If you’re looking to cast yourself away for a few hours along Britain’s scenic fringes, Kevin Adams suggests seven shores for an exciting catch.
Britain's best wild fishing beaches
Mullion Cove, Cornwall
Picturesquely sited between cliffs bountiful in wildlife, the cove’s calm waters are sometimes battered by powerful Atlantic storms. Mullion once had a thriving pilchard-fishing community and was well known for its lobster, crab and crawfish. All you need to fish is a light lure rod and a 10lb line. You can catch mackerel and pollock around the wall and, occasionally, a bass. The Mullion Cove car park is a five-minute walk up Nannsmelleyon Road.
Druridge Bay, Northumberland
During the Second World War, Druridge Bay was thought a likely landing place for German invaders. The pillbox built here to defend the coast was disguised as a cottage, a feat of cunning that has won it Grade II-listed status. Coalfish are a common catch here and take a variety of baits fished on the bottom, as well as being caught on spinners and lures. Parking is a few minutes’ walk from the beach.
Moggs Eye, Lincolnshire
Also known as Huttoft Beach, Moggs Eye is a lovely rural spot with a large car park and, when the tide is in, a steeply shelving beach. If you like to angle in solitude this is one of the increasingly rare beach-fishing sites in England where that’s possible. Expect to do well with whiting and some dogfish. Beware that paying for the car park can be tricky via the app since the Wi-Fi signal is unreliable.
Carradale beach, Argyll & Bute
A mile-long stretch of white sand, the beach at Carradale is usually as quiet as it is picturesque. Set beside a small fishing village, with wonderful views over the Sound of Arran, it’s an excellent spot for most disciplines of angling. You can fish with a fly and expect to catch sea trout in season on the Carradale Water that flows in to the bay. Others go after the pollock that are relatively abundant here.
Loch of Stenness, Orkney
This large sea loch is best fished from the shore since fish can usually be found in the shallower water; sometimes so shallow it’s barely enough to cover their backs. Fish are there as it provides a safe haven from hungry seals, so all you need is a floating line. The locals usually fish when the loch is at its lowest, so follow their lead. Fishing here is free but do follow the guidelines.
Traeth Mawr, Anglesey
Created in the late 18th century to reclaim land from the tidal estuary of Afon Glaslyn, Traeth Mawr is mainly sandy. A sandy bottom means far fewer obstacles on the sea bed to snare your fishing equipment, too. Also known as Aberffraw Bay (pronounced “aber-frow”), you’ll find dogfish, bass and flounder here and perhaps some whiting and dabs. Park in the village of Aberffraw and walk in across the dunes.
Traeth Penllech, Gwynedd
A sandy beach, framed at either end by rock pools, Traeth Penllech is set at the very northern tip of the beautiful Llŷn Peninsula. Behind it rise sloping, grass-covered cliffs but you’ll be angling on sand with a view of jutting rocks – ideal places for fish to hide. Fish include pollack, dabs, dogfish, rockling, rays and whiting; time your visit for dawn or dusk if you want to catch bass. Just around the beach’s western edge is a cove, Porth Colmon, with parking.
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Main image: fishing at the Llyn Peninsula. Credit: Getty
