Cleddau Bridge

Cleddau Bridge is a classic Pembrokeshire estuary mark where tidal flow, depth and structure combine to hold fish for much of the year. It’s best approached as an estuary/bridge-fishing venue: mobile, tide-aware and focused on presenting baits in the main run or along the crease lines.

• • A tidal, brackish venue on the Cleddau system with strong currents around bridge structure
• • Suits short sessions around tide turns as well as longer soak-and-wait fishing when the flow is manageable
• • Potential for a mixed bag rather than one “headline” species every trip

The mark is on the Cleddau estuary at the bridge crossing, with fishing typically done from accessible shoreline/paths and any safe, publicly available spots near the approaches. Expect traffic noise, wind funneling and a lot of moving water; the best positions are the ones that let you fish cleanly without snagging constantly.

• • Access is generally straightforward via nearby public parking/lay-bys and footpaths, but exact usable spots can vary with maintenance works and private boundaries
• • Productive areas are commonly the margins of the main channel, the bridge shadow/eddies, and any deeper scours formed by the tide
• • Treat all “nice looking” ledges as potentially slippery and weeded—choose stable ground with room to play fish safely

This is primarily an estuary mark, so species can change with salinity, season and how far up/down the system you are fishing on the day. You’re usually targeting fish that hunt in the flow, plus flatfish on adjacent softer ground where the run eases.

• • Bass (often best around stronger tides and in low light when they patrol the seams)
• • Flounder (commonly on mixed/silty ground and along calmer edges)
• • Mullet (where present, often in quieter water and on finer tactics)
• • Eel (especially on warm nights in summer)
• • Occasional pollack/codling/whiting-type estuary visitors depending on year and conditions (more likely in cooler months)
• • Crabs can be a significant nuisance at times, shaping bait choice and bite detection

Fish the bridge like a moving-water venue: place baits where fish can intercept them without your rig instantly rolling or snagging. Success often comes from adjusting lead weight, snood length and casting angle to “hold” in the right lane rather than simply casting further.

• • Running ledger or clipped-down paternoster with enough lead to hold bottom in the flow; increase weight as tide strengthens
• • Use longer snoods for a more natural presentation in slower water; shorten up if tangles become an issue
• • Casting slightly uptide and letting the gear settle can help you find the crease line where the current meets calmer water
• • Baits: ragworm, lugworm and small peeler/crab sections are solid general choices; fish baits (mackerel/sandeel) can pick out bass and eels
• • For mullet: lighter line, small hooks and bread or natural baits presented delicately in sheltered water (only where it’s safe and permitted)
• • Bring a range of leads and a few “grip” styles if the bottom is clean enough; if snaggy, simpler rigs and sacrificial links can save tackle

The Cleddau is tide-driven and the bridge area can push a lot of water, so the tide state matters as much as the weather. Many anglers do best around slack water and the first/last hour of the run, then adjust tactics as the flow builds.

• • Fish the tide turns for easier bite detection and reduced snagging, then scale up lead sizes as the run increases
• • On big spring tides, expect powerful flow; on neaps, you can often fish more comfortably and hold bottom with lighter gear
• • After rain, extra freshwater can colour the water and shift fish; look for where clearer water meets colour (a natural feeding line)
• • Low light (dawn/dusk/night) can improve bass and eel chances; bright calm days can suit mullet where present
• • Wind against tide can steepen chop and complicate line control—keep line angle low and consider heavier leads

This is a high-risk environment if approached casually: deep water, strong current, slippery margins and nearby traffic are the key hazards. Fish only from stable, publicly accessible ground and avoid any temptation to climb on structures or enter restricted areas.

• • Strong tidal currents: a slipped footing near the edge can be serious—keep well back and avoid wading
• • Slippery weed, mud and uneven stones are common; footwear with good grip is essential
• • Bridge/road proximity: be mindful of traffic, barriers and safe parking; never fish where casting could endanger road users
• • Carry a headtorch at night and keep gear organised to avoid trip hazards
• • A long-handled landing net is useful where banks are steep; do not attempt unsafe lifts on light line
• • If you’re unsure whether a spot is public/safe, move—there are usually alternative positions along the approaches

Facilities are those of a roadside/estuary mark rather than a managed fishery. Plan as if there’s limited shelter and minimal on-site amenities.

• • Parking is typically nearby but can be limited or subject to local restrictions—check signs and don’t block access
• • Shops/toilets are not guaranteed at the mark; stock up before arriving
• • Minimal shelter: dress for wind and spray, especially in exposed conditions
• • Mobile reception is usually reasonable around main roads, but don’t rely on it for emergencies

Cleddau Bridge rewards anglers who fish the “lanes” rather than the middle of the fastest water. Small changes—ten yards left/right, or a different casting angle—can turn a blank into steady bites.

• • Spend the first 15 minutes plumbing the bottom with varied cast lengths to find the depth change and avoid constant snags
• • Watch the surface: foam lines, smooth patches and swirling eddies often mark feeding seams and scoured holes
• • If crabs are stripping baits, toughen up (crab/cart, fish baits) and shorten soak times; rebait little and often when bites are missed
• • Use lighter leads and longer snoods in the slack/edge water for flounder; scale up lead and bait size as the tide pushes for bass/eels
• • Keep noise and light to a minimum at night—bass in particular can be wary in clear, calm conditions
• • Bring spare rigs: bridge marks commonly cost tackle until you learn the cleanest line to fish

There can be local restrictions around bridges, navigation, and adjacent land, and these can change with works or safety policy. I can’t confirm a blanket ban at this specific spot, so treat signage and local guidance as decisive.

• • Check for any on-site signs indicating restricted access, no-fishing zones, or temporary works exclusions
• • Respect navigation: avoid lines that could interfere with boats or moorings and retrieve promptly if traffic approaches
• • Ensure you are on public access land/paths; do not fish from fenced-off areas or private property without permission
• • Follow Welsh fisheries/byelaws and any species-specific rules (size limits, bass measures, etc.)—verify current requirements via official sources before fishing
• • Take litter and discarded line home; estuary marks are high-visibility and complaints can lead to access pressure