Cod from the kelp
You need a strong arm, tough tackle and determination to tease a cod from Northumberland’s harsh and hostile ground
Fishing in the North East’s rough ground.
If you’ve never experienced the pleasure of fishing from one of Northumberland’s picturesque marks, you really are missing out.
The sandy stretches at Druridge Bay, Warkworth and Embleton are used by many anglers who come to enjoy easy flatfish and bass action, and with the vast majority of hungry flounders and small turbot happily taking baits from virtually under the rod tip, they provide fulfilling sport on delicate tackle.
It’s away from the sand, though, where the ground becomes hard and hostile that really sets the pulse racing. Huge volcanic ledges that lifted out of the sea millions of years ago provide sloping platforms that fall away into accessible deep water. It’s this unforgiving terrain that is the real jewel in the crown for local shore rods. They know that amid the tangling kelp and unseen, snag-ridden areas below the waves, the cod are waiting, and the good news is there’s still time to bag yourself a late-season cod as they tend to hang around until the end of February, or even early March.
If you’re an angler who loathes losing tackle or becoming stuck fast each cast, then Northumberland’s rocks will quickly become your angling nightmare. However, if experiencing hard bites, putting your gear to the test and feeling your beach rod bending under pressure is your thing, it will probably turn out to be your fishing Utopia.
BEST COD MARKS
Although there are many miles of open coastline to target, the array of marks that are situated between Howick and Craster has long been favoured by many of the NorthEast’s cod anglers.
The ground is rough, and while successfully guiding a hooked cod back to your feet isn’t easy, the rewards are always definitely worth every ounce of effort.
The tactics used to coax a fish out of the deep water are crude, to say the least. Performing well-timed and powerful pendulum casts isn’t necessary, and neither are technically-built rigs.
The main necessity is being able to lob a huge cocktail of worms, crabs, mussels and fish into an abyss of terminal obstacles. Then it’s a case of putting your back into it when you retrieve.
One particular mark that is easily recognisable is The Doctor’s House. Situated almost on top of the rocks, anglers have landed some fantastic fish from directly in front of it. Its official name is The Bathing
“Larger cocktails will produce a better scent trail”
House, and it’s a Grade II listed building and part of the Howick Hall Estate.
The ground close in is extremely rough, with thick blankets of kelp being the main instigator of tackle and fish losses. However, getting snagged with a fish certainly doesn’t have to end badly; by using a powerful 1314ft rod and a reel capable of storing a large amount of 25-35lb mono mainline and rubbing leader, there’s a real chance of bullying a cod to the edge.
Modern times have seen more anglers adopting the use of a fixed-spool reel and braid. The jury is still out, for me, on whether it’s beneficial or not, especially as I’ve witnessed lots of missed bites by anglers using braid. The distinct absence of stretch too, that braid offers, could also spell trouble for the inexperienced angler.
The optimum times to fish at The Doctor’s House and surrounding areas is certainly over low tide. The last three hours of the ebb and the first of the flood will offer you more chances of success.
Heading north, it’s easy to spot Cullernose Point; a high cliff that descends seawards is the giveaway to one of Northumberland’s most popular marks.
The point at Cullernose is a noted cod hotspot boasting a relatively good tide run that is easily reached with a cast. Again, the ground close in is demanding, but a decent 70-80yd cast sees you fishing into some cleaner ground. Together with extremely deep water and a fast-running tide means that it’s perfect for locating a cod or two.
Immediately to the right of Cullernose Point as you approach it is a small bay. Riddled with gullies and boulders, as well as treacherous weed-covered rocks, this is known as Swinedene.
While there are some good fish hooked from here, many fall foul to the snags. It really is rough and it’s almost guaranteed that you will lose end gear – and fish. The rewards for your efforts though, will soon help you to forget those agonising instances when everything goes solid.
Still heading north, the rocks to the left of Cullernose Point become easier to negotiate. However, when wet, these can be extremely hazardous, so it’s probably wise to avoid wearing footwear or waders that have studded soles.
The main gully you’ll find is known locally as the Black Hole. It’s one of those marks that can produce excellent catches, especially after a storm when the sea is dying and coloured.
One of the biggest mistakes to make here is to cast too far. More often than not, a really short lob can see a bite coming very quickly indeed. Over low water, bites can inevitably dry up from resident fish, but as the tide