Rigging for winter perch on the canal
A simple running leger and a lively worm is still the most reliable way to find canal perch in cold water.
Aberavon Beach is a good, forgiving mark to start beach fishing on — open, easy to cast on and close enough to the town that help is never far away.
A 12ft beachcaster with a fixed spool reel and 15lb mainline will cover most of what you need. Fish a two-hook flapper rig baited with frozen mackerel or lugworm, and cast out beyond the breakers.
Aim for two hours either side of high tide to start with — that is when bass, flounder and dogfish are most likely to be feeding close in.