An introduction to coarse fishing in Wales

If you’re already into coarse fishing, or want to learn the ropes, Wales is the place to try. Nowhere in the world are you likely to find so much variety of first-class angling packed into such a small country. Just about all species are present, from Gudgeon to big hard-fighting Barbel to specimen Carp and Pike. Even a long holiday isn’t enough to sample everything, so unless you intend to specialise, there could be a problem of what tackle to bring along.

Related links

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• Get the right angle
  Your complete angling marketing solution. Get the right angle is a partnership of leading professionals in their respective fields, who are also passionate anglers.
• Bluebell Park Mid Wales Coarse Fishery
  A coarse fishery set in beautiful countryside
• Ian Heaps Premier Fisheries and School of Angling
• White Springs Fisheries
  Voted the UK's top coarse fishery by Angler's Mail.
• Ceredigion's 'Anglers Welcome' 
  Ceredigion's 'Anglers Welcome' initiative provides anglers with a choice of quality accommodation.
• Welsh carp conservation group
  A society preserving Carp in Wales.
• Skewen Angling Club
  Website of an angling club with super coarse fishing in the Neath valley.
• Bluebell Park Mid Wales Coarse Fishery 
  A coarse fishery set in beautiful countryside.
• Nineoaks Fishery
  A super site for a Coarse fishery in West Wales.
• Teglan Fishery
  The UK's first purpose built disabled fishery.
• Cefnmably Lakes
  Website for a fishery near Cardiff
• Gweryd Lakes
  A super site for a super fishery.
• Llyn Carfan
  A super fishery in the heart of beautiful Pembrokeshire.
• Bron Eifion
  One of the best small coarse fisheries in Wales.
• Where to fish in Wales
  As the name suggests more ideas on where to catch fish.
• Angling Wales
  A super site with lots of information on Fishing in North Wales.
• Fishtec
  All the tackle you need to fish in Wales and help on finding the right gear for you from a team of specialists.
• Scierra
  Tackle wholesalers based in Wales.
• Specialist Anglers Alliance
  Representing over 10,000 anglers and their intersets.
• Environment Agency Wales - Rod License
  A quick and easy way to purchase your Rod licence online.
• The Welsh Carp Forum
  A Welsh carp forum that welcomes everybody to post on, so if you love your carp fishing then come here for a friendly atmosphere, everyone welcome!!!
• White Springs Fishery
• Ian Heaps Premier Fishery
• Nine Oaks Fishery
• Llandegla Fishery
• Uk Fisherman
  Coarse, carp, predator and game fishing

Coarse Fishing

A general-purpose Carp rod of 10-11ft should do the trick; ideal for distance casting and strong enough to handle large lake Carp or powerful Barbel from the Rivers Wye and Taff. A reel with a couple of spare spools wound with 6, 12 and 18lb nylon is recommended with spools of thinner nylon for traces. Floats, shot and weights of choice together with a suitable landing net, rod rest and a selection of barbless hooks completes the list of necessary tackle.

Big items like a bivouac, umbrella, barbecue and easy chair are optional. Travel as light as you can for freedom of movement. It’s all too easy to overload yourself, and most of it can be dispensed with, if you think about it.

Bring enough bait for the first weekend until you find the nearest supplier. There are plenty all over Wales to choose from, and they’ll also have any tackle you forgot to bring.