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Dab fishing in Essex

71 rated shore marks in Essex hold dab — ranked below with today's live forecast score for the species.

When to go

Out of season — best Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov, Dec
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🌊 Fish the flood tide.

Best dab marks in Essex

1Dovercourt BeachFair · 54HotspotCommon over clean sand in cooler months; use small hooks and strips of lugworm, ragworm or squid.2Walton PierFair · 55ReliableReliable on small worm, squid or fish-strip baits fished on light traces along the bottom.3Thorpe BayLow · 49ReliableCommon in cooler months; use small strips of mackerel, lugworm or ragworm on clipped-down rigs.4Three Shells BeachLow · 48ReliableCommon in cooler months; small strips of squid, lugworm or tipped cocktail baits work well.5Walton-on-the-Naze BeachFair · 55ReliableCommon from autumn into spring, often after dark; small worm or squid-and-worm cocktails work well.6Clacton BeachFair · 52ReliableCommon over clean sand in cooler months; small worm baits on size 4-1 hooks work well.7Clacton PierFair · 52ReliableReliable over the sandy bottom in cooler water; small worm baits and two-hook flappers work well.8Martello BayFair · 52ReliableCommon in autumn and winter; small strips of squid, lugworm or mackerel work well.9Jaywick BeachFair · 52ReliableCommon in cooler months; small worm, squid or mackerel-strip baits on simple two-hook rigs work well.10St Osyth BeachFair · 52ReliableCommon in cooler months and through winter; small worm baits on light clipped-down rigs work well.11The NazeFair · 55ReliableCommon in cooler months on sandy ground; small worm cocktails and size 1-2 hooks work well.12Bell Wharf BeachFair · 50ReliableCommon in cooler months; small worm baits on two-hook flapper rigs work well over the soft ground.13Holland HavenFair · 54ReliableCommon over the sandy ground in cooler months; small strips of squid, mackerel or worm work well.14Southend PierLow · 48ReliableTake small worm or mussel baits on the bottom, mainly through autumn and winter.15Cudmore GroveFair · 50ReliableCommon mixed catch in colder months; small worm baits and size 1-2 hooks are effective.16Harwich Stone PierFair · 54ReliableTake small worm strips on light, clipped-down rigs over clean patches.17Shoebury Common BeachLow · 49ReliableCommon over the sandy patches in autumn and winter; use small hooks and strips of worm or squid.18Westcliff BeachLow · 48ReliableCommon on cleaner sandy patches in cooler months; use small strips of lugworm or squid.19Bateman's TowerFair · 51ReliableCommon in cooler months, particularly after dark; use modest worm baits and keep traces close to the seabed.20East Beach ShoeburynessFair · 50ReliableCommon in cooler months; small strips of lugworm, ragworm or squid on size 2–1 hooks work well.21East Mersea BeachFair · 50ReliableCommoner through the colder season; small hooks and worm baits help pick them out.22Holland-on-Sea BeachFair · 55ReliableCommon in cooler months; use small worm baits and smaller hooks on a two-hook flapper or clipped rig.23Thorney BayLow · 48ReliableWinter and spring fish over the cleaner patches; small worm baits and modest hook sizes work well.24Mistley WallsLow · 45ReliableSmall worm baits and modest hook sizes score over softer ground during autumn and winter.25Seawick BeachFair · 52ReliableMore frequent through the colder months; small worm baits on a two-hook flapper work well.
Plus 46 more rated marks in EssexSee them on the map

Tactics for dab

Top baits, best first

  1. Lugworm
  2. White Rag
  3. Mussel
  4. Razorfish

Rigs that work, best first

  1. Long & Low
  2. Three-Hook Flapper
  3. Two-Hook Clip Down

Dab fishing elsewhere

BridgendCardiffCarmarthenshireCeredigionConwyCornwallDenbighshireDevonDorsetEast Riding of YorkshireEast SussexFlintshireGwyneddHampshireIsle of AngleseyIsle of WightKentLincolnshireMonmouthshireNeath Port TalbotNewportNorfolkNorth YorkshirePembrokeshireSomersetSuffolkSwanseaVale of GlamorganWest Sussex