London Rock, Hartlepool

SPECIES
Produces summer rock cod from June to September. From September through to May this is a good mark for codling to 8lbs, coalfish and big three bearded and shore rockling.

BAITS
For the summer cod fish fresh peeler or soft backed crab. Fresh or frozen crab works well from November on. Lug is a reliable bait too, especially when tipped with mussels, razorfish or ragworm. Big mussel baits also produce well.

TACKLE & TACTICS
The mark produces best the two hours either side of low water, especially after a blow when the water is well coloured, which brings the cod inshore in numbers. You're fishing from exposed rocks in to gutters and deeper holes filled with kelp.

Tough rods capable of casting big baits and 6ozs of weight and capable of bullying decent fish back over heavy snags are needed. Reels such as ABU 7000's, Penn 535 Mag's and ABU 9000's are the popular choice loaded with 30 to 35lb line straight through.

Most anglers fish a pulley rig made from 60lb mono to a 40lb hook length and a single 4/0 Viking pattern hook. The lead weight needs to be attached to the rig with a weak link system otherwise rig loss can be very heavy here. It's best to just fish the one rod. Due to the nature of the ground bites can and will drag the rod in to the water, so pay attention at all times.

Always fish with other anglers here and watch out for the surf washing over the rock edges and look for the tide filling in behind you.

LOCATION
Access is initially through Hartlepool on the A689 or the A179, then taking the A1049 to the headland. Parking is next to the War memorial Gardens. The ledges lay on the north side of the Heugh Breakwater.