Eastham Tap Prom and Eastham Slab
Eastham Tap
Last Update September 2022
Fishing is from a grass covered prom around 300m in length running to your right and ending at the fenced-off area at the start of the Eastham Locks.
There is limited roadside parking since the local council decided to make around 100m of the roadside parking available for motorcycles only. Seems a bit OTT as I really don’t see there being many bikes out on a cold winter’s night in December. There is Pay and Display parking less than 100m away in the Eastham Woods Carpark located just around the corner behind the pub.
What can you expect as far as the fishing goes? What species can you be reliably expected to catch?
The Tap can offer a window of around 4-5hrs fishing starting roughly 3hrs before HW and up to 2hrs after on the ebb. However, the time after HW becomes much tougher and mentally challenging on larger tides when fishing much beyond 45 minutes after HW becomes a very difficult.
Winter Species
Winter is the most fished time at both venues with codling and whiting being the mainstay of catches. Codling in the 2lb to 3lb range is average with plenty of whiting around the HW slack period. A few larger whiting up to a couple of pounds in weight are not too uncommon.
Summer Species
Flatfish, silver eels with the occasional sole, and thornback rays.
Guidance
The Tap is very snaggy close in especially for the first 15m or 20m. The slightly deeper water is a bit less snaggy but there are still plenty out there! A cast of 50m is adequate. The prom is backed by bushes and trees so care is needed when casting.
My personal preference is to fish a high-breaking strain line straight through. Something around 40lb is sufficient as no power casting is needed. The heavy approach means you’ll pull out of most snags.
For the codling, big baits of worm and squid or decent sized peeler crab offer you the best chance of a fish or two. For whiting anything fishy, mackerel, bluey or cocktails with segments of sand eel will be successful.
The codling normally show early in a session when the tide has still has a strong pull. The whiting are most prolific over the HW period, and hour upt o HW and ½ hour after when the flow is at its slackest.
Eastham Tap
Last Update September 2022
Fishing is from a grass covered prom around 300m in length running to your right and ending at the fenced-off area at the start of the Eastham Locks.
Eastham Tap Grass Covered Prom
There is limited roadside parking since the local council decided to make around 100m of the roadside parking available for motorcycles only. Seems a bit OTT as I really don’t see there being many bikes out on a cold winter’s night in December. There is Pay and Display parking less than 100m away in the Eastham Woods Carpark located just around the corner behind the pub.
What can you expect as far as the fishing goes? What species can you be reliably expected to catch?
The Tap can offer a window of around 4-5hrs fishing starting roughly 3hrs before HW and up to 2hrs after on the ebb. However, the time after HW becomes much tougher and mentally challenging on larger tides when fishing much beyond 45 minutes after HW becomes a very difficult.
Winter Species
Winter is the most fished time at both venues with codling and whiting being the mainstay of catches. Codling in the 2lb to 3lb range is average with plenty of whiting around the HW slack period. A few larger whiting up to a couple of pounds in weight are not too uncommon.
Summer Species
Flatfish, silver eels with the occasional sole, and thornback rays.
Guidance
The Tap is very snaggy close in especially for the first 15m or 20m. The slightly deeper water is a bit less snaggy but there are still plenty out there! A cast of 50m is adequate. The prom is backed by bushes and trees so care is needed when casting.
My personal preference is to fish a high-breaking strain line straight through. Something around 40lb is sufficient as no power casting is needed. The heavy approach means you’ll pull out of most snags.
For the codling, big baits of worm and squid or decent sized peeler crab offer you the best chance of a fish or two. For whiting anything fishy, mackerel, bluey or cocktails with segments of sand eel will be successful.
The codling normally show early in a session when the tide has still has a strong pull. The whiting are most prolific over the HW period, and hour upt o HW and ½ hour after when the flow is at its slackest.
Click on the images to view en anlarged version
Anthony Harrison a small codling
Dave Jones an October Codling
A late fish April
A nice sized whiting for the Author
;)
Anthony Harrison a small codling;)
Dave Jones an October Codling;)
A late fish April;)
A nice sized whiting for the AuthorDirections for Tap Prom
Directions from M53 Junction 6 to Tap Inn
NEAREST Address/post code
1a Ferry Rd, Birkenhead, Wirral CH62 0AU
Directions from M53 Junction 6 to Tap Inn
- Take exit 6 from M53 Head north on New Chester Rd/A41
- Turn right onto Eastham Village Rd
- Turn right onto Ferry Rd and continue until you reach the Tap Inn.
- Park on the road or in pay and display Eastham Wood Carpark.
NEAREST Address/post code
1a Ferry Rd, Birkenhead, Wirral CH62 0AU
Eastham Tap
Eastham Slab Tap (Wirral)Last Update September 2022
Fishing is from an old concrete coal jetty. The platform has no railings and because of this, the gate onto it has been welded shut. It’s a bit of a scramble to climb over so if you’re not fit or confident in your ability to climb a 5ft gate give this mark a wide berth.
Species from the Slab are virtually the same as the Tap but there’s a better chance of rays.
Myself, being the wrong side 60 heading and rapidly heading towards a Government pension I’ll give this mark a miss.
If I’ve not put you off or deterred, you from trying this mark the directions are:
Directions to Eastham Slab
- Take exit 6 from M53 Head north on New Chester Rd/A41
- After almost 2 miles turn right onto Old Hall Rd
- At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Riverwood Rd
- At the next roundabout, take the 2nd exit
- Continue into the Wirral Circular Trail car park.
NEAREST Address/post code
Wirral Circular Trail Car Park, Birkenhead Wirral CH62 3RH
Eastham Concrete Slab
Disabled Advice
Tap Prom - Disabled anglers or those unable to walk a very far the Tap prom is ideal. There is also wheelchair access onto the old jetty but space is very limited 2 angers max.
Concrete Slab no access for dissabled, wheelchairs, or the less agaile!
