Wooden Jetty, Aberdovey, Gwynedd

MARK DESCRIPTION
The wooden jetty is used both by working boats and yachts, but also by the Outward Bound Centre. Very busy by day and fishing at this time is not recommended, but by night, save for courting couples, you're likely to have the place to yourself.

There is a deep sandy gully running in from the main estuary channel towards the jetty flanked by rising sandbanks infront and to the right hand side. The fish run through the gully working along the jetty's length looking for food.

METHODS
A simple flowing trace type ledger rig takes most species. You're fishing high up, so it's essential to make sure that the bait is on the seabed where it's most effective. Light outfits such as bass and carp rods are fine with small fixed spool reels loaded with 12lb most popular. An under arm lob is enough to find the deepest water.

Float fishing takes mullet and garfish, or go really light and fish tiny size 14 hooks baited with scraps of fish in amongst the clouds of sandeels. This finds odd smelt, too.

Longer casts towards the sandbank edges with a sandeel bait or crab can pick up better sized bass or flounder.

BEST TIMES
Excellent for flounder throughout the year, and for eels, bass, gars and mullet in the summer. Eels to 3lbs are regularly taken on night tides from late April on. Plaice to 4lbs are possible using long casts to access the main estuary channel.

In ideal conditions, mackerel can occasionally be caught on spinners and feathers in the evenings.

Late August and in to November, big bass cruise through jetty supports over spring tide high water. Whiting, dogfish and dabs come close in off the jetty, again over high water from September to Christmas.

BAITS
The flounder, eels, bass and plaice will all take peeler crab. Sandeel is a good bait ledgered and float fished for big bass, as is a half fillet of mackerel fished tight to the jetty supports.

Lug attracts mainly whiting, dabs and dogs. Tip off with fish to sort out the bigger whiting. Mackerel flesh with no skin attached is a good mullet bait, or harbour rag and bread.

GETTING THERE
From the A487 at Dovey Bridge, take the A493 to Aberdovey. The road travels along the seafront with a large car park to the left. The jetty is in front of the Yacht Club and only a hundred yards from the car park.