Ballan wrasse at Trearddur Bay
Ballans are plentiful and greedy here at Trearddur Bay fishing on the rocks, but the heavier, rocky marks will hold the highest numbers and the biggest fish. They love hunting over rough ground. A big wrasse will take you into the trenches of the rocks and the kelp, just make sure you have your drag set up tight because if you give these fish an inch, they will take a mile. They certainly will give you some good rod bending action, a wrasse does really fight and pull hard all the way to the surface.
Hardback crabs are the killer bait for Wrasse. But the bait used on the day for this north Wales angler was ragworm. They have thick lips and sharp teeth that have adapted to pull shellfish from the sides of the rocks. The dorsal fin is sharp and spiny so handle with care when holding them. Wrasse are an important species to the environment they are the keepers of the reefs and gulleys and as such are a key part of the ecosystem. Always put them back in with care.
Starry smooth hound This species is identified by the speckled white spots found on the upper flanks and back. Smooth hound favour shallow water, that prefer sandy shingle and light broken ground, and tend to stay clear of heavy rocky ground. So this was a very welcome surprise fish on the day, this fish was also taken on rag worm. The top bait by far is shore crab either as a peeler or as a hardback. Smooth hound can be very fussy and only a couple of baits work well for them. Baits such as lugworm, ragworm, sandeel and mackerel may take the odd fish. This one was not very big but a welcome catch. Along with the other fish were the usual dogfish plenty of them to keep you busy here. Also a nice place was had with a dogfish on a two hook flapper rig.
A very good day here at Trearddur Bay fishing on the rocks.
