Cwm-yr-Eglwys

Cwm-yr-Eglwys is a small, steep-sided Pembrokeshire cove with rough ground close in, kelpy gullies, and a mix of rock and broken ground that can fish very well when there’s a bit of movement in the sea. It’s more of a “specimen-bash and scratch” venue than a long-range beach caster, with its best sport coming from accurate placement and reading the water.

• A classic rocky-cove mark: close-range features matter more than distance
• Best when there’s a gentle swell or a coloured sea after weather, rather than flat-calm gin-clear conditions
• Expect a mixed bag rather than one “single-species” venue

The mark is the sheltered cove and adjacent rocky edges at Cwm-yr-Eglwys, reached from the small coastal settlement and public parking near the beach access. Once at the cove, fishing options depend on sea state: you can fish from the beach/foreshore at low water or from rock ledges and the cove edges when it’s safe.

• Approach is on foot from the village/parking; allow extra time carrying gear down and back up
• Access can be slippery on algae-coated rock and shingle; studded boots are a big help
• In bigger seas, avoid being tempted too low: the cove can funnel surge and backwash

This is typical north Pembrokeshire rough-ground fishing: wrasse and pollack are the headline targets in summer, with bass possible when there’s surf or white water, and winter bringing codling/whiting in more mixed conditions (often more reliable on nearby mixed/cleaner ground). The ground and kelp favour species that hunt structure, so expect plenty of “by-catch” if you fish natural baits.

• Ballan and corkwing wrasse (summer, around kelp and boulders)
• Pollack (especially over broken ground and kelp edges on the flood)
• Bass (best with swell/colour; also at dawn/dusk)
• Mackerel (seasonal, when shoals run close)
• Rockling, dogfish, conger (occasional, especially on rougher patches at night)
• Flounder/dabs (possible where there’s sand/shingle patches, usually lower down the cove)

Success here comes from fishing the rough with abrasion resistance and keeping tackle simple, strong, and controllable in surge. The cove suits both bait fishing and light lure fishing, but either way you’ll do best by working the gullies and the kelp line rather than hurling casts blindly.

• Bait fishing (rough ground): short flowing traces or pulley pennel rigs with strong mono/fluoro leaders to steer fish up and out
• Best baits: peeler crab, hardback crab, lug/rag, mussel; use tougher baits when crabs are active
• Wrasse tactics: fish baits tight to kelp/rock with minimal lead that still holds; be ready to hit bites quickly before they dive back
• Pollack tactics: float-fished baits or light leads into gullies; or spin with soft plastics/metal lures worked just above snaggy ground
• Bass tactics: in swell/white water use crab, rag or sandeel; surface or shallow divers can work at low light when the sea has a little chop
• Tackle notes: 15–30lb braid for lure work; for bait, step up shockleader/rig body strength to cope with snags and sudden lunges

Cwm-yr-Eglwys tends to fish best with some water movement and a bit of texture on the surface, especially when the water is lightly coloured. It can be very quiet in bright, flat conditions, while too much swell can make it unsafe or unfishable inside the cove.

• Best tides: the flood and the first part of the ebb are often most productive around structure
• Low water: exposes more rock and weed; good for reading gullies, but can be snaggy and shallow for fishing
• High water: opens up deeper lines and brings fish closer, but increases surge risk on low ledges
• Weather: onshore or quartering winds that push a gentle swell can improve bass and general sport; strong onshore swell can make the mark dangerous
• Water clarity: a slight tinge of colour is ideal; crystal-clear water often calls for finesse and low-light sessions

This is a scenic but serious little cove: rock platforms, weed, and swell can turn it hazardous quickly, and exits can be awkward if you’re cut off by a rising tide. Treat it as a “conditions-dependent” mark and be prepared to change plans.

• Slippery rock and kelp are the main hazard; wear proper footwear and consider a wading staff for balance
• Watch for sudden surges and rebound waves inside the cove, especially when there’s any swell
• Check tide height and your exit route before committing to lower ledges; don’t fish anywhere you could be cut off
• Mobile signal can be patchy on parts of the coast; fish with a mate where possible
• Not well suited to anyone with limited mobility due to uneven footing and gradients

Facilities are limited and seasonal in feel, typical of a small coastal cove rather than a developed promenade. Plan to be self-sufficient and respectful of residents and other beach users.

• Small nearby parking (capacity can be limited in peak season)
• Public amenities may be limited/seasonal; bring water, first-aid basics, and spare tackle
• Tackle and bait are generally easier sourced from larger Pembrokeshire towns; buy ahead if targeting crab baits

This is a mark where quiet, accurate fishing outfishes brute force: placing a bait into the right gully or along a kelp edge is everything. It also rewards timing—arriving to fish a “window” of safe water rather than forcing it in the wrong sea state.

• Spend 10 minutes watching the water: look for darker kelp lines, pale gullies, and areas where swell “lifts” then drains—those funnels hold fish
• Fish lighter leads whenever you can hold bottom; too much lead wedges into cracks and costs rigs
• If crabs are stripping baits, swap to tougher offerings (crab, mussel cocktail bound with bait elastic) and shorten soak times
• For wrasse, lock up a bit more than you would on clean ground and be ready—most losses happen in the first few seconds
• For lures, work them across the face of kelp beds rather than straight through them; take a few steps along the rocks to change angle instead of forcing snags

I’m not aware of a blanket, always-in-force ban on sea angling specifically at Cwm-yr-Eglwys itself, but Pembrokeshire has sensitive habitats and some local/byelaw restrictions can apply depending on exact location and activity. Always treat signs on-site as definitive and check current local rules before you fish.

• Look for on-site signage covering access, conservation notices, or restrictions on bait collection/parking
• If you plan to collect bait (e.g., crabs, mussels), check whether local restrictions apply and avoid damaging habitat
• Observe any Marine Protected Area guidance for the wider coastline (rules can vary by activity)
• If unsure, check with Pembrokeshire Coast National Park information and local angling shops for the latest, mark-specific guidance