will be perfectly honest pal ...i did not join this year as i found that my favourite spot was the spiles...which did not require a key before and when i had the key i would still just fish the spiles. . on the north pier last year was loads of people who just snuck in climbed over or went thru with one member. so basically i paid my fees just to pay fees, there were loads of young uns and also nuggets on last year littering the place with thier beer cans and litter etc ...none of them were paying members...not to mention keeping undersized fish...undersized lobsters berried lobsterss and none of them had permits.bla bla bla . this year on the other hand it seems that the place is rather well guarded. may be a small regret that i did not renew my membership as due to recent works by the seaham harbour dock company the place seems to be constantly locked. i did have a good moan to the comittee last year about non members using the pier. i would now be a hypocrite if i now used the pier without being a member..i did benefit from joining the club tho ...gots loads of tips although it was always conflicting with one another.....made some good friends ....i might renew next year if they keep the place open to only members...it would be silly that one would pay fees and others dont and get the same privilige........i do not object to piers charging a minimal amount so they would be able to employ a marshal to ensure minimum littering and simple adhering to the law and minimum size catches,,,maybe even something small such a 80p per person perday or an annual fee if they are very regular ....to those who object well...to each their own i guess
