Pembrokeshire Fish Week is a biennial celebration of the importance of fish to the culture, economy and, of course, gastronomy of this county on the southwestern tip of Wales. This award winning food festival brings tens of thousands of visitors to the area and generates millions of pounds for the local economy. All of this is thanks to the products of the sea around it. The waters of the Atlantic Ocean mix with those of the Irish sea around the Pembrokeshire peninsula and boast large shoals of fish, as well as larger predators such as tuna fish and sharks which prey on them. Some of the largest animals in the oceans, whales and basking sharks, also visit the area. Though these giants aren’t on the menu, there’s something for everyone to catch whether they’re a seasoned fisherman or woman or a complete novice.

The ocean’s bounty aside, there’s plenty to attract visitors to board a ship in this stunning part of Wales. The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park protects and preserves the wild beauty of the cliffs, bays, beaches that make up the shoreline, and the numerous offshore islands. The best views of this landscape are to be had from the deck of a boat, so you’ll be excited and entertained even when the fish aren’t biting. The richness of the water and the number of companies that provide fishing trips means that this region is one of the easiest and best value-for-money destinations in the UK for sea fishing.

Where are the best places to go on a fishing trip in Pembrokeshire?

• Milford Haven Waterway: sheltered from the Atlantic swell, this sheltered ria is one of the deepest natural harbours in the world and has a number of fishing ports on its shores including Pembroke Dock, Milford Haven and Dale. In the calm waters of the ria even the most inexperienced anglers can expect to catch a couple of fish, but the real prizes lie further out, on wrecks or reefs or around the islands of Skomer and Skokholm where larger fish make their habitats.

• South coast: the sandy beaches of Tenby and Saundersfoot are wonderful places to work up a suntan in the summer, but you shouldn't miss out on the angling adventures out in the ocean. Fishing trips run from both of these towns and get you to nutrient rich waters in no time. The whole family can enjoy these fishing trips and everyone will have the chance to hook a mackerel or a sea bass, and take it home for dinner.

• North coast: the headland to the North of St Bride’s Bay has a number of fishing ports, at St David’s and Fishguard. There are numerous shipwrecks from the First and Second World Wars just 20 minutes away from the coast and these make great spots for bringing in the catch. The coastal waters around Ramsey Island and the rocky Bishop’s Isles are also good locations, with breathtaking views thrown in for free.

What kind of fish can be caught on an expedition?

You’ll be surprised by the number and variety of fish that you can bring up from the coastal and offshore waters of Pembrokeshire. Even if it’s your first time using a fishing rod, you’ve got a good chance of hooking a mackerel in shallow waters. Others easily accessible prizes are pollock, herring and wrasse, while sea bass is a particular favourite, due to the fight it can put up on the line, and the flavour once you get it home! UK law permits recreational anglers to take home a maximum of 2 sea bass per trip.

But if you’re looking for quality over quantity then you’ll have to leave the shoreline behind and head for open water. Deep sea wrecks are home to larger species such as conger eel and ray species, but the biggest prizes are sharks and tuna. Several species of shark which measure up to 2 metres in length are found off the coast, including smoothhounds, tope, porbeagles and, if you’re lucky, thresher sharks. In the last few years the number of Atlantic tuna fish in the area has increased. At up to 250 kilograms in weight, these are the biggest prizes on offer.

How long does one of these trips last?

It depends on what you want to catch. From the the South coast you can find and hook a couple of mackerel in just 1.5 hours. You can also find and catch a couple of fish in a couple of hours inside the Milford Haven Waterway. Trips further out, for example to the island of Skokholm involve some travel time, but you can still be back at the port with a good haul of fish within 4 hours.

Of course, you get out of the experience what you put in, and you have to invest 6, 8 or 10 hours in your fishing trip if you want to get the highest quality prizes. Bigger fish are predators, and this means that they are less numerous. You’ll have to be patient if you want to catch a shark or tuna because they won’t start biting immediately. The good news is that you’ll have the coast as your background, so any time waiting isn’t time wasted.

Who can participate in this activity?

A short trip to catch a couple of mackerel from a Pembrokeshire port is a unique experience to add some flavour to your family holiday. All ages are welcome aboard ship as the route takes you into calm waters near the coast. Most longer excursions can include some choppy seas and so it’s common that there’s a minimum age limit of 12 years old. Some full day trips to open waters might only be suitable for adults who are comfortable on deck and have some angling experience.

Fishing trips are best organised as a group on a charter system, so that the crew can cater to the needs of you and your group. It’s great if you’re with your family, friends or even the team from work, but most boats only have space for 10 to 12 people, so get in touch with the provider when deciding who you’re going to invite.

If the idea has tempted you hook, line and sinker, the only thing you can do is make a reservation now.