Fishing at Filey Brigg

Rock mark (tidal reef/peninsula)North Yorkshire🐾 Dogs allowed — with rules★☆☆ family

A near-mile-long rocky scaur running out to sea, fished low-water on the flat scaurs and gullies for cod and wrasse — genuinely dangerous if you misjudge the tide, with regular RNLI call-outs for people cut off or slipping.

📍 View on the map

What you can catch

Species	Season	Method
Cod	Sep–Mar (best), also summer	Fish the gullies and kelp-filled holes on the low-water scaurs with crab or worm bait; double-figure fish possible.
Wrasse	May–Oct	Float-fished or lightly leadered crab/rag fished tight to the kelp and rock ledges.
Pollack / Coalfish	Apr–Nov	Lures or float-fished sandeel worked over deeper marks off the Brigg's edges.
Mackerel	Jun–Sep	Spin feathers or small lures from the outer scaurs on a rising tide.
Bass	Jun–Sep	Increasingly caught on lures/bait in summer as numbers build along this coast.

Tactics

Strictly a low-water, calm-conditions mark: fish the flood on big tides, working the gullies as they're exposed, and be off the Brigg well before it starts to cover — RNLI advice is to leave at least two hours before high tide.

Best tide: Low water on big (spring) tides, fishing the flood · Best time: Daylight only, given the tidal-cutoff and slip risk

Dogs

The Brigg/Country Park sits outside North Yorkshire Council's seasonal beach dog ban zone (sandy beach from Royal Parade to Coble Landing, 1 May–30 Sept). The Filey promenade has a year-round on-lead order. No blanket ban on the Brigg rocks, but keep dogs on a lead near cliff edges and slippery scaurs.

Access & parking

Park at the Country Park car park at the north end of Filey and walk down onto the Brigg via the Cleveland Way path; free access, check tide times before heading out. Sat-nav: YO14 9ET.Get directions → Family rating: ★☆☆ — Genuinely hazardous for families with young children — slippery rock, sudden tidal cut-off, and a vertical iron ladder if caught out.

FAQs

Is Filey Brigg dangerous for fishing?

Yes — RNLI Filey regularly rescues anglers and walkers cut off by the tide; always check tide times and plan to leave at least two hours before high water.

What fish can you catch off Filey Brigg?

Cod (main target, especially autumn/winter), wrasse, pollack, coalfish, mackerel and increasing numbers of bass in summer.

Can you take dogs onto Filey Brigg?

The Brigg isn't in the seasonal beach dog-ban zone, but the promenade nearby has a year-round on-lead rule, and the terrain makes a lead sensible anyway.

Nearby marks

Whitby West Pier

Last updated 7 July 2026 — sources & disclaimer

Compiled from angling guides, forums and the relevant council's dog byelaws, cross-checked where possible.

Rules and conditions change, so always check current signage and tides before you go. We do our best to keep this accurate but can't promise it's error-free.