I take the little one in the rock pools around cresswell down to the start of lynemoth bay
all the deep pools/gullies hold LS sea scorpians, blennies etc
great for just starting out as you can seas the sea scorpians follow and take the lures
other wise try one of the harbour/piers on a still day
allways collies etc around
Ive had collies, codling, mackerel, Pollack, launce and herring on south shields pier