South side of South Gare

landward end of South Gare

South Gare

South Gare - up is southwards

detail around south gare

more detail around south Gare

south side of Tees estuary

Tees estuary

Blue Lagoon

North Gare showing Ring of Stones

North Gare showing north facing rocks

West end Greatham Creek

This is the main railway line crossing the creek

Eastern end of Greatham Creek

In the bottom centre is the public right of way accessible through the old Cerebos plant - providing you know the security man, otherwise it's a bit further to walk

Whole of creek from coast road

Don't know why I've got 4 shots of this part of the creek - can't imagine anything is catchable - the seals probably eat anything venturing up here

Two sluices

Don't think these sluices are ever closed otherwise the seals would be trapped. They lie out on the mud just to the right of the main road that passes Tioxide's factory. Plenty of David Attenborough types around.

Back of Hartlepool nuclear powerstation

Also shows rear of Tioxide plant and Laing's yard which is about to be cluttered with Ghost ships from the USA. Can't imagine any fish could live in these waters but you don't need rod lights - just point your finger at the end of the rod, and watch it sizzle

Start of Greatham Creek

Looking west. I have to stay high here, in case they think I've packed my microlight with explosives and am on a suicide mission to the power station (In France they have missiles stationed. In the UK we expect terrorists to read and abide by aviation maps)

Blue Lagoon

sheltered when it's blowing a houlie. Looks promising doesn't it, but I've not heard of any fish being caught here

North Gare

Start of the coast proper. North Gare is good for mackerel, bass sometimes and most of the winter fish but can be a bit dodgy when the seas running

North East Tackle Supplies

This is where all the child benefit goes. Great shop - loads of stock and superb bait all year round. On Mainsforth Terrace near Newburn bridge in Hartlepool - 5 minutes from several good spots

North side of Middleton pier

Safer than it used to be, but full of shite that gets trapped by the highish walls. Good for whitey's most nights in the winter. I saw two 12lb cod pulled up on the same night in February, so there are bigger fish too.

Parton's Hole

At the very north end of old Hartlepool promenade Apparently a good spot on a big tide after a good blow. Gulleys good at high tide from the promenade if you can reach them - usually about 140 yards

Hartlepool Headland to Crimdon

Visible in the distance is the incredible Steetley pier (private members' pier now I'm afraid). Crimdon more or less directly below the aircraft

Blackhall Rocks

Showing the car park - but don't leave your car here at night or you might find it joining you on the beach - usually on fire, so at least you'll be able to keep warm

Blackhall1

Great beach, but it's such a long slog I haven't taken it seriously. Best marks are where the freshwater run-offs from the cliffs enter the sea

Blackhall2

Some of the lads manage to get 4WDs on to the beach, but theoretically there's a maximum 20k fine for doing so

Horden

This is apparently a good mark - name please anyone?

Horden2

and again?

Horden1

Hawthorn point

Looking south from Seaham

Fox Coven

This is very easy to get to since they built a great link road from the A19 to the ind estates. Same problem with downpours of burning cars though if the lads get bored watching 'Changing Rooms'

Horden's long beach

Council got loads of Euromoney to sort these beaches out and they've done a great job - the project was called 'Turning the Tide'. Unfortunately any remake of Get Carter will have to do without the sludge tipper that dumps bodies in the sea.

Horden and Seaham

Pretty rocky around here - the locals know how to fish it and are prepared to lose lots of tackle. They even persuaded Penn to build them a rod for the job - hauling in most of the sea-bed with your catch - it's made of a solid steel 14ft scaffold pole and called the Penn Nor'Easter

South Seaham

I understnd it's now more difficult to access this docks area - let me know if you know different

Central Seaham

Both the piers are shown here

Disturbed mud

I took this shot because it shows the extent of mud being stirred up by a moderate sea. And you can't cast beyond it unless you are Paul Kerry

North of Seaham

Mixture of rough and smooth ground here - something for everyone

Seaham's promenade

Not fished this yet - looks smooth and tangle free, and appaerently plenty of fish cruise its frontage. Easy parking, but again always the risk that you'll be walking home.

Seaham promenade again

When you have finished your sesssion on the beach you can pop up to the Seaham Hall hotel shown here for a Thai massage and B&B for £250. They make you remove your waders though :-(

Wearmouth (Sunderland)

Sorry fellas - don't know what happened to this one

South Shields

North Shields

Tynemouth

Blyth/Cambois

OK - so I've missed out a chunk of coast but c'mon gimme a break. Brian Harrison tells me that the proper name for this area is Cambois rocks and the North Pier

Sandy Bay

Overlooks the wansbeck. Along this stretch of beach is Cambois pipe ,there are a few good easy access marks along this stretch including the river blyth directly behind alcan ,you can fish the wall at high tide and the rocks at low tide ,the beach to the left of the rocks offers good fishing via a ramp down to the front,best fishing 2 hours in and 1 out although fishing the rocks is a bit tough when theres a swell on

Alcan

Top right is the Alcan works ... and if you are interested the blueish strip inside the works just on its south side is the worm farm (I was once offered some shares in that in 1986 and said 'no' ... what a plonker eh?)