Sandend Beach, Moray Firth

Sandend is a small village nestled beside a sandy bay flanked on either side by cliffs. At one time it a had a small fishing fleet, now its home to a caravan park and is a busy place with locals and visitors alike enjoying the golden sands on a summer’s day.  There are toilet facilities in the beach car park and a small shop at the caravan park, making this a good family friendly venue.

HOW TO GET THERE
Take the A98 from either Fochabers or Banff directions. Coming from Fochabers a few miles past Cullen a sign post will point to the left, take this turning. Coming from the Banff direction the turning is a mile or so past Portsoy. Follow the road down to the village and there is a parking area on the right hand side just after the caravan park.

VENUE AND TACTICS
There are three main areas to fish the beach, the old harbour and the rocks that flank the left of the beach. You can use standard beach gear on all three marks, with 5oz beach casters coupled with a Penn 525 or Abu 6500 size reel loaded with 15 or 18lb line and 60lb shockleader. Small hooks on 2 or 3 hook flappers or bomber rigs work for all the species you are likely to encounter. Using long snoods can give you the extra edge when the fish aren’t on the feed. You don’t need to cast far here with casts beyond the breakers likely to lead to poorer results with the majority of the fish caught amongst the breakers.

You can fish at any state of tide but the flood is more productive and a flood tide into darkness can make all the difference for a good session.

Lure anglers can have interesting sport casting plugs and spinners into the surf and around the rocky outcrops.

SPECIES AND BAITS
Many of the flat fish species can be caught, with flounder being the main stay. Turbot, dabs and plaice are the occasional catch, but all will take worm, shell fish and fish baits. An added bonus are sea trout that can be caught in the right conditions, these take rag and fish baits. Feathers cast from the harbour or beach will pick up mackerel in the summer, perfect for fresh bait or on the bbq! Towards the rocks you will often be pestered with small coalfish.

This is a great summer time venue for all the family. The Moray Firth is an area that needs much more exploring with divers seeing numerous species in Firth so an usual catch is not out of the question.