Got a weeks holiday coming up just below New Quay, South West Wales.

We are not far from the beach at Penbryn and I was wondering whether it was worth packing my rod for some beach fishing - bass or mackeral??

Any pointers would be much appretiated.

Cheers

Hi Mate,

The Mackeral will be in at this time of year and some of the marks down that way hold a few rays IIRC. It's been a while since I last fished over there. The storm beaches are supposed to have some very good bass marke but I would think the local tackle shop would be the place to ask.

if it's a spinning rod you are taking then I would say it would be worth while as some of the rock marks would also hold pollack for sure. With a spinning rod you can also easily switch over to float gear and try for a wrasse on the rocks.

Don't forget to take some pictures!!

FB

Cheers Kiri, it is a spinning rod, will look into floating with it, never tried that before.

How long will braid last before it needs renewing (mine has been inactive for over a year now, but is only 3 year old)?

Will remember to take the camera if I catch anything!

It will make a nice change from bowling fox's over!!

Hi Mate,

It depends on the braid you use. I would think it should be OK stil. I was usuing 2yo 30lb braid the other day and the only thing it couldn't doo was pul fish out of the wreck. A good way to give you extra piece of mind is to take the braid off of your reel and turn it around. The back end will likely never have seen sea water. I often do that when loading up a baitcaster for such things when I want to put new line on my reels for the bigger stuff.

For the float just use a pike float with a bead running upto a stop knot. A drilled lead over a bead below the float down to a swivel and about 2 ft of clear amnesia to a size 2 long shanked hook for the wrasse.

If you can get any of the soft plastic shads (either Tempest or Storm Lures) with the leadhead integrated into the lure they are getting a rave write up for the bass as are the dexters wedges.

Tight lines
FB

Just a note, but I personally find mono is better than braid for short distance spinning as the lack of stretch in braid often pulls hooks out whereas mono has a bit more cusion.

FB

How did the fishing go mate?

FB

Had a great time in Wales, although we did get rain, it was more vertical than the horizontal stuff we are used too in Derbyshire!

On the fishing front, I watched some locals scaling the rocks at Mynt beach, so first night I tried there. There was a little rock foothold that led you down to within castable distance of the sea - fantasticaly clear (my thoughts of a monster bass was clear!)

3rd cast with mackeral feathers brought in 3 mackeral, 1 fell off as I was hauling them up the rocks (of course it was the biggest one, out of the 3! ).

Never mind I thought I was in for a bagfull - not to be, a further 3 evenings line wetting only resulted in 1 further mackeral.

The ever present seals did pull fish off now and again though



Had a great little BBQ one night with the first 2 mackeral and some lamb kebabs - my daughter loved the mackeral (great joy seeing a 4 year old help gut something then eat it - mind you she also likes to prod and probe at dead fox's too )



New Quay beach was a great place for the kids to enjoy a swim in the sea!



Will be going back another year for sure...