Fishing in and around north/south shields

[Cockers]

Hi there,

I'm looking to get back into shore fishing but I'm looking for some advice on spots and tackle

I used to fish of blyth pier but caught nothing more than a flatty no bigger than my hand!

I used to use feathers and stuff that you'd use out at sea due to my dad having a boat and me having his gear!

I've got a rod reel and been told a weight hook and wit of rag is all I really need!

I know you cant fish off tynemouth pier unless you're in the club but is south shields pier the same?

and any other half decent locations please

cheers

cockers

[g.ordon]

Welcome to the site mate. Regarding shields pier, there's no restrictions to fishing it as far as I know. Sometimes the gate is shut though but you can still fish into the river before it. If you go up the pier you will find it snaggy unless you can cast a canny way out, fishing into the seaward side from the 30marks up to the blocks at high water is your best bet to avoid getting hooked up. Good luck.

[Cockers]

hi mate cheers is that south shields pier aye? think I'm going to start off on fish key docks get a feel for casting and fishing again! plus it's close to the pub! Got a pal who does a lot of fishing coming with me when I go out but Hope to fish in the sea as well as river!

Used to fish sluice beach heard there was a canny chance of seabass but never had anything!

[davidhayley1945]

get yourself down to smiths docks promenade safe fishing not snaggy, plety of small coalys,codling,flats and eels, fish on the medium to small tides. davy.

[FISHERMAN]

Get yaself on shields pier mate no restrictions on there just bare in mind the public passing by now and again use light gear and u should catch wont be very big but u just never no mate with fishing

[Mad as a fish]

Take a look at this link, all you need to know about S/S pier.
South shields pier - Sea Angling Resource

[david.northeast]

South Shields pier isn't very snaggy at all mate just clear the 50 yard mark which isnt far and you should be fine unless fishing over 5m tides. Plenty of fish to be had

[Cockers]

Thanks lads appreciate the advice! hoping to get some fishing in the next few weeks! depending on a lift over to S.shields as I only ride a scooter at the moment!

[Karl M]

As Davy says, smiths docks is a good comfortable mark to fish if your just starting out. Shields pier can be hellish for the unexperienced. As already said casting 50 yards will see you clear the snags but given conditions, that could prove difficult for a novice. Smiths docks is relatively snag free(may get the odd one). Fish the flood and over high water on small tides using worm and fish baits for a variety of species. Fish with two hook rigs with size 2 hooks and grip leads to avoid your lead rolling with the tide. You should pick up a few fish this way. Hope this helps

[Mogthemackem]

A hook, weight and rag worm will catch you fish unless you use huge hooks. Your hooks this time of year should include 2/0 to 3/0 max if going for river cod with crab baits down to size 4 or even size 6 for flatties and other smaller species. The smaller your hook is the more likely you are to catch. Also a long flowing trace will increase chances of catching. Look up shock leader guidelines (thick line which absorbs the tension your weight puts on your line during the cast) and knots and make sure you have newer line on your reel to prevent snap offs and possibility of injuring and even killing someone. Tipping off your ragworm with a fingernail size chunk of bluey (a bit like mackerel) or mackerel could help your catch rate as could using a flapper rig (a rig with multiple hooks). I would stick to the river as you have said until you are more comfortable with your casting etc as a lot of marks on shields pier (unless you're fishing the slab up until the first gate) can be snaggy very close in. Hope this helps but feel free to pick my brains more if you have any other questions. Also the fish quay can be quite frustrating as you could lose lots of tackle.