Cullercoats, Tyne and Wear

SPECIES
Cod to double figures and coalfish.

BAITS
Black lug tipped with blow lug, frozen crab or mussel are the favoured baits here, but fresh crab is the killer from spring to autumn.

TACKLE & TACTICS
This is a sandy beach flanked by breakwaters and rock ledges. The ledges to the south side have easier access than those to the north side. You fish from the rocks and from the breakwaters if conditions allow. The ground is rocks with weed, but there are a few clearer patches amongst it.

The bigger tides fish the best, though cod can show at any time ebb or flood and this venue is noted as a big fish mark with cod well in to double figures taken every year, even in daylight though the best fishing is at night with care. The south side is favoured during rougher seas whipped up by a south-easterly wind. Winter time produces the best overall catches.

With the ground heavy and weedy, plus the chance of a bigger than average cod then you need tough gear. Something like a Century Nemesis or Fox Rock Runner matched to a 7000 sized multiplier loaded with 25lb line and a 60lb shock leader is okay, though some local anglers prefer tougher reels such as the Penn 535 or ABU 9000's loaded with 30lb line straight through.

Pulley rigs take a lot of fish here, but make them from 60lb mono and have the hook link no more than 18-inches long. Always fish a weak link to the lead weight to avoid rig and fish losses should the lead get snagged.

Never fish this area alone. Big seas can sweep ashore and up the rocks after a big sea has been built up.

Dinghy anglers also launch there boats here and target the cod offshore during the day working over the rough ground with small pirks and baited feathers.

LOCATION
Cullercoats is located off the A193 between Tynemouth and Whitley Bay. Parking available.