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Gimblet Rock, Pwllheli, Gwynedd

Mike Thrussell 01 January, 2006 06:35:00

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.

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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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