Discover Carmarthenshire

Sea & Estuary Fishing

Carmarthenshire's rich and stunning coastline lends itself perfectly to sea fishing. Its the ideal location for spending long summer days exploring lovely coves and fishing for bass along rocky shorelines.

Vast and varied, the evocative Carmarthen Bay seashore sweeps on for miles, home to some of the longest, sandiest beaches in Europe and a haven for wildlife.

Carmarthenshire's two surf beaches at Pendine and Cefn Sidan (Pembrey) offer excellent fishing conditions for a wide variety of sea fish including sea bass, flounder, dabs, mullet and tope.

The sea fishing possibilities are endless and the scenery is breathtaking. Regular fishing trips and charters are available at many of the small ports and harbours around the coast. Spin off from the rocks into the crystal waters on the trail of mackerel, bass and pollack or try the larger beaches for a spot of beach-casting.

Surf Beaches

Two readily accessible surf beaches at Pendine and Cefn Sidan offer superb saltwater experience for surf fishing and long range beachcasting.

Pendine
Pendine is a true storm beach with excellent fishing and clean golden sands. It fishes best during the bigger spring tides with low water and the flood tide good. Bass show from late March on staying right through until late January most years. Turbot appear in March and peak in April / May, though individual fish can show at any time. Golden grey mullet are the main interest here with July and August the best time. September onwards sees a good run of whiting, with dabs inshore from October to March. The beach is good all year for flounders, though the best fishing is from October to Christmas.

Cefn Sidan, Pembrey
The surf is good at Cefn Sidan, which is the longest, sandies beach in Wales, providing a unique blend of coast and countryside. The seven miles of sand is backed by deliciously deep sand dunes, shielding the wonderful Pembrey Country Park. This shoreline is a favourite among surf fishermen targeting tope during the summer months.

The dunes and surrounding area are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest and the Saltings area is a local nature reserve. Rare plants and interesting birdlife exist throughout the Park and on the beach, the strandline is of particular interest to beachcombers.

Estuaries

Two readily accessible surf beaches at Pendine and Cefn Sidan offer superb saltwater experience for surf fishing and long range beachcasting.

Long sandy estuaries teeming with natural wildlife, provide some of the best fishing experiences in Wales.

Carmarthenshire is blessed with two major estuaries, the Three Rivers Estuary (made up of the rivers Tywi, Gwendraeth and Taf) and the Burry Inlet (also known as the Loughor Estuary). Both estuaries are part of the 'Carmarthen Bay' and 'Estuaries Special Area for Conservation' and are included in the 'European Marine Site'.

Most of the Burry Inlet is restricted to rod and line fishing with stake nets being the only form of netting allowed. This is to protect the valuable stocks of bass, sea-trout, mullet and salmon. The species of the Burry Estuary are celebrated with a Flounder Fishing Festival hosted regularly by a local angling club.

A vast beach at Pembrey sweeps around to a charming farm-fringed estuary where the River Tywi meets the sea, and where coastal towns fit their surroundings like a glove. Seek out sandy Ferryside, castle-crowned Llansteffan and the sleepy, seaside town of Laugharne.

(Fishing Map »)