Species

What's out there?

One of the great things about sea fishing is that you never completely know what will happen. Tony may deliberately target one species, while another sometimes appears.

The species available depend on season, water temperature, venue, tides, weather, bait and time of day.

Month-by-month calendar for 80+ UK sea fish →

Bass

Moderate

Dicentrarchus labrax

A powerful, clean-fighting fish that turns up in coloured surf and in clear estuary water. Handle carefully and respect size and catch limits.

Season: Late spring to autumn
Where: Surf beaches, estuaries, rock marks

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Garfish

Easy

Long, thin, acrobatic and often the fish that makes people smile most on a warm summer evening.

Season: Summer
Where: Piers, deeper rock marks, clear water

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Black bream

Moderate

A pretty, hard-fighting fish that rewards neat rigs and small, well-presented baits.

Season: Summer
Where: Reef and rough ground

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Plaice

Easy

Beautifully marked flatfish and one of the most satisfying spring targets in North Wales.

Season: Spring and early summer
Where: Clean sand and mixed ground

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Flatfish caught from a North Wales estuary mark

Flounder

Easy

Obliging, close-in and ideal for beginners and children.

Season: Autumn to winter
Where: Estuaries and shallow beaches

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Bull huss

Moderate

A large, handsome member of the shark family that turns up after dark on rough ground.

Season: Autumn to spring
Where: Rough ground and rock marks

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Tope

Challenging

A fast, powerful shark species and one of the most memorable shore captures in Wales.

Season: Summer
Where: Deeper marks with tidal flow

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Conger eel

Challenging

Powerful, nocturnal and demanding of good handling and safety.

Season: Summer to autumn
Where: Rock marks, piers, harbour walls

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Wrasse

Moderate

Colourful, hard-fighting and superb sport on a summer rock mark.

Season: Late spring to autumn
Where: Rock marks and kelp

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Mackerel

Easy

Scomber scombrus

The classic summer fish of the North Wales coast — fast, hard-fighting for its size and brilliant for beginners and children. Shoals arrive as the water warms and chase baitfish right under the rocks.

Season: Early summer to early autumn
Where: Rock marks, piers, harbour walls and deep-water beaches

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Pollock

Moderate

An eager, hard-pulling fish that makes rock marks come alive at dusk.

Season: Summer to autumn
Where: Deep rock marks and reefs

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