Sorry lads, just reliving good times
Mick
Depends what mark you're fishing as to what state of the tide fishes best. A lot of anglers assume there are only fish there at high water and don't try any other time. Another thing that anglers become guilty of is fishing the same spot out of habit, you for one are a prime example. (Not having a go mate) You have joined Seaham club and now have access to one of the best piers in the country IMHO. I know that fishing Hartlepool is handy when you visit your dad and Steetly is a favourite mark but try further afield. Seaham for example has some excellent marks. If you truly desire a double then you have to make sacrifices.
The best bait you can get will always help improve your catches but in all honesty knowledge is the key. Try somewhere new and fish it over a few occaisions and you'll learn a hell of a lot. Are you catching? No? What are you doing wrong? Is there plenty water at this mark? Have you tried varying casting distance/direction? Have you tried different baits? Are there any fish holding features?
If you are catching, why are you catching? Luck??...SOMETIMES. Where did you cast when you had that fish? What state of tide/ weather conditions? Try fishing it again in similar conditions and see if it repeats. If it does you have yourself a mark and soon enough you will learn even more, when the fish start to show, how long they stay for etc.
Another flaw, maybe you don't like losing gear, plenty good anglers will tell you that the rocks on a beach hold 90% of the fish in that area. Why?, because that is where their natural food source is located and therefore fish will spend longer working these areas. You will still catch fish on clean ground this is fact but they tend to be in smaller numbers usually passing through or chasing a food source.
I suppose what I'm trying to say is if you or ANYONE wants a better bag or bigger fish you have to start learning, remember sometimes you blank, everyone does but when you have put the effort into finding the mark, stocked up on good bait and located the fish it will be all worth it. Don't sit at the same mark week after week in any conditions hoping that today may be that day. Get out there and stack the odds in your favour by doing your homework.