Ryhope (Target, Manholes & Ryhope Dene)
FreeA stretch of Sunderland coast south of the town with two distinct ways to fish it: low-water marks known locally as the Target and the Manholes, or the cliff edges above Ryhope Dene once the tide has come in. Cod, whiting, flatfish, coalfish and silver eels are the regular catches, with a summer bass a possibility too.
Access: Free shore access, no rod licence needed for sea fishing
Parking: Roadside parking near Ryhope Dene, paths lead down to the shore marks
Last updated: 7 September 2026
Species you can expect
| Species | Best season |
|---|---|
| Cod / codling | Autumn, Winter |
| Whiting | Autumn, Winter |
| Flatfish | Spring, Summer, Autumn |
| Coalfish | Autumn, Winter |
| Eel (silver) | Autumn |
| Bass | Summer |
Many anglers fish the Target and the Manholes when the tide is low, then move up to the cliffs above Ryhope Dene as the water rises, since much of the fishing here is done over high water from the cliff edges. That low-to-high move is more than a preference, it's a safety habit worth copying: several of the low water marks can get cut off fast by the incoming tide, so know your escape route before you start fishing and don't linger on the low marks once the tide turns.
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