ROB HUGHES on alternative fishing holidays
“Perhaps the biggest fishing resource is our beautiful coastline”
STAYCATIONS are the ‘in thing’ this year, so it’s not surprising that many fishing venues offering accommodation are already completely sold out for the summer.
If you’ve missed out, there are lots of other options to combine a UK camping or self-catering holiday with some quality fishing. The Fishing Passport in Wales is a prime example, giving access to miles of lightly-fished rivers, including the Severn and Wye. It’s a similar story with the Trent and Thames, where there’s no shortage of lovely campsites near gorgeous day-ticket stretches.
But perhaps the biggest fishing resource at your disposal this summer is our beautiful coastline. I recently had a trip to New Quay in Mid Wales for a day out with Epic Fishing Trips, targeting tope. I took my 3g-10g lure rod and a 3lb test curve carp rod.
On our first mark we lowered the jigs and the first three species to come up were whiting, cuckoo wrasse and black bream, which out-punched their freshwater namesakes, I can tell you!
The tope mark didn’t disappoint either, as soon my Baitrunner was screaming! It was an amazing battle on carp kit, and one I’ll never forget. The fish was estimated at 40lb, and it took a while for my fingers to cool down from the spool burn! So, when you head to the beach this summer, along with bucket and spade, be sure to pack some of your freshwater kit. It’ll come in handy, whether you fish for monsters off a boat or mullet in the harbour!