PENRHYN DU HEAD
Park in Machroes car park. As you access the beach, you’ll see Penrhyn Du headland to your right. The best place to fish is by the rocky headland, casting almost south towards St Tudwal’s Island.
You can only fish this mark for the two hours either side of low water on spring tides, after which it’s best to retreat towards the car park as the tide floods. There is rougher ground in the bay immediately to the left of Penrhyn Du that can produce bass towards high water, but it’s inconsistent fishing, with the highest springs best.
The low water mark is unusual on this coast in that it can, occasionally, produce small plaice and a very occasional brill. These tend to be taken early and late in the year.
It is an autumn low-water mark for big bass in a surf, but also sees some fish in April and May if you use peeler crabs.
Some spotted rays are caught at long range when fishing sandeels, especially in May and June. Decent whiting show in late October and November; use fish baits because worm baits attract too many smaller fish.
This mark fishes best for the majority of species if low water falls in the dark. However, for the plaice and brill, you’ll be fishing daylight and need clearish water.
TOP TIP: The best of the bass fishing is in a south-west wind, which will put up a decent surf.
BAIT: Crabs for early bass. Sandeels or mackerel with a squid tip for spotted rays. Lug and fish strip for dabs, whiting and flounders. Fish lug for plaice, and a thin belly strip of mackerel or sandeel on a small size 4 hook for brill.
BEST TIMES: Fish the two hours either side of low water, and try to choose tides that are rising towards the bigger springs.
GROUND: Clean sand close in, then a mix of sand and rougher patches at longer range.