A popular venue for anglers from the north of England, but increasingly for anglers from cities and towns in the south in search of reliable sport with the smaller reef codling. Boats off the Tyne also put you in with a good chance of hooking a rare rod and line haddock.

WHERE TO FISH
The bulk of the fishing is practiced within 4 miles of shore over reefs and rough ground. A noted area is around St Mary's Island north of Whitley Bay. Here there are numerous reefs including the Briardene Shoals with it's massive kelp beds that harbor winter and summer cod.

Cleaner ground to the south holds whiting, pouting and haddock, the latter averaging about 4lbs, plus flatfish including some excellent dabs to 1lb plus. Plaice around 2lbs show during the summer from the inshore banks.

War time wrecks lay out beyond 20 miles and for the few boats fully equipped to tackle them have produced some outstanding cod action with fish to 40lbs recorded. Occasional big ling also show, and even more infrequently some massive coalfish. The tides make anchoring for conger, which undoubtedly inhabit the wrecks, just about impossible.

SPECIES
Inshore codling fishing lasts throughout the 12 month period. However, it's autumn through until early March when the best numbers of codling are feeding inshore. By late March a percentage of the smaller fish move out leaving a few larger double figure cod behind. Codling numbers increase again by August Whiting and dabs remain on the clean ground, with the summer bringing wrasse, pollack and pout onto the reefs. Mackerel can show close to shore during July on. June, July and August are good for the plaice.

The best of the wrecking is during the summer. This is when the 30lb plus cod and ling show, along with catfish. But given the weather winter wrecking is well worthwhile for cod into double figures and ling.

TIDES
Tides are not critical here as most of the fishing is done on the drift over the inshore reefs. On the smaller neaps, some boats choose to anchor up and let the fish come to them. Drift fishing is the chosen method over the cleaner ground when chasing whiting and flatfish. On the wrecks, then the neaps are the tides to choose. Easterly winds cause the problems here, but nor'westerlies can produce excellent reef fishing close to shore.

TACKLE
You won't go far wrong if you choose a 20lb or 30lb class rod for all the inshore reef work. Match this to a multiplier holding 300yds of line. There are still some anglers here that prefer the direct drive of the large centre pin type reel.

Feathers, usually baited, small pirks and muppets are the lures to use for the codling. Hokkai feathers are very popular, as are daylights.

You'll need a 50lb class rod and multiplier for working heavy 1lb plus pirks over the wrecks. Many anglers choose to fish this tackle in conjunction with a back harness and butt pad to ease the work rate needed to keep the pirk moving and attractive to fish. A single muppet worked about 5 to 7 feet above the pirk on a short hook trace and baited often picks up those stray ling. Wire line is gaining popularity here. Again, a few centre pin reels are used by those who prefer a direct drive during retrieve.

BAITS
Baited feathers prove excellent for the codling. Try mussel and worm for the best results, though clam scores too. A thin strip of mackerel worked over the top of the reef on light tackle is an alternative way of taking pollack. Reef wrasse feed on crab. Clean ground whiting and flatfish take shellfish baits and worm. King rag and lug cocktails are also effective.

Slim pirks weighing between 12ozs and 2lbs and about 10ins long have proved the most effective. Try adding a whole mackerel fillet, or slide a muppet onto the hook shank for extra fish appeal. Use a single big hook as opposed to a treble hook that will catch the wreck more frequently on the pirks. Mackerel makes the best bait for the biggest cod and ling.

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