NORTH EAST FISH
Here is a rough guide to the common fish caught off the north east coast. I have ignored things like grannies, lumpsuckers, blennies etc because although they do get hooked they are not normally targeted. I have also discarded fish which only get caught on rare ocassions such as mullet and conger. Contary to popular belief I think it's too soon to scrap cod just yet J
SPECIES |
DESCRIPTION |
BAIT |
RIGS AND TACTICS |
| COD | The big boy of the north east coast. Available all year round (allegedly) but mainly a winter fish coming inshore when the freezing north-eastly winds roughens the sea. Poor fighter offering little sport prefering to use its weight to its advantage, open mouths create drag which gives impression of larger fish. Good eating quality. | Although has a reputation for swallowing anything it sees, lugworm, ragworm, peeler and mussel reign as the top baits. Squid is sometimes accepted but normally used to tip off worm baits. Cod are active predators feeding on sandeels, whiting, small flatfish etc but these make poor bait for shore cod fishing. | Bottom feeder so that's where the bait should lie. Large mouth and appitite so be generous with bait, a pennel rig is ideal as it allows large baits to be used. Has a preference for rough ground so use rotten bottoms when needed. Cod fishing is basically a tug of war so tackle with a bit of clout is needed. Bites are easy to spot, the rod bend over and stays bent or you get loads of slack line. |
| COALFISH | Also known locally as coalies. Most abundant during the summer months although numbers have declined over the past few years. Easy to catch off rocks, piers and harbours making them ideal for the kiddies. Strong fighter but sadly often undersized with decent fish becoming rarer. Eating quality is ok but nothing special. | Fresh mackerel or herring strips best but will also readily take lugworm, ragworm and mussel. best to conserve your peeler for the cod. Will take lures especially silver with a touch of red. | Mainly bottom feeder with smaller mouth than cod. As this is a shoaling fish use 2-3 hook paternosters where safe, catching 2-3 at once is common. Bites tend to be sharp and well pronounced. |
| BASS | The best tasting and hardest fighting fish your likely to come across in NE England. Likes sandy beaches during rough seas and not affraid of the shallows or to come close in. Late summer to early winter provides the best specimens. Excellent eating quality. | Ragworm, lugworm, peeler and sandeels. Often spun for with rubber-eels and other lures, but not abundant enough in NE for this method so best stick to fresh bait unless you know there's bass about. | Shy bottom feeder which will
drop the bait if it doesn't feel right. Striking at the
right moment (2nd tap as rule of thumb) is critical. Long
traces and rigs which reduce the resistance the fish
initially feels are best. Bites can be small and hard to
spot, hold line between thumb and finger for better bite
detection
|
| WHITING | Late autumn and winter species considered a pain in the arse by many cod anglers but better than nothing. Prefers calm seas and cold frosty nights. Delicate taste requiring carefull cooking, flesh close to body cavity usually riddled with encapsulated nematodes. Only larger specimens worth keeping. | Lugworm, ragworm, mussel, squid, peeler, sandeel, mackerel, herring, just about anything really. Larger whiting will take lures. | During daylight fish in deep
water such as harbours or off piers. At night during the
winter almost any sandy beach will produce. 1-2 short
trace hook (size 2/0) paternosters with luminous beads
work best. Long cast rarely needed as they come quite
close in especially at high water. Bite is unmistakable
rapid tapping action.
|
| MACKEREL | Summer species with a reputation for being a hard fighter on light tackle. Good bait fish which can be too easy to catch leading to anglers overfishing. | Mackerel feathers, daylights, small lures, sandeels, lancefish, herring and mackerel strips, squid strips. | Surface-midwater predator. Fish
for off piers rocks where there is deep water close in.
Fond of the tidal run especially when it occurs around
dusk. Can be caught using spinning or float fishing
techniques.
|
| FLOUNDER | Available all year round and thank God or we'd all be bored to tears. Found in estuaries and far up river as well as any sandy beach. Feeds best at night but will also feed on sunny days over clear ground making it an ideal target species for summer beach fishing whilst the kiddies make sandcastles. Not affraid of shallow water. Eating quality is nothing special. | Lugworm, ragworm, peeler, mackerel, herring strips, not a fussy feeder but keep bait small. | Any bottom rig with small
aberdeen hooks (size2/0) and attractor beads for good
measure. Prefers a moving bait so allow rig to roll with
the tide or reel in a little every now and then. Baited
spoon, traditional method normally employed by dingy
owners but can be used in estuaries. Cast out and reel in
slowly with the tide resting occassionally.Float fish,
set the bait to trip along the riverbed.
|
| PLAICE | Fatter than flounder with attractive orange spots. Prefers deeper water than flounder but provides better sport. Good eating quality |
Lugworm, ragworm, peeler, mackerel, herring strips, not a fussy feeder but keep bait small |
Long cast usually needed but any bottom rig will produce. Attractor beads or a small spoon near hook increases your chances.
|
| DAB | Small winter-spring flatfish. Hard figher on light tackle but can go unnoticed if hooked on cod gear. Usually only targeted to pass the time. Good to eat but small size makes it unworthwhile | Lugworm, ragworm, squid, very small mouth so keep bait small. | Fish for at night on a rolling
3-4 hook (size 1/0) paternoster, cast uptide and allow
rig to roll in an arc seeking the dabs out. Dabs are fond
of the holes opened up at the base of step sandy beaches
making them ideal for children and other short casters.
Use light tackle to maximise sport.
|
| SILVER EEL | Late summer early autumn fish usually caught in estuaries. Small eels can be a problem taking bait ment for larger fish. Night fishing on the ebb is most productive. Eels in the 1-2lb class provide good sport but the eating quality is an aquired taste. | Anything but fond of peeler ragworm, lugworm herring and mackerel strips. | Keep it simple is the rule as eels seem to enjoy causing tangles. Use 2/0 fine wire hooks as these are the simplest to remove. Make sure to steer the eel away from any mooring ropes as they will wrap around at the 1st chance. Angling folklore claims you should change a rig every time you catch a eel as the slime puts other fish off. I am unable to find any hard evidence to back this up although personally I have found it makes no difference. |