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Fishing Guide
to Wales and the Borders
 Fishing Venue Guide Wales Ceredigion |
By
popular demand from visiting anglers I have
been asked on many occasions
|
Venue; CAPEL BANGOR GOLF CLUB
Sat Nav SY23 3LL
Owner Permit; Capel Bangor Golf Club
Availability; Day or Season tickets 2.5 acre pool and 0.5 acre Trout pool. Contact Mr W Evans
Tel; 01970 880741
Fish Species; Tench, Carp, Roach, Rainbow trout
Web Site; www.aberystwyth-online.co.uk/fishing/capel-bangor-golf-club.shtml
Additional information; Disabled access, refreshments, WC
Star Rating *
Venue; FRON FISHERY
Sat Nav SY23 4JG
Owner Permit; Fron Farm Fishery
Availability; Day or Season tickets 4 Lakes 3 trout and one coarse
Tel; 01974 251392
Fish Species; Perch, Roach, Tench, Carp,, Salmon, Brown trout, Rainbow trout
Web Site; http://fronfarmholidays.org.uk/fishery/
Additional information; Disabled access, Barbless hooks only, Tackle hire, Tuition available, Refreshments, Keepnet restrictionjs, W/C, accommodation available, Catch and release
Star Rating ****
Venue; CELTIC LAKES
Sat Nav SA48 8PY
Owner Permit; Celtic Lakes Resorts
Availability; Day tickets. / Season Tickets (See web site)
Tel; 01570 471010
Web site; http://www.celticlakesresort.com/
Fish Species; Carp, Tench, Rudd, Golden Orfe, Roach, Rudd, Catfish
Additional information; Set amongst stunning scenery, the 75 acre site at Celtic Lakes Resort was previously a mix of forestry and boggy farm land Now Celtic Lakes Resort offers superb fishing on 6 waters of varying sizes, all heavily stocked with carp to 40lb+ and catfish to 60lb+ as well as a mix of coarse fish including tench, roach, rudd, perch and bream. Night fishing is allowed and Celtic Lakes welcome touring caravans, tents and bivvies
Venue; LLANARTH COARSE FISHERY
Location; Situated
2.3 mile SW of Llanarth should be Two Thirds of a mile SW of
Llanarth.
Owner
Permit; Llanarth Coarse
Fishery
Availability; Day or Season tickets
7 acre created
fishery
Tel; 01545
580598
Fish Species; Roach, Carp, Crucian
carp, Tench, skimmer bream
Web Site; www.llanarthcoarsefishery.co.uk
Additional information; Picnic area away from
the ponds and is set in a valley surrounded
by
woodland. Suitable baits usually
available. Open all year 8.30am - dusk, other times by prior
arrangement.
Star
Rating ****
Venue; NEW BETHLEHEM COARSE FISHERY
Location;
Near to Cilcennin, Lampeter
Owner Permit; New Bethlehem Coarse Fishery
Availability; Day or Season tickets One 2 acre Lake. Contact Mr R
Lester
Tel; 01570 470478
Fish Species; Roach, Rudd, Carp, Crucian Carp, Grass Carp,Perch
Web Site;
www.aberystwyth-online.co.uk/fishing/new-bethlehem-coarse-fishery.shtml
Additional information; One coarse fishing lake of
approximately 2 acres. Car park and toilet. Suitable for Disabledd
persons.
Star
Rating **
Venue; NINE OAKS ANGLING CENTRE
Sat Nav SA7 0RW
Owner Permit; Nine Oaks Fishery
Availability; Day or Season tickets
Tel; 01545 580482
Fish Species; Roach, Bream, Carp (Mirror, Common, Crucian, Koi and Grass), Tench plus Blue, Rainbow and Tiger Trout
Web Sites; www.nineoaks-fisheries.co.uk/
Additional information; Tickets available on bank 2 lakes for coarse fishing, 1 coarse pool especially for juniors and 3 x 1/2 acre pools for trout. Coaching in Coarse or Trout fishing by a qualified instructor. Tea/Coffee and simple snacks available (Egg/Bacon, Pies and Pasties etc.) and Tackle sales. Excellent parking in central location with easy access to all lakes. 1 week long Fishing Festival during Mid-September ring, email or visit our web site for details.
Star Rating ****
Venue; TAIR LLYN FISHERY
Location;
Near river Rheidol
Owner Permit; Tair Llyn fishery
Availability; Day or Season tickets
Tel; 01970 880560
Fish Species; Roach, Rudd, Carp, Bream, Perch, Tench
Web Site;
www.aberystwyth-online.co.uk/fishing/tair-llyn-coarse-fishery.shtml
Additional information; Disabled Access One 9 acre Lake
and 4 pools. Contact Mr I Jones
Star
Rating **
Venue; TROED-Y-BRYN FISHERY
Location;
Situated at Cribyn near Lampeter
Owner Permit; Tread Bryn Fishery
Availability; Day or Season tickets 3.5 acre Lakes including 2 Fly
fishing pools
Tel; 01570 470798
Fish Species; Roach, Rudd, Carp, Braem, Perch, Tench
Web Site; www.aberystwyth-online.co.uk/fishing/troed-y-bryn-fisheries.shtml
Additional information; WC
Star
Rating **
Venue; TEGLAN FISHERY
Sat Nav SA48 8DA
Owner Permit; Teglan Fishery
Availability; Day tickets. Main Lake, River Aeron, Lake
Tel; 1570471115
Web site; www.teglan.net
Fish Species; Carp, Tench, Rudd, Golden Orfe, Roach, Rudd, Sea trout, Salmon
Additional information; The top spring fed lake of about 1 3/4 acres holds eight sub-species of Carp to 30lb. Green and Golden Tench to about 4lb, Roach , Rudd and few Golden Orfe. River Lake is about 1 1/2 acres and has 12,000 fish to about 4 lb consisting of Carp, Roach, Rudd and skimmer Bream. River Aeron holds trout, sea trout (sewin) and salmon.
Venue; CAMDDWR
Owner Permit; Cymdiethas Pysgota Tregaron Angling
Availability; Day tickets
Tel; 01974 298162
Web site; http://www.fishinginwales.com/
Additional information; No night fishing, Close season
Star Rating **
Venue; DINAS & NANTYMOC
Location; Situated
near to Ponterwyd, Aberystwyth
Owner Permit; Dinas angling
Availability; Day tickets
Tel; 01970 890664 / 01970 880667
Fish
Species; Brown Trout, Rainbow trout
Web Site; 0
Additional information; No night fishing, Disabled access, WC,
Close season apply
Star
Rating **
Venue; GLWYDWERN TROUT FISHERY
Owner Permit; Glwydwern Trout Fishery
Availability; Not available this next season
Tel; 01570 434248 (Contact Sharon Morgan)
Fish Species; Brown Trout, Rainbow trout
Additional information; No Fishing until further notice; Due to an outbreak of Mink eating all the stock
Venue; LLYN BERWYN
Location; Situated
in mountains near to Tregaron
Owner Permit; Cymdiethas Pysgota Tregaron Angling
Availability; Day tickets
Tel; 01974 298162
Fish Species; Brown Trout
Web Site; www.troutwales.org
Additional information; No night fishing, Close season
Star
Rating **
Venue; LLYN BLAENMELINDWR
Location; Situated
in Llyn Blaenmelindwr School
Owner Permit; Llyn Blaenmelindwr School
Availability; Day tickets and concessionary
Tel; 01970 623021
Fish Species; Brown Trout, Brook trout
Web Site; http://www.aber-angling.co.uk/
Additional information; Close
season apply
Star
Rating **
Venue; LLYN CONACH
Owner Permit; Talybont Angling
Availability; Day tickets 1 acre Lake
Tel; 01970 832363
Fish Species; Brown Trout
Web Site; http://www.aberystwythdirectory.com/river.html
Additional information; Close season apply
Venue; LLYN GRAIG-Y-PISTYLL
Location; Situated
in Bontgoch near Talybont,
Aberystwyth
Owner Permit; Aberystwyth A/A
Availability; Day tickets 3/4 mile lake
Tel; 01970 623021
Fish Species; Brown Trout
Web Site; http://www.aber-angling.co.uk/
Additional information; No night fishing, Close season
Star
Rating **
Venue; LLYN DWFN
Owner Permit; Talybont A/A
Availability; Day tickets
Tel; 01974 251330
Fish Species; Brown Trout
Web Site; http://www.aberystwythdirectory.com/river.html
Additional information; Close season, 3 acre Lake Contact Mr M Williams
Star Rating **
Venue; LLYN EGNANT
Location; Situated
in mountains near to Tregaron
Owner Permit; Cymdiethas Pysgota Tregaron Angling
Availability; Day tickets
Tel; 01974 298162
Fish Species; Brown Trout
Web Site;http://www.fishinginwales.com/
Additional information; No night fishing, permits available from
local post office, Close season Apply
Star
Rating **
Venue; LLYN FRONGOCH
Location; Situated
SW of Devil's Bridge
Owner Permit; Aberystwyth A/A
Availability; Day tickets
Tel; 01970 623021
Fish Species; Brown Trout, Rainbow trout
Web Site; http://www.aber-angling.co.uk/
Additional information; Close
season
Star
Rating **
Venue; LLYN GWAITH
Location; Situated
in mountains near to Tregaron
Owner Permit; Cymdiethas Pysgota Tregaron Angling
Availability; Day tickets 2.5 acre lake
Tel; 01974 298162
Fish Species; Brown Trout
Web Site; www.troutwales.org/
Additional information; Close
season apply
Star
Rating **
Venue; LLYN HIR
Location; Situated
in mountains near to Tregaron
Owner Permit; Cymdiethas Pysgota Tregaron Angling
Availability; Day tickets 45 acre lake
Tel; 01974 298162
Fish Species; Brown Trout
Web Site;http://www.fishinginwales.com/
Additional information; Close
season apply
Star
Rating **
Venue; LLYN NANTYCAGAL
Location; Situated
at Talybont
Owner Permit; Talybont A/A
Availability; Day tickets 15 acre Lake Contact Mr Williams
Tel; 01974 251330
Fish Species; Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout
Additional information; Close season apply
Star
Rating **
Venue; LLYN OERFA
Location; Situated
in Ystumtuen near Ponterwyd
Owner Permit; Aberystwyth A/A
Availability; Day tickets
Tel; 01970 623021
Fish Species; Brown Trout
Web Site; http://www.aber-angling.co.uk/
Additional information; Close
season apply
Star
Rating **
Venue; LLYN PENDAM
Location; Situated
near to Penrhyncoch
Owner Permit; Aberystwyth A/A
Availability; Day tickets
Tel; 01970 623021
Fish Species; Brown Trout
Web Site; http://www.aber-angling.co.uk/
Additional information; Close season apply
Star
Rating **
Venue; LLYN PENRHAEADR
Location; Situated
near Talybont
Owner Permit; Talybont A/A
Availability; Day tickets 8 acre Lake
Tel; 01970 832363
Fish Species; Brown Trout, Brook trout, Rainbow trout
Additional information; Close
season apply
Star
Rating **
Venue; LLYN RHOSGOCH
Owner Permit; Aberystwyth A/A
Availability; Day tickets
Tel; 01970 623021
Fish Species; Brown Trout
Web Site; http://www.aber-angling.co.uk/
Additional information; Close season apply
Star Rating **
Venue; LLYN RHOSRYDD
Location; Situated
SW of Devils Bridge
Owner Permit; Aberystwyth A/A
Availability; Day tickets
Tel; 01970 623021
Fish Species; Brown Trout
Web Site; http://www.aber-angling.co.uk/
Additional information; Close season apply
Star
Rating **
Venue; LLYN SYFYDRIN
Location; Situated
near to Penrhyncoch
Owner Permit; Aberystwyth A/A
Availability; Day tickets
Tel; 01970 623021
Fish Species; Brown Trout
Web Site; http://www.aber-angling.co.uk/
Additional information; Clos es eason apply
Star
Rating **
Venue; LLYN TEIFI
Owner Permit; Cymdiethas Pysgota Tregaron Angling
Availability; Day tickets 200 acre Lake
Tel; 01974 298162
Fish Species; Brown Trout
Web Site; http://www.fishinginwales.com/
Additional information; Close season apply
Star Rating **
Venue; RHYDLEWIS TROUT FISHERY
Location; Situated
near Rhydlewis, Llandysul
Owner Permit; Rhydlewis Fishery
Availability; Day tickets 1.5 acre Lake
Tel; 01239 857224
Fish Species; Rainbow Trout
Web Site; www.aberystwyth-online.co.uk/fishing/rhydlewis-trout-fishery-smokery.shtml
Additional information; One pool of 3 acres. Poolside
parking, tea making facilities, toilets. Open all year. Smokery shop on
premises.
Star
Rating **
Venue; RIVER AERON
Owner Permit; Aberaeron Town Angling Club
Availability; Day tickets 2.5 miles of fishing. Tickets available from local post office
Tel; 01545 571335
Fish Species; Salmon, Sea Trout, Brown Trout
Web Site; http://www.aberaeron-angling.org/
Additional information; This short River is just under 20 miles in legnth. Rises on Blaenpennal to flow via Llangeitho and Talsarn to enter the Irish Sea at Aberaeron. The River's good run of Salmon and Sea trout (Sewin) begins in June. Natural Brown trout throughout.
Star Rating **
Venue; RIVER ARTH
Location; Situated near Pennant and runs down
stream
to river mouth
Owner Permit; Aberaeron Town Angling Club
Availability; Day tickets 3
miles of fishing. Tickets available from local
post office
Tel; 01545 571335
Fish Species; Salmon, Sea
Trout, Brown Trout
Web Site; http://www.aberaeron-angling.org/
Additional information; A Small stream that
enters the Irish Sea North of Aberaeron. The river offers Trout in the
late summer. Some Sea trout present.
Star
Rating **
Venue; RIVER CERI
Owner Permit; Teifi Trout A/A
Availability; Day tickets 1.5 miles of fishing. Contact Mr B Gore
Tel; 01239 841332
Fish Species; Brown Trout
Web Site; http://www.teifitrout.com/
Additional information; Close season apply
Star Rating **
Venue; RIVER CYCH
Owner Permit; Tiefi Trout A/A
Availability; Day tickets 2.5 miles of fishing.
Tel; 01239 841332
Fish Species; Sea Trout, Brown Trout
Web Site; http://www.teifitrout.com/
Additional information; Close season apply
Star Rating **
Venue; RIVER RHEIDOL
Location; Situated
East of Aberystwyth
Owner Permit; Aberystwyth A/A
Availability; Day tickets 12 miles of fishing. Contact Mr P Eklund
Tel; 01970 623021
Fish Species; Brown Trout, Salmon, Sea Trout
Web Site; http://www.aber-angling.co.uk/
Additional information; Close
season apply
Star
Rating **
Venue; RIVER TEIFI - ABERCYCH
Location; Situated
between Cenarth and the Cych
confluence
Owner Permit; Tiefi Trout A/A
Availability; Day tickets 2.5 miles of fishing. Contact Mr Gore
Tel; 01239 841332
Fish Species; Sea Trout, Brown Trout, Salmon
Web Site; http://www.teifitrout.com/
Additional
information; The
Teifi has its source in Llyn Teifi, one of several lakes known
collectively as Teifi Pools. These are situated in mid Wales toward the
north of the county of Ceredigion. The river flows past Strata Florida
Abbey and then through Pontrhydfendigaid before reaching the main river
valley floor. Here it passes through one of the great raised mires of
Britain, Gors Goch Glan Teifi, also known as Tregaron Bog. Over the
next 30 miles the Teifi meanders generally south-west in a gentle arc,
passing through the villages and towns of Tregaron, Llanddewi Brefi,
Cwmann, Lampeter, Llanybydder, Llandysul, Newcastle Emlyn, Cenarth,
Llechryd and finally Cardigan town. The river becomes tidal below
Llechryd and descends into Cardigan town through the steep-sided
Cilgerran Gorge. Below Cardigan town the river broadens into a wide
estuary, passing the seaside resort of Poppit Sands before finally
entering the sea in Cardigan Bay.
Star
Rating **
Venue; RIVER TEIFI - CENARTH
Location; Situated
between Cenarth and Newcastle
Emlyn
Owner Permit; Tiefi Trout A/A
Availability; Day tickets 3/4 miles of fishing. Contact Mr B Gore
Tel; 01239 841332
Fish Species; Sea Trout, Brown Trout, Salmon
Web Site;
www.fishing-in-wales.com/fisheries/game.htm
Additional information; Close
season apply
Star
Rating **
Venue; RIVER TEIFI - CWM -COU
Owner Permit; Tiefi Trout A/A
Availability; Day tickets 4 miles of fishing. Contact Mr Gore
Tel; 01239 841332
Fish Species; Sea Trout, Brown Trout, Salmon
Web Site; www.fishing-in-wales.com/fisheries/game.htm
Additional information; Close season apply
Star Rating **
Venue; RIVER TEIFI - LAMPETER
Owner Permit; Llandysul A/A
Availability; Day tickets 4 beats between Lampeter and Llanfair Clydogau
Tel; 01559 362202
Fish Species; Sea Trout, Brown Trout, Salmon
Web Site; http://www.fishing-in-wales.com/fisheries/index.htm
Additional information; Contact Porth Hotel Mr A Williams Close season apply
Star Rating **
Venue; RIVER TEIFI - LLANDYFRIOG
Location; Situated
between Newcastle Emlyn and
Pentrecagal
Owner Permit; Teifi Trout A/A
Availability; Day tickets Several beats covering several miles of
fishing Contact Mr Gore
Tel; 01239 841332
Fish Species; Sea Trout, Brown Trout, Salmon
Web Site; http://www.teifitrout.com/
Additional information; Close
season apply
Star
Rating **
Venue; RIVER TEIFI - LLANDYSUL
Location; Situated
between Llandysul and Llanybydder
Owner Permit; Llandysul A/A
Availability; Day tickets Several beats of fishing
Fish Species; Sea Trout, Brown Trout, Salmon
Web Site;http://www.fishing-in-wales.com/fisheries/index.htm
Additional information; Contact Porth Hotel Mr A Williams
Star
Rating **
Venue; RIVER TEIFI - LLANBYDDER
Location; Situated
between Llanybydder and Lampeter
Owner Permit; Llandysul A/A
Availability; Day tickets 6 beats of fishing
Fish Species; Sea Trout, Brown Trout, Salmon
Web Site; http://www.fishing-in-wales.com/fisheries/index.htm
Additional information; Contact Porth Hotel Mr A Williams
Star
Rating **
Venue; RIVER TEIFI - LLECHRYD
Location; Situated
below Llechryd Bridge
Owner Permit; Castell Malgwyn Hotel
Availability; Day tickets 2.2 miles of left bank fishing
Tel; 01239 682382
Fish Species; Sea Trout, Brown Trout, Salmon
Web Site; www.castellmalgwyn.co.uk/
Additional information; The
hotel owns the fishing rights for a
mile below Llechryd Bridge including several good holding pools for
both Salmon & Sea Trout. Coracle fishermen are licensed to fish
this area of the river and invariably operate after dark until their
season ends on the 31st August when the main autumn runs of Salmon
usually begin.Fly fishing from a
Coracle can be arranged
Star
Rating **
Venue; RIVER TEIFI - MAES-Y-CRUGIAU
Location; Situated at Maes-Y-crugiau near Pencader
Owner Permit; Maes-Y-Crugiau AA
Availability; Day tickets 0.5
miles of fishing. Contact Mr V Thomas
Tel; 01559 395267
Fish Species; Sea Trout, Brown
Trout, Salmon
Web site; http://www.fishing-in-wales.com/fisheries/beat8.htm
Additional information; Close
season apply
Star
Rating **
Venue; RIVER TEIFI - NEWCASTLE EMLYN
Owner Permit; Llandysul A/A
Availability; Day tickets 4 beats of fishingTel; 01559 362202
Fish Species; Sea Trout, Brown Trout, Salmon
Web Site; www.carmarthenshire.org.uk/Restaurants/porth_hotel.htm
Additional information; Contact Porth Hotel Mr A Williams Close season apply
Star Rating **
Venue; RIVER TEIFI - PENTRECAGAL
Location; Situated
at Pentrecagal upstream of
Newcastle Emlyn
Owner Permit; Dol Haidd Isaf
Availability; Day tickets 0.75 miles of fishing
Tel; 01559 371265
Fish Species; Sea Trout, Brown Trout, Salmon
Web Site; www.fishermencottages.co.uk/fishing.htm
Additional information; Contact
Mr D Rowe Close season apply
Star
Rating **
Venue; RIVER TEIFI - STRADMORE
Location; Situated
downstream of Cenarth
Owner Permit; STRADMORE GARDENS
Availability; Day tickets 650 yards of fishing. Contact Mr Davies
Tel; 01239 682417
Fish Species; Sea Trout, Brown Trout, Salmon
Web Site; http://www.teifitrout.com/index.htm
Additional information; Close
season apply
Star
Rating **
Venue; RIVER TEIFI - UPPER REACHES
Location; Situated
on upper river Lampeter
Owner Permit; Cymdeithas Pysgota Tregaron A/A
Availability; Day tickets 17 miles of fishing
Tel; 01974 298162
Fish Species; Sea Trout, Brown Trout, Salmon
Web Site; www.troutwales.org/
Additional information; Close
season apply
Star
Rating **
Venue; TAIR LLYN FISHERY
Location; Situated
near Rheidol
Owner Permit; Tair Llyn
Availability; Day tickets 1 mile of River fishing
Tel; 01970 880560
Fish Species; Sea Trout, Brown Trout, Salmon
Availability; Day
or Season tickets
Web Site;
www.aberystwyth-online.co.uk/fishing/tair-llyn-coarse-fishery.shtml
Additional information; Disabled Access One 9 acre Lake
and 4 pools. Contact Mr I Jones
Star
Rating **
Venue; NINE OAKS ANGLING CENTRE
Location; Near Oakford, 1 1/2 miles inland between Llanarth and AberaeronOwner Permit; Nine Oaks Fishery
Availability; Day or Season tickets
Tel; 01545 580482
Fish Species; Blue, Rainbow between 2 and 7lbs and Tiger Trout plus Roach, Bream, Carp (Mirror, Common, Crucian, Koi and Grass), Tench in the Coarse lakes.
Web Sites; www.nineoaks-fisheries.co.uk/
Additional information; Tickets available on bank 3 x 1/2 acre pools for trout and 2 lakes for coarse fishing, Coaching Trout fishing by a qualified instructor. Tackle sales. Excellent parking in central location with easy access to all lakes. Trout prices:- Game £10, 2 fish/4 hours £12, 3 fish/6 hours £18, 4 fish/8 hours £24. Coarse fishing £6 and £1 for an extra rod
Star Rating ****
Location; WEST WALES / ABERYSTWYTH
The West coast including Aberystwyth , is home to one of the largest charter fishing fleets in Wales. It’s no coincidence this. "Aber" sports some of the most varied ground imaginable with a species resident list only equalled by the prolific waters off Devon and Cornwall.
NOTED MARKS AND GROUND FEATURE Chief amongst these is the reef of Sarn Cynfelyn or Patches reef. A reef constructed of small pebble intermingled with rock and weed beds. This breaks it’s sequence 3 miles out being mixed sand and rough. Known as the "Gap", this holds tope, huss, rays, bream etc. At 7 miles sits the Patches buoy. Ground immediately to the northwest gives cleaner patches of mud and sand, but also uplifting rocky peaks that harbour bream. Ground due north is mainly clean sand until you hit Sarn Bwch reef off Tywyn.
South of Patches reef lays the Cadwgan Reef just to the north of Llanrystyd. This too holds bream, huss, early and late season tope, plus monkfish which have topped 80lbs in nets here. However, few boats fish this area. Out from the Cadwgan Reef is the old "Trawling grounds". Literally a deeper gutter that travels roughly north to south. This harbors most species and has given hake and smoothound in the distant past.
WRECK FISHING The charter fleet is currently checking the potential of numerous wrecks that lay out beyond the 40 mile mark. Trips made in the last couple of seasons have brought home pollack to 20lbs, ling to 14lbs, and cod to 18lbs. Undoubtedly, big conger and larger pollack, coalfish, ling and cod than already taken are sure to follow.
SPECIES Fishing begins in March with the incoming thornback ray. Numbers taken can exceed 40 per day, but all the local skippers have a catch and return policy, so the bulk are there for another day. The thornbacks stay the main target until early May when the tope take precedence. Catches of this sleek predator often top 20 fish per day with double that not unusual. The average size lays between 30 and 40lbs which is high compared to other areas.
During this early spring period, huss occur daily and can top 16lbs. Whiting, dabs, dogfish, plus the odd monkfish make up the early season catches. May sees the black bream arrive. These run in tight groups over the reefs and rougher ground with fish of 1lb normal, but sprinkled with a regular return of 2lb and 3lb plus fish.
By late June all eyes focus on shark. Porbeagles running towards the 200lbs mark with 100lb fish somewhere about average. July is the main month for shark, but they can linger throughout August too. June also sees the mackerel beginning to shoal up and with them come the interesting mid summer species like pollack, gurnards, turbot, occasional blonde ray, scad and garfish.
Late August sees the catches of whiting increase as the first shoals moving in for the winter are located. A 1lb fish is classed as good here, with 2lb fish very rare. The rays and huss linger throughout the winter, but by early October the tope move out. Codling are not considered a main catch, but the past five seasons has seen fish in fair numbers on the reefs and rough ground bringing in variety to the rays, whiting, dabs and dogfish that make up the normal winter’s day sport.
TIDES AND WEATHER CONDITIONS Tides off Aberystwyth are not too fierce. It can run at a fair rate over the shallower reef areas, but is sedate over the cleaner ground, even on the biggest spring tides. The size of the tide does not appreciably effect the quality of the fishing. Catches remain pretty consistent throughout the tide cycle.
Over the offshore wrecks however, it does flow strongly and only the smaller neaps are comfortable to fish.
TACKLE Due to the light tides, you can fish with lighter tackle for all the species save for wrecking and shark. A 20lb class rod or 4-10oz uptider covers just about all options. Local anglers prefer the uptider as it gives greater versatility and more sport. Match these to a reel holding 300yds of 18lb line.
Bream fishing requires a spinning rod about 9ft long, small multiplier or fixed spool reel and just 8lb line. They get the chance to show their true metal on this outfit.
Leads average between 4-8ozs for general fishing, but a couple of 12oz or 1lb weights should be carried for those bigger tides. A 1-2oz lead is plenty for the bream over slack tide periods.
Standard wreck tackle of 50lb class rod and reel are needed for pirk fishing for cod or using pirks and muppets for pollack over the wrecks, and for the shark. The uptider covers fishing artificial eels for pollack with 15 to 18lb line. Experienced anglers choose a 12lb class outfit and 6 to 8oz leads. Many anglers prefer the lighter 30lb tackle for the greater sport.
BAITS Mackerel is undoubtedly the most popular bait used and enough can mostly be feathered on the day. However, it’s not necessarily the best bait to use.
A whole small whiting or half a dab proves the better bait for tope, rays and huss, especially the whiting. Use peeler crab over the reef and you’ll pick up ballan wrasse, codling, maybe a rogue smoothound.
The bream like small strips of squid, mackerel or herring, but those in the know also carry a few estuary cockles. This latter bait can be devastating at times. Lugworm tends to pick out the smaller bream.
Feathers baited with lugworm picks up codling and bream. Change to mackerel strip on the feathers and you’ll see gurnards, whiting, and weevers over cleaner ground.
ALTERNATIVE SHORE VENUES Try the Stone Jetty on the south side of the harbour for conger, silver eels, dabs, dogfish and flounders. Also Tan y Bwlch beach for bass, dabs, dogfish, and occasional rays.
Sea fishing trips
Swift (Sea Angling Charter Boat)
Old
Bake House, Talybont, Ceredigion, SY24 5EY
Tel/Fax: 01970 832536
E-mail: karinhughes@lineone.net
The Swift offers the angling enthusiast the chance to catch a wide variety of species, including: tope, black bream, mackerel and huss. The trips are on average, 1 to 12 hours long. Tackle can be arranged.
Barmouth Tourist Information, The Station,
Station Road,
Barmouth, Gwynedd, LL42 1LU
Tel: 01341 280787 Fax:
01341 280787
E-mail: barmouth.tic@gwynedd.gov.uk
clive@angling-news.co.uk