First Fish of 2026 – A Meaningful Day Dab Fishing at Hythe
The end of 2025 was not an easy one for us. Losing my brother was something that stopped everything in its tracks, and for a while, fishing and filming were the last things on our minds. Life slowed right down, priorities shifted, and getting out on the coast just didn’t happen.
After funerals, family time, and a lot of quiet weeks, it felt important—when the time was right—to get back to something familiar. Something grounding. So on the 14th of January, Connor and I finally managed to get out for a bit of fishing and ease ourselves back into it. No pressure, no big plans—just a day on the shore at Hythe.
Back on the Shore at Hythe
We arrived while the tide was still on the run out, with fairly mild conditions for January. Nothing extreme, no howling winds or freezing rain—just a decent winter’s day that made being outside enjoyable. Sometimes that’s all you need.
The plan was simple: target dabs. Hythe has a reputation for producing plenty of them when conditions line up, and we weren’t disappointed.
From early on, it was clear the fish were there. Bite after bite kept us busy throughout the session, and before long it turned into one of those days where you barely have time to reset the rods before another knock comes through.
Non-Stop Action – Dabs Galore
Dabs were the main catch by a long way, and we landed between 50 and 60 dabs over the session. Among them, nine were proper dinner-plate fish, easily big enough to take home for the table.
Alongside the dabs, we also picked up:
Loads of whiting
One plaice
A couple of rockling
It wasn’t about chasing anything special—it was just solid, consistent fishing that reminded us why we love getting out there in the first place.
Watch full video below
Timing the Tides
We fished through the end of the ebb and into the flood, eventually leaving just after high tide. The steady action carried on right through, and the mild weather made the whole session comfortable and relaxed—rare for mid-January.
There was no rush, no pressure to film anything fancy. Just fishing, a few laughs, and a much-needed mental reset.
A Delayed Upload, but a Fresh Start
The video went up later than planned due to everything that’s been going on, but that’s life. Sometimes things take a back seat, and that’s okay.
What mattered most was getting that first fish of the year under our belts. It felt like a small but important step forward—a quiet way of turning the page and looking ahead.
Looking Ahead to the Year
This session at Hythe marks the real start of the year for the channel. There’s loads planned over the coming months—different marks, different species, and plenty more sessions to come.
2026 is about rebuilding momentum, enjoying the fishing, and taking things one trip at a time. If this first session is anything to go by, it’s shaping up to be a good year on the shore.
Thanks to everyone who’s stuck around, supported the channel, and watched the videos—especially during a difficult period. It genuinely means more than you know.
Tight lines.
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