Innholdsfortegnelse for #4 Top 50 Destinations i Sea Angler Guides

SOUTH SHIELDS PIER STRETCHES into the North Sea on the south bank of the Tyne estuary and is a popular spring, summer and winter shore venue. SEASONAL SPECIES Codling, coalfish, whiting, flounders, dabs and plaice, whiting, mackerel are regularly caught. TACTICS The First Gate is a popular spot during a spring tide, when casting into the estuary can be productive. The last of the flood and the first couple of hours of the ebb tide are optimum times. May to March is best here. It can be particularly good in winter for cod and whiting when there is a sea running. Choose a spring tide for better results. There are some snags in places The Brigade Hut is close to the pier entrance, where in spring and summer lots of…

DOTTED ALONG THE 61km of the Holderness Coast running from Flamborough down to Spurn Point are some extremely productive marks, with possibly the most popular being Hilston. Due to the continual erosion of the cliffs on this coastline, it is important to consider your access because you will need to get down the muddy cliff to the beach. After a dry spell, the mud will harden and pathways will be formed by other anglers; these are known locally as ‘get downs’. However, after a spell of heavy rain, it can become extremely sloppy and treacherous with many of the access points being washed away. Extreme caution should be taken to avoid becoming stuck, or simply stay away until another dry spell occurs. Always make sure you have planned a safe…

TRUNCH LANE, SITUATED AT Chapel St Leonards, near the holiday resort of Skegness on the Lincolnshire coast, offers easy access to some excellent fishing for most of the year. It is a well-known spot for smoothhounds and every year several over 20lb are caught. A bonus with Trunch Lane is that there is plenty of parking and you simply walk the short distance from the car park to the beach. Another advantage is there is a good fishing tackle shop on site called Big Catch Tackle, which also stocks live and frozen baits. SEASONAL SPECIES Besides the summer smoothhounds, Trunch is superb in autumn and winter for whiting fishing. Many matches in the colder months require more than 30 fish to get in the frame. There are also dabs, thornback…

EAST LANE IS A MARK LOCATED just outside the town of Bawdsey on the Suffolk coast. Whether you choose to fish the rocky ground off the old gun emplacements, the clay beds towards the mouth of the River Deben, or the banks at Shingle Street, there is a mark here for all anglers. Rough weather has taken its toll on the coastline, and this stretch has new sea defences to slow the advance of coastal erosion. SEASONAL SPECIES Cod and whiting are the primary species during the winter, with thornback rays, bass and smoothhounds in the spring and summer. Other species include dogfish, dabs and Dover soles. TACTICS The old battlements are located just in front of the car park. Many years ago, you were able to get down on…

THESE BEACHES ARE BOTH classed as fairly shallow and are renowned for their summer fishing, particularly for bass, with stingrays caught at St Osyth. At Jaywick, there are long rock breakwaters which have become havens for bass, where fish of more than 10lb have been caught in recent years. The St Osyth beaches, which are noted for stingrays and some big bass, begin with short breakwaters that stretch no more than 30 yards out to sea. To the south, this opens up into a long shallow beach stretching all the way to the Colne Point Nature Reserve. SEASONAL SPECIES Bass are mainly caught here in summer and autumn, but you can expect thornback rays throughout the year, and Dover soles from May to October. The stingrays turn up in early…

DURING THE SUMMER, THE whole length of Samphire Hoe wall is a great venue for some fun float-fishing for a large number of species, but in winter it becomes a beast and a place to avoid in a big sea or large tide. However, at times of calm and during neap tides, it’s easily fishable and produces good catches. SEASONAL SPECIES Codling, pouting, dogfish, pollack, bass, wrasse, mackerel and garfish, while in the autumn anything is possible. TACTICS Your chosen location along the wall is important because a huge ridge of rocks runs parallel to the seawall and is said to be littered with discarded earth-moving machinery that was dumped there when the wall was built. Cast over this and it’s difficult to get your gear back, especially during a…

THIS POPULAR SEASIDE TOWN, which is one of the medieval Cinque Ports, offers some very good fishing on its main seafront from both beach and pier. The local small-boat fleet launches from the beach and this is the start of where it is possible to fish into a good depth of water on a clean mud and sand bottom. Going westward along the front at Hastings, the beach has good access. Here the Victorian pier comes into view. Opened in 1872, it was closed in 2006 due to safety concerns, and in 2010 a fire burned down most of its buildings. The pier reopened in 2016, although fishing was not possible until recently. Following a lot of hard graft by local residents and a new owner, anglers can once again…

WHILE THE SHINGLE BEACH at Lee-on-the-Solent has much to offer the angler thanks to a wide variety of species throughout the year, on this occasion during June Chris Clark was out in search of some exciting smoothhounds. this shingle beach near Gosport is popular with tourists throughout the summer, hence evening sessions are really recommended for most species with the exception of plaice that often show from March onwards. Being within the confines of the Solent makes the beach a fairly sheltered venue, which is only adversely affected by a strong south-west blow. Generally the last three hours of the flood and the first two hours of the ebb, when there will be a left to right tidal pull, are favoured especially if you are wanting the bigger species. SEASONAL…

NESTLING ALONG DEVON’S south-east coastline, Sidmouth beach is a largely forgotten venue but it has great potential and is certainly worth checking out especially the Jacob’s Ladder section on its western fringe. There are fairly high cliffs behind a shelving sand and shingle beach, which gives way to clean sand just before the low water mark. Expect some varied action from mid-March right through to the end of the year. Towards the western end of the seafront, there is a large, long stay car park at Peak Hill Road near the Jacob’s Ladder section. From here it is a few hundred yards down a zigzag path giving access to the beach next to Jacobs Ladder (the white steps down from Connaught Gardens). SEASONAL SPECIES Starting the year off on a…

WITH EASY ACCESS TO the beach and seawall, Blue Anchor Bay is suitable for anglers of all ages and abilities. As a high water venue, it is best to fish two to three hours either side of high tide. Blue Anchor is a north-facing beach, which offers some shelter from strong southerly winds. SEASONAL SPECIES The best fishing is often during the autumn, with September and October giving a mix of both winter and summer species. The beach and seawall regularly produce big congers, with fish over 20lb fairly common. In recent years there has been some exceptional fishing for small-eyed rays, particularly from the seawall. Double-figure bass and cod are caught most years. Smoothhound fishing in the summer can be very exciting. Other species include whiting and dogfish during…

SITUATED IN THE HEART OF North Somerset, Kingston Seymour seawall is a mark on the Bristol Channel, running from the outskirts of Clevedon up to Wick St Lawrence. Comfortable fishing can be found from the wall, along with a series of grass banks and boulders that act as additional sea defences. This is a high water venue, best fished on spring tides, usually for a couple hours either side of high water. You will see a series of mud gullies running out directly from the grass banks and the wall. After that you will be casting on to some reasonably flat mud and clay. The mudflats in this area of the Bristol Channel are full of life and hold a good range of different species of fish. Masses of mudworms…

WITCHES POINT IS THE headland located to the east of Southerndown beach and has long been one of the most popular and productive venues in South Wales. Anglers will catch plenty of rays during daylight, especially early in the season, but night fishing is almost always best. The problem with fishing at Witches Point at night, though, is the large number of dogfish you will catch. When the hungry doggies are around in such numbers, they devour any bait very quickly long before a ray or any other species gets a chance. Witches Point is potentially one of the most dangerous marks in South Wales; anglers have died fishing here when, under certain conditions, waves and swell wash over the point. Never fish alone or if there is a strong…

SITUATED ON THE NORTH SIDE of the Mawddach Estuary, this beach offers fishing throughout the year. A popular tourist destination it is often packed in warm weather between June and September when fishing is best done in the evenings and through the night. The south side of the beach is sand with high dunes in the middle area, then north of here a series of wooden breakwaters dominate the high tide line, and one long groyne runs from high to low water. The beach will generally fish along its full length. SEASONAL SPECIES Summer produces mainly bass, dogfish and flounders, but longer casts find a few thornback rays during May and June. Turbot are caught in the surf, with garfish taken from April to August. In calm weather during spring…

SITUATED ON THE SOUTHERN side of the Llyn Peninsular facing Cardigan Bay, Pwllheli is a popular venue offering a wide variety of fishing all year. The main beach is regularly used for club and national competitions. It is a very popular tourist destination so, during the day, between June and August, expect the general area to get very busy. However, there are other marks available here that will provide fishing during the day and night. SEASONAL SPECIES Black bream, garfish, rays, flounders, whiting, gurnards, dabs, bull huss, mullet, occasional turbot and tope. TACTICS West End Beach is good in daylight for black bream to two-hook pop-up rigs, plus garfish. For general fishing, visit in the evenings and at night from low water up to high water. It is usually good…

THIS IS A LONG STRETCH OF promenade along the Wirral side of the Mersey with the Seacombe ferry terminal at its southern end and Wallasey Town Hall to the north. At the mid-point is an area known as Guinea Gap. It is predominately a high-water mark, although some low-water fishing is possible at either end of the stretch where a sandy beach is exposed at the Town Hall or directly from the promenade at the ferry terminal end. SEASONAL SPECIES Noted for codling fishing in the late autumn and winter, in recent years the area has become a popular location to target smoothhounds in the summer. The other main species are bass, dabs, flounders and whiting, together with occasional conger eel and bull huss. Codling catches can be excellent at…

THE PICTURESQUE CUMBRIAN village of Arnside nestles among low limestone hills, marshy plains, thick woodland and aside the River Kent estuary, making it, justifiably, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Its sturdy stone pier recalls times past as a fishing port, while the area was also a popular tourist destination for the Victorians. These days Arnside still attracts lots of visitors, while for anglers there is also plenty on the menu too. Although you can fish from the promenade and pier, both of which offer great easy-access fishing, a preferred venue is New Barns Bay, just outside the village. This is a sheltered cove offering some excellent fishing all year from a mixture of grass, cobbles or mud into the estuary channel. Access is relatively easy with roadside parking before…

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THE NORTHUMBERLAND COAST has some outstanding scenery with fantastic fishing to go with it, including Marden Rocks and its nearby estuary. Situated a short walk north across a beach from the beautiful village of Alnmouth, it stretches for around half a mile with Foxton beach to the north and Alnmouth beach in the south. Fishing can be done all along the front and from the skeers to the north and south so there is plenty of choice for the roving angler. Featuring heavy kelp, boulders and gullies, this is ideal ground for fish to feed over. Over the years Marden Rocks have produced many match-winning bags with some weights exceeding 20lb and individual cod weighing into double figures. There is also the option to fish from the beach to the…

MARKS SITUATED AROUND the River Wear in Sunderland are extremely popular with local shore anglers. The easy parking and simple access is ideal for anyone looking to target a plump winter codling, a fat flounder or simply enjoy a hectic rod-tapping session with voracious whiting. Inside the estuary is very good during rough conditions because two large breakwaters – called New South Pier and Roker Pier. – shelter it. During an onshore blow, heavy waves are broken up by these sea defences and often leave an inviting lazy swell with coloured water rolling into the river. ROKER PIER This is an all-year venue that often sees some big cod caught during the winter. Access is prohibited if the sea is too rough. Many anglers walk to the lighthouse, known as…

FOR YEARS, THE NORTH BANK OF the River Humber has provided shore anglers with comfortable fishing. When the tide eventually creeps over the sloppy mud, a selection of species like flounders, soles, whiting and codling follow looking for their next meal. The main marks are Hessle/Humber Bridge, St Andrew’s Quay, Victoria Dock and Paull. SEASONAL SPECIES Flounders, dabs, soles, eels, whiting, codling and occasional bass. TACTICS Hessle is near the country park and stretches under the Humber Bridge and is popular with match anglers. At low tide the river retreats, exposing a large area of soft mud. But, as it floods, it doesn’t take long for the mud to be covered when the water eventually reaches the band of shingle. Anglers can even take advantage of fishing in front of…

THE SHINGLE BANK FROM Weybourne all the way to Blakeney Point in North Norfolk produces plenty of decent sport throughout the year. What is more you’ll have plenty of space, which is one reason why it is a popular match venue. Facing into the North Sea and west of The Wash, the area is split into several sections that include Weybourne, Kelling, Salthouse and Cley. During the summer the shingle can be very busy with anglers casting feathers in search of mackerel. May weed can be a problem here in early summer too. The horrid stuff clings to your mainline and often masks baited hooks. There will be whiting in the autumn and winter, along with a few cod. Be warned, the area has plenty of seals. It is not…

AT THE FURTHEST POINT ON Clacton Pier is a berthing arm with a chain link fence that faces out to sea and parallel with both the ebbing and flooding tides. It’s the most popular part of this venue. Shelters situated all the way along the arm protect anglers from the weather to a certain extent, but it is always worth bringing a fishing brolly too. Local anglers use a tripod or rod-rest that they can attach, via a bungee strap, to the posts in between the chain link because resting a rod on the chains is difficult. Day fishing permits (£7.50) are valid from 8am-6pm and allow an angler to fish with two rods. An annual permit (£75) gives 24-hour fishing throughout the year. Pendulum casting is not allowed. SEASONAL…

THERE ARE PLENTY OF MARKS ON the Thames from the Ship and Lobster pub at Gravesend going east to the Shornmead Fort and the lighthouse. Here are four within a couple of miles, but all so different. SEASONAL SPECIES Mainly bass, cod, soles and whiting. TACTICS The Sand Jetty is where sand is unloaded from the boats. It is more of a high-water venue because the tide goes off a long way and the mud here is very soft and not to be walked on. Rocks go out about 20 yards, and over high tide these create a good casting platform because, just beyond them, bass will be looking for crabs. this area also sits back from the main run of tide and, as a result, is one of my…

THERE IS NO BIG SECRET ABOUT the reason why Dungeness attracts anglers from all over the country – it’s the promise of autumn and winter cod fishing. There are legendary tales of massive catches of cod from this popular headland on the coast of Kent. Its fame stemmed from the huge hauls during the 1960s and the venue has been a major attraction ever since. One of the largest expanses of shingle in Europe, Dungeness is of international conservation importance. this long shingle beach, sheltering the low-lying Romney Marsh, fishes at different stages of the tide. There are three key marks – the boats, the deep water around the point area, and the power station. SEASONAL SPECIES Bass are caught in summer and autumn. Summer species include pouting, scad, mackerel,…

BRIGHTON MARINA IS A real gem with outstanding potential and many different species just waiting to be caught. Add to this the ease of access along with fishing for all abilities and this is one venue not be missed. With 74 bays on the east arm and 26 on the west, there are an additional nine on the western extension, meaning the space available to fish is immense. The first bays start in shallow water, which are ideal for float-fishing among the rocks for the resident big bass. In addition, you have areas leading to the deepest parts of the marina where almost anything could be waiting to devour your baits. SEASONAL SPECIES The huge variety of species is amazing and ranges from rock-hugging blennies to much bigger species like…

LOCATED ON HAMPSHIRE’S western fringe, Barton-on-Sea beach is easy to locate and provides some great action with nocturnal soles and small-eyed rays. Some hefty smoothhounds also move within casting range. Midway along the cliff top there is a cafe, from where a long sloping path leads down to the shingle beaches. There are a number of rocky groynes offering rough fishing platforms, but the shingle beach is more comfortable. It is a relatively shallow venue with mainly a shingle/sandy seabed, although there are some clay patches that often hold a better stamp of fish. Calm night tides are favoured for most species with the exception of bass. If there is a big swell running, this venue is best avoided. SEASONAL SPECIES Small-eyed rays normally appear from April onwards with most…

THE UP-MARKET RESORT of Salcombe, famed for its sea views and balmy climate, comprises outer and inner estuaries and that of the extensive Kingsbridge at its northern end is seven miles from the open sea. It is what is termed a ria, a drowned tidal river valley fed by run-off water from the land on its flanks and several small rivers. SEASONAL SPECIES The whole area has over many decades provided a remarkable level of species and has no rival for the gilthead bream. A breakdown of the UK records reveals five in the shore category since 1976 to today’s ultimate specimen of 12lb 2oz. The heaviest of seven taken boat fishing weighed 10lb 2oz. This iconic species has made its appearance as early as May and remains a target…

Burnham-on-Sea offers a mixed range of fishing from the sand, mud and the seawall. Located in the mouth of the River Parrot, the estuary opens out into Bridge Water Bay, which is part of the Bristol Channel. Hinkley Power Station can be seen clearly over the bay, along with the Quantock Hills which head along west. The seawall at Burnham is just over one mile long and starts near the sailing club on the left-hand side, next to the mouth of the River Brue. The wall then runs up the Esplanade to the right and ends in line with Bay View Road. This is a very comfortable fishing platform which can be fished on many different size tides. It is particularly useful to fish from on spring tides and is…

THIS IS A SMALL SAND and rock beach located between Sully Island and Lavernock Point in South Wales. Over low water on the larger tides it provides access to one of the best shore marks located at the eastern end of the Bristol Channel – the Sand Spit. SEASONAL SPECIES Th roughout the autumn and winter it used to be the best venue for cod but those boom days are gone, although each year cod still get caught during the colder months. It is an excellent mark for rays. Typically this meant thornbacks and an occasional small-eyed or spotted, but in more recent years it has been the arrival of lots of blonde rays that has attracted anglers to fish here, especially during late summer and autumn. Strap congers, bass…

TUCKED AWAY AT THE EASTERN end of Oxwich Bay, Three Cliffs can be one of the most productive surf beaches on the Gower Peninsula, although, as with any surf venue, timing is everything. Usually the best fishing is either before or following a decent onshore blow. Three Cliffs is usually fished during the last couple of hours of the ebb and the first couple of hours of the flood. The most productive tides for bass and flounders are mid-range and ideally on a rising sequence of tides, that’s 11 to 11.8 metres on the Swansea scale. At high tide, especially on springs, your retreat from the beach is cut off. SEASONAL SPECIES For most surf anglers, bass are the main target species and, given the right conditions, Three Cliffs can…

CRICCIETH ON THE LLYN Peninsula is dominated by the impressive castle, built from 1230 onwards. It is a tourist town, packed in summer, but offering more solitary fishing throughout the winter. The beach on the east side of the castle offers a mix of fishing throughout the year with some varied ground to choose from. SEASONAL SPECIES Bigger bass appear in early April and through to December. Long casts can find a few tub gurnards. From March to late June and again from late September to November, you can catch the occasional thornback ray at range from the shingle-backed storm beach about 400 yards east of the promenade. Flounders are available all year. Over high water during bigger spring tides from late July to September, try fishing with feathers for…

THE BEACH AT LLANDUDNO’S North Shore is a great venue for freelance and experienced shore anglers. Nestled neatly between the Great Orme on its western flank and the Little Orme to the east, many species are caught from the mixed terrain. SEASONAL SPECIES Dogfish, whiting, codling, conger eels, pollack, smoothhounds, dabs, mackerel, rays and bass. TACTICS Starting at Llandudno’s famous pier, the bay sweeps around offering easy access and comfortable fishing. You will need to buy a permit to fish on the pier, and these can be obtained from the pier cafe. Spaces are limited, but once you’re in place there is deep water to aim at and a decent tide run. Fishing is permitted on the Pier Landing Stage at 8am-6pm (offseason) and 8am-10pm (main season). Use flapper rig…

APOPULAR MARK ON THE Wirral peninsula, Vale Park is particularly noted for its spring plaice fishing, but offers year-round sport for a range of species. It has easy access and parking too. The fishing here is either over high tide from the long promenade that separates the park from the river or over low water from a sandy beach. When fishing at low water, anglers must be aware that the gully across the beach will fill behind them as the tide rises. Aim to start leaving the venue one hour after low water. For those fishing on the promenade over high water, be aware it can get very busy with anglers, dog walkers and cyclists. Take care with your bait, baited hooks and during casting. At low water during the…

ENJOYED BY SHORE ANGLERS AND ramblers, Northumberland’s coastline is blessed with incredible beauty. It’s mostly lined with rock edges that suddenly disappear into a forest of kelp, where hopeful rods know that a resident cod, wrasse or pollack is feeding just a few yards from the edge. Along the way, you’ll find the occasional sandy stretch that is home to turbot, flounders and, on occasions, a few bass. Tactics are generally basic, with heavy lines, beefy rods, simple rigs and huge cocktail baits that will lure fish from their tackle-hungry hideaways. In contrast, the clean beaches allow anglers to use a much more delicate approach. At Embleton there is a wide choice of marks including Dunstanburgh Castle, Greymare Rocks, Embleton beach, the Jenny Bells and finally Emblestones. SEASONAL SPECIES Codling,…

AT THE HEAD OF FILEY BAY on the coastline of North Yorkshire is a short finger-like spit poking into the North Sea. Known as the Brigg, it is popular with shore anglers who fish it on an ebbing tide. It offers the choice of jumping on to various marks along its length and casting into deep, food-rich water. this is what many call rock hopping. Once spring arrives and the first moult of shore crabs occurs, it is the ground in front of you that is important, not the sea conditions. Indeed, a flat calm sea can be really productive. The beauty of the Brigg is adopting different tactics for various species and it really pays off. There is even scope to try some light rock fishing. The ground uncovered…

THIS PART OF THE SEAWALL ON THE south bank of the Humber, known by local anglers as The Shallows, is found behind the Novartis pharmaceutical factory at Grimsby. A very popular venue in North East Lincolnshire, especially in the summer, it has shallow water and plenty of mud. If you arrive a couple of hours before the high tide, don’t be deterred by the vast expanse of very soft mud because the tide soon covers the area. Further along the wall to your left, you will see the marsh grass only a few yards out into the water. SEASONAL SPECIES The main species on offer here are flounders, eels, soles, bass, whiting and sometimes cod. Eels and flounders like the marsh grass area because it can hold food for the…

ORFORD NESS SHINGLE SPIT IS Suffolk’s answer to Chesil Beach. Extending from Aldeburgh to North Weir Point, it is a steep beach where a short cast allows you to fish into deep water and a good tidal run. this is an internationally important nature conservation site, which was once administered by the Ministry of Defence for secret military tests. Some of the distinctive buildings, such as the pagodas, still remain. The river trip boat (on Regardless) takes you from Orford Quay to the first drop-off point known as the Crouch. From here head straight across on the designated footpath to the beach. The beach fishes well the whole way along from the pagodas all the way up to the Narrows on the right. Head one way or the other because…

A SMALL SEASIDE TOWN IN ESSEX, Walton-on-the-Naze has fairly shallow, flat beaches with wooden and concrete breakwaters, as well as a promenade with colourful beach huts. Fishing is reasonably comfortable from the promenade over high tide, giving you four or five hours of fishing time before the tide drops and then it is a case of moving down the steps to the beach. As you head to the north of the town and the Naze peninsula, the ground gets rougher with steep cliffs behind and a hard seabed of London Clay. Some good fishing, including a few surprise species, can be enjoyed along the whole stretch in summer and winter. this spotlight does not include the local pier. SEASONAL SPECIES Spring brings the first bass that stay until late October.…

THOSE SHORE ANGLERS WHO want to catch thornback rays or smoothhounds, with the chance of a bonus bass, should visit this area of Kent’s north coast. At Reculver, two areas close to the towers can produce good rays and smoothhounds. Around a mile away towards Herne Bay is the promenade outside the Kings Hall, a Victorian building that hosts concerts and other events. The fishing here is also over broken ground and the water is shallow so a big cast will come in handy. Anglers with limited mobility may prefer the small pier called Neptune’s Arm at the end of the promenade at Herne Bay because there is nearby parking. There is limited space though, particularly if local anglers are doing well here. this pier offers some access to slightly…

LOCATED TO THE WEST OF Winchelsea beach in East Sussex, Pett Level marks the western end of the sea defence wall and where the Weald sandstone cliffs reach their eastern-most point. The beach is mixed ground that fishes well after rough weather and can regularly produce flounders, silver eels and bass. At Cliff End, the ground consists of boulders, shingle, sand and mud. It is here that flounders work up the gullies on a flooding tide. It’s always worth checking out the mark at low tide to discover where a carefully aimed cast can put your bait as the water floods. Another option is to walk out over the reef and fish the turn of the tide at low water, where a long cast can find bass waiting to come…

SELSEY HAS LONG BEEN A prolific angling venue, usually in spring and autumn when there are plenty of fish to catch. Apart from during an easterly wind, there’s always somewhere to fish along this stunning stretch of Sussex coastline. However, weed can be an issue at times in summer. SEASONAL SPECIES Famous for its smoothhounds, which showed up in late April, these prolific fish move off in August, but soon return for a final feed before moving away, with October producing the biggest fish. Other summer species include bass and black bream. Thornback rays and undulates are caught throughout the year. Codling are possible, but not guaranteed. TACTICS The smoothhounds are caught in both daylight and darkness, at either low or high water. Low water produces the bigger fish. Double-figure…

NESTLING ALONG THE WESTERN fringe of Dorset, the popular fishing destination of Seatown is located midway between West Bay and Lyme Regis. A small stream flows out to the right of the adjacent car park and the favoured fishing area is approximately 300-400 metres to the left under the cliff. this is a shelving shingle beach, where the further you walk to the left the rougher the seabed becomes. Very often the venue springs into life for bigger species 24 hours after a south-westerly blow when the water is coloured, but be warned the beach can be dangerous if there is a big swell. SEASONAL SPECIES Being one of Dorset’s most westerly venues, it often comes alive several weeks prior to the rest of the county’s beaches with a few…

THIS IS A VENUE HAS A VERY daunting steep climb up more than 200 steps, but once at the top, you cross the grass on to the track and follow it towards the headland. There are numerous access points through the undergrowth to grass-topped high water ledges that offer reasonably easy fishing on to mostly clean ground. SEASONAL SPECIES Expect to catch thornback rays all year (best January to March), conger eels, dogfish, bass, codling, whiting, eels, flounders, smoothhounds and pouting. TACTICS Fish with a friend at least for the first time because access to the water can be a bit of a scramble and is not for the faint-hearted. The tide can be strong here at times. Fish three and a half hours to high tide and two hours…

ABERTHAW IS ONE OF THE MOST productive shore angling venues in South Wales. The huge decommissioned power station is the dominant feature at this iconic venue. Except for a few patches of sand and mud providing isolated patches of snag-free ground, this is an extremely rough ground venue. A wide variety of species is available, especially smoothhounds. Aberthaw is one of if not the most consistent marks to catch them from the shore anywhere in the UK. SEASONAL SPECIES The first hounds of the season appear in May, sometimes earlier and, depending on the weather, you can expect to catch them here in good numbers right through until September. Catches of four to six fish per angler per session are normal, with the average size being 8-12lb. Other species commonly…

GREEN BANKS IS LOCATED AT Bynea on the Llanelli side of the Loughor Estuary, just down river from the railway bridge. It consists of a series of grassy banks that start near the road and railway line, before continuing for about a mile towards the mouth of the estuary near Burry Port. Over high tide the whole area provides comfortable and safe fishing from the grassy banks. One of the major advantages with this venue is that distance casting is unnecessary, indeed it can be a handicap. Many if not most fish are caught by anglers lobbing their rigs no more than 30-40 yards. SEASONAL SPECIES It is from September through to early February that most anglers concentrate their efforts fishing this area, as this is the time when the…

Found at the end of a long and fairly shallow storm beach stretching all the way to Pwllheli, this mark features patches of light rough ground at medium to long range in places, especially after rough seas. This is a venue better fished at night due to its shallow nature, often very clear water, and it can be very busy with other beach users between June and September during fine weather. It’s also a popular big match venue, from time to time. It offers some shelter from direct south west and westerly winds and, as a result, weed is less likely to be a nuisance here during rough weather and you can get a few hours fishing when other local marks are unfishable. SEASONAL SPECIES Summer produces school bass although…

DECADES OF IMPROVEMENT works, including removing industrial waste and sewage discharges from the Mersey, have seen the mighty river transformed into a flourishing fishery throughout the year. Perch Rock is on the Wirral side of the estuary mouth where the silt-laden waters flow into the Irish Sea. It is an easy access low-water mark with fishing from a sandy beach into deep water where strong tidal flows produce a range of fish species. It offers consistent thornback ray fishing for most of the year, and can throw up a few surprises. SEASONAL SPECIES The main targets are the thornback rays, smoothhounds, dogfish, dabs and whiting, together with bonus codling, congers, plaice, soles, bull huss and bass. At the start of the year catches are mainly whiting and dabs with the…

MORECAMBE BAY HAS undergone something of a fishing renaissance in recent years due to the regular appearance of smoothhounds and thornback rays in ever increasing numbers. However, it is not all about the summer fishing because the West End Beach at Morecambe offers good fishing all year for a variety of species, particularly plaice. Located in front of Gerry’s tackle shop and stretching from an old pipeline on the left to the popular stone jetty, it is a shallow beach exposed as Morecambe Bay empties. Fishing is over low water and involves a good walk so it is not a venue for less physically able. Low tides of 2.1 metres and over are best because they leave lots of water in the channel. Small lows (bigger tides) render the flood…

THE SOLWAY FIRTH HAS always been an area for great shore fishing with Silloth, located on the Cumbrian side, renowned for its superb flounder fishing. SEASONAL SPECIES In addition to the flounders, other species caught here include dabs, bass and dogfish. TACTICS Spring heralds the annual peeler crab moult and this is what drives the fish inshore. Taking a look at the ground over low tide reveals Silloth’s hidden secret – rocks and especially banks of mussels mean that fish can search out food, and if the tide is running well they can be as little as a rod length away. Many locals immediately head for the Tommy Legs (Lees Scar) area and it is also the hot peg in matches. It is the navigation light situated just off the…