Talybont Beach, Gwynedd

MARK DESCRIPTION
This westerly facing storm beach is typically featureless and shallow with just a few patches of shingle and slightly deeper gullies towards low water, but carries a good run of bass in season.

Best of the bass fishing is from early May to late June fishing just after a a good blow, then again through September and October. School bass to 3lbs form the bulk of the catch, but there also single bigger fish to 6lbs. The school bass continue to be caught throughout the winter.

The spring and summer months see catches include small plaice, flounders, dabs, and on big tides, thornback rays and occasionally turbot to 3lbs.

By early September, whiting move inshore, and are joined by increasing numbers of dabs in October. Single codling are sometimes taken between October and Christmas, but these are individual fish and rarely exceed 3lbs. Dogfish show all year.

Bass take best in moderate south to west winds over low water, but high water in calm seas is better for the rays, whiting and dabs.

TACKLE AND BAIT
Distance is often an advantage here, even at low water, so choose a beachcaster, 5ozs of lead and 15lb line with a 60lb leader for maximum distance. With weed in the water, forget the leader and change to 25lb line straight through.

With casting distance important, either a clipped down wishbone rig or two hook rig clipped up are the best choices. A single hook clipped down behind an Impact Shield should be used for the rays and turbot.

Peeler crab is scarce locally, but good for the early season bass, then change to king rag from September on. Mackerel baits take the whiting, rays and dogfish, but target the turbot with whole small sandeel baits. Lug is good for flounders and dabs.

HOW TO GET THERE
Approach from Barmouth on the A493. Enter Talybont village and take the left turn just before the river and bridge sign-posted Traeth (beach). The road terminates in a small parking area and the beach is accessed through the dunes.