SEA ANGLING
ONCE again boat fishing was affected by sea conditions, so the majority of the boats stayed close inshore where the fishing has been best all of this ‘summer’.
The Tyne charter boat “Blue Eye” had over 40 keepable cod and pollock from close inshore. The best cod was 10lb taken by Paul Swanson on a blue and white sidewinder lure. Skipper Colin is on 07903 226202.
Most fish being taken in the boats are undersized codling, and plenty of them, with the better fish taken on mackerel strip plus sidewinders.
Kayak anglers are complaining about not being able to get through the mackerel because there are so many of them, and they are also being bothered by small codling.
The odd better fish taken by kayak anglers have been mainly codling 4lb to 5lb taken on a variety of baits, taken fairly close inshore.
Most shore marks north from Blyth are giving plenty of codling. Unfortunately the majority of them are undersize. Fish have been taken from Cresswell, Bog Hall, The Private Beach, The Beacons, Church Point, Cambois Rocks and, at night, Blyth and Whitley Bay beaches have also given a few codling.
South Shields and Seaham Piers are still producing reasonable numbers of mackerel, with odd codling. Marsden and Whitburn rock edges are giving a few codling 2lb to 3lb, mainly to crab.
The Frank Oldham Memorial Open held last Sunday had an entry of 79 rods. The winner was G Foster with 12lb 2½oz. Second was S Davidson with 11lb 13½oz and third was D Halliday with 7lb 14oz. Fourth was S Williams with 5lb 11½oz.
The 46th Newbiggin Open Shore Angling Competition, sponsored by McDermott’s Ashington and Sports & Leisure Blyth, is on Sunday, September 25 from 10am to 2pm.
Entry is £12 including the heaviest fish. Juniors are £5. Registration at the Bank House Club Newbiggin, 8-9.30am. Prize table is valued at well over £2,000. Tickets on sale at local tackle shops the week before.
South Beach SAC’s competition saw 18 rods take part, 10 weighed in. Steve Sherman won with five fish from Newbiggin West End for 6.14.0, including the HSF of 1.14.9. Second was Malcolm Watts with three fish from Collywell for 3.9.0. Third was Phil Smithson with three fish from the Wansbeck for 3.0.0.
The Cleadon SAC had 24 rods out, of which 12 weighed in. The winner was Darren Browne with one fish for 4600 grams (10lb 14oz). Second was Brian Ridley with three fish for 1595 grams. Third was Paul Wassell with two fish for 1325 grams.
My guests on Saturday’s CVFM “Gone Fishing” radio programme, (8-10am on www.cvfm.org.uk) are Chris Santella, an angling journalist from Oregon, USA, talking about steelhead salmon and cut throat trout, and Sven Hille from Germany talking about fishing in the Baltic.
Any clubs who would like publicity for winter open shore competitions please get in touch with me on 0191 5184561 or samharris01@aol.com.