Durham’s beaches improve your skills…

As many shore anglers around these parts will tell you, the marks will certainly teach you how to deal with many situations.

Having the capability to cast a long way has long been a tradition here, but having the knowledge and knowing when to drop a bait short can also be vital. These are skills that many have taken to a higher level.

Jim Dobie, from Peterlee, is a wellknown angler who not only fishes these beaches successfully, but he also went on to fish at top level with the England shore team for many years. Following in his footsteps is Sunderland angler Ken McCoy. I’ve known Ken for a lot of years and, like Jim, he grew up fishing along Durham’s beaches.

Now, he’s also a regular selection of England’s international shore set-up, so I decided to do a quick Q+A on the area with him.

Paul Fenech: What is your earliest memory of fishing County Durham’s beaches?

Ken McCoy: My earliest memory is fishing the famous Blast Beach, when it was black with coal waste from Dawdon Colliery. It was a club match back in 1984.

PF: What do you like about the shore marks in County Durham?

KM: The marks are so varied that they offer plenty of opportunities to target cod, especially if the conditions are perfect.

PF: What times of year and tides do you prefer to fish around here?

KM: The first big tides in September, and then all the way through the winter.

PF: What is your favourite County Durham shore mark?

KM: There are plenty to go at, but if I had to choose, I’d go for Hawthorn Point at the southern end of the Blast Beach, plus Horden beach further south.

PF: What tackle would you suggest using?

KM: I prefer medium to heavy tackle with 12-30lb mainline, depending on the type of ground I’m fishing over.

PF: What rod and reel do you use here?

KM: I do like my Anyfish Anywhere rods coupled with a Penn Mag multiplier reel.

PF: What are the best rigs to use?

KM: Generally, I’ll opt for a fixed paternoster rig with a rotten-bottom attachment when fishing the rougher ground venues.

PF: What line and hooks do you use on your rigs?

KM: I always use 70lb mono for rig bodies and at least 30lb for hook snoods. Usually, my favoured hooks are Kamasan Uptide in sizes 1-5/0. I may go for red Amnesia snoods if the sea is coloured after a gale.

PF: What are your favourite baits for fishing these marks?

KM: Early in September, live peeler crabs are deadly, along with cart. From November, I’m really successful with lugworms and fresh mussels. If the water is coloured, I’ll often add some razorfish too.

PF: Finally, what’s the best bit of advice you could give anyone looking to fish County Durham’s beaches?

KM: Try to fish from a point or somewhere where you are likely to find some tide running. There’s no need to use massive baits. If your bait is good quality, the cod will find it. If you need extra distance when casting, a bigger bait will certainly hamper you and reduce the distance you can cast. ■