The rocky skeers at Hauxley stretch out into the North Sea for miles and the longest of these is the Bondicarrs.
Situated at the southern end of Hauxley beach, the skeers provide superb fishing platforms that seem to go out to the horizon on spring tides.
Fishing is possible in all but the most horrendous weather. The surrounding reefs take the sting out of any heavy swells and it is often during such storms that the best catches are made.
Fishing generally starts about half tide, as soon as the skeers become accessible, with anglers casting to the deep gullies in between. Anglers then cast and move along the Bondicarrs until fish are located or until they reach the point rocks. Make sure you move back towards the shore when the tide starts flooding hard.
Most of the fish are taken at close range, often less than 50 yards, from the middle of the weed beds.
SPECIES
Cod and coalfish are the winter target species. Ballan wrasse, pollack, eel and bass are landed in summer, with an occasional flatfish from the sandy patches.
BEST BAITS
Fresh and frozen peeler crabs are best, although lugworms, white ragworms and various shellfish are used in winter.
TACKLE
This is a typical North-East cod mark and tackle should be sturdy enough to cope with the heavy conditions. Use a good quality beachcaster, such as a Cono-flex Armageddon, coupled with an Abu 7000, 35lb mainline all through, a one-hook trace incorporating a rotten-bottom system and a 6oz wired sinker.
GETTING THERE
Take the A1068 from Ashington heading for Amble and take the first right after passing the village of Hadston. Turn left at the seafront and drive as far as you can, parking carefully on the grass verge. The fishing marks are close by, but the walk to the end of the skeers can take ages.
TACKLE SHOPS
Amble Angling Centre, Newburgh St, Amble, tel: 01665 711200.
McDermott’s, Station Rd, Ashington, tel: 01670 812214.
Ordnance Survey: Landranger No 81 (Alnwick & Morpeth), ISBN 0319 226816.
