East's beaches 'barely fishable'

SEA FISHING: Sport has been hampered by the long spell of northerly airflow, which has only just left the region. Some of the beaches in the north and east of the region have been barely fishable, looking more like October seas than mid summer.

Sport has been hampered by the long spell of northerly airflow, which has only just left the region.

Some of the beaches in the north and east of the region have been barely fishable, looking more like October seas than mid summer.

In the north, the shingle ridge has yielded a few school bass and occasional better fish, though at times conditions have made it difficult. It's a similar story round the coast with the beaches from Cromer to Sea Palling unfishable at times, the wall at Walcott topped several times with spray.

There have been a few bass about for those brave souls fishing in the wintry conditions, but these have been mostly school bass. The forecast talks of a warm spell with variable winds. I think if we get it warm with the wind off the land for a few days we may see a return of the smoothounds and the first of the mackerel within casting range.

Beaches in the Yarmouth area have produced a few school bass and eels.