Lure Fishing on the Menai Strait – A North Wales Angler’s Guide
10/30/20253 min read
The Magic of the Menai Strait
Tucked between Anglesey and the mainland of North Wales, the Menai Strait is a lure angler’s dream. With strong tides, deep channels, and rocky shorelines, it’s home to bass, pollock, wrasse, and even the occasional mackerel or sea trout.
Unlike open sea marks, the Strait’s tides create fast-moving water and swirling eddies — perfect ambush points where predatory fish lie in wait. For those who enjoy the finesse and excitement of lure fishing, this place delivers every time.
What You Can Catch
Bass – the main target; strong, smart, and often taken on surface lures.
Pollock – hiding around bridge structures and rocky edges.
Wrasse – great fun on soft plastics close to kelp beds.
Mackerel & Garfish – in summer months, especially during calm tides.
🎯 Tip: Bass are most active on the flood tide when baitfish are pushed through the strait.
Best Lures for the Menai Strait
1. Soft Plastics
Perfect for working the current and bouncing along the bottom.
Try: Savage Gear Sandeel Slugs, Fiiish Black Minnow, or HTO Mighty Minnow.
Colours: Natural silver, olive, or sand eel green.
Method: Cast uptide, let it sink, then retrieve slowly with the flow.
2. Surface Lures
Ideal for early mornings and calm water near Caernarfon or Beaumaris.
Retrieve: Twitch–pause–twitch to mimic a wounded baitfish.
Few moments beat seeing a bass explode through the surface!
3. Metal Jigs
When the tide’s ripping or you’re fishing deep water.
Cast across the flow and work it back with short lifts.
Excellent for mackerel and pollock in summer.
4. Weedless Soft Lures
Essential for snaggy ground and kelp beds.
Try: Delalande Swat Shad or Keitech Easy Shiner.
Rig weedless and fish tight to structure for wrasse or lurking bass.
Productive Marks Around the Strait
Here are a few productive lure spots to explore (check tides and local access before fishing):
1. Menai Bridge Area
Fish under and around the bridge structures.
Strong currents and drop-offs — ideal for soft plastics.
Bass and pollock often feed around the pilings on the flood.
2. Britannia Bridge (Llanfair PG Side)
Access from the shoreline on low tide (careful footing needed).
Pollock, wrasse, and schoolie bass patrol here.
Best with small weedless lures and slow retrieves.
3. Felinheli to Caernarfon Stretch
A mix of sand and weed — great for surface and shallow lures.
Perfect at first light or just before dusk.
In summer, mackerel shoals often run through.
4. Beaumaris Shoreline
Slower-moving water and accessible beaches.
Excellent spot for beginners to learn lure presentation.
Try topwater lures on calm mornings.
Recommended Gear Setup
GearDetailsRod8–9ft LRF or bass rod (10–40g casting weight)Reel3000–4000 size spinning reelLine20lb braid + 15–20lb fluorocarbon leaderLuresMix of soft plastics, surface plugs, and jigsExtrasPolarised sunglasses, lure clips, wading boots
🧾 Affiliate Suggestions:
Best Times & Tides
Tides: Fish 2 hours before and after high tide for best results.
Seasons: April to October offers the best lure fishing action.
Conditions: Slightly cloudy water, gentle breeze, and an incoming tide are ideal.
Time of Day: Early morning or sunset for surface action; midday for deeper lure work.
Safety & Etiquette
Always check tide times — the current here is no joke.
Wear non-slip footwear and avoid fishing alone in remote areas.
Respect local wildlife and private land boundaries.
Take litter home — the Strait deserves to stay pristine.
Final Thoughts
Lure fishing the Menai Strait is as much about reading the water as it is about casting. With fast tides, hidden eddies, and fish waiting in ambush, every session feels alive and unpredictable.
Whether you’re working a soft plastic along the bottom or watching a bass smash your topwater plug, the Strait will test your skill — and reward patience with unforgettable moments.
So pack your lure box, plan your tides, and experience one of North Wales’s finest saltwater fishing adventures.