Sea Fish Species you are likely to encounter fishing from and around the coast of Wales
Bass: This strong predatory fish is the most popular species that is targeted around the coast of Wales. Can be caught in most areas on a variety of methods from May to October. Boats operating out of the majority of Welsh ports will go after bass. Highlights include fishing with live sandeels off the Gower.
Cod: Shore record: 44lb 8oz, 20.183kg - B.Jones, 1966 Toms Point, Barry
Boat record: 58lb 6oz, 26.478kg - Noel Cook, 1992 Off Whitby, Yorkshire
Colouration: Olive brown or greenish back, occasionally dark browny red according to habitat; sides lighter, mottled with a creamy white belly.
Food: Eats a large range of mostly bottom living fish and invertebrates.
Distribution area: All around the British Isles as well as north to the Arctic USSR and across the Atlantic to Greenland and the eastern seaboard of North America.
Season: Traditionally a winter species for shore anglers but cod can be caught pretty much throughout the year in the British Isles
A winter species, visits North Wales coast and South Wales Coast from late October through to Spring. Ports such as Penarth and Swansea are considered to be some of the best in the UK if it is a big cod you are after.
Plaice: Can be caught over shallow clean sandy areas, often feeding on worms and Mussel.
Dabs: Often caught when fishing for other species, tends to feed on worms and small crustaceans found near sandy areas.
Tope: An obvious member of the shark family that is fished for mainly during the Summer months. A scavenging fish which feeds on smaller sick, injured or dead fish. Always use a wire trace when targeting this species. Cardigan Bay is a particularly good place to go after this powerful fish with boats operating from Aberystwyth and Aberdyfi often being booked up months in advance.
Hannah's Whiting
Pouting: often considered a bait robbing pest by Cod and Whiting Anglers it can grow to a couple of pounds. A characteristic rat-tat-tat bite often experienced by anglers fishing afloat all around the coast but mainly the south and North coast.
Conger: A feared and respected species that is mainly taken near snags and obstructions such as wrecks. Sizes vary from 4 – 5 lb right up to 120 lb monsters that can be encountered in deep water. A wire trace is necessary to prevent the sharp teeth of the conger from tearing through your line. Whole fish or squid mounted as baits are the order of the day.
Weever Fish: One species that can pose danger to the visiting and resident angler alike. Often caught during the summer this brown and white spiky character hides poisonous spines in its dorsal fins and gill covers. Extreme caution is needed when handling this fish and any handing avoided if at all possible. Seek medical attention immediately if you think you may have been stung by the Weever.
Pollack: Another hard fighting species that will entertain the holiday angler who visits Wales. Mackerel feathers, sandeels, pirks and jelly worms and fresh worms are all good baits for this tough fish which hunts near wrecks and other underwater obstructions. A tasty fish when eaten fresh, will often grow to 10lb but are usually caught around the 4lb mark.
Mackerel: Getting afloat on a summers evening can ensure that the barbecue is well stocked. Mackerel are abundant around the coast and finding a shoal is easy if you have a boat. The easy way to catch them is on feathers and hokkai rigs and don’t be surprised to catch one on each hook.
Black Bream: A summer visitor which is particularly common in Cardigan bay. Baited feathers are usually the method used to catch this fine eating fish. Can grow up to 4 lb. Boats operating out of Aberystwyth and Aberdyfi often target Bream.
Thornback Ray: Fairly common in deeper water over sandy ground where they will take fish baits, crab and worm. Cardigan Bay and Camarthen bay are particularly good areas.
Angler Fish
Shore: 68lb-02oz-00dr, 30.899kg, 1967, H.G.T.Legerton, Canvey Island
Boat: 94lb-12oz-00dr, 42.985KG, 1985, S.M.A.Neill, Belfast Lough N.Ireland
Colouration: Greenish brown to blackish grey, with speckled and variegated markings
Food: Wide variety of small and juvenile fish, including those of dogfish, skate, cod, haddock, whiting, sprats, sandeels, flat fish.
Distribution: Found all around the coastline of the UK, including the Atlantic, English Channel, and North Sea.
Notes: The anglerfish takes its name from the method by which it lures its prey. It lies partially buried on the sea floor and twitches a long filament that grows from its head. The filament looks like a worm and attracts smaller fish that are engulfed by the angler's huge mouth.
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Sea Bass Safaris
Our sea bass boat is rigged exclusively for sea bass angling. We can offer lure and fly casting, jigging with soft plastics, trolling and live bait fishing. The boat is fully licenced and insured and there is a toilet on board. And she carries all the tackle you will need. This is the UK's first specialist sea bass sport fishing experience and one not to be missed!