A superb plaice to fish
Dec 17 2010 The Journal
WITH the cod almost doing a disappearing act a few anglers have got their light gear out and tried for the decent flounders around at this time of year. One of those was Ashley Bartolo and what a surprise he got when fishing the Pilot pier at Hartlepool.
Getting a bite on his mackerel sliver bait, Bartolo’s rod arched over when he picked it up with a fish making frantic efforts to escape. It was in vain as the angler netted a superb plaice of 4lb 3oz.
A specimen flounder turned up in Tynemouth’s Christmas Fayre match, Graham Bennett landing a monster of 3lb, which was enough to win the match. Sportingly both fish were returned.
A few decent cod have been taken – Mick Brown had been waiting 18 years to land his first double-figured cod, and thought nothing of the tiny bite he got fishing the Cenotaph on Whitley Beach, only for it to turn out to be an 11lb 3oz specimen.
Adam Dunn fished a local mark in Amble’s match winning with a cod of 6lb 10oz 12 drams with Jimmy French taking one of 4lb 15oz 8drms.
Darren Shields fished at Newbiggin to win Bedlington Station’s match with a single cod of 6lb 5oz, well ahead of the only other angler to weigh in, Keith Armstrong, with a codling of 1lb 1oz.
Flounders have been the mainstay for match anglers, Bob Ferguson winning Newbiggin’s Xmas Fayre with six for 6lb 9oz.
The Glass Centre has been the flounder hot spot in the Wear with Ryhope anglers taking 35 in their match – Kevin Cassidy winning with two for 975grms, Kevin Waters taking the heaviest at 570grms and Oliver Redpath, winning the junior section with two for 750grm.
Mixed bags have given anglers in the Tyne a bit of sport, Ken Robinson winning Tynemouth’s retired members match with two dabs, and a flounder for 1lb 14oz with Doug Spivey taking the heaviest, a small codling of 1lb 2oz.
David Nevin won Northumbria Police’s match with 13 fish for 240pts. C Bath had a codling of 41cm to take the longest fish with Andy Grief netting a codling for 2lb 6oz from the Tyne to win Cleadons match.
Kevin Moffatt was the only angler to catch in South Beach residents’ match, taking two codling for 3lb 15oz from the private beach.
Diary events
BOXING DAY: George Mullholland Boxing Day Open 2pm-7pm details 0191 5810321 / 07881442289 seahamsac@btconnect.com
DECMBER 27: Easington Colliery Rovers Open 10am-3pm. 1st Prize h/f £400, 2nd prize h/bag £300, 3rd prize 2nd h/bag £100. Jnr £50 Rutherford’s tackle Voucher, ladies £50. Plus prize table. A competitor can only win one of the top three prizes. Entry £10, s/poool h/bag £1, reg Easington Colliery club 8-9.49am. Bounds Green Wall, Seaham to Heugh Breakwater, Hartlepool (excl Heugh & Steetley pier) Stewards will be present and will be checking boxes, bags, & vehicles. Details TEL. 07889514617.
