At the northern-most point of Filey Bay in North Yorkshire there is a spit that pokes out into the North Sea and provides a natural shelter from the elements. This is known as Filey Brigg, or just simply, The Brigg.
It’s a rough venue that, when exposed at low tide, reveals lots of rocks and kelp, but this is where the pollack, coalfish, wrasse, cod and mackerel lie in wait for their next meal.
Spinning with lures is a great method for connecting with pollack and mackerel here, but fishing on the bottom with peeler crabs will certainly find you locating cod and wrasse too.
This mark is where the current British coalfish shore record was caught – a huge 24lb 11oz 12dr!
Fish it on an ebbing tide and over low water, and as it floods, work your way back up the Brigg.
A simple carp rod with at least a 3lb test curve is ideal for spinning and bullying the pollack out of the kelp.
When bottom fishing, you should expect to lose some tackle and fish, but if you use beefy rods and tough reels loaded with a strong mono, you can pile on the pressure to force a fish to your feet.
Ragworms could also prove to be a successful hookbait for pollack and wrasse.
