Cresswell 22nd and Newbiggin 24th kayak.

[dt1]

On me todd off Cresswell , launched off beach and fished snab point area amongst the rough ground . Persued by seals , anchored up using variety of baits fishing hard with a lot of small bites from the codetts . Managed three keepers after moving several times wind got up from the SSE and put a lump on so landed at low tide . Highlights of the morning being an double shot on the same hook of a codling and a feisty lobster both released to fight another day lol. Big bull seal came up with a good fish in its mouth to torment me hahaha.

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Launched off Newbiggin Sun morning with Jeff , whipped around the point in the strong ebbing tide and anchored up . Fishing slow again with a few small codling coming to our baits , lug, bluey , mussel and dirty squid . Ended with five keepers best 5lb . Navigated back to shore in the fog which was persistent all morning ,


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https://youtu.be/gFfVY4wXQu8

[DaveyP]

Nice one Dave, some good fish there. Those bull seals put everything into perspective when they surface near you. The catches from the shore have been poor ever since the sea flattened off so nice to see a few fish.

[Trevor]

Cracking couple of sessions there Dave. Nice to see you are still catching cod up there. Absolutely nothing being pulled out down here. Not even codetts, as you so eloquently call them. Consequently it has not been worth uploading a report. Hopefully things will change soon though.

[dt1]

Cracking couple of sessions there Dave. Nice to see you are still catching cod up there. Absolutely nothing being pulled out down here. Not even codetts, as you so eloquently call them. Consequently it has not been worth uploading a report. Hopefully things will change soon though.

Went off Newbiggin again yesterday afternoon Trevor but the westerly wind was persistent and stronger than forcast , in those conditions best this time of year anchored with plenty smell to attract the fish , had three nice size keepers . There was a boat just outside of me making repeated drifts be interesting to see how they got on as the fish I caught had sprats in their stomachs and shads might have worked .

[drifter]

Went off Newbiggin again yesterday afternoon Trevor but the westerly wind was persistent and stronger than forcast , in those conditions best this time of year anchored with plenty smell to attract the fish , had three nice size keepers . There was a boat just outside of me making repeated drifts be interesting to see how they got on as the fish I caught had sprats in their stomachs and shads might have worked .

Hi Dave,
Tuesday we were up at Newbiggin on "Grace" and on Wednesday we went up again on "Red Mist" which is the red hull Arvor you spotted just North of you.
The boats really needed a good run and we didn't have any expectations but on Tuesday we landed approx 16 Cod with most of them being just keeping size or slightly under which obviously went back except for 4 good keepers around 52cm. On Wednesday, after a "slack water" quiet start we picked up a few decent fish on every drift with the fresh Westerly actually doing us favour by working the flowing trace lures tipped off with prawn. We ended up keeping over 20 decent Cod to 56cm and returning at least the same amount again. It was great to be amongst them again but I reckon we've only got a couple of weeks at best before they start their spawning cycle and then we're stuck in RQ's marina until mid April while they carry out some essential maintenance on the lock gates. Looks like we may as well start our own essential maintenance, oil & filter changes, lift out, wash off and anodes replaced etc. We'll have to catch up soon.

[dt1]

Hi Dave,
Tuesday we were up at Newbiggin on "Grace" and on Wednesday we went up again on "Red Mist" which is the red hull Arvor you spotted just North of you.
The boats really needed a good run and we didn't have any expectations but on Tuesday we landed approx 16 Cod with most of them being just keeping size or slightly under which obviously went back except for 4 good keepers around 52cm. On Wednesday, after a "slack water" quiet start we picked up a few decent fish on every drift with the fresh Westerly actually doing us favour by working the flowing trace lures tipped off with prawn. We ended up keeping over 20 decent Cod to 56cm and returning at least the same amount again. It was great to be amongst them again but I reckon we've only got a couple of weeks at best before they start their spawning cycle and then we're stuck in RQ's marina until mid April while they carry out some essential maintenance on the lock gates. Looks like we may as well start our own essential maintenance, oil & filter changes, lift out, wash off and anodes replaced etc. We'll have to catch up soon.

Cheers Tony , good info thought you must have been catching on that drift ,did you use the drogue to slow down ? Weather watching again now hope to get out next week sometime , be nice to catch up and pick your brains lol .......Dave.

[drifter]

Hi Dave,
We used the drogue on Tuesday, it was a stiff Southerly and the tide was ebbing so we were fairly hopping along, the drogue did manage to slow us down but it wasn't ideal conditions. The drift may have been quick but it did take us along the outer ridge which is where we like to be but we did lose quite a few fish and I reckon they were just lip hooked with the drift speed.
It was easier on Wednesday with the Westerly but probably should have put the drogue out towards the end when it freshened and the bites dried up but we were ready for home by then. I noticed the water was dirtier on Wednesday when in theory it should have been cleaner, just wonder if there's some dredging type work going on in the Blyth or up the Tyne.

[dt1]

Thanks for reply Tony , havnt had any rain to dirty water out the rivers either . Now I have the small motor set up I could have tried the drift with lures on Wed with the drogue over on hindsight , paddling back would have been hard work otherwise. You baiting your lures with cooked/shelled prawns ?

[Trevor]

Went off Newbiggin again yesterday afternoon Trevor but the westerly wind was persistent and stronger than forcast , in those conditions best this time of year anchored with plenty smell to attract the fish , had three nice size keepers . There was a boat just outside of me making repeated drifts be interesting to see how they got on as the fish I caught had sprats in their stomachs and shads might have worked .

Aye Dave I did wonder if it was a bit early for shads and soft lures, figuring there would probably have been more success with baits that have a smell. What is amazing though, is the fish you have caught actually have been taking sprat. Never mind, things can only get better. Well hopefully!! Lol

[Silver Surfer]

Hi Dave,
We used the drogue on Tuesday, it was a stiff Southerly and the tide was ebbing so we were fairly hopping along, the drogue did manage to slow us down but it wasn't ideal conditions. The drift may have been quick but it did take us along the outer ridge which is where we like to be but we did lose quite a few fish and I reckon they were just lip hooked with the drift speed.
It was easier on Wednesday with the Westerly but probably should have put the drogue out towards the end when it freshened and the bites dried up but we were ready for home by then. I noticed the water was dirtier on Wednesday when in theory it should have been cleaner, just wonder if there's some dredging type work going on in the Blyth or up the Tyne.

Looking on the Marine Traffic App, the UKD MARLIN is actively engaged in dredging the Tyne, and as far as I can see, it's discharging its 'load' around 4 miles out, opposite Whitley Bay and Souter (alternate trips)