SPECIES
Although capable of producing codling year round, the bulk of the fishing here is from September through to April for cod and coalfish.

BAITS
Red rock cod take fresh or frozen peeler crab baits through the summer period along with lug and mussel. Winter fishing is with fresh or frozen black lug tipped with blow lug or mussel, frozen crab or squid. If you can get razorfish and fish just after a blow it can be deadly.

TACKLE & TACTICS
The ground is rough rocky gullies and kelp weed beds so tackle needs to be tough. Local anglers tend to fish with rods such as Zziplex Dymic HST's or Fox Rock Runners that have the power to be used with 30lb to 35lb line straight through on reels such as Penn Mag 535's or Abu 7000's and 9000's.

By far the best rig is a short pulley rig made from 60lb mono and a 35lb hook trace to a single 4/0 to 6/0 Viking pattern hook. Fish the lead to a rotten bottom system as losses can be heavy. Local angler's still fish grip leads here as the wires help to stop the leads falling in between the stones.

The best fishing comes casting out towards Kettleness Point to locate a deeper gutter that holds fish through most states of the tide. There are also rough ground gutters left and right of the harbour that produces good fish in rough seas.

Ideal weather conditions are a steady north to north-westerly sea to create colour and a good swell and fish the hour before and the two hours after low water.

LOCATION
Port Mulgrave is on the A174 between Saltburn and Whitby. There is roadside parking at the top of the cliffs above the harbour which should be adhered to. Don't park in front of people's houses. Follow the track down to the harbour walls.

Comment...