What a surprise for Sunderland angler Keith Carter as he spent a few relaxing hours float fishing for coalfish from Roker Pier on Monday night.After catching a few around a 1lb, his float disappeared as his light spinning rod arched over as a large fished crash-dived for the depths.
Playing the fish gently as it bucked and ran he gently coaxed the fish along the pier to the beach, where he successfully landed a cod of 12lb 8oz. With calm conditions early in the week, codling catches dropped off with club matches won with a few pounds.
Seaham Town Council Open was won with a codling 2-5-2 taken by Brian Lee. However, Roker Pier, Seaham piers, Hendon and Hartlepool fished well for coalfish and whiting. Anglers fishing these marks took well in excess of 20 fish per session.
There has been the odd codling catch. Glen Kirkup took four (his best 8.10.0) from the Blackwater at Hendon. As the sea came the codling, which are lying just offshore, came back in. Newbiggin anglers Willie Emery, Dennis Wade and Garry Tully fished at HauxIey taking 16 codling to lugworm, most 1.3.8.0. Willie took the best at 9lb.
The Durham beaches really came on form. Paul Riley won Ryhope’s match with a cod of 8.4.0 from Hendon and Wayne Harriman won the Coast Tackle sweepstake with eight for 15lb from Easington beach.
Unfortunately, trawlers from Whitby are now working along these beaches. Anglers fishing Seaton Point, Newbiggin Prom, Blyth Pier and beach, Lynemouth, Whitley and Tynemouth beaches have accounted for three or four fish per session to around 4lb, with the odd better fish to 9lb from Blyth Pier. Chris Hopkins took three, best 5.10.0. The Cannons at Spittal and Berwick Pier have both been producing fish to 6lb.
The River Tyne has been the most consistent mark with coalfish to 22lb and codling to 3lb, anglers taking 4-6 fish per session with the odd better bag. Dave Barnham found squid did the trick for him on South Shields pier. Dave landed five codling to 4lb and three coalfish to 1.8.0 from the blocks.
Neil Cutler won Rickleton’s match with six for 8.0.0 from the pier.
Tommy Nesbitt won Sunderland’s match with five for 5.15.0 from Velva, and Phil Gee New Hartley’s with five for 6.10.0 from Smiths.
Anglers going afloat have had reasonable sport, anglers aboard JFK at the weekend took 180 codling with a few around 5-8lb, with the most 2.8.0.
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