Lots of smaller cod under 2lb are now evident all along the north east coast with the odd bigger specimens to 6lb among them. Some anglers have taken double figure mixed bags of five or six cod, with whiting, flatties and coalfish making up the remainder. These sort of catches however, have only been taken after dark, or when there has been a bit of sea running, as daylight catches have generally been poor with only the usual flatties and whiting to keep anglers interested. With south easterly winds forecast for the rest of this week this pattern of fishing should change and cod hopefully will start to move inshore during daylight hours.
The Ryhope open last weekend saw thirty-five out of one hundred and ninety anglers weighing in. Most struggled in the sunny conditions but rock expert Steve Coverdale used his considerable experience to winkle a few cod out of the kelp beds taking the heaviest with a cod of 2065 grams and the heaviest bag with 4525 gram, all taken from the Boiler Hole at Whitburn. Gary Walker was second with a cod of 975 grams from Souter Point and Kevin Ord was third with a cod of 955 gram from Hendon. Top lady was Hartlepool angler Jackie Feeney with a flounder of 520 grams, top junior was Tamzin Kenfield with a flounder of 850 gram, Ian Bellfield had the heaviest flatfish with a plaice of 865 gram from South Shields and the team event was won by Steve Coverdale and Mick Fawcett with 4525 grams.
Hartlepool O.M.A.C. fished Saturday and found plenty of small cod on the grounds with fifteen out of twenty-six weighing in fifty-one fish, mainly cod. Paul Lee fished Hendon to win with five cod for 6lb 12oz followed in second by Andrew Small who had a mixed bag for 6¼lb from Steetley Pier. Kenny Gooding and Dave Littlewood tied for the heaviest fish with cod of 2lb and Steve Gibbins and Chris Smith tied for the second each with a cod of 1lb 15oz. Next match is Saturday October 24th fishing from 6pm till midnight. Next meeting is Saturday October 31st in the Pink Domino at 6.30pm.
A recent Eastenders sweepstake saw ten out of twenty-two weigh in eleven cod, five flounders, two coalfish, and a solitary rockling. Bob Surtees took the top two places with cod of 2lb3oz and 1lb 11oz from Roker Beach and Ernie Hunter had one of 1lb 10oz from Whitburn.
East End and Hendon also had a recent match with only three landing size fish. Darren Welsh had a surprise bass which tip the scales at 3lb 7oz, Steve Rackstraw in second had a coalfish of 1lb 2oz and in third place was Geoff Moon with a whiting of 1lb 1oz.
With good numbers of smaller cod showing between Roker and South Shields, the Ryhope Tuesday evening sweepstake saw thirty-five anglers out along Roker Pier and the rock edges with most taking at least one cod. Chris Hossack had the heaviest with a cod of 1810 grams from Roker, with Andy Little in second with 1140 grams from Whitburn. Third placed Gordon Russell had one of 1100 grams from Roker and Gary Warwick picked up fourth place with 925 grams from Hendon.
The Eastenders Open on Saturday was fished in the Wear at Panns Bank where six out of sixteen landed eight flounders and a cod. Mason Burton had the heaviest fish with a flounder of 1lb 6oz in a bag total of three for 3lb 1oz. Micky Sopp had a flounder of 1lb 5oz for second and Ernie Hunter and Chris Hossack tied for third place with 1lb 3oz.
Seaham A.C. fished for the Angus Mills Trophy on Sunday with eighteen out of sixty-seven landing nineteen cod, four whiting, four flounders, two coalfish, a eel and a turbot for 35.44lb. Top rod was Gary Pye with four for 5.58lb, Mick Davison had two for 3.88lb in second place, best 2.76lb. Third place was Colin Smith who landed two for 3.41lb and Andy Clegg had two for 3.40lb in fourth.
The North East Sea Angling and Boat Show is being held on Saturday and Sunday October 24th and 25th from 10am till 5pm on Saturday and 10am till 4pm on the Sunday at the Nissan Sports and Social Centre, Old Washington Road, Washington. Entry is £3. Various tackle, holiday companies, and boat builders will be in attendance giving talks and presentations.
Sunday November 1st sees the 12th Redcar Navy and Gents Club H.S.F. Open with fishing from 9.30am till 2.30pm between South Gare and Whitby East Pier. Basic entry is £8 plus optional team events and pools. Register from 8am till 8.45am at the Priory Club, Lord Street, Redcar. You can also register in advance from selected tackle shops between Hartlepool and Scarborough. Top prizes for the heaviest fish are £500, £200, and £100. There are junior and ladies prizes plus a full supporting prize table. Anglers may only weigh in one single fish. Contact Tony Barker 01642-503049, 07727-754746 for details.
On Sunday November 18th the North East Division of the Angling Trust is having a Penn Points open shore match fishing from 10am till 3pm in open boundaries. Basic entry is £10 all classes, register at the King Street Social Club North Shields from 8.30am. Prizes are for the heaviest fish and anglers can only weigh a single fish in.
The 42nd Seaham Open Shore Championship on Sunday November 29th sees a prize table of £10,000 – the biggest open in the country this year. Sea Angler magazine have donated a complete fishing tackle collection worth £1500 for the main raffle prize. Fishing is from 11am till 4pm between Hendon Groyne and Dene Holm Pipe. Basic entry is £15. Top prizes for the best three heaviest fish are £1500, £600, and £400. Total cash fund is £2500 with a huge prize table of £7500. Registration on Saturday is from 10am, and on Sunday from 8am. More details nearer the time, for all enquiries contact joseph.gibson@btconnect.com
On Saturday December 6th the Bedlington Station Northumbrian Open is being fished from 9.30am till 1.30pm between Pattersons Garage at Beadnell and Tynemouth Pier. Blyth Pier is in bounds but all other piers and rivers are not to be fished. Basic entry is £11 for adults, £5 ladies and juniors for their respective prizes only or full £11 for full prize list, plus the usual optional team event and pools. Register at the Bank House Club Newbiggin from 7am till 8.30am. First prize for the heaviest bag is £750 plus a full supporting prize table and special prizes for 20th and 30th places.
