Gimblet Rock, Pwllheli, Gwynedd

Approach from Porthmadog on the A497. Follow the road towards the town centre taking the left turn sign posted "Traeth" (beach). Stay on this road for approximately 500yds then take the last left turn which takes you through a council estate and past boat yards on the left hand side. Look for the Yacht Club building painted white on the right hand side and Gimblet Rock is just to the left of this. Some roadside parking available.

GROUND
A steep shingle backed beach giving onto clean sand close in with occasional rougher patches for those casting to extreme range. Patches of light rough push out in a direct line from the rock it self, though storms can have an effect on the severity of rock exposed. Some deeper gullies exist around 100yds out.

PROSPECTS
An excellent all round venue throughout the year. Thornbacks move within casting range in late March, though even earlier in mild winters. Bass move back inshore during April. These are mostly school bass to a couple of pounds, but bigger fish feed close in to the rock on dawn tides. May sees a few plaice caught. May, June, July and August give the best numbers of rays, but this is due to heavier angling pressure. Mackerel are tight to the beach during hot summer evenings. Black bream show during July and August, along with small gurnards. September sees the first of the whiting and the dab numbers increase. Whiting and dabs are the main species throughout the winter. Only occasional codling are caught. Dogfish remain a target the whole year round.

TIME AND TIDES
Out of preference choose the bigger spring tides, but with deepish water available, then even the neaps can give fair fishing. Night tides are always better than daylight, though the bream tend to show towards dusk. Some of the biggest bass are taken when the mackerel shoals appear close to the rock itself.

BAITS AND RIGS
For general species including the bream, a normal two or three hook paternoster armed with a Kamasan or Mustad Aberdeen's size 2 suits, but for the rays, then tackle up with a clipped down one hook paternoster and a strong hook like a Mustad Viking size 3/0. A 5oz grip lead will cope with even the biggest spring tide.

Float fishing or spinning close to the rock has proved the method for big bass and mackerel.

Lug will take the variety. Fish baits including squid and frozen sandeel score with the rays and bream. Bass like fresh crab or a fresh mackerel strip.

WEATHER
Fishes best in a light sou'westerly wind when the sea has a gentle swell. Easterlies are hopeless, but can fetch the mackerel in. Rough seas are when the bass work the surf line, but weed can be horrendous after storms.