Black Rock Sands, Porthmadog, Gwynedd

MARK DESCRIPTION
A small rocky headland to the right gives way to an open clean sand beach stretching for more than a mile towards Porthmadog. There is little natural feature on the beach, so fishing near the headland is
advised for the best results.

Carries a good surf in prevailing southwest and southerly winds which is when the best of the bass fishing occurs. The bigger bass being present from May to October, though smaller school bass can show throughout the year.

Spring and autumn sees a run of thornback ray within casting range accompanied by occasional small turbot to 2lbs. Dabs, dogfish and flounders are year round targets.

The best fishing is in the autumn when huge numbers of whiting come tight inshore. These arrive in early September and thin out during December, though a secondary run of bigger 1lb plus whiting appears throughout January.

High water spring tides during July and August see massive shoals of mackerel and garfish close inshore feeding on sprats.

BAITS
Plenty of school bass, flounder and doggies here to rag, lug or small chunks of peeler crab as they move in to the Traeth Bach estuary. The stingray take ragworm or peeler crab. Try for the turbot with sections of sandeel or small mackerel strips.

TACKLE AND TACTICS
Typically a 5-6oz beachcaster and 15lb with a 60lb shock leader is the best option, but in calmer conditions switch to a 2-4oz bass rod and 12lb line with a 30lb leader and 30z leads grip leads.

Bigger bass show during a rough surf in southwest winds. The best time to fish is on the spring tides the hour before and the first two hours after low water in the dark. Fish a one-hook clipped down rig with a 3/0 hook as distance can sometimes make a difference here, even in a big surf, as the water is shallow and can be very clear.

For the flatties, school bass and dogfish a three-hook flapper works well with size 1 Aberdeen's. You'll catch more fish if you change to a plain lead and let the bait roll with the tide. The same rig will take the turbot, but casting right in amongst the surf tables.

Stingray are not common here, but have been caught at this time with some consistency, the problem being few anglers try for them. Aim to fish the middle hours of the flood tide, in daylight during warm conditions and light seas casting around 60-yds out. The one-hook rig is the best choice, but up the trace strength to 40lbs.

Daylight fishing is difficult here as the beach is popular with Jet skiers. Most anglers choose to fish the west end of the beach towards the rocky headland, but the east side towards the estuary fishes better.

LOCATION
Come in to Porthmadog on theA487. Take the road by Woolworth's on the high street signposted Borth-Y-Gest and Black Rock Sands. You can park on the beach, which is hard sand at the top.