This mark offers fishing almost from the car door, with easy, safe stances and plenty of variety.
Low water in winter is most productive for specimen cod. Ideal conditions are a frosty night with the sea still coloured, though still, after an easterly blow. Early evening low water allows a move to the nearby beach as the tide floods. Cod average 5-8lb, but double figure fish are possible.
Silver eel to nearly 3lb lurk down the side of the harbour wall in summer, while coalies are taken in the channel.
There are thick kelp beds off the front of the harbour and these hold plenty of red summer cod and conger. A few conger to 20lb are landed every year.
SPECIES
Targets include eel, coalfish, doublefigure cod and occasional conger.
BEST BAITS
Crabs for cod, but lug and shellfish in winter, crabs for the silver eel and coalfish on frozen mussels. Use fish baits for the conger.
TACKLE
Choose a heavy mainline and long rubbing leader, terminating in a size 3/0 Pennell rig for winter cod. A size 3/0 pulley rig cast at around 60-70 yards catches cod at other times. A rotten-bottom often helps beat the snags when retrieving. Fish light for the silver eel.
GETTING THERE
Go north from Arbroath on the A92 and take the first right after the garage on the outskirts of town. Follow the signs for Auchmithie. Once there, take the first right after the But ’n’ Ben restaurant. The steep track goes down the cliffs to the car parking area at the harbour.
TACKLE SHOPS
Arbroath Cycle & Tackle, 274 High Street, Arbroath, tel: 01241 871467.
Cobsport, 7 Castle Street, Montrose, tel: 01674 673095.
Ordnance Survey: Landranger No 54 (Dundee & Montrose), ISBN 0319 226549.
Directions : Signposted on the A92 from the outskirts of Arbroath, Auchmithie sits on top of the cliffs. Park at the top and follow the path down on foot as the road down can be dangerous
Season : October to March for big cod
