The Catchbook
Log every fish with a photo, and let it identify the species for you. Keep it private or share it with the mark.
Plaice fishing in Essex
47 rated shore marks in Essex hold plaice — ranked below with today's live forecast score for the species.
When to go
In season nowJFMAMJJASOND
🌊 Fish the flood tide.
Best plaice marks in Essex
1Bateman's TowerGood · 76ReliableMost likely in spring and early summer on clean patches between groynes; worm tipped with squid or a small strip of mackerel works well.2Clacton PierGood · 78ReliableBest in spring and early summer; fish ragworm or lugworm over clean sand on a flowing tide.3Holland-on-Sea BeachGood · 79ReliableMost likely in spring and autumn; ragworm, lugworm and small strip baits fished on clean patches work well.4Walton PierExcellent · 80ReliableSpring and early summer can be productive; use lugworm, ragworm or tipped worm baits on clean ground.5Dovercourt BeachExcellent · 80ReliableSpring can produce fish over cleaner patches; use long flowing traces with ragworm or lugworm.6Cudmore GroveGood · 75ReliablePossible over the firmer sandy patches in spring and summer; use lugworm, ragworm or tipped strips of squid.7Thorpe BayGood · 73ReliableMore likely over cleaner patches of sand in spring and summer; worm tipped with a small strip of squid is useful.8Three Shells BeachGood · 74ReliableMost likely in spring and early summer; use lugworm or ragworm, ideally on clean sandy patches.9Walton-on-the-Naze BeachExcellent · 80ReliableMost likely in spring and early summer; use lugworm, ragworm or a small worm-and-bead rig on sandy ground.10Clacton BeachGood · 78ReliableMost likely in spring and early summer; use worm or mussel bait, ideally with coloured attractor beads.11Martello BayGood · 77ReliableMost likely in spring; try ragworm tipped with a little squid on clean, sandy patches.12Jaywick BeachGood · 77ReliableMost likely in spring and early summer; use ragworm tipped with lugworm and cover clean sandy patches.13The NazeExcellent · 80ReliableMost likely in spring and early summer; target cleaner sand with lugworm, ragworm or tipped strips.14Bell Wharf BeachGood · 76ReliableMost likely in spring and early summer; use ragworm or lugworm tipped with a small coloured attractor.15Stone PointExcellent · 80ReliableMost likely in spring and early summer on cleaner sand; tipped ragworm or lugworm baits work well.16West Mersea BeachGood · 75ReliableCan show over cleaner sand patches in spring and early summer; tipped lugworm or ragworm rigs are effective.17Frinton-on-Sea BeachGood · 79ReliableMost likely in spring and early summer. Fish worm or mussel baits over clean sand, preferably on a flooding tide.18Southend PierGood · 74Worth a tryPossible in spring and early summer over cleaner patches; try lugworm tipped with squid or ragworm.19Harwich Stone PierExcellent · 80Worth a tryMost likely in spring and early summer; ragworm, lugworm and small attractor beads can help.20Shoebury Common BeachGood · 73Worth a tryMost likely in spring and early summer over clean sand; worm baits and attractively coloured traces can help.21East Beach ShoeburynessGood · 74Worth a tryCan show over the cleaner sandy patches in spring and early summer; worm tipped with a small strip of squid is effective.22St Osyth BeachGood · 77Worth a tryOccasional over cleaner patches in spring and early summer; tipped ragworm or lugworm on a small-hook rig.23Canvey Island Sea WallGood · 74Worth a tryPossible in spring and early summer on sandy or mixed ground; worm tipped with a little squid is useful.24Chalkwell BeachGood · 76Worth a tryMost likely in spring and early summer; tipped worm baits, especially ragworm, are worthwhile on settled ground.25Seawick BeachGood · 77Worth a tryMost likely in spring and early summer; use ragworm, lugworm or tipped worm baits over cleaner patches.
Tactics for plaice
Top baits, best first
- Lugworm
- Ragworm
- Razorfish
- Mussel
Rigs that work, best first
- Long & Low
- Wishbone Clip Down (2-Hook)
- Loop Rig (Portsmouth Loop)