BAITS
Scarce fresh or frozen crab is the key bait to catching the codling here now and it's more than worth the effort and cost to get some. That said black and blow lug individually or black lug tipped with blow are the most popular cod baits with a wrap of squid around the lug to give extra scent and keep the lug intact longer. The congers take the same bait, but prefer rag tipped with squid, or a whole small squid.

For the whiting and dogfish stick to mackerel strips, though both species also take rag baits tipped with squid. Dabs take rag, mackerel and squid strips.

TACKLE AND TACTICS
The ground varies from mixed rough amongst sand to the right, with mostly sand at longer range towards the east. It fishes best either side of high water, with the bigger tides giving the better fishing.

Go for a 5-6oz beachcaster, 18 to 22lb line and 6oz grip leads. The top cod and conger rig is a pulley rig from 80lb mono armed with two size 4/0 hooks rigged pennel style. The cod and conger are amongst the rougher ground, so fish a weak link to the lead.

A two-hook wishbone rig or clipped up two-hook rig and size 2 Aberdeen's are good for the whiting and dabs.

LOCATION
Come off the M4 at J42 taking the main A483 Swansea Docks road. Continue on through the town and take the A4067 for Mumbles. As you come in to Mumbles take the B4433 for Mumbles Head and the Lighthouse. The best and safest parking is in the park by the pier.

Comment...