A ster-ling catch landed by Jimmy.

Byline: SAM HARRIS

AT LAST it seems that the wrecks have started to produce.

The "Sarah JFK" skippered by Alan Skinner, (telephone [phone]), has had some tremendous ling and cod over the last few days.

Best ling - and certainly the best fish of the season - was a 34lb fish taken by Alan's crewman, Jimmy Cassidy. Next was a 30lb ling taken by Morgan Stephenson, and this was followed by a 21lb 4oz ling taken by Davey Collinson.

Not to be outdone, Tommy Hedley took a fish of 20lb 4oz, while Jimmy Cass had a ling of 19lb. Peter Dunlevy landed a 16-pounder. Best cod was a fish of 16'lb taken by 14-year-old Jack Waggett from South Shields, while Billy Campbell had the second best cod, a fish of 15'lb.

Many of the catches were returned alive to the water.

Elsewhere, Hartlepool boats have been taking fish, mainly ling, from wrecks to the south of the Tees. There are still reasonable numbers of mackerel around, especially on the wrecks offshore.

BRIAN THOMPSON from Forest Hall, fished Newton and, using crab intended for cod, got a big surprise when his bait was taken by a 15lb conger.

I personally feel that there are a lot of this species from the rock edges to the north of our area. If anglers were to fish specifically for them, I think some big fish could be taken.

Normally the best bait is a side of mackerel. Heavy traces are required and the fish are normally in the rock edges under the angler's feet.

Rock edges to the north of Newbiggin have produced a few codling this week.

Fish between 1'lb to 2lb have been taken, mainly on rag and squid.

The Alcan pipe area at Lynemouth has given some decent sized coalfish to 2lb on rag and crab.

Mackerel are still being taken from Blyth pier and also a few coalfish and some undersized codling.

The River Tyne has given lots of undersized codling, with a few fish to 1'lb, with crab being best bait.

South Shields pier is very patchy - a few mackerel have been taken and also small codling and odd plaice and flounders.

Roker pier has produced mackerel and coalfish during the day, and at night some decent whiting have been taken, mainly on mackerel strip or lug and rag.

Durham beaches have been generally quiet, although there have been a few mackerel and flounders.

Apart from the established tackle shops who open on Sundays, Lewis Tackle at Whitley Bay (ex Frasers) will also be open on Sundays.

THE Whitley Bay Open Shore Competition is being held on Sunday September 20 with fishing from 9am to 1pm. Entry is pounds 12 and registration is at the Whitley Bay Holiday Park. More details nearer the date.

THE Seaham SAC are holding an open shore competition on October 18 with fishing from 11am to 4pm. More details later - or for more information telephone [phone]. SEATON SLUICE SAC fished a match at Beadnell. Winner was Tony Stanford with two fish for 2lb 8oz. Second was Nigel Gemmell with two fish for 2lb 3oz. Third was Andrew Stanford with two fish for 1lb 7oz. Barry Tweddle had the HSF of 1lb 6oz.

CAPTION(S):

HEAD OVER EEL: Brian Thompson with his 15lb conger HEAD OVER EEL: Brian Thompson with his 15lb conger