With easterly winds forecast for this week we may see some movement on the sea and with big tides this could be the last best chance of landing a big double figure cod. If that does not happen then recent club matches give a good idea of what to expect. Micky Bell only needed five dabs for 2lb 15oz taken in the lower Tyne to win a Tynemouth match ahead of Glen Campbell with three dabs and one whiting for 2lb 2oz. Several anglers tied for the heaviest fish with either whiting or dabs of 12oz. Seaham A.C. Fished for their Clifford Plate trophy in a match which produced 10 fish for 6.85lb. Dave Wood won with a cod of 2.18lb taken from the South pier, Gary Pye had two fish for 1.15oz from the Blast Ledge and Joe Greaves had a single fish of 0.79lb.
A Ryhope club match on Sunday saw very poor returns for those 51 anglers fishing, Roker pier produced a few whiting and a single small cod, and the Wear saw a few flounders landed. Bob Surtees won with five whiting weighing 1.42kg, Tommy Tate had two flounders for 0.89kg, best 0.46kg, Lee Burton had three whiting totalling 0.87kg, and Paul Hossack had the best roundfish with the lonely cod of 0.43kg. Several members have recently being fishing at Flatanger in Norway which produced lots of smaller cod around the 5lb to 7lb mark but none of the big double figure specimens or big haddock that were expected. Keith Carter had the best cod at 14lb, Paul Richardson had a halibut of 10lb 11oz, Alex McGee had a halibut of 10lb 2oz, and Tony Gindell had a cod of 10lb 2oz.
South Shields pier is always worth a visit for spring run cod and early coalfish, a recent match saw numbers of both species landed. P. McIntyre had three coalfish for 2lb 10oz, M. Robson had two cod totalling 2lb 7oz, best 1lb 5oz, and M. Wilkinson had two fish weighing 1lb 6oz. As yet, not much sign of any early plaice showing from this mark.
A reminder that the Seaham Good Friday Open on April 3rd is fished from 12 noon until 5pm between Hendon Groyne (excluded) to Hawthorn Hive. Seaham South pier will have 60 pegs available weather permitting. Register from 10am until 11am at Seaham clubhouse. Basic entry is £10 plus optional pools, team events, etc. 0191 5810321 for further details.
