SEA ANGLING
BOTH boat and shore fishing at the moment is almost at a standstill with very few fish – and even fewer anglers fishing.
Allan Skinner, skipper of the “JFK Two” out of North Shields, was out last weekend and had to travel 17 miles out to get into clean water, the water inshore very dirty and cloudy.
This would not encourage fish to hang around inshore as the silt in the water gets into their gills. Skinner told me sport was very poor and the party aboard only managed 15 codling to 7lb between them. Hopefully another three or four weeks should see a difference in catches. You can contact Allan on 07808 684 358.
The Sunderland charter boat “Sapphire” had engine problems last weekend. Skipper Peter says he should be back in business by this weekend. His number is 07854 819 924.
I mentioned the Bob White Memorial Open Boat Competition out of Amble last week, held on Saturday July 8.
Boat places are already being booked. The event is open to charter and private boats and also kayaks. You can get more information and book your boat space by contacting Norma at the Amble Angling Centre on 01665 711 200.
Bookings are already coming in for the Hartlepool Species Boat Competition being fished from Monday, July 31 to Friday, August 4. The competition will be fished on a “points basis” with different species having a different number of points.
Almost all of the Hartlepool charter boat fleet have been booked for this event. The competition is being fished in aid of Help For Heroes and the RNLI. A donation of £10 from each entry will be divided between these two charities.
There will be a good prize list, with prizes for individual anglers and teams of four but no money prizes will be on offer. For further details contact Lee, skipper of charter boat “Great Escape,”on 07501 176748.
Anglers fishing the beaches for flounders north of Blyth are taking a few small school bass. These must be returned as it is illegal to keep them.
Most beaches are producing flounders and the odd small turbot, which have been taken from Warkworth, Druridge, Lynemouth, Newbiggin and Cambois beaches - mainly on rag or lug tipped with bluey or mackerel strip.
The River Tyne and South Shields pier are still giving undersized codling with whiting from the pier at night. There is no sign of Roker pier opening yet. The proposed date for re-opening is May.
The Rat House in the River Wear has produced decentsized whiting mainly at night and there have also been a few lesser spotted dogfish from this venue too.
Hendon Promenade and Horden Beach are both giving lesser spotted dogfish on sandeel or mackerel strip, with reports of some rods taking as many as 15 of this species.
Seaham North Pier still seems to be the most productive, night fishing producing whiting and lesser spotted dogfish.
My guest on this week’s CVFM “Gone Fishing” radio show, live every Saturday, 8am-9am, is Simon McGowan – owner of Sea Ace Fishing – live from Namibia talking about fishing for bronze whaler shark up to 400lb taken from the beach. The show will be taking a break during June.