Whitby Sea Fishing

Website Last Updated 28/January/2012

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Sea Fishing in Whitby

Whitby sea fishing at this time of the year can be very productive. As we enter these next couple of months we would hope to see the 'spring run' of cod make an appearance but this winter it has been hard to predict when, if at all, we would find them in any numbers anywhere along the N/east coast. It has been very hit and miss this season and a lot of anglers have already put away their 'cod gear' until this coming autumn! When the cod have made an appearance it has been many a time at those hard to reach venues, down cliffs and along rock scaurs. That takes a lot of local knowledge and perseverance which has not this winter always been as productive as it has been in winters gone by. It still doesn't detract from the appeal of Whitby. A few of the charter boats have still kept a steady stream of decent sized fish coming to the rods. Boats like Mick Leonards - Sea Urchin - have done particularly well. You can't beat experience!

A nice 14lb 10oz Cod was caught on the 19th of February 2011 off the beach at Beadnell by 'tonybax' who frequents the NESA forum and posted a picture of the fish on there. A bit up the road but many an angler does venture a little way from Whitby than just the surrounding area. Let's hope this shows good promise for the 'spring run'! Funnily enough the 'Sea Angler' magazine has just recently done an article about fishing at Beadnell.

People from across the world visit the picturesque town of Whitby based at the mouth of the river Esk every year. It is world famous because of the awesome tale written by Bram Stoker about Dracula. Bram Stoker built his fictional character based on the research that he conducted in libraries in London and found some of his inspiration for Dracula after staying in Whitby. Not forgetting of course probably the most famous sea man of all Captain James Cook who lodged in Whitby when an apprentice. You can also visit the Captain Cook Memorial Museum while out and about in Whitby.
Whitby has a timeless dimension about it's old cobbled streets, fish quay and harbour and the town is dominated by the cliff-top ruins of the beautiful 13th century Whitby Abbey.

Whitby is probably the premier port in the UK for charter boat fishing and it still holds the record for the heaviest cod caught on rod and line in British waters, weighing in at an incredible 58lb 7ounces! The fish was caught by Noel Cook aboard Stuart Johnson's boat, Sea Trek way back in 1992.

Whitby provides plenty of diversity when it comes to fishing. From fishing aboard the many charter boats hoping for a record cod or ling from the many wrecks that adorn the North Sea, to fishing the Whitby piers, both into the outer side of the piers into the sea or to having a leisurely couple of hours fishing into the harbour for a nice sized Flounder or Plaice.

There are some excellent charter boats plying their trade out of Whitby, skippered by some of the most experienced skippers in the UK. You are always in with a chance of a good catch aboard boats like Sea Urchin 2 skippered by Pete Rose, who has just taken over from Mick Leonard. Pete is a local guy and is looking forward to keeping up the success that Sea Urchin has achieved. Sea Urchin is one of the top boats in the Whitby charter fleet and has a great reputation for being able to get you among the fish. Pete offers his anglers the choice to hire his rods and reels for their charter trip, saves having to bring loads of your own gear as he can also supply terminal tackle if needed. His reels and rods are Penn multiplying reels and Fladen lightweight rods with no eyes missing or sticky tape holding everything together, end tackle is the same, the best, so please remember this when getting like for like quotes from charters that offer free tackle. It's impossible or simply junk you don't get owt for nowt!

Trot On is another good charter boat, skippered by the experienced Paul Eddon. His boat has won the Whitby sea fishing festival on no less than four seperate occasions!
There are many other charter boats available to book but if you are wanting to fish one of the many fishing festivals over the year then you need to book early! At other times many of the charter boat skippers are willing to take single anglers to full fishing parties, but you will have to check with them for dates and times etc.

If you prefer sea fishing from a pier or a jetty then look no further than the two piers at Whitby.
Both piers provide excellent fishing near enough all the year round. The West pier provides both easy access and parking, but the parking can be a bit hit and miss in the height of the summer months when 1000's of visitors descend on the town. The West Pier provides easy access for anyone who is confined to a wheel chair because of a disability or finds it hard to walk very far.

One of the reasons I prefer Whitby pier, is that there is normally plenty of room to maneuver about and you can fish at a safe distance from others if you choose.
Both piers provide great fishing all year round. Fish into the river for 'flatties' of all species, with eels normally in abundance using Lug Worm or Rag Worm and fish the seaward side for mackerel in the summer, using 'spinners' or float fish a bit of mackerel strip.
In the winter of course you can fish the seaward side of both Whitby piers for all your favourite species such as cod, whiting, coalfish etc. You can check out Magic Seaweed before your trip to see the latest weather reports and tidal conditions for the region or any region for that matter.

Whitby is no exception to anywhere else for catching fish, apart from when you fish at whitby you tend to catch more!

There is plenty of accommodation if you want to stay over for a few days fishing in the winter, accommodation should be quite easy to find.
In the summer months though it is highly recommended that you book as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

It is a traditional maritime town, with old cobbled streets, picturesque houses and boasts a sandy blue flag beach. It is a great place to take a holiday or enjoy a long weekend break in the summer, so if you have a family bring them along then and let them enjoy the diverse attractions which includes Pannett Park and Whitby Museum, ( the Pannett Art Gallery and Whitby Museum are both housed in the same building), the Victorian Jet Works, while you enjoy a few hours or a full days trip on one of the many charter boats to catch your favourite species.
You can call in on another website after you have finished here, for Tourist Information, Calendar of Events, News and Forum for Whitby. Whitby runs fishing festivals throughout the year, the summer festival being the biggest.

Why not come along and enjoy some very good sea fishing in Whitby ?

If anyone wonders why they aren't catching any cod this winter - then please - have a look at this!

Then if that has stirred you up a bit you might want to watch the full programme by hitting the link below.
Absolute European & Moral Disgrace

Petition Against The CLOSURE of our Coastguard Co-ordination Centres - Please Read!

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