Penrhyn Point, Fairbourne, Gwynedd

MARK DESCRIPTION
A shingle backed sand spit facing roughly east in to the Mawddach estuary. Deepest on the left hand side where you cast direct in to the main estuary channel, but almost dries at low water to the right. Mainly a clean sandy seabed with some mud in the gullies and channel bottom.

Produces bass, plaice, flounders, mullet and eels from April through to September. Lesser weevers are abundant here and care is needed before grabbing any fish for unhooking. Occasionally garfish and mackerel are taken during summer calms. Whiting and dogfish move in to the estuary during October, especially after stormy weather, with
coalies appearing in November.

Fishes best one hour either side of low water slack casting in to the estuary, or two hours before and up to high tide off the point itself. Tides run fast and can carry heavy weed making fishing difficult. Avoid fishing during periods of heavy rain which pours down from the surrounding mountains and has a detrimental effect pushing the fish
out to the open sea.

TACKLE AND BAIT
The flounders, coalies and bass take peeler crab baits, but sandeel is also good for the bass when trotted on a long trace with the tide. Fish baits take the dogs, whiting and weevers, but use ragworm for the plaice. Winter flounder go well on razorfish. Silver spinners are best for the gars and mackerel. Floatfishing scraps of mackerel flesh is the best method for the mullet. Carry weights between 3 and 6ozs to cover all options.

Spring tides produce the most fish, but neaps are almost as good for the flounders and coalies, especially in the winter.

HOW TO GET THERE
Leave the main A470 at Dolgellau taking the A493. Turn right at Fairbourne and follow the road to the beach and turn right past the Golf Club until you come to a small turn round with limited parking in summer with a fee payable. Walk along the side of the miniature railway track towards the point.