Its been pretty interesting over the years, i prefer the two small beaches on the actual reef at low water, bathers arnt allowed to swim there, so this allows daylight fishing, surf is the best fishing, on low water, with only casting out to the 3rd wave. It may sound daft but if they are about thats where ive always had most success. Ive had success with the bass on black lug, blow lug, rag and crab. Dogfish are present but not in the crazy numbers you get around trefor. The other odd speicies i have had recently and in numbers are snotties (silver eel), and they are ruddy awfull things, i absolutley hate the way they snot your hand, line and anything it comes in contact with.
One species i thought was more attributed to morecambe is plaice, however in the past two years i have had success with them on the bridge and at shell island, for someone who has always been besotted with bass, my attention now is turning to plaice, as i think the sight of them bright orange spots staring back at you is fantastic. Its probably a novalty that will wear of, but dabs flounder and plaice are all on the menu also.
The strange thing about the reef is that you will search forever for any type of crab, never mind the possible pealer, even in the estuary they are scarce. However you can dig blow lug at the start of the causeway, there are also cockles to collect, however recent years have been very poor.
Obtaining good quality bait is a bit of a pain especially on a bank holiday weekend. There are two fishing shops in barmouth, the one on the left as you head through the town towards barmouth has a better range and price (live rag if your quick). The other sells frozen pealer crab but they are french and in my opinion rubbish. Shell island also has frozen bait available but its expensive.
So i would consider collecting some from your usual outlets.
Please Please dont be a noddy angler and fish at low water in the estuary, like so many do, take your shoes and socks of and have a walk in the water to see what is there, you will see hundreds of very tiny flatties, (its a bit weird when you stand on a flattie) occasionally some very small mullet, and thats all, i walk upto the river everytime i go cos its interesting what you see buzzing around in the water,but certainly very little that you would like on your hook. It also give me an idea an of when the sandeal are around, and its possible with the usual hard work to collect them by hand here.You get loadsa holiday makers with determined looks on their faces fishing there, i really feel so sorry for them, but on the other hand im not fighting for a place on the beach.
There are bass on the beach when they are in season, but dont tell anyone if you catch one, they like to post catches in the camp shop, but it creates a frenzy of anglers all trying to scare the bass of on what was once your quiet beach. Most people who goto shell island fall in love with it, you cant pin point the exact attraction but it caters for all.
The tides when you are there arnt the best, the week after they are alot bigger, which tends to bring in the bass.
