A book spanning years of fishing trips on the Sussex coast - as well as in Scotland and Guernsey - has been published by a Bembridge man.

Chris Solomon, who runs Cachalot Charters, in Bembridge Harbour, has been fighting to keep his business alive during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He put the time spent not on the water to good use - finishing his near-twenty five year project - and the proceeds from the sale of his book will go towards keeping the business afloat.

Chris started fishing in Hastings, as a hobby, alongside his dad.

He kept a diary and the entries have inspired the book, which he has been writing for over two decades.

Called From Angler to Charter Skipper, it spans sea angling in the 1980s and 1990s, on three different coastlines. 

In 1998, Chris bought a 9 metre catamaran, built on the Isle of Wight by Ventnor firm Cheetah Marine.

Isle of Wight County Press: Chris Solomon's book was finished over Covid-19 lockdown

Together with his wife, Priscilla, he snapped up a Bembridge-based business and created Cachalot Charters.

Chris told the County Press, "I always kept a diary of my fishing trips and catches.

"Cachalot Charters has been severely restricted during the pandemic.

"Any funds will help us to keep operating when we're allowed."

The couple will pass the business to son Adam, when Chris retires.

  • The book has been printed by Biltmore in Newport
  • Copies cost £9.99 plus postage and packing and are available on eBay