Order your copy Now Clive Branson's Fishing Guide to Wales and the Borders   By popular demand from visiting anglers I have been asked on many occasions “Where best to go fishing including best facilities such as refreshments, toilets, disable access etc” Therefore I have introduced for each venue within the guide my personal 1-5 star rating *****. Including my personal views, helping anglers decide where best to experience this great sport of ours. I recommend that you phone first and check details before setting out. You will need a valid Environment Agency rod licence to fish at any venue listed   Also check out the easy to navigate post code

COARSE / GAME / SEA

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COARSE

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Venue; KENFIG POOL

Location; Off junction 27 M4
Sat Nav CF33 4PT
Owner Permit; Kenfig Hill A/C
Availability; 30 acre Lake
Tel; 01656 742270
Web Site http://www.kenfigsociety.org/placespool.html
Fish Species; Roach, Carp, Bream, Pike
Additional information; Care to be taken national nature reserve 30 acre weed fringed lake further information can  contact us by writing to,Kenfig Hill and District Angling Association 62 Commercial Street Kenfighill Bridgend Mid Glamorgan CF33 6DL
Star Rating **

Location; Situated 0.5 miles from town centre and trecco bay At Junction 37, M4, take the A4229 three miles towards Porthcawl, turning left at the third roundabout. Drive past the speed camera and continue on this road until you come to the end of the row of houses on your right. Take the next turning right and you'll be able to see the lake surrounded by metal railings. Ample parking is available on the roadside.
Sat Nav CF36 5NG
Owner Permit; Porthcawl A/C
Availability; Day Season tickets from Local Tackle shops
Website: http://www.porthcawl-angling-association.co.uk/
Tel; 01656 786080
Fish Species; Roach, Eel, Rudd, Carp, Tench, Bream
Additional information; The three acre pond at Pwll y Waun, which is owned by Bridgend County Borough Council, is only half a mile from Porthcawl town centre and the Trecco Bay caravan park, so it is ideally suited to attract both local anglers and those visiting the area on holiday.
Star Rating ***

Venue; WILDERNESS LAKE

Location; Situated in Porthcawl At Junction 37, M4, take the A4229 three miles towards Porthcawl, turning left at the third roundabout. Look out for the Wilderness Lake turning first right just before the speed camera.
Owner Permit; Porthcawl A/C
Availability; Day Season tickets on Bank  
Website; http://www.porthcawl-angling-association.co.uk/
Tel;  01656 786080
Fish Species; Roach, Eel, Carp, Rudd, Tench, Crucian carp
Additional information; Parking is either found here or for the other side of the lake follow the road to the end, turn right then take the first right again to arrive at the rear of the lake. The lake again has adequate parking on the roadside and the nearest shop is found when taking the second turn left after turning right before the speed camera. The Wilderness lake (about 4 acres in size) went through some major work of de-silting, bank restoration and the provision of 25 purpose built platforms giving access to able and disabled anglers. Depths range from 1-5ft in the deeper areas.
Star Rating ***

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GAME

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Venue; RIVER LLYNFI (OGMORE)

Location; From Maesteg to Tondu
Sat Nav CF34 9SU
Owner Permit; Clynfi Valley A/A
Availability; 8 miles of river Day Season tickets
Tel; Mr N Lewis 01656 738200
Fish Species; Brown Trout, Eel, Sea trout, Salmon
Web Site; http://www.ogmoreangling.com/
Additional information; The River Ogmore (Afon Ogwr in Welsh) is a river in South Wales popular with anglers. It runs generally from north to south from the Ogmore Vale and Pentre, past Bridgend and Ogmore. The river Ogmore is generally considered to start near the cemetery mountain, north of Treorchy, although it is known as the Ogwr Fach, with the Ogwr Fawr, coming from Gilfach to the east merging near Blackmill. The River Llynfi, the River Garw and finally the River Ewenny in its estuary are all tributaries of the Ogmore which flows into the sea between Ogmore-by-Sea and the Merthyr Mawr sand-dunes.
Star Rating **

Location; Just of the A48 Bridgend
Owner Permit; Ogmore A/C
Availability; Day or Season tickets
Tel; 01656 861139
Fish Species; Sea Trout, Rainbow Trout, Salmon
Web Site; http://www.ogmoreangling.com/
Additional information Contact Mr W A  Protheroe Including several miles on Ogwr Fach, Ogwr Fawr and Ewenny
Ogmore Angling Association Ltd., 21 Woodside Avenue, Litchard, Bridgend, CF31 1QF.
Star Rating **

                     

Location; Situated between Port Tabot and Bridend
Owner Permit; Kenfig Hill A/C
Availability; Contact Mr Evans
Fish Species; Brown trout, Sea trout
Additional information; The river rises in the forest of Mynydd Margam, not far west of Maesteg, in close proximity to the River Afan and the Llynfi River. From here it flows south, and turns west near the town of Pyle, through the area known as the M4 Corridor. The river is at the northern edge of the Kenfig National Nature Reserve, a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest. It also forms the boundary of the Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend districts for much of its course, before running into the sea at Margam Sands, close to Margam Moors. It flows through an area steeped in folklore and local legend, much of it tied in with the lost towns beneath the shifting sands of Kenfig Burrows. Although the river has few significant tributaries, it picks up a few small streams on its course. Major tributaries include the Nant Iorwaeth-goch, which joins the river as it turns westward north of Kenfig Hill, the Afon Fach, a stream which flows through North Cornelly and Pyle, and the Coal Brook, which rises in Margam Park. Address for permits Mr Evans 110 Quarella Rd Bridgend CF31 1JT
Star Rating ***

Venue; RIVER GARW

Location; Pontycymer to Ogmore Vale
Sat Nav: CF32 8SP
Owner Permit; Garw Valley A/A
Availability; 6 miles of river on Day or Season tickets
Tel; 01656 872275 / 01656 722077
Fish Species; Brown Trout, Eel, Sea trout, Salmon
Web Site; http://www.ogmoreangling.com/
Additional information; There are Salmon and Sea trout runs on the water which runs down from Pontycymer to above Aberkenfig. Ogmore Angling Association Ltd., 21 Woodside Avenue, Litchard, Bridgend, CF31 1QF.
Star Rating **

SEA

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Location; Porthcawl, St Brides, Llantwit Major, Aberthaw

These marks features rock ledges running into deep water on the left hand side, with flat ledges of rock running into a deep water gully and an offshore sandbar infront and to the right of the access point.

The ledges produce smoothound and bass to short casts from June onwards. Conger, good sized ones too, dogfish and occasional huss also show. Some anglers spin over the rocks in high summer for bass, small pollack and mackerel. Rays can be taken from the deep water gully at low water and for the first hours of the flood. Codling appear here during October and stay until March. Big cod can be hooked fishing into the deep gully, again at low water.

TIME AND TIDES The bigger tides produce the cod, smoothhound and rays, but rough conditions bring the bass inshore, even on neaps. Calm flood tides are best for spinning in the summer. Night tides are best for cod and rays, but daylight and dusk can be good for bass and smoothound in the right conditions.

BAITS AND RIGS Peeler crab is the only bait for the bass and smoothies. Black and blow lug takes the cod. Squid cocktails are good for the rays. Conger will hit all baits, but have a habit of hitting the smaller hooked pout on the way in.

Rigs need to incorporate a weak link to the lead with most anglers opting for a clipped down single hook paternoster. Using Mustad Vikings and 25lb reel line means that snagged hooks will straighten to release tackle. Carry leads between 5 and 6ozs with grip wires.

WEATHER Fishes best in south west to north west winds. Easterlies can kill the fishing. Except in high summer calms, the sea remains coloured the rest of the time. During wet weather, in fact anytime, when walking near the cliffs keep a good distance out from them for rocks are continually falling.

Chartered Fishing Trips from Porthcawl

The Aqua Star
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