FISH- BAIT-RIGS

COD

Cod the big boy of the north east coast. Available all year round (allegedly) but mainly a winter fish coming inshore when the freezing north-eastly winds roughens the sea. Poor fighter offering very little sport preferring to use its weight to its advantage, open mouths create drag which gives impression of larger fish. Good eating quality.

BAIT

Although has a reputation for swallowing anything it sees, lugworm, rag worm, peeler and mussel reign as the top baits. Squid is sometimes accepted but normally used to tip off worm baits. Cod are active predators feeding on sand eels, whiting, small flatfish etc but these make poor bait for shore cod fishing peeler being the preferred.

RIGS AND TACTICS

Bottom feeder so that's where the bait should lie. Large mouth and appetite so be generous with bait, a pennel rig is ideal as it allows large baits to be used. Has a preference for rough ground so use rotten bottoms when needed. Cod fishing is basically a tug of war so tackle with a bit of clout is needed. Bites are easy to spot, the rod bend over and stays bent or you get loads of slack line.


COALFISH

Also known locally as coalies. These are most abundant during the summer months. There numbers have declined over the past few years. They are easy to catch off rocks, piers, and harbours making them ideal for the kiddies. Strong fighter but sadly often people take undersized fish for the cat making decent fish rare. Eating quality is ok but nothing special but quite nice grilled.

BAIT

Fresh mackerel or herring strips best but will also readily take lugworm, rag worm and mussel. Best to conserve your peeler for the cod. Will take lures especially silver with a touch of red

RIGS AND TACTICS

These are Mainly bottom feeder with smaller mouth than cod. As this is a shoaling fish use 2-3 hook paternosters where safe, catching 2-3 at once is common. Bites tend to be sharp and well pronounced.

BASS

The best tasting and hardest fighting fish your likely to come across in NE England. These fish like sandy beaches during rough seas they not afraid to come into the shallows or to come close in. Late summer to early winter provides the best specimens. Most excellent eating can be prepared any way that takes your fancy.

BAIT


Rag worm, lugworm, peeler and sand eels. Often spun for with rubber-eels and other lures, but not abundant enough in NE for this method so best stick to fresh bait unless you know there's bass about.


RIGS AND TACTICS

Shy bottom feeder, which will drop the bait if it doesn't feel right. Striking at the right moment (2nd tap as rule of thumb) is critical. Long traces and rigs, which reduce the resistance the fish initially feels, are best. Bites can be small and hard to spot, hold line between thumb and finger for better bite detection






WHITING

Late autumn and winter species considered a pain in the arse by many cod anglers but better than nothing. Prefers calm seas and cold frosty nights. Delicate taste requiring careful cooking, flesh close to body cavity usually riddled with encapsulated nematodes. Only larger specimens worth keeping

BAIT

You find that lugworm, rag worm, mussel, squid, peeler, sand eel, mackerel, herring or just about anything will catch whiting. Larger whiting will take lures

RIGS AND TACTACTICS

During daylight fish in deep water such as harbours or off piers. At night during the winter almost any sandy beach will produce. 1-2 short trace hook (size 2/0) paternosters with luminous beads work best. Long cast rarely needed as they come quite close in especially at high water. Bite is unmistakable rapid tapping action.
. Eating is not so good but! you can use them in fish soups, pies, and fish cakes but watch for small bones.

MACKEREL

Summer species with a reputation for being a hard fighter on light tackle. Good bait fish, which can be too easy to catch leading to anglers over fishing.

BAIT

Mackerel feathers, daylights, small lures, sand eels, lance fish, herring and mackerel strips, squid strips

RIGS AND TACTICS

Surface-midwater predator. Fish for off piers rocks where there is deep water close in. Fond of the tidal run especially when it occurs around dusk. Can be caught using spinning or float fishing techniques.


FLOUNDER

Available all year round and thank God or we'd all be bored to tears. Found in estuaries and far up river as well as any sandy beach. Feeds best at night but will also feed on sunny days over clear ground making it an ideal target species for summer beach fishing whilst the kiddies make sandcastles. Not afraid of shallow water. Eating quality is nothing special.

BAIT

Lugworm, rag worm, peeler, mackerel, herring strips, not a fussy feeder but keep your bait small.

RIGS AND TACTICS

Any bottom rigs with small Aberdeen hooks (size2/0) and attractor beads for good measure. Prefers moving bait so allow rig to roll with the tide or reel in a little every now and then. Baited spoon, traditional method normally employed by dingy owners but can be used in estuaries. Cast out and reel in slowly with the tide resting occassionally. Float fish; set the bait to trip along the riverbed.








PLAICE

A lot fatter fish than the flounder is. But it has a more attractive orange spots. Prefers deeper water than flounder but provides a lot better sport. Good eating quality

BAIT

Lugworm, rag worm, peeler, mackerel, herring strips, not a fussy feeder but keep bait small

RIGS AND TACTICS
Long cast usually needed but any bottom rig will produce. Attractor beads or a small spoon near hook increases your chances.
DAB
This small winter or spring flatfish. Hard fighter on light tackle but can go unnoticed if hooked on cod gear. Usually only targeted to pass the time when they’re no other fish around.
BAIT
Lugworm, rag worm, squid, very small mouth so keep your bait small.
RIGS AND TACTICS
Fish for at night on a rolling 3-4 hook (size 1/0) paternoster, cast up tide and allow rig to roll in an arc seeking the dabs out. Dabs are fond of the holes opened up at the base of step sandy beaches making them ideal for children and other short casters. Use light tackle to maximise sport. Good to eat but small size makes it not worthwhile

SILVER EEL
Late summer early autumn fish usually caught in estuaries. Small eels can be a problem taking bait ment for larger fish. Night fishing on the ebb is most productive. Eels in the 1-2lb provide good sport but the eating quality is an acquired taste.

BAIT

Will take anything but fond of peeler crab, rag worm, lugworm, herring, and mackerel strips.

RIGS AND TACTICKS

Keep it simple is the rule, as eels seem to enjoy causing tangles. Use 2/0 fine wire hooks, as these are the simplest to remove. Make sure to steer the eel away from any mooring ropes, as they will wrap around at the 1st chance. Angling folklore claims you should change a rig every time you catch a eel as the slime puts other fish off. I am unable to find any hard evidence to back this up although personally I have found it makes no difference