The Humber to the Tweed

Fishing on the north east coast has been in decline for a number of years, I have noticed a reduction in catches in the past six years when I returned to sea angling. Codling can be caught throughout the year at some of the deeper rock marks. The Holderness beaches sometimes fish well for bass, ray and flatfish. The best fishing is in the winter, when the conditions are right and the fish in range large catches can still be made. A few of my favorite places are listed below.

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Spurn Head   This was once an excellent venue. I have never had much luck here, the locals always tell me of the big bags they had the day before. Best fished (they tell me) over low water on smaller tides, use big lug baits for codling, lots of whiting in winter. Can fish well during daylight.

Tides +3hr 57min from High water London Bridge

Spurn Road      Again a shadow of it's former self can fish well at any state of tide if conditions are right.

Withernsea      Withernsea          

Can Fish well in winter, although I think the spring fishing is better.

Cowden

             Some school bass, flatfish including the odd Brill and the occasional thornback in summer. Codling in the winter and spring. Beaches can be busy with holiday makers during the summer.

Hornsea                 similar to above

Bridlington

          OK for kids to play from the piers, plenty of small flatfish sometimes mackerel in summer. Codling in the winter.

High water +3hr from London Bridge.

Flamborough Head

      Both the north and south landings produce fish when the conditions are right, but the best fishing is from the cliff tops. These areas can be very dangerous, DO NOT fish from the cliffs when the ground is wet. Mussel, crab and/or lug are the best baits.

High water + 2hr 55min  from London Bridge.

Thornwick Bay   Thornwick      The next bay north from Flamborough. Can produce good codling in winter, the odd mackerel and wrasse in summer. Very rough ground. As with most marks in the area a rotten bottom is essential.

Filey Bay    Filey Bay             Filey Brig   Filey Brig

Scarbourgh

There are many marks around Scarbourgh, only the safe easily accessible marks are covered here.

Fish Quay

Lots of small flatfish and coalfish, great for kids to play, catches almost guaranteed. Please return all udersized fish carefully.

Harbour

Again lots of small coalfish close in with the odd biggerfish to be had. Casting over the sea wall can produce good codling, coalfish, dabs and flounders. Mackerel are also caught in summer. The bottom close to the wall  is very rough but a good cast will put your gear on clean ground. 15lb line and a shock leader is ok.

marine drive       Scarborough Marine Drive  north east corner

Most marks along Scarbourgh's Marine Drive are very snaggy and require the use of 30lb line and rotten bottoms.During winter months codling (along with the odd cod) and coalfish are the most common catches. Coalfish can be caught very close in, a good cast is best for the codling. A cocktail of mussel or crab with black lug being the best cod bait, mussel for the coalfish.Summer catches include red codling, wrasse,coalfish, pollock and mackerel.Spinning or floatfishing are the best methods for the latter three.

North Bay

The north bay can be fished at all stages of the tide if a good sea is  running. Low water after dark being the best time.

High water + 2hr 35 min from London Bridge

Saltwick Bay

Good catches of codling codling can be had if the sea is right. Fish the hole to the south of the bay on the flood then move to the beach at the side. Alternatively try Saltwick Nab to the north of the bay, it dries out at low water but can fish well. The bottom is hard but not too snaggy

Whitby

West Pier

The most accessible of the two,there are a few snaggy patches but mostly the bottom is clean. Fishing is not allowed from the upper deck during the summer so short rods are needed. Can get very busy when the mackerel are in.

East Pier

The better of the two harbour extensions. Fishing is into kelp beds, can produce the odd codling in summer.

Harbour and River

Perhaps more consistent than the piers in summer.Good flounder can be caught with crab baits upriver towards the road bridge. Flounder, coalfish and small codling from the small stone piers in  the harbour and small beach on the opposite side to the bandstand.

Fishing a spoon baited with rag can be very effective for both  flounder and coalfish.

High Water + 2hr 20min  London Bridge

Sandsend

Not a very productive beach but it has very easy access and clean easy fishing. Coalfish can be caught at close range from the sea wall, but the better flounders and codling are found at distance. School Bass can be caught in numbers at times.

The cliffs to the north of the bay are reached from a footpath leading from the carpark. A number of safe ledges provide fishing platforms for flounder in summer and codling in winter.

Runswick Bay

Fish from the scaurs at the north end of the bay at low water. Weed can be a problem from the beach during heavy sea's. Most of the gathers at one end of the bay so it should be possible to fish at the otherside. The bay can be fished when the sea is too rough at other nearby locations so it tends to get very crowded.

Port Mullgrave

Once a very busy port the remains of the old harbour can be fished from in calm sea's. Codling, coalfish and flounders can be caught. The scaurs to the right of the harbour being the best places for the latter.

The descent to the old port is very steep, don't take more gear than you need.

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