Gynn Wall
Good old Blackpool, first thing to remember when planning a session to the Gynn wall is traffic as it a haven for day trippers and holiday makers alike.
Away from the bright lights, Blackpool Pleasure Beach and the amusement arcades there is some excellent fishing to be had. Starting from the North pier at Blackpool is the Gynn Wall, part of the Flyde coast sea defence wall stretching up to Fleetwood. All sections are fish-able but there are many popular spots among sea anglers.
Gynn Wall is one I have tried and tested many times, it can be hit and miss like any fishing mark and can sometimes keep you on your toes. There are plenty of places to park in the side streets from the promenade above, and a few pay an display areas. For the less able anglers or regular visitors to the mark there are passes available from Blackpool council for £30 each or £15 per disabled angler – available HERE. This allows you to drive onto the wall 3 hours before and 3 hours after high tide and fish from your car. Given our incremental weather it can be hard work it at times.
The area I tend to fish is to the left of the boating pool however the the right is most popular, which incidentally is now a Go kart track. The Gynn Wall can throw up surprises in terms of what species are available. My first ever fish here was the lesser weaver, I brought him in and was just about to grab it (was my second fishing outing ever)…an angler spotted what I was doing and saved me from a nasty sting. Learned a forever lesson that day, given I caught 4 more later it was a good thing to learn.
I June (17.6.18) and caught my first Dover sole to black lug with 2 more following it. I once caught a PB red kite with a 10 foot tail, first and hopefully last one of those! It really can throw anything up though, I’ve seen a few stonking bass. Smoothhounds, Thornbacks Rays and the regular Dab, flounder, Whiting, Bass, doggies, Lesser Weaver even Tope pups. Plaice in summer, Cod in winter with the odd good size one showing up.
There are guys who fish it rain or shine, a good source of information regarding recent catch reports is the Angling addicts forum, check out the northwest section. Locals lads who fish it a lot, can be a good read too. Shacky puts some cracking posts on. http://www.anglingaddicts.co.uk/forum/
Larger fish can be caught at distance with the right bait dependant on what species you are targeting. You don’t have to fish at distance as you will catch literally at the base of the wall, the flatties and others come in against the base at times. A gentle 15yd lob can put you into the fish, its worth trying all distances to find the fish, a lot of Anglers cast to Ireland when it just isn’t needed at times.
It can be fished 2-3 hours up and the same down dependent on how big a tide it is. One evening the tide had left the base of the wall and 3 of us were still pulling out whiting in plague numbers! The back of the wall where you are fishing is basically one long bench, most take there tripods but if your travelling light a cloth on the wall should stop any scratches to your rods and saves on a bit of weight if your not in the car.
Unless the weather ie wind is right up then you don’t need huge gripper leads. The fishing is onto a sandy bottom so pretty much snag free fishing.
The Gynn wall is also known by some as Blackpool north wall, north wall tends to refer to the Heysham section.
I normally stick to black lug as it works well but often give the other usual suspects a try such as Squid, Mackerel, Rag as there are plenty species about on it’s day and they will eat most baits quite happily.
Before the tide is close to the wall try casting a big bait out from the beach if you get there early. Just make sure you can safely get back to the steps. The steps are usually chained off as the tide approaches by the life guards.
You can fish from the wall starting at the Blackpools North Pier all the way upto Fleetwood.
I have highlighted a few parking spots on the map below but there are loads of places in the side streets, its just very busy in summer.
Paid parking
https://goo.gl/maps/egvQL9T36XQ2
Free parking is available in the side streets but it can be hard work finding an empty spot in summer. Hence it may work out cheaper to get a permit, certainly saves time and effort.
Species Available (not exhaustive)
Plaice, Dover Sole, Dab, Dogfish, Bass, Smoothhound, Lesser Weaver, Tope Pups, Rockling, Flounder, Whiting, Cod, Thornback Rays (rare, usually come off the pier, club members only with a long waiting list) occasionally Gurnard too.
Check out our online shop at www.halenfishing.co.uk Terminal tackle of all types and sizes, if you can’t see it just ask and we will try and stock it. Check out the the home page on here for any promo codes.
