Dilbertd
Well-known member
Late report. Started the weekend on a mission to get my first sized Codling of the season (Sept onwards). Started at Hebburn on Saturday at low tide fishing two rods, one with a 2 hook flapper with blow lug and mackerel and one with big frozen blacks on a pulley rig. Two hours and I had 2 small Codling at about 30cms on blow lug. So I decided to hit the coast to see if it was any better there. I wanted a change from SSP so I checked the ratty but the ratty was just putting out the usual tiny Coleys and Whiting. I decided to try to beach at the far end under the lifeguard hut to try it out for the winter. Was not expecting much with the flat seas and sun, and that is exactly what I got nothing. Not a touch on two rods for 2 hours 
Not finished on the mission Codling yet though I went back to Hebburn on Sunday again one hour before low tide and fished two rods again with blow lug and frozen blacks. Again I got 2 small Codling at around 32cms and two snotty Eels. The second snotty Eel made a right mess of my rig and I was about to give up. But then I thought I have one big black lug left so I de-slimed the rig, replaced one of the cut off hook lengths and put on the last bit of bait for one last cast with one rod. Well within about 5 minutes the rod tip was bouncing and a minute later a 36cm 1lb Codling was on the deck ... Mission accomplished (just
). I cast out again with the same savaged bait just for a laugh and a few minutes later another Codling on the same bait but only about 34 cms. The fish seemed to be coming on just as the tide started pulling up the river quite hard and I had run out of bait !
Mission accomplished against all odds as there is not much about at the moment.
I saw another guy catch an Eel so if anyone wants to catch an Eel for their species hunt then try Hebburn with some sticky blacks
Not finished on the mission Codling yet though I went back to Hebburn on Sunday again one hour before low tide and fished two rods again with blow lug and frozen blacks. Again I got 2 small Codling at around 32cms and two snotty Eels. The second snotty Eel made a right mess of my rig and I was about to give up. But then I thought I have one big black lug left so I de-slimed the rig, replaced one of the cut off hook lengths and put on the last bit of bait for one last cast with one rod. Well within about 5 minutes the rod tip was bouncing and a minute later a 36cm 1lb Codling was on the deck ... Mission accomplished (just
). I cast out again with the same savaged bait just for a laugh and a few minutes later another Codling on the same bait but only about 34 cms. The fish seemed to be coming on just as the tide started pulling up the river quite hard and I had run out of bait !Mission accomplished against all odds as there is not much about at the moment.
I saw another guy catch an Eel so if anyone wants to catch an Eel for their species hunt then try Hebburn with some sticky blacks
