St Mary's Bay, Lleyn Peninsular, Gwynedd

MARK DESCRIPTION
Fishing is from the rock headland on the right hand side of the bay. The bay itself is mainly rough ground holding conger, dogs, pollack, coalfish and wrasse, with codling, pout and rockling showing in the winter.

Casting straight out seawards from the headland puts you on to a mixed seabed of rough ground and small patches of clean sand in a moderate depth. Summer species include wrasse, conger, huss, dogfish, three bearded rockling, pollack and coalfish. Winter returns see mainly whiting, conger, codling and small ling.

Very fast tides here, even on neaps. Fishes best either side of low water slack. Southwesterly to westerly winds over force 4 can create big swells and care is needed. Never fish alone here!

TACKLE AND BAIT
Fish 25lb plus mainline to combat the snags and use a weak link system to the lead. Weights need to be 5oz/6oz plain and with grip wires. Best rig is a simple one hook rig using a short 12" hook length as you're retrieving through heavy kelp at times. Two hook rigs, again with a weak link to the weight, take the whiting etc, from the cleaner patches. Float gear close in to the rock ends gives great fun with the wrasse, or try spinning and redgilling for the mackerel, pollack and coalies.

Mackerel baits are good for dogs, whiting, conger and ling. Sandeel is best for huss. Crab takes the wrasse and codling, as will worm baits.

HOW TO GET THERE
Approach via the B4413 to Aberdaron. Turn right then immediate left over the bridge in Aberdaron, then 400yds further on take a left turn and follow the signs for Uwchmynydd. After crossing a cattle grid park on the open grass just before the road steepens and bears right. Head south following the footpath (obvious) to the mark which is about a 1/4 mile walk down a steep grass bank. Gets very busy in the summer!