Llanddulas, Conwy

A steep shingle backed beach giving a good depth either side of high water. There are bigger boulders down towards the base of the shingle, but long casts put you on to mainly clean sand with just the odd area of rougher ground.

It fishes best in a force 2 to 4 northwest to northerly wind which puts some surf on the beach, especially for cod and bass. Low water can fish okay, but the best of the fishing is through the middle flood and over high water until one hour of the ebb.

The best of the fishing is from early September through until December. The beach used to be known for producing shore tope in late June and July, though few anglers actually try for them.

SPECIES
Not a good beach in the early spring. Longer casts from May on find good plaice, but these tend to be at extreme range. There is also the chance of a thornback ray, but again these are at long range fishing over low water. Bass show from May and through the summer in rougher weather along with the odd roaming conger. Winter coalfish and some good flounder are also taken.

September sees the fishing improve with whiting, dabs and dogfish relied on, but with codling and big bass during the rougher seas. The Peak months are October and November, especially for the bigger bass.

BEST BAITS
For the plaice use ragworm tipped with crab and squid. Target the thornbacks with mackerel strips. The bass take peeler crab or black lug tipped with crab or squid, though for the bigger autumnal bass try a whole squid cast to the edge of the boulders.
Black lug tipped with blow lug is the top codling bait.

TACKLE
Casting distance can be important here, so stick to a 5-6oz beachcaster with 18lb line on the reel and a 60lb shock leader. Carry a few lead lifts for getting the lead higher in the water on the retrieve to avoid the boulders.

Use a pulley rig and 4/0 hooks for the bass, rays and conger, but switch to a two-hook clipped down rig and size 2 Aberdeen's for the smaller species. Plaice take a wishbone rig well.

GETTING THERE
Clearly sign posted off the A55 between Abergele and Old Colwyn. Car parking directly above the beach.