Frinton wall was once a Mecca for anglers seeking big bags of whiting and codling. Unfortunately that’s a thing of the past because the new sea defences, made from car-size rocks, make this once prolific mark almost unfishable.

All is not lost because the stretch between the golf club and Burnt House groyne, towards Walton, offers high-calibre sport. The sea bed consists of hard sand leading onto clay, which is uncovered on spring tides. Best action occurs two-and-a-half hours either side of high water, with an ebb favoured for codling and whiting in winter. Those with the ability to place three baits a long way catch the most fish.

SPECIES

March and April offer spring codling, which are followed by eels. Bass arrive in May, with the biggest caught during autumn gales. This is a prime location for catching some stingray in May and into June.

The first big tides in August can bring smoothhound inshore hunting for hermit crabs, but they only come within casting range for several tides. September to Christmas produces whiting, pouting and codling. The latter peak in November and December on evening ebb tides.

BEST BAITS

The first codling prefer peeler crabs, with lugworms and white rag a close second. Eels take peelers. Stingray feed an hour either side of high water on crabs or king rag; smoothhound take the same baits.

Whiting fall to lug tipped with squid or mackerel. Tipping with squid head or sandeel chunks can tempt bigger whiting. Crabs are better than lug for codling in September and October, but, when this runs out, use big helpings of lug and squid.

TACKLE

This low, flat area often requires maximum distance on ebb tides. Use 12-13ft match rods, 6500-size reels with lines from 0.32-0.35mm. A Bimini twist shockleader knot is advised for extra confidence when pulling rigs out of the mud. Use a 150-175g breakout lead weight. Three-hook flapping rigs with 9in traces and light size 1 hooks take maximum numbers of whiting and codling. Wishbone rigs give extra distance, if required. A Bomber rig is better on the ebb and the longer snood should carry a big bait for codling.

Summer sport requires an increase in snood lengths, with one-up, onedown rigs and size 1/0-2/0 Kamasan hooks favoured for stingray.

GETTING THERE

From the A12, take the A120 turning past Colchester. Turn onto the A133 for Clacton, Walton and Frinton. At the Weeley roundabout take the A1033 passing through Thorpe, then Kirby. Turn right over the crossing at the junction of Frinton railway gates and this road passes along Connaught Avenue and onto the seafront. Parking is free along the greensward.

TACKLE SHOP

Metcalf’s, 15 Newgate St, Walton on the Naze, tel: 01255 675680.