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Annestown Beach, Co. Waterford.  Head west along the coast road from Tramore on the R675 and you will reach the village of Annestown.  Access to the beach is from the car park on the Tramore side - do not drive into the village itself..  A large salt plain is hemmed in behind the coast road and this river feeds out from under the bridge on the extreme right hand side of the beach.  To the far left there are several islands, all accessible at low tide.  You can climb them but fishing off them is near impossible and it is extremely exposed.  If you do climb them, you need to access the western face of the second island to have a chance of decent fishing into deep water, but I would not advise this.  The grass is extremely slippery dry or wet and to get trapped by the tide would be very unpleasant indeed.

What about the fishing?

The main fishing here is in the surf for Flatfish and the possibility of a Bass.  Ray have been taken at distance on summer nights, with Thornbacks predominating but with Painted Ray also reported.  Close to the rocky margins you can tackle Ballen Wrasse, especially off the islands in the summer on the float, with Dogfish and Conger Eels taken on the bottom. Codling have been taken in cold weather in the winter and Coalfish can show up occassionally in the autumn, often in very substantial shoals... in fact they can show up at any time of year, usually at low water.  Pollack will arrive in during the summer and Mackerel can be taken, both off the rocky islands on feathers or the float.  It can get busy in the summer so it is best to confine your fishing to dawn, dusk or during periods of poor weather.  The beach can be used by surfers however they seem to prefer Bunmahon further down the coast - better waves!

The nearest proper tackle shops are in Waterford with John O'Briens in Waterford City on (051) 844314 and the Army surplus store offering an excellent tackle section and frozen bait on New Street opposite the new car park.  For fresh bait, try John O'Briens but give him a few days warning if you want lugworm.  Of course lugworm, clams and ragworm can all be dug from the back strand in Tramore with peeler crabs available for collection there also...

Probabilities: Bass, Flounder, Dogfish, Conger Eel, (resident); Ballen Wrasse (summer).

Possibilities: Plaice, Dabs, Thornback Ray, (summer), Codling, Coalfish (winter)

Rare Exceptions: Painted Ray, Mullet (summer); Three Bearded Rockling, Coalfish (resident).