Changing wind will bring in codling for bigger catches

THERE are plenty of codling showing in our area at the moment – if there’s a change in the weather and the wind comes off the sea, the fishing will be great with plenty more fish around.

Although there remains plenty of flounders around, the small coalfish that were showing in the River Wear seem to have moved on.

With a little rain to colour the water, the codling and whiting should move in to the river.

The River Tyne is producing lots of codling. Although a lot are just undersized, there have also been a good number of sized fish, mostly around 1 ½ lb with the best at 4lb.

Early last week, there were good numbers of launce sandeels and small coalfish taking all kinds of lure on South Shields Pier. There were also some good codling from The Blocks area, up to 5lb.

The rock marks at Whitburn and Marsden have continued to produce codling to 4lb, with all areas worth a look, but be careful if the sea is big.

Further north, the rocks marks between Newbiggin and Craster have produced good numbers of fish up to 8lb.

Craster has been the most popular area with the fish taking most baits, but crab, lug and mussel have proved to be the best.

Boat anglers have been finding some quality fish.

Local angler Geoff Ayre, fishing on a private boat out of Sunderland, took a 23lb ling on mackerel bait.

Local charter boat The Sapphire is now back in action and took 10 anglers on a four hour fishing trip on Sunday.

Starting on the inshore wrecks, they took codling up to 3lb and then decided to move close in shore off the High Drum and took 35 cod ranging from 2 ½ lb to 8lb, along with pollock up to 7lb and a few mackerel.

The JFK2, fishing out of the Tyne, has been taking up to 100 fish a trip with cod averaging 7lb to 8lb.

Stuart Beadle took the biggest cod – a cracking 20lb!

Twenty - five anglers fished last Tuesday’s Ryhope Sweepstake with only six weighing in.

Andy Rutherford was top rod with 3lb 9oz. Walter Yardley took second with 3lb 7oz and fourth place with 1lb 6oz. David Mould was third with 1lb 12oz.

The Wednesday night competition was fished on South Shields Pier with 11 anglers taking part.

The first heaviest single fish went to G. Pattinson with a 4lb 4oz codling. Second was R. Carr with a 3lb 9oz codling. Carr also had the heaviest bag with two fish for 6lb 12oz.

The Blenny Hill Open was fished at the Glass Centre on Saturday.

First place went to Davie Stoker with two fish for 53cm. Second place was a three- way tie between Rita Clark, Micky Davison and Dave McCready with 28cm.

Third place was also tied between Don Scott and Peter Moir with 27cm.

Ryhope SAC fished their club competition on Sunday with 60 anglers turning out.

Winner John Blaney fished Marsden to take two codling for 2,530g. Second- placed Colin Stead took a codling and a wrasse for 2,245g while third- placed Paul Hossack had four codling for 2,170g. The heaviest fish was Blaney’s 2,135g codling. The heaviest flat fish was Alan Burton’s 495g flounder.

The junior winner was Matthew Win with 850g.

Cleadon SAC were out on Monday night with 31 anglers competing. Thirteen took fish back to the scales.

First was S. Start with a single fish for 4lb 6oz. Runner- up was T. Woods with four fish for 7lb 12oz, then D. Browne with three fish for 5lb 9oz.

Seventeen retired members of Borough of Tyneside Angling Club’s fished a match at the weekend with ten weighing in.

First with five fish ( 4.1lb) was Tony Taylor, followed by Wilf Reed in second with two fish ( 4lb), including the heaviest single fish – a plaice of 3lb 9oz.

Third place went to Stuart Ford with two fish for 1.08lb.

On Sunday, Seaham SAC fish for the Dillon Trophy ( 2- 7pm) and on the same day Ryhope SAC will fish their club competition ( 2- 6pm).

Also taking place on Sunday is the Bedlington Station Northumbria Open ( 10- 2pm). First prize is £ 500 for the heaviest bag. Entry is £ 12 all in ( juniors £ 6).

Tickets are available in tackle shops around Newbiggin or on the day at Bankhouse Club ( 8- 9am).

Boundaries are Tynemouth Pier to South Pier ( Craster). All Rivers and piers excluded except Blyth Pier. No edible crab or cart allowed.

Ryhope’s Tuesday night comp will be fished again this week ( 7- 10pm). Entry will be £ 5 with registration at the back of the Village Tavern.

Tickets are now in tackle shops for the Seaham Open which takes place on October 26, with a first prize of £ 1,000.

This year’s Sunderland Sea Angling Festival takes place on Sunday, November 9 ( not November 6 as stated last week). Entry is £ 12 all in (£ 2 of which is for heaviest fish pool) with 100 per cent payout. Prizes will be £ 500, £ 300 and £ 200 for the heaviest single fish and there will be a prize table in excess of £ 2,000.

Tickets will be on sale in local tackle shops soon. 0191 5654183 rutherangling@ btinternet. com @ Tackledealer