Even with a bit of sea running and plenty of colour in the water mackerel were still to be taken from the Hartlepool piers last week, although not many anglers were fishing for them, good numbers where landed from the Pilot pier and Middleton pier before the sea got too rough by Thursday. Cod continue to show in such conditions with some anglers reporting bags of up to six fish from the promenade and low water marks. At other times large numbers of whiting and dabs are present, and this year has seen some big coalfish landed with some specimens around the 2lb mark. Everywhere else along the north east shoreline has seen similar results with lots of mixed bags featuring the odd bigger cod or coalfish reported from Seaham piers Northwards.
Hendon Wall continues to produce cod, John Lovett had four all around the 2lb mark during a recent session. Roker has been productive with lots of coalfish, flounders, and cod to 6lb landed. The rock edges between Roker and South Shields pier have produced cod mainly on a night time low water, and South Shields pier itself has seen smaller cod showing on most tides. The river Tyne is usually quite good at this time of year and those anglers using fresh crab baits have taken cod to 4lb, coalfish, flounders, dabs, plaice, whiting, and the odd eel and plaice.
A recent Tynemouth Sunday league match is typical of what to expect with winner Steve Harper having 10 whiting, three dabs, and two cod weighing 9½lb, his two cod were the best fish at 1lb 11oz and 1lb 9oz. Chris Robson had five dabs, four whiting, and one cod for 5lb 5oz. Across the river Paul Rogers won a Cleadon match with one cod of 4lb 3oz taken at Marsden, and Neil Cutler had two from South Shields pier totalling 3lb 11oz just ahead of Gareth Gardner with two for 3lb 10oz. The Ryhope Tuesday evening sweepstake saw Ritchie Carr win with a cod of 6lb 3oz taken at Marsden, Lee Douglas was second and third with cod of 3lb 11oz and 3lb 10oz perspectively taken at Ryhope, and Stu Carr had a cod of 3lb 2oz for fourth place.
A Seaham match saw 14 out of the 56 entrants weigh in 31 fish, mostly cod, for 32.22lb, a good result with a southerly sea. Dean Furness won with three cod for 6.41lb, the best 3.45lb, taken at the Blocks. Steve Harriman had four weighing 4.38lb from the South pier, and Gary Pye had seven for a total of 4.03lb from the Blast Ledge.
Boat angling has generally been good when conditions are favourable with some big autumn ling looking for fresh mackerel baits. Michael Stubbs had one of 12lb and visiting Hong Kong angler Tony Kwok had one of 17¾lb. Michael Newton and Ritchie Carr fishing the private boat Iris Rose just off from Whitburn landed 23 cod to 5lb in a session of a couple of hours. The JFK 2 fishing offshore from the Tyne took 50 bigger fish to 13lb plus pollack and large numbers of mackerel.
The Bedlington Station Mini Night Open is on Saturday October 10th with fishing from 6.45pm until 10.45pm between Tynemouth pier to Amble pier, excluding all rivers and piers except Blyth pier. Basic entry is £12 all in which includes a complimentary cooked supper for those who return to the weigh in. First prize is £250 for the heaviest bag, £100 for the heaviest fish, plus raffle prizes. Register at the General Havelock, East Sleekburn from 4.45pm until 5.45pm. As per the law, edible crab and cart bait is banned.
The Seaham David Guy Memorial Open is on Sunday October 25th with fishing from 12 noon until 5pm between Hendon Groyne and Dene Holm pipe at Horden. Basic entry is £10 plus optional pools and sealed weight. Top three prizes of £1000, £500 and £350 are for the heaviest fish One prize only per angler. Ladies, junior, and disabled winners receive £100. There is a full supporting prize table plus raffle prizes. There will be 100 pegs on the North pier and 80 pegs on the South pier weather permitting. Register at the Seaham clubhouse from 9.30am until 11am. You can pre register from September 26th at Rutherfords Angling, N.E. Tackle Supplies, Coast Road Tackle, and at the clubhouse during normal working hours.
