Ogmore Deeps

HOW TO GET THERE
Leave the M4 at junction 35 and head towards Bridgend along the A473 at the third roundabout take the A48 towards Porthcawl, at the next roundabout take the first left (sign posted Ogmore by Sea) along the B4265 and travel along this road past Ewenny potteries and down the hill. Next land mark will be a bridge over the river Ogmore and the road sweeps to the right, take the next right (sign posted Ogmore by Sea) along the B4524 follow this all the way into Ogmore village. Go straight though the village and as you leave you will cross a cattle grid. Park on the grass immediately on the left of this cattle grid. The sea will be directly in front of you, head straight down the grass hill and upon reaching the bottom bear left continue on and the deeps will appear in front of you. It is easy to recognise as it is a long shelf of flat rocks heading towards the cliffs.

PROSPECTS
The deeps is a popular mark therefore it can be very crowded particularly when the fishing is good and also it does attract tourists in the summer months. It has a range of marks from sandy bottom to coral reefs and rocky beds, tackle loss can be high if fishing the wrong spot so a "reccy" at low water could save you money, as the tide ebbs a strong current appears so grips leads are a must.

Distance casting is not an issue as even on the lowest tide it still has a fair depth of water, some marks here fish better than others as with any place and with regulars having there favorite mark you need to get there early to secure a good spot.

It is capable of producing a wide variety of fish with bass, mackerel, gurnard etc. In the summer months, May on to early October small eyed ray, thornback ray and the occasional blonde ray with early codling/whiting also showing. The winter months tend to be the most popular with whiting in abundance, good size cod/codling, conger and obligatory pouting and dogfish.

BAITS AND RIGS
This is determined by which mark you are fishing i.e. rotten bottoms needed for the reef/rock marks. Pulley Rigs tend to be used more often with 2-3 flappers/paternosters for the sandy bays. Baits rag worm, mackerel will tempt most species with sandeel for the rays, lug tipped with mackerel/squid or crab for the codling with the odd bigger cod falling for 1 or 2 whole squid. Conger will take almost any fish bait. In the summer Bass can be taken on rag worm and crab, also it has been known for bass to be taken on the float with crab, live prawn or mackerel strip.

WARNINGS
The deeps can be a dangerous and extremely perilous place. HIGH TIDES especially with a onshore wind make this mark lethal and un-fishable! Waves frequently crash over and swamp the ledges washing tackle boxes, rods and even the odd fisherman out to sea, this is not a place to try at night for the first time unless your with someone who knows the area.

The car park is a fairly safe place as it on the main road but common sense is needed don't leave anything on display and make sure you lock it, as thieves are everywhere.