IT really is that switch over time when our summer species slowly depart to warmer climes.

Autumn seems to have arrived overnight, with much colder early mornings and evenings heralding those shoals of whiting.

We now have to accept that the thornback rays are going to be with us for the whole year, with only the odd quiet period when they move out to deeper water.

Those autumn codling are starting to show, although they really are few and far between.

It seems an age now that we would automatically expect a bag of plump codling and bigger cod from the boats and beaches.

We have been told by those in the know that cod is now a sustainable catch, although I have yet to see any signs of that.

The boats have had a slower week.

There have still been some smooth-hounds to 7lbs, although by the end of this month they will have all but disappeared.

The good news is those thornback rays have returned in numbers, with all boats catching their fair share.

Colchester Sea Angling Club member Kevin Glover fished from the Mersea-based charter boat Enterprise.

He had a great day, also landing an unusual catch - a 3lb 2oz tub gurnard.

These fish seem to be appearing more and more on our part of the coast.

It looks like the mackerel have all but gone until next year, but while they were here we all caught our share of this bait fish and plenty for the freezer for use during those cold winter months.

Clacton Pier has to be the venue of the week, with thornback rays returning in force on both day and night tides.

Mick Lloyd has always caught more than his quota of rays and he has done it again this week, landing four rays and plenty of whiting.

Mick said the top bait for the rays was whole squid.

The Holland beaches have seen some late soles.

Lawrence Martin fished here on an evening tide and landed a couple of soles on ragworm baits, plus plenty of whiting.

Frinton seems to have rallied this week, with school bass showing and whiting, dogfish and thornback rays.

Weed has been a bit of a problem but the fish are there to be caught.

Walton Pier is fishing well for whiting and dogfish and a few small codling.

The Walton Pier Club fished their first match of the season here and conditions were far from perfect.

They were greeted with calm seas and clear water.

Seventeen anglers turned out and sizeable fish were at a premium.

Small bass, rockling and a single sole were the tally.

Seaweed also caused problems throughout the match.

First place went to Robert Grant and in second was Fred Parker, with low weights.

My trip this week was to Walton Pier in a gale! I caught plenty of whiting and dogfish, all caught on squid and mackerel baits.

Pier fishing season tickets renewals are now due and forms can be obtained from the Pier Bowl or Meta-Lite Tackle in Newgate Street.

The tides for the weekend are 2.25pm on Saturday and 2.58pm on Sunday.