Musselwick Sands

Musselwick Sands is a small, scenic sandy bay on the south Pembrokeshire coast that can fish well for classic surf species when there’s a bit of water and movement. It’s not a “numbers” venue every day, but it’s a worthwhile mark for anglers who like reading water and fishing into rougher ground at the bay edges.

• Best thought of as a light-to-medium surf mark with mixed sand and nearby rock/reef influence
• Can produce in short feeding spells, especially around dusk/dawn or when a tide pushes colour into the bay
• Suits anglers who are happy to move a little to find a gutter, trough, or a seam beside the rocks

Musselwick Sands sits on the Pembrokeshire coastline in a sheltered bay setting, with access typically via coastal paths and a walk down onto the beach. Expect a “carry your kit” approach rather than fishing beside the car.

• Approach is usually on foot; travel light if you plan to explore the bay edges
• After rain, paths and slopes can be slick, and sand can be soft underfoot
• The best fishing areas are often not dead-centre of the beach but along the contours and toward the rougher margins

This is a mixed-bag venue where the sand can hold feeding fish and the nearby rougher ground can bring added variety. Your likely catch changes with season, sea state, and how much surf is running.

• Bass: often the headline species; look for them patrolling gutters and the bay edges in coloured water
• Flounder: a common target over cleaner sand, especially where you find small depressions and run-throughs
• School codling/whiting in colder months can show if there’s surf and food being stirred
• Dogfish and dabs can feature, particularly when conditions are calmer
• Occasional wrasse/pollack may be possible closer to rocky edges if you fish baits tight to structure (snags likely)

Fish Musselwick Sands like a reading-water exercise: identify gutters, a deeper channel, or a crease beside rough ground, then put a bait where fish can intercept it. You can cover the beach effectively with simple, robust surf tactics.

• Bottom fishing with clipped-down rigs helps in crosswinds and modest surf
• 1–2 hook flapper/paternoster rigs work well for flatfish and mixed species over clean sand
• A slightly longer snood and a well-presented bait can improve bites when the sea is calm and clear
• For bass: fish a single hook rig with a larger bait, or consider lure fishing where conditions and space allow
• Baits: lug/ragworm, sandeel, squid, mackerel strips and cocktail combinations depending on target species
• Use grip leads when there’s tide pull or swell; swap to plain leads in calmer conditions to avoid over-anchoring baits

Musselwick Sands generally fishes best when there’s some movement and a bit of colour in the water, rather than bright, gin-clear calm conditions. Tide height and wave energy change how much of the bay is fishable and where the feeding lanes develop.

• Rising tide often brings fish closer; the last couple of hours of flood into early ebb can be productive
• A light surf or stirred-up water can switch on bass and improve daytime prospects
• After storms, look for newly-formed gutters and scalloped edges where food is concentrated
• In calm spells, focus on low-light periods (dusk/dawn/night) and fish further out into any deeper water
• Strong onshore winds can make it uncomfortable but may improve fishing if it remains safe to access

This is a beautiful but potentially serious bit of coastline, with typical Pembrokeshire hazards: changing tides, swell, and slippery ground near the rocks. Plan your session around a safe exit and avoid being tempted onto cut-off areas.

• Watch for rapidly filling channels and soft sand that can slow your return on a rising tide
• Keep well clear of rocky outcrops in swell; unexpected sets can wash higher than you think
• Cliff/path access can be slippery after rain; wear suitable footwear and carry minimal loose gear
• Night fishing: bring a headtorch, spare light, and allow extra time for the walk in/out
• Mobile signal can be variable on coastal sections; let someone know your plan and timings

Facilities at Musselwick Sands itself are limited, so you’ll want to arrive prepared. Treat it as a self-sufficient session rather than a comfort venue.

• No guaranteed toilets, shops, or shelter on the beach
• Bring drinking water, a basic first-aid kit, and a way to carry litter out
• Parking and access arrangements can vary by approach route; check locally before committing to a long session

Success here comes from fishing the features rather than simply “chucking it out” from the flattest part of the sand. A small move along the beach can be the difference between blanks and bites.

• Spend 10 minutes watching the bay: look for darker water (depth), rip lines, and a defined gutter running parallel to the beach
• Fish the seams: the edge where clean sand meets broken ground can be a natural patrol route for bass
• If bites are scarce, shorten your casting distance and work the nearer gutter on a bigger tide
• Keep rigs simple and robust; if you’re near the rougher edges, accept the occasional snag and scale up abrasion resistance
• In clear water, downsize hooks/baits and lengthen snoods; in coloured water, go bigger and fish confidently

I’m not aware of a blanket “no fishing” rule that universally applies specifically to Musselwick Sands, but Pembrokeshire has areas with conservation measures and seasonal sensitivities. Always treat local signage and official guidance as the final word.

• Check on-site signs for any restrictions related to wildlife, access, or seasonal management
• If the beach sits within or near a protected area, there may be rules on bait digging, vehicle access, or certain activities
• Follow local bylaws and best practice: take litter home, avoid disturbing nesting/roosting birds, and handle bass and other sportfish with care
• If in doubt, consult Pembrokeshire Coast National Park information and local tackle shops for the most current, mark-specific advice