Sea fishing in North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire sea fishing overview

North Yorkshire has one of England’s most varied shore-fishing coastlines. From the rugged, deep-water cliffs and rock scars around Staithes, Runswick Bay, Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay, through the mixed ground at Scarborough, to the broad sandy beaches of Cayton Bay, Filey Bay, Reighton and Speeton, there is productive fishing in every season.

The county is especially well known for autumn and winter codling fishing, but it is not solely a cold-weather destination. Summer brings mackerel, pollack, wrasse, bass, mullet and flatfish; spring can produce plaice and early smooth-hounds on the right sandy marks; and sheltered harbour walls provide useful year-round options.

The central coast is generally a rock-and-gully fishery. It rewards anglers who can read the ground, fish a moving tide and accept some tackle loss. The southern part of the coast, particularly Filey Bay and the beaches towards Reighton, offers easier casting and more conventional beach fishing. Many of the best marks are exposed to the North Sea, however, so sea state, swell and access need to be taken seriously.

For practical purposes, the main shore-fishing centres are Staithes/Runswick Bay, Whitby, Robin Hood’s Bay, Scarborough, Cayton Bay, Filey, Reighton and Speeton. Redcar and Saltburn are often discussed alongside the North Yorkshire coast, but anglers should check the precise local authority and access arrangements when planning trips north of Staithes.

Important: No Environment Agency rod licence is normally required for sea angling in tidal waters in England. Rules can differ in rivers, estuaries and for migratory fish. Check current local byelaws, minimum landing sizes, bass regulations, harbour rules and any conservation restrictions before fishing.

Fishing by area

Staithes and Runswick Bay

• Ground: Rock ledges, kelp, gullies, boulder ground and deeper water close to shore in places.
• Main species: Codling in rough autumn/winter conditions; summer pollack, wrasse, mackerel and occasional bass; rockling, pouting and coalfish are common supporting catches.
• How to fish it: Fish rougher water with strong fixed-spool or multiplier tackle, 5–6 oz breakout grips where needed, and clipped-down pulley rigs. In calmer summer weather, lighter float or lure fishing around kelp edges can be very effective.
• Access: Steep paths and uneven rock are common. Runswick is more approachable than many cliff marks but can become hazardous in swell.

Whitby: harbour, piers and surrounding scars

• Whitby Harbour: A useful, relatively accessible venue for smaller species, flounder, eels, mullet in season, coalfish, pouting, occasional bass and winter codling. Fishing close to boats, navigation channels or working quays may be restricted; obey signs and harbour staff.
• East and West Piers: Can produce mackerel, pollack, coalfish, pouting and codling, with the outer sections often more exposed. The piers are not suitable in big seas, high winds or when waves are breaking over them.
• Saltwick Bay and nearby rock marks: Productive mixed ground for codling, wrasse, pollack and summer mackerel, but access, tide and cliff safety demand care.

Robin Hood’s Bay, Ravenscar and the central rocky coast

• Ground: Extensive scars, kelp, broken rock and gullies. These are classic North Yorkshire cod marks when coloured water and a manageable sea arrive in autumn and winter.
• Species: Codling, coalfish, pouting and rockling in colder months; wrasse, pollack, mackerel and occasional bass during warmer periods.
• Approach: Short-to-medium casts often outperform trying to cast over the horizon. Put a fresh bait into a gully or along a clear channel and keep it there. This is snaggy country: use rotten-bottom systems or pulley rigs and carry spare rigs.
• Caution: Large areas are cut off on the flood. Identify your route off the scar before starting and do not rely on a torch to find it later.

Scarborough: harbour, South Bay, North Bay and headlands

• South Bay and harbour: Convenient for families and visitors, with mackerel, coalfish, pollack, pouting, flounder, mullet and occasional bass. It can be busy in summer, so early morning, evening and winter sessions are often more comfortable.
• North Bay: More open beach and mixed ground. Flatfish, school bass, whiting, dabs and occasional codling are possible depending on season and sea conditions.
• Marine Drive and headland areas: Deep-water rock and wall marks can offer mackerel, pollack, coalfish and winter codling. These areas are highly exposed; never fish close to wave-washed edges.

Cayton Bay

• Ground: A broad bay with sand, shingle and some rougher patches toward the ends.
• Species: Dabs, flounder, plaice at times, whiting, school bass, dogfish and occasional codling. Summer mackerel may be reachable when fish are close in.
• Best approach: Ideal for a standard beach setup. Use 2–4 oz leads in modest conditions, stepping up in surf. Fishworm, lugworm, ragworm, crab and squid/fish cocktails all have their moments.

Filey Brigg and Filey Bay

• Filey Brigg: A renowned but demanding rock venue with deep water, kelp and strong tidal flow around the end. It can produce codling, coalfish, pollack, mackerel, wrasse and occasional bass.
• Filey Bay: Much easier ground than the Brigg, with good potential for dabs, flounder, whiting, plaice, bass and summer smooth-hounds where suitable sandy ground is found.
• Key point: The Brigg is not a place to take risks. Swell can sweep the rocks, and the outer sections can be cut off. Fish only in safe, settled conditions and leave well before access becomes uncertain.

Reighton, Hunmanby Gap and Speeton

• Ground: Long stretches of sand and shingle, with some clay, rougher patches and gullies.
• Species: Flatfish, whiting, dogfish, school bass, smooth-hounds in season, and occasional codling in coloured winter water. This area is often a good choice when you want less snaggy fishing than the central rocky coast.
• Best times: Evening flood tides, settled summer sessions for bass and hounds, and autumn/winter surf for whiting and codling. Be aware of soft ground, cliffs and changing access routes.

Species and seasons

Season	Likely shore species	Best types of venue	Useful baits/lures
Spring (March–May)	Plaice, dabs, flounder, whiting, early bass, mackerel later in the period, occasional smooth-hound	Filey Bay, Cayton Bay, Reighton, sheltered harbour areas	Ragworm, lugworm, black lug, mussel, small crab baits, small metal lures for mackerel
Summer (June–August)	Mackerel, pollack, wrasse, bass, mullet, smooth-hounds, dogfish, flatfish	Whitby and Scarborough piers/harbours, rocky marks, Filey and southern beaches	Feathers, metals, soft plastics, peeler crab, ragworm, sandeel, mackerel strip, float-fished worm or bread for mullet
Autumn (September–November)	Codling, coalfish, whiting, pouting, bass, mackerel early on, dogfish	Rock scars from Staithes to Scarborough; surf beaches at Cayton, Filey and Reighton	Fresh crab, lugworm, black lug, squid-and-worm cocktails, mussel, razorfish, mackerel strip
Winter (December–February)	Codling, whiting, coalfish, pouting, dabs, flounder, rockling	Deep rocky gullies and scars in coloured water; sheltered beaches and harbour walls in poorer weather	Black lug, lugworm, crab when available, squid, mussel, mackerel strip, fish-and-worm cocktails

Key target species

Codling: The traditional headline fish. The best prospects are usually from late September through winter, especially after an onshore blow has coloured the water but before the sea becomes dangerously rough. Fresh crab can be excellent early in the run; black lug, lugworm, mussel and squid cocktails are dependable alternatives. Rock marks often fish best on a flooding tide into darkness, while surf beaches can produce whiting and codling after dark.

Mackerel: Present from late spring into autumn, though their arrival and numbers vary greatly. Piers, headlands and high rock marks are best when there is clear water and bait fish are showing. Use small metal lures, daylights or a limited string of feathers. Take only what you will use.

Pollack and coalfish: Pollack favour clear water, kelp edges and rock structure, mainly from spring to autumn. Small paddle tails, jelly worms, metal lures and float-fished sandeel or strip bait work well. Coalfish are common around piers and rough ground and may show throughout the cooler months.

Wrasse: Ballan wrasse are a summer rock-mark species. Fish close in around kelp and boulders with ragworm, peeler crab, hardback crab or small shellfish baits. They are powerful fish, so use abrasion-resistant hooklengths. Return large breeding fish carefully.

Bass: School bass can occur along the sandy bays and around harbour mouths, particularly in warm, settled weather or around moderate surf. Peeler crab, ragworm and sandeel are reliable baits; small surface lures and soft plastics can score around dawn and dusk. Bass retention, size limits and seasonal rules are tightly regulated and can change, so check the current national recreational bass rules before keeping any fish.

Flatfish: Dabs, flounder and occasional plaice are available on sandy or mixed beaches. Lugworm, ragworm, mackerel strip tipped with worm, and small shellfish baits are useful. Keep rigs neat and use smaller hooks than for cod.

Smooth-hounds and dogfish: Smooth-hounds are a summer possibility on suitable cleaner beaches, with crab baits the first choice. Dogfish can be widespread on mixed and sandy ground, particularly after dark, taking squid, mackerel and fish baits.

Methods and tackle for shore anglers

Beach fishing

For Cayton, Filey, Reighton and similar beaches:

• Rod: 12–14 ft beachcaster rated around 4–6 oz.
• Reel: Fixed-spool reel loaded with 15–20 lb mono or braid plus a suitable shockleader; or a multiplier if you are competent with one.
• Terminal tackle: Two-hook flapper rigs for dabs, whiting and smaller species; clipped-down pulley rigs for codling, bass or mixed ground; pulley pennels for larger fish baits.
• Leads: Plain leads in calm conditions; 4–6 oz grip leads when surf or tide requires them.
• Hooks: Roughly size 4 to 1/0 for flatfish and whiting; 1/0 to 4/0 for codling, bass and larger baits.

Rock and scar fishing

For Staithes, Whitby rock marks, Robin Hood’s Bay, Ravenscar and Filey Brigg:

• Use a powerful 12–13 ft rod, robust reel, 20 lb-class main line or appropriate braid-and-leader setup, and strong abrasion-resistant hooklengths.
• A pulley rig helps lift fish over kelp and rock. A rotten-bottom attachment can save leads on very rough ground, although it will not eliminate losses.
• Keep casts sensible. A bait placed 30–60 yards into the right gully can be more effective than a long cast into snaggy ground.
• Carry spare rigs, leads, bait elastic, a disgorger, long-nose pliers and a landing net or drop net where the height of the mark requires it.

Lure fishing

Lure fishing is at its best in clear water from spring to autumn.

• Mackerel: 15–40 g metals, small casting jigs or limited feather strings.
• Pollack: 10–30 g metal lures, 3–5 inch paddle tails, shads and jelly worms worked along kelp edges and around pier structures.
• Bass: Small hard lures, surface lures, soft plastics and weedless presentations around shallow mixed ground, surf edges and harbour mouths.
• Tackle: A 9–10 ft spinning rod rated approximately 10–40 g, 3000–4000 size reel, braid and a fluorocarbon leader is versatile.

Float fishing

A sliding or fixed float with ragworm, mackerel strip, prawn or small sandeel can be excellent around piers, harbour walls and deeper rock edges. It is a pleasant way to target pollack, coalfish, wrasse, mackerel and mullet where conditions allow.

Bait practicalities

Fresh bait matters on this coast. Buy locally where possible and keep it cool. Useful all-round choices are:

• Lugworm/black lug: Whiting, codling, dabs, flounder and general beach fishing.
• Peeler crab: Bass, codling, wrasse and smooth-hounds; particularly valuable in warmer months and early autumn.
• Ragworm: Flatfish, bass, wrasse and harbour fishing.
• Mackerel/squid: Good tipping baits and reliable for dogfish, pouting and whiting.
• Mussel/razorfish: Effective codling and rough-ground baits when securely bound with bait elastic.

Use bait elastic on soft baits, particularly where crabs are active or casts are powerful.

Tides, weather and sea conditions

Reading the North Yorkshire coast

The coast faces broadly east to north-east, making it exposed to onshore and north-easterly weather. A moderate sea can be ideal for codling and bass, but the same coastline becomes dangerous quickly when a swell arrives.

• Clear, settled water: Better for mackerel, pollack, wrasse, mullet and lure fishing.
• Lightly coloured water with a manageable swell: Often prime for codling, particularly over kelp and rock scars.
• Heavy surf or large long-period swell: Can make piers, sea walls, Brigg-type rock marks and scar access unsafe. Choose a sheltered harbour or do not fish.
• Offshore winds: May flatten the sea and help casting, but can be cold and make cliff-top or pier fishing unpleasant. Clear water after prolonged offshore conditions can reduce daytime cod prospects while improving lure fishing.

Tide selection

There is no single perfect tide for every North Yorkshire mark, but these broad rules are useful:

• Rock scars and gullies: Often best from mid-flood to high water, especially into dusk or darkness. The rising tide brings fish over shallow kelp and can cover otherwise inaccessible channels.
• Open beaches: Fish the flood and first part of the ebb, with evening high water often especially productive for whiting, bass and codling.
• Piers and harbour walls: Can fish through more of the tide, but current, weed and boat movements may make some stages awkward.
• Low-water rock fishing: Can expose productive ground but carries the greatest risk of being cut off. Start with a known mark, study the tide table and leave early.

Use a reliable local tide source for the nearest port or location—commonly Whitby or Scarborough—and allow for the fact that small bays, scars and harbour entrances may fish differently from the published high-water time. Check swell height, swell period, wind direction and wind strength as well as the tide. A modest predicted wave height can still be dangerous if a long-period swell is running.

Safety and access

North Yorkshire’s scenery is a major part of its appeal, but it creates real hazards for anglers.

Essential safety points

• Never turn your back on the sea. North Sea swells can send occasional larger waves far beyond the normal wash line.
• Avoid exposed piers, sea walls and rock platforms in rough weather. If waves are breaking over a structure, it is not a fishing mark.
• Watch the tide behind you. Scar fishing is a common source of cut-off incidents. Know your escape route before walking out.
• Wear suitable footwear. Studded boots or quality rock boots give far better grip than trainers on weeded rock. A buoyancy aid is sensible on low, exposed marks.
• Take a headtorch and backup light for evening fishing, but do not use darkness as a reason to stay on a mark after the tide has made exit unsafe.
• Fish with a companion where possible, tell someone your plan, and carry a charged phone in a waterproof pouch.
• In an emergency on the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Cliffs, paths and parking

Many marks involve steep coastal paths, steps, uneven ground or long walks. Do not descend unofficial cliff paths, stand below unstable cliffs, or park in ways that obstruct residents, farm access or emergency services. Rock falls and cliff erosion are ongoing hazards, particularly after rain and winter storms.

Harbour and pier etiquette

Harbours are working environments. Keep clear of slipways, mooring operations, boat access, ladders, life-saving equipment and navigation channels. Follow all local signage, respect restricted areas and move if asked by harbour staff. Avoid casting where your line can foul boats or affect other users.

Conservation and good practice

• Return undersized fish and unwanted catches quickly and carefully.
• Check the current statutory minimum conservation reference sizes and any local rules before retaining fish. Rules for bass are especially important and change periodically.
• Take litter, discarded line and bait packaging home.
• Do not collect bait in protected areas or where signs prohibit digging/collection.
• Keep disturbance low around nesting birds, coastal wildlife and other beach users.

Local practical tips

1. Match the venue to the weather. In settled summer weather, fish Whitby, Scarborough, harbour walls or rock edges for mackerel, pollack and wrasse. After a manageable autumn blow, move to rougher scars for codling. If the sea is too big, do not force a rock session—choose a sheltered venue or postpone.

2. Fish darkness for better quality. Many North Yorkshire marks come alive from dusk onward. Codling, whiting, dogfish and larger bass are generally more confident after dark, provided the mark remains safe.

3. Do not ignore close-range water. On kelpy ground, feeding fish often work close to the rocks and inside gullies. A short cast with a well-presented bait can beat a long cast that lands in a snag.

4. Use fresh, local bait and change it regularly. Crabs, small fish and wash can strip bait quickly. Check every 10–20 minutes when bites are likely or when crabs are active.

5. Travel light enough to stay mobile. A rucksack, compact tackle box and rod holdall are often more practical than a large beach trolley on cliff paths and rough ground.

6. Expect weed after easterlies. Autumn and winter seas can carry heavy weed. A fixed-grip lead and a short, robust rig may help, but if weed is continuously dragging gear free, conditions may simply be unfishable.

7. Ask local tackle shops about the current run. They will often know whether codling are on the scars, whether mackerel are showing, which baits are selling, and whether a particular access path or pier section is closed.

8. Have a realistic catch plan. Mackerel and undersized fish should not be retained unnecessarily. Keep only legal, good-condition fish you will eat, and release the rest with wet hands and minimal handling.

9. Check access before travelling. Storm damage, harbour works, cliff-path closures, seasonal restrictions and paid parking arrangements can change. Verify them on the day.

10. Bring a landing solution. A long-handled net, drop net or safe alternative is essential at some pier and wall marks. Do not try to lift a decent fish up a high wall on light line.

Nearby county options

East Riding of Yorkshire

South of Speeton, the coast continues into the East Riding. Flamborough Head, Bridlington and Hornsea provide additional rock, harbour and beach options. Flamborough is another serious rock-fishing area with excellent summer lure potential and winter codling, while Bridlington offers more sheltered harbour and beach fishing.

Redcar and Cleveland / Teesside coast

North of the main North Yorkshire resort coast, anglers commonly look toward Saltburn, Redcar and the Tees estuary area. These offer a mixture of rock, pier, beach and estuary fishing, but access and local regulations vary by venue. Check the current administrative area, parking arrangements and any estuary-specific rules.

County Durham

Further north, the Durham coast offers further winter codling, rock and beach fishing around Seaham and Sunderland. It can be a useful alternative when weather patterns favour a different stretch of coast.

Inland North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire also has extensive freshwater angling, but this is regulated separately. A rod licence and permission are generally required for freshwater fishing, and salmonid or migratory-fish rules can apply in tidal rivers and estuaries.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a rod licence to sea fish in North Yorkshire?

Normally, no rod licence is required for recreational rod-and-line fishing in tidal sea water in England. You do need permission where relevant, must follow harbour or landowner rules, and should check regulations if fishing rivers, tidal river sections or estuaries.

What is the best month for cod fishing?

There is no guaranteed month, but October to January is the traditional core period. Productive sessions are often linked to a moderate north-easterly sea that has coloured the water, followed by safe and fishable conditions.

Where is the easiest place for a beginner?

Scarborough harbour/South Bay, Whitby harbour, Cayton Bay and Filey Bay are generally more straightforward than remote rock scars. They offer safer access in appropriate weather, fewer tackle losses and a chance of varied species.

Can I fish from Whitby or Scarborough pier?

Usually, fishing is possible from designated areas, but conditions and restrictions can change. Check local signs, weather, maintenance closures and harbour rules. Do not fish exposed outer sections during rough seas.

Is Filey Brigg safe to fish?

It can be safe only in settled conditions for anglers who understand the tide, access and the mark. It is dangerous in swell and may cut off. Beginners should fish Filey Bay or go with an experienced local angler instead.

What bait should I take for a first trip?

For general beach fishing, take lugworm or black lug, plus a little squid or mackerel strip for tipping. For rough-ground codling fishing, add crab, mussel or a fish-and-worm cocktail. For summer rock fishing, ragworm and peeler crab are excellent.

Can I catch mackerel from the shore?

Yes. From late spring to early autumn, mackerel can come within casting range of Whitby and Scarborough piers, headlands and high rock marks. Their presence is highly weather- and bait-dependent.

Are there bass in North Yorkshire?

Yes, mainly along sandy bays, surf edges and harbour mouths during warmer months. They are not as consistent as on some south-western coasts, but good fish do occur. Always check the latest bass recreational fishing rules before retaining one.

What should I do if I become cut off by the tide?

Do not attempt to wade through rising water or climb unstable cliffs. Move to the safest high ground available, call 999, ask for the Coastguard, and give your location as accurately as possible.

Quick-reference summary

Area	Best for	Best season	Ground	Notes
Staithes / Runswick Bay	Codling, wrasse, pollack, mackerel	Autumn–winter for cod; summer for mixed species	Rock, kelp, gullies	Productive but uneven and tide-sensitive
Whitby harbour and piers	Mackerel, coalfish, pollack, flounder, pouting, codling	Year-round; mackerel in summer	Harbour walls, piers, mixed ground	Convenient, but obey harbour restrictions and avoid rough seas
Robin Hood’s Bay / Ravenscar	Codling, coalfish, wrasse, pollack	Autumn–winter for cod; summer for wrasse/pollack	Extensive rock scars and kelp	Strong fishing, high cut-off and snag risk
Scarborough	Mixed species, mackerel, flatfish, whiting, occasional codling	Year-round	Harbour, walls, beach and rock	Good beginner-friendly choices in sheltered conditions
Cayton Bay	Flatfish, whiting, school bass, dogfish	Spring–winter depending on species	Sand and shingle	Straightforward beach fishing
Filey Brigg	Codling, pollack, coalfish, mackerel, wrasse	Autumn–winter cod; summer mixed	Deep rock and kelp	Advanced/exposed mark; fish only in safe conditions
Filey Bay	Dabs, flounder, plaice, whiting, bass, smooth-hounds	Spring–summer for flatfish/hounds; autumn–winter for whiting	Predominantly sand	Easier alternative to the Brigg
Reighton / Speeton	Flatfish, whiting, bass, dogfish, smooth-hounds, occasional codling	Summer for bass/hounds; autumn–winter for whiting/codling	Sand, shingle and mixed patches	Check cliff-path access and soft ground

Best all-round advice: choose a venue that matches the sea state, fish the flood into dusk where safe, use fresh bait, and treat North Yorkshire’s tides, cliffs and swell with respect.