Yorkshire Spring Surf Briefing
Bridlington morning flood: plaice 40–60m out
What is biting
Bridlington and the Holderness stretch are producing plaice and flounder on early spring morning floods, especially during building spring tides. Anglers report fish showing on sandy łachy 40–60m off the beach; depths over the bars sit in the 3–8m window. Thornback rays are turning up mixed with post-spawn fat plaice. Bass are beginning to stack along the surf edges toward Scarborough.
Prime windows
Target the first two hours of the flood from low water on spring tides. Flounder push into Humber North Bank estuary edges and peak about an hour or two after the flood starts. Clear northerly mornings favour daylight feeding. Avoid fast-falling tides and discoloured water; visibility kills flatfish takes.
Best spots and casts
Top runs: Bridlington to Spurn along Holderness, Spurn point and Humber North Bank, Filey Brigg ends and Scarborough beaches. Cast 30–80m to reach sandy bars and gullies; on steep-to sand at Filey and Scarborough shorter, more accurate casts win.
Rigs, baits and tackle
Use long snoods or a three-hook pulley pennel with 12in clear 20lb fluorocarbon snoods and 2–4oz leads to hold on the bars. Baits: peeler crab for rays and flounder, fresh sandeel or mussel for plaice; squid and fish strips for bigger pulls. Copy visible local anglers on Holderness for distance and set-up.
Local reports and sizes
Recent beach reports show steady morning tides producing 0.5–1.5lb flatfish, with fish to 2lb likely by May. Expect early thornbacks in the mix and bass tempo-building on surf beaches.
Recommended: frozen peeler crab