Northern Bites 16-11-09

by Steve Walker

Even in relatively settled conditions small cod are still evident from most areas. The most productive sessions have been during darkness with a bit of surf running. Most cod are averaging around the 1½ to 2lb mark but increasing numbers of bigger fish around 5lb are now starting to show and double figure specimens are again evident from the hard ground marks. The Durham beaches and Hartlepool piers are now producing more fish after a slow start to the winter season with a lot of quality whiting and dabs showing on most tides to keep anglers happy. Double figure mixed bags have been reasonably common from all areas, particularly from the Tyne, where success with at least a few smaller cod or coalfish is virtually guaranteed. Best results continue to come from north of the Tyne where Michael McMenamin had a cod of 12lb 6oz in a bag total of 20lb from Boulmer. Paul Gallon had a cod of 11½lb from Craster, Mal McIntyre a conger of 10lb from Marden, Dave Allen had a cod of 8½lb from the Tyne and Sean Blake had cod of 7lb and 6½lb from Slatey Gut.

The Horden Buffs H.S.F. Sweepstake on Wednesday saw some nice mixed bags taken. Darren Thompson was the best of fourteen fishing with a cod of 4lb 10oz in a bag total of 7lb 12oz and Ron Smith had a cod of 4½lb in a bag total of three cod for 10lb 7oz.

Hartlepool W.C.S.A.C. fished Saturday afternoon in gale force winds and struggled to find any great numbers of fish. Ian Found did well to land two cod from a local beach for 4lb 1oz, best 2lb 3oz. Marc Wallace had a flounder of 1lb and Steve Booth had a dab of 10oz.

Hartlepool O.M.A.C. fished Saturday night and the catches show the obvious difference when fishing at night. Chris Smith won with a superb mixed bag for 19lb 13oz, ahead of Ian Palmer Jnr. In second with 14lb 15oz. Steve Gibbins had the heaviest fish, a cod of 3lb followed by Jay Kelly who weighed in a cod of 2lb 14oz. Next match is Saturday November 28th fishing from 7pm till 1am. There is a meeting prior to this at 5.30pm which all members are requested to attend.

S.B.R.A.A.C. fished last weekend with eight out of fourteen landing eleven fish. Phil Smithson won with two cod and a coalfish for 3lb 9oz, second placed Paul Roper had a single cod of 1lb 10oz and Andrew Dodds had two flounders for 1lb 3oz.

The Seaham Badger Open on Friday saw ten out of seventeen land nineteen cod, a whiting and a flounder. Mick Davison took the top two heaviest fish with cod of 2.44lb, and 2.42lb in a bag total of three cod for 6.01lb, ahead of Darren Swan with a cod of 2.21lb.

Sunderland S.A.A. fished Sunday with seven out of ten landing eleven whiting, two flounders, and two dabs. Paul Robinson won with four whiting and two dabs for 3lb 5oz ahead of Alan Walker with two whiting and a flounder for 1lb 14oz and Bill Gamblin with two whiting for 1lb 3oz.

Cleadon A.C. competition saw ten out of thirty-five weigh in small cod mainly from the lower Tyne where John Taylor won with six cod for 11lb. In second Gav Hall weighed in five for 7lb 2oz pushing John Newcombe who had three for 6lb 3oz into third. Fourth place went to Ollie Feenan with 5¼lb and Ian McLaughlin had the heaviest fish, a cod of 4lb 6oz from the Targets.

Bedlington Station A.C. fished at the weekend with eight out of fourteen landing fourteen fish. Steve Surtees had three cod for 12lb from Newbiggin including a fine fish of 9¼lb. Brian Hurrell had three cod for 6lb in second and Zoltan had two for 2lb 14oz.

The Ryhope Tuesday Evening Sweepstake saw forty-four fishing with the best fish coming from Roker Pier where Chris Hossack won with a cod of 3270 grams, followed by Dave Mould with one of 2170 grams. John Barrass had one for 1885 grams in third and John Gibson had one of 1555 grams.

The Ryhope club match on Sunday saw eighty-one fishing with lots of whiting showing on the day. Gary Dunn fished Rathouse Corner to land eight whiting for 3455 grams and take first place. Runner-up John Topliffe had six for 1990 grams from Hendon and Scott Brown had six for 1530 grams from Roker. Top junior was Lauren Hayley with two fish for 815 grams. Joe Lemon had the best flatfish with a flounder of 385 grams and the heaviest round fish was a cod of 620 grams taken by Alan Burton.

The Eastenders Sweepstake on Wednesday saw fifteen fishing with all of the top fish coming from Roker. Barry Wright had a cod of 2.10kg, Chris Hossack had one for 1.30kg and Paul Howey had one of 1.19kg.

The South Shields Open on Sunday saw an excellent turn out of three hundred and six seniors and fifteen juniors fishing the event, seventy-four weighed in two hundred and forty-one fish for 256lb 9oz. First prize of £500 for the heaviest fish went to Chris Hossack with a cod of 3lb 9oz, followed by Tony Grant with a cod of 3lb 1oz and Ian McLaughlin with one of 2lb 14oz. The heaviest bag was taken by Paul McIntyre with 14½lb and runner-up Gavin Owen weighed in 12lb 2oz. Top junior was Kalvin Dunn with 3lb 11oz and top lady was Pauline Ferry with 12oz.

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 3 h.s.f. 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

Saturday December 6th sees the Bedlington Station Northumbrian Open fishing 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 excluded. 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.

Facebook Comments Box

You may also like

Leave a Comment

I accept the Privacy Policy

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.