Battle lines drawn on rush to land mackerel

AS the first of that delicious fish the mackerel have been taken from Seaham pier, one internet wag has posted that it is time for decent anglers to get your crash helmets on.

This is because of the numerous people who come out of the woodwork when the macky arrive, dash down to their local pier and create havoc with great strings of feathers and catching more macky than they can carry back, leaving them to rot in the sun.

The decent, responsible anglers only get streams of abuse if they say anything.

The fresh mackerel taken by charter boats has accounted for doublefigured ling from quite a few boats including Blue Eye 2, JFK TWO and Sapphire, with shads and sidewinders taking good numbers of cod to 7lb, pollock, good-sized coalfish and the odd wolf fish from the wrecks off the Tyne and Wear.

Charter boats that specialise in fishing from the hard ground around Beadnell, Craster and Amble, such as Upholder, gave anglers around 10 fish each with cod to 6lb and the odd ling to 7lb.

Whitby boats are taking decent cod and ling to double figures from both wrecks and ground. Private boats and kayaks fishing close in are taking good numbers of codling in the 2-3lb range, with a few going to 7lb, all along the North East and East coast with double the amount taken being returned, so this weekend’s kayak event should be a real cracker.

Seaham per is also proving to be a hot spot for species hunters. Mike Darling went after one of the spotted rays that have been turning up and took what I believe is a first for the region, a blonde ray of around 2lb, along with dogfish, coalfish and a rare tadpole fish.

Another rarity for the area turned up in BOTAC’s retired members match, with Tony Anderson taking a halibut of 2lb 10oz.

Not as many anglers have been across to the Solway, but a few rays and conger are being taken from Balcary and marks towards Kirkcudbright.

I would imagine with a good forecast a few anglers will be travelling to the Mull hunting pollock, conger and

EVENTS

Mike Darling with his blonde ray and above, Mark Gilmore and Mark Francis with their ling bull huss and bass from the beaches.

The Cumbria coast is fishing well for flounder a few plaice and dogfish, but I have heard of no rays from Silloth although this could well change this weekend.

The Northumbria beaches from Cambois to Berwick have seen good catches of flounder, a few dab and plaice with the chance of a turbot or bass on the cards. SATURDAY, June 3: 1.30-5.30pm Maryport DSAC, Workington Jetty to

Bankhead farm, cash 1st 2nd 3rd h/flat 1st h/r/f plus prize table entry snrs £15 jnrs £3 reg Glasgow Rangers RL club from 11.30am details David 01900 605765, Jeff 01900 870624