Whitby is a
small north east fishing town situated on the banks of the
river esk, and is renowned for it's cod. The largest cod ever
landed on rod and line around the British coast was caught
by a Whitby charter. This historic port was also the home
of Captain Cook and Bram Stoker's Dracula first set foot on
english soil via Tate Hill Pier.
The most easily recognised fishing marks
in Whitby are the east and west piers. As you look out to
sea the west pier is on the left and the east pier is on the
right. By a long way the west pier is the most popular of
the two, especially with holiday makers. The first point I
will make is that fishing is from the lower deck of the extension
only (see photos h & i). Unfortunately this makes it very
difficult when using a 12 or 13ft rod but it is not impossible.
This pier fishes on to a sandy bottom which is largely clean
except for the odd snag. Autumn through to early spring can
throw up some good cod when conditions are right and there
are usually flatties, whiting, colefish etc around at other
times. During rougher weather the extensions storm gate (which
is the same as a parking barrier) is closed. Local anglers
occasionally cross this barrier and fish off the top deck
when it is reasonably safe to do so.
Please
Note : I am not
advising anyone to cross this barrier. The barrier is closed
for the publics protection. Freak waves do occur and if you
are on the end of the pier when one of these hits you'll not
only be risking your life but that of the lifeboat crew who
are called out.
As summer approaches the end of this pier becomes packed with
anglers and tourists fishing for mackerel. The mackerel here
are big and put up a good fight on light spinning gear. One
word of caution though: please ensure that you use strong
line and good knots. On a couple of occasions I have narrowly
avoided other peoples lures that have cracked off on the cast.
By crossing the swing bridge, heading up
towards the 199 steps and past Fortunes Kippers (which are
excellent and well worth buying) you come to the east pier.
The best part of this pier to fish from was the extension
which fished in to kelp and rock, and was a popular cod mark.
Unfortunately the footbridge linking the pier to the extension
was badly damaged by a large wave during a storm. This led
to the bridge being removed (see below).
According to Scarborough Council it will
be a few years until this is replaced. The remaining pier
fishes onto the scar where codling, whiting, bass and mackerel
are among the species caught.
To the left of the east pier is Tate Hill
Beach which fishes into the harbour but doesn't cross the
boat lane. This is ideal for youngsters practicing beach fishing.
It's safer than most beach venues and very sheltered. Flatties,
eels and whiting are often caught from here.
To the right of the east pier is The Scar.
This is mainly rock scar with the odd gully and a number of
shipwrecks. The best time to access it to fish the kelp filled
gullys is during a spring tide (see photos a, b, c, &
d). Access is via the ramp on the east pier.
PLEASE TAKE ALL OF YOUR RUBBISH HOME WITH
YOU. LITTERING SPOILS WHAT IS A VERY SCENIC LOCATION, RUNNING
THE RISK OF THE COUNCIL CLOSING THE PIERS TO ANGLERS (WHICH
HAS HAPPENED ELSEWHERE). IT ALSO CREATES BAD PUBLICITY FOR
THE SPORT. PLEASE BE RESPONSIBLE WITH YOUR RUBBISH.
Caution:
The
scar can also be very slippery and the tide travels quickly
across it. Beware of being cut off by the tide!
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