Ray of light on the horizon with catches reported

A LOT of North East anglers are wondering in these lean times when the first rays are going to turn up, with many having tried and failed at the best best venues at Seaham and Horden.

There are signs they are on their way up the coast with a few taken down at Bridlington.

But for those who like to travel west, Whitehaven pier has seen quite a few taken; with one angler taking three on the same day, when other anglers were taking dogfish and dabs every cast.

However, other days have seen very little caught. Oddly enough there have been no rays taken at Silloth.

A few rays have however been taken from the marks around Balcary and Kircudbright so it will not long before they show at Silloth.

The marks between Workington and Allonby have given decent bags of codling to 3lb and a few plaice when the conditions are right.

The best codling have been taken from the Whitby marks where a few to 5lb have been taken in bags of two or three fish, but like everywhere else the whiting have not been as thick on the ground – especially the Wear where the water has cleared and the few whiting around only feeding during darkness.

The best whiting have been taken from Seaham North pier along with dogfish and odd sizeable coalfish.

A few codling to 3lb have been taken from the rock marks north of the Tyne at Craster, Seahouses and Newton, with a few being taken at Marsden – with crab the best bait by far.

The calmer conditions have given anglers the chance for some sport from the open beaches at Warkworth, Embleton and Berwick,

Druridge is the best venue with flounder, the odd turbot to over 1lb and the chance of a bass on the cards.

Lugworm and fish strip are the best bait for the flatfish with ragworm for the bass, and there is no need for long casting as the fish will be just around the third breaker.

Quite a few flounder are still in the Wear but they will be leaving shortly – that is if you can get through the masses of undersized coalfish and codling which are plaguing anglers everywhere.

Unfortunately boat catches have ot been anywhere as good as I would of expected with charter boats finding nothing bar the odd ling and codling to 6lb on the wrecks and, along with private boats, codling to 5lb from the rough ground. Lugworm and squid have been the best baits.

Anglers who fish Old North Pier should be aware that the road from the roundabout to the Yacht Club now has double yellow lines. Callan Stevens with his best cod taken on a recent trip to Norway. Left, Nick Robson with another of his halibut taken on a recent trip to Norway