Garfish Fishing in Kent

Kent has 41 shore marks rated for garfish. They're ranked below by how strongly garfish 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: May–Oct · green months are prime, the outlined box is this month.

Tide Fish the flood

Time of day Daylight sessions fish best

Best garfish marks in Kent

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

Deal Pier Reliable for garfish
Today 62 Fair

Summer surface visitor; use a small floated bait, slim lure or a strip of mackerel well up in the water.

Kingsdown Beach Reliable for garfish
Today 62 Fair

A summer surface target; float-fish small strips of mackerel or use a light lure.

Viking Bay Reliable for garfish
Today 64 Fair

A summer surface species; a small float, fine wire hook and mackerel strip works well.

Folkestone Harbour Arm Reliable for garfish
Today 51 Fair

A summer surface species; use a small float, fine wire hook and mackerel strip well away from the wall.

Broadstairs Harbour Pier Reliable for garfish
Today 64 Fair

Summer float-fishing with a small strip bait or tiny lure can produce fish near the surface.

Ramsgate East Pier Reliable for garfish
Today 64 Fair

A float-fished strip of mackerel or small lure scores in calm, clear summer water.

Kingsgate Bay Reliable for garfish
Today 64 Fair

Present in summer over deeper water; target high in the water with a float and small fish strip or sandeel bait.

The Stade, Folkestone Reliable for garfish
Today 51 Fair

Take small float-fished strips of mackerel or sand eel in summer, often over the same water as mackerel.

Copt Point Reliable for garfish
Today 47 Low

Common in warmer months; use a float-fished strip of mackerel or small lure.

Louisa Bay Reliable for garfish
Today 64 Fair

A float-fished strip of mackerel, sandeel imitation or small lure works in calm summer conditions.

North Foreland Reliable for garfish
Today 64 Fair

A summer surface species; take small strips of fish or sandeel beneath a float in calmer, clear conditions.

Ramsgate Western Undercliff Reliable for garfish
Today 64 Fair

Often appear with summer mackerel; a small float-fished strip or surface lure is effective.

Shakespeare Beach Reliable for garfish
Today 51 Fair

Take small float-fished baits or slim lures in summer, often alongside mackerel.

Abbot’s Cliff Beach Reliable for garfish
Today 47 Low

A summer surface feeder; float-fish a small strip of mackerel, sandeel or worm well off the bottom.

Deal Beach Worth a try for garfish
Today 64 Fair

A summer surface visitor; try float-fished mackerel strip or a small casting lure.

Dumpton Gap Worth a try for garfish
Today 64 Fair

Summer surface visitor; a small strip of mackerel or sandeel beneath a float is effective.

Hythe Beach Worth a try for garfish
Today 65 Good

Summer surface visitor; a float-fished sliver of mackerel or a small spinner can produce takes.

Botany Bay Worth a try for garfish
Today 64 Fair

A summer surface species; float-fish small fish strips or use slim lures in calm, clear conditions.

Epple Bay Worth a try for garfish
Today 64 Fair

Summer surface species; try a small float with mackerel strip or a slim lure in calm, clear conditions.

Palm Bay Worth a try for garfish
Today 64 Fair

Most likely in summer around high water; use a small float and thin strip of mackerel near the surface.

Sandgate Beach Worth a try for garfish
Today 51 Fair

A summer surface feeder; use a small float-fished strip of mackerel or a slim spoon in calm, clear conditions.

St Margaret’s Bay Worth a try for garfish
Today 51 Fair

Take small float-fished fish strips or sandeel in summer, often alongside mackerel.

St Mildred’s Bay Worth a try for garfish
Today 64 Fair

A summer surface visitor; float-fish small fish strips or use a light spinner in clear water.

Tankerton Beach Worth a try for garfish
Today 63 Fair

A summer surface species; drift a small strip of mackerel or use a light float rig.

Walmer Beach Worth a try for garfish
Today 62 Fair

A summer surface-water visitor; take float-fished mackerel strip, small sandeel imitations or light lures.

Plus 16 more rated marks — browse every mark in Kent.

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

Tactics for garfish

Top baits, best first

  1. Garfish Strip
  2. Mackerel Strip
  3. Sabiki
  4. Micro Metal (LRF)

Rigs that work, best first

  1. Float (Sliding)
  2. Bombarda (Casting Float)
  3. Livebait Float Rig

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

Garfish fishing elsewhere