ALL ROUTES NORTH
If you’re seeking consistent cod fishing this winter, consider getting on the road to North Yorkshire
You’ll find great cod fishing in Yorkshire.
Cod fishing may be hit and miss in the south of the country, but it seems there is no such problem up north in Yorkshire, where shore anglers get among both substantial numbers of fish and large specimens every year. It’s a fact that once you get to the Humber Estuary and go north, the cod fishing can be guaranteed in winter. Unfortunately, that luxury seems to have passed by some parts of the south in recent years.
Yorkshire is our biggest county with a long coastline, where the fishing can be considered in at least two or even three distinct parts – the Humber shoreline, the Holderness Coast and the area north of Filey all the way to Redcar.
The Humber seems to have hit some form for cod since late October, while many anglers prefer the Holderness Coast from early in the new year. Further north the rock and kelp ground can hold fish throughout the 12 months.
In autumn and winter the marks in North Yorkshire usually produce good bags of fish, with some double-figure specimens on the cards. Some are noted big-fish marks too. Local rods make the most of it, including Paul Medd, a good friend of Sea Angler magazine, who is happy to point our readers in the right direction when it comes to catching cod. This time he’s chosen two marks, Hawsker and Boulby, where you can enjoy a great session.
Although these venues fish all year, particularly Hawsker, in the correct conditions, they are predominantly known as autumn and winter venues. The fishing is good until the end of January, although February can produce in some years, but cannot always be relied on. A common factor is, they both have fairly rough fishing terrain.
“Twenty years ago, these were both considered big-fish venues,” said Paul, who comes from Scarborough. “During the last decade things have changed a bit, with fewer of the large fish at Boulby, with Hawsker now considered more likely to produce the better cod. That said, they can still produce double-figure fish.”
HAWSKER
The two settlements of High and Low Hawsker, divided by the A171 south-east of Whitby, are known as Hawsker.
“There is slightly heavier ground at North Hawsker, where you are fishing on rock with weed edges, but if you cast a bit further out you find mixed to clean ground,” advised Paul, who confirmed there is no need for big distances when casting at either of these venues. Stick to short or reasonable distances.
“It requires a northerly wind and coloured water to fish really well, but being deep water and heavy ground, it can also produce cod when the water is more settled. It’s a bit more versatile,” said Paul, who is a successful match angler and is often seen fishing with his dad Dave, who is noted for his backcasting style with old school Scarborough reels.
“North Hawsker is rated as a high-water venue, with the best fishing usually three hours up to high water and three down. However, it can still fish at low water,” added Paul.