Sandsend - One Of The North East's Finest Fishing Marks
Relaxing fishing can be enjoyed from the
sea wall and car park at Sandsend,
codling, whiting, bass and coalfish make up the majority of winter
catches.
During Summer the mainstay is flounder, dab, mackerel and some bass.
East Row beach near the docters surgery at Sandsend along to Upgang near Whitby fishes
both high and low water for bass, flounder, whiting and bass, but the
best catches often come in Winter. Picking out the holes and gulleys
made by tidal movement of the sand is a good tip as they gulleys are
often where you will find the feeding fish.
Whitby - The Premier Cod Mark Of The North East Coast
Moving East we come to Whitby - a famous port which has made a name for
itself with huge hauls of massive cod over offshore wrecks - The Uk cod
record a massive 56 pound is held at Whitby. Some good catches of cod
are also made every year by Whitby shore anglers, the best time being
during and immediately after an autumn or winter storm from the north or
north west. Whitby's west pier is a very popular mark in the
summer months with decent mixed bags of Mackerel, coalfish and pollock
being caught, favoured methods are spinning and float fishing a mackerel
strip. A good winter blow brings in the cod and the best baits are
peeler crab, lugworm and ragworm. Best time is usually the flood
tide with the last 2 hours of the incoming tide being the best, while
most of the bottom is sandy there is a patch of rock tangle right at the
end which claims an awful lot of gear. Whitby's east pier was an
excellent fishing venue but unfortunately due to a severe winter storm
the bridge to the pier was damaged in 1992. The councils inabilty to
repair the bridge means the the pier stays closed to anglers at the
present time.
An abundance of rock scars and kelpy gulleys fill the ground between
the east pier and Saltwick Bay. Autumn fishing with peeler crab,
mussel and lugworm can often produce excellent bags of codling and
coalfish. This area holds some of the best north east fishing marks. It
fishes best from half to full ebb but take care not to get cut off. The
next worthwhile fishing mark is Saltwick bay which can
be reached from the main road by walking to Saltwick holiday village and
then taking the cliff top path to the beach. Saltwick beach can be an
excellent venue at any state of tide and over the years many a double
figure cod has been taken from this area.
Fishing Marks From Black Nab (Saltwick) To Robin Hoods Bay
The next piece of coast from Saltwick Beach to Robin Hoods Bay is not for
the faint hearted. The winter cod fishing can be excellent but due to
the steep cliffs most of the access is by rope only.
Fishing At Robin Hoods Bay
sea wall offers more relaxing sport. Flounder can be targeted at this
north east fishing mark all year round but the going really heats up as
winter sets in. Sea swell from any direction offers good cod fishing
through the winter months with peeler crab, lug worm, ragworm and mussel
being the favoured baits.. Best sport is had when there is still a good swell
after the storm.
Boggle Hole offers great fishing and is a true north east fishing
mark. At low water you can fish into
rock gullies with sand bottoms, High water seas you fishing straight
onto the beach but this is still very productive. The next mark is
Stoupe Beck Sands . Flounder and sole can be caught here all year
round. Cod and coalfish make up the mainstay of the catch at this mark
from September to March. On the south east side of the beach runs a flat
scar and gully to a cliff called Old Peak. Once again it fishes best
over low water, this mark is best known for cod and coal fish on peeler
crab baits some bass and wrasse may be caught by skilled anglers wanting
to try something slightly different.
Ravenscar To Hayburn Wyke - These North East Fishing Marks Hold Some
Monster Cod
Ravenscar to Hayburn Wyke holds some top fishing venues but
access is difficult and certainly not for the faint hearted.
Park outside the Raven Hall Hotel and follow the path over the golf
course and down the cliff. The decent will take you roughly 30 minutes
but can be well worth the effort. Following the path down will take you
to
'Cormorant Rock' where the thick beds of kelp around Bleawyke Point hold
good sized red cod in the Summer months.
If you take the path to the North you will come out at 'Shippy's
Harbour', named after a local fisherman who used to moore his salmon
coble in the bay. Best fishing at this north east mark starts half way
into the flood tide and lasts untill half tide down again. Moving on to the South Cheek at Old Peak
for low water can be worthwhile. Many a big winter cod can be found at
this mark. Only last year a cod of 19 pounds was taken from this
immediate area.
Alternatively fish the same tide at the 'Old Alum Pier' to the North.
Acces to the fishing marks at Hayburn Wyke can be found by turning off the Ravenscar road and parking at Hayburn Wyke
Hotel. To get to the wyke itself follow the path through the farmyard
and head down through the woods. In the rougher weather the rocks fish
exceptionally well with beat catches falling to peeler crab, lugworm and
mussel baits.
For more information on Ravenscar fishing please click
here
Cloughton Wyke has been described as a fish trap and
with certain conditions prevailing this can be one of the north east's
top cod fishing marks. The side of
the Wyke to Hundale Point fishes well through the tide in more moderate
conditions, as do the rocks to the North of the car park at Saltpans
Scar.
Jacksons Bay - Home Of The Double Figure Cod
Jacksons bay is the next worthwhile mark on our
journey south and is reached by parking at the back of
the farm at Scalby Lodge - Ensure you seek the farmers permission and do
not block access to his property.
Rock gullies filled with kelp surround the bay itself which gives shelter from
the heaviest of Northerly seas. This fishing mark is renowned for
the big cod and most years see several double figure cod being caught at
this mark.
Health and safety
Angling from the shore in the uk
is very hazardous to say the least. Every year lives are lost whilst
pursuing our fascination with angling in the sea. Anglers of all levels
of ability need to be very very careful indeed. At this point I would
like to offer a few words of advice to anglers.
Never attempt to fish a new area
without the help and advice of someone experienced in fishing that area.
Always check the tide and ensure
you will be safe to access and exit your chosen area. Watch out for cut
off points. If unsure don't go. Its not worth it.
Be aware of the weather
forecast. Conditions can change fast.
Don't access closed areas, eg
piers whilst the storm gates are shut.
Carry some form of
communication.
Tell someone where you are going
and when you intend to return. Ask them to raise the alarm should you
not return.
Do not fish heavy seas. Its very
dangerous and your wasting your time anyway, fish don't like really
rough seas. Leave it a day or 2 until the sea is dieing.
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