Scotland's capital city is renowned for many things: the castle, the festival, the pubs... but certainly not for its sea angling potential. However, as I am coming to realise, and as others have known for a long time, the Firth of Forth at Edinburgh provides plenty of opportunities for angling. Some small boat anglers venture into the Forth from harbours such as Newhaven and Cockenzie, though I will concentrate here on shore angling. There are quite a few places to try - from Cramond to Cockenzie, all within the reach of an LRT bus, but here I have just picked out three...
Granton's long east breakwater extends into the Forth, enclosing Granton harbour. Underwater, the structure slopes off steeply then gives way to sand. The wrack and kelp surrounding the nooks and crannies of the structure are home to crabs, which in turn attract codling, so short (very short) casts are the order of the day. Fish can be taken all along the length of the breakwater, though most people tend to congregate between the two metal huts and the bend. Codling can be expected from perhaps mid-May onwards, with the possibility of mackerel shoals arriving in late summer. Peeler crab is the most desirable bait, but some fish will still be caught on rag and lug, and mussel and even limpets can take fish. Most locals use a simple paternoster rig consisting of a long lead drop and short hook snood. Others use a sliding float to good effect. A cast of 5-10 yards should be all that is required.
LRT Buses: 8, 20, 32
This deserves a mention primarily because it is the place where Scotland's record flounder (4lb 11oz) was caught back in 1970. The lagoons themselves are large ponds built on a raised area of ground, bounded to the north by a substantial sea wall. Fishing does not actually take place in the lagoons, which were constructed for the dumping of fly-ash from the nearby power station at Cockenzie. Just to the west side of the lagoons is the mouth of the river Esk. Sea trout run up the river, and flounders, eels and possibly the occasional bass are likely to be encountered around the mouth of the Esk by the sea angler. This area is a haven for swans and other water fowl, and so is very popular with birdwatchers. Anglers should therefore do their best to pick up discarded line, etc, even if it isn't their own.
LRT Buses: 15, 26, 43, 44, 66
The twin chimneys of the coal-fired power station at Cockenzie are a familiar landmark on the south of the Firth of Forth. Its outflow of warm water attracts fish and in turn anglers. The sea wall surrounding the power station is accessible to the public, who come sometimes in large numbers to try and catch a few fish. During the summer, mackerel and coalfish are targetted, and bass can occasionally be caught in the evenings. Shoals of large mullet patrol the warm water outflow area, and now and then one will be hooked. The problem is then how to lift it the 10 or 20 feet up the overhanging sea wall to safety!!! Mullet specialists might prefer to try close to low tide, when the outflow can be reached from the shore. The adjacent harbour is also popular with anglers, and rocks beside it can be convenient for spinning for mackerel at high tide.
LRT Bus: 26
Bait
Lug and white ragworm can be dug on many of the shores in the Edinburgh area, and mussels can also be collected - try Musselburgh! Looking under stones can also turn up a few peeler crabs in summer. If you don't have the time or inclination to collect your own bait, then Mike's Tackle Shop can always supply you with fresh ragworm and sometimes live peelers.
Tackle Shops
First choice would be Mike's Tackle Shop, on Portobello High Street (0131 657 3258). There is a big range of sea angling tackle (as well as game and coarse), and prices always very competitive. Live bait (see above) and a good supply of frozen baits are also stocked. Mike's Tackle Shop also has its own sea angling club (affiliated to SFSA), so it is the best place to get news on how all the local venues are fishing.
Footnote
I wouldn't recommend a long journey just to fish these venues - much better fishing can be found from North Berwick down to the border, and over the bridge in Fife, but if you live locally they are well worth a quick visit.
Alan Pemberton, August 1997