abit of advice if you never been to dunstonbrough

[steak and kidney pie]

having never fished the castle me and my fishing bud went this morning, half way along the walk it lashed down. undetered we kept going till we reached the mark. very fishy looking spot i have to say but we never got to try. those black rocks were lethal when wet and my mate almost ended up in the drink after slipping trying to get to the ledge. It was a good 30 foot drop with no easy way back up and a canny swim to shore, Anyway my nerves were shot then and we decided to leave. after walking all that way we were gutted but just couldnt risk it.
i'll go back but only when bone dry!

didnt fish elsewhere was soaked through and p1ssed off!

I know lots of guys have nerves of steel on these type of marks but if your like me and a bit sensible don,t go when its wet.

 

[PokerMan]

I feel for you mate, the weather was terrible up here, i work outdoors and was soaked to the skin, i wouldnt be fishing the rocks in that either, anyway nevermind. How much more ****ed off would you have been if you blanked after all that or even worse if one of you slipped and hurt yourselves. At least you got a feel for the mark for next time

 

[steak and kidney pie]

Thats what we thought, my mate thought he had done himself some damage when he hit the deck but luckily was just sore for a while. would'nt fancy walking the mile or so back to the car in agony from a busted elbow!
I will go back looks a cracking spot, is cullernose the same in the wet? I assume so. makes you think whats the best shoe/ tread combination incase it does rain when your already there!

 

[paulthespark]

you did the right thing mate.

 

[endurothumpers]

Thats what we thought, my mate thought he had done himself some damage when he hit the deck but luckily was just sore for a while. would'nt fancy walking the mile or so back to the car in agony from a busted elbow!
I will go back looks a cracking spot, is cullernose the same in the wet? I assume so. makes you think whats the best shoe/ tread combination incase it does rain when your already there!

By the sounds of the place it's a pair of running spikes you'll need

 

[barnacle bill]

ya done the the right thing lads, soaked to the skin and sliding about with a 30ft. drop. not very tempting.

 

[fish fingers]

bare feet are the best on those rocks when wet but avoid the limpets and barnicles but you,ve got to be hard as nails [rock] hard

 

[Davey-m]

bare feet are the best on those rocks when wet but avoid the limpets and barnicles but you,ve got to be hard as nails [rock] hard

Thats right hardcore fishing not for pu$$ys fred flintstone style stan str8 to the bedrock !.

 

[marksworld]

i always wear decent boots when up on them or for that matter any rocks, wet or dry. i have been on me ass a few times as well. Walking on the rocks in the wet i take my time but i find it's when casting you have to be the most careful, i always make sure my footing is secure before casting. At the moment are a pair of waterproof Eiger are my boots of choice.

 

[marksworld]

Keen do some cracking boots too

just had a quick look and they look canny, prices ok too.

 

[steak and kidney pie]

i was wearing trainers, thought they would grip on the dry rocks better..........was not expecting rain! to be honest i dont think it matters any shoe would have slipped it was so greasy, almost as bad as the dreaded green slime/weed.

 

[Charlie_Thompson]

Do felt soles grip on that type of rock? I know they are amazing on slimy freshwater boulders, ok in sand but dangerous on wet grass!

 

[codseeker]

word of advice even on a hot scorching days if the rocks are bone dry on the lower rock marks ,take your bucket etc you take with you and fill it up with some sea water pour it over the rocks yours standing on and see how slippy that gets its a nightmare some places so never fish any rock marks in the rain it may save your life knowing

 

[steak and kidney pie]

dont worry lesson learned, maybe could do with a sticky subject on here with little nuggets of advice on safety like you guys have gave. I know its normally a suck it and see approach as no-one wants to say they bottled a mark but it may stop someone from going that little bit too far.
we were sensible and left, others may not.

 

[phil185]

Lesson learned there buddy...even when it's dry, a decent pair of walking boots will serve you better. They will also support your ankles...trainers are a no no matey...

I have to disagree on the trainer front- ive done quite alot of climbing and even worked at a climbing wall and ive never see anyone wearing boots! For me a light thin pair of trainers with the softest sole are the best, its all about having a feel for the grip you have. Just like tyres on a car- less tread = more surface contact = more grip.

In the wet no matter what you wear you will be sliding about.

 

[marksworld]

I have to disagree on the trainer front- ive done quite alot of climbing and even worked at a climbing wall and ive never see anyone wearing boots! For me a light thin pair of trainers with the softest sole are the best, its all about having a feel for the grip you have. Just like tyres on a car- less tread = more surface contact = more grip.

In the wet no matter what you wear you will be sliding about.

Phil, i have to say something here, you go over in a pair of trainers on the rocks you have a 99% chance of snapping your ankle compared to wearing a decent pair of boots. I started back sea fishing about 7 year ago after a long break and found my favourite environment were the rocks. i soon learned that a pair of trainers were not the right footwear being they were far to soft and not waterproof.
I also think there is quite a bit of a difference between rock climbing, climbing walls and rock hopping. If i were walking up Skidaw i would wear sturdy climbing boots but climbing a climbing wall you need all the feel you can get like you said so yes you would wear rock climbing footwear. Just saying by the way

 

[big sid]

Dunstanburgh

Dunstanburgh

Can't understand why you didn't have a set of waterproofs with you?
Fished at the Castle quite abit in the past always wore boots summer and winter and always had waterproofs no matter what the season or forcast.
If the lower rocks were un-fishable why not fish from the higher cliff tops, thats where I did most of my fishing from.

 

[phil185]

Phil, i have to say something here, you go over in a pair of trainers on the rocks you have a 99% chance of snapping your ankle compared to wearing a decent pair of boots. I started back sea fishing about 7 year ago after a long break and found my favourite environment were the rocks. i soon learned that a pair of trainers were not the right footwear being they were far to soft and not waterproof.
I also think there is quite a bit of a difference between rock climbing, climbing walls and rock hopping. If i were walking up Skidaw i would wear sturdy climbing boots but climbing a climbing wall you need all the feel you can get like you said so yes you would wear rock climbing footwear. Just saying by the way

I completely agree about the issue of if you go over there is a greater chance of hurting your ankle compared to 'some' boots however alot of boots that protect your ankle have the problem of moving the pressure up to your knee. With regards to being waterproof this isnt something i take into account because i would rather just keep clear of the rocks in the wet full stop. I too prefer to fish rock marks (take a look at my last post in the catch reports section) and i have tried lots of different types of footwear from my pro-boots and magnums (both popular in the armed forces) to trainers/running shoes/driving shoes and from this have worked out what i prefer.

Im not telling people they are right or wrong as alot of it is down to personal preference and what you feel comfortable in and i like to have the confidence of being able to feel what is going on under my feet.

 

[steak and kidney pie]

Can't understand why you didn't have a set of waterproofs with you?
Fished at the Castle quite abit in the past always wore boots summer and winter and always had waterproofs no matter what the season or forcast.
If the lower rocks were un-fishable why not fish from the higher cliff tops, thats where I did most of my fishing from.

Thats quite simple, I don't like places where one mistake would lead to an almost certain death. the lower rocks you have a chance should you fall.
the weather forecast did not say persistant heavy rain either so knowing how far it is to walk i took a chance and carried as little gear as i needed.

all academic now as i now know what to take next time, having never fished there and not being a "rock" fisherman i did not know what to expect. now i do and should i go back i'll be better prepared. cheers for the advice lads.

 

[marksworld]

Im not telling people they are right or wrong as alot of it is down to personal preference and what you feel comfortable in and i like to have the confidence of being able to feel what is going on under my feet.

That is fair enough, we wear what we feel most comfortable and confident in