Sea Pools

Sea Pools in Benbecula

Below is a guide to fishing the sea pools in Benbecula for Salmon and Sea Trout.

Average fish size – Up to 2lb, bigger fish of up to 3 and 4lbs are regularly caught.
Largest recorded in last 10 years is 7.5lb sea trout at Strome system and 14lb salmon at South Ford span.

Catch and release is strongly encouraged, thank you.

  1. Gualan – warning sinking sands and tides – GR 781485
  2. Behind Coop pools running North to Strome Cottages – Can be without guide – GR 797483
  3. Strome system – GR 795494
  4. Behind Dark Island Hotel – GR782493
  5. South Ford Span – GR 803477
  6. Entrance to sea loch at Strome Cottages –  Not listed below but look to fish as sea water enters loch – approximately 4 hours after low tide listings below.

Tides – Sea pools can only be fished every fortnight due to tidal restrictions. Just before and after either full or new moon phases.

Suitability:
Information below shows most productive fishing times, it is not possible to fish from 1 to 5 in sequence without missing the best times at each location. Wind direction influences where fishing is possible.

WARNING 
– Watch the tide – without exception, do not cross channels unless you have a guide otherwise you may be stranded and cut off by the tide.
– Be aware of your surroundings and exit route.
-Please ensure you have a mobile phone or some form of communication with you.
-If your exit route is cut off by the tide, phone the coastguard immediately or dial 999. If you can, safely make your way to any island that has grass on top as this signifies it does not get covered by the tide.
-Tides can influenced by winds and weather/pressure: eg. an incoming tide with the wind behind it will flood faster than it would with the wind against it. For exact tide times please click here or phone the coastguard (01851 702013)

14) Loch Ba Alasdair
Grid Ref. 855 495 | Time ½ day
Parking – directions as at point 12, but a further ¾ kmto Craigstrome, where you park near/at a cattlegrid (house with large shed on right)
Quality over quantity – Fish are in the 1-2lbs qualityBest spot – near sea pool entry/exit (GR853 497)
Fish ebb tide. Best fished 2 days before full/new moon
Wading – Do not wade.

15) Loch Dubh an Fhalasgaigh
Grid Ref. 850 495 | Time ½ day
Parking – directions as at point 14
Quantity over quality – ½ average. Plenty fish throughout
the loch. This loch lies west of Ba Alasdair and is worth a visit during the
day & beneficial for young fishermen looking for sport & confidence.
Wading – Varies throughout loch, some banks steep & deep while other areas are safe to wade but not necessary.

16) Loch Houravaigh & surrounding
Grid Ref. 825 510 | Time 2 days +
Parking – Park as at loch 11 or drive through gate along
track and park at end
(25 min walk east from that point. Do not block road.)
Quantity over quality – ½ – ¾lbs & 1-2lbs
There is a good burn to the sea at the east end where seatrout still run & surrounding lochs are joined through small burns &channels that can be accessed by fish at any time of year.
Lovely fishing in tranquil surroundings.
Wading – safe but tread carefully.

17) South Ford (Iochdar seapools)
Grid Ref. 781 786
Parking – Down Iochdar road, turn right down Baile Gharabhaidh, turn right and end to turn table and park there or close by.
WARNING – follow spit of land out to grid ref marked, do not cross large sand areas as tidal and sinking sands and there will be a higher risk of getting stranded or sinking. Fish only in area marked.
Sea trout fishing in sea pools – time to fish – onging tide, approx 2/2.5hrs after high tide. Fish approx. 1.5-2hrs along weed, wading out to thigh depth. Best fished after first/last quarter mon. Day after new/full moon – high tide is 2pm, therefore, fish from 4-6pm.
Wading – shallow to thigh depth wading is safe, just watch underfoot for soft sand and holes.


18) South Ford (Creagorry seapools)
Grid Ref. 800 480
Parking – Anywhere near coop. 
WARNING – stay on land side of fords (North side) do not wade across as tidal and some sinking sands.
Sea trout fishing in sea pools – pool at North end of causeway on West side worth a dip, many sea trout caught there around sea weed beds (14lb+ salmon caught in 2010 on shrimp fly) 
Best fished after new/full moon on either side of low tide. Day after new/full moon – low tide is 2pm, therefore best fished from 12.30pm to 4pm. Pool at causeway can also be productive when tide is flowing both into and out of sea pool.
Wading – Shallow to thigh depth wading is safe, just watch underfoot for soft sand and holes.

19) South Ford (Lionacleit seapools)
Grid Ref. 790 490
Parking – Behind Dark Island Hotel
WARNING – Stay on land side (North side) of fords, do not wade across as tidal and some sinking sands.
Sea trout fishing in sea pools – various pools running East to West in ford running along from behind Dark Island Hotel to Strome Cottages where sea trout will run in and out of system with tides. Best fished after new/full moon on either side of low tide. Day after new/full moon – low tide is 2pm, therefore best fished from 12.30-4pm.
Wading – Shallow to thigh depth wading is safe, just watch underfoot for soft sand and holes.

20) North Ford (Kyles Flodda Seapools)
Grid Ref. 835 565
Parking – South end of North Ford causeway, walk East along shreline.
WARNING – stay on land side of fords (South side) d not wade across as tidal and some sinking sands. Do not stay longer than 2 hours after low tide as incoming tide circle you through low hidden fords. 
SSea trout fishing in sea pools – various pools running East to West in ford running along from causeway East to sea pool GR840 560
Best fished after new/full moon on either side of low tide. Day after new/full moon – low tide is 2pm, therefore best fished from 12.30-4pm
Wading – Shallow to thigh depth wading is safe, just watch underfoot for soft sand and holes.

21) North Ford (Gramsdale seapools)
Grid Ref. 810 569
Parking – Southend of North ford causeway – walk west along south side of ford all the way t the islands with the house on it (you’ll recognise when you see it) Walk time is 60 mins.
WARNING – stay on South side of fords, do not wading across as tidal and some sinking sands. Any problems, just move to grass islands and wait tide out.
Sea trout fishing in seapools – various pools running East to West from house to causeway. Best fished after new/full moon on either side of low tide. Day after new/full moon – low tide is 2pm, therefore best fished from 12.30-4pm.
Wading – Shallow to thigh depth wading is safe, just watch underfoot for soft sand and holes.

22) North Ford (Airport seapools)
Grid Ref. 790 757
Parking – Behind Balivanich Post Office, walk North for approx 40 mins around point to grid ref specified. 
WARNING – stay on South side of fords, do not attempt to wade very strong currents in ford and some sinking sands.
Sea trout fishing in seapools – sea trout run up and down edge for feeding.
Best fished after first/last quarter moon on either side of high tide. Day after first/last quarter moon – high tide is 2pm, therefore best fished from 12.30-4pm.
Wading – Shallow to thigh depth wading is safe, just watch underfoot for soft sand and holes. Do not go deeper due to currents.