The fishing column is only as good as the information given. Some anglers prefer not to give information freely but expect to recieve freely.
The best way to collect info is to get out there and look, if i am driving past a fishing mark and i see lights, then i cant help myself i have to stop and have a nose.
Give your local tackle shop a call if its near the coast, they should be able to give you up to date info, but dont ask them what bait cos most will tell you what they have the most of has been doing really well.
Then there is also forums like this one which is as up to date as you can get for the north east.