There seems to have been a sprinkling of 2-3lb codling off the region's beaches this week, due in no part to the bit of east wind and the change in temperatures I shouldn't wonder.

Looking at the catch reports and what I know of the beaches producing a few and it seems rough ground is the key, whether that's on the shingle, east of Cromer or Lowestoft way, it seems to be the rough ground that's holding a few.

The north Norfolk shingle has produced a few dabs and flounders with the occasional codling from the rough under the cliffs at Weybourne. The latest round of the teams of five at Kelling was cancelled due to the weather – those close enough to risk the drive fished a Holt club match there instead and were rewarded with some decent flattie conditions.

Ashley Vertigan claimed top spot with 29 fish for a very reasonable 5lb 9oz, Sheringham ace Tony Thomas was second with 23 fish for 4lb 14oz and Paul Thorburn came third with 18 flats for 3lb 1oz; decent returns given the two feet high snow drifts on the beach.

The rough ground east of Cromer pier produced odd codling for those brave enough to fish in the cold and snow, the sea carrying a nice colour and a little bit of a roll from the winds that brought the icy blast from Russia.

I was told of a few immature codling from Yarmouth to Kessingland, though it's Lowestoft north beach that has produced a few better specimens. Again the rough ground is the key whilst cleaner beaches like Pakefield have seen a few 10'-12' long codling. The whiting seem to have decreased in number too – that's probably about right for now anywhere other than the shingle, though there weren't any reported in the match above. It could be that they've left to spawn or that the easterly put them off the feed; either way the slight increase in codling caught I'm sure is partly due to there being fewer whiting around.

From Southwold to Orford there have been a few better codling too, with fish reported at Aldeburgh and Orford particularly. The cold spell is set to continue and we have more easterly wind this week with decent sized late evening tides.