It’s not to early to book your festival places on the contrary now is the perfect time, while most anglers are still recovering from the winter blues you can grab those tides that suit you now not like in previous years when you left it to the last minuet and found only the tide and days which were available did not fit round your work or family commitments tidal books are available for the whole year from our local tackle shops and stationers also the harbour office and only cost around a pound or so, there is also a link on this website http://www.pol.ac.uk/ntslf/tides/?port=0174  ( on bottom right of every page) that allows you to see Whitby’s present month for FREE

Most boats will have most dates free now so in theory you will have the pick of the crop,I have found the most consistent anglers not only book there date well in advance but also come well prepared and rehearsed in what methods they will be using leaving them with a much better chance of that festival winner, I would recommend  everyone to do some research on previous festivals (all available on the websites) spring summer and autumn and try work out what was caught when and which bait worked best in what conditions and if the winner came off the boat you were on what were his or her tactics and bait, admit you don’t know everything but watch and learn which angler always seems to fill his box believe me it’s not just because they are lucky although luck will always play it’s part, good anglers always seem to be willing to show newcomers the little things they have picked up on the way as of course do most skippers,so by booking early you are already preparing and planing your day also we skippers know it can be an expensive day all in all after travel costs food bait entry boat fares so by booking early you know you are fishing on the tide and day that you want and not spending the same amount after all, on a day you didn’t particularly want 

Don’t do what you did last year be prepared book early

Mick Leonard Sea Urchin II skipper

WCSA Fishing Festivals 2010

• Spring Festival - 3rd. to 18th. April.
• Summer festival – 19th. June to 11th. July.
• Late summer festival - 11th. September. to 26th. September.