There were a few codling around east Norfolk this last week, the north westerly wind helping no end with some proper rough seas and the fish in for a feed on the back of them.

Chris Bulch, of Team Sabre in Cromer, scored again at Cromer with a nice brace of chunky codling. There were also fish from Trimingham and the rough ground at Weybourne and some early school bass at Mundesley. With a mixed bag of weather due, including some unseasonably warm temperatures towards the weekend, anything could happen on the region's beaches.

Holt SAC found the conditions a little too tough last Sunday. Despite switching the match from a heaving sea at Bacton to a more fishable Kelling, only Bill Beeton and John Carter managed to find any fish – with Bill finding a couple of dabs and a flounder for 1lb 4oz, holding off John's 2oz rockling for a well-earned win in tough conditions. One or two of the competitors saved their bait and tried the flatter beaches once the wind had eased, resulting in a couple of early school bass at Mundesley. The rough ground still seems to hold the key, and when the beaches are unfishable, Cromer pier gives you the advantage of allowing you to fish beyond the breaking waves and gives great chances of codling in heavy seas.

There were codling too from Tramps Alley, but it seems to be hit and miss. Alan Kettle and a couple of mates had a super little session, bagging a brace apiece and missing a few. I can't help but think that when the crabs and shrimps get moving again inshore, those fish just off Corton will be in feeding up. The Yarmouth beaches have been quiet; the whiting seem to have thinned out bar a few pins and aside from the occasional flat and codling it's a similar story from Pakefield round to Southwold.

With the warming due this week followed by a good old lump of north-west again in the forecast, I think the east Norfolk beaches will be worth a go, particularly on the rougher ground – there's a chance of a bass with a codling too.