Marsden Bay
FreeSouth Shields' most photographed stretch of coast, and for good reason, the towering sea stack of Marsden Rock sits offshore with gulls and kittiwakes wheeling round it while you fish the sand either side. The bay splits into two personalities: fish it clean and sandy to the left for flatties and whiting, or work the snaggier ground toward Camel Island for cod, coalfish and the odd bass when there's a bit of colour in the water.
Access: Free shore access, no rod licence needed for sea fishing
Parking: Marsden Grotto car park at the top of the bay, steps down to the beach
Last updated: 4 September 2026
Species you can expect
| Species | Best season |
|---|---|
| Flatfish | Spring, Summer, Autumn |
| Cod / codling | Autumn, Winter |
| Coalfish | Autumn, Winter |
| Whiting | Autumn, Winter |
| Bass | Summer |
This mark comes into its own after a proper blow, a bit of rough weather stirs up the ground and the cod and coalfish switch on. Fish the sand for the easy stuff, but if you're heading toward Camel Island watch the tide carefully, it cuts across the low-water approach fast and has caught people out before. Go early on the ebb, not late.
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