Safe cliff fishing?

[Fishery Pokery]

Hi everyone,
I want to start fishing the cliffs at Ryhope but am aware there is problems with erosion and collapses along there.
I fished there a bit years ago, but had no idea of the risks then, which this site has highlighted for me.

I was wondering if anyone could give me some safety ideas to make it as safe as possible.
I know some of you will say not to fish up there at all, but I'd prefer pointers to make it more safe.
For instance, should I fish areas that slope down to the sea, rather than undercut areas?
Are there stretches that are made from safer rock?
I also thought about ways of tying myself off?

Thanks in advance,
Geoff

[codseeker]

best advice is if ya not sure allways fish with a friend carry a mobile and wear something very bright or reflective just incase .few top anglers have been caught out so stay safe

[Rocker]

The cliffs along there are largely made up of packed earth, and fall regularly.
There is no 'safe' way to fish there mate, common sense is your friend here. Obviously there are basic no nos like don't fish there in string winds, don't approach the very edge.
Fish during the day to gain confidence.
The problems start if you need to hand ball a fish as the need to approach the edge plus excitement can lead to disaster.
Even if you survive the fall you will be below the high tide mark with no way out.
Sorry to be so grim but best to know the risks.
Cracking shots down there btw

[skott]

Try and fish Ryhope beach, where the old pipe is. I actually had a pop down there today and bumped into a few familiar guys off here. Fish just infront of the steps and you can see right away long the side of the cliffs, just to get an ''idea'' of what you will be fishing.

I expect it will be pitch black along there when its dark, so like the guys have said, give it a shot on a clear calm day. Good luck whatever you do.

[rocketman]

yep very dangerous those cliffs at ryhope especially when theres been heavy rain
if your unsure dont fish them

[Fishery Pokery]

Thanks for all the advice.
Had a walk along there after posting this and found some great looking spots.
How do people normally land there fish without going near the edge, do they use their rod to lift the wieght?
Thanks
Geoff

[kingcod deano]

I fished with a lad the other week on a cliff mark and he had a great bit of kit a harness on his back fastened to rope then tied to a solid object so if cliff gave way he would be a lot safer and also could handball fish up the cliff edge without fear

[newfisherman]

The thing with safety harness is you still die from suspension trauma relatively quickly, think its even somthing like 20 minutes, loosing consiousness after 5 or 10 (can't remember exactly)
If your out on your own your pretty much done for, even with a mate think you'd be pushing it for time. A harness and lanyard short enough to prevent you getting too close to the edge would be usefull for fall prevention if all your worried about is falling off, but as for stopping you hitting the deck/sea if the cliff gave way under you? Don't like your chances. Its only a fish after all!

[markgg]

ryhope cliffs

Fished Ryhope beach today and there was about 6-7 lads fishing from cliffs from hill 60 down to ryhope nook, no cod just whities by way! better than a blank though. So, popular marks, but there was still signs of erosion and you could see where small land sides had been.

[jamiebrennan]

Be extra careful when fishing in heavy seas if the cliff is going to go its when its getting battered. Worst times are when you have a period of heavy rain followed by really hard frosts because the water that is within the cracks expands as it becomes frozen thus weakening the cliff. Look for areas of slippage, i.e the ground just back from the cliff edge may have a step down resulting from the ground below it being removed causing everything above it to slip down. Never get closer to the edge than you need to, Mickyo on here told me once "divvent stand that close man you have 14ft of rod between your legs you dont have too" my response at the time was "have you been talking to our lass" but its as true as owt else you will hear on this thread.
As for lifting fish, most decent reels will crank a 3-4lber up but much bigger and you have to improvise, if your with someone then just put the rod across your knee and knock the reel into freespool and get your mate to walk backwards with line until the fish is at the tip and swing it round. harder if your on your todd but just sit on the rod and pull the line through your rings till the fish is there again and swing it in.

[Karl M]

Fished devil's hole and the craig at collywell bay today. The cliffs there are getting progressively worse. There are also a few obvious signs of land slides along the track leading from one mark to the next. No fish is worth your life.

[codster]

have a walk down at low tide you will soon see whats under mined and when you fish have a good look about as said for cracks or slips stay safe m8

[eddie t]

Aye have a walk down at low water the day ya going fishing and look at the
cliffs from the beach and then have a walk along the cliffs as well but keep
away from the edge cos there's a load of grass over hanging and it looks like the
edge but like every one else don't fish them on ya own.

[fish2704]

safe cliff fishing

Another thing to think of is getting back off the cliffs. Fished the sunderland comp the other week just north of Marsden. Cliffs were safe and access seemed easy but when it came to getting back off it was a nightmare. The clay bank on the top of the cliffs were ok to go down at lunchtime when the sun was out and the clay was dry but when the sun went down and the damp air hit the clay it became like a skating rink. Luckily we managed to get one lad back on the top who then pulled us all up using our rod rests. I think if there had only been a couple of us we wouldnt have been able to get off.

[Fishery Pokery]

Brilliant advice of everyone, thank you.
I'm going to do a few reccies before I try, and will bear in mind all that's been said.
Might even see some of you up there.
Many thanks for your advice,
Geoff