fishing trips from scarborough

Crusader Fishing Trips of Scarborough - Scarborough sea fishing trips: Wreck fishing, tope fishing and more

• Phone 07713 039775

Welcome to Crusader Fishing Trips of Scarborough

We operate scheduled and tailored fishing trips for all skill levels from complete novices to experienced anglers. We depart from Scarborough's iconic lighthouse quay on the beautiful North Yorkshire coast.

Fishing trips start from just £40 for a 6 hour trip, prices for 2023 here

See photos of our latest trips here .

Crusader offers:

• Superb, sturdy and stable boat , built for the job;
• Knowledgeable, friendly skipper;
• Catch cod, ling, pollack, mackerel, skate, whiting;
• Tope fishing and wreck fishing trips by arrangement;
• Coded for 12 passengers;
• Toilet, galley with microwave and hot-plate, free tea all day.

Our boat ‘Crusader’, was built from timber as a hard-working traditional fishing boat and recently fully restored and refurbished. With a length of 17.29m and breadth of 5.52m, she is a substantial vessel offering a far more stable experience when compared with smaller pleasure-craft.

You'll be in safe hands, your amiable and capable skipper Richard Wright has spent his life at sea and will guide you through the day, taking you to the best fishing spots, with helpful advice if you need it along the way.

Prices for 2023

We can suitable supply rod, tackle and bait on the day for just £10 extra.

Loss or breakage of gear

We carefully select quality gear designed to withstand the rigours of sensible use, but if a rod is lost or damaged beyond repair we charge £50 towards the cost of replacement.

Bespoke trips are also available, please call to discuss. To see dates and secure a booking click here .

• Reel Salty Fishing
• Pre-trip Information

Captain Ed Bayley

Captain Ed Bayley is a native of Pine Point Beach in Scarborough, Maine who grew up mostly on the waters off what is locally known as "The Point".  He earned the nickname "Dinghy" at age 7 because he was often seen rowing around in lobstermen's small wooden row boats.  At 10 he started his own fish filleting business to make money in the summers and by the age of 13 found his way onto the local head charter boat to fillet all the fish before the boat got back to the dock to stay ahead of the competition!  Fast forward and today Captain Ed holds a 100-ton Master USCG Captain's license and is a registered Maine Guide and has been fishing the local area for 35 years!

The Elaine Marie

The Elaine Marie is a 28'  Grady White Sail Fish fully designed for a day of family fun but also the ultimate fishing machine! She is equipped with radar, sonar, GPS, VFH radio, FM/CD for those that like music and quiet, environmentally-friendly twin Yamaha outboard engines to get where you want to go in a hurry!  

She also carries an ACR EPIRB emergency beacon and other safety equipment for added assurance of her passengers.

Pine Point, Maine

 Picturesque Pine point in Scarborough is situated on beautiful Saco Bay where there is an abundance of sea life. On any given day you might see Seals, porpoises, and even an occasional Sun Fish. Below the water, Pogies, Mackerel and the famed Striped Bass can be found on fishing charters!    

Charter Options (price is NOT per person)

Inshore trips, reel family time 2 hrs.

Enjoy the sites from the water with a family fishing tour! Experience all you can't see while on shore, seals, birds of the ocean and boiling bait fish are just a few things you can experience while on the water. Want to throw a line in? We can do that too! Maximum of 5 people . 2 hrs

Inshore Fishing 4 hrs

Enjoy a morning or afternoon on Saco Bay fishing for stripped bass, mackerel and blue fish! Bring your snacks and beverage of choice! Maximum 4 people . 4 hrs

Offshore Trips

Offshore fishing 5 hrs.

Enjoy a trip several miles off shore ground fishing for Haddock, Pollock and Cod! This trip is typically for anytime after mid July (sometimes sooner). Maximum of 4 people .

Offshore Fishing 8 hrs

This is a full day trip ground fishing for Haddock, Pollock, Codfish and Whiting using bait and or jigs. Maximum of 4 people . 8 hrs 

Offshore Shark Fishing 8 hrs

This is a full day trip of shark fishing. Target shark species is Mako, Blue and Porbegal sharks using chum and chunk bait. Maximum of 4 people . 8 hrs (shark fishing typically starts mid to late July)

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Reel Salty Charters (departure address)

96 King Street, Scarborough, Maine 04074, United States

(207) 355-6041

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The Striped Bass are in and the schedule is filling fast!

Fishing Trips  Scarborough

07939025881

Booking and Availability

To book last minute places please call rather than message to ensure we book you in promptly.

Whether you are a beginner or an expert, the skipper with his knowledge of the area will take you to the best spots for a successful day fishing.

Corporate Team Building

Photographic Trips

Private Bookings

Coastal Cruises

Wildlife Trips

School Trips

Holiday Makers

Stag Parties

Family Groups

Reduced Prices for full boat Bookings.

Last Minute Bookings

HEAD OUT ON YOUR NEXT FISHING TRIP - 

Let us show you what lake Ontario has to offer!  One of Toronto's best kept secrets.  Lake Ontario is a world class fishery with many species available.  Chinook 'King' Salmon, Coho Salmon, Atlantic Salmon & Rainbow Trout are species that we target on the Kings Landing Sport Fishing Tiara

Buy the Salmon Fishing Tackle we use @ Project Salmon

Charter Packages

Full Day or Half Day - We've got you covered.

Join us for the day and we provide all the gear and tackle needed. 

  All you need to bring is a valid Ontario fishing license, sun screen, lunch and water/pop and we'll do the rest to get you onto the fish.

$750 (1-4 People)    

$850 (5 People)   

Half Day = 5 Hour Trip Morning or Afternoon Trips available

$1000  (1-4 People)

$1100 (5 People)

Full Day = 8 Hour Trip 

$600  (1-3 People)

$650 (4 People)   

$700  (5 People)   

Half D ay = 4 Hour Trip

* Evening Trips only

Follow us on Instagram - @KingsLandingSportFishing

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Scarborough Fishing Charter Operators

Fishing Charters operating in Scarborough and surronds are listed below. There are 15 Fishing Charters listed in the Scarborough area.

Moreton Bay Charters

Moreton Island Fishing Charters

Reel easy charters.

SCARBOROUGH, QLD, 4020 *** THIS CHARTER IS PERMANENTLY CLOSED *** Offering 10 hour and 15 hour day trips to Hutchinsons Reef, Caloundra Wide and surrounding locations. Corporate fishing day trips available. Scarborough Marina 28 Thurecht Parade Scarborough, Qld, 4020 More Details

Brisbane Big Cat Charters

CLEVELAND, QLD, 4163 Offering Reef, Sport, Bucks, Hens Parties, Team Building, Social Groups, Deep Sea Fishing & Family Days. Night fishing by special arrangement. Public Jetty - Raby Bay Marina Shore St West Cleveland, Qld, 4163 More Details

Carlo Fishing Charters - Brisbane and Moreton Bay

BRISBANE, QLD, 4000 Carlo Fishing Charters operate Moreton Bay and Brisbane River charters for up to 70 guests. "The Carlo" is well equipped and able to accommodate groups of up to 70 anglers. Her skipper has more than 30 years experience and will ensure your group has a fantastic experience. More Details

Sean Conlon’s Fishing Charters and Tuition

MORETON BAY, QLD Sean Conlon’s Fishing Charters and Tuition offers both on water fishing experiences and off the water fishing tuition. Tap into Sean Conlon's vast experience fishing the inshore waters of Moreton Bay. Sean Conlon is a renowned angler and well versed in catching species typical to Moreton Bay including large Flathead, Jewfish, Snapper, Squire, Trevally, Bream, Whiting and more. Departs Redland Bay Marina Banana St Redland Bay More Details

Outlaw Charters

MANLY, QLD, 4179 Well respected skipper John Gooding operates a 9.5m vessel catering for up to 8 anglers. Departs Manly Marina, Royal Esplanade, Manly (Qld) Pickup from Tangalooma/Moreton Island available More Details

Shorlink Pty Ltd

BRISBANE, QLD, 4000 Shorlink is regarded as one of the leading authorities and suppliers of Marine Safety Management Systems in Australia! More Details

High Calibre Fishing Charters

CLEVELAND, QLD, 4163 High Calibre Fishing Charters runs deep sea fishing charter trips departing Raby Bay, Cleveland on Moreton Bay. We target the waters off Moreton Island and Stradbroke Island. Mick our skipper has 23 years experience fishing these high quality fishing locations. CoNtact Mick now to organise your next trip. Mariner Court Raby Bay Cleveland 4165 More Details

Mossops Tackle Shop

ORMISTON, QLD, 4160 We enjoy giving first time anglers great advice on a rod and reel combo to get them started, and all the staff get just as much of a thrill in giving advice to catch a fish as catching one themselves. From estuary, blue water, impoundment, fresh and salt water, we have the right advice and tackle to help all anglers catch there favourite fish. More Details

Jumpinpin Fishing Charters

WOONGOOLBA, QLD, 4207 Jumpinpin Charters offer Adventure Tours, Fishing and Boating holidays and more within the tranquil Moreton Bay Marine Park of South East Queensland. Specialising in overnight or extended charters and offering you a number of packages from family day trips to extended charters for the serious, fishing adventurer. Horizon Shores Marina Cabbage Tree Point near Jacobs Well Woongoolba QLD 4207 More Details

Mal Starkey Fishing Charters - Point Lookout - North Stradbroke Island

POINT LOOKOUT, QLD, 4183 *** This Fishing Charter is no longer operating *** Mal Starkey Fishing Charters operates two boats on the fishing grounds offshore from North Stradbroke Island. Mal and team have been running quality fishing charters since 1997, so have excellent fishing knowledge around the area. Half and full day trips are available to groups of 8 to 12 anglers from December to August. All trips are all inclusive lunch, refreshments, bait and tackle - including quality overhead reels. More Details

INCREDIBLE CHARTERS

Saltwater chaters qld.

SCARBOROUGH, QLD, 4020 Offering game and deep sea reef fishing via two purpose build vessels. Tournament winning "Sea Baby II" is 40 ft and custom built for day and extended charters Queensland wide. "Illusion" is 30 ft and targets northern Moreton Bay region. Charters depart from NEWPORT MARINA (not Scarborough Marina) 158 Griffith Road, Scarborough More Details

Frenzy Charters

MANLY, QLD, 4179 The "Krabbey Kay" caters for individuals and groups of up to 12 anglers, and features huge covered deck area, ladies/gents toilets and excellent stability. All fishing gear, bait, cold drinks provided. Classic BBQ lunch included in full day charters. The boat is fully licensed. Gift vouchers available. William Gunn Public Jetty 1 Wyvernleigh Close Manly Boat Habour More Details

Still not sure which Fishing Charter in Scarborough suits you? Ask our fishing charter expert which fishing charter in the Scarborough area best suits you.

Scarborough Boat Trips, discover the beauty of the North Sea

Are you looking for an exciting adventure on the water? We explore some of the best Scarborough boat trips you can enjoy when you visit.

A boat trip is one of the best ways to experience the North Yorkshire Coastline . With so many to choose from, we compiled them into an article so that you can choose the best one for you, such as sightseeing tours, wildlife spotting trips and fishing excursions. Here are a selection of Scarborough boat trips for you to consider.

Scarborough Speedboat Rides

This family-owned business has a deep love for the sea and all the wonders it has to offer. As well as the below trip options, you can even charter one of their boats for a special occasion. They give riders more than just a simple ride across the bay.

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10-minute fast speed boat ride

Experience an exhilarating ride across Scarborough’s North and South Bays. With speeds exceeding 30 knots and thrilling high-speed turns, this is a ride the whole family can enjoy. You don’t need to book in advance – check their opening times and come along on the day to enjoy the breathtaking scenery. (Book in advance for large groups to avoid disappointment.)

30-mins party trips

Children’s pirate party: Embark on an exciting pirate journey with a treasure map that will be given to you upon boarding the boat. Your little ones will get to direct the captain to the first clue, leading to a series of clues and ultimately to a treasure chest if successful. This adventure is perfect for families and can accommodate up to 11 passengers. This activity requires booking in advance and is weather dependent on the day.

Stag & hen parties: Experience the ultimate 30-minute adventure on a navy commando assault craft designed for high speed and intense manoeuvres. This is not your average boat ride – it’s a white-knuckle, adrenaline-fueled thrill ride not for the faint of heart. Advanced booking is required for this one-of-a-kind experience that will leave you feeling exhilarated and fully alive. So, get ready to hold on tight as you embark on an extreme commando boat ride like no other.

1-hour Sea Safari

Take a thrilling one-hour journey up the coast and witness the historic coastline of North Yorkshire. Experience an up-close encounter with marine life, such as seals , porpoises, and a diverse range of sea birds, including adorable puffins and striking cormorants. Learn more about wildlife on the North Yorkshire Coast here.

Website: www.scarboroughspeedboatrides.co.uk

Location: Golden Ball Slipway, Scarborough, YO11 1PQ

Becca Marie Sealife Safari

Take a trip down the coast from Scarborough and witness the beauty of wildlife in its natural habitat. This is the perfect vessel for your adventure, boasting a purpose-built design with a certified capacity for 12 passengers. Enjoy the comfort of the onboard facilities, including a toilet and hot and cold drinking stations. Take in the sights from the heated wheelhouse or open deck, which offers ample seating options for your comfort.

Trip to Bempton Cliffs

The trip to Bempton Cliffs usually takes around 3 hours. You can catch the boat from Scarborough Harbour. On the way to Bempton, the boat will stop at a local wildlife attraction called Horse Rocks, where you might be lucky enough to spot some seals. If the crew spots other exciting wildlife along the way, they may also stop for photo opportunities.

During the trip, you’ll also experience about 25 minutes of chum (fish bits) being used to attract wildlife. Once you arrive at Bempton, the boat will spend approximately half an hour under the cliffs, giving you plenty of time to spot and photograph puffins and other local wildlife. The return journey should take around 45 minutes, travelling at 15 knots. However, please note that all trips are subject to sea state and weather permitting.

Website: www.becca-marie.co.uk

Location: 31-47 Sandside, Scarborough, YO11 1PG

Queensferry Cruises

Whether you’re an avid wildlife enthusiast, fancy trying fishing or are just looking for a relaxing day out, a range of trips are available from Easter to October. Keep your eyes peeled for all sorts of seabirds, from Guillemots to Gannets, and you might even spot a Puffin or a Porpoise if the conditions are right.

One of the best ways to experience the stunning coastline is to travel southward to Casty Rocks. On this journey, you may be lucky to spot some local wildlife, including Common and Grey seals and Guillemots, Gannets, Cormorants, and Razorbills. In addition, you can glimpse Herons and Puffins or a visiting Porpoise farther out at sea if you have ideal conditions. While aboard, you can read information sheets about the seals and seabirds found in the area. The tour lasts 1 hour and 45 minutes, including a photo stop.

Scenic trips

Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Jurassic Coast up close as you embark on a sailing adventure towards Cayton Bay . Alternatively, they take a leisurely cruise around the tranquil Castle Headland and explore the less crowded North Bay of Scarborough. The trip lasts an hour, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take in the stunning scenery and make unforgettable memories.

Fishing trips

The Queensferry is available for angling parties and can be chartered by booking through Neil, a skilled skipper with plenty of inshore and offshore angling experience. With his lifelong knowledge of the area, he knows where to take you for the best possible fishing experience, whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner. They offer trips up to 10 hours for a maximum of 12 anglers. Rods, reels, and bait are provided.

Website: www.queensferrycruises.com

Location: West Pier Slipway, Sandside, Scarborough Harbour, YO11 1PD

Skylark Fishing Trips

Skylark is a 35ft vessel with plenty of space for its passengers to roam. If you have young children, they are welcome to come aboard and enjoy the experience, although it is subject to sea conditions. For children under 12, a 3-hour trip is recommended before booking a longer one. They provide all the basic tackle and bait you need, but you can bring your own gear if you prefer. You can keep all the fish you catch if you want to take them home.

Skylark is ideal for groups and individuals looking for a fun and memorable experience. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, planning a family day out, or organising a stag party, this boat will not disappoint. It’s also perfect for coastal photography enthusiasts who want to capture breathtaking images of the sea and its surroundings.

3 hour fishing trips

These fishing trips are perfect for children and those new to fishing. They offer various options, including wreck fishing for cod, pollock, and ling and inshore rock fishing for cod and pollock. If younger anglers are on board, they can also fish on the clean ground to make the experience more accessible. While they prefer to target larger fish whenever possible, you can still catch dabs, whiting, and mackerel on clean ground.

Fishing Wrecks off Scarborough

There are a variety of old shipwrecks near Scarborough, many of which were sunk during the war, and some old trawlers. These wrecks allow catching various fish, including Cod, Ling, Pollock, and more. Some of these can be used for our 3-hour trips with favourable weather and tides. For longer trips, they have 80 wrecks within 10 nm of Scarborough, and some anglers have even taken over 100lb of fish in 8 hours from these wrecks. However, while fishing on these wrecks can be excellent, tackle losses due to snagging can be high, even in calm weather and a tranquil sea.

Website: www.skylarkfishingtrips.co.uk

Location: Golden Ball Slipway, Sandside, Scarborough, YO11 1PE

Yorkshire Coast Boat Trips

Yorkshire Coast Boat trips offer trips in comfort and style between the seaside towns of Whitby and Scarborough. You’ll be amazed at the views from the fully enclosed and heated cabin, which can accommodate up to twelve passengers. With comfortable seating and large windows, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the coast’s beauty while looking for any wildlife. If you are staying in Scarborough, join a trip up the coast and arrive in Whitby in style.

Scarborough to Whitby and Whitby to Scarborough Trips

After leaving Scarborough harbour, they journey northward around the headland where Scarborough Castle stands. Keep an eye out for the pyramid-shaped Sea Life Centre as they cross North Bay, passing by Burniston Rocks and Hayburn Wyke until reaching Ravenscar. Here you get to take a moment to observe the seals and enjoy the breathtaking sight of Robin Hood’s Bay . Once they pass the lighthouse at Hawsker, they enter Whitby harbour , which is nestled between the impressive twin piers . This boat trip is perfect for adults and children and a great way to experience the coastline. Customers are welcome to travel one-way (or return from the first trip of the day) between Whitby and Scarborough.

Website: www.yorkshirecoastboattrips.co.uk

Location: Quay Rd, Whitby, YO21 1DH

A boat trip in Scarborough is a fantastic way to explore the area’s coastline and sea life. The knowledgeable and friendly staff make sure that your trip is not only enjoyable but informative too. We hope we have helped you pick a boat trip when you’re in Scarborough, or if you already have a favourite, please let us know in the comments! We love to hear what you think.

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THE BEST Scarborough Fishing Charters & Tours

Fishing charters & tours in scarborough.

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1. Skylark Boat Fishing Trips Scarborough

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Home » Sea Fishing From the Rocks at Scarborough’s Marine Drive

Sea Fishing From the Rocks at Scarborough’s Marine Drive

The old saying that you don’t miss something until it’s gone might have been written for Scarborough’s Marine Drive – a jewel in the crown for sea anglers living near and far.

In its pomp, the All England Codling Championship boasted an entry of more than 500 anglers, hundreds fishing side by side along the Drive.

This year-round mark saw action around the clock in all but the roughest seas. It was a source of easy, relaxed fishing and an eye-catching spectacle for the thousands of visitors to the town, many of whom had never seen prime cod without a coat of batter!

Alas, another saying – ‘nothing lasts for ever’ – now sadly applies to the revamped Drive. Once a magnet for anglers of all ages and abilities, it is now confined to those whose idea of a super-hero is half John Wilson and half Spiderman.

From the roadside, anglers are faced with a concrete wall about three feet high. This drops away vertically for about 10ft onto granite blocks and man-made acropodes.

You may have thought the acropodes belonged on a hilltop in Athens: sadly, not so. They are actually large concrete blocks that collectively resemble giant sugar lumps in a bowl.

Few of them on the Drive lie sufficiently flat to provide good fishing platforms but the real fun begins when you retrieve fish. Previously, anglers simply had to reel the fish to the foot of the Drive and then haul them up by hook or drop net.

Due to the slope of the acropodes, however, the foot of the sea defences is often as much as 20-30ft out from the base of your fishing platform, which means that smaller fish have to be swung up or dragged over these tricky obstacles.

Fish around 4-6lb can be dead-lifted at a price, but anything larger has to be physically retrieved, meaning someone has to clamber down the smooth acropodes to get the fi sh. No wonder many locals work this mark in pairs nowadays.

This cod was caught by Paul Medd at the Shell Hole – a mark along Scarborough’s Marine Drive.

It is not ideal and, sadly, the politics behind the new-look Drive could fill a feature on their own.

Many of us believe the situation could have been improved by proper negotiation between the council and local anglers.

Although there was some consultation, we seemed to be facing a done deal and the sad reality is that the Drive has become out of reach for many of our less-able anglers, especially the kind of youngsters who would have once cut their teeth for rock angling at this very spot.

The hunter-gatherer, however, has always had to adapt to obstacles and even on the remodelled Drive, those of the same spirit are still being rewarded with some excellent catches of fish.

Anglers are now using cut-down portable ladders to descend the wall and gain access to the sea defence system. These ladders are lightweight and can be easily carried by hand should their owners want to move to another position on the Drive.

Fishing in tandem, as so many now do, means that one angler can manage the rods while the other works his way precariously down through the maze of acropodes.

The commando wannabes among them descend the slope by ropes tied round the higher acropodes, while several resourceful souls have taken the old Drive drop net to a new level, constructing landing nets that can be lowered 20 or 30ft.

Not everything about fishing Marine Drive has become harder, however. Access to the favourite low-water mark known as the Coffee Pot, is now relatively easier, allowing more time for fishing while the tide permits.

The mark gets its name from a limestone rock with a coffee pot profile that gracefully rises from the sea at low water. It was previously reached by vertical descent down the Drive by rope or an by extended walk. Fishing here is over low water in all but the roughest conditions

Other favourite marks include the grass bank, pump house, double railing and back of Corrigan’s, all of which can be identified by a walk around the Drive. But then you can catch fish almost anywhere you can get a line in.

The secret to the Drive is its protrusion into the sea and the fact that you are fishing into a good depth of water with plenty of tide run.

Most marks, from the north-east corner of the Drive right round to the south side can be fished all through the tide. Most anglers prefer to fish over high water with relatively calm seas on big tides but over the years, fish have appeared at any time, although no matter how much they may be biting, fishing is not recommended when a big sea is running.

Waves often encroach onto the acropodes and come over the wall onto the road itself. Getting drenched could be the least of your worries.

A cut-down ladder really comes in handy when fishing here.

The Drive has always been a top mark on the Yorkshire coast, as a venue that will produce year-round. The predominant species is cod and every year double-figure fish are caught, as well as bags around the 20lb mark.

The Drive boasts a whole range of species, including pollack, coalfish, wrasse, whiting, pouting, mackerel and I have even seen a 14lb conger.

Winter fishing revolves mainly around cod, but summer gives the angler chance to flex some lighter tackle. There has always been a good head of pollack on the Drive and over the past few years their number has increased, with fish up to 7lb and a lot between 2-4lb. Anglers can pursue these fish with a float or light lure, along with mackerel and coalfish, which are also common at this time.

Paul Medd fishing at the Coffee Pot.

The most consistent catches are taken at distance, putting the bait out into the tide.

If this fails, try a cast really close in, where the acropodes provide a haven of nooks and gullies in which both fish and prey hide. Good fishing has been had just 30-40 yards out.

The ground is rough though, so if you are lure fishing don’t let the lure sink too far.

Big peeler crab baits, rotton-bottom rigs and plain leads are best at Marine Drive.

Rough terrain and the need to lift big fish some way call for heavy tackle, so standard rock angling fare – 30lb line and 60lb shockleader – should be used.

Lighter lines can be employed to gain extra distance, but that need has to be balanced against the increased chance of wear and tear on the rocks.

Recommended rods are standard 12-13ft rock rods, capable of casting up to 6oz, while reels tend to be of the 7000 size.

Hooks depend on species, but for cod, size 4/0-6/0 hooks are the standard weapons on snoods of at least 30lb. Plain leads from 5-6oz on a rotten-bottom are standard.

For float fishing, an 11ft rod is ideal to control the float and lift fish, along with 15lb line or even braid. Lure fishing is best with most types of metal spinners of around 1oz, but artificial eels seem to be the best tactic for pollack, and also the least expensive, given that numerous tackle losses can occur among the kelp-festooned defences.

Extra items peculiar to this mark, as previously explained, would include a cut-down ladder, a 20ft landing net and a rope.

This brace of cod for Dave Medd were caught at the Shell Hole mark.

Summer fishing is best with fresh crabs, which will catch most species, but if targeting pollack with a float, mackerel or sandeel strip is best. If lure fishing,

Wedges and Kosters are ideal spinning lures, whereas artificial eels and shads work well for pollack

In winter, frozen crabs and worms are best baits, but mussels and razorfish will all catch fish

The way ahead?

If it’s hardly a model venue for comfortable fishing, the new look Marine Drive at least provided a pointer to the future of sea angling when it hosted its first match.

The competition turned out to be a fish bonanza, with several bags of over 30lb, individual fish up to 9lb and countless caught in the 3-6lb range.

For several weeks afterwards, good fishing continued, but after a while the returns became normal again, prompting the theory that because it had been unfished during construction of the new sea defences, fish had moved into the area in numbers.

GETTING THERE

The main road into Scarborough is the A64. From here, head straight for the foreshore, where you can’t miss Marine Drive, which runs along the foot of the famous headland on which Scarborough castle sits.

There is ample parking all the way around the Drive; although there is a charge from April to October.

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‘Some areas are rough, and the nightlife is pants – but I still think Scarborough’s gorgeous’

All summer we will be taking the pulse of our most famous traditional seaside towns, examining the efforts being made to regenerate them, and opining on whether they are still worth visiting. This week, Helen Pickles explores Scarborough. 

By golly, Scarborough is blessed: two big sandy beaches, a dramatic headland topped by a castle, a still-working fishing harbour, a bright promenade of fun and games, and some grand architecture.

I take all this in as I walk south from the jolly Luna Park amusements that sit beneath the headland between North and South Bays, and along the promenade of Foreshore Road.  

To top it all, Scarborough can claim to be Britain’s first seaside resort. In 1626, a mineral-rich stream was discovered running down the south cliffs which proved to have healing qualities. 

News spread, and Scarbrough spa was born. Bathing machines arrived, as did mass tourism (by Victorian standards) with the railway in 1845. Boarding houses, hotels , gardens, dance halls and amusement places sprang up.

The town lost some of its allure with the advent of cheap European package holidays in the Sixties and Seventies. Yet it remains popular. Even mid-week, term-time in May, the promenade’s benches are full of people enjoying ice cream and fish and chips.

“Nicer than Blackpool,” declares Alice Gascoigne, 84, here with her sister, Marian Thomas, 80, both from Liverpool, and on their first visit. “We didn’t know what to expect. It’s a lovely beach. Nice to sit and watch what’s going on.”

The town has Britain’s biggest open-air theatre, two of its (original five) Victorian funiculars are still doing brisk business, and a Big Wheel and swish water park were both opened (admittedly, controversially) in recent years. But is Scarborough resting on its sandy laurels? 

What’s it really like?

Fun! I head straight for South Bay’s promenade. More specifically to the glittering, neon-lit gaming machines of Coney Island (the name, so exotic!). It’s one of over half-a-dozen amusement arcades along the strip, cheek-by-jowl with fast-food joints and tacky gift shops – pink kiss-me-quick hats, sticks of rock. Gaudy it may be but it’s clean, well-maintained and fabulously brash – “Britain’s best fish and chips” declares Papa’s Fish & Chips seafront takeaway. 

I saunter past the Big Wheel. Bit controversial, this one. The 105-foot-high (32m) wheel is on the site of the Futurist Theatre, an iconic Scarborough landmark (built in 1921) which helped launch the careers of bands including the Beatles and the Rolling Stones but was demolished in 2018 amidst public outcry. “I was very sad to see it go, as were 90 per cent of locals,” recalls Elaine Micklethwaite, supervisor at the Golden Grid fish restaurant and a trained dancer who had performed there. 

Still, the wheel is not bad value – £6 a ride – though has a 21-point list of rules, including “no running”. Hmm. How does that work?

While South Bay is for sandcastles and donkey rides, round the headland the atmosphere is cooler and calmer: serious swimmers, dog walkers and – a good rainy-day activity – the Sea Life Centre.

Behind the latter is “Britain’s biggest miniature railway”. Passengers and I wave at one another as the train toot-toots along its stately route – a magnificent seven-eighths of a mile. 

There are plans to open a 2,100ft (650m) zip-wire on the slopes hereabouts which, after initial rejections, gained planning permission in April. The nearby Alpamare Water Park, which opened amid much hoopla in 2016 – “A waterpark from another world” – before dramatically closing last October (rising energy costs), is scheduled to reopen this summer. 

One clear success story is the Bike & Boot hotel which, in 2020, breathed new life and energy into the former Mount Hotel with a colourful, chilled vibe, good-value rooms and a very dog-friendly approach. Elsewhere, the popular Cinder Track cycle route, between Scarbrough and Whitby , has been improved, a new arts and sports events programme, Scarborough Fair, has been launched, and there’s an £11m scheme to revitalise the harbour’s West Pier. 

What’s not to like

Walking up the long drag of the town’s main street (a segue of Eastborough, Newborough and Westborough) all the fun and energy of the seafront evaporates. Closed and tired-looking shops: bric-a-brac, cheap bags, tattoo parlours, dingy pubs. Dispiritingly uninviting. 

Even the bingo caller, whose voice is amplified across the street from Shaws Amusements, sounds as though she can barely keep awake.

The Victorian Market Hall, following a £2.7m renovation in 2017, is certainly clean and shiny with a smart mezzanine level and stalls varying from the colourful fruit and veg, to a more esoteric bookbinder. But it’s soulless. Mid-afternoon, there’s scarcely anyone about, apart from three women sharing a bottle of wine in the café. Jolly good-value afternoon tea, mind you: £13.50 for the works, including quiche.

Down in the basement, things are marginally more interesting, with vintage vinyls, second-hand books, obscure collectables, and all manner of haberdashery items. 

At the top end of Westborough, the dark-brick, modern Brunswick Shopping Centre still indicates a Debenhams Staff Entrance, even though the store, along with Dorothy Perkins and Topshop, has left. It’s due redevelopment as “an enhanced retail and leisure destination” which promises a multi-screen cinema, amongst other attractions.

Morgan Margetts, aged 19, is dubious: “They say they’re going to do things and then they don’t. The town centre could be so much nicer. We have to go to York for decent shops.”

It sounds kitsch – Orientally themed lakeside gardens with a pagoda-topped man-made island of cascading waterfalls – but Peasholm Park, near North Bay, is a much-loved Scarbrough institution. From its Oriental gateways, Chinese lanterns and strings of coloured lights to its dragon-head pedalos, it remains timelessly charming. 

As does the Spa Orchestra (Britain’s last professional seaside orchestra, founded 1912), whose outdoor concerts – show tunes, Viennese waltzes, big band and classics – in the Spa building’s exotically named Sun Court, will have you toe-tapping along with the regulars, some of whom book their holidays to coincide with performance dates (August 4 till September 25).

Numerous fish restaurants beckon but the Golden Grid has history, dating back to 1883 and under the current ownership since 1954. Its speciality is crab and lobster, brought in from the harbour across the road. 

For dessert, The Harbour Bar is a paean to a Fifties diner with yellow Formica, chrome trimmings and red banquettes, and has been owned by the Alonzi family since 1945. Ice cream, made in the back, is conjured into all your favourites from soda floats to banana splits and knickerbocker glories. 

But don’t do this

As iconic hotels go, The Grand , high above South Bay and the biggest in Europe when opened in 1867, is a stunner: six million bricks, four domes to represent the seasons, 12 floors (months), 365 rooms (work it out) and a V-shape to honour Queen Victoria. Then I step inside… slot machines in the foyer, dirty coffee mugs on the Sun Terrace (admittedly, terrific views) and discarded MacDonald’s packaging on a balcony table. 

Despite the Corinthian pillars, decorative metalwork balustrades and grand arches, the place is drained of atmosphere. Hoping for a coffee in the Empress Suite, I discover black leatherette furniture and an afternoon TV quiz show blaring. I turn tail when I see more winking slot machines.

From a local

“I’d never leave Scarborough,” declares Scarborough-born Dan Hargreaves, chef-patron of Embers restaurant. “We [he and his partner have five children] can cycle to the beach every Sunday. We like cities, but we’re glad to get back; it’s a slower pace of life.” He agrees many locals can be negative, particularly about the town centre. “But they [the locals] need to do something about it. I started [food] festivals because I was sick of bad food.”

“I think Scarborough’s gorgeous,” says locally born Morgan Margetts, 19. “Some areas are a bit rough, and the nightlife is pants. But 100 per cent I think we’re lucky to have the seaside. In summer, we sit on the beach with mates and have a barbecue.”

From a tourist

“I’ve a soft spot for Scarborough, I came when I was eight or nine, and my parents had their honeymoon here,” says Yorkshire-born Jim Lindsay, who lives in Germany with his German wife, Dina, and is visiting family. “The character of the place hasn’t changed.” Adds Dina: “Bridlington is more commercialised, Filey there’s not much to do, Scarborough is more refined. And I like their dressed crab!”

“Last time I came was in 1956 with my sister and boyfriend,” recalls Sylvia Stenson who, with husband, Alan and both in their 80s, is on holiday from Stafford. “I’ve never forgotten the lovely beach. It’s much as I remember. I expected it to be more run-down and was very surprised. It’s cheaper up here, too! Coffee, tea and two custard tarts for £5.80!”

Scarbrough station is served by TransPennine Express , 50 minutes from York for connections with main-line services. 

Helen Pickles was a guest of Bike & Boot hotel (01723 655555; bikeandboot.com ; doubles from £108 B&B) and Discover Yorkshire Coast ( discoveryorkshirecoast.com ).

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Scarborough Shoal trips continue for Zambales fisherfolk amid tension in WPS

A fisherman in Subic town, Zambales province is taking advantage of the good weather to earn a living for his family. He and other fishermen in the coastal town have vowed to continue sailing to the disputed Scarborough Shoal despite the risks. (Photo by Joanna Rose Aglibot)

SUBIC, Zambales — Despite the prevailing tensions in the West Philippine Sea , fishermen from this town have sailed to the contested Scarborough Shoal to continue providing for their families.

Boat skipper Michael Fuentes, 33, and his 11-member crew left on Tuesday for another fishing trip to the shoal, also called Panatag or Bajo de Masinloc, unbothered by the increasing presence of Chinese vessels around their traditional fishing ground.

At least 10 other boats departed Monday from Barangay Calapandayan as they took advantage of the good weather before the next typhoon.

Many fishermen in this province have been defying China’s fishing ban, which has been in effect from May 1 to Aug. 16 in the South China Sea, including parts of the WPS.

READ: Zambales fishers defy China ban in West Philippine Sea

“That’s where we earn our livelihood, so even if fishing there is limited, we continue; we just stay away from the Chinese,” Fuentes told the Inquirer.

Fuentes and his crew had to endure a 24-hour journey to reach the shoal, spending P150,000 on diesel and supplies for their trip.

“I hope we make the most of it because it’s not like before. When the weather is bad, we can stay at the shoal instead of going home. Now, if the weather turns bad, we have to go back, and it’s a loss,” Fuentes added.

The shoal was once a rich fishing ground and a storm shelter for Filipino and foreign fishermen. However, it has been off-limits or regulated by Chinese vessels since 2012 as part of China’s historic claim over most of the South China Sea.

In July 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague rejected China’s claim in favor of the Philippines. However, the Duterte administration set aside the decision, in favor of bilateral talks with Beijing.

Last month, Beijing announced new rules allowing its coast guard to detain foreigners for up to 60 days without trial if they cross into Chinese-claimed territory.

READ: Solon urges gov’t to protect fishers amid tension in West Philippine Sea

Another fisherman from Masinloc, Enosentes Forones, said the situation was worse during the previous administration, “when the president declared that the Philippines had no right to the shoal.”

“That was the former president’s fault; he sold us to China,” Forones said.

Like many fishermen in the province, Foronas has experienced harassment and bullying from the Chinese Coast Guard. Incidents like those at Ayungin Shoal are not new to him.

Forones recalled the Chinese Coast Guard boarding their boats and stealing their best catch, with authorities ignoring their reports.

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“It’s been a long time. We’ve been robbed and blasted with water cannons for years, but no one paid attention to our stories before,” Forones said.

For comprehensive coverage, in-depth analysis, and the latest updates on the West Philippine Sea issue, visit our special site here. Stay informed with articles, videos, and expert opinions.

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6 die as fishing boat explodes, catches fire off Cebu

Members of the Coast Guard retrieve one of the bodies of a dead crew member of the FBCA King Bryan, which caught fire off the sea of Naga City in southern Cebu on Wednesday night, June 5. | Paul Lauro

CEBU CITY — Six people died while six others were hurt when a fishing boat caught fire in the waters off the City of Naga in southern Cebu on Wednesday night.

Mark Anthony Sullano, captain of FBCA King Bryan and among the six survivors, said the fire started when one of the boat’s two engines exploded while it was being repaired.

“The explosion happened so fast. It was really a tragedy,” he said in an interview.

The boat left Cawayan Port in Masbate on June 2 for Isla de Gato in northern Cebu where the crew stayed for two days before heading to southern Cebu. On board the vessel were six drums of diesel fuel and three liquefied petroleum gas tanks for their voyage.

But one of the boat’s engines malfunctioned while it was sailing to southern Cebu around 11 a.m. on Wednesday, said Petty Officer 1st Class Joel Baring of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) substation in Naga.

Later at 2 p.m., the boat continued the journey using a single engine. The crew were still repairing the engine on Wednesday night when it exploded.

“The captain said the fatalities were those who fixed the engine,” Baring said.

They were identified as Boy-boy Bacolod, 39; Ariel Codilla, 37; Jonathan Sullano, 34; Dominic Cleret, 18; Joseph Sullano, 29; and Onjing Conel, 41.

Baring said the PCG received the fire alarm at 8:20 p.m. and responded immediately. He said personnel from a nearby tugboat also helped rescue the crew members and put out the fire.

Aside from the boat captain, the other survivors were Alvin Quinoñes; John Cloud Canones, 20; Alan Aviles, 18; Michael Bacas, 34; and Miguel Cortes, 32. Quinoñes, however, remained at the Cebu South General Hospital in Naga due to serious injuries.

Baring said PCG personnel did not find any explosives or other items used for illegal fishing on the vessel.

READ: Cadiz fishing boat sinks, 25 rescued, 9 missing

On Thursday, authorities also found no oil spill around the area where the fishing boat caught fire.

Baring said the boat captain claimed they had all the documents to prove that their fishing activities were legal. While these were burned during the explosion, Baring said Sullano assured them that the boat owner still had copies of all the documents.

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The PCG is trying to bring what remains of the boat ashore since the area where the explosion happened is a shipping route.

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• Local & State

Resurgam festival, a massive yard sale and more things to do this weekend

Comedian Dave Attell is in town, Zephyr Ice is serving up cool treats and food trucks are out in force (there's an app that will tell you where).

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We’re not entirely sure how the weekend weather is going to shake out, but either way there’s a whole lot going on, so let’s get to it.

Maine Roller Derby skaters competing at Happy Wheels Skate Center in Westbrook. Photo by Jim Vernier

On Saturday and Sunday, Maine Roller Derby’s first international tournament happens at Happy Wheels Skate Center in Westbrook. There will be several exciting flat-track bouts, and if you’re a Mainer, tickets are half off.

Get a discount on tickets to Maine Roller Derby’s international tournament

Max Abraham runs through Moon Tide Park while performing with the band Corpus Chicanery at last year’s Resurgam festival. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer

The Resurgam Music and Arts Festival is Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Ocean Gateway marine terminal and surrounding areas. The list of performers is about 17 miles long and includes Oshima Brothers Band and professional hula hoop and circus artist Nettie Loops.

Resurgam festival returns this weekend with music, arts and more

Local musician Toby McAllister, pictured here at The Press Room in Portsmouth, would of course play at a local venue on his perfect day. Photo by Corey Fitzgerald and courtesy of Toby McAllister

Another musician you can see at Resurgam is Toby McAllister from Sparks The Rescue. McAllister unpacked his perfect Maine day for us, and it includes a hike in Grafton Notch and a stop at Puzzle Mountain Bakery in Newry for cookies.

My Perfect Day: Hiking Old Speck, eating tacos and sweets, playing a show – for musician Toby McAllister, it all strikes a chord

Comic Dave Attell plays the State Theatre in Portland, June 8. Photo courtesy of the State Theatre

There’s plenty else cooking this weekend , including Yoga in the Park on Saturday and the Walk the Working Waterfront tour. Both are in Portland. Or you can shop till you drop at Maine’s Ultimate Spring Yard Sale Saturday at Cumberland Fairgrounds. Need a few laughs? Grab a ticket to see comic Dave Attell at the State Theatre Saturday.

Waterfront tour, giant yard sale, comic Dave Attell

Zephyr proudly tells its customers that everything is made in house with real fruit and no dyes. Photo by Megan Gray

Satisfy your sweet tooth with something a little different this weekend. Zephyr Ice in Portland serves shaved ice atop a scoop of regular or vegan ice cream. Choose from a variety of syrup flavors, all made in-house with real fruit.

For cool, customizable treats, breeze on in to Zephyr Ice

Mainely Burgers food truck. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer

Should you fancy a food truck fix, check out our massive, always growing food truck guide and get busy chowing down.

A guide to 87 food trucks rolling through Maine

A Foodtruckalico Instagram post featuring the Ugly Dumpling food truck. Photo by Justin Velgos

For even more food truck fodder, we suggest heading to Food Truckalico on Instagram . A couple of times a week, the account shares details about where and when you can find trucks in the Portland area.

Follow the food trucks with Food Truckalico on Instagram

A newspaper article about a Comegato sighting from web series “Tracking the Comegato.” Photo courtesy of Kate Kaminski

If the weather does indeed relegate you to the indoors, curl up on the couch and fire up the new web series “Tracking the Comegato” about a beastly human-weasel hybrid that may or may not exist.

Could this human-weasel hybrid from Maine join the ranks of Bigfoot?

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