Where to start.....so many things with winter cod fishing so I'll just start with some of the main points. These are just my opinions like and there's a lot on here know a lot more about north Tyne and Northumberland fishing than a Durham lad like me.
1) think about joining a club. Nothing is better than the advice you can pick up by the lads you'll get to know and most will be keen to help a newbie.
2) ability to cast is important although often you don't need big distances if and when you're comfortable on the rocks. Think about lessons from someone like Peter Thain (he offers lessons on FB).
3) Until you're comfortable with what you're doing stick to the piers or the Tyne. Safer and you'll have more chance of catching and picking up tips from others. Your current kit would likely see you alright for that if you can get any reasonable distance with it.
4) if you're going to fish the beaches and rock edges you'll need to upgrade your kit. A decent nick Shimano and Penn if you're using a fixed spool and a beachcaster like a second hand century or zziplex if you can stretch to it.
5) two vital bits of kit to invest in. A decent rod stand and a good head torch.
6) as for baits, this time of year peeler and crab cart do pretty well. Lugworm is a good staple all the way through the season and fish baits like bluey in the new year. Big hooks and big bait if you're after cod.
7) search for posts by Phil itofish on here. His signature has a load of local fishing marks on it and it has been invaluable to me since moving up here. Identify a mark you think you might want to fish and search on here and on google for info. You'll usually find good info on fishing conditions, whether it's a low or high tide mark etc..
8) never fish a mark you don't know alone and at night. Ideally fish it a couple of times in the day first so you see the tides, when to get off etc.. No fish is worth a cold bath you might not want.
Hope that helps a little and good luck.
Robbo
Edit - just noticed your rod is a spinner. No good for winter cod fishing where you'll need something that will cast out 5-6 oz plus a big bait. It'll only really get you away coalfield bashing down the side of a pier I reckon.
