having, it sells out fast. Give the guys a call on 01275848652 to avoid disappointment.
Meanwhile, down South
Down on Chesil Beach, Ben has been quietly doing what Ben does best: catching fish while everyone else has a tough time of it. Again, the theme has been finesse. Lighter end tackle, smaller worm baits, and a real focus on presentation rather than chancing it on the go big approach for fish that might not be there. The results speak for themselves. He’s accounted for some cracking plaice and dabs, along with a smattering of black bream; a species you’d almost never expect to see in January. Add bass, rays at the eastern end, and more whiting, pout and small congers than you could reasonably shake a stick at, and there’s clearly plenty of scope for busy, productive sessions.
From the outside looking in, I’m sure a lot of anglers would be surprised by Ben’s approach to Chesil. It’s a beach that’s long been associated with big potential, and I’m sure some anglers go a little OTT with the end tackle ‘just in case’. We’ve had some fantastic sessions there over the years, but what has always stood out to me is Ben’s attention to detail and willingness to scale everything back when conditions demand it. Those who joined him on the Beach last year will know exactly what I mean- for many, it was a real eye-opener. Don't forget, you can find details of Ben's coaching here
Ben's surprise Bream
Not what he was hoping for, and not the only one he caught that day, but a lovely black Bream for Ben caught on blow lug baits fished on small hooks at range. Chesil really can throw up some great surprises through the year.
Prep Time
Get Organised now
Anyway, apologies for the overdue, slightly rambling update. Short and sweet clearly isn’t my strong point this year. I’m now off to tie some rigs, which is one of the underrated pleasures of this quieter period. Winter is perfect for getting organised: rigs made up, reels serviced and ideas for the year ahead refined. All those small jobs make a huge difference when things kick off properly. Get prepared now in anticipation of some great fishing to come. For those of you who have asked, you’ll notice we now have branded hoodies for sale through the site, they’re actually pretty smart, I think anyway.
If you have any queries on guided sessions, drop me a message or send an email through the site and I’ll do my best to help. You can find details of all of our sessions here. As ever, tight lines, keep learning, and don’t write winter off too quickly.
All the best for now,
Jansen
