Tag: fishing

Dolphins

Anglesey Dolphins – there are two main types of Porpoise that regularly visit the islands coast. These are the Harbour Porpoise and the Bottlenose Dolphin.

Harbour Porpoise are true to their name, they stick to shallower waters closer to the shore. They prefer coolers water, often inhabiting harbours and outer estuary areas. These are the smallest porpoise in European waters, only reaching about up to around 1.5 metres in length. They do not breach from the sea on a regular basis like other species and often stay clear of boats. You will however spot them easily enough as their backs and small triangular dorsal fins clear the water.

Bottlenose Dolphins are very different from their Harbouse Porpoise cousins. They will often fully breach the water giving great displays. They are a very curious and intelligent mammals. Moreover they will often approach boats to check them and their occupants and will, when playful travel in the boats wake. The Bottlenose Dolphin grow up to around 4 metres in length and are identifiable by there more sickle shaped dorsal fin. The UK biggest pod of these dolphins lives to the south of Anglesey in Cardigan Bay.

As well as porpoise there are other marine animal that regularly visit the coasts of Anglesey such the Minke Whale, these can grow up to 10 metres in length. Though these are usually seen further out from shore by the boats.

Several species of turtle visit the coastline in search food like jellyfish in summer. Seals also have colonies around the island and are commonly seen around the coastal path. Oh and last but not least, two killer Whales were spotted off South Stack in June 2018, part of a pod that live around the Hebrides in Scotland.

What will you see?
Llanddwyn Island

Llanddwyn Island, what a place this is. Located on the stunning south coast of Anglesey, a rocky volcanic outcrop surrounded by the most stunning scenery. Moreover, the island is also steeped in history and folklore of ages past.

To the east are the mountains of the Snowdonian range, to the south the rocky Hills of the Lynn Peninsula. West is the vast expanse of Malltraeth Bay with its long sandy beach, to the north the Pine forest of Newborough (Home to red Squirrels). Best views on Anglesey and dare I say, top 5 in the UK?

Access to the island is easy, just walk onto it. It is a tidal island so can become cutoff on bigger high tide, only for an hour or so. In summer it’s shoes and socks off as you wade through the clear water, winter it’s wellies or arrive as the tide recedes.

Oh, and the rocks you see before walking onto the island? These were formed around 500 million years ago by Lava erupting from the sea bed!

As you make you way across the island, keep an eye out for the wild ponies, their grazing helps manage the local fauna. Some can be quite inquisitive and will even come and check you out.

As you walk towards the end, you will soon come across the ruins of the old church / chapel. St Dwynwen’s Church to be exact, the Patron Saint of Lovers. There are several variations of the legend but all end the same, she was cured of her love burden. It was a pilgrimage site during the middle ages and became quite wealthy from it.

As you approach the end of the island you will find the old pilots cottages, the rnli of old. Take a peek inside the windows, one is a museum. If you are lucky you may spot a lizard or two on the wall outside, basking in the sun.

There is an old lighthouse on the end signalling the start of the Menai Strait. A similar but smaller building is guidance for the pilots cove.

The sea around the island is a Mecca for wildlife, above and below the waterline. Seals can be seen quite regular around the island, dolphins or harbour porpoise frequent the area too.

If you plan on hitting the beaches there are many little coves, either sandy or shingle. There is always one or two that are sheltered from any winds.

It takes around 40 minutes to get to the end of the island from the nearest parking spot, thats walking at a decent pace.. The national trust car park at Newborough forest has toilets, showers and usually an ice cream or burger van. It’s a short drive from Newborough through the Red Squirrel Pine forest.

If there is one place you have to visit on Anglesey, this is it. You will definitely be back again, the pictures just don’t do it justice.

Parking at cost can be found here LL61 6SG
Holyhead Breakwater

Holyhead Breakwater is located on Holy island which is part of Anglesey in Wales. The Breakwater is the longest in the UK, its 1.7 miles in length. The breakwater protects the harbour and the docking ferries from the prevailing westerly winds.

There are two paths along the Holyhead breakwater, the upper and lower. Moreover there are steps at sections should you wish the have a closer look at either. The upper section is solid stone and pretty much flat, there is no hand / safety rail on the inside along the entire length. The outer side has a wall for safety, the views out to sea are spectacular. You can see the Skerries in the distance and the ferries coming in and out of the bay. It also ideal for cycling and should speed up your journey to the end, its quite a wide path so has plenty of room.

The lower section is loose and compacted gravel it is still fine to walk and cycle on. It is also considerably wider than the upper path, again there is no fencing on the water side. Something to be aware of if you have younger children with you.

Holyhead Breakwater is also a Mecca for fisherman, there are loads of species, big and small. Charter boats also run from the marina, these go out fishing over the numerous wrecks and reefs in the area.

The walk back is just as stunning with great views of the sea front and in particular, Holyhead Mountain making a great backdrop.

If you take a look down the inward side of the breakwater during summer you can sometimes see fish. Moreover seals are often seen swimming in the marina.

There is ample free parking at the start of the breakwater as access to cars is no longer allowed.

It’s definitely worth the walk, exercise, fresh air a stunning views. Why not?

Holyhead Breakwater can be found here,

https://goo.gl/maps/8jg4ShmhEm72

Holyhead LL65 1YF
Cable Bay

Cable Bay or Porth Trecastell is located between the town of Rhosneigr and Anglesey Circuit. Soft sandy beach to the rear and quite large when the tide is out, it is bordered by cliffs on either side so is relatively sheltered for bathing.

Popular with families due to its sheltered nature, on summer days it can feel like a sun trap. It is also a favorite among the Kayaking fraternity with its calm waters. There is also a section used by divers on the right hand side, the location is perfect for divers. Crystal clear waters and an abundance of marine wildlife. Moreover the rocks on the end of the cove is a venue often fished by sea anglers.

On a personal note I have seen dolphins here on several occasions, passing the end of the bay. There are videos created by divers showing the diverse marine life, blue Lobsters are seen regular in this area.

As the tide retreats sections of the beach open up to reveal rockpools which are always a family favorite. The amount of creatures you can find is amazing, Prawns, Fish and Sea Anemone are numerous.

Parking is directly behind the beach and is now pay and display but not expensive at £4 for the day. In summer there is usually an ice cream van or catering van parked up. No toilets though, there are some at the rear of Tyn Tywyn Beach towards Rhosneigr. I would advise walking as your parking spot will be taken in seconds!

Cable Bay Anglesey is definitely in the top 10 of beaches on the island.

You can find Cable Bay, Anglesey at LL64 5JR

Cable bay is so called due to the cable laid down in 1902. This was a link to Ireland that then went on to America though it’s no longer in use.

Closest toilets are on the car park behind the beach at Tyn Tywyn but they are not always open. Rhosneigr library car park does have public toilets with a 20p charge. LL64 5YJ
Puffin Island Cruises

Puffin Island Cruises in Beaumaris offer two kinds of trips, Puffin Island Cruises, the Bridges or sea fishing trips.

The cruises are taken at a leisurely pace in comfortable boats which allow you to take in all the scenery the Menai has to offer. The boat will travel in either direction depending on what you want from the trip. Trip one is off towards the southern end of the Menai to take in the two bridges but mainly the Menai Suspension Bridge.

Puffin Island Cruises Kiosk

Designed in 1826 by Thomas Telford, it is a UNESCO world heritage site. The Meani suspension bridge is from local stone, shipped down from the quarry at Penmon. Before the bridge, cattle going to market had to swim across the Menaia low tide!

Trip 2 heads north towards Penmon and Puffin Island with the Great Orme visible in the distance. On the way up to Puffin you will pass the old Penmon Quarry which has now fallen into disrepair.

Penmon Quarry

As you approach the open sea and Puffin Island there are many creatures to keep your eye out for. There is a seal colony that is on the Island year round, the crew will point these out and take you for a closer look.

Puffin Island

Puffin Island is also home to many different species of bird, however given its namesake. Puffins have been almost absent in recent years, but are now making a comeback. Rats made it onto the Island destroying the nesting birds young. These have since been removed and now hopefully Puffins will return in greater numbers. If you are doing a bit of travelling while on Anglesey, nip over to South Stack. Several breeding pair of Puffin live there in breeding season.

What is the Jewel in the crown when out sightseeing on the boats? There are the Dolphins or Harbour porpoise that frequent the area and of course Puffins. Seeing any of these make the trip outworth while. The Menai is abundant with aquatic life that the dolphins can feed on. If you ask at the ticket kiosk they will tell you if they have been seen during the day. Call in advance to book during summer as it is a busy attraction. If the weather is very poor they may not sail so always check first before setting off.

Britannia Bridge

If you fancy taking in both sides of the Menai, Puffin island cruises do an extended trip. This features both the trips combined into one cruise and its slightly cheaper than both separate too.

Puffin Island cruises shouldn’t be missed if visiting Beaumaris, grab your camera and get snapping! Probably the best few hours you can spend while visiting the area, you never know what you may see.

Don’t forget to book in advance. Especially in summer as you won’t want to be disappointed and miss out on this great attraction.

You can find Puffin Island Cruises at Beaumaris Pier, Beaumaris, Anglesey, North Wales LL58 8BS

For more information and the book your trip please visit https://starida.co.uk/
Starida Fishing Trips

Starida fishing trips are based in the picturesque town of Beaumaris on the Menia Straits. Moreover the trips leave from Beaumaris pier which rises and falls with the tide allowing trips at both high and low. A modern little marvel, that it is.

Starida Kiosk

The kiosk pic above shows there are various lengths of Starida sea fishing trips available. The two / three hour trips are quick fishing trips, so these are family oriented to allow you to try it out. All equipment hire and bait needed is included in the price for these trips. By the same token this allows you to just hop aboard and have a go with no worries. Likewise the skipper is more than helpful too, getting you setup and leaving you with nothing to worry about.

A happy little fisherman

These shorter trips take you up towards Puffin Island or further into the straits if the weather is poor. You can catch a wide range of different species in the Menai, from little fish to small sharks, Bass and Rays. All are a possibility on these trips. Moreover there is always a chance to see Seals or Dolphins too as they often visit the surrounding waters.

Nice Bull Huss

Starida was in for servicing on one occasion so a small group of us went out on a smaller boat. The pictures are of the smaller boat, it was the owners son potting boat. We caught and that’s what counts and the skipper is always trying to get you on the fish. Whats more he was great fella too and had the whole group laughing.

Taking the wheel

He even let the children aboard have a quick go of the boat, taking time to explain the instruments. It made it a far more interactive experience for them and not just a fishing trip. Tried and tested!

A great little trip for all the family because fishing and a boat ride all rolled in to one is great. You will see the same views and wildlife as you would on the cruises, whats not to like! It really is a great little trip, not too short or too long for younger children either.

I didn’t blank!

For the more avid fishermen you can hire equipment and bait (£6) or take your own aboard these longer trips. The 4-6 hours trips help enthusiasts indulge in their hobby whilst on holiday!

The 8-10 hours trips are for more experienced anglers and enthusiasts alike. Moreover they involve travelling out to known hots spots or indulging in a bit of wreck fishing. Reef fishing and deep water marks are accessible on these longer trips, allowing you to catch bigger fish species. Rod and Bait hire on these trips costs £12pp.

Sea fishing is great and will be well cared for on these trips. Try it and you might love it!

You can find Starida fishing trips at Beaumaris Pier, Beaumaris, Anglesey, North Wales LL58 8BS

To book your sea fishing trip aboard Starida, please visit https://starida.co.uk/fishing/
Sea Fishing Anglesey

Sea fishing Anglesey is fantastic, it offers literally some of the best sea fishing in the UK. With a 130 mile of pristine coastline there is something for everyone. Deep water rock fishing venues to storm beaches, day or night, Anglesey is home to a great abundance of fish species. Fantastic views wherever you decide to fish with a chance of seeing seals and Porpoises on a fairly regular basis.

All disciplines of sea fishing are catered for, moreover whatever the weather there is always a sheltered spot to avoid the wind. Whether you enjoy fishing on the bottom or enjoy a bit LRF, there are spots all over the island. Some are well know such as Mackerel Rock, Penmon Point and the famous Holyhead Breakwater reaching 1.7 miles into the sea. Others spots are closely guarded secrets, take a walk along the coastal path and you will find them dotted around.

Anglesey is also one of the few places around the UK that you can target Tope from the shore! Huss and various species of Ray, some big ones too can be found all around the island.

Congor Eel are also abundant around the rocky sections of Angleseys coastline. Moreover its great for targeting mini species including the colourful Corkwing Wrasse to the strange looking Scorpion fish.

If you fancy a trip out sea fishing in the depths there are several charter boats around the Island. Further out you can catch the bigger fish among the wrecks, shark fishing the Holyhead Deeps with fish upto 79lb! is very popular. Beaumaris, Holyhead and Amlwch have charter boats operating daily, weather dependent.

One thing is for sure, when sea fishing Anglesey it can always throw up a surprise or two. Spider crabs, Lobster and even Octopus are fairly regular shore catches in summer.

Check out www.turnerstackle.co.uk for places you can fish and directions to get there. Its also covers other parts of North Wales and the North West.

What will you catch?
Crigyll Beach

Traeth Crigyll is a vast expanse of sandy beach backed by sand dunes topped with Marram Grass. The beach is huge but 3 separately named beaches all together split by the Afon Crigyll to the east and Ynys Feurig further west. Cymyran to the east, Crigyll is central and Town beach in front of the town of Rhosneigr. Crigyll Beach is also dog friendly all year round too, its great for walks.

The rear of the beach up to the sand dunes is soft sand, ideal for setting up camp for the day ahead. Park up at Rhosneigr and make your way across, Crigyll is a little out of the way from the town centre and there are no facilities. The beach is quite long and shallow as the water comes in so is pretty safe for swimming. Bear in mind there are no lifeguard facilities on this set of beaches. There will also be lots of watersport activities if the weather is nice but its not obtrusive.

Vast expanse of Crigyll Beach

What makes Crigyll beach so special is its isolation. Less frequented than neighbouring beaches, it has the odd dog walker or maybe a horse or two walking the length. If you like having places to yourself this is the place to be. Rhosneigr town beach a little walk away which can become really busy during the summertime with tourists and locals alike.

Crigyll Beach from the dunes

The beach is south westerly facing which means the majority of winds will be sweeping straight onshore into the beach. On hotter days this is welcomed but make sure you wear sun cream as you will burn quickly.
To the rear of the sand dunes is RAF Valley, there are regular flights during the week by Hawk jets trainers and visiting fighter jets. For some this is an added bonus, they are loud and low but for the most part the noise disappears into the background.

Crigyll is a mecca for watersports enthusiasts due to its south facing position which makes it perfect for windsurfers etc, Boats can be launched at Rhosneigr with locals offering launching help with their tractors for a price.

Rockpools at low tide

The waters of Crigyll can be crystal clear if there have been no recent storms. Its possible to safely snorkel among the rock pools around the outcrop of Ynys Feurig. At lower states of the tides the rockpools are great for kids, they are full of crabs, Prawns, Sea Anemones and various species of fish. It is possible to see baby squid too! As the tide rises you can safely snorkel around the rocks and what were once the rock pools, Bass, Dogfish and other species come in as the depth rises. Please remember safety first if attempting snorkeling, never leave children unattended.

Sand dunes to the rear of the beach gives great views all round. Moreover they let allow you to watch the aircraft take off and land at Raf Valley during the week. Another cracking place to walk the dogs, just be aware of Adders in the area.

As far as beaches go on Anglesey Crigyll Beach is definitely a shining star. Get in on the action or sit back and relax the day away. Rhosneigr is close by with facilities and places to grab a bite to eat. Not one to miss.

Closest toilets at Rhosneigr library car park. toilets with a 20p charge. LL64 5YJ