Ballan Wrasse Fishing in Isle of Wight

Isle of Wight has 23 shore marks rated for ballan wrasse. They're ranked below by how strongly ballan wrasse show at each spot, with today's live conditions beside every mark — so you can pick a spot that's worth fishing right now, not just on paper.

When to go

In season now

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Best months: Apr–Oct · green months are prime, the outlined box is this month.

Tide Fish the flood

Time of day Daylight sessions fish best

Best ballan wrasse marks in Isle of Wight

Ranked by how strongly ballan wrasse show at each mark. The chip on the right is today's live fish forecast.

Bembridge Ledge Hotspot for ballan wrasse

Common over kelp-covered rough ground; use crab, ragworm or small soft plastics close in.

Castlehaven Hotspot for ballan wrasse

Common over the rough ground; present crab, prawn or worm tight to the rocks.

Rocken End Hotspot for ballan wrasse

Very common over kelp and boulders; use crab or ragworm close to the rocks.

Binnel Bay Hotspot for ballan wrasse

Very common around kelp and boulders; use crab, prawn or worm close to structure.

Bembridge Point Hotspot for ballan wrasse

Common over kelp and rocks in summer; present crab, worm or prawn tight to structure.

Bembridge Foreland Hotspot for ballan wrasse

Fish crab, prawn or worm close to kelp-covered rocks; strong tackle helps keep fish out of snags.

Woody Bay Hotspot for ballan wrasse

Reliable around kelp and gullies on short-range crab, prawn or worm baits.

Bonchurch Hotspot for ballan wrasse

Reliable around kelp and broken rock in summer; use crab, ragworm or small fish baits close in.

Sconce Point Hotspot for ballan wrasse

Reliable in warmer months over rough ground; present crab, prawn or worm bait tight to the rocks.

St Catherine’s Point Hotspot for ballan wrasse

A reliable summer rock species; present crab or worm baits tight to kelp-covered snags.

Culver Cliff Hotspot for ballan wrasse

Reliable around kelp and rock holes; present crab or worm tight to the structure.

Steephill Cove Hotspot for ballan wrasse

Fish ragworm, crab or prawn tight to kelp-covered rocks in daylight.

Ventnor Beach Reliable for ballan wrasse

Fish crab, worm or prawn tight to the rocky ends; expect snags and use robust gear.

Ventnor Haven Reliable for ballan wrasse

Drop crab, ragworm or small fish baits tight to the rockwork; use robust tackle to stop fish reaching cover.

Freshwater Bay Reliable for ballan wrasse

Fish close in over rock with crab, prawn or ragworm on a short, strong trace; release larger fish carefully.

Monks Bay Reliable for ballan wrasse

Use crab, worm or prawn close to rocks on a short flowing trace; release larger fish carefully.

Alum Bay Reliable for ballan wrasse

Use crab, prawn or worm close to rough ground and kelp, ideally on a short trace.

Luccombe Bay Reliable for ballan wrasse

Fish crab or ragworm tight to rough ground; use a robust hooklength.

Totland Bay Worth a try for ballan wrasse

Found around the rough ground at the bay edges; fish crab or worm close to structure.

Atherfield Bay Worth a try for ballan wrasse

Fish crab, ragworm or soft plastics close to accessible rock ledges; release carefully.

Whitecliff Bay Worth a try for ballan wrasse

Target the rocky fringes rather than open sand with crab, prawn or worm baits fished close to cover.

Seagrove Bay Worth a try for ballan wrasse

Found around the rockier bay edges in summer; use crab, ragworm or small shellfish baits close to structure.

Gurnard Bay Shows occasionally for ballan wrasse

Fish close to the stonier edges with crab or worm baits; use a strong trace to avoid snags.

Planning ahead? The live fish forecast map compares these marks across the week.

Tactics for ballan wrasse

Top baits, best first

Peeler Crab
Hardback Crab
Ragworm
Prawn / Shrimp

Rigs that work, best first

Float (Sliding)
Texas Rig
Running Ledger

Full tactics, seasonal detail and more baits are on the Ballan Wrasse species guide.

Ballan Wrasse fishing elsewhere

Ballan Wrasse in Bridgend Ballan Wrasse in Carmarthenshire Ballan Wrasse in Ceredigion Ballan Wrasse in Conwy Ballan Wrasse in Cornwall Ballan Wrasse in Devon Ballan Wrasse in Dorset Ballan Wrasse in East Sussex Ballan Wrasse in Gwynedd Ballan Wrasse in Isle of Anglesey Ballan Wrasse in Kent Ballan Wrasse in Neath Port Talbot Ballan Wrasse in Pembrokeshire Ballan Wrasse in Somerset Ballan Wrasse in Swansea Ballan Wrasse in Vale of Glamorgan