Easy Pickings
What is now the Dove Marine Laboratory at Cullercoats and now owned by Newcastle University, used to be an aquarium and was open to the public.
As you walked into the entrance hall there was a big pool in the middle of the floor. This pool was only about eighteen inches deep but there were some big plaice in it - fish of 3lbs, 4lbs and even some to 6 lbs. There were no pay kiosks at the entrance, because it was free to get in.
When we were young, we used to sneak in with a short piece of line with a hook attached and baited with a small piece of ragworm or a limpet heart – and drop this into the pool. Within seconds we would have a good plaice on the hook.
The idea then was to get out as quick as possible before we were caught!
Ah - happy days - it was better than standing on the rocks getting cold and wet.
