This Cumbria Fact Sheet on fishing the west coast in Cumbria was sent in by Colin who is known on the forum as Caravan Care.
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There are always good numbers of double figure catches reported here, as well as loads of good catches that are kept secret.
The North coast conceals a host of secret marks known only to local anglers. The only way to discover these hidden hot spots is to spend a season or three fishing the area regularly, taking care that the tides don’t catch you out.
The essential ingredients to success are in order of importance: a local tide table, and adequate assortment of baits, Lugworm, peelers crab, squid, and oiled fillet (mackerel or blueys), and last but not least, plenty of energy – as the tide goes out for miles.
West Silloth – Tommy LegsThe navigational light marking the main shipping channel in the Solway Firth is affectionately known as “Tommy Legs” and is a superb low water mark. During the warmer months of the year, bass are caught in good numbers with fish of double figures being a real possibility. Flounders are also thick on the ground and at times can become a nuisance when bass is the targeted species: Peeler crab, mussel and razor fish being the preferred bait.
During autumn and winter this mark is rarely fished but, given an onshore wind, codling and whiting will show plus the occasional bass. As with all marks along the Solway Firth, the tides can be very dangerous and low water marks should be vacated in good time, before the water covers the sand banks.
Harbour Wall/Lifeboat slipwayThe section of wall between the lifeboat slipway and the harbour wall is very very popular with local anglers at high tide, fishing best an 1 hour either side of high mark. Combination cocktails of oiled fillets tipped with squid have produced great catches of “Flatties”, “Doggies” and the occasional codling. A great mark for younger anglers as there is no danger of getting caught by rising tides and dads can literally park there cars right on the mark – no need to lug tackle down onto the beach.
Bait and tackle are available less than 500 yards away at Caravan Care in Eden Street.
Beckfoot Fishing at Beckfoot at low water can prove very difficult as the water disappears to the horizon, so small tides are much preferred. The long walk can turn out to be very productive, with plaice and bass being the main quarry during the early spring and summer period. The most popular time to test these marks is over high water when flounders can be landed in huge numbers often accompanied by shoals of school bass. Again Peeler, lug, squid and oiled fillets are the most consistent with the addition of rag worm when the bass are about. The marks are backed by a series of sand dunes and this is a very popular holiday beach. In winter this mark will produce good bags of codling especially when the sea is rough and the water is dirty.
Mawbray Banks Tucked between Beckfoot and Dubmill Point are the sandbanks and gullies at Mawbray. These deep gullies are generally fished as the flood tide starts to push the fish inshore and as they do, they hungrily search out any morsel of food. These marks are very highly rated by match anglers and in recent years large bags of bass have been landed with fish up to 15lbs. The top bait is lug closely followed by peeler crab. But its well worth experimenting with a second rod with live bait or an oiled fillet/squid cocktail if you can handle the excitement.
Dubmill PointDubmill Point is synonymous with bass and can produce some of the finest quality fishing in the country. Low water fishing will produce a good mixture of plaice, flounders, dabs, bass and the occasional “doggie”. The bass fishing improves dramatically if an inshore wind is blowing. At high tide bass is the main quarry with double figure fish being taken most seasons. Although peeler crab is excellent bait for bass, many anglers swear by lug worm - often tipped off with a rag worm.
Allonby BayThe marks in Allonby Bay can produce a wide selection of species, including bass, flounders, doggies and even the occasional fresh water eel, with peeler crab and lugworm being the preferred baits, but don’t be afraid to experiment with cocktail baits, bluey/mussel or squid/lug for instance – these can produce some very rewarding results.
CrosscannonbyThese marks are usually fished during autumn and winter months, producing tremendous bags of codling – especially during the hours of darkness. In recent years, club matches fished along this stretch of beach have resulted in individual catches of 30lbs plus, especially when a good sea is running. The best bait for this stretch is definitely local lugworm often tipped with a small white ragworm (You need to dig very deep in winter) I do know however that frozen baits work extremely well when there is plenty of colour in the water. Remember that under these conditions fish find your bait by smell so the addition of concentrated bait oils (marinade over night if possible) will vastly improve your chances.
Top TipWherever your fishing make sure that you are using good strong, sharp hooks especially if your after those big bass. Try adding a slice of squid to peeler crab bait and finish it off with a drizzle of concentrated squid oil to give it the best possible visual and scent presentation. This works really, really well when the water is dirty or cloudy.
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Colin also stocks bait and tackle so anyone fishing over that side of the country might want to pay him a visit. More details here :
http://www.caravan-care.info/8.html 
