Blackhall, County Durham

SPECIES
Cod and coalfish

BAITS
Winter fish are targeted with big black lug baits tipped with mussel or squid. Mussel is a good bait just on its own. Red summer rock cod take peeler crab, and frozen crab fished through the winter works well on both cod and coalfish.

TACKLE & TACTICS
This is a rough ground mark that fishes best with some colour in the water and a good swell by day or night. It carries fish throughout the flood and ebb tide, though the ebb tide fish are usually a little further out requiring a good cast. One of the best parts of the beach is at the southern end where an old ships boiler can be seen at low tide.

A tough 5-6oz beachcaster such as a Century Nemesis or Fox Rock Runner with a 7000 sized multiplier reel carrying 30lb line and a 60lb shock leader is needed to combat the difficult terrain. Casting distance is not the key and most locals dispense with the leader and just fish 30lb line straight through. 5 and 6oz leads are needed, but try adding wires to lead as the wires often stop the lead sitting down in to the cracks in the rock and snagging saving tackle and fish.

The top rig is a pulley rig made from 60lb mono using a section of 40lb line off a swivel as the hook link. A two-hook pennel rig mounting two size 4/0 Viking type hooks in tandem is best. Always fish a weak link system to the lead as losses can be high.

LOCATION
Situated on the A1086 just after Blackhall Colliery. Park either in the picnic site car park or on the main coast road and walk down the cliff path.