Amble

[dave craig]

I'm thinking about launching from the public slipway at amble (slightly inland in the estuary) just a few questions:

Will my ford escort be adequate for the launch/retrieve?

What are the tide restrictions - i've been led to believe that the two hours either side of low water are the times to avoid? is this the case?

Are there any dangerous areas (i.e. shallow/ rocky/ strong current) around that area that I should be aware of?

And most importantly - where are the decent places to fish???

Any feedback greatly appreciated

Cheers

[joostan]

Hey mate,

I was looking at amble to launch my boat so I might be able to help but must stress this is what I have been told, I have not launched there yet so the information is via third party.


Will my ford escort be adequate for the launch/retrieve?
what size boat do you have as it should be able to launch a resonable size with a car (most others do).


What are the tide restrictions - i've been led to believe that the two hours either side of low water are the times to avoid? is this the case?
It depends on the draft of your boat mate but I was told about 2-2.5 hours each side should be ok. This was for an 18ft Pilot with a .46m draft.


Are there any dangerous areas (i.e. shallow/ rocky/ strong current) around that area that I should be aware of?
I have attached a map for ya but the biggest tip I can give is if you head south of Amble, as you exit the harbour head north a but and go around the island and dont cut through it.




And most importantly - where are the decent places to fish???
Cannot really help there mate as its been rough out there so probably anywhere right now but heard around Creswell scars is ok.

Hope this helps.

[George]

Hi Mate

I launch out of the boat club slightly upstream of the public launch. You can launch from almost any state of the tide and has secure ish parking. you will pay around £140 a year which includes the harbour dues (£56),which everyone needs to pay if you sail in the harbour.
Be worth looking into havent got the number on me at the mo but do a search for amble boat club and you'll get the details.

I did when I first got my boat launched from the public slip and it was a nightmare getting the tides right if you miss the tide and it is around 2 hrs either side your into mud. its not a very deep slip neither havent seen many people use it. When your fishing your normaly out for 4-6hrs so getting the tides right for retreiving could be tricky.
I did get stuck once launching there and spent an age waiting to retrieve, never again.

You can launch there and the boat club with the car its mostly hard ground.

When you get out there I tend to fish adjacent and north of the island around a mile. About 800mtrs west of the island its an idea to keep an eye out for other boats and follow. Ive got some co ords I'll pm to you when I get the chance.

I would if your going to fish Amble regular to join the boat club.

No real hazards if your draft is'nt to much you can cut across the east of the island just watch out for the pots. And pan bush slightly NW as you leave the harbour can get a bit choppy at low tide.

Hope this lot helps mate i'm sure you'll get some more info from the rest on here.

George

[oldessox]

Hi Dave ,
I have a boat in the marina at Amble but use the slip frequently , there is a roundabout at the top of the slip , go round it the wrong way and then reverse down the slip.
You should pay the harbour fees for the use of the slip , I can't remember exactly but it's about £12 a day or £52 a year (my marina fees include the harbour fees so I forget now what I used to pay) the harbour masters office is on the quay side next to the car park , you can pay the day before or shove the money through the letter box if you are launching early.
It's a long narrow concrete block slip and very muddy at the bottom at low tide , there is nowhere to tie up your boat if you are launching alone and the car park is a hundred yards or so away from the slip so you need to anchor your boat whilst you park the car (free parking). The slip is very gently sloping so if your car struggles on this it will struggle anywhere.
If your boat is on a bunk trailer take a rope to tie between the car and trailer so you can leave the car on dry land and push the trailer out to deeper water till the boat floats off. Mine now is on a roller coaster and it's a doddle , water half way up the trailer wheels and off she slides , my last boat was on a bunk and i had to use the rope to keep the car out of the water , there are no nasty drop offs or anything on the slip so it's safe and easy to do.
Keep to the harbour wall(south) side of the river as you go out , the north side shallows right up to a sand bank.
Fishing spots ,anywhere between steel bush and coquet hole behind the island or head south , find northern hill on your plotter and drift from the shallows out over the deeper water till you hit 60ft or so then motor back up over the shallows and repeat from a different spot , watch for sudden drop offs , they usually hold fish.
Further south again to Cresswell skeres , same again , find the shallow water , park on top of it and drift off over the deeper water , it's a vast area of hard ground and there should be fish there somewhere.
This coming weekend you should be able to launch any time in the morning as low water is at 3.30 sat and 5 sun and nearly 2mtrs. Coming back in I personally would stay out till dusk , if that's too long then I'd be looking at getting back in for no later than 2pm sat 3pm sunday. but don't blame me if I'm wrong and you have to wait till the tide comes back in lol.

Let me know if and when you are going to give it a try and I might see you out there.

Ray

[dave craig]

Cheers for the feedback lads much appreciated!!

Joostan - spot on charts/map cheers mate

George - thanks for the info

oldessox - my trailer is a roller coaster so should be a piece of cake (hopefully) im actually planning on heading out next wednesday so hopefully the tides will be ok. Can you give me an idea of where northern hill is please mate? is it south of amble towards hauxley?

thanks again lads

[George]

I'm out tommorow I'll let you know were the big uns are ;->

[dave craig]

cheers mate!!

[Graham B]

Dave,

The Northern Hills are just south of Hauxley, from a shore mark virtually straight off from the T junction at Hadston. Keep well clear off the head at Hauxley when you are heading South as it comes out a lot further than you think! Good Luck with the fishing.

Graham.

[dave craig]

cheers graham will do!!

[pityacker]

You could always join cresswell boat club it works out about 45 pound each for 2 of you's for a year.
Theirs secure parking the use of normally its 4 tractors but where down to 2 at the moment to launch your boat and have competitions on every weekend and also the crack is good with plenty of help.
Plus a couple of minutes straight out from where you launch and your on the skears.