Essential Tips for Catching Bass with Lures Around the Llyn Peninsula:
The Llyn Peninsula is a stunning and productive bass fishing destination, offering a mix of rocky outcrops, weedy gullies, sandbars, and kelp beds. However, catching bass consistently here requires more than just luck—it demands knowledge, patience, and adaptability. Here are five essential tips to help you land more bass on lures in this beautiful part of Wales.
1. Understand Tides, Times, and Conditions:
Tidal movements highly influence bass, and fishing at the right stage of the tide can make all the difference.
Tides: A building tide (especially after low water) is often the most productive, as bass move in to feed on baitfish pushed inshore. The first few hours of the incoming tide can be dynamite around rocky points and sandbars.
Time of Day: Dawn and dusk are prime feeding windows, but overcast days or slightly coloured water can extend the bite.
Wind & Weather: A calm day after a storm can be excellent—bass will patrol shallow grounds picking off disoriented prey. A light to moderate onshore wind can also improve your chances by creating a bit of chop, which encourages bass to feed. You should eventually have enough venues to fish, no matter what the weather.
2. Choose the Right Lures for the Ground:
The Llyn Peninsula has varied terrain, so your lure choice should match the conditions:
Weedy/Kelp Beds: Weedless soft plastics (like Sunslicker Swimmish Paddle Tails / or The mighty Gravity Stick retrieved slowly weedless) or surface lures (Patchinko, walk-the-dog styles) work well.
Rocky Ground: Jigheads with soft plastics, such as the new weedless Sandy Andy, can be used to troll the bottom or shallow-diving hard lures (e.g., IMA Komomo II) to help avoid snags.
A fresh out of the box weedless Sandy Andy helped save a blank last outing:
Sandbars & Surf: Metal jigs (e.g., Savage Gear Seekers) and shallow-running minnows (e.g., Lucky Craft Flash Minnow, or the mighty Hunthouse 155) imitate sandeels.
Pro Tip: Don’t fall for the “this lure is unbeatable” hype—sometimes tackle shops push certain lures to catch anglers, not fish! Experiment and find what works for your marks.
3. Develop Watercraft & Learn the Ground :
Bass love structure—weed, rocks, and drop-offs create ambush points. Spend time observing:
Many a time, I have seen the sneaky silver assassins hide behind a boulder before darting out to hit my lure. They are ruthless hunters.
Where does the tide push baitfish?
Are there deeper gullies near shallow flats?
Where are the sandeels or crabs concentrated?
Choose your ground, look for gullies, structures, weed, and kelp beds:
The more you study the water, the better you’ll predict bass movements.
Above all, enjoy the learning process, have fun: Your outdoors in beautiful surroundings, stress-free, what’s not to love?
An unexpected hard-fighting Sea Trout in bright sunshine was caught using a Komomo11 in a Chameleon flashing plate just two yards out:
4. Mindset: Patience & Persistence:
Bass fishing can be tough—some days they’re on the feed, others they’re ghosts. Stay Patient: Even when it seems impossible, keep trying different retrieves, lures, and depths.
Learn from Others: Follow local anglers, watch their techniques, and ask questions (respectfully). Anglers like Henry Gilbey and Cormack Walsh have great insights into UK bass fishing.
Don’t Get Despondent: Every blank is a lesson. The more time you put in, the more you’ll understand the rhythms of the peninsula.
5. Adapt to Post-Storm Conditions:
After rough weather, bass often feed aggressively in the calmer aftermath. Target:
Sheltered bays with less swell.
Murky but clearing water (bass use reduced visibility to ambush prey).
A building tide, which brings fresh food into hunting zones.
Final Thoughts:
Bass fishing around the Llyn Peninsula is as much about knowledge and adaptability as it is about skill. Respect the tides, learn the ground, check the area out at low tide, and have an escape route. Stay patient, and don’t be afraid to switch tactics. Most importantly, enjoy the process. There’s nothing like the thrill of a bass smashing your lure in these wild Welsh waters.
Thanks for reading,
Tight lines all.
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