Fishing at Whitburn Beach

Rock mark / BeachTyne and Wear🐾 Dog-friendly all year★★☆ family

A string of rock ledges and shingle beach between Whitburn Bents and Souter Lighthouse that's produced double-figure cod in hard winters — Coddy's Point and the Wherry are the named marks locals fish, plus a small shingle patch called Jackie's Beach that fishes any state of tide.

📍 View on the map

What you can catch → Full fish guide

Species	Season	Method
Cod (Atlantic Cod)	Sep–Feb	Bottom fished worm/peeler cocktails off the rock ledges, best with some sea running
Bass	Jun–Sep	Peeler crab or lures worked around the gullies
Coalfish (Saithe)	May–Aug	Feathers or float-fished strip off the rocks
Flounder	Year-round	Light gear over sandier patches near Jackie's Beach

Tactics

Fish Coddy's Point or the Wherry on a rising tide with worm and peeler crab cocktails for the winter cod runs; mussel is underused here but takes fish when worm goes quiet. The rock ledges are slippery and can be swamped in a big swell, so pick a settling sea rather than a full storm. Jackie's Beach nearby is a safer, more sheltered shingle/sand option fishable at any tide state.

Best tide: Flood tide, 2–3 hours either side of high · Best time: Autumn and winter for cod; summer evenings for bass and coalfish

Dogs

No seasonal dog exclusion order applies to Whitburn beach itself — South Tyneside Council's PSPO (Dog Exclusion Order) covers only Sandhaven Beach (South Shields pier to Trow Point, 1 May–30 Sept, 8am–6pm); Whitburn and Marsden beaches remain unrestricted year-round. (the page names only Sandhaven beach; Whitburn is never mentioned, and "no restriction" is inferred by omission)

Unofficial source: View the supporting source →Not an authority; check current signage.

Access & parking

Park at Whitburn Bents car park (Sea Lane, SR6 7NT) or the free Whitburn access road car park (SR6 7BY) and walk down onto the rocks/coastal path towards Souter Lighthouse. Sat-nav: SR6 7NT.Get directions → Family rating: ★★☆ — Rock ledges are uneven and can be dangerous in a swell, so better suited to older children under close supervision rather than young kids.

FAQs

Is Whitburn beach dog friendly?

Yes — there is no seasonal dog ban here; South Tyneside's summer dog exclusion order applies only to Sandhaven Beach, not Whitburn.

What can you catch at Whitburn?

Winter cod is the headline catch from the rock marks, with bass, coalfish, wrasse and flounder through summer.

Is Whitburn safe to fish in rough weather?

No — the rock ledges (Coddy's Point, the Wherry) can be swamped by swell and are best fished on a settling sea, not during or right after a big blow.

Nearby marks

Marsden Bay · Roker Pier · South Shields Pier

Last updated 16 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.