South Wales is a wonderful part of the world for all types of fishing – sea trout fishing in the River Tawe or Tywi (best in UK), sea fishing in Swansea Bay or off the Pembrokeshire coast and there are several world class coarse fisheries in the region.
The first thing you will need to do is select your fishing holiday accommodation. Plas Farm near Pontardawe is a popular central base for holiday makers looking to explore the region and enjoy some truly memorable South Wales fishing experiences. Highlights include:
River fishing on the River Tawe where trout, sewin and salmon may be caught. Permits are very reasonably priced and can be obtained from HR Jones and Company Fishing Tackle and Baits in Clydach, just a five minute drive from the holiday cottages at Plas Farm. Owned by a competition sea angler, the shop serves as base to an international fly fishing team and is a real Aladdin’s Cave of fishing gear that has been in existence since the 1800s. They welcome visitors to the area and can be called for advice on the best places to fish at the time of your holiday. They’ll also let you know what licences and tickets are needed. Guests at Plas Farm’s holiday cottages are offered discounts on some items in the shop. The lower part of the River Tawe is run by the Tawe and Tributaries Angling Association and the upper part by the Pontardawe and Swansea Angling Society.
Some ten miles to the south of Pontardawe, Swansea Bay and the Gower Peninsula offer some of the best sea fishing in the UK – there are many charter fishing boats operating out of Swansea with big bass and mackerel being the main attraction. However, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding which species to target – there are sandbanks with bass, smoothhound, rays, turbot or tope and lots of reefs which are great for pollock, trigger fish, bass, black bream and wrasse. Again, for advice on which charter boat to choose, give the local fishing shop a call.
For those with an interest in coarse fishing, some twenty minutes west of the fishing holiday cottage accommodation in Pontardawe you will find White Springs Lakes, recently voted the UK’s top coarse fishery by Anglers Mail. Another local favourite is Margam Country Park which offers a great day out for all the family not to mention ponds stocked with Bream, Tench, Rudd and three different species of Carp.
The angling opportunities in South Wales are plentiful. Many of the locations are genuine hidden gems. The key to having a great fishing holiday in the area is to chose good quality accommodation in a central location with good links to the local fishing shops and suppliers. They will help you to create a bespoke itinerary prior to arriving. You can even hire a local tourist board accredited fishing guide for a day or the duration of your holiday should you so desire. Kim Tribe Fly Fishing is our recommended guide for the South Wales area and will even pick you up at your accommodation not to mention supply fishing equipment, transport and permits.
