Oystercat in Swansea Marina

Oystercat fishing trip information

Oystercat has proven sea handling capabilities and is capable of 25 knots and a cruising speed of 20 knots with a full load of fuel, 12 anglers and two crew, allowing her to reach fishing marks in a short space of time e.g.

The best way to book or request a fishing is to come on down to the members Thursday night meeting at the Mumbles Rugby Football Club (MRFC).  You will then see what is on offer, have a chat with the skippers and then put your name of the booking chart for a trip that already has a skipper or to request a fishing trip on a date that may not yet have a designated skipper.  Alternatively, if you cannot make it to the Thursday night meetings you can book or make a request via:

Email at admin@mmbfc.co.uk or

Phone on 07925532304 or

The e-booking form on this link.

You can monitor the Oystercat and Mumbles Belle fishing trips by looking at the e-fishing calendar on this link to the Events Calendars.

To meet all health, safety, and insurance requirements only Club Members (Paid-up), to a maximum of twelve anglers and 2 crew, will be allowed on Oystercat. and a maximum of six, inclusive of crew, on the Mumbles Belle.  The boat will only leave when the Skipper(s) is fully satisfied that all safety precautions are in place and the weather forecast is satisfactory for the duration of the fishing trip.

The Marina operates a system where boats leave the locks to go to sea on the hour and return to the Marina through the locks on the half hour.   All fishing trips leave on an out-lock hour (e.g. 08.00 hrs).   You should aim to arrive at the entrance to the Marina berth in plenty of time to

board your to meet the out-lock time.  It can take up to 30mins to board and be ready for departure.

Fishing positions on the boat may be given by the skipper and also rotated during in the fishing trip to give every angler a descent fishing session. The skipper is in charge of all fishing activities on the boat and your full co-operation would be much appreciated.

You will be required to show your current photo membership card when boarding either boat.     

Please Note:

Any member making a booking and then find they can no longer make the trip must inform the Club/skipper at least 48 hours before departure so that their place can be offered to members on the reserve list.  Members(s) failing to notify a cancellation will be charged £10 to help in covering the expense of the fishing trip. Or, as a fine if the fishing trip has be cancelled due to an uneconomic number of anglers remaining.

Fishing Trips Donations (All donation go directly to developing and running the Club for the benefit of members)

The cost of running the boats are made up of a fixed overhead cost and a

mileage charge for fuel used. The mileage covered is calculated from the GPS readings. Donations will be requested from each angler, the actual amount  will depend upon the number of anglers going out and the distance cover during the fishing trip.  The minimum number of anglers required for a trip is 4.  Even at these low numbers the trips are still good

value.  The overhead for shorter fishing trips will determined either on a

per angler or per hour basis, but will be less than the maximum for a full day trip.  The fuel rate will stay the same. It will be the Skipper's decision in consultation with the group of anglers for the trip to go ahead or not

shorter trips can be arranged to suit individual parties.  During the

summer months May to October fishing trips go out for:

Members are reminded to secure their vehicles and remove any valuables whilst unattended

Lock Operating Hours

Access to Tidal Locks
All access from the sea to the Marina is through the Tawe Barrage Lock during the published hours.  During busy locking periods a queuing system is normally in operation. 

Boats that do not make contact with the Lockmaster or disobey his/her

instruction are not be given priority over other traffic.  In the interest of every boat owner's safety, it is of the utmost importance that the Lock Master's instructions are obeyed at all times.

Boats leaving either lock must then transfer to the next lock's VHF channel on approach and use the appropriate procedure below.

Lock Availability
Marina & Swing Bridge - call sign: 'Swansea Marina' CH. 80

Tawe Barrage Lock - call sign: 'Tawe Lock' CH. 18

It is essential that all boat owners wishing to proceed through the locks or swing-bridge operate a VHF radio.

Vessels must call "Swansea Marina" on channel 80 before leaving their berth to request lock information and must remain listening on CH. 80 until passage through the bridge or lock is completed.

Winter fishing, November to March, is mainly concentrated on locating shoals of cod.  The average size of cod caught previously was 10lb, with 20lbers being taken regularly.  Other species available in winter are: Conger, Rays, Whiting and Dogfish that are caught on a regular basis.  The bait used is normally Lug Worm (black is good).  Cocktail baits of Squid, Crab, Razor fish and Clam in addition to Lug have been used successfully.

When you require use of the Tawe Barrage lock you must call 'Tawe Lock' to request information and remain listening on CH. 18 until the passage through the lock is completed.

Do not proceed into the locks unless instruction has been given.

Important Notes

Normal procedure for locking out through the Tawe Barrage lock

is for the lock to be taken down on the hour and return to the river on the half hour.

The first lock out of the day at the Tawe lock will be taken down at approximately 0710.  The last Tawe lock in is half an hour before the close of business each day.  Boat owners should be