Porthlysgi Bay

Porthlysgi Bay is a small, sheltered bay on the St Davids Peninsula with a mix of sand, shingle and rough ground that can fish well when the open coast is too wild. It’s best approached as a “conditions mark”: pick your moment with tide, swell and water clarity and it can produce a varied Pembrokeshire shore catch.

• Sheltered bay that can offer fishable water in winds that ruin more exposed marks
• Ground is mixed (sand/shingle patches broken by rock and weed), so tackle choices matter
• Generally suits short sessions around tide changes rather than long, static waits

The bay sits below the coastal path and is typically reached on foot via a descent from the clifftop. Access is straightforward in dry weather but can be awkward after rain and should be treated with respect, especially when carrying gear.

• Park in the nearest public parking area serving the coastal path (check local signs; parking availability changes seasonally)
• Walk in along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, then take the path down to the bay where available
• Expect a short but potentially steep/uneven approach; a compact kit (one rod, small bag) is ideal
• Phone signal can be patchy in the dip of the bay; plan accordingly

Because it’s a mixed-ground bay, Porthlysgi can throw up a “little of everything” depending on season, water colour and surf. Clean patches will hold flatfish, while the rough and weedier edges suit wrasse and other species.

• Bass: most likely when there’s a bit of movement/colour in the water and food being stirred
• Flatfish (e.g., flounder/dab): over the cleaner sandier areas, especially around tide run
• Wrasse: tight to rock/kelp in calmer summer conditions
• Pollack: possible near rockier edges and deeper pockets, particularly with a bit of swell
• Dogfish/codling-type surprises: occasionally in darker, rougher conditions, depending on year and water temperature
• Mackerel: may show within casting range when shoals push in (often better from nearby headlands, but worth a look)

Fish it as two marks in one: a clean-ground beach and a rocky-weed edge, swapping rigs and baits to match what’s in front of you. Travel light and be prepared to move 50–100 metres to find a better cast line, depth or clearer water.

• For clean patches: use a simple running ledger or clipped paternoster with short hooklengths to reduce tangles
• For mixed/rough: step up abrasion resistance (heavier mono/leader) and use a slightly shorter rig to keep gear under control
• Bass tactics: keep it mobile with mixed baits or lure work if conditions allow; fish the seams where swell meets calmer water
• Wrasse tactics: fish close-in among kelp/rock with strong hooks and a firm rod; expect powerful lunges on the strike
• Flatfish tactics: lighter leads when possible, longer hooklengths on clean sand, and present baits neatly (avoid dragging into weed)
• Lures: small paddletails/soft plastics and metals can work when water is clear enough and baitfish are present; watch for kelp snags
• Bait choices (general): ragworm/lug for general species; crab or crab sections for wrasse and potential bass; small fish baits can help in coloured water

This is a mark where the “right” conditions matter more than sheer distance casting. Aim for a tide that gives you enough depth to fish effectively without pushing weed and swell into the bay.

• Mid-tide rising into high water often gives the best depth and cover, especially for bass and pollack
• On very low water, rough ground and kelp can become more exposed, increasing snag risk but offering wrasse opportunities
• A gentle swell can be ideal; too much swell can make the bay unfishable and dangerous due to surging water and floating weed
• Water clarity: clearer water favours wrasse and lure fishing; a touch of colour can help bass and general bait fishing
• Wind: the bay can offer shelter, but strong onshore winds can still drive weed and make presentation difficult
• After heavy rain, run-off can affect clarity; sometimes this helps (a bit of colour), sometimes it kills sport—judge on the day

Although it’s a relatively sheltered bay, it’s still open sea and can change quickly, with slippery rock and unexpected surges. Treat the descent and the intertidal rocks with caution, especially when wet or weed-covered.

• Check swell forecast as well as wind; residual swell can wrap in even on “calm” days
• Beware of slippery kelp-covered rock and rolling shingle; studded boots or proper rock footwear help
• Keep an eye on tide behind you; some spots can become awkward to retreat from at higher water if you wander onto rocky corners
• Avoid setting up directly beneath unstable cliff sections; don’t loiter under obvious erosion scars
• Fish with a headtorch and spare batteries if staying late; the exit path can be tricky in the dark
• Take care with children/dogs due to steep paths and sudden drop-offs on rock ledges

Facilities are limited at the bay itself, so arrive prepared and pack out what you pack in. Nearby St Davids area generally provides amenities, but you shouldn’t rely on anything being open outside peak times.

• No on-beach toilets or bins are typically available; carry a rubbish bag
• Nearest food, toilets and shops are usually found in St Davids/nearby visitor areas (seasonal hours vary)
• Mobile reception may be inconsistent; consider letting someone know your plan

Small bays like Porthlysgi reward observation—spend five minutes watching the water before you cast. Look for clean sand lanes between weed, and for bassy water where wavelets and foam lines meet.

• Start with a few exploratory casts to map snags and find the clean ground
• If weed is bad, shorten your rig and lift the lead weight slightly; sometimes moving a little left/right finds clearer water
• Fish the edges: the boundary between kelp and sand often produces better than the middle
• In calm, clear conditions, scale down hook sizes and bait size for bites; in coloured water, go bigger and use scentier baits
• Keep spare terminal tackle ready—mixed ground will cost you some gear on an off day

I’m not aware of a clear, blanket prohibition on angling specifically at Porthlysgi Bay, but Pembrokeshire has sensitive wildlife areas and local rules can change. Always verify on-site signage and check whether the spot falls within any protected area with specific byelaws or seasonal restrictions.

• Check for National Trust/Coastal Path and any site-specific notices at access points
• Confirm whether the bay lies within an MPA/SAC/SPA area with particular angling restrictions (rules can be gear- or species-specific)
• Follow Welsh fisheries rules on minimum sizes, catch limits (where applicable), and protected species—use official Welsh Government/NRW sources
• If collecting bait (worm/crab), check local restrictions and avoid sensitive habitats; take only what you need
• Respect other beach users, swimmers and paddlers; give plenty of space and fish safely