Shore sport continues to be reasonable on most tides with cod being taken over a wide area, though only if you are in the right place at the right time, and usually when fishing a nighttime session. A rolling swell late last week brought the fish inshore for those able to get out and safely fish the rock edge marks between Roker and South Shields, and north of the Tyne into Northumberland where the odd bigger fish to 6lb were taken. Lots of whiting and dabs, and lesser numbers of coalfish can be expected from the clean ground marks and local piers. South Shields pier has been a good choice lately and most anglers have taken at least a few fish whilst always trying for that elusive big cod. The Tyne has not been quite as productive lately though flounders are showing from the upriver marks and smaller cod have been reported from the Walkway in the lower river. As always, club results are a good indication of what to expect. The Durham beaches and Hartlepool piers are seeing increasing numbers of cod to 6lb showing though the hordes of whiting and dabs are difficult to avoid unless there is a good sea running.
A Tynemouth retired member’s match in the lower Tyne saw plenty of mixed bags taken with 24 out of the 28 weighing in cod, whiting, dabs and coalies. The winner, Tony Anderson, had a 13 fish bag of 16lb, including the heaviest fish of 3¼lb, in second place was Dave Scrimageur with 10 fish weighing 9lb 1oz, and Paul Jobling had 11 for a total of 7lb 10oz. A Tynemouth Sunday League match saw fewer fish with whiting and dabs the main species taken by the 14 out of 34 who weighed in. Steve Harper was top rod with a bag of 10 fish weighing 6½lb, Steve Potts had seven totalling 5¼lb, Gavin Owen had six for 4lb 13oz and Gary Appleton had two cod weighing 4lb 10oz, including one of 3lb 1oz.
Newbiggin A.C. has had some productive matches lately with some nice cod landed among the ever-present whiting, dabs, flounders and coalfish. John Laidler won the first with four fish for a total of 9lb 3oz, Gary Tulley had three weighing 8lb 1oz, with the best making 4lb 11oz. Tony Taylor followed up with another win in the next match when his nine fish weighed in at 9lb 6oz and Graham Foster had the heaviest of 4lb 15oz. Tony’s winning streak continued the he weighed in seven fish during the latest match for a total of 9lb 6oz, and Graham again had the heaviest fish, this time a cod of 3lb 5oz. Yet another match saw R. Bolton win with four cod for 12lb 11oz taken at Cresswell. Runner-up Billy Foster had three weighing 8lb 15oz, including the heaviest of 6lb 6oz, and Tony Taylor had to settle for third place this time with 8½lb.
Seaton Sluice A.C. also got among the cod with nine out of the 14 members weighing in. Callan Stevens won with five fish for a total of 9lb 5oz, Mal McIntyre had eight for 8lb 13oz, and third placed Micky Bell’s five fish weighed 8lb.
Seaham A.C. had a good weigh in with a decent northerly swell bringing the fish within reach of the shore angler, though the distance casters did have the advantage. Sixteen out of the 62 entrants weighed in 60 cod and two whiting for an overall weight of 94.16lb. Gary Pye took first place with four cod for 13.3lb, including one of 6.10lb, taken from the Blast Ledge. Second placed John Barrass had five totalling 7.60lb taken from the Blast Beach, and third place went to Gary Blanchard whose three fish weighed 6.34lb and were landed from the Blast Ledge.
Boat anglers are using the uptide method to fish effectively for winter cod when conditions allow. The Sapphire out of Sunderland had eight anglers on board who landed a whopping 180lb of cod including one of 15½lb taken by Alex Charlton of Newcastle, and one of 11½lb taken by Pete Thomas of Sunderland. The group fished on into darkness and they continued to take cod up to the 10lb mark, and some specimen pouting up to 3lb. The bigger fish were all taken on crab and cart baits.
The Whitley Bay A.S. 54th Open Shore Angling Festival takes place on Sunday December 8th with fishing from 11am until 3pm between the south side of Craster harbour to Tynemouth pier (pier and foundations excluded). First prize for the heaviest bag is £300 and £150 for the heaviest fish. There is a Greys rod for the junior winner and 100% pools payout with a £2000 supporting prize table. Basic entry is £13, juniors under 16 years are free if accompanied by a paying adult and £1 from each entry goes towards the Evening Chronicle Sunshine Fund. All tickets presented at the weigh in go forward for three raffle prizes the first being £100 cash. Register at the Bank House Club Newbiggin from 9am until 10.15am with the weigh in from 3.30pm until 4.30pm.
The Moonfleet Angling Open is a two day event held on Saturday and Sunday December 14th and 15th and will be fished at two venues in the river Tyne, there will be four zones depending on entrants. Venues are Viking Park and Walker Riverside Park; anglers will fish both venues over the two days. Entry is £30 for both days pre-book and pre-pay only at Moonfleet Angling, William Street, Felling, Gateshead between 7am and 8am on December 14th. The match is 20cm catch and release and is eligible for Penn points. Contact Neil 07816 401879 or Gareth 07517 509400 for details.
