The Changing Face of Beach Fishing on the Norfolk & Suffolk Coast

There’s something quite remarkable happening along the beaches of the Norfolk and Suffolk coastline—and if you’ve been around long enough, you’ll know just how much things have changed.

While many of our rivers and inland waters have struggled in recent decades—facing increasing pressure from abstraction, pollution, and habitat loss—the sea, particularly along the East Anglian coast, is telling a very different story.

Back in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, beach fishing here was a very different game. Winter meant one thing: cod.

East Anglian beach fisherman with a winter cod catch, circa early 1960s—when cod defined the season and shaped generations of shore anglers.

A good northerly blow and coloured water would bring anglers out in force, all hoping for that classic East Coast cod session in the run up to Christmas. There followed a spring run too, around March, but beyond that the options were limited.

Whiting were the reliable winter fish that filled in the gaps between cod runs—often overlooked at the time, but always there to keep rods bending, and a few dabs kept the interest alive while waiting for the cod to return.

Summer fishing? Largely ignored.

Aside from small flatfish and the occasional sole, there wasn’t much to get excited about. Most anglers simply packed their gear away and waited for winter to return.

In his 1984 book, Paul Kerry summed it up well:

“Around Norfolk and Suffolk we are mainly concerned with cod, whiting and small flatfish, possibly a few bass or even a thornback ray.”

It’s the memory of those days that still leads many of the older generation of East Anglian fishermen to believe there are “no fish left in the sea, boi”……

A Coastline Transformed

Fast forward to today, and it’s almost unrecognisable.

The range of species now available from our beaches has expanded dramatically. Not only that, but many fish are arriving earlier in the year and staying later into the season.

This isn’t just a small shift—it’s a complete transformation. Where once we waited for winter cod, we now have year-round opportunities.

Modern anglers are targeting:

• Bass in big numbers with double figure fish a reality

• Large shoals of Whiting

• Smoothound in consistent long lasting runs

• Thornback rays and even stingrays

• Tope within casting range

• Sea bream and Wrasse species

• Increasing reports of Strap Congers and Turbot

  
  

Species once considered rare or occasional visitors are now viable targets for those who understand how to fish for them.

Ballan wrasse caught from coastal structure—another species that rewards anglers who target rough ground with the right tactics.

Better Anglers, Better Results

It’s not just the fish that have changed—anglers have had to change with them.

The older generation of East Coast anglers already understood many of the fundamentals—reading the sea, fishing the right conditions, and timing their sessions perfectly—but much of that knowledge was focused around cod.

What we’re seeing now is those same principles being applied across a much wider range of species.

Modern sea anglers are more adaptable, using improved tackle, refined bait presentation, and a broader understanding of fish behaviour to target what’s actually in front of them.

There’s now far more emphasis on:

• Lighter tackle

• Matching tactics to species

• Understanding seasonal migrations

• Fishing specific marks with real intent

In short, it’s not that the fundamentals have changed—it’s how we apply them. Instead of waiting for one species to arrive, anglers are now making the most of what’s available and actively going out to find it.

Unthinkable even a decade ago, specimen stingray like this one, caught by Castaway Fishing guide Chris Clare, are now a top target for specialist sea anglers on the East Anglian coast.

The Rise of Summer Fishing

Perhaps the biggest shift of all is the rise of summer beach fishing.

What was once considered the “off-season” is now one of the most exciting times to be on the coast.

Warm-water species are becoming more common, and sessions that would have been written off decades ago can now produce memorable catches.

Bass fishing, in particular, has gone from occasional to consistent—and at times, it can be nothing short of hectic. On some teaching sessions, it’s not unusual to see 30+ bass landed, and there have even been occasions where we’ve simply run out of bait due to the number of fish feeding.

Smoothound fishing, too, has become incredibly reliable in recent years, with anglers regularly catching multiple fish of all sizes in a single session, all along the coastline wherever the rough ground comes close enough to shore to bring them within casting range.

A North Suffolk smoothhound—once a rare catch, now a reliable summer target for anglers fishing the right ground with the right bait.

More Than Just the Headliners

It’s not only the bigger, headline species that tell the story.

The “mini species” fishing has improved massively too. On school sessions, we’ve seen anglers catching gobies, blennies, and even smelt—adding another layer of variety and interest, especially for those learning the ropes.

Meanwhile, with fewer Southern North Sea cod around to keep them in check, whiting shoals have grown significantly. They now provide incredibly consistent winter sport, with big numbers of fish available—and, it has to be said, they also make excellent fishcakes.

Not Quite “Fish Soup”

That said, it’s not a free-for-all.

The idea that you can simply turn up and catch anything, anywhere, isn’t reality. Success still depends on the same fundamentals it always has:

• Being in the right place

• Fishing at the right time

• Using the right bait—and making sure it’s good quality

• Understanding what the fish are feeding on

  
  

Those who put the effort in are rewarded. Those who don’t will still struggle.

Dragging some old squid out of the freezer and slinging it as far into the sea as you can, whenever it’s convenient, will catch fish occasionally—but those who put the right bait at the right distance, on the right tide, will see consistent results.

Bass from the Norfolk and Suffolk coast—targetable, reliable, and a perfect species for learning modern beach fishing tactics.

There’s Never Been a Better Time

Despite the challenges facing many inland fisheries, the beaches of Norfolk and Suffolk are offering some of the most exciting and diverse wild fishing we have seen in generations.

For anglers willing to adapt, learn and explore new methods, the opportunities are outstanding. From bass and smoothounds to rays, flatfish and other seasonal species, East Anglia’s coastline is becoming a genuinely exciting place to fish.

Quite simply, there has never been a better time to get yourself onto the beaches of Norfolk and Suffolk and experience what is on offer.

For those wanting to sharpen their skills, there are now professional guides and instructors who can help you get started or take your fishing to the next level. A few hours of proper tuition can save many more hours of wasted bait, missed chances and staring at motionless rod tips.

For beginners, UK Fishing School offers a comprehensive introduction to beach fishing, covering tackle, rigs, bait, casting, tides, safety and fish handling. For anglers looking to target specimen fish or develop more specialist skills, Castaway Fishing Guide offers a first-class guiding service with local knowledge and experience.

Whether you are completely new to sea fishing or already dreaming of your next big East Anglian specimen, now is the time to get out there and make the most of this remarkable fishery.