CATCHING a big pollock from the shore is every angler’s dream.
While most travel to St Abbs or Eyemouth to fulfil their ambition, Ryton angler Ian McDonald had other ideas.
Travelling light, going from rock to rock at Craster, trying a few casts here and there until his patience paid off as a fish took his lure and dived straight to the bottom.
McDonald let his line to slacken letting the fish shoot out. After 10 nerve-wracking minutes Ian eventually got the fish to the surface where he took a monster pollock of 11lb – the third biggest I have recorded from the North East.
If the battle had gone on any longer the fish would have escaped as Ian’s hook was badly bent. Shore fishing has certainly improved, especially the rough ground marks at Newton and Seahouses, Chris Stringer won Whitley Bay’s match at Newton with five cod for 21lb 15oz, best 7lb 13oz, followed by Steve Williams with four cod for 14lb 8oz, with Scott Davison third with three cod for 10lb 15oz.
Paul Foster won Tynmeouth’s match with three cod for 7lb 15oz taken at Newton, Neil Garner taking the heaviest a cod of 5lb 3oz from Seahouses. Ken Robinson won Tynemouth’s retired members match with three flounder, two whiting, two dab, and two plaice for 6lb 10oz. Apart from John Barrass’ catch of four for 4.54lb from the Balst, which won Seaham’s Sulgrave Cup the other fish came from the pier.
Some big flounders have come from the Wear Victoria Nugent landed one of 45cm in Ryhopes, dads and kids match. There have been some good fish from the boats, Jeff Davison skipper of “Warlord” taking a ling of 14lb 8oz to win the Bob White Memorial match, Colin Dawson was second with a fine pollock of 12lb 12drams. Ross Little winning the junior event with a codling of 2lb 7oz 12drams, Julie Ingham taking the ladies section with a codling of 4lb 12oz 8drams, Julie. Steven Surtees and Chris Smith took a dozen good cod to 12lb during a short trip on Missy. ave Tunstall and Jason Wilson taking cod to 10lb 8oz, and a ling of 16lb. Tunstall took cod of 10lb 7oz, & 14lb 5oz.
DIARY DATES
JULY 17: Amble SAC summer open (Penn Points) fish 9.30 to 1.30pm, Minimum prizes are : h/bag £100, h/f £100, h/flat £50, entry snrs £10, jnrs free with adult, reg in local tackle shops or on the day Amble Angling Centre, bounds Seahouses Sth pier to Pipe at Lynemouth, excluding Amble pier, rivers, Aln and Coquet. Disabled anglers may fish Amble pier, along with a nominated helper. W.I. Radcliffe Club Radcliffe Club 1.30pm to 2.30pm, details from Tony (01665 602034) or Jimmy (01665 711007)
JULY 17: Redcar Navy & Gentleman's SAC Heaviest Fish Summer Open (Penn Points) Boundaries are South Gare East Wall (excluding the wall) to Whitby West Pier (excluding the pier) N.B all piers in between are out of bounds, fish 10.00 am to 2.30 pm, reg 8.30 am to 9.00 am on the day at The Priory Club, Lord Street, Redcar or in advance from local tackle shops. Details Tony Barker 01642 503049 or 07727 754746
