The Long Rock is a series of weed covered skeers and this mark can fish well during very heavy seas when many other places are unfishable. Similar to many of the area’s cod hot spots, these rocks can only be fished approximately two hours either side of low water, on any tide of less than one metre.
On a big spring tide, when the easterly gales are at their peak, this locality can produce some amazing bags of cod. In a good year many catches will include cod to double figures and also coalfi sh to 3lb. On smaller tides night fishing from the adjacent beach can be productive, by casting to the sides of the skeers, especially when a good sea is running.
SPECIES
Cod and coalfish are the target species during the winter with fish to double figures a real possibility. In the warmer months ballan wrasse, coalfish, pollack, eels and flounders are caught.
BAIT AND TACKLE
Runnidown lugworms, snake white ragworms and peeler crabs are the top baits. When using worm baits it is often worth tipping off with razorfish, mussels or clams.
Use a 13ft beachcasting rod, such as a Cono-flex Armageddon, coupled with an Abu 7000-type multiplier reel, 35lb mainline all through, a single-hook trace that incorporates a rotten-bottom system and a 6oz wired lead weight.
On medium-sized tides, a 7ft tripod can come in handy when the fish are biting. Hang your tackle bag over the rod-rest, thus saving time by not having to wade back to shore between casts. Many local anglers wear chest waders for fishing these marks.
GETTING THERE
Take the A1068 from Ashington, heading for Amble, and just past Radcliffe turn right at the junction signposted Low Hauxley.
Follow the road to the seafront and right into Low Hauxley. Park on the roadside carefully avoiding blocking any gateways. The rock edges are a short walk away.
TACKLE SHOPS
Amble Angling Centre, Newburgh St, Amble, tel: 01665 711200.
Opening times: 9am-5pm Monday to Wednesday and Saturday, 9am-6pm, Thursday and Friday, 9am-4pm Sunday.
Bait: Fresh lug and rag and frozen bait.
McDermott’s, Station Rd, Ashington, tel: 01670 812214.
Opening times: 9am-5.30pm Monday to Saturday.
Bait: Fresh lug, rag and mussels and frozen bait.
Directions : Take the A1068 from Ashington, heading for Amble and just past Radcliffe turn right at the junction signposted Low Hauxley. Follow the road to the seafront, right into Low Hauxley. Park on the roadside
Season : Winter for cod and coalfish, summer for wrasse, coalfish,, pollack, eels and flounder
