This Week's Catches

[Sam Harris]

The Tyne wreck boat “Sarah JFK” skippered by Alan Skinner has taken some good fish this week. Best cod was 22 lb taken by the crewman Jimmy Cassidy. Two excellent ling of 18 lb were taken by Alan Black and Brian Warren from an offshore wreck. You can contact Alan on 0191-2764863.

I fished on the Hartlepool boat “Famous” last week and with me was England International Jim Whippy. We were filming for a DVD which Jim’s Company will be producing. This was my first trip on the “Famous” - a fabulous boat, with lots of room, very stable and very fast. There were only three of us on board. The owner and skipper, Dave along with Jim and myself. Between us we had over 60 cod and ling averaging between 6 lb and 10 lb, all on blue and green Sidewinder Shads. All sizes took fish, but the larger 7 inch and 9 inch worked best. Dave runs seven days a week and can be contacted on 07887-516285 or 01429-426130.

Last Sunday the South Shields Boat Angling Club held their fourth competition of the season. 11 rods took part, taking a total catch of 324 lb, mainly cod in the 3 lb to 5 lb range. Most of the fish were caught around the 4 mile mark off the Tyne using daylights and shads. Mackerel sport was patchy, but it was noticed that most of the fish had been feeding on herring sprat. Winner of the Albert Egglestone Cup was Stephen Brown with an individual catch of 45 lb. The top angler on the “Big Geordie” was Gordon Telford who landed a 6 lb 7 oz cod, which was the heaviest single fish. This won him the Tommy Spence Cup.

Sunday 8th August is the Annual Ian Woods Open Boat Competition. This match is open to all boats, both private and charter and entrants may fish from any port they wish, but must weigh in at The Royal Quays, North Shields between 4.00 pm and 5.30 pm. Fishing is 8.00 am to 4.00 pm. Entry is £10 all classes. Tickets are now on sale at The Royal Quays Marina, Rutherfords Angling, Sunderland, Billy’s Tackle, North Shields, Lewis Tackle, Whitley Bay, Frasers Tackle, Gateshead and Amble Angling Centre. Tickets will also be on sale at The Royal Quays from 7.00 am on the day of the competition. This is a HSF Competition - one competitor, one prize. There are two categories - boats under 20 ft and boats over 20 ft. The first three HSF in each category will receive a percentage of the entry monies. There will also be a good supporting prize table. There will be a special prize for the HSF taken from a kayak. Further details from Ian Woods Game Angling, Morpeth on 01670-510996 or myself on 0191-5184561.