|
Swansea Bay - Shore Marks |
'Corus' Long and Short Arms
The Long and Short Arms are part of the steel works in Port Talbot,
and is owned and operated by Associate British Port (ABP) to whom an
application must be made for a permit to access.
The short arm, along with its partner the long arm, are essentially
concrete breakwaters built onto boulders laid on the sea bed that go
out for about 1/2 mile or so forming a harbour for the very large cargo
ships delivering raw materials to the steelworks, and is capable of
accommodating many anglers. It also offers many different fishing
opportunities, from ledgering, float fishing to spinning and plugging.
All these techniques have been successfully deployed here. Be aware
though that fishing is only allowed during daylight, and access is not
allowed in rough weather. Always carry your permit.
Both sea fishing marks are breakwaters and offer comfortable fishing venues. Lure fishing, float and bottom fishing techniques work well here for a range of sea fishing species.
Choose a spot:
For anglers who like a nice, stable platform under them, fishing off the
wall half way along on the West facing side is comfortable fishing,
although care must be taken as there is a long drop to the water with no
barrier. For the rock hopper, the boulders toward the end are a good
place on either side, but again care must be taken as the rocks can be
slippery, especially on cold winter mornings. The concrete blocks at the
end of the pier by the harbour entrance light is not easy fishing,
there are no flat level surfaces, and access is difficult, do NOT fish
here alone. Shelter can be found from the worst of the weather if
required, so in an Easterly wind fishing the West side gives protection
from the elements and sea swell and vice versa. The harbour side, the
sea is usually quite sheltered making it a good spot to float fish for
the Mullet, Bass, Garfish and Mackerel. The West facing side is open to
the sea, and as such does tend to produce more variety and a better
specimen of fish.
Bass, mackerel, garfish, pollack, wrasse, mullet and the
ever present dogfish are the usual catches of the day here, with
flatties, conger eels and rays making an occasional appearance. Winter
can provide some hectic sport from the dogfish, pouting and whiting, but
it is the kind of venue where anything can turn up.
Like many pier marks anything is possible, so go prepared and fish hard!
Bait & Fishing methods
The ground a short distance out is clean and all methods work well.
Frozen Mackerel / Squid work well for the Rays, Conger, Bass and
Doggies. Worm and Sand Eel will produce flatties and Bass. Bread and
fish mix for Mullet on light float gear. Lug works well in the winter months!
Tactics:
You don’t need to cast far here, as the water is quite deep even at low
tide, but fishing at this time is not very productive. If fishing off
the rocks toward the end, the rocks extend about 10 – 20 yards before
reaching clean sand, so you don’t need big beachcasters here, in fact
they can be a bit of a nuisance to move around and cast, so something
like an uptider, pier or Bass rod is perfect for the job. A reel with a
fast retrieve is an advantage for getting tackle and fish up quickly
over the boulders. The tide run is not particularly strong here, so 3 or
4 oz weights will suffice on calm days, but 5oz is the most required at
any time.
Tackle:
6000 or 525 size multipliers or 7000 size fixed spool reels loaded with
15 lb mainline and a suitable shockleader are perfectly at home here.
For ledgering, flapper or 1 up 1 down rigs with size 1 or 1/0 hooks work
well for the smaller species. Long snoods are an advantage because the
angle of the line to bottom is quite steep. Also pulley and running
ledgers with size 3/0 and above pennell hooks work well with big baits
for Ray, Conger and Bass. Float fishing over the submerged boulders can
be very productive in the warmer months, but fish do occasionally fall
to this technique during winter too, although it really isn’t a front
line winter tactic here. There is potential for salt water fly fishing
here too.
Baits:
Pretty much any bait will work here. For the Whiting, Pouting, Dogfish,
Conger and Rays nothing beats strips of frozen Mackerel. Worm baits will
take flatties, Bass and Whiting. Fish a whole squid on a pennel for the
big Conger, Bass and Rays. Float fished worms catch Wrasse, Bass and
Pollack, also a Sandeel fished in this way is a deadly summer method for
Bass.
Tides:
Small tides produce quiet sport, medium tides that are building are
best, around 10.5 – 11 metres Swansea scale. Fish from about 2 hours
after low up to high and then a couple of hours back for the best of the
action. Spring highs can produce a few swells which can give you a
welly full so keep an eye out around high tide and make sure your tackle
is kept well above the high water line.
Where to fish:
Any where on the short arm but if you can get on the outside and close
to the end. A word of warning here, be careful as some of the big rocks
are very slippery, I would also suggest to have the bulk of your fishing
gear above the high tide line.
Wildlife:
Not the kind of place you expect to find it, but there is plenty of
wildlife, and the creatures that live there are not shy about sharing
your fishing pitch and eating your bait/lunch. Wild Mink often stick
their heads up out from between the rocks and if you are not vigilant
they will remove your bait so keep it locked up. Rats are quite happy to
share your days fishing too. The birds will virtually land right next
to you, completely oblivious to your presence, and will remove anything
you have with you that they see as dinner. A Wild Mink may look cute
(and they do) but beware, they can be very dangerous. Respect the
wildlife!
Port Talbot
Jackstone Pier is an easy to access
fishing venue. It usually provides comfortable fishing but avoid it for
safety reasons in stormy weather or very big tides. While in good
weather this spot is good for those new to sea angling the large number
of small fish (whiting, dab and dogfish) caught here can put off the
more experience angler. However, larger and more desirable species such
as big cod, bass and conger eels are also caught here on
occasion.
Aberavon Sands can produce very good bass fishing in summer
and still produce some bass at other times of the year. As always best
when there is some sea running and try ragworm, lugworm or peeler crab
baits. Various flatfish species are also caught here and there is the
chance of a ray to a sandeel or fish bait cast a long way.
Swansea East Pier and Breakwater
Fishing off the Swansea Breakwater Walls is one of the more popular winter venues for cod and whiting. The sea wall is numbered from 79 to 1. The sandier areas are from 79 down to 24, then it becomes more rocky to number 1. The access points over the wall are at number 52, 40 and 23. There are many rocky bottoms so use rotten bottom rigs.
Venue 1: Fishing the East Pier, walk out on the top catwalk and try fishing midway above an old wreck, to the left eastwards.
Venue 2: Continue to the end and fish above the half round handrail platform, casting out towards the inner fairway buoy.
Venue 3: The seaward side of the wall at no.1, is known as Cod Corner, with not so many rocks.
A clipped down single hook rig is advised with black lug, casting as far as possible. High tides seem to be the most productive. Try all the more popular baits for cod, Black and blow lug, squid and mackerel. Black lug can be pumped eastwards towards Llandarcy at bottom water. Soft and peeler crab amongst the stones, also towards the East Pier just before low water, preferably on Spring Tides.
ABPs permission and permits are required to fish the East and West Piers. Fishing the Breakwater is restricted to members and clubs belonging to the Pleasure Anglers and Kayakers Association (PAKA) through arrangements with ABP. PAKA publish a list of annual dates for approved competitions for their members and open competitions to raise money for charities.
Swansea West Pier and Marina
West Pier before storm Damage to West Pier after January Storms in 2014
West pier from beach Boats in Swansea Marina
West Pier currently closed for unknown period due to storm damage.
The West Pier is normally a very popular summer venue for mackerel. Walk along the pier to about midway mark on the bend to fish for mackerel, casting over the wall westwards into Swansea Bay and fish out on the end of the pier in winter months for cod and whiting.
Reports of Bass to 3.5lb on light float gear fishing just over the side on the West Pier together with some small Pollock. Dogfish should be numerous on night tides. Live pouting is a preferred method at this venue and is best fished at low water on neap tides for the Bass. Pouting can be caught just by dropping down the side with small river hooks and some rag/fish baits.
The west pier offers dogfish, pouting, conger eels, mullet and flounder. Light fishing gear can be fun here with mackerel caught on spinners and float fished baits, as are garfish.
Winter can see good whiting catches and some decent cod.
Technically, a permit is required to fish this pier.
Further inland Swansea Marina can produce mullet to very stealthy tactics and very small hooks and bass and flounder can also be caught here. For mullet use very light tackle and size 4 or 6 hooks with harbour ragworm.
County Hall/Civic Centre, Black Pill to West Cross - Beach area
Looking across to Mumbles In front of Civic Centre River Clyne flowing to sea
The area is not over fished because the sandy bay is so flat and gives a limited amount of time with any depth of water around the high water mark also, gives the impression of not being very productive. Black Pill and West Cross are difficult venues to fish because the beach is so flat, therefore the tide goes out a long way.
Fish 1.5 hours either side of high water, you can dig for lug at West Cross and fish the tide in.
Fish two rods, one with baited spoon, the other with a running ledger. Fishing for flounder, dabs, plaice and school bass.
There is sand along the entire length from the Civic Centre to West Cross. West Cross is popular blow lug diggers beach.
All venues are fished best on spring tides.
Mumbles
There
are 3 main areas in Mumbles, these
are Knab Rock, The Pier (currently closed) and the Lighthouse (Mumbles Island). All can be very different
and have distinct advantages when fishing.
Before either of these on our journey around the fishing marks of Swansea Bay and Mumbles is the the promenade opposite The George public house. Popular for juniors, novices and is use by local fishing clubs for competitions. Handy car parking.
You can fish anywhere along the prom but by the George is a good bet.
Better fishing when the tides build to over 10m, but anything could turn up along there.
A few years ago a double figure conger on whole squid was caught between the Tivoli and the toilets.
Knab
rock is situated on the way in to Mumbles the beauty with this spot
is you can fish from the boot of your car. Knab rock is just a piece
of the promenade that sticks out into the water. Can get busy in
summer months especially at night when the pier is closed. Fishing
over rock/sand tackle losses are minimum.
Fishing the Knab is off the sea wall with rods propped on the hand rails, some 2 hours either side of top water onto sand. This is very popular venue, in winter months the occasional big cog can be caught. Try this venue during the hours of darkness under the Globe type lights. Distance casting is not really necessary but can bring suitable rewards. A popular peg is at the right hand side at the second to last set of Globe lights by the last seat nearest to Knab Rock. This area is more suitable for the longer cast.
Most popular baits are blow lug, but also try black lug if you can get it, also squid and fish baits. End rigs will vary depending on distance and bait.
Can be windswept in winter, so take plenty of warm food and clothing, but the car is quite near to hand for shelter. Gets busy in summer with visitors so be careful when casting and clean up when finished.
Mumbles Pier
The pier is a great area to fish it has its own fishing area located at
the end of the pier. Unfortunately, it isn't open at night, again
busiest in summer months but can be packed all year round if the
fishing is good. Fishing mainly over sand/rock, as with all
piers casting close to the structure itself can give best
results.
Best fishing is out on the ends. If the end id full then fish on the right hand side opposite the cat walk to the old lifeboat station, casting towards Middle Head. Cod is a quarries to try for, but a wide variety of species can be caught throughout the year, and a mixture of crab and lug cocktail can be deadly at the right time. If you start to lose too much tackle, switch to a single hook rotten bottom rig.
Soft and peeler crab have been found amongst the rocks.
The pier is normally good for summer bass, garfish, mackerel, plaice (maybe), gurnard, flatties, pollack, conger and trigger fish. In winter it offers whiting, dabs, pouting and codling, plus numbers of dogfish. There is always a chance of good bass to fresh mackerel bait. Try close-in near to the metalwork with smaller baits for black beam, triggerfish and even the odd red mullet.
The pier is currently close due to repairs and building of the new lifeboat station.
When complete and open again there will be purpose build fishing platforms on either side of the new lifeboat station which are further out to sea than the pier ends before.
Mumbles Islands
Mumbles Island, or the Lighthouse Island as it is sometimes called, is one of two tidal islands that together form Mumbles Head.
First and foremost always exercise caution if fishing the ebb tide! Make sure to leave plenty of time to retreat. You can cross to and from the island approximately 2 hours either side of low water. This however can change depending on weather conditions so be careful and watchful. If fishing the outer or middle heads the tides will cut you off. The tide will come in first between the outer sound, and then the inner sound by the pier pubs.
The
lighthouse is another top spot, access is at low water, NEVER attempt
to get to the lighthouse if the water is over the top of the rock
causeway.There are a couple of spots to fish on the outer head, one is beneath the lighthouse in front of 'Bobs' cave into a gully on the extreme end of the rocks, out onto the Mixon Sands. Be very careful out here. The other is on the eastern side below the lighthouse, access is by way of steps up over the top, or you go round both sides by scrambling over the rocks. These are rotten bottom venues, single hook crab for bass in summer.
Fishing mainly over rock/sand if your facing the pier or
mainly sand if fishing the back of the island (east). As with the
marks above bigger tides give the chance of better fish. Holding
bottom shouldn't be a problem as long as your equipped with 5-6oz
weights.
Bottom fishing is hard on tackle all round the island. The seaward side will produce fine surf conditions in all but a northerly wind. There are large areas of thick weed with the exception of the outer sound, that stretch of water that isolates the island at high water from the remainder of Mumbles Head.
A
multitude of species can be caught from these venues but you can
expect to catch mackerel, garfish, dogfish, black bream,
gurnard, wrasse, rockling, pollack and bass in summer. There's also the chance of the odd
bull huss, smoothhound or trigger fish. Cod, whiting and dabs in
winter.
Best methods and baits: All round the Island bottom fishing will produce results but for the best catches ledger with soft or peeler crab or try strips of mackerel,herring or squid on the east and south shores. Try the surf along the southern shore with large, edible soft crab. Keep the terminal tackle simple, one hook with rotten bottom to ensure a better chance of retrieving your tackle. So basically, have some crab and sand eel baits in summer and worm and squid in winter.
Spinning can be productive in the waters of the outer sound. First light is the best time. Simple rubber eels are good. Colours depend on the lighting and water colouration, but red seems to be the most effective. Mackerel spinners and any of the wobblers are worth trying as they take fish. Always retrieve your lure against the tidal flow, and slowly. Varying the depth, by raising and lowering the rod, will encourage shy feeders.
Float fishing in any of the gullies that abound on the south and east sides is usually good. Soft and peeler crab or strips of mackerel will produce good quality fish. Don't fish too deeply and allow your bait to be washed around in the swill of the breaking surf. It's surprising how many bass feed in just 9 inches or so of foaming, swirling white water.
Mumbles Inner Sound Beach
Just over the wall on the right hand side of the entrance to the pier and below what used to be a night club and ice rink is Inner Sound sandy beach with rocks between the causeway, and on the right there is a rocky outcrop. Fish from these rocks with a single hook crab bait for bass when the tide is is making through the causeway to the Inner Head.
Use a rotten bottom, rig holding the rod at all times. Also try try the left side after descending the steps to the beach, off the rocks casting out into the rocky bay.
Middle Island
Go to the right along the small causeway to 'Cherry Stones' Bay. So called because of the round stones. Fish off the rocks following the tide in, so you are still casting onto clean sand. The bass tend to run through the causeway as the tide roles in, use crab bait. You will be cut off by the tide if fishing until top water, but with care you can get in a couple of hours fishing before this happens.
Bracelet Bay and Tutt Head
Bracelet Bay consists of heavy rocks with two stretches of sand on the left side. The easiest section to fish is on the eastern side, with a rotten bottom rig for a wide variety species in the summer months and whiting and codling during the winter.
Best baits for fishing Bracelet and Tutt are crab in the summer, black and blow lug with fish bait for codling and whiting during the winter.
Tutt Head is the site of the the Maritime and Coastguard Headquarters. It is a rocky promontory that affords access to a decent depth of water at low tide. All rock at the bottom with sporadic seaweed it is again tough fishing ground.
It is advisable to check out this venue at low water to cut down on tackle losses, but the fishing times for both venues are two hours either side of high water.
Some care is needed during heavy swells as the wave crash up over the rocks. Try some spinning or live bait fishing in the summer. Access to the rock marks of the Tutt are via a well worn cliff path around the headland beneath the coastguard station. The area is also known as the Mixon Shoal.
Bracelet Bay & Tutt Head
Best Method and Bait:always worth a try with crab on the bottom but, is very much a question of hook fish or lose tackle. This promontory is suited to spinning. Late evening can be very productive with red eel but, if the mackerel around switch to a mackerel spinner for plenty of carry home. School bass are prolific amongst the mackerel shoals. A good evening with light tackle can provide good sport.
Limeslade
Along the coastal path from Limeslade to Langland many of the rocky promontories can produce good fishing. Some are easy to reach, others need care when climbing down. All have good depth of water at low tide. Again bottom fishing can be heavy on tackle but now most of the seabed is beginning to flatten out and much bedrock is clear of really heavy weed.
Limeslade is a small rocky cove with a narrow strip of sand in the middle and out in the Bay is the Mixon Buoy at the entry guarding the area known as the Mixon Shoal. Worth checking the area at low water to save tackle losses.
Species: Expect bass, pollack, mackerel, garfish and scad. During the winter months some fine coding can be caught but if there's a fresh wind blowing this sweep of the coastline it will produce a large swell and getting close to the water can be tricky, not to mention dangerous.
Method & Bait: Clip down rig with black or blow lug for winter codling. Mackerel feathers in the summer off top of the rocks area just before the gate, casting into the bay towards the coastguard station. Also try the on the Westerly side of the Tutt, off the rocks. At low water spring tides, there is a stretch of rocks which go well out into the Mixon Shoal. Try here casting out over Limeslade Bay looking for the sandy stretch of coast.
If you enjoy spinning then this is a must. Late evening is the best time, red gills, rubber eels, mackerel spinners and tobies will all catch fish. Pollack are common and 3 to 4lb fish have been taken. Some of the promontories have sufficient depth to use a set of feathers. Cast and retrieve with a pumping action and the pollack will follow.
If you decide to fish the rocky area between Limeslade and Rotherslade, it needs a survey first at low water to search out the gullies, and where at low water you can cast on to clean sand. Midway between Limeslade and Rotherslade as you descend from 'Rams Tor', around a bend there is a drop into a flat rocky cove with a fair chance of retrieve at high water. Tackle loss can be high while hunting for whiting, cod and mackerel.
 
Limeslade and looking West Limeslade looking back to Bracelet Bay
Rotherslade and Langland Bay
Very popular with holidaymakers so you can discount fishing from the beaches during the height of summer unless you plan an after dark excursion. Rotherslade, or Little Langland as some know it, has a lump of rock (Storrs Rock) that becomes and island for an hour or two at high water. It can be worth fishing the seaward side. Langland itself is noted for its surf conditions, so pick your tide for some decent fishing. Langland Point is a useful promontory with deep water right up to its edge and some sandy patches within casting distance.
Rotherslade, coming down the stepsand on to the sands you will see in front of you the Storrs Rock. Fish just to the left of this where a patch of rocks stretch out into the bay at low water. There apartment on the crag known as Rotherstor, where the Osbourne Hotel osed to stand.
Species: A wide variety can be taken along this stretch of coastline, bass, pollack, small ray, so take a mixture of baits and traces for fishing over clean sand.
From the beach you'll catch bass together with dabs, a few plaice and plenty of dogfish. Further along at Langland point there will be sport to be had from bass, mackerel, garfish, wrasse, gurnard, dogfish, some plaice and dabs.
Methods and Baits: Beach fishing is possible, even if you have to fumble around in the dark here. Two hooks, one above the sinker so that rises just off the sand, baited with lugworm will likely find bass in the surf with a gentle cast. A slightly longer cast should put the bait amongst the dabs and plaice.
From the rocks of Langland point bottom fish with soft or peeler crab for bass, gurnards and dogfish. Some of the larger plaice begin to show up here, a distance cast baited up with lug will reach larger areas of sand.
Spinning once more can be good with bass averaging 3lb or more. Look for the shoals of whitebait that hug the rocks and try a silver wobbler. The ones with a red bead in the body are particularly deadly. At dusk change to rubber eels. For Gower bass sandeel lures are a good presentation.
Further fun can be had with ultra-light tackle, lugworm or a small piece of fresh mackerel and float fishing right at the rock's edge for wrasse. Choose your depth according to the amount of water available, deeper the better. At high tide 10 to 12ft is perfect. Try not to cast your shadow on the water.
Langland beach has a mixture of stone and sand, with some areas of clean sand only. The easiest section to fish is directly in front of the St. Johns Ambulance hut, At high water you can cast onto clean sand sand. If the beach is busy with summer holidaymakers and surfers try Snaple Point. Walk around the headland along the path past the golf course, and at Snaple Point about 6m past the post with a lifebuoy attached (hopefully)is a nice sandy cove to fish.
Try a two hook rig here with crab on the bottom, harbour ragworm on the top. Bass and bream, but a wide variety of fish if the conditions are right.
Whiteshell Point. The area between Snaple Point and Whiteshell Point is far too rocky to fish, but there are one or two small difficult areas past 'Culver Hole' to fish with crab or float fishing and high water. Worth a check at low water. Be very careful going down the rocks and don't fish alone.
|
|
|
Porthcawl to Sudbrook - Shore Marks
|
|
Porthcawl
The
areas of Porthcawl worth fishing are around the Harbour
and Lifeboat station. Plenty of room for parking for both of these
areas, a tackle shop close by and clean easy fishing make these spots
a great place to try your luck
The
lighthouse can be found at the end of the breakwater wall next to the
lifeboat station. Also known as Porthcawl pier, this area is very
popular with anglers and tourists and can get very busy in
the summer months. The wall consists of an upper and lower section.
The upper section gives access to the open sea and the
lower the bay next to the harbour. The very end of the pier next
to the lighthouse is a prized spot for anglers and offers some
shelter from the elements. All offer younger and novice casters
the chance of fishing deeper water although fishing close in to the
wall can produce good results. A few points of safety, the pier can
be unsafe in rough weather and waves often crash up over the wall so
caution is advised. Also there is a siren for the lifeboat station if
this sound all lines in the path of the slipway should be wound in.
The
"short arm" of the harbour can also be fished although not
as big as the pier there's enough room for a few anglers to the left
of the harbour and there is a long wall along the promenade. Both of these
areas can produce good results and should be considered in rough
weather or if the pier is busy.
Anglers fishing this venue use standard beach casting tackle and tactics which generally include a 12ft rod matched with either a multiplier of fixed spool reel loaded with 15lb to 18lb BS mono line. A single or twin hook fixed paternoster rig with hooks between size 1 and 4/0 depending on target species and size of bait is as good a rig as any. Twin hook pennel rigs offer the best bait presentation when using large worm baits for cod.
Expect
to catch whiting, rockling, codling in winter. mackerel, conger,
bass, rays, and some smoothound in winter.
Best baits include
mackerel, rag, peeler crab and squid. |
Ogmore-by-Sea
Ogmore can offer a great variety of fishing spots all with good parking. It
can get very busy in the summer months with tourists or when fishing
well. One issue with Ogmore is the amount of rubbish on the ledges,
please put anything you bring to the spot with you in the bin or
take it home. This does not give anglers good name in a spot visited
by so many tourists.
Ogmore
estuary is on the right hands side of the main road on the way in to
Ogmore-by-sea. Plenty of safe areas to park and offering the chance
to try out different types of fishing whether it be float, lure or
ledger. Best fished at low tide with a mud/silt bottom the estuary
can offer the chance to catch flounder, mullet, plaice and the odd
bass.
Just
at the left hand end of the car park is another good mark, "cods
gully" as its known consists of a small shingle beach with rock
ledges either side. This has proved to be an excellent mark throwing
up a some good fish over the early summer months.
Ogmore
Deeps comprises of a series of large rock ledges which offer easy
access to deep water. The bottom consists of sand, rocks and sea weed
beds and can offer some great fishing not just on the beach casters,
but on the float too. This area can get extremely busy with anglers
when fishing well. Casting is not an issue as even at the rock ledges
base the water is a good depth. There is a small parking area if
you follow the main road through Ogmore past the main car park (next
to estuary) and up over the hill, just past the cattle grid on your
left. One point to make is Ogmore is NOT fishable in strong winds.
Many anglers have been washed off the ledges so never attempt in
strong winds or big tides.
The Deeps, situated a few miles to the east of Porthcawl and are a popular shore venue with a well-deserved reputation for
producing big cod. The Deeps form a series
of flat rock ledges offering access to relatively deep water close in
and certainly within the casting capabilities of most anglers. It is
somewhere the big fish can and often do show.
It has a wide range of marks to fish from within itself, varying from
sandy bottom to coral reefs and rocky beds. As a result tackle loss can
be high if fishing in the wrong spot, also as the tide ebbs, a strong
current appears, so grip leads are a must. Casting for distance is not
an issue as even on the lowest tide it still has a fair depth of water.
The mark is capable of producing a wide variety of fish throughout the
year with species ranging from bass, mackerel, gurnard, small eyed and
thornback rays with the occasional blonde ray throw in for good measure.
The winter months tend to provide the best fishing with whiting in
abundance, good size cod/codling, conger and obligatory pouting and
dogfish.
Best baits include Lug, rag, mackerel and Peeler crab.
Monknash Beach and Nash Point
Monknash beach is a sandy beach which offers great flatfish fishing. Turbot and flounder are caught here, with the possibility of plaice and Dover sole in the summer as well. When the sea is calm smooth-hound will be caught on hermit, peeler and hardback crab, while a bit of sea running will produce bass to ragworm, mackerel and peeler crab baits cast just behind the breakers.
Nash Point is a headland with a number of rock ledge fishing marks which allow an angler to put a bait into deep water. Conger fishing can be very good here with large specimens necessitating the usual strong gear, big hooks and wire traces. Dogfish, bull huss, smooth-hound, cod, whiting and many other species will all also be caught here. Daylights and feathers will catch plenty of mackerel here, and spinners can catch a summer bass. This is a low water mark but be very careful of both the incoming tide and slippery rocks.
Aberthaw Beach (Power Station)
 The beach in front of and around Aberthaw Power station is a great sea fishing mark for multiple species. It is a mixed ground mark with some sandy patches and a lot of heavy and rocky ground and weed can be an issue at times. Plenty of species can be caught here including bass in the summer and desirable species such as thornback and blonde rays, smoothound (to peeler and hardback crabs) and conger eel (to mackerel baits). Winter sees many big cod caught, along with whiting, flounder and rockling. This mark is seen as a low-tide venue, and fishes best on small neap tides.
Barry
A
fantastic venue for new comers to the sport of sea angling or for
those who have difficulty in walking to venues. Cold Knap consists of
a large pebble beach with a steep drop into the ocean for the first
30 yards or so. There's a large car park right next to the sea, toilet
facilities and plenty of rubbish bins along the beach. This venue can
be very hit or miss, we've had some excellent nights fishing here
only to return a day or two later and catch nothing.
The
beach itself consists of pebbles with a few sandy spots being exposed
at lower tides. Deep water is easily reached at high tide even for
the most novice of casters and despite the pebble covered sea bed
tackle losses are minimal. Best times to fish the beach are on the
bigger high tides 13m+ as they give a really good depth of
water. No one spot seems to be more productive than any other,
although some reports suggest that the point (toms point) at the
left hand side of the beach (if your looking out to sea) is better.
The right hand side of the beach (towards Porthkerry) does seem
to be a little more snaggy. A word of warning this venue can get very
busy and although there is plenty of room it can be a little over
fished at times.
A
good venue that will produce dogfish, pouting, conger, rays, bass and
rockling in summer. With Codling and whiting being the main species
in winter.
Best baits include Mackerel, ragworm, lugworm and sandeel.
Bendrick Rock
 The Bendrick Rock is a popular shore venue located between Sully Bay and Barry Docks, with something to offer the sea angler throughout the entire year.
SPECIES In addition to cod and whiting throughout autumn and winter, expect conger eels, dogfish, rockling, silver eels, bass, flounders, and the occasional thornback ray and mullet if fishing from spring through until well into the autumn.
BAIT & TACKLE A cocktail of black lug and squid is a good all-round cod bait, while both ragworms and lugworms will catch plenty of codling. Use mackerel for the whiting. Fish, squid and sandeels work well for conger eels, rays and dogfish, while floatfishing a live prawn or sandeel is effective for bass. Floatfish bread over groundbait for mullet.
It is possible to fish from the Bendrick throughout the tide, but limit yourself to the smaller tides if you intend fishing over high water. Choose tides less than 12.5m. If you do plan on staying at the rock over high tide, ensure the weather forecast is perfect.
Most anglers concentrate their efforts here fishing over the low-water period on the larger tides from three hours after high to two after low. The best rig to fish this rough-ground venue is a pulley rig incorporating a rotten bottom. The design of this rig ensures that when a fish is hooked, the lead weight, if it is not already lost, is held high in the water, clear of the many snags.
Sully Island
 A good mark for a number of species, especially big winter cod. The ground is very rough and a lot of tackle can be lost here. Most anglers use rotten bottom rigs to minimise losses. Big hooks and big baits are used here for the large cod, with big conger eel and plenty of other species such as thornback and blonde rays, whiting, dogfish and bull huss also caught here. The Monkey Pole mark is said to be the best on the island although be very careful about climbing down the rocks. The island is accessible via a causeway which is only useable over low tide. Safety is paramount so never try and wade cross the causeway once the water has started to cover it. Best to fish this mark for the first time with someone who has been here before due to the safety issues.
Lavernock
 Lavernock
is a great venue offering a few very good marks in short walking
distance of each other. All areas a best fished at low tide as the
current is very strong even on the smallest of high tides. Parking
depends on which area you are to fish. The point itself has only
limited parking which can be found down Fort road, past Lavernock
point camping park at the end of the lane. only enough room for 4 or
5 cars at best though. You can also park here if you wish to try your
luck at The Ranny, but it is just as easy to park on the end of
Penarth promenade and walk from there.
Lavernock
point itself consists of a large rock point that is exposed at low
tide, there's sandy spots, patches of sea weed and large boulders all
over the bottom. Snags can be an issue so rotten bottoms can be a big
help. In general a good spot to fish not to muddy with some decent
fish caught around 200 yards to the left of the point.
The
beach to the right of the point is very shallow and is
best fished at low tide, walking along the beach to the end of
the caravan park on the cliffs above sees the best spot
with large beds of sea weed mixed with sandy areas. On a safety note
be very careful of a rising tide in this area, you can easily
get trapped and find yourself pinned against the cliffs or worse.
The
Ranny is situated to the left of the point, at low water a large
crescent of rock protrudes from the water. Very rocky bottom with sea
weed patches, tackles losses should be expected.All three areas have
gullies or drop offs to deeper water, but fish can be caught at close
range as well.
Expect
to catch Codling, whiting, pouting in winter. With Bass and conger in
summer.
Best baits include Lug, Rag, Peeler crab and Squid.
 Penarth
pier is situated at the left-hand end of Penarth Promenade and is
home to the Penarth sea anglers club. Parking along this promenade
can be an issue so set out early to get a space. The pier is open at
various times depending on what season but in general expect to be on
there around 8am and
off by 6pm.
Fishing
is only permitted between the months of October and April and most
Sundays see some form of match taking place so it can get very busy.
Fishing is only allowed towards the end of the pier, the very end of
the pier has restricted access so if you’re casting your bait
out into deep water this can be an issue. Although fishing close
to the pier itself often provides best results. A drop net to
retrieve any large catch is essential here.
The
beach either side of the Pier can also provide excellent fishing
and seems to fish well in most places. This area has easy access and
can be fished over high or low tide although we tend to fish it over
low. The sea bed mainly consists of sand with some rocky/ seaweed
patches. The beach itself has quite a steady drop off and does get a
little muddy at low water. There are a few slipways one situated
on the left of the pier and one by the lifeboat station, these make
for easy fishing. Fishing close to either side of the pier can
also prove productive.
Top
baits include lug, rag mackerel and squid; expect to catch conger,
cod, whiting, rockling with bass showing up in summer months. Cardiff
 Cardiff foreshore has a number of marks that can produce plenty of fish with big winter cod caught along with whiting and flounder. Other times of the year will see dogfish, pouting, rockling, bass and silver eels all caught. Fishing for conger eels can be excellent and it is best to step up to wire or heavy mono traces and a minimum of size 6/0 hooks baited with big mackerel, herring, squid or cuttlefish baits.
This is a high tide mark, and the strong tidal flow means that grip leads are advised in most conditions.
Certain parts of this area can only be fished with a permit so check this with local authorities prior to fishing.
St Brides
Blackpipe
St
Brides consists of 2 separate fishing areas both very different from
one another. Blackpipe can be found off the Tradegar house
roundabout, follow the signs for St Brides head past the lighthouse
pub and caravan park until you reach Outfall lane follow this
lane to its end and park by the powerhouse building.
Not
a very easy place to fish the sea wall is very steep and slippery and
it's not advisable to try fishing here on your own. Parking can also
be an issue on busy days as there’s not much room for more than
half a dozen cars. The spot consists of mainly mud/silt with a large
rocky patch (black pipe) stretching out from the shore just to
the left of the platform and powerhouse building. The best place
to fish is the platform as it makes it far easier for tackle/fish
retrieval. Casting is not really an issue if your fishing over the
rock areas holding bottom is also fine at most tide heights. This is
a good venue to try on the big spring tides.
St
Brides itself is completely different from Blackpipe; it consists of
a long stretch of shallowish sea wall which eventually opens up into
the Usk mouth estuary. Follow the signs for the lighthouse pub and
park in the car park, be warned though the barriers are shut at
around 11pm and
there’s no getting out until next morning! If you intend to fish
past 11pm there
is limited parking on the road outside the pub. Good clean fishing
venue, tackle losses are minimal and most tides can be fished
comfortably although avoid the biggest springs as these often break
over the sea wall. A mixture of mud/silt with the odd rocky patch St
Brides often throws up a good fish or two.
Expect
to catch Codling and whiting in winter, with some good rays and
Conger showing in summer along with the odd bass.
Best baits include
rag, lug and squid.
Goldcliff
 A high or
low tide venue, Goldcliff comprises of a large sea wall dropping
off to mud, silt and some small rocky patches mainly close to the sea
wall. Fishing off the wall itself makes Goldcliff a comfortable place
to fish, the turf covered wall top is level and makes it
perfect for umbrellas/storm shelters in bad weather. Parking is
limited and take care not to obstruct any of the gates or driveways
of the local residents.
The
left hand point is a fair old walk but gives easier access
to the deeper water, holding bottom on the point may be a
problem on bigger tides. Be careful not to allow your lead to drift
towards the salmon posts situated on the point as snags are
common.
The
bay area itself seems to be less productive than either of the
points; you'll need to be a big caster to hit the deeper water. One
plus point of the bay however is that the tidal rip isn't as strong
as it is on the points. Also the chances of loosing tackle here are
minimal.
The
right hand point has limited access and this can make it
difficult to fish, at low tide there is some rough ground next to the
salmon posts (known as the marl) that allows you to walk out and
fish the low tide this is a great spot to hit the deeper water, but
be careful here the tide can easily cut you off if you venture to
far towards the centre of the bay. This area is best fished 2 down
and up on tides around 10-11m
As
with all areas of Goldcliff watch when climbing down the wall as it
can be very slippery.
Expect to catch whiting and codling in
winter with some rays, sole and big conger in summer.
Good baits
include rag, mackerel and squid. |
|
Sudbrook
Over looking the new Severn Bridge Sudbrook
can be found between Chepstow and Caldicot. The area to fish is known
as "diver’s rock" and can be found by following the signs
for the papermill. Once you are driving along side the papermill take
a right turn at the end of the mill, through an old level crossing.
Directly in front of you will be a narrow lane heading down the side
of the post office (Palmers). Head down the lane and park next to the
playground and football pitch. Diver’s rock and the beach area are
situated at the far end of the football pitch. This is
easily one of the favourite venues to fish over winter due to
its easy access and good cod fishing from November till April.
Fishing over
mainly mud with rocky patches the beach area drops off
at quite a shallow angle. Best on a high tide but can be
fished down to low although it does start to get boggy and isn't
really worth the trouble. Try and stay close to the ledges when
fishing as the further left (looking out to sea) you travel
up the beach the stronger the tidal rip. Also be very careful on
large tides 14m+ will see you run out of beach at high tide. Although
the ground is mostly mud snags are common here due to the large
boulders strewn around so rotten bottoms are advisable.
To
the right of the beach are the ledges, fishing over mud only
a high tide is any good. Some problems with tackle retrieval
when the water goes out due to the lead sticking in the mud so
packing up while the water is still at the foot of the ledges is
advisable. Larger tides 14m+ may cause problems holding bottom due to
the rip, codling can be taken as close as 20 yards in the winter so
distance casting is not essential. The ledges run for quite a
distance along the shore but the closer to the paper mill you
get, the less time you will have to fish as they are the last to
receive the water, and the 1st to lose it when the ebb tide
starts. Take care at this spot there are some nasty holes in
the ledges that can catch you out at night, its not advisable to
fish here alone.
Expect to catch
codling, whiting, flounder, rockling, and conger in winter.
Some big conger and the odd bass can be caught in the summer
months.
Best baits include Lugworm, ragworm, mackerel and squid. |
|
|
