Fishing Trips and Prices

The Galloper usually depart around 7am and return between 4pm and 5pm. This can be adjusted to suit your needs should you hire the whole boat or may be changed to suit tidal conditions. Collection point from the town Jetty, copperas road (post code CO7 0AP).

There is free parking on the roads on the winter or in the surrounding residential roads if you don’t mind a walk throughout the summer. Alternatively there is a pay and display car park near the pontoon. Remember to bring change for the car park, or card or you can pay over the phone.

We supply squid bait on the day, other baits such as worm can be purchased upon prior arrangement. We offer tea/coffee and tuition free of charge. Alcohol, drugs or any illegal substances aboard the boat not permitted. While you are on the boat you are my responsibility.

Please see terms and conditions for more information.

What we do

The majority of the fishing we do in this area is up-tide fishing or better described as boat casting. This method was developed in this area and enables us to fish with lighter tackle. Spread the baits over a larger ground. Moreover, when the boat casting correctly, it is a very effective way of angling and means less tangled lines. Most of our fishing is done over the many sand banks. In addition, mud flats and gulley’s that form the outer Thames Estuary so the loss of end tackle is minimal.

As the water is often coloured the fish feed by scent so we use fresh bait to attract the fish in. When the conditions are right we sometimes use lures to catch fish. This is usually in the summer months when the water can be clearer. We also offer offshore trips where we can anchor banks for bass, drift banks for flatfish, fish wrecks or sometimes down-tide in deep water.

These are offered only to experienced anglers and regulars aboard the ‘Galloper’. View all recent videos here.

Where we go

Our ‘general trips’ can be anywhere from 2 miles out to 20 miles out depending on weather, tides, and where the fish are showing. However most of our general trips involve 30-60 minutes travelling time depending on how far we have to go.

The Galloper guarantee great trips fishing in the shelter of the Estuary at times so this isn’t a place to be ignored. Our main targets species are cod, thorn-back ray (roker), whiting and dogfish through the winter (October to April). With smooth-hounds, bass, thorn-back ray (roker), tope, mackerel, dogfish caught through the summer (April-October).

Often we see an overlap between the seasons and have many other species available. In fact over the years we have had in excess of 30 species on board the ‘Galloper’; a feat which not all local charter boats can honestly claim.

What to bring

If you so wish then all you have to bring with you for your days fishing is lunch. We supply all of the other necessary items like fishing tackle, bait and tea/ coffee. However some of you who are more experienced may wish to bring your own gear. Please don’t bring tonnes of stuff which may clutter the deck. One bag/box per person should be ample.

Contact the skipper beforehand if you would like an idea of what tackle you may need.

Below listed some items as they may be useful. Even in the summer it can be cold and so I would always suggest bringing the following:

▸ Suntan lotion as the sun can be very bright on the water and it’s all too easy to get sun burnt.

▸ Hat is worth bringing to keep the sun off of your face in the summer and to keep you warm in the winter.

▸ If you wish to take some fish home, please bring some bags along and having a cool box in the car to stop the juices leaking into your boot.

▸ Some kind of waterproofs, they help keep the wind off as well as the spray.

▸ Gloves in the winter to try and stop your hands getting cold although it is worth remembering that when wet most gloves don’t work.

▸ Thick socks to save getting cold feet as cold feet can ruin a day’s fishing.

▸ Wellies: this is a very important one even in the summer. If you don’t have wellies then some sort of boots. Nature boats do end up with water on them either when washing down or splashes while travelling and cold feet.

▸ Wearing layers of clothing as this both stops the wind and keeps you warm. It’s also easy to remove layers and always remember that if you’re wearing them they can be removed whereas if you don’t have them with you then you can’t put them on.

Last but not least is a hand towel or rag to keep your hands clean and dry.