Calling Welsh Spearos

[Spaniard]

Does anyone spear in the Fishguard/Newport area in Pembrokeshire? I have an invitation to stay in a cottage in early October. Are there likely to still be any bass about? Many thanks.

[Alison]

Sorry North Wales here but yes probably, they are up here then so cant see why not; unless of course, that 2000 strong pod of dolphins that was on last nights news has scared them all up here

[Spaniard]

Thanks for info. Do you reckon 5mm still OK for early October; I've dived Abersoch but that was during a hot August.

[Alison]

Yes 5mm be fine it would do me all year round, lol but then Ive dived under ice in a 4mm suit, guess I dont feel the cold

[grahamfoster]

Should still be bass around in early october - I've caught them on Gower/South pembrokeshire that time of year before and water has been nice and warm this year. 5mm wetsuit will still be ok in october too. The main problem won't be fish/water temp though - that time year the swells start to arrive so I think vis will be your main problem - fingers crossed for the type of indian summer we've had in recent years and a nice calm spell

[Spaniard]

Thanks guys. 5mm it is and fingers crossed for viz !! Going with potential in-laws so catching a bass will gain me muchos lads points

[SurfnSpear]

Originally Posted by Alison

Yes 5mm be fine it would do me all year round, lol but then Ive dived under ice in a 4mm suit, guess I dont feel the cold

....Deeper Blue Beach Snoozer.....or...'Ice Queen'?

[Alison]

LOL it was 25 years ago! EEK!

[ben]

Spaniard,

Hell Yeah, I rate late Sept,Oct and early Nov as the best times for the larger Bass down that way.... I dont have any experience of spearing up there yet but have done lots of rod and line stuff. Fishguard and the surounding area are full of deeper water rocky marks with the area arround st davids having some shallower beach/reef spots. My tip would be to check out Newport and Nevern areas for some interesting creeks that are chock full of monster mullet and some large bass.

The others are correct though, water quality changes in a blink of an eye down that way with any swell or wind really messing up the vis. Fingers crossed for a calm spell with some light esterly winds! that should keep things tip top...

Good luck!
Ben

[Spaniard]

Thanks Ben. Can't wait to go now.......

[readinguniguy]

heya everybody, i am new to speardiving, and am going to pembroke next week, just by the newport/fishuard area, and willl try out speardiving with my dads old gun.
il let everybody know how it goes, and what the fish population is like.
i will no doubt spearfish in the gower at sometime in the near future seeing as im from monmouthshire.
wish me luck
readinguniguy

[Alison]

Hi
Check those old rubber bands out make sure they arent perished, if they are get in touch with Dave at www.spearo.co.uk asap so they dont snap and spoil our hols
And a warm welcome to deeper blue Have fun and good luck

[readinguniguy]

yer i got a new band as the old one had perrished, i got it from http://www.apnea.co.uk/ very helpful website and super quick delivery.

what are the laws that i should be aware of when spearfishing in pembrokeshire?

[Alison]

Apart from common sense and dont shoot game fish (trout salmon) none really, have a look at the minimum sizes copied from http://www.nwsa.ukf.net/
Dab...................boat 8" shore 8"

Flounder............boat 10" shore 10"

Sole...................boat 10" shore 10"

Plaice.................boat 11" shore 11"

Mullet.................boat 13" shore 13"

Mackeral............boat 12" shore 12"

Pollack................boat 12" shore 12"

Garfish.................boat 15" shore 15"

Coalfish................boat 14" shore 14"

Ballan Wrasse.......boat 9" shore 9"

Bass.....................boat 16" shore 16"

Cod......................boat 14" shore 14"

Poor Cod..............boat 7.25" shore 7.25"

Whiting..................boat 10.6" shore 10.6"

Haddock...............boat 14" shore 12"

L/Spotted Dogfish..boat 18" shore 15"

Bull Huss...............boat 23" shore 23"

Spurdog................boat 23" shore 23"

Smoothhound........boat 20" shore 20"

Rays.....................boat 16" shore 16"

Conger Eel ...........boat 48" shore 36"

Silver Eel...............boat 15" shore 15"

John Dory..............boat 13" shore 10"

Tub Gurnard..........boat 11" shore 11"

Ling.......................boat 28" shore 28"

Rockling................boat 7.25" shore 7.25"

Pouting..................boat 10" shore 7.25"

Red Bream............boat 10" shore 10"

Black Bream..........boat 9.5" shore 9.5"

Brill........................boat 14" shore 14"

[grahamfoster]

Went diving on this coast yesterday as there were strong SE wind which kills Gower good and proper but is offshore there. Started off at Gwbert which is close to the mouth of Tivy River but the estuary water was all over it - Looked like it would probably never be clear here - crossed off list!. Headed to nearby Mwnt and the slick form Gwbert was spoiling it there too - it was a really distinct slick, the sandy bay looked clear and there were dolphins but the river of dirty water was clipping the headland where the good ground was. Initially our plan was to head further East but we could see up the coast and there were browny patches in the blue - it looked like the tide alone was picking up sediment so we decided to go west instead. Ended up at a small bay just below Dinas head. Lovely quiet little bay with a nice little pub and a few fishing boats. Vis turned out ok but a bit milky maybe 4m. Started on the south of the bay where there was loads of good ground but there was very little fish life. Hardly any pollack and wrasse and not a sniff of bass. Decided to head round onto Dinas head where there was a rock sticking out which looked like it might have potential - trouble was it was about a mile away. Finally reached the rock and spotted a Bass lurking in the current ripping round but missed it from the surface and paid the price by having to re-load in the current. Managed to get a bass on the next dive but that was it. Long swim back and I think this was the longest swim for the least fish ever! I won't be heading back in a hurry as the lack of fish life in general didn't bode well.

Spaniard, when you head up to this coast I would reccomend you head as far west as possible for best chance of vis. Maybe on another day it would be better I just didn't get the feeling that I was onto anything special at any of the spots we checked.