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Afon Wen Beach, Chwilog, Gwynedd

Mike Thrussell 01 January, 2006 06:35:00

MARK DESCRIPTION
Situated between Porthmadog and Pwllheli, it's a beach where the list
of species is not so great, but it makes up for it in the consistency
of it's fishing.

The low water mark drops off quite quickly in to a reasonable depth, indicated by the close proximity of lobster pots which can be within easy casting range, with a seabed of rock, boulders and occasional patches of cleaner ground. The mid beach area breaks up in to more coarse sand, gravel and shingle.

A river flows on to beach and during times of heavy rain this can kill the fishing here completely.

METHODS
Tackle losses can be heavy, so beachcasters, tough reels and 20lb line are favoured, but pick your spot carefully and you can get away with lighter bass tackle.

Stick to single hook rigs or pulley rigs using a weak link system to the lead when fishing the rough ground. The sand patches can be fished with normal two hook rigs, but you'll need grip leads to avoid tackle finding the snags.

Long casting is not needed. Most fish come to casts of no more than 50yds, though occasionally single huss are contacted at much longer range.

BEST TIMES
Bass are the dominant species between April and June, and again from late August to October. Any huss tend to be taken in the May to August period, with the same time seeing eels towards the river outflow.

September sees a fair run of whiting on the eastern end of the beach where the ground tends to be cleaner. Dogfish, rockling and occasional flatfish make up the rest of the species.

Moderate winds and a good surf fish the best here for bass, but even calm tides can produce. Spring tides are favoured, but neaps over high water can give good bass and huss if you can fish the rough and stand to lose lots of tackle.

BAITS
Crab or king rag take the bass, with fish/squid combinations best for the huss, though it pulls in hordes of LSD's too. Worm and sandeel is ideal for the winter whiting. Big mussel baits single out large dabs that can sometimes move on to the cleaner patches in late winter.

GETTING THERE
On the A497 between Porthmadog and Pwllheli and a mile east of Butlins Holiday camp look for a small unmarked white classified road. This brings you to a railway bridge. There is limited parking here along the sides of the road. Walk under the bridge and follow the rough track to the beach.

WSF Tackle
SEARCH FOR TACKLE
DEPARTMENTS

BERKLEY FRENZIED POPPER £3.91 Each
Berkley PopperThe most versatile topwater bait ever produced. The Frenzy Popper just might be the best ever! Its unique balanced design allows it to be fished several ways. Chug it or pop it, and it spits water like a big fish chasing little ones. Slow it down with soft twitching actions, and it walks with the best of 'em.

TIDEWATER LURE RIGS 83p Each
FeathersAs any boat or shore angler will tell you, lure rigs when used alone or with bait are great for catching all manner of species. We've selected the very best rigs from the Shakespeare TideWater range that are idea for boat and some shore work.

7" WSF Jelly Worms
Berkley Power WormsDeadly 7inch jelly worms that are deadly for all manner of predator fish, especially pollack. We allow you to buy individual colours so you can mix and match what you want!
Jelly worms are 30p each!

Get ready for the new Plugging Season, Buy 3 get one of them for free, Blue Pilchard Divers
Blue PilchardBuy 3 Devil's Own Diving Plugs you get one of them for free in our 3 for 2 offer.
Check out our Devil's Own Lures.
These lures are ideal for bass and other predatory species. Price: £2.74 each. or £5.48 for 3.

WSF NOW STOCKS SAKUMA HOOKS
Sakuma HooksSuper strong Japanese Hooks from Sakuma. We now stock the 545 Manta Extra, 540 Manta, 560 Stinger and 543 Pennel Manta Extra hooks. All hooks are supplied in boxes of 30.

Bass PoppersBASS POPPERS! FROM £3.67
These excellent long range casting popper lures are ideal for numerous saltwater species including Bass. Berkley Frenzy Poppers.

SALTWATER FLIES FROM FULLING MILL FROM £1.25
Saltwater FliesWSF Now stocks the high quality range of saltwater flies from Fulling Mill. We have picked out a deadly selection from the Fulling Mill range that will help any saltwater fly angler this season.

BACK IN STOCK PENN CAPTIVA CV2 REELS
Captiva ReelsPRICE FROM: £37.18
Sea spinning reel, ideal for use with the Shakespeare Salt Spin Rod. Packed with features including an ultra smooth front drag, permanent instant anti reverse and a metal spare spool. The 5000 is idea for use with spinning with heavier nylons between 12 and 15lbs and Braid.

BACK IN STOCK SALT / CAPTIVA SPINNING COMBO DEAL
Captiva Reel DealsIdeal spinning combo from Penn and Shakespeare. Featuring the hugely popular Salt Spin 10ft, 3 piece spinning rod, and the fantastic Captiva 5000 CV2 Spinning Reel from Penn. PRICE: £73.39

BACK IN STOCK ABU CARDINAL 304FD PRICE: £37.18
Abu CardinalThis Front Drag version of the popular Abu Cardinal range of reels is an ideal reel for braid. Each reel features 7 bearings (1AR) Bearing, Instant Reverse and a spare spool. It holds 210/10lb line. Each reel comes with a free Abu Cardinal Reel Bag.


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