THE bite that registered on Tony Rutherford’s rod seemed no different from the one he got from a 4lb cod he had already landed at Beadnell – that is until he picked up his rod and it bent double.
Carefully cajoling the fish through the rocks Tony finally got the fish close in, that is when the real problem started, not wanting to lift the fish in case the line snapped, there was only one option – his friend Geoff Lawther lay on his stomach and waited for the next swell to lift the fish up so he could grab it.
They would only have one go, because if the fish was missed the line would definitely snap.
Thankfully the fish was landed and, when weighed, it was a new personal best for Tony at 14lb 10oz.
South Shields has produced another good fish, again in Cleadon’s match, Steve Elliott eventually landing one of 11lb 6oz. There have also been some excellent bags, Mick Bell took 11, which where all returned, for 26lb at Newton.
Trevor Green, fishing Roker, landed nine codling, keeping five, to 3lb. Dean Turnbull fishing at the Chems took four codling to 5lb, Kenneth Scott had a good session with coalfish at Frenchman’s, taking six for 10lb.
And Steve White took a cod of 7lb from the north side of the Tyne estuary.
Match anglers have also found the codling. Bog Hall Rocks proved the best mark in the Northumberland Sea League match Chris Guthrie taking seven for 13-14-8, Jimmy Dunn taking six for 12-14-8.
Dick Bradley won Newbiggin’s match from there with three cod for 5-9-0, while Billy Emery won their next match from the Needle Eye with five codling for 10-1-0. Ian Harrogate fished Hauxley to win Amble’s match with four codling for 6lb 3oz. Gregg Norris won SBRAAC Stewart memorial Trophy from Crawley’s with three codling for 5lb 13oz.
And Dave Keeler triumphed in BOTAC’s match with two codling for 4lb 15oz from the Old Pipe End. Although most rock end marks from Newbiggin to Newton are giving good catches, very few codling have been taken from the beaches north of the Tyne to Berwick. Seaham fished for their Kirton Cup, John Gibson taking the trophy with a single codling of 3.47lb from Ryhope Cliffs, Andy Rutherford fished South Shields pier to win Ryhope’s match with a single codling of 1.45kg (3.2lb).
Although the Wear is not producing flounder in any great numbers the average size is quite good. Malcolm Sopp took three for 3lb 9oz to win Eastenders’ SAC match.
UPCOMING EVENTS
March 6: Dave Jobson Memorial (Penn points) organised by Blyth AC & In aid of Blyth Lifeboat, 8am-12pm entry snrs £10 (inc £2 h/f) jnrs under 16 on day “FREE under 14 “ MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT. 1st prize 50%, 2nd 30%, 3rd 20%, h/f 100%. Jnr prize, tackle voucher. Reg Ridley Park Hotel, Blyth 6.30am to 7.45am, w.i. 12.30pm to 1.15pm. Bounds: Tyne (Ice House) to Pattersons Garage, Beadnell, excl all rivers, fishing Blyth Pier is allowed. Details Nigel Howitt 07988 465416.
