Trearddur Bay

Trearddur Bay is a classic Anglesey west-coast venue where you can fish sand, weed, and rough ground within a short walk of parking. It can produce mixed catches year-round, with the best sport usually coming when there’s a bit of water movement and a light surf.

• • Best suited to anglers who like variety: beach casting for flatfish and bass, and short-range work around rocky edges for wrasse and pollack
• • A good “plans A/B” mark: if the bay is weedy or crowded, nearby headlands and rock features often give alternatives
• • Expect it to be busiest in summer due to tourism, so early mornings, evenings, and out-of-season trips are far more relaxed

Trearddur Bay is on the south-west side of Holy Island (Anglesey) and is easy to reach, with straightforward access to the beach and surrounding rocky fringes. Most fishing is done from the sand in the bay or from the rock edges at either end, depending on swell and weed.

• • Access is generally via public paths to the beach and along the bay frontage; rock access depends on tide height and sea state
• • The bay is relatively sheltered compared with more open west-coast marks, but it still fishes “Atlantic” when swell pushes in
• • Popular with walkers, swimmers, paddleboarders and kayaks in season—choose quieter times and keep lines clear of water users

Trearddur Bay offers a genuine mixed-bag fishery, with species shifting by season, sea temperature, and how much surf is in the bay. The sand can produce classic flatfish and bass, while the rock/kelp margins hold hard-fighting species.

• • From the sand: bass, flounder, dab, plaice (seasonal/variable), dogfish, occasional ray depending on conditions
• • Around the rocky/kelp edges: wrasse (ballan and corkwing), pollack, coalfish, small conger in rougher pockets
• • After dark: dogfish are common, bass can show, and rough-ground species are more likely if you fish close to structure
• • In clear, calm spells: expect more wrasse/flatfish sport and fewer “dirty-water” opportunities; in coloured water bass often improve

This mark rewards keeping your approach flexible—fish the sand when there’s surf or a pushing tide, and switch to the rock edges when conditions are calm and clear. Travel light if you plan to move between bay and rocks.

• • Beach casting: 2-hook flapper or simple running leger for flatfish; keep baits small and neat when the water is clear
• • Bass fishing: fish into the surf line with a pulley/pennel style beach rig or a simple running rig; vary lead size to hold bottom
• • Baits: lugworm and ragworm are dependable on the sand; crab and mussel can be excellent around rough ground; sandeel/strip can pick up bass and dogfish
• • Lure options: soft plastics and small metal lures can work along the rocky margins for pollack/coalfish; surface or shallow divers can score for bass in low light when the bay is quiet
• • Rough-ground tactics: fish closer in than you think—wrasse and pollack often sit tight to kelp lines and boulders; use abrasion-resistant leaders
• • If weed is heavy: shorten snoods, use more streamlined rigs, and consider lifting baits slightly off bottom; sometimes moving 50–100 yards makes a big difference

Trearddur Bay tends to fish best with some tide run and a bit of “life” in the sea, but it can be very clear and calm in settled weather. The bay can also collect weed after storms or strong onshore winds.

• • Best general windows: a pushing flood and the first part of the ebb, especially when there’s a light surf
• • Clear, calm water: often better for wrasse and pollack near the rock/kelp; bass can be more cautious in bright conditions
• • Coloured water and broken surf: usually improves bass chances on the sand and can bring fish closer
• • Weed: expect it after blowy weather—if it’s snagging constantly, try a different section of the bay or switch to the rock edges where it may be less concentrated
• • Wind direction matters: onshore winds build surf but also bring weed; light cross-shore breezes can be a sweet spot

It’s an accessible venue by Anglesey standards, but the rock edges demand respect—especially with Atlantic swell and a rising tide. Treat the bay as a shared space, particularly in summer.

• • Rock fishing: only attempt in calm conditions; kelp-covered rocks are extremely slippery and can be cut off quickly on big tides
• • Swell risk: even when it looks manageable, sets can surge into gullies—keep well back and never turn your back on the sea
• • Beach safety: watch for strong currents after storms and avoid casting near swimmers/watercraft
• • Night fishing: headtorch, spare light, and a clear plan for exit routes are essential; avoid unfamiliar rock routes in the dark
• • Accessibility: the beach approach is generally easier than nearby cliff marks, but uneven surfaces and steps/ramps may be involved depending on your chosen entry point

Trearddur Bay is well served for a fishing session, with the benefit of being a holiday bay rather than a remote cliff mark. This makes it convenient but also means more people around.

• • Nearby parking is typically available in the bay area (availability and charging can vary)
• • Toilets and refreshments are often available locally, particularly in the main season
• • Tackle and bait: for the widest bait choice, it’s worth planning ahead and checking local suppliers on Anglesey/Holyhead area before you travel
• • Mobile signal is generally reasonable in populated areas, but don’t rely on it as your only safety measure

A little local thinking goes a long way here—small changes in position and timing can transform the session. The bay’s mix of ground means you can usually find fishable water somewhere.

• • Fish the “edges”: bass often patrol where sand meets rock or kelp; flatfish like clean sand patches—keep moving until you find them
• • Low-light advantage: dawn, dusk, and overcast conditions typically outscore bright midday, especially for bass
• • Match bait to ground: worm baits excel on clean sand; crab/mussel score around boulders and kelp for wrasse and bonus fish
• • Keep disturbance low: in clear water, lighter leads and longer snoods can help; in surf, shorten things up for control
• • Be considerate in summer: cast away from bathing areas and popular launch points, and retrieve quickly if craft approach your line

There isn’t a single, universally publicised ban specific to “Trearddur Bay” for shore angling that can be relied on without checking locally, and access/rules can change. Treat signage and any local byelaws as the final authority, and be mindful of seasonal water-use zoning.

• • Check on-site signs for any restrictions relating to bathing zones, slipways, or seasonal management (common in busy bays)
• • Observe any local byelaws that may apply to Anglesey/Holyhead coastal waters; confirm with official sources if planning a dedicated trip
• • If fishing near slipways or moorings, keep clear of navigation and avoid lines becoming a hazard to water users
• • Follow best practice: take litter home, avoid blocking paths, and consider barbless or semi-barbed hooks if wrasse are a target and you intend to release them