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Situated on the west side of the sweep of
There are a variety of fishing opportunities to suit anglers of all abilities here, with big bass the key target throughout much of the angling year, especially through the summer and autumn months. In the winter you can expect good bags of codling and whiting, along with the odd good dab.
To get there, from the city of
1 Sea Front Path
On the top half of the tide it is possible to fish onto mixed ground. Legering is the favoured method and the mixed ground is not generally rough enough to require rotten bottom techniques.
In summer, worm baits will attract the occasional school bass and eel. Groundbaiting will attract mullet, especially near to weed beds. In autumn there is always a chance of a bigger bass when small pouting pass through. In the winter, codling and whiting (especially after dark) are present.
2 Knab Rock
This is the area west of the concrete boat-launching slip and is favoured by holiday anglers. In summer, mackerel are often caught by youngsters fishing with feathers or fish strips under a float. You can virtually park your car, walk a short distance and cast onto a generally clean bottom. Top half of the tide is best, as fish pass through on their way into the bay. Bass, occasional plaice and mackerel, accompanied by garfish are the main species, yet in hot summers the rarer triggerfish and black bream are also taken. In winter, codling and whiting are frequently taken after dark.
3 The Mumbles Pier
The pier is a traditional structure with a lifeboat station attached. A charge of around £3 per rod is made for entry and it usually closes at sunset. It is a comfortable spot and it generally offers good fishing. The separate lower level at the end of the pier is kept for fishing only.
Mackerel, dogfish, garfish, gurnard, pollack, flatties, conger and the occasional plaice can be expected in summer months. There is always a chance of a good bass to fresh mackerel bait. Try close-in near to the metalwork with smaller baits for black bream, triggerfish and even the odd red mullet. In autumn and winter, codling, whiting, dogs, pouting and dab can be expected.
4 The Mumbles Head
The head with its lighthouse is a rough-ground mark with swift flowing tides. Try to fish at low water but you can easily be cut off on the fast incoming tide. Take care! Don’t fish alone and always take your mobile. This area is accessible for about two hours either side of low water. Spinning is the favoured method and casting into the gulleys will produce good bass. Float fishing the sheltered eddies with live prawn or crab can be great fun on warm, calm evenings. It is not recommended for winter fishing.
5 Bracelet Bay
Further west, just beyond the coastguard station, are patches of sand enclosed by rocks. These can be fished from the left or right-hand side. Spinning or plugging on a rising tide on calm, sultry evenings can produce good bass although a float-fished crab might tempt a triggerfish. Legering into the sandy gulleys after dark with fish baits for conger is possible but pulley rigs with rotten bottoms are advisable. Don’t fish when the wind is strong because the sea can get very rough in this corner.
6 Footpath To Langland
You can find many rocky bays along the path where you can spin or float fish for the species previously mentioned. Do not fish this area when the sea is rough because the big waves will pull you in.
This is the area where you have an excellent chance of a reasonable black bream in August and September. Small pollack and wrasse will also give you good sport.
Tackle Shops
Roger’s Tackle,
Mainwarings, 44 Vivian Road, Sketty,
TSF Top Tips 1
Never travel alone to these marks and always carry your mobile phone with you in case of emergencies.
TSF Top Tips 2
Using floaty beads on your hook snoods will help keep your baits up off the bottom and away from the bait-robbing crabs.
