Fishes most states of tide Harbour wall Visited by us
Busy in summer.
North Sea · England
Yorkshire coast to the Tyne
Bridlington, Filey Brigg, Flamborough, Scarborough and Whitby, then the piers and rock edges from the Tees to the Tyne. Cod are around all year over rough ground, with big winter fish from the piers. Summer brings coalfish, pollack, wrasse and mackerel. The tidal range is smaller than in the west (around 4 to 5m), and the sea state matters more than the tide.
13 shore marks · Rules from North Eastern IFCA, checked 18 October 2026
Stay safe on this coast
- Tides. Know the time of high water and your way off before you go out. Marks that fish around high water or on the flood can cut you off.
- Cut-offs. Sandbanks, causeways and headlands flood from behind. After storms, re-walk even a familiar beach in daylight.
- Rock. Watch the sea for 10 minutes before you go down: big waves come in sets. Wet weed is like ice. Never fish rock alone in the dark.
- Lifejacket. Wear a lifejacket (PFD) on rocks, piers and walls, with the crotch strap fastened.
- Emergency. Call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard. Never go in after someone: call, and throw something that floats.
More in Rules and safety.
Rules
Rules in Yorkshire coast to the Tyne
Last checked 18 October 2026Regulator: North Eastern IFCA. Always check its own page before you keep a fish.
- Bass: keep up to 3 a day per angler, from shore or boat, from 1 April to 31 January, each at least 42cm. From 1 February to 31 March every bass goes back. There are no bass nursery areas on the north-east coast.
- Mackerel: the minimum size is 30cm in the North Sea (20cm in the Irish Sea).
- Tope: it is illegal to land a rod-caught tope in England (Tope Order 2008). Unhook it in the water and let it go.
- Flamborough Head is a marine protected area. Angling is generally allowed, but check NE IFCA byelaws for local restrictions.
- You don't need a licence to sea fish. You do need an Environment Agency rod licence to fish for salmon, sea trout, freshwater fish or eels, including in tidal rivers. Flounder fishing up the Tyne is fine; targeting sea trout is not.
Rules change, usually each spring. Where a rule says check locally, ask the regulator or harbour office before you fish.
Minimum sizes
Last checked 18 October 2026Regulator: North Eastern IFCA. Always check its own page before you keep a fish.
| Species | Legal minimum |
|---|---|
| Bass | 42cm |
| Cod | 35cm |
| Whiting | 27cm |
| Mackerel | 30cm |
| Plaice | 27cm |
| Dover sole | 24cm |
Tip of the snout to the end of the tail. Use the strictest figure you know as your own minimum.
Rules change, usually each spring. Where a rule says check locally, ask the regulator or harbour office before you fish.
Local notes
- Check pier access before you travel, as some piers close for repairs, especially at Roker and Tynemouth.
- Saltwick Bay and Filey Brigg can cut you off. In any big swell, the rock edges and Scarborough's Marine Drive are no place to be.
- Whitby and Hartlepool piers hold lost line, so expect snags and move along to cleaner spots.
Headline fish
The fish that peak on this coast, from the North Sea calendar.
Best September to March
Cod and codling
Season
The north-east rock edges hold cod all year. In the west, wait for the first autumn blow and coloured water.
Species guide: Cod and codling
Best October to January
Whiting
Season
Night tides from October to January. Small baits on three hooks out-fish big ones.
Species guide: Whiting
Best June to September
Pollack
Season
Dusk over kelp. Wind a soft lure slowly; pollack follow and take on the move.
Species guide: Pollack
Best July to October
Coalfish (saithe)
Season
Small 'billet' swarm north-east piers and rocks from summer into autumn. Cumbria gets them in winter.
Species guide: Coalfish (saithe)
Best July to September
Mackerel
Season
Shoals push in on warm, calm summer evenings. Take only what you will eat or freeze for bait.
Species guide: Mackerel
Best June to August
Ballan wrasse
Season
Great sport on Texas-rigged plastics in summer. Fish over kelp at low water.
Species guide: Ballan wrasse
Best October to January
Pouting
Season
Over rough ground after dark. They strip baits meant for cod.
Species guide: Pouting
Best December to February
Rockling
Season
A winter bite on the north-east piers when nothing else is feeding.
Species guide: Rockling
Best November to March
Dab
Season
Winter and early spring on clean sand. Small hooks (size 4–1) catch more.
Species guide: Dab
Best October to March
Flounder
Season
The Mersey, Dee and Tyne are classic. Fish the flood tide with a spoon or beads above a crab bait.
Species guide: Flounder
Best May to August
Plaice
Season
Fish clean sand from spring into summer. Beads and a long, slow-moving bait help.
Species guide: Plaice
Best May to September
Ling
Season
Deep wrecks out of Whitby, Amble and the north-east ports.
Species guide: Ling
Marks
Marks in this region are places we fish. Drive times from your postcode are on the Marks page.
Fishes most states of tide Rock Visited by us
Slippery and exposed. Calm weather only, and go first with someone who knows it.
Fishes most states of tide Rock Visited by us
Dangerous cliffs, and parts are protected. Check NE IFCA byelaws.
Fishes most states of tide Pier Visited by us
West Pier fishes over sand, East Pier over rough ground.
Fishes most states of tide Sea wall Visited by us
Dangerous in any sea.
Fishes most states of tide Pier Visited by us
Big winter cod and whiting.
Fishes most states of tide Rock Visited by us
Watch for the tide cutting you off.
Fishes most states of tide Pier and rock Visited by us
The Pilot Pier can be dead in daylight and full of whiting after dark.
Fishes most states of tide Pier Visited by us
Fishes most states of tide Pier Visited by us
Check pier access before you travel.
Fishes most states of tide Pier and rock Visited by us
Tyne flounder in spring.
Fishes most states of tide Pier Visited by us
Check pier access before you travel.
Flood tide only Estuary Visited by us
River codling on the flood. The narrows get enough tide even on neaps. Poor after heavy rain or in a strong westerly.
Crabbing on this coast: family spots, and the crab and lobster rules for every regulator, are on Crabbing.
Local tackle and bait shops, charter boats and clubs: we're building these lists. Run one? Add it free.
Before you go
- Tide times for the nearest port: EasyTide (UK Hydrographic Office).
- Wind and sea state: Met Office inshore waters forecast.
- Access to piers, harbours and ports changes. Check with the owner or harbour office before your first visit.