St Non’s Bay

St Non’s Bay is a small, dramatic cove on the St Davids Peninsula, best known for rough ground fishing in exposed Atlantic conditions. It’s not a “numbers” venue, but it can produce quality fish for anglers prepared for tides, swell and a steep walk in.

• Best thought of as a rock-and-gully mark with kelp, boulders and broken ground rather than clean sand.
• Rewards mobile anglers who can read the water and safely fish a bit of colour after a blow.
• Expect sessions to be tide-and-swell dependent; some days it’s simply unfishable due to surf and surge.

The bay sits below the coastal path and is accessed on foot, typically involving a descent to the shore and then fishing from rocks, ledges or the boulder beach depending on conditions. Access is straightforward in fair weather but can feel committing because you’re in an exposed, wave-facing cove.

• Park considerately in the St Davids/St Non’s area using signed parking; avoid blocking gates and passing places.
• Follow the public footpaths/coastal path down to the bay; expect uneven, often slippery ground on the final approach.
• At the waterline you’ll find a mix of boulders, rock shelves and weed—pick a stance that remains safe on the flood.
• Treat this as a “walk-in” mark: travel light enough to relocate if swell direction makes one side of the bay safer than the other.

Species reflect the rough, kelpy nature of the ground and the bay’s Atlantic exposure, with the best chances when there’s movement, colour and food in the water. Summer can also bring an extra layer of opportunity if sea conditions settle.

• Pollack: a headline species here, particularly around deeper gullies and kelp edges.
• Wrasse: common in the rough ground; best targeted close-in with crab baits.
• Bass: possible around rough ground and wash, especially in mild weather with surf and colour.
• Mackerel: can show in season when shoals run the headlands (more reliable when you can reach deeper water safely).
• Dogfish and occasional rays: possible from slightly cleaner patches or where you can cast beyond the heaviest kelp.
• Conger: a chance fish in heavier ground/holes, more likely at night if you can fish safely above the surge line.

This is primarily a rough-ground venue where tackle choice and presentation matter more than extreme range. Fishing tactics should be matched to the swell: too calm and clear can be tough; too rough and it becomes unsafe.

• Spinning/lures: soft plastics, metal jigs and shallow divers for pollack and occasional bass; work lures along kelp edges and across gullies.
• Float fishing: a strong method for pollack/wrasse where you can control depth over kelp; adjust shotting to cope with swell.
• Ledgering with bait: crab, peeler, mussel and squid can all work; keep traces abrasion-resistant and accept you may lose gear to kelp.
• “Short casting” is often best: place baits into gullies and white water rather than trying to hit distance.
• Use stronger end tackle than you would on clean ground: rough terrain and surge quickly find weak links.
• Night sessions can improve chances of bass and conger, but only if your route out and your platform remain safe on a rising tide.

Tide and sea state dictate everything at St Non’s Bay. The most productive sessions usually coincide with water movement and a bit of colour, but you must balance that with safe footing and manageable surf.

• Mid-tide to high water often fishes best where gullies fill and fish patrol closer to the rocks.
• A light to moderate swell can be ideal for bass and general “wash fishing,” provided you have a safe, elevated stance.
• After a blow, a settling sea with residual colour can switch the bay on; crystal-clear calm conditions can be slow.
• Strong onshore winds and big swell can make the bay dangerous and unfishable—don’t force it.
• Watch for surge in gullies: sets can arrive bigger than the average wave, especially on an Atlantic-facing coast.

This is not a beginner-friendly mark in rough weather: rocks, kelp slime and swell combine to make slips and unexpected waves a real hazard. Plan your session around a safe exit, not just a good bite time.

• Wear studded boots/cleats and carry a wading staff if you plan to move across boulders or weed.
• Avoid low, wave-washed platforms; rogue sets and surge can sweep gear (and people) off.
• Keep an eye on the flood: the bay can “shut off” access lines as water rises around boulders and gullies.
• Fish with a partner where possible; mobile signal can be variable along sections of the coast.
• Travel light and keep hands free on the descent/ascent; a rucksack is safer than multiple loose items.
• Accessibility is limited: expect steep/uneven paths and difficult terrain for anyone with mobility issues.

Facilities are limited at the bay itself, so you should arrive self-sufficient and treat it as a remote-ish shore session.

• No toilets, shelter or tackle facilities on the beach/rocks.
• Nearest amenities (shops, food, public toilets) are typically in St Davids—plan ahead.
• Bring drinking water, a first-aid kit, spare leader/rigs, and a headtorch if there’s any chance of finishing in low light.
• Take all litter and discarded line home; rough ground snags make it easy to leave tackle behind unless you’re careful.

Small coves like this reward observation: spend time watching the water before committing to a spot. If you can identify a safe gully with depth and flow, you’re already ahead.

• Look for darker lanes (depth) and foam lines (food conveyor belts) and fish just off the main turbulence.
• For pollack, work lures or floats along the kelp edge rather than straight out into the chop.
• For wrasse, present crab baits tight to structure and be ready for immediate bites—strike firmly and keep pressure on.
• Carry plenty of abrasion-resistant leader and accept that occasional losses are part of rough-ground fishing.
• If the bay is too rough, consider relocating to a more sheltered nearby mark rather than “making do” in dangerous surf.

I’m not aware of a blanket, always-in-force ban that specifically prohibits sea angling at St Non’s Bay, but parts of the Pembrokeshire coast can have seasonal wildlife sensitivities and access guidance. Treat any on-site signage and official local advice as the authority.

• Check for site signage regarding nesting seabirds, cliff access, or temporary restrictions before fishing.
• Follow any Pembrokeshire Coast National Park guidance on access, parking and path use.
• Bass and other species may be subject to national/byelaw rules (size limits, retention limits, seasonal measures); check current Welsh regulations before you fish.
• If you intend to collect bait (e.g., crabs/mussels), confirm local rules and any protected area restrictions—some shores have limits or prohibited collection.
• Respect other users (walkers, swimmers, wildlife watchers) and avoid casting where the public may pass behind you on the shore path.