Sea fishing in North East

Summary

The North East coast of England runs from the Scottish border down past Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham and into Tees/Cleveland, mixing high cliffs, kelp-fringed rock scaurs, broad surf beaches, big piers and two major estuaries (Tyne and Tees). It’s a classic cod coast in autumn and winter, with excellent summer sport for mackerel, bass, wrasse and pollack, and increasingly reliable thornback rays in Tees Bay. Easy access to substantial piers, plus miles of open shore and offshore wrecking, makes it a year-round draw for UK sea anglers.

Location and Access

North Northumberland (Berwick-upon-Tweed to Craster/Howick)

• Coast: Rugged headlands, kelp gullies and pockets of clean sand; scenic beaches at Bamburgh, Beadnell, Embleton and Alnmouth; Holy Island causeway access is tide-dependent.
• Fishing: Rock marks for cod (autumn–winter), pollack and wrasse (late spring–autumn); surf beaches for bass and turbot-sized flatfish are occasional; summer mackerel from piers and headlands.
• Notes: Kelp-heavy ground demands strong gear and rotten-bottoms; watch for fast-filling gullies and long-period northerly swell.

South Northumberland & North Tyneside (Amble/Druridge Bay to Tynemouth/Whitley Bay)

• Coast: Long clean beaches (Druridge Bay, Warkworth, Blyth), mixed ground around Newbiggin, St Mary’s Island and Tynemouth Longsands; Blyth and smaller piers/harbours.
• Fishing: Summer surf for bass and flatties; codling on autumn/winter seas; plaice patches in spring; mackerel shoals in summer from rocky headlands and Tynemouth area.
• Notes: Great for beginners on the clean sands; distance casting helps on settled days; Newbiggin and rocky promontories hold kelp cod in autumn.

Tyne & Wear (Tynemouth to Sunderland)

• Coast/Estuary: Big engineered structures and accessible walls; North and South Shields piers, Tyne river marks, Roker and Seaburn beaches, Whitburn/Marsden cliffs.
• Fishing: Year-round mixed fishing; spring plaice in the Tyne, flounder throughout; summer mackerel from piers, bass in surf and over rough; winter cod and whiting on coloured seas.
• Notes: Piers can be superb but are often gated/closed in bad weather; drop-nets are sensible for high walls; check council notices for access.

Durham Heritage Coast (Seaham to Crimdon)

• Coast: Steep grassy cliffs over old colliery scar; heavy, snaggy ground with seams of flat rock and boulders; Seaham piers subject to local rules.
• Fishing: Classic rough-ground cod venue in autumn/winter swells; summer bass over rock scaurs; whiting and dabs on cleaner patches; odd thornback ray in settled months.
• Notes: Slippy rock and rockfall risk; plan exits; some pier access requires club membership or specific opening times.

Tees & Cleveland (Hartlepool, Seaton Carew, Redcar to Saltburn/Skinningrove/Boulby)

• Coast/Estuary: Hartlepool headland and piers, North and South Gare breakwaters, long clean sands at Seaton and Redcar, then mixed/rough south to Saltburn and high Boulby cliffs.
• Fishing: Summer rays on clean ground in Tees Bay; bass along surf lines; prolific mackerel runs from piers in season; strong codling fishing autumn–winter on rougher ground south of Redcar; whiting in winter.
• Notes: Breakwaters can be exposed to swell and crosswinds; Boulby and some cliff descents are for experienced anglers only; carry a drop-net for high structures.

Seasons & Species

• Spring (Mar–May)
  • Codling (peeler-crab run on rough ground)
  • Coalfish, pollack on lures around kelp
  • Plaice in Tyne/Tyne piers, dabs and flounder on clean ground
  • Early bass from late April in surf and estuary mouths
  • Mullet show in harbours as temperatures rise
• Summer (Jun–Aug)
  • Mackerel and garfish from piers and headlands
  • Bass over surf beaches and rough-ground tide races
  • Wrasse and pollack on rocks; LRF species around piers
  • Plaice and flounder on clean patches and estuaries
  • Thornback rays (notably Tees Bay/Redcar/Hartlepool)
• Autumn (Sep–Nov)
  • Codling build as first northerlies colour the water
  • Coalfish, pollack; late bass peak in September/October
  • Mackerel linger into September in warm years
  • Rays may persist in Tees Bay through early autumn
  • Whiting arrive from late October
• Winter (Dec–Feb)
  • Cod and whiting dominate; dabs and flounder on cleaner ground
  • Coalies along piers and rough ground
  • Rockling in very cold snaps; conger possible from deep rock marks and big piers at night

Typical baits by season:

• Spring: Peeler crab, mussel, razorfish, rag/lug cocktails
• Summer: Fresh mackerel/bluey for rays, sandeel, rag, crab for bass; feathers/metals for mackerel; float fished sandeel for pollack
• Autumn/Winter: Black lug, yellowtails, mussel, squid or bluey cocktails for cod/whiting

Methods & Tackle

• Rough-ground cod/bass: 12–13 ft beachcasters or 10–12 ft heavy shore rods; 7000-size reels; 0.35–0.40 mm mono or 30–40 lb braid with 60–80 lb leader. Pulley pennel rigs (3/0–5/0) with rotten-bottom links; big crab, mussel or lug/squid baits.
• Clean beaches and bays: 12–15 ft surf rods for distance; clipped-down 1–2 hook rigs, loop rigs or up-and-over for plaice and rays; 4–6 oz grippers. Baits: lug, rag, sandeel, mackerel/bluey for rays.
• Piers and high walls: Stout gear plus a drop-net for landing; paternoster/flapper rigs for whiting/dabs; Hokkai/feathers for mackerel; float rigs for garfish/mackerel. Check local rules (some ban feathers in crowded conditions).
• Lure fishing: 8–9 ft lure rods (10–35 g) with 20 lb braid and 20–30 lb fluoro leader. Metals and slim sandeels for mackerel/coalies; weedless soft plastics and diving minnows for bass; soft shads on 10–30 g heads for pollack around kelp.
• Floats around rocks: 15–20 g floats with rag/crab for wrasse; sandeel or strip for pollack/gar.
• Estuary light gear: 7–9 ft rods with 10–15 lb braid; running ledger or simple flapper with size 2–1 hooks; rag, maddies, crab for flounder and plaice; LRF tackle for mini-species around quays.
• Boat/wrecking (Amble, Blyth, Sunderland, Hartlepool): 12–20 lb class rods, shads/pirks for cod/ling/pollack; uptiding near rough ground with big lug/squid cocktails in winter.

Tides and Conditions

• Tides: Moderate ranges (often 3–5 m). Big springs increase tidal run on piers and at estuary mouths; use stronger grip leads (5–6 oz) and streamlined rigs. Many beaches fish best on the flood up to and over high water; rough ground and some piers can fish the ebb well.
• Wind and swell: Northerly to easterly blows raise a working sea that switches on cod and codling; the magic window is as the sea eases and holds colour. Prolonged southerlies flatten the sea (great for lure fishing and rays but poorer for cod). Long-period northerly swell is dangerous on rock scaurs.
• Water clarity: Clear in calm high-pressure spells—good for lures, wrasse and pollack. After storms, coloured water favours bait fishing for cod/whiting. Weed can be severe after onshore blows; be ready to move.
• Estuaries: After river floods, fish focus at Tyne/Tees mouths and inside on the first of the flood as salinity returns; plaice and flounder like gentle colour and flow.
• When it’s unsafe: Any strong onshore/north to northeast swell at rock marks and exposed breakwaters; overtopping on big piers; fast-flooding scars around Beadnell/Newton/St Mary’s; Holy Island causeway when tide is rising.

Safety & Acccess

• Piers and breakwaters: Access is often controlled and may close in bad weather (e.g., Roker, Shields, Seaham, South/North Gare). Respect closures and signage; overtopping seas can be lethal.
• Cliffs and scars: Durham and Cleveland have unstable cliffs and rockfalls; Boulby and similar descents are for experienced, well-equipped anglers only. Kelp-covered scars are extremely slippy and can flood behind you.
• Tidal cut-offs: Know the tide states on rock platforms around Beadnell, Newton, Howick, Whitburn and St Mary’s. Plan safe routes with spare headtorch batteries.
• Holy Island causeway: Only cross within the published safe window; do not try to outrun the tide.
• Swell and weather: Long-period northerly swell can surge even in light winds—keep well back from edges. Wear a PFD, especially on rocks and piers, and fish with a partner.
• Landing fish: Use a drop-net on high walls; do not hand-line heavy fish or use gaffs where prohibited.
• Permissions and byelaws: No rod licence is needed for sea fishing, but size/bag limits and local IFCA byelaws apply (NIFCA north of the Tyne; NEIFCA south of the Tyne). Some piers require permits or club membership—check locally before travel.

Tips

• Time cod sessions for the first settling sea after a hard northerly; aim to fish dusk into the top of the tide.
• In spring, peeler crab out-fishes most baits on rough ground; keep baits compact on a pennel for better hook-ups.
• Carry a few rotten-bottom links of different lengths to fine-tune for snaggy ground.
• On clean beaches, a clipped-down rig and fresh lug can add crucial yards and bites on calm days.
• Work lures at first and last light around white water and current seams for bass; switch to weedless soft plastics when kelp is thick.
• For plaice in the Tyne and on clean patches, add small beads/attractors and keep baits small and tipped with rag.
• Rays in Tees Bay like fishy baits (mackerel, bluey, sandeel) presented on 3/0–4/0 hooks—keep rigs simple and aerodynamic.
• Always pack a drop-net for the big piers; many good fish are lost at the wall.
• If weed is unfishable on one mark after an onshore blow, move—nearby headlands or the lee of piers can be clear.
• Check local reports and match results; they are a great indicator of which beaches or scars are producing that week.

Nearby

• Scottish Borders & East Lothian (north): Similar rocky kelp coast with excellent cod, pollack and wrasse, plus accessible piers.
• North Yorkshire Coast (south): Whitby, Scarborough and Holderness further down—renowned winter cod venues and summer mackerel, with big cliff and rock marks.
• Offshore North Sea wrecks (out of Amble, Blyth, Sunderland, Hartlepool): Superb cod and ling on shads/pirks spring through autumn.

FAQs

• Do I need a licence to sea fish here?
  • No rod licence for sea fishing from shore or boat, but you must follow size/bag limits and IFCA byelaws. Some piers require permits or have restricted opening.
• What’s the best time for cod on the North East coast?
  • Typically October to February, with peak spells after northerly/easterly blows as the sea settles and holds colour. Spring can also produce codling on peeler crab in rough ground.
• Where’s good for beginners?
  • Clean beaches like Druridge Bay, Seaton Carew and Redcar, plus sheltered estuary marks in the Tyne. Piers are great when open—use a drop-net and keep rigs simple.
• Can I night fish?
  • Yes. Night fishing often improves catches of cod, bass and whiting. Use a headtorch, reflective gear and fish with a partner, especially on rocks and piers.
• What baits work best?
  • Winter: black lug, mussel, squid/bluey cocktails for cod/whiting. Spring: peeler crab. Summer: rag, sandeel and fish baits for rays and bass; lures for mackerel/pollack/bass.

Summary Table