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Small-eyed Ray Fishing in Dorset

Dorset has 7 shore marks rated for small-eyed ray. They're ranked below by how strongly small-eyed ray 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 Night sessions clearly outfish daylight

Best small-eyed ray marks in Dorset

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

Freshwater Beach Reliable for small-eyed ray
Today 65 Good

Late spring–autumn, evening into dark. Sandeel or squid on a pulley pennel, cast 60–100 yd onto clean ground. Best on the flood over neaps.
Steamer Point Reliable for small-eyed ray
Today 63 Fair

Late spring–autumn evenings; sandeel or squid at long range into sandy gullies. 2 up/1 down around high works well. Minimal weed and surf.
Seatown Beach Reliable for small-eyed ray
Today 65 Good

Late spring–autumn nights on clean sand tongues; sandeel or squid; long cast; neap tides and last of flood.
Hive Beach Reliable for small-eyed ray
Today 65 Good

Evening into night; sandeel or launce on pulley rigs. Cast 60–120 m to sand lanes on the flood.
West Bay West Beach Reliable for small-eyed ray
Today 65 Good

Target sandy gullies at 60–120 m on a rising tide; dusk/night; sandeel or squid on pulley pennel; avoid heavy weed.
Chewton Bunny Worth a try for small-eyed ray
Today 63 Fair

Late spring to autumn; sandeel or squid cocktails at long range over clean sand, evening flood best.
Chesil Beach Ferrybridge Worth a try for small-eyed ray
Today 70 Good

Late spring-autumn nights; sandeel or launce on pulley rigs. Target cleaner shingle at range on a gentle surf. Best around slack into flood.

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

Tactics for small-eyed ray

Top baits, best first

  1. Sandeel
  2. Launce
  3. Squid

Rigs that work, best first

  1. Pulley Pennel Rig
  2. Up and Over
  3. Long & Low

Full tactics, seasonal detail and more baits are on the Small-eyed Ray species guide.

Small-eyed Ray fishing elsewhere

Small-eyed Ray in Bridgend Small-eyed Ray in Cornwall Small-eyed Ray in Devon Small-eyed Ray in Isle of Wight Small-eyed Ray in Pembrokeshire Small-eyed Ray in Somerset