FIRST off I must apologise to you all – this is definite sign of me getting old – as I sent the wrong write-up last week.

In all the years I have been doing this it is the first time I have made this mistake.

I wondered what Chas Tibble was on about Defra for. Then John Atkinson said you got into a right muddle last week; I mentioned one gentleman who had actually passed away.

Then another gentleman rang about a match this weekend on the creek that is not taking place. I shall be more careful in future or it even might be time to put the pen and ink away.

Well this is what I meant to say and there is also this week's stuff added on.

The sea angling licence has raised its ugly head once again.

There were moves several years ago by Defra to introduce a licence for sea angling.

This was stopped as they had no idea how it was going to be policed or the benefits if any from the money raised would all be used to administrate it. There was also doubts over the enforcement side of things.

I have said in the past it would be nearly impossible to police it and also, what benefits would the normal sea angler gain from it?

There was no talk about stopping commercials going in certain areas and make them just angling zones.

The current meeting going on with Net Gain over Marine conservation zones is becoming a farce: they have arranged a meeting in London over other matters but the recreational sea anglers are not invited.

They may think that we are a whining bunch and are always complaining, but this is not the case.

We are passionate about our sport and require a fair hearing if any implications on closing down areas to make them conservation areas.

There has been several groups been set up the latest is Net gain.

But the proposals for the new licence have come from the Government in a quest to raise more income.

The cost implications to enforce it would be huge; boats would have to be purchased and staff trained.

To cover the whole coast line of Great Britain is a monstrous task.

I have had a freshwater licence now for a couple of years and have never been asked for it once.

People are working to make sure that the anglers get a fair voice through the Angling Trust, but I am wondering how long it will be before we are made to have a licence.

If we got something back in return then it might be a way forward, but if it means investment where is that money going to come from in the first place?

We wait with baited breath to see what the outcome will be.

As I mentioned I have a freshwater licence. If we were to gain something from a sea licence then it might be worthwhile but I cannot see how we would gain at the moment.

This a comment that appeared in Angling Times this week form Richard Benyon, the minister for Environment and fisheries, on the question.

These proposals also suggest a new rod licence for sea anglers. Asked will it go ahead and do you think it would be fair? he said: "Fairness in angling is something I'm driving for and, as far as I understand it, the proposal for a sea rod licence has not gone down well as it is seen as unfair.

"I want to encourage angling right across the board, and this might not be the best way to do it."

I will watch the future developments with interest.

On the angling front, the tope have been busy at the weekend. I am not sure what boat had this tope but I understand that when they saw the size of it they would not even attempt to get it in the boat.

The tope record stands about the 95lb mark and I am sure that this area could break this, so take a good set of scales with you, a tape measure and also a good camera just in case.

There were also plenty of mackerel showing at the weekend – this is an excellent sign.

Last Sunday many of the local boats went out and it was fair to say conditions were not ideal.

There was a few more mackerel about.

Thomas Marshall and Mark Taylor managed to land two and lose ten.

According to Tom one was a monster it just made its escape at the side of the boat. Top tope expert Peter Spendlow managed to get two good side fish onboard, although he had a couple of runs that he lost as well.

On the shore side, things seem to be rather quiet.

There have been a few hounds caught. I understand that some anglers have been trying fishing at the Lifeboat low water buoy and have had both bass and hounds up to 9lbs.

I have always said it would be worth a walk at low water and have a go for the hounds.

If you are having a go just pop into Beach Safety and let them know were you are going and then they will not be worried if they see you out there.

Top man Karl Nangle had around seven hounds as the tide turned last week at low water.

This weekend the tides are still very big, so be extra careful.

Other shore marks are producing the usual flounders and eels.

The creek is a good bet on the lower tides.

It is also a worth trying for bass if the sea is rough on the other side of the creek towards the back of Pleasure island.

Try king rag worm on a long flowing trace. Keep the line as light as you dare.

Cleethorpes Angling Centre held their last match on Thursday night and it was Dave Over who was the top man, with 12 fish for 286cm.

Dave Burr was second with nine fish for 240cms, third W Sheppard with nine fish for 230cm.

This is not the super coarse angling star Bill Sheppard, but a new Mr. Sheppard.

Fourth was John Atkinson, 10 fish for 228cm.

The next match is on the August 26. Please book in at the shop before the match.

If you have good catches over the weekend please let me know and also any pictures send them to a.burman@ntlworld.com