Shore sport has improved with some quality whiting starting to move inshore all along the local shoreline. Flounders and dabs are evident from all of the clean ground marks and the local rivers, and small cod are increasing in numbers, mainly in the north of the region. A few double figure cod are also being reported with the best being one of 14lb 10oz taken by Tony Rutherford from Beadnell together with one of 11lb 6oz landed by Steve Elliott from South Shields pier during a Cleadon A.C. match.
Mick Bell landed 11 cod weighing 26lb at Newton, Trevor Green had nine to 3lb from Roker, Kenneth Scott had six coalfish for 10lb from Frenchman’s Bay and Steve White had a cod of 7lb from the Tyne. In a recent Northumberland Sea League match the winner, Chris Guthrie, had seven cod to weigh in 13lb 14oz from Bog Hall Rocks, followed by Jimmy Dunn with six for 12lb 14oz. Dick Bradley won a recent Newbiggin match with three cod weighing 5lb 9oz, and Willie Emery won another with five for 10lb 1oz. Ian Harrogate won an Amble match with four for 6lb 3oz, Gregg Norris won a S.B.R.A.A.C. match with three weighing 5lb 13oz, and Dave Keeler won a Tynemouth match with two cod which weighed an ounce under five pounds.
Fishing in the Wear for flounders has been a bit hit or miss but they are certainly there, but only feeding on certain tides. The Eastenders sweepstake on Wednesday evening saw just three out of 18 weigh in when Ernie Hunter fished Panns Bank to win with a flattie 1lb, followed by Dave Steel and Tommy Tate each with one of 13oz. Sport was slightly better for the Eastenders match on Saturday with five weighing in eight flounders. Malcolm Sopp had three for 3lb 9oz to finish first, Daly Short had two for 1¾lb, and Steve King had one for 1lb.
The Sunderland S.A.A. match was won by Steve Rackstraw with two flounders and a single whiting for 3lb 9oz, Jimmy Gardiner had two flounders for 2lb 3oz and Darren Welsh had two for 1lb 15oz.
Seaham S.A.C. fished for the Kirton Cup on Sunday with six out of 48 landing three cod and three flounders for a total weight of 8.96 lbs. John Gibson fished the cliffs at Ryhope and landed the best cod at 3.47lb while John Barrass finished second with a cod of 2.09 lbs taken from the North Pier. Third place went to And Wilkinson with a cod weighing 1.81 lbs while fishing at the Blast Beach.
Sunday March 6th sees the Dave Jobson Memorial Open fishing from 8am till 12 noon between Pattersons Garage at Beadnell to the Ice House in the Tyne. Basic entry is £10; juniors under 16 are free if accompanied by an adult competitor. Register at the Ridley Park Hotel Blyth from 6.30am till 7.45am. Contact Nigel Howitt for details on 07988465416
A series of open matches are being held in the Tyne over the coming months, the first is at the Copthorne Hotel on Saturday March 5th fishing from 1pm till 5pm. Basic entry is £10 with 100% payout. These will be Penn points matches, contact Steve on 07767473120 for details.
