Flat Holm Island Opens up to Sea Anglers

A party of anglers has recently been invited through the WFSA to test an experimental fishing trip to Flat Holm Island in the Bristol Channel.

They were invited to do so by the Cardiff Bay Harbour Authority in conjunction with Cardiff City Council with the intention of opening it up to the general sea angling public. Members in the party were Roger Mortimer, Barney Wright (TSF) Colin Doyle WFSA Gen Sec, Mike Dixon WFSA Press Officer, Gareth Davies WFSA Coaching Officer, and big fish anglers Steve Gregory, Mathew Riddler, and Wayne McEwen.

Conditions were not brilliant with strong easterly winds, but you pick your date you pick your weather.  This said the fish still obliged and put in an appearance with Conger to 12lb 8oz, Bullhuss to 14lb 1oz, Thornback Ray, Whiting and the ever present Dogfish although these were not as many numbers as were expected. In total 37 fish were caught with a variety of baits.

The island is going to throw up very big fish when conditions are a little more favourable.  Most of the anglers had there 60 and 80lb snoods broken or bit through by some very big fish.  The party were on the island for 24 hours trying different marks for a few hours then moving to another one to fish to fully exploit the possibilities.  There are so many marks around the island that it was impossible to fish them all in the allotted time.  The island fishes well at all states of the tide from low to high water.

It is advisable to fish in pairs purely for safety when fishing at night, in daylight the true expanse of fishing marks available has to seen to be believed.  The island is a sea angling haven as you can if you wish grab a few hours sleep ready for the next session and just leave your fishing gear on your chosen mark above the HW mark without any worry whatsoever.  When walking please stick to the footpaths and at night keep an eye open for rabbit burrows as there are hundreds on the island and show no fear of humans.

This is all virgin water around the island and has never been fished;  although the warden did mention that he has had Bass over 4lb with just a short cast from the shore on whole squid the night before we got there.

The Cardiff Bay Authority have decided to open the island up for sea angling at a cost of £25.00 for a 24 hour period. If you intend to just fish some of the 24 hours you will be on the island then either a overnight camping pitch will be allocated at £6.50 or there is dormitory accommodation available at £12.50 per head. With this comes the use of a fully fitted kitchen to cater for your needs.  All you are required to do is to leave it as clean as you find it.  No alcohol is allowed on the island purely for safety reasons.  And it goes without saying that all your litter goes home with you.

It is advisable to book your trip 4 weeks in advance as there are a lot of visitors that go to the island for the 4 hour stay. It is hoped that these 24 hour sessions will carry on through the winter months providing there is enough interest.

For more information and sailing times please contact The Flat Home Booking office on, 029 20353917 or 029 20387107. Email:  flatholmproject@cardiff.gov.uk