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FRIAR’S Point is a long, narrow
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rocky spit that divides the sandy beaches of
The current here is very strong, especially on the flood tide. For this reason it is advisable to fish either side of the point. There’s a wide range of species to be caught here, including some specimen bass, rays and cod at various times of the year. This area is well worth exploring and you never quite know what might turn up.
Take Junction 33 on the M4. Follow the signs to Cardiff Airport (A4050) and then look for
Cliffs into
As the tide rises here it is possible to fish from comfortable rock platforms onto clean, sandy ground. Winter whiting catches are often very good, especially after dark. Pouting can be a nuisance but they do make good live baits for tempting a conger or a big bass. Various types of flatfish can be taken on worm baits and there is a real possibility of a serious thornback ray session in the spring.
The Gullies
Just inside the main current at low water there are several rocky, weed-covered gullies. It’s the ideal spot to try for a double-figure conger with fish bait. In summer, float-fished crab or prawn could attract a good bass. Whiting can be prolific here in November and December. Long casting can produce a smoothhounds to crab in summer. This venue is best fished for the last two hours back and two hours up.
Front of Point
This is a slack water mark because the current races through at a ridiculous pace. Tackle loss is inevitable on the rocky bottom, so be prepared. Codling nose into the weed beds during winter, as do bass in summer. Rotten bottom rigs are essential here, but if you can hold in the current you stand a good chance of a big conger. Dogfish are sometimes a nuisance.
Into
Rocks here are less steep and the ground is a mix of sand, shingle and weed-covered boulders. Fish from either the rock platforms or stand on the beach fishing the tide up from low water. Good for codling and whiting in winter, mullet roam in the summer with the chance of a bass after dark. Flatties follow the tide in, so get here early. There is a good chance of a sole on a warm summer evening.
Whitmore Bay
The beach is generally full of bathers in the summer and is really unfishable. But when it empties in the evening the rocks in the corner, near the lifeboat station, can produce some good mullet. Try an early morning approach with an aim to fish and go before 8 am. Otherwise, this mark is best fished at low water for flatties and, when rough, the occasional bass.
Nell’s Point
The path leads to the point on the east side. Initially, you can fish onto clean sand but the further you walk the rougher the ground. Good cod are sometimes taken at low water by fishing into the tidal current. Bass are sometimes taken on float fished with prawn or crab. Whiting can be prolific in autumn. Fishing the rough ground with rotten bottoms and head and guts can produce a big conger.
Local Tackle Shops
Barry Angling Centre, 14 Park Crescent, Barry, South
Aspinalls Angling Supplies, 36 Cross Street, Barry, South
