Codling are there all along the coastline

ANGLERS all along the coastline from Whitby to Eyemouth continue to take good bags of codling.

Quite a few bags are nudging 20lb. but most of the fish are averaging around 1.5lb with a few to 4lb among them.

Whitby SA’s weighed in well over 100lb of codling in their match Dave Hambley taking one of the few better codling at just over 6lb.

The beaches at Foxton, Blyth and Whitley Bay and rock marks at Newbiggin, Ryhope and Marsden have proved very productive, but again getting a fish over 3lb is proving hard.

A few of the rock marks are giving the odd better cod John McClure took one of the better ones weighing 8lb from Whitburn.

Brian Scott had another trip north this time fishing the rock ends at Eyemouth. Scott took a decent catch of codling and coalfish his best cod going 6lb 7oz, most of the fish being returned.

Seaham, Sunderland old north pier, South Shields and Tynemouth piers have all produced mixed bags of small codling, coalfish, whiting, flounder and dab with South Shields pier giving a few cod to 4lb.

The Wear is still producing some decent flounder with the upper reaches of the Tyne giving a few codling.

When boats have been able to get out, most anglers fishing either their own or a charter boat have been able to take up to half a dozen pan sized fish with quite a few being returned.

If you can get the conditions in your favour it goes well – which is what six anglers did fishing aboard Whitby boat Shy Torque managed taking around 60 fish made up of mainly cod and pollock.

However trips when conditions have gone against anglers the fishing has not been as good.

Anglers out on JFK TWO fishing at

Above, Gary Pye, winner of the recent South Shields open, with junior winner Harley Thompson anchor have kept around 45 fish, with the best around 4.5lb.

If conditions allow Roker pier could be open this weekend after refurbishment.

If it is, anglers are asked to take their rubbish away and are also asked to report any anti-social behavior which has blighted the Old North pier. Call police on 101 to report antisocial behavior

Above, Darren Browne with his winning fish in the recent John Taylor memorial match. Left, Nicky Robson with his winning fish in the recent Bedlington Station open