If your travels take you anywhere near the North Wales coastline this weekend, then be sure to drag your flounder kit along with you.
Deganwy is the place to be if you fancy some rod-thumping action with this humble flatfish.
Flounders are like the blackbirds of the countryside – they’re everywhere – but unlike some other species, they do not suffer commercial attention.
The River Conwy runs through the historic and picturesque Snowdonia National Park that borders the Vale of Conwy. The river eventually reaches Deganwy at the mouth before spilling into Conwy Bay and ending up in either the Menai Strait or the Irish Sea. It is here that the hard-fighting flounders will soon be pulling at your rod tip.
The venue certainly fishes best an hour after high tide, and you will be better off starting your session at a mark known as the Signal Box, while following the ebbing tide towards the mouth of the estuary.
Tides tend not to be too critical here, but you will have most success on a medium one.
Calm conditions will see the flounders feeding ferociously, but don’t be too surprised if you pick an occasional bass up. Some of these will be into double figures if you’re lucky.
Don’t cast too far, because the flounders normally like to hug the shoreline as they search out their next meal.
A simple two-hook flapper rig armed with size 2 Aberdeen hooks and loaded with a juicy live peeler crab will certainly attract more attention from nosey flounders, but if there is a decent surf running then this will be the time to expect bass.
Normal beach tackle such as a 13ft rod and a fixed-spool or multiplier reel loaded with 15lb mainline and leader is the norm, but use 5oz or 6oz breakout sinkers to anchor your bait. As the tide eases, try a plain lead to give the bait some movement – which flounders just cannot resist.
As the light fades, the eels will come on the feed, and can provide some fast and furious action.
Although flounders can make good eating, try and return what you catch to ensure the sport lasts for many seasons to come.
