Shore sport remains quiet with few sizable fish among lots of undersize small cod, whiting, coalfish, and various flatfish species. Most clubs that are still fishing matches have generally headed for the rivers to at least get a bit of shelter during last week’s gale force winds, and if fishing a measure and release match can expect to record a few fish with the possibility of the odd bigger cod, coalfish or flounder to weigh in. From the beaches and open shoreline there is still the chance of a decent cod after dark particularly if you can cast the distance to find them. Size plaice are starting to reappear and the odd bonus small bass have also been reported. Some anglers have been travelling down to fish the Holderness coast where rays into double figures and both cod and bass up to around the 6lb mark have been taken in some numbers.
Hartlepool Pirates fished last week and all those fishing managed mixed bags of whiting dabs and flounders. Steve Swales had four weighing 2lb 5oz, S. Greenup had four totalling 2lb 3oz, and Bill Bradley had four for 2lb 2oz including the heaviest fish.
Gary Pye was the only angler to weigh in during a recent Easington match, fishing at extreme range he landed six cod for 10lb 7oz, best 2¼lb. Gary also won the recent Seaham Night Hawk match which saw 14 out of 65 weigh in 21 fish for 39.64lb. He had two cod for a total of 6.19lb taken from the Blast beach just ahead of Gary Blanchard with three cod for 5.43lb and Lee Burton with two cod weighing 5.07lb, including the heaviest fish of 3.93lb.
The Ryhope Tuesday evening sweepstake saw cod take the top three places. Mick Davison had one of 2¾lb from Featherbed Rocks, Lee Burton had one of 2½lb from the Targets, and Chris Hossack had one of 2lb from Roker pier. Expected repair work to Roker pier has now been delayed until early June and the pier will remain open until then.
A measure and release match in the Tyne saw Steve Williams win with 277cm, John Youll taking the longest with a cod of 47cm. Chris Robson fished the lower Tyne to win a Tynemouth match with four dabs totalling 1lb 11oz followed by Glen Campbell with a single coalfish of 1¼ b.
Some anglers and people walking the beaches have reported several Deal fish washed up recently, mainly north of the Tyne, an unusual deep water species that is long and silver and, when in fresh condition, has a bright red full length dorsal fin. The Dove Marine Laboratory at Cullercoats is usually interested to hear of such finds.
The Seaham Good Friday Open is on Friday 18th with fishing from 12 noon until 5pm between Hendon Groyne (excluded) to Saddleback Rock at Hawthorne Hive (Hawthorne Point and cliffs excluded). Basic entry is £10 plus pools and team event. The top prizes are for the heaviest fish. The North pier will have 100 pegs available weather permitting. Register from 10am until 11.30am. Contact Seaham clubhouse 0191 5810321 for details.