Mackerel are making merry once more off Roker

MUCH to the delight of local anglers, the mackerel made an appearance ( albeit briefly) on Roker Pier last Wednesday and showed in better numbers at first light on Thursday.

Sadly, the sea came away again and they were gone by Friday.

We now need some settled weather to entice them back inshore, as surely we are more than overdue some by now.

Roker Pier also produced one or two pollock taken on lures and float- fished ragworm.

Local angler Roker Ronnie lost a pollock estimated at 5lb- plus on the lift- in last Tuesday.

On Saturday night there were a few dogfish taken from the end of the pier.

These fish are starting to show up in bigger numbers in our area, with one angler taking eight from Seaham North Pier.

The best baits for these fish are sandeel and ragworm and they usually feed better after dark.

The River Wear is still giving up plenty of flounders and eels, along with the odd good coalfish up to 2lb.

The River Tyne has also fished well for flounders and eels, which are now showing in good numbers.

The best area has been the British Airways car park, giving up bags of 20- plus fish.

Crab has been the top bait, but when the water is clear, ragwom and mackerel strip have been taking a lot flounders.

South Shields Pier has been fishing well for plaice, with Sunderland angler Andy Copeland taking nine, along with two good flounders on ragworm bait.

The pier has also produced plenty of whiting on evening tides and coalfish and mackerel during the day.

Boat anglers are still having a good time of it with cod, ling, pollock and big mackerel for the taking.

Shad lures have been taking the better sized cod, with blue, orange and red and orange being the best colours.

Last Wednesday, the Catch 22 had a trip out to sea, pictured right, and although only three of the party turned up, they had a great day wreck fishing in redhot sunshine.

The sea was like a lake and they caught 40 cod between them, some weighing up to 14 ½ lb.

Local boat The Sapphire had a booking from Leyland and Farlington Boat Club over the weekend.

On Friday they had a poor day, only taking one cod and one ling between 10 anglers and on Saturday they could not put to sea due to an easterly swell.

However, on Sunday they more than made up for the disappointment, going out 14 miles to fish over the wrecks and taking 30 cod all over 5lb, with the biggest at 10lb taken on squid and mackerel- baited hokkis.

Ryhope Club’s sweepstake held at the Southwick Prom last Tuesday had a good weigh- in.

Nineteen out of 22 anglers returned to the scales, with 29 fish in total, consisting of 12 eels,

HHtwo coalfish and 15 flatfish.

Davy McCready took the top spot with a flatfish ( 1lb 11oz). Runner- up Mick Davison caught a coalfish ( 1lb 7oz), followed closely by Alan Burton with a flatfish ( 1lb 4oz).

The final placing went to Chris Hossack who also had a flatfish ( 1lb 3oz). All fish were safely returned alive to the water.

On Saturday, 26 members fished the Alberta Sea Anglers’ Club Match.

It was a difficult day, with poor weather conditions. However, 18 returned mostly flounders and dabs to the scales.

Eric Bell took top spot with 12 fish ( 10lb 14oz) from the River Tyne.

The Tyne was also kind to runner- up Mark Minchell, who took nine fish ( 7lb 14oz).

Darren Browne ventured to South Shields Pier and caught the most fish – 13 ( 7lb 8oz), taking third.

The Whitley Bay Summer Open on Sunday was won with three codling ( 9lb 7oz) and the heaviest single fish was a wrasse ( 4lb 7oz).

The Rutherfords/ Cono- flex two day open had a turnout of 39 anglers.

On day one, Zone A was won by Phil Wright with eight fish ( 204cm), followed closely by Steve Potts with eight ( 202cm). Third went to Jim Dobie with nine fish ( 187cm).

The winner of Zone B was Steve Gordon with

HHseven fish ( 195cm). Second went to Neil Cuttler with seven ( 183cm) and in third was Ken McCoy, who also had seven fish ( 180cm).

Day two was a better day as the rain water coming down the Tyne eased.

Zone A was won by Barry Wright with 16 fish ( 432cm). In second, with a great performance, was young Ryhope angler Mason Burton with 17 ( 431cm), followed in third by Tommy Tate with 16 ( 381cm).

Zone B was the better of the zones on day two, Jim Dobie winning with 25 fish ( 615cm) followed by Simon Drayton with 22 ( 532cm). Third went to Phil Wright with 19 fish ( 469cm).

Overall winner of the two days was Jim Dobie, who repeated his success from last year’s competition by taking the £ 500 first prize.

Second overall was Phil Wright, who won £ 300. The £ 200 third place went to Steve Potts. Travelling angler Dave Read went home £ 100 richer with his fourth.

The Rutherfords/ Cono- flex sweepstake takes place tonight at the Copthorne Hotel ( 7.30pm10.30pm).

On Saturday night, Seaham Sea Anglers have their Nighthawk competition ( 6pm to 1am) and on Sunday, Ryhope Sea Angling Club Summer League will take place at the Copthorne Hotel in the River Tyne ( noon to 4pm).

Ryhope Sea Angling Club’s Tuesday night competition is at Southwick Promenade again ( 7pm to 10pm). This is a heaviest single fish competition.

Entry is £ 5, with registration at the venue.

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