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Pembrokeshire

Saundersfoot Harbour

6.7 · Harbour · Pembrokeshire

Saundersfoot Harbour offers easy-access fishing from the harbour walls and outer breakwater, with mixed ground of sand, shingle and rougher rock edges. It fishes best on the flood and around high water when bass and mackerel move in, while the inner harbour and adjacent sand hold flatties at night and on bigger tides. Expect relatively short casts to find fish, but snags increase closer to the rocks and around moorings.

Should you fish Saundersfoot Harbour?

56 Fair

Today · Best window

Best window: 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide

Most likely species: Mackerel and Bass

Fair conditions. Best around 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide. Good chance of Mackerel and Bass.

W 4 mph Rain 2% High tide 11:45

Fishable, but pick your timing carefully.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for Saundersfoot Harbour — 7-day forecast

Scores and best windows are weighted for .

Met Office Met Office · Open-Meteo

Where the data comes from. Weather and sea-state readings come from the Met Office and Open-Meteo forecast models, refreshed several times a day. High and low water are taken from tide-station predictions for this stretch of coast.

How the score works. Each window is scored 0–100 from the signals that most reliably move fish inshore: tide movement (a running tide carries food, so the last of the flood and first of the ebb are usually the prime spells), wind speed and direction (onshore wind stirs food into the surf — up to the point it makes fishing hard), sea state (a little wave and swell movement helps, heavy swell hurts), and weather — rain, temperature and light. Behind the headline number we score bite opportunity and comfort separately, and run a separate safety check on wind and swell. The size of the tide counts too: spring tides move more water than neaps, so the tidal range for this stretch of coast is weighed alongside the tide's direction, your target species and this mark — and unusually big springs strengthen the safety check, because the water rises faster and covers more ground.

Your target species counts. Pick a species below and the score also weights what we know about it — its season, preferred sea temperature, tide stage and sea state, and whether it feeds by day or night.

The rating is guidance, not a guarantee — conditions change fast on the coast, so always judge the sea in front of you before you fish.

Wednesday looks better than today. Unlock the week to see its score and exact window.

· windows & tide

Spring vs neap tides. Spring tides have a larger difference between high and low water, so more water moves on each tide — usually stronger flow that stirs up food and gets fish feeding. Neap tides have a smaller range and generally gentler movement. The range here is compared with what is normal for this stretch of coast, and the cycle swings between springs and neaps roughly every week, following the moon.

Big spring tides: the water rises faster and covers more ground than usual — double-check access routes and cut-off points before you fish.

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Saundersfoot Harbour is best approached as a short-range structure mark, not a distance venue. The more consistent fishing is usually around the harbour mouth, outer wall and tide seams, with the inner corners and adjacent cleaner sand better for flatties and smaller mixed species. Time your session around moving water: the flood into high water is the main general window, while dawn, dusk and after-dark can lift your chances for bass, pouting, dogfish and winter whiting. Keep tackle light, mobile and snag-aware, and avoid exposed outer edges when swell is pushing into the entrance.

  • Know whether to fish the outer face or inner wall.
  • Time the flood so you are fishing the entrance run, not dead water.
  • Use short casts to hit the wall edges, seams and cleaner patches.
  • Switch tactics by species: bass outside, flatties inside, pouting after dark.
  • Avoid the conditions that turn the harbour mouth from productive to risky.

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Saundersfoot 0.3 mi New Hedges and Twy Cross 1.3 mi Pleasant Valley 1.4 mi Wooden 1.6 mi Kilgetty 1.9 mi

Explore nearby towns: Saundersfoot · New Hedges and Twy Cross · Pleasant Valley · Wooden · Kilgetty

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Forecast tuning currently supports Bass and Mackerel — more species are on the way.

Overall rating

6.7 /10

Blend of catch potential, access, safety, and overall experience.

Category scores

Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 8/10
Safety 6/10
Accessibility 9/10

Bass 7/10
Tip: Best on flood to high water; dusk/night with lug/rag or sandeel baits, or small spinners/soft plastics along the wall edges.
Mackerel 7/10
Tip: Summer shoals; feathers or small jigs work from the outer wall on a moving tide—often best in clear water and a bit of depth.
Pouting 6/10
Tip: Reliable after dark near harbour mouth; small hooks with bits of rag, mussel or squid—keep traces short in the tide.
Dab 6/10
Tip: Common on the sandy areas; small baits (lug/mussel) on light gear, best on the flood and into high water.
Pollack 5/10
Tip: Occasional around the rougher outer rocks; try float-fished rag or small lures worked tight to structure (expect snags).
Whiting 5/10
Tip: Autumn/winter evenings; two-hook flapper with lug/squid on cleaner sand patches just outside the harbour.
Flounder 5/10
Tip: More likely in coloured water and after rain; fish smaller baits on the slackening tide inside/near the harbour mouth.
Lesser Spotted Dogfish 5/10
Tip: After dark from the outer wall; squid or fish baits on a running ledger—handle carefully and unhook with forceps.
Plaice 4/10
Tip: Occasional on clean ground; try lug/rag cocktails and longer traces when the water is clear in spring/early summer.
Mullet (Thick-lipped) 4/10
Tip: Summer in calmer inner areas; float-fish bread/flake and fish light lines—often wary around boats and pontoons.

Local knowledge

Saundersfoot Harbour fishing guide

Practical access, seasons, methods, tides, safety and facilities for this mark.

Saundersfoot Harbour is a small, sheltered boat-and-leisure harbour that can fish surprisingly well for species that like structure, depth and tide run. It’s best treated as a light-tackle, finesse mark rather than a “big chuck” beach venue.

  • Best for short, tide-timed sessions around the harbour walls, entrances and the deeper channel
  • A useful “backup mark” in rough weather when open-coast spots are unfishable
  • Expect lots of snags and bites from smaller fish—tackle choice and rigs matter more than distance

The mark is the harbour area at Saundersfoot, with fishing typically focused from the harbour walls, steps, slipway edges and the vicinity of the harbour mouth where water is deeper. Access is straightforward on foot, but it’s a busy, public space and you’ll need to be considerate of harbour users.

  • Park in Saundersfoot and walk to the harbour; expect pay-and-display and seasonal crowds
  • Most fishing is done from the stone/harbour walls and adjacent public areas (where access is permitted)
  • The harbour mouth and outside wall generally give the most “sea-like” water compared with the inner basin
  • Keep well clear of moorings, ladders, working areas and anywhere signed as restricted

Species here are mainly those that patrol harbour structure and channels, with occasional better fish on the right conditions. You’ll typically find a mix of small-to-medium fish, with the chance of quality fish where depth, cover and tide line up.

  • Pollack (often close in around wall shadow and kelp/rocky edges outside the harbour)
  • Wrasse (tight to structure; common around stones and weed)
  • Bass (especially around the harbour mouth and adjacent surf line at dawn/dusk)
  • Flounder and other flatfish (quieter corners with sand/mud influence)
  • Mackerel (sporadic; more likely when shoals are tight to the coast)
  • Garfish (in summer at times, on float/needle-style presentations)
  • Rockling, small codling/whiting in colder months can show depending on wider local conditions

Saundersfoot Harbour rewards mobile, close-range tactics and careful presentation; heavy leads and long casts usually just find snags. Plan to fish the tide run at the mouth and the eddies along the wall, keeping rigs simple and snag-resistant.

  • LRF/HRF style: small soft plastics, creature baits and tiny metals worked along the wall for wrasse/pollack
  • Spinning: 10–30g metals, small side-to-side lures, and paddletails worked through the flow at the harbour mouth for bass/pollack
  • Float fishing: a sliding float with ragworm, maddie or small strips for wrasse/pollack and occasional bass
  • Light bottom fishing: short flowing traces, small hooks and just enough lead to hold for flounder and mixed species
  • Baits that typically score: ragworm, lug, small crab pieces (where legal and appropriate), prawn, and fish strips (mackerel/sandeel-style)
  • Rig tips for snags: shorter traces, stronger abrasion-resistant leader, and avoid dragging leads across boulders—lift and reposition instead

The harbour fishes best when there’s some movement—too little tide can make it quiet, and too much can make presentation difficult in the entrance. Clarity and swell direction matter: a little colour can help bass, while very clear, calm water can make fish wary.

  • Fish the flooding and ebbing tide around the harbour mouth for the most consistent action
  • Aim for the first couple of hours of the flood or the last couple of hours of the ebb for a defined run line (varies with wind and swell)
  • Dawn, dusk and after-dark can be excellent for bass and better pollack, especially in summer/autumn
  • After a blow, expect more debris and stronger surge around the wall—often better outside than inside
  • Calm, bright conditions can favour wrasse/pollack on lures, but use lighter line and more subtle presentations

This is a public harbour environment with slip hazards, ladders, and sudden depth changes, and it can be very busy in peak season. Treat it as a high-risk mark in rough conditions, especially near the harbour entrance where swell can rebound off walls.

  • Slippery weed and algae on steps/walls are common—wear footwear with solid grip
  • Watch for swell and “bounce-back” waves at the mouth; avoid fishing exposed outer edges in big seas
  • Keep clear of the slipway, moving boats, and any working zones; lines across walkways create hazards
  • Night fishing: bring a headtorch, keep gear compact, and know your exit points
  • Consider a flotation aid if fishing close to the edge, particularly in winter or at night
  • Accessibility varies: some areas are flat and paved, others involve steps and uneven stonework

Saundersfoot is well set up for visitors, which makes it comfortable for short sessions and family-friendly fishing—though crowds can be the limiting factor. You’ll find amenities close by, but not necessarily right on the wall.

  • Shops, cafés and toilets nearby in the village (seasonal opening times vary)
  • Tackle and bait availability can vary locally—bring what you need, especially out of season
  • Mobile signal is generally available, but don’t rely on it for safety planning
  • Plenty of accommodation locally if you’re planning a multi-mark trip

Think of the harbour as a structure mark: fish the edges, shadows and seams rather than the open water. Small changes in position—ten metres along a wall, or one side of the entrance versus the other—can transform results.

  • Work lures parallel to the wall and let them swing in the tide; hits often come as the lure straightens
  • Try the outer side/near-mouth areas for pollack and bass; inside corners can hold flounder and small wrasse
  • Use a landing net and be mindful of height—some spots are awkward for lifting fish
  • Downsize in clear water: lighter leaders, smaller lures, and more natural bait presentations
  • Keep your kit minimal and mobile to avoid obstructing pedestrians and other anglers

Harbours often have their own bylaws, safety rules and restricted zones, and these can change with local management and events. I cannot confirm a blanket “no fishing” rule here, so treat permissions as conditional and check locally.

  • Look for on-site harbour signage about fishing, access, and restricted areas (especially near slipways, ladders and working berths)
  • If approached by harbour staff, comply immediately and move on—some areas may be off-limits even if others are tolerated
  • Be aware of local bylaws and sea fisheries rules for Wales (size limits, protected species, and methods can apply)
  • Avoid causing obstruction or nuisance; complaints are the fastest way for access to be restricted
  • If you plan to gather bait (e.g., crabs/worms), check local rules and permissions first—don’t assume it’s allowed