Sea report: Freshwater matchman Jim Hodges won a competition with 93lb 10oz of carp and then found his luck was in when he went sea fishing.

Hodges landed smoothound to 8lb while on his friend’s boat and also caught bass to 7lb and mackerel.

Skippers of other private and charter boats are reporting cathces of thornback rays, smoothound, lesser spotted dogfish and good bass.

Southend beaches: Anglers are reporting the occasional fish being caught at night.

Canvey Island: Eel are being landed at night, along with the occasional bass.

Rainham: The occasional flounder and eel are being reported at Ferry Lane.

Thurrock: Anglers fishing at Lakeside during the day are stuggling to find fish. Sport is better at night.

Grays Wharf: A few soles and the occasional bass, eels and flounders are being caught.

Grays Beach: Flounders and the occasional eel are falling to worm bait.

Tilbury World’s End: Anglers are struggling to find good fish other than eels.

Tilbury East Beach: Flounders, eels and the occasional bass have been landed.

Erith: Fishing at night for eels, flounder and the occasional bass.

Gravesend: Benfleet angler Ian Reynolds won a competition fished by 38 anglers on Sunday.

Reynolds’ winning weight was 850 grams and comprised a mixture of eels, sole and flounders.

A lot of small fish were landed by competitors, but were returned to the river alive.

Sea report: Sunday sees the first of the Essex Summer League and Open matches at Grays.

Contact Ian on 07791 234318 for more information on the event.