Spotlight on sea angling

Although fish can be caught all year round the main season usually starts off in April.

Cod can sometimes be caught in good number not very far from the river mouth, or not more than a mile offshore. Popular fishing locations  are around St Marys Island (north) and Souter Point (south). 

On a decent forecast it is well worth a trip up to Church Point off Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, where a good day’s fishing can be had just drifting in between the flags of the marker buoys.

Towards the end of May, sea anglers eagerly await the arrival of shoals of mackerel, and it doesn’t take long to fill your bucket using a set of mackerel feathers jigged at different depths. Why not try some light spinning tackle, or even a fly rod? You can enjoy some great fishing days well into October when the mackerel will start to disperse.  

The arrival of the mackerel also seems to start off the summer wreck fishing season with anglers trying their luck with some of the monsters that lurk in the crevices of shipwrecks that litter the seabed. It is not unusual for cod and ling to be weighed at more than 20 lb and some even up to 30 lb. They are no easy catch but always make for a thrilling day out and some great craic with fishing mates. 

Other species that Royal Quays Marina based anglers could expect to catch throughout the year are saithe (also known as coley), whiting, wrasse, pouting and the occasional haddock or flatfish.

Keeping in touch with fellow boat owners and exchanging tips and tactics always improves the chances of having a good day’s fishing.

Although there’s plenty of friendly competition around the pontoons, we pride ourselves on our friendly boating community at Royal Quays and everyone is happy to lend a hand and offer some helpful advice.

Our regular social events are also a great opportunity to swap stories and share information, while The Lock café-bistro overlooking the Marina is a great place to catch up over a drink.

Feeling competitive?

If so then you could test your skill by entering the Marina’s own sea angling challenges. We hold one-day matches and monthly and annual competitions. You’ll also find that (almost) everything you need to fuel your passion for fishing can be bought locally at one of the local tackle shops, such as the famous Billy’s Fishing Tackle shop just up the road in North Shields.

An important fish conservation reminder

Can we politely remind anglers to have a thought for the environment, by only taking fish which you are going to eat or use as bait. This will help conserve our sport for the future.

See the Northumberland Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (NIFCA) for more information about recreational fishing, conservation and research in the North East  NIFCA website

Collect all litter bringing it back ashore and putting it in the marina waste bins.  All fish must be cleaned and gutted before being brought back to the Marina. 

Explore more fishing areas from boatfolk marinas

Fancy fishing further afield?

That’s no problem with the boatfolk Annual Cruising Pass.

Annual berth holders can have up to 300 free visitor nights at other boatfolk marinas - it's a great way to explore some different fishing areas.

Ask at your nearest boatfolk marina for more information.