Here’s this week’s selection of the best sea, pier and beach fishing catch reports from top marks around the English, Welsh and Scottish coastlines provided to the team at Sea Angler magazine from reputable sources within the world of sea fishing…
INVERBERVIE
If you enjoy lurefishing then give Inverbervie beach in Angus a try because sea trout can be caught on Dexter Wedges. If this isn’t your thing, cod can be taken at around 50yds and most of the locals use pulley rigs because the bottom is paved with snags. If you’re fishing with bait use squid and lugworms. If you’re looking for a hotspot head to the left of the river mouth, especially on an incoming tide.
TORNESS
Torness in Northumberland is the place to head for if you’re after bass because there are lots around, and the locals are taking memorable catches on the float. Many anglers use pike or carp rods that enable them to present a 20g Drennan controller with a white plastic sandeel bait. These torpedo-shaped floats can take a bit of a battering in the surf, so it’s advisable to reinforce the base with a bit of masking or electrical tape. Head for Hall beach, where the best time to fish this method is at high tide.
BLYTH
Head for the front of the caravan site at Whitehouse Sands because the codling and whiting are here and can be caught by those fishing at
60yds.Clipped-down rigs are favoured and you should fish with 3/0 hooks baited with cocktails such as ragworms or lugworms tipped with crabs. The best time to be fishing is the first two hours up or the last two down. There’s a huge free car park.
Sports & Leisure, Blyth,
RIVER TYNE
The River Tyne has been fishing exceptionally well, along with any of the low water marks along the Durham beaches, especially after dark. There are loads of codling, but better fish to 6lb are also showing at the moment and some anglers have taken double-figure mixed bags featuring five or six cod, plus whiting, flatties and coalies. Most of the action has been coming at night but the predicted south-easterly winds mean daylight sport should get better.
SUNDERLAND
If you like easy, comfortable fishing then piers are perfect and one of the most productive in the area at the moment is Roker pier. Some of the best sport from the resident codling and whiting has come from the last 50yds of the pier. Long casts aren’t needed as you’ll catch 50yds out, especially if you fish with a two-hook flapper with a grip lead of between 5oz and 6oz. It’s best to fish after dark and use mackerel strip for the whiting, crabs and mussels for the coalies. If you fish opposite the first set of steps as you walk on to the pier and cast into the seaward side you’ll find rough ground, but the snags hold the bigger fish.
SEAHAM
The winter matches have started at Seaham and the season has got off to a good start. Codling, eels and whiting are being caught along this productive stretch of the coast. Clipped-down pulley rigs have been taking the lion’s share of the fish and you should look to be casting between 60yds and 150yds. You’ll be fishing over rough ground so don’t forget to use breakout leads and rotten-bottoms. Fish have been feeding at all states of the tide, but local anglers say that you double your chances by fishing at night, when the bigger fish make an appearance. Black lugworms and crabs are the top offerings here, and there’s plenty of parking
SALTWICK
Fresh lugworms are a killer bait at the moment and if you use them off the rocks at Saltwick you won’t be disappointed because there are lots of codling. They’re suckers for a pulley rig but you must ensure that you incorporate a breakout lead and a rotten-bottom into your rig because there’s plenty of rough ground to contend with. Time your session for just before high tide and you won’t be disappointed. For the best sport it’s recommended to head to the right of the abbey.
BURNISTON
Burniston has some quality rocky marks and the locals here advise fishing the darker looking water because this holds the most depth. Quality cod to a best of 7lb will respond to pulley rigs baited with lugworms, peeler crabs or mussels. There are lots of gullies to aim for at about 80yds and even though it fishes best when the water is moving you should visit at low tide to see where the features are.
DIMLINGTON
It’s been patchy around this neck of the woods, but the pick of the venues at the moment is Dimlington, where you can catch bass and the odd whiting. Locals are waiting for the codling to make an appearance, which shouldn’t be very long at all. The fish like to feed over the soft clay that lines the bottom here, and it’s best to use a Pennell rig with size 2/0 or 3/0 hooks. Fresh black lugworms are productive baits and the local hotspot to try this weekend is near the gas terminal, where you’ll find ample parking on the opposite side of the road.
GRIMSBY
If you drive into Grimsby and look for Suggetts Lane you’ll find the railings at the sea defences, which are fishing exceptionally well at the moment. Either a flapper or a clipped-down rig will put you in contact with codling, whiting and flounders. You’ll want around 6oz of lead to hold bottom, and fish baits like lugworms and ragworms. Two hours either side of high tide is the optimum time to visit and a height of 6.4m on the local table is perfect.
STALLINGBOROUGH
The cod fishing season has well and truly started here and one of the most productive marks is on the River Humber at Stallingborough. It’s a mark that produced fish to over 20lb last year and signs already look good, because fish to 5lb are being caught on Pennell pulley rigs. When the conditions are right and the fish are in close, a flapper rig cast around 60yds will also work very well indeed. Lugworms tipped with squid is a very successful combination and many anglers use ‘Blueys’ because they have a very high oil content and added attraction. Look to visit this venue two hours before high tide, an hour over and an hour down.
SKEGNESS
Flatfish are still showing to anglers fishing just before high water at
Vicar’s Point near Skegness, a gentle lob over the breakers into the deeper water producing plenty of bites from undersized flounders and dabs on mackerel strips fished on flapper rigs. The better news is that bass are still about, one angler taking 15 fish in two short sessions over a couple of days, mainly schoolies topped off with a 5lb fish. Lugworms, sandeels and razorfish are all working on single or double-hook Pennell rigs fished to the back of the breakers at low water at the turn of the tide. The timing of your trip doesn’t really matter, as fish are being taken in daylight or after dark ¬ getting the tide right is the key to catching here.
SALTHOUSE
There’s great bass sport on the main beach at Salthouse for those fishing in the surf as little as 10yads out! One angler beached 22 fish in a session running from lunchtime until the evening, mainly schoolies but with a handful of fish to 6lb, along with the odd dab, and multiple catches have been taken elsewhere fishing to a maximum of 30yds out. Because fishing is at such short range high water is the best time, so plan your session to fish on the run up to high tide and a couple of hours afterwards using flapper rigs baited with lugworms.
PAKEFIELD
Tremendous bags of whiting are coming from Pakefield beach just south of Lowestoft, plus some big cod. The best weighed last week went 10lb 8oz. Several catches of whiting have gone over 40lb, made up of fish reaching 2lb among dozens of smaller undersized specimens with the cod mixed in. It doesn’t really matter what state of tide you fish it in ¬ the light is the most important thing. As it fades around tea time the fish really switch, on with two and three being taken at a time on multiple-hook rigs with lugworms. Mackerel strips are catching the better whiting. As for distance, this depends on where the fish-holding gully is. Some areas need only a 50yd chuck, some nearer 100yds, so if you’re not catching either drop short or go longer.
SOUTHWOLD
Take your pick of Southwold beach and pier because both are producing plenty of bites. The pier has the better fish, a 7lb 8oz cod coming off it last week, while on the beach the stamp has been nearer 3lb in among plenty of whiting, dogfish and the odd bass. You’ll need to fish into dark to get the best results, aiming to combine this with fishing a couple of hours either side of the flood tide using clipped-down one or two-hook rigs baited with lugworms tipped with squid, although ragworms will also catch a few. On the beach a cast of 60yds will be ample. The angler who casts to several spots on the pier will enjoy the best sport.
ALDEBURGH
The famous ‘dirty wall’ at Aldeburgh is one of the best cod marks in the area, which was proved by Andrew Collier, who landed six fish, the best weighing 8lb. Casts of all ranges will put a clipped-down Pennell rig in contact with the cod, and it’s best to fish on a flooding tide. Use a big hookbait for the best results. Many of the locals use lugworms tipped with squid. If you walk 200yds past the tower you’ll find deeper water, and this is where the bigger fish like to hide out.
SHINGLE STREET
Shingle Street is a deep-water beach mark on the Bawdsey side of the River Orwell that, like much of the east coast at the moment, is running into good form for cod and whiting. An 80yd cast will put you in among cod to 3lb and whiting averaging around the 12oz mark, while the odd big bass and sole can always turn up without warning. Night fishing is a must, though, with the best catches being taken a couple of hours either side of high tide fishing clipped-down two-hook rigs baited with either lugworms or cocktails of lug and squid.
CLACTON
The piers in the area seem to be fishing well, a recent match at Clacton seeing lots of whiting caught, most being sizeable along with more and more codling to a 3lb best and a few pouting. The match was won from the old lifeboat house, fishing at 30yds range with a three-hook flapper baited with lugworms, squid and black lug cocktails. Day sessions are proving better than nights but, as always, aim to fish high water to catch as close as you can. If you fancy a beach mark, check out Kingscliff, which is also in form for codling and whiting on lug and squid fished at around 80yds-100yds.
SOUTHEND
There is easy fishing on Southend pier, with the east and west points the fancied areas. Dropping bait right under your feet will catch mullet, with ragworms the best hookbait, bass and increasing numbers of cod and whiting are showing to those putting a bit of effort into their cast. Lugworms or squid and lug cocktails on a standard two or three-hook rig are taking bass and the odd cod to 3lb, plus smaller whiting, with an hour either side of high tide giving you the maximum depth to fish. Daylight is proving more productive than darkness.
GRAVESEND
Sea School Beach is producing whiting, pouting, codling and the odd sole. Night anglers are catching well, but in cloudy, wet conditions the sea should colour up and make daytime fishing equally productive. A couple of hours either side of the flood tide will give the best sport, casting two-hook paternoster rigs a maximum of 80yds. There’s no real size to the fish but they’re providing plenty of bites with lugworms and squid catching the whiting and codling, ragworms or lug picking off the soles.
DEAL
Cod are the main species at Deal Pier, local rod Scott Hubble taking eight to 8lb in an evening last week, the rest averaging 3lb. There are also plenty of small whiting, flatfish and dogfish around, taking whole squid or black lugworms tipped with squid on simple two-hook Pennell rigs. The colour of the water will determine what time of day to fish ¬ clear meaning evenings or into dark, coloured making catching during daylight possible, but you will need to fish on a big tide to make the most of those cod.
DUNGENESS
Dungeness is just running into cod form, fish to 6lb the best taken so far with lots of smaller specimens in among the whiting, flatfish, dogfish and pouting. Dungeness black lugworms are the killer bait, fished on a high evening tide at around 130yds, good areas being the point and Dengemarsh. Further along at Dymchurch, the rocks in front of the Neptune pub are still producing bass and soles to small bits of black lugworm or whole squid. A big evening tide is again best.
HASTINGS
The cod in this part of the UK are still just offshore and we need a little cooler weather for them to venture within casting range. Opposite the Royal Victoria Hotel, just past the pier in Hastings, is producing the odd cod along with plenty of whiting. Fish at high water for these species and put your faith in a size 1 hook on a clipped-down rig with lugworms tipped with squid.
SHOREHAM
Things are very difficult at the moment, due to the late arrival of the cod, but there are a few fish around Shoreham. This venue is perfect for the pleasure angler because you can catch fish at around 30yds range on lugworms tipped with squid. When the water is coloured you’ll catch during the day, but if it’s clear you need to fish at night on a high tide.
HAYLING ISLAND
You have plenty of options at Hayling Island. Fishing at distance with a clipped-down rig is spot-on for species such as codling and whiting, but if it’s rough the bass will come in close. Two-hook flappers are the best presentation for the bass, and the locals advise anglers to take various changes of bait because this can make the difference between catching and not. Lugworms and crabs are very good at the moment and if you want to find the deepest water you’ll need to cast over 100yds. East Stoke or ‘Sandy Point’ are the best areas, and night tides are favoured.
SOUTHSEA
Fishing gets much better as we get into Hampshire, and Eastney beach is the pick of the bunch, especially for those using running leger rigs or Pennell set-ups. Codling, smoothhounds, bass, pouting and whiting are among the species on offer, and whiting can be taken on three-hook flapper rigs. The winner of a recent match landed 18 fish. You should fish at between 40yds and 50yds range for the best results. Bass can be caught on the same rigs as the rest of the species, and the best area for these is between the Marine Museum and ‘the blocks’. Night tides are the most productive.
ISLE OF WIGHT
The deeper marks usually produce the most fish as it gets colder, and this is definitely the case at Fort Victoria, because a cast of 40yds will put you in a good depth, with the chance of bass, dogfish, smoothhounds and the occasional bream. Make sure you use grip leads of around 5oz to 6oz and a heavy trace in order to give you the right presentation. Mackerel and squid in a flood tide are the best baits.
LULWORTH
Durdle Door is a shingle beach near Lulworth Cove and is fishing really well, with conger eels, mackerel, bream, bass and big wrasse all on the cards. Those fishing the float are doing well too, and some anglers that fish with pulley rigs are incorporating a wire trace if they’re after the congers, that run to 20lb. A rising tide is best and under these conditions ragworms, sandeels, mackerel and squid will all work. There’s plenty of parking close to Lulworth caravan site.
CHESIL BEACH
At this time of the year it’s good to find deep water close in, and Chesil Beach certainly ticks this particular box, which means that you don’t need big casts to catch fish. There are lots of bass around and these can be caught by those fishing two-hook Pennell rigs with lugworms, squid or crabs. Those fishing the flood or ebb tides have had the best results. You don’t have to worry about leaving your car in a small lay-by here because there is plenty of parking along this popular stretch of coast.
KINGSBRIDGE
Start Point is currently the place to head for, with lots of bass to 5lb from the shore. Most anglers are opting for small spinners, with Dexter
Wedges and Toby lures the best patterns. Lots of garfish, pollack and plaice are also being caught in the area on a variety of tactics and on virtually any tide, although the majority are being taken at night. A large pay and display car park is close to this hotspot.
PLYMOUTH
Fish the River Plym up by Laira Bridge and you won’t be disappointed, because there are loads of bass and flounders on offer. A popular local tactic is to use float tackle close in. The best baits to use on the float are live sandeels or ragworms or, if you want to fish on the bottom for flounders, use a running leger rig with lugworms or fish baits. Remember to put a couple of floating beads on your rig. Don’t fish directly from the bridge because you are only a couple of steps from passing cars. There’s plenty of comfortable fishing, easy parking and disabled access by the bridge. Fish a couple of hours either side of high tide.
NEWQUAY
If you want to catch double-figure bass take plenty of mackerel down to the famous Watergate Bay. Running leger or pulley rigs are the way forward here, and locals have been catching fish to 10lb 8oz with either fillets or whole ‘joey’ mackerel. Either side of low or high tide are the best conditions, and all the really big bass have been taken after dark. Rays are also being caught here ¬ sandeels are the best bait for these. The north of the bay fills up with water first, and it is quite deep, which makes it the hotspot for specimen bass.
NEWLYN
Sport is currently reasonably slow in the area, although Newlyn harbour is providing brisk sport for visitors. Good numbers of garfish and mackerel are currently falling to floatfished sandeels and mackerel. A shoal of John Dory has also made an unexpected appearance, with anglers reporting good catches of these, again on float tactics. There is a car park at the entrance to the fishery, and it is then only a short walk to the target areas.
PADSTOW
The Camel estuary is producing plenty of bass to over 4lb, with the majority of them falling on a flood tide. Crabs appear to be the top bait at the moment, while a running leger is currently the best tactic. Lots of scad (horse mackerel) and the usual mackerel are also being caught on a high tide. Access to the estuary is very good, with lots of anglers fishing from the walls. There are plenty of parking spaces around town, with most pay and display areas only a short walk away.
WATERMOUTH
Bass to over 4lb have been taken in good number recently from Watermouth. Float or leger tactics have been scoring heavily, with big lumps of bread presented just off bottom currently the best bait. Virtually all the fish landed within the last few days have been taken within the hours of daylight, although anglers shouldn’t rule out the possibility of hectic sport during the night. Pay and display parking is available round the harbour at this popular hotspot.
CLEVEDON
The first point off Lady Bay at Clevedon is currently fishing very well, with good numbers of codling to 4lb and a few whiting showing. Lugworms, ragworms and crabs are currently the best baits, with Pennell pulley rigs being used by most of the successful local anglers. High and low tides are producing plenty of fish. Free parking is situated on Bay View Road, which is located a short walk away from this popular hotspot.
NEWPORT
The cod have now started to show in good numbers off Redwick, with lots of fish to 5lb and the odd double-figure specimen turning up. Two-hook Pennell pulley rigs are currently scoring very well, with ragworms the best bait. There is also a great chance of catching several other species of a respectable size, with whiting, conger eels and soles also lingering in the area. Free parking is available by the sea wall.
BURRY PORT
Flounder and dabs are the main target at the North Channel, and for the best of the sport head for the old harbour in Burry Port. It’s all about flounders and dabs at the moment, and these can be found at a range of around 30yds to 40yds, especially from low water up. This is a clean, sandy beach, so flapper rigs are successful with baits such as mud ragworms mounted on size 2 and 4 hooks. There is plenty of free parking by the old harbour.
TENBY
Tenby South Beach staged the biggest open match of the year recently and it was won with a big mullet beached by a nine-year-old boy. This species can be caught close to the shore on ragworms, and it’s likely that you’ll pick up bass too on this tactic. There are also a few whiting and dogfish around at the moment, and the best rigs to use for these are Pennell or running leger set-ups with black lugworms fished |over low or high tide. Winter species such as herrings and smelts are also making an appearance.
MILFORD HAVEN
Pendine Sands is producing bass, and they’re big, as some double-figure specimens have been caught recently. Two-hook flapper rigs baited with worms and mackerel have been the killer tactics, but there are also a few flounders around for the taking and these can be caught at around 60yds. The whole of the seven-mile stretch of coast is fishing well, so there’s no need to seek out hotspots, but it is advisable to fish on a flooding tide.
TANY-Y-BWLCH
Large numbers of bass are being caught by those fishing ragworms at the productive Tanybwlch beach, and the guys at Abertackle highly recommend the ready-tied rigs that are made by Tronix. Dogfish and bream are also suckers for ragworms, and you’re looking to fish at around 50yds range for the best results. Borth is also worth a try at the moment, while at Tan-y-bwlch, fish one hour before and two hours after high tide for the best results.
HOLYHEAD
Head towards the last stretch of Holyhead breakwater and pass the green light, where you’ll find some of the best fishing by casting into the harbour. Codling, with the chance of the odd bigger fish along with the dogfish and dabs, are being caught by those fishing either ragworms or lugworms. Thornback rays are also here, and they can be tempted on a Pennell rig that’s tied up with a 26ins snood line. This species loves either mackerel or sandeel hookbaits. The venue suits the novice or the experienced angler alike because you can catch fish anywhere between 30yds and 150yds out.
KINGSPAN
If you’re after big conger eels, head for Mostyn Rocks, where a group of anglers fishing into dark caught seven double-figure fish topped by an impressive 22lb specimen. The group used mackerel heads on running rigs in conjunction with a size 8/0 hook and a 150lb trace. You don’t have to fish more than 20m out with around 6oz of lead, but use breakout leads because you’re fishing over rough ground. Cast 10yds further with worm baits and you’ll be in with a chance of codling and whiting. Low tide after dark is the time to fish.
MERSEYSIDE
Egremont Promenade and Perch Rock are the pick of the marks here, and the first mentioned is a high-water mark and is producing lots of dabs and whiting. You should fish behind the town hall, where a two-hook flapper rig baited with black lugworms tipped with mackerel is the best bet for a few bites. If you’re fishing at Perch Rock you should head to the right of the fort and look for the green buoy.
CLEVELEYS
Five Barred Gate is a famous venue because it invariably seems to produce fish when others in the area struggle. Codling and bass are still the main feature here at the moment and both species are being taken to a best of 3lb. Fish into dark for the best results. Those using Pennell rigs baited with black lugworms have been taking up to four or five fish in a session. The bottom is quite rough, so breakout leads are advised. You’ll find ample parking right next to the beach.
MORECAMBE
The smaller tides this week should see better fishing from the stone jetty and the new jetty on Sunny Slopes Promenade. You can expect to catch plaice, flounders, small whiting and codling. Dogfish are starting to show on the night tides from the north wall at Heysham. Best baits are undoubtedly fresh black and red lugworms tipped off with mackerel.
SIDDICK
Siddick beach is a great choice at the moment, but you must fish light and be able to move quickly because the tide will come in fast. It’s best to look for a tide between 8.5m and 9.5m. Codling, flounders and coalfish are the target and both flapper and pulley rigs will work, but remember the ground can be quite rough, especially at low water. You should fish with fresh or frozen peeler crabs and take some lugworms for a change of bait. You have to negotiate a railway crossing to reach the venue and locals can’t stress enough how important it is to get across at the correct points, like the one in Siddick village.
PORT LOGAN
Bass to 3lb, coalfish, dogfish and flounders are the main target for anglers casting from Port Logan beach. The ground is clean, so you don’t have to worry about losing tackle, and two-hook flappers are definitely the way forward. There’s no need to cast to the horizon either, as it’s possible to have a great day’s sport by presenting lugworm or sandeel hookbaits at 50yds. The car park end of the beach always fishes the best, especially if you plan your session over high water.
DUNURE
The small fishing village of Dunure is both inviting and very productive when it comes to fishing the popular beach. Marks behind the castle ruins always prove the most popular and it’s understandable when quality pollack, codling and flatties are on offer. Set-ups such as pulley rigs and bomber rigs will always work over the rough bottom you’ll find here, with baits such as peeler crabs, ragworms and mussels. One thing to remember here is to keep an eye on the tide because it can come in quickly and you could get cut off.
OBAN
Fish at the top of the tide at Loch Etive and you’ll be in with a chance of a range of species including spurdogs, pollack and whiting. There are lots of deep holes that hold fish at this great venue and you should find these for the best sport. The best rigs to tackle this part of the coast are one-up, one-down rigs with size 1/0 or 2/0 hooks baited with worms. You should look to fish an hour either side of high tide.
