Sunny Rhyl Sea Fishing Diary
Sandsend Car Park, Whitby - 28/12/2006
Venue - Sandsend Car Park, nr Whitby
Tide - High
Time - Day
Bait: Frozen Lug, Frozen Squid
There was no hiding my intention to get fishing on our family Christmas vacation. With a weeks worth of provisions, the missus, 2 kids and the dog all packed tightly into a VW Golf, words were said when I attempted to shoehorn a 14ft beachcaster and tackle bag in.
3 hours later, it was DVT all round when we arrived in North Yorkshire.
The next day, after I got the circulation back im my legs, I did a reccee of a couple of easy venues.
First up was Whitby West Pier........
An easy venue, but ruled out for me by the lack of nearby parking and the prospect of freezing my nuts off over a 4 hr session.
Next option was nearby Sandsend beach........
Again, nice easy fishing was on offer. Either the promenade railings or the sandy beach seemed suitable. However, I had caught sight of my final option.
Sandsend Car Park offers a fish from your car experience. With temperatures dropping, this was looking promising........
With rocks at the base of the wall leading to a gradual sandy slope, the Car Park is fishable for 2hr either side of high. That will do for me. Decision made!!!!!!!!!!!
Next stop was Whitby Angling to get some bait. Only frozen stuff, but beggers can't be choosers. I bought 2 packs of Lug (Gulley worms) at £3.75 a pack and a box of squid for £1.75. Bargain of the day though was the Fladen 3 hook flapper rigs for an astounding price of 59p each. I stocked up :)
It was a 5am start today. Up and out by 6am to face a hairy 20 mile drive over the fog bound North Yorkshire Moors. I took it easy and arrived safely.
I arrived at Sandsend Car Park just in time to take in a wonderful, if chilly, sunrise over Whitby.
Surprisingly, I was joined by just 2 others. I was expecting this to be a popular venue. Whether it was the early start or the Christmas cheer, I do not know but it did make for a comfortable session.
I spoke to a local chap who reported that a recent well attended match at nearby Saltburn was won with a 1lb Flounder, with 2nd place being claimed with a 6oz Rockling. Another guy who had fished Whitby pier the night before told me that there were only 6 small Whiting caught between 12 anglers. Not glowing reports, but it mattered not. I was out taking in some fresh air and some lovely views. A fish would just be the icing on the cake.
With the frozen lug tipped with squid loaded onto my bargain flapper rig, it was a question of wait and see.
After several trips back into the car to warm my feet up, my patience paid off. A good knock got my turning my engine off, getting out of the car and reeling in what turned out to be a Flounder. Not the biggest I have seen, but based on recent reports, boardering on a respectable catch for the venue.
For the 3 of us fishing today, that was it. The guy to my left had a bite early on that led to nothing. Apart from that, it was a quiet but pleasant session.
Happy Days!!!