5th March 2001
REPORT FOR THE HUMBER TO THE THAMES
Overall there seems to be a good run of spring codling takingplace now in most marks that are known for codling. This is mainlyfrom the river Blackwater upwards, whereas to the south of here theroker are starting to show. Once this present show of cold weatherhas moved on and after a few good warm days they will move in.
The River Thames at the moment appears to lack much in the way offish, unless of course some fisherman are keeping secrets of largenumbers of fish.
On Canvey there is the normal flounders at Thorney Bay andSouthfalls. Local angler Rob, fishing from his favourite mark atStanford reports some dabs to 1lb, a plaice at 1lb, plus someflounders, small whiting and bass.
Dave Godwin reports from the river Crouch that the codling haveappeared at the mouth of the river which has livened things up a bithere.
The Bradwell boats are reporting that a good angler can now catchup to 15 codling, but they are not easy to catch. Most fish are inthe 1lb 8oz to 4lb 8oz mark.
Both Terry Batt and John Rawle on their boats Vicky Emma and theKingfisher report up to 40 fish per boat, plus dabs, whiting andpouting.
The beaches continue to fish slowly at along the Clacton area butWalton Pier continues to fish reasonably well with Lawrence atMetcalfs taking three codling the other day, with the ebb fishingbest.
Castaways owner Lawrence, on 01394 278316, reports some goodSpringer’s running along his stretch with Languard point his best tipfor getting in amongst the fish. Most fish are up to 2lb, with somefish to 4lb from Orford Island.
A match at Dunwich at the weekend produced almost no sizeablefish. Gorleston Tackles Jason, reports dabs on Gorleston pier,codling at Minsmere and some more dabs at Hopton. Ring Jason for thelatest tips on 01493 662448.
Doug at Tackle and Tide suggests Walcott, Cart Gap and Haysbourghfor codling. Pakefield also is fishing for codling and dabs. Asmentioned in my hot spot Trimmingham is fishing for codling to 4lbplus and some dabs, as is Bacton.
Local angler Dave Dobbs tells me that Holderness Burn Road isfishing for codling In the river there are codling and flounders.
Ade Cooper from the old Lightwoods shop has lots of news. EastHalton, Killingholme lug tipped with squid is the bait for codling,tip with mackerel for whiting and fish on smaller tides for the bestresults.
In the deeper water round Doverstrand and Laportes high baynumbers on a smaller tide over high water with lug and rag baits.
Only a few flounders from Doverstrand shallows. Cleethorpes is abit better with a few flounders on most baits using 3 hook flappersand size 2 hooks, again fish over high water, but on big tides.
Humberstone creek is fishing for flounders on worm baits, withfish up to 2lb. Fish the last hour to high water and up to 3 ½hours down.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED – Trimmingham
Current Form
Codling to 4lb are to be expected, along with some flounders anddabs.
Bait
Lug is the main bait at the moment, but as soon as the peelercrabs turn up, they are a better bet for the codling.
Tackle and Tactics
Good beach casting tackle for distance with 5oz breakaways. Thebest rig for the flounders is a two-hook paternoster with size 2’s.To target the codling use size 4/0 soft hooks rather like the 3262Aberdeen’s on a Pennel rig, clipped down. Most stages on the floodtide, or two hours either side of high water fish the best.
Location
Locate Cromer on the North Norfolk coast then follow the B1159coast road to Trimmingham and find the Ingleside Hotel and there youare.
Local Tackle Shop
Marine Sports.
01263 513676
CLUB CALL
The ACES club has been around for 22 years, with over 20 memberscatering for the civil servants or the civil servants sports clubmembers. They meet every 2nd Monday of every month at Alexandra Yachtclub. They have no ladies or children and their trophy’s arepresented in March. To know more about this club phone Mr Simpson on01702 585057.
