Whitley Bay was once a thriving sea side resort but has declined considerably and now has a bit of a bad reputation, full of lager louts and easy women, a place where it's not only the fish you might be fighting. Thankfully the fishing is still good with just about any part capable of producing the goods.
St. Mary's Island (also called Bait Island) is the most noted landmark and a popular mark. Follow the A193 and turn in to the carpark on the bend (sadly another pay & display carpark). Best to arrive as soon as safe to cross, the crossing times are displayed in the carpark although you can wade across once the sea has ebbed sufficiently. Go down the stairs on the North side of the light house and fish in Crispin's Gulley. The water is nice and deep but a grave yard of terminal tackle, expect to lose your lead every other cast at least. The causeway crossing times are displayed nearby but it never stays submerged for very long and is clearly visable from the mark so getting cut off is not a worry. Popular with divers so take care Opposite the first parking spaces you come to when you turn into St Mary's carpark, about where the sand meets the rocks is Paddle Mare Pool. Only worth fishing during heavy seas thrown up by strong NE winds on a ebbing neap tide. Fish here as soon accessable to ensure a good depth of water.
Further south is Wilkies and Panama (beach infront of toilet carparks next to small roundabout near leisure pool). These are normally a lowtide shots but it is possible to wade quite far out when the sea is'nt too rough and can produce fish throughout the tide for long casters. Usually plenty of company here at night and weekends. A mixture of sand and rocks that isn't too hard on your box. This area is best fished in a small group as it is difficult to predict exactly where the fish will be. Wilkies fishes best on the ebb and panama on the flood.
The promanade down the steps in front of the Rex hotel is a good clean ground high tide mark in winter for whiting at night. Best fished one hour either side of high water on a spring tide, a long cast helps. There are a lot of nightclubs and pubs in this part of Whitley bay so not the best place for kiddies to go alone at night. Parking is in the streets above but can be difficult.
Virtually all the rock south of here is good at low tide. The pipe is a popular mark when the sea allows safe access (weekdays give a better chance of it not being taken) cast to the left towards St Mary's Island. The water is deep and a dense kelp bed extends about 10 foot in front of the pipe otherwise the ground is pretty clean. Casting directly off the end is best at a slight angle to avoid the kelp bed. A excellent spinning mark but ropes from lobster pots can be a problem on some days. Parking is on the nearby streets. If inaccessable due to bad weather or crowding the rocks to the north are worth a shot. North Crab Hill is a good deep water mark. Accessed via the steps on the beach just north of the harbour. South Rock Hole and South Crab hill are south of the harbour and also offer good fishing.