UK sea fishing catch reports 1.12.09

By Sea Angler

Fish Catches

01 December 2009 11:23

Here's this week's selection of the best sea, pier and beach fishing catch reports from top marks around the English, Welsh and Scottish coastlines provided to the team at Sea Angler magazine from reputable sources within the world of sea fishing...

 

Inverbervie

Cod to 5lb have been the main feature at as the rough conditions suit them down to the ground. Whack your bait out as far as you can and take plenty of ragworms and squid with you. Clipped-down rigs are the way forward, and a local hotspot is to the left of the river mouth.

Seahouses

Those fishing two hours before and a couple of hours after high water are starting to see small cod showing in numbers at Seahouses. Freshly-dug lugworms or mussels will bring plenty of bites but try different methods and vary your distances. It’s a good idea to start with a simple running rig, which is a proven fish-catcher.

Lynemouth

Anglers fishing behind the power station at Lynemouth are getting plenty of bites and one night angler banked five cod to a best of 8lb. There are three main baits you need to be armed with for a session here ¬ ragworms, lugworms and razorfish. There’s a mixture of ground here, so fish with breakout leads, and there’s deep water, making it more effective to fish at short range. There’s parking at the power station, but don’t leave any litter or anglers will be banned from leaving their vehicles in the future.

Newbiggin

The cliffs at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea have been throwing up lots of codling to around 8lb. Most are being taken on pulley rigs with rotten-bottoms. Worm baits tipped with squid are working well, and night time is producing the best results, with high tides preferred by the locals. Parking is 400yds away from this popular hotspot at the bowling green.

Hendon

If you want to drop your bait in all the right areas at Hendon Wall then visit this mark at low tide when the fish-holding holes and gullies will be revealed. Cod, whiting and flounders can be caught with pulley rigs baited with lugworms, ragworms and yellowtail lug. Those opting for 3/0 hooks and cocktails have been picking up the biggest cod and those fishing at distance have had the best results. Fish the extreme south end of the wall or close to the bandstand, as most of the best catches have been taken from these areas.

Sunderland

Roker Pier is a real Œget out of jail’ venue and there are two main species to target ¬ whiting and cod. It’s possible to catch up to 20 whiting in a session and this species prefers flatter conditions. The cod prefer rougher seas and you should lfish baits such as lugworms, crabs and mussels mounted on a size 3/0 hook. A flapper rig with lugworms tipped with a strip of mackerel is by far the best bait for the whiting, and there’s no need to fish further than 50yds out.

Whitby

The rougher the weather the closer the cod will come, and you’ll certainly find a few if you visit Robin Hood’s Bay. Peeler crabs and lugworms are the top offerings for rockling, whiting and flatfish, experienced anglers tackling up with pulley rigs and rotten-bottoms because there’s some rough ground to contend with. There’s plenty of room all the way round, and everyone can get a bite or two regardless of their ability.

Scarborough

Big cod are the main feature at Marine Drive and fish to over 10lb have been landed. Look to cast a pulley rig around 80yds or more and incorporate breakout leads and rotten-bottoms. Top tip from the locals is to fish light and keep mobile. Fish in one spot for 30 minutes and if you haven’t had any joy give another spot a try. There’s plenty of free parking in the winter and fishing on a flood tide brings the best results.

Tunstall

The whole beach is on top form and a recent Hornsea SAC match was won with a bag that included 20 whiting and dabs. A thornback ray that weighed close to 9lb won the biggest fish category. If you’re after the whiting, fish a three-hook clipped-down rig with cocktails of ragworms, mackerel and squid on size 1/0 hooks. For the thornbacks, use a clipped-down Pennell rig with ragworms, squid or peeler crabs if you can get hold of these baits.

Hull

Victoria Docks in Hull are fishing very well, and it’s possible to bank up to five cod to a best of 8lb. The great thing about this venue is that you can fish at around 50yds or cast as far as you can and you’ll be in with a chance of a really enjoyable session. Pulley rigs baited with ragworms, lugworms or squid are the top tactic and you can fish all the way along to Mr Choos Chinese takeaway. The ground here isn’t really rough, but many locals use breakout leads because the weight comes off when a big fish finds a snag.

Ingoldmells

Trunch Lane, between Ingoldmells and Chapel St Leonard’s, is producing great winter whiting sport and increasing numbers of dabs, both species reaching 2lb and being taken on a variety of baits. Lugworms tipped with mackerel or razorfish and black lugworms are perhaps best fished on flapper rigs and you don’t have to fish far out ¬ one angler caught a whiting just a couple of yards out into the surf while reeling in! Generally, 50yds is as far as you’ll need to go and the cod are following the whiting in, but sport is patchy, with only the odd fish reported. Evenings are best, but with the sea being well coloured you’ll catch during the day. Other local marks Chapel Six Marsh and the Derbyshire Miners at Winthorpe are also fishing well.

Kelling

A very rough week has seen few anglers venturing out around North Norfolk but those that have still found the whiting in a reliable feeding mood. Weybourne and Cley are producing well, but Kelling is perhaps the pick and is also seeing dabs showing to lugworms fished on simple two or three-hook flappers at around 40yds. Fish into darkness a couple of hours either side of high water.

Mundesley

Codling are showing in good numbers in the Cromer area, with Mundesley the most consistent, although many fish are undersized. Whiting are also abundant along with dabs to a flapper or a single-hook running leger. Lugworms and ragworms will catch well, but some anglers are using squid or mackerel pieces fished at around 50yds to good effect, a little further out for the cod. Darkness is the best time, but bass are still being caught in daylight at Sheringham! Fish approaching high water and as the tide runs out.

Gorleston

The wreck area on Gorleston beach is the place to head for if you’re after whiting and dabs. Fish to over 1lb are being taken in good numbers at around 60yds range on a Pennell rig baited with lugworms or black lugworms. There are cod about, averaging around 3lb, but you’ll need to fish approaching 100yds with lugworm and squid cocktails. Fishing into darkness will see more fish taken but day anglers will also get bites fishing the flood tide.

Aldeburgh

For big cod head to the Dirty Wall, where fish are being caught well over the 5lb mark. One local angler took a specimen of 14lb from the venue. Big baits are the way to go, especially lugworms tipped with squid. Ideally you want to be hitting at least 80yds - fish a clipped-down two-hook or Pennell rig. Parking is available at Aldeburgh beach.

Southwold

Both the beach and pier are fishing well for codling, flatfish and masses of whiting. Most are of a keepable size, some whiting reaching 2lb 8oz and the best cod going 5lb. Anglers are catching more fish at night, although the quality is just as good in daylight. Casting anything from 40yds to 100yds will produce equal results, fishing with lugworms tipped with fish, squid or, when available, fresh black lugworms. Top times to fish are two hours before high water and an hour-and-a-half after.

Felixstowe

There are masses of whiting on the Town beach but codling are showing in greater numbers, averaging around 4lb. Even the odd bass to 5lb is turning up. You’ll need to cast upwards of 80yds, using Pennell rigs with lugworms tipped with squid or fish strips from the first hour of the ebb tide onwards. Night anglers are getting the best results, so break out the
headtorch and pressure lamp to enjoy the best sport.

Clacton

Pick of the marks around the town is the Holland end, which is producing most consistently for whiting, codling, flounders and the occasional sole.
Lugworms tipped with squid or, better still, fresh black lugworms if you can get them are the baits to use, fished generally at 80yds range, but some anglers have been catching as little as 40yds out, fishing on the ebb tide. Look out for large rafts of weed stirred up by the recent strong winds! The pier at Clacton is also fishing well, and one angler reported a trio of skate last week, an unusual species for the time of year.

Gillingham

The whole of the River Medway between Gillingham and Rochester is fishing well, but the pick would be the back of the Command House in Gillingham, which is seeing quality whiting and codling as well as increasing numbers of dogfish. The cod have reached 7lb and the whiting and dogfish 2lb, taken at around 70yds range fishing lugworm and squid cocktails on one-up, one-down paternoster rigs. The river here is a dirty colour, so you can catch at any time of day, but fish on the flood tide to avoid the rafts of rubbish pushed downriver.

Hythe

As conditions calmed, cod have shown extremely well at Hythe beach, with plenty of fish to 7lb taken amid legions of whiting and the odd dab. The wind has coloured the sea, meaning you can catch during the day, but as soon as the water clears, night sessions will be best. Fishing on the flood tide will produce more bites using Pennell rigs with black lugworm and squid cocktails, but you will need a decent cast here, in excess of 100yds, to get the most out of the day.

Newchurch

The hot area is below the car park, which offers a clean sea bed. Codling and the odd bass are showing among the whiting. Most whiting are small, with the odd keepable fish, and it’s much the same with the bass. A 7lb cod was the best last week to lugworms on a clipped-down rig. The further you cast the better, fishing into dark at the top of the tide and a couple of hours down.

Dungeness

Dungeness beach is still producing the goods. Whiting and a few dabs are providing action on fish and worm baits, and reasonable numbers of cod are showing, the best fish reported last week weighing 8lb. Fish a Pennell rig at 50yds, coupled with a black lugworm and squid cocktail. Oddly for this area, day time is better than after dark, fishing on the flood tide.

Rustington

Most beaches around Littehampton are fishing well, but Rustington is the stand-out star for whiting and good numbers of bass. Cod are also being caught in limited numbers but are running to a decent size, 10lb the best reported, while the bass reach 5lb. The night angler generally catches best but the gales have stirred the sea up, meaning coloured water will let you catch in the day by casting around 60yds for the cod and whiting, but a lot closer for the bass. A simple lugworm and squid cocktail on a Pennell rig covers the tactics and bait, but surprising number of the bass are being caught on limpets.

Portsmouth

Flounders and school bass are the main species that feed best three hours before and three hours after high tide at Portsmouth harbour. Fish a three-hook paternoster rig with ragworms. It’s possible to catch close in, especially when the weather is rough, and most of the local anglers favour fishing close to the Harvester pub along Eastern Road. You’ll be fishing over mud, so there’s no need to worry about losing any tackle, and there’s plenty of free parking.

Hayling Island

Lots of small bass to 2lb are being taken off the north coast of the island close to the shore on clipped-down rigs and two-hook flappers with lugworm baits. Fish are being taken all along the north coastline, although the most successful anglers are heading close to where the funfair is situated. High tide is producing a lot of fish, although the time of day is irrelevant to your success rate. Pay-and-display car parks are located along the coast and close the funfair.

Eastney

Head for the caravan park at Eastney beach for some really good fishing.
Reports are coming in of some big pouting to 1lb 8oz. Species such as bass, codling, soles and smoothounds are also here for the taking and the two main tactics are a running leger or a flapper set-up baited with squid, mackerel, lugworms or limpets. Top tip is to use anything that could get washed up on the beach because these are proving the most popular baits. As long as you can chuck further than the second set of breaking waves you’ll be in for a good day.

Isle of Wight

The weather hasn’t been kind to sea anglers of late on the island but most coastlines have marks that always seem to produce in tough conditions, and West Cowes promenade is one of these. Cod to a best of 14lb have been landed in the last week and so have bass, whiting, dogfish and pouting. This is a steep beach and holds depths of 40ft, so long casts aren’t needed and it’s a better bet to put your faith in a Pennell pulley rig with squid bait. The most popular spot is Egypt Point.

Poole

Ragworms tipped with squid is the winning combination at Poole Harbour, and flounders and bass are the species feeding at between 50yds and 100yds range. A rising tide is the best time to fish here and you should always keep it simple with a two or three-hook paternoster rig. The best place to fish is Baiter Point, around the corner from Poole quay. You can park your car 50yds from the best fishing spots.

Preston

It’s been tough going around this part of the coast of late, but the bass and flounders have been willing to have a go whatever the weather. Preston beach is a firm favourite, and you don’t have to know the venue like the back of your hand because you’ll catch all the way along. Two-hook paternoster rigs will always do the business and the two best baits are ragworms and squid. If you’re specifically targeting bass then try fishing with sandeels. You’ll find a place to park your car at the Sealife Centre.

Slapton

Numbers of whiting and dogfish are being taken from the beach at Slapton. These, along with the odd codling, are being taken at around 70yds with lugworm and crab hookbaits. The area has a very clean bottom and two hook flappers are the best rigs. There are plenty of bass being taken on lugworms close to the shore. Most are being taken on a night time tide. Parking is plentiful, with pay and display car parks nearby.

Plymouth

On the Saltash side of Tamar Bridge you’ll find a floating pontoon where you’ll be in for some really good sport with whiting, and gurnards. The dabs are expected to make an appearance at any time. The fish here love old bait, especially ragworms and lugworms. The pontoon is also capable of producing thornback rays, which are suckers for sandeels and prawns, and many anglers are also catching lots of fish on Blueys, which are loved by the resident cod ¬ although mackerel strips presented on running or flapper rigs will catch just about anything too. There’s free parking at the end of the pontoon, plus toilet facilities, and there are three good pubs within walking distance.

Penzance

If you are after a real mixed bag you may want to head for Low Bar, where lots of cod and red mullet are feeding. Simple running leger rigs with lugworm and peeler crab baits are working well. Most of the successful locals are fishing on big tides during the night. Several free parking areas are nearby.

Padstow

Lots of flounders to 2lb are being taken at the mouth of the Camel estuary, with light running leger rigs working well. A whole host of baits are producing, with white ragworms and peeler crabs the top offerings. Some good codling and whiting are also showing during the night to clipped-down pulley rigs combined with size 2/0 hooks and mackerel strip baits. Parking is not easy, but a few places can be found around 15 minutes away from the hotspot.

Woolacombe

The beach at Woolacombe has been throwing up rays to almost double figures and some good bass too. The rays are falling during the first two hours of the flood tide to any fish baits presented at range, while sandeels are getting lots of bites during the evening on an incoming tide from bass.
Running leger rigs work well for all species.

Burnham

The best place to head to for a few bites is Burnham Lighthouse, where anglers are catching plenty of whiting, codling, conger eels to 12lb and, if the conditions are calm enough, a few rays. Casting to the mouth of the river, you’ll only need a short chuck at low water and lugworms and squid fished on a Pennell pulley or two-hook flapper rig is all you’ll need. As the water is coloured you can catch at any time of the day, but try and fish three hours before high tide and two hours after. There’s free parking close by on Allandale Road.

Barry

Fish the big tides at Cold Knap beach this week and there will be whiting, dogfish and a few thornback rays to be had. Anglers fishing during darkness will have the edge, but there are good catches being taken during the day. Lugworms, ragworms and strips of mackerel are all working, and a two-hook clipped down set-up is recommended at this shingle mark. A cast of 30yds should put you among the fish but the more anglers there are on the beach the further you’ll need to cast to keep catching. Parking is available by the beach.

Llanelli

Flounders are the main species being caught in the Loughor estuary and a simple two or three-hook flapper with ragworms should result in a few fish. Fish the tide coming in and the top three or four hours during daylight. There’s plenty of free parking.

Tenby

Both the North and South beaches are producing a few bass and flounders as well as the occasional dogfish, and a 30yds-40yds cast is the maximum you’ll need at these marks, using ragworms or lugworms on pulley and two-hook flapper rigs. The Esplanade Steps are worth a look at high tide.

Milford Haven

There are good mixed bags of whiting, pouting, dogfish, flounders,thornback rays and small bass being caught from Dale beach. You won’t go far wrong with lugworms or squid on a two or three-hook paternoster rig. The size of the tide isn’t too important but it is best to fish over the top, and night time will be better. The flounders can be caught close in, but you’ll need to cast further for most of the other species. You can park your car right next to the beach.

Aberystwyth

The North beach is a good storm mark and has been producing plenty of codling up to 5lb. The best catches have been taken in between the two piers, on a single-hook rig with a size 5/0 hook and razorfish as bait.
Night time at high water is best, and a cast of just 60yds-70yds is required.

Anglesey

Dogfish sport has gone crazy at Holyhead breakwater lately, and in a four-hour match last week one angler caught 40 fish in just four hours! The fish are taking pretty much anything but ragworms or lugworms will virtually guarantee you a few bites. Night tides are preferred. If you can only fish during the day, head to the far end. You can fish out of the back of your car here.

Old Colwyn

The best catches are still coming from the Arches at Old Colwyn. Codling, bass, whiting and dogfish are showing to lugworm hookbaits tipped with a piece of mackerel on flapper rigs cast no more than 50yds. The hours of darkness have been the more productive, and you can fish by your car.

Bromborough

Head to Bromborough dock wall for lots of whiting and the odd dab, small codling and thornback ray. Best time is three hours before high tide and one hour on the way down once the sun has set. Frozen peeler crabs are scoring with the rays. Black lugworms on a two-hook flapper work well for other species.

Cleveleys

The dogfish have moved on but codling and whiting are still showing, along with a few good dabs. Find a gulley or channel ¬ you won’t need to cast further than 60yds at any of the venues. Most catches are c oming to flapper or Pennell rigs baited with black lugworms.

Fleetwood

As anglers have been catching all the way from Cleveleys up to Fleetwood. In rough conditions head to the Sea Cadet HQ at Fleetwood, where the water is more sheltered, for dabs, whiting and the odd codling. Black lugworms will catch almost anything but peeler crabs are also worth a go. A size 1/0 hook on a two-hook clipped-down rig will be sufficient. As the recent weather has coloured the water there are decent catches being taken during the day.

Heysham

As the tides are getting bigger this week the North Wall at Heysham is fishing well for whiting, dogfish, flatfish and the odd codling. Best baits are black and red lugworms tipped with mackerel or squid, with night tides best. Anglers are still catching plenty of plaice and flounders at the top end of the bay at low and high water. If you’re fishing at low water, please be extra careful as it’s very dangerous with the surface water on the beach at present.

Isle of Man

Bass and flatfish are the main species being caught at the sandy Ballaugh beach. Early morning or late at night are the best times for the bass with
sandeels or peeler crabs. For the flatfish, try a spoon baited with a bit of squid or lugworm. The waste pipe is a good spot to head to as the fish often congregate around it. There’s plenty of free parking all the way along the beach.

Ayr

The strong winds have seen anglers heading for the more sheltered water at Ayr pier, where pollack, flatfish and a few whiting have been caught. Go armed with lugworms, mussels and peeler crabs. It’s recommended tochuck as far as possible, although you can find the deeper water fairly close in. A high tide always fishes best, and there’s plenty of parking by the pier.