When Things Go Wrong My Rod Snapped at The Beacons Newbiggin-by-the-Sea

There are good sessions, great sessions… and then there are the ones that remind you why fishing is never predictable. This trip to The Beacons in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea definitely falls into that last category.

I set off hopeful — armed with ragworm, my beachcaster, and the usual optimism that comes with a calm day on the Northumberland coast. But if there’s one thing fishing teaches you, it’s humility.
Spoiler: my rod didn’t make it home in one piece.

🎥 Watch the full video here:
Snapped My Rod Chasing Bites | Tough Day Fishing The Beacons

 

 

📍 About The Beacons

The Beacons is a rugged, rocky mark just north of Newbiggin-by-the-Sea. It’s the kind of spot that’s either on fire… or painfully quiet. That’s part of the charm. With its deep drop-offs and mixed ground, it’s a favourite for cod in winter and mackerel in summer — but it also loves a good snag.

Read the full Beacons directory listing here ➜

 

 

🪱 The Session

I arrived with ragworm and my standard beachcaster setup, targeting anything that fancied a worm. There was a bit of movement in the water, and the conditions looked spot on. I was casting into a gulley I’ve fished before — it’s snaggy, but usually worth the risk.

The first hour? Not much. A few little knocks, likely small stuff pecking at the bait. Nothing dramatic, but the kind of tension that keeps you alert.

 

 

💥 The Snap

After a good 30–40 minutes of leaving a bait out, I reeled in — felt weight on the end. Could’ve been a fish, could’ve been the bottom. I gave it a bit of pressure, tried to tease it free…
Then crack — my rod snapped cleanly in the midsection.

It wasn’t a gentle give. It was that horrible sound every angler knows — sudden, sharp, and instantly final. I froze for a second, just staring at the jagged graphite.

You can hear it in my voice in the video — part frustration, part disbelief, part laughter. That’s fishing.

 

 

🧠 Lessons Learned

 

    • Always be wary of unknown snags. Even familiar marks can shift over time.
    • Check your rod condition regularly. This one had seen a lot of use — possibly hairline fractures already.
    • Carry a backup if possible. Especially on remote or longer sessions. I didn’t this time. Lesson learned.

 

 

🎣 Would I Fish The Beacons Again?

Absolutely — but with stronger gear and maybe a bit more caution when applying pressure. It’s still one of the more rewarding shore marks in Northumberland, especially on the right tide.

 

 

📌 Quick Spot Guide

 

    • Location: The Beacons, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, NE64
    • Best tide: 2 hours up to high and an hour down
    • Target species: Cod (winter), Mackerel (summer), Coalfish, Whiting
    • Ground: Mixed/rough – snaggy
    • Parking: Church Point (free)
    • Access: 5–10 min walk along rocky path

 

📍 Check out the full Beacons listing with catch info, gear tips, and directions ➜ (Insert link)

 

 

🔔 Final Thoughts

Sometimes you blank. Sometimes you bag up. And sometimes your rod snaps mid-retrieve and leaves you standing on the rocks holding a jagged carbon tube.
Would I change anything? Not really. It’s all part of the story — and that’s why I fish.