The promenade runs north from Maryport’s north pier and offers fishing over mixed ground of gullies, rock, weed and sand.

Best fished four hours up to high water, starting on the beach and working back to the promenade, which is easily accessed by ramps at regular intervals.

The mark can be fished on any size of tide, but is best avoided during strong south-westerly winds when weed can make fishing impossible.

SPECIES

Spring to autumn gives plaice, flounders and eels with the odd bass to 3lb. Autumn and winter produce codling to 2lb and whiting. It is possible to catch dogfish, dabs, coalfish, rockling and small gurnards.

BEST BAITS

Lugworms, ragworms and white rag take most of the plaice. Peeler crabs fish well for the flounders, bass and eels, plus most of the codling up to the end of October. After this lug take over for codling. Tiping worm baits with squid or mackerel works well for whiting.

TACKLE

A standard beach rod and reel loaded with 20lb line and a 50lb shockleader will cope with the rougher ground here. A two-hook flapper is the most common rig, with a 5oz grip lead to combat the strong tide run. At high water try a clipped-down rig to cast further to the better ground. Hooks should be size 1 or 1/0 for flatfish and 2/0 or 3/0 for codling.

GETTING THERE

Head west from Carlisle on the A595. At the Thursby roundabout take the A596 to Maryport. Turn right at the first set of traffic lights in Maryport and this takes you to a steep hill down to the promenade. Turn right at the bottom of the hill and follow the road beside the prom. The road stops at a car park half a mile along the prom.

TACKLE SHOP

Graham’s Guns and Sports, 9-15 South William St, Workington, tel: 01900 605093.

Directions : Head west from Carlisle on the A595 and at the Thursby roundabout take the A596 to Maryport. Turn right at the first set of traffic lights in Maryport which takes you down a steep hill to the promenade. Turn right at the bottom and follow the road to a car park half a mile along
Season : Spring to autumn for plaice, flounder, eels and odd bass, autumn and winter for codling and whiting