South East

Summary

South East England offers a remarkably varied coastline for sea anglers: from the shingle desert of Dungeness and the chalk cliffs of Dover and Beachy Head to the long promenades of Sussex, the shelter of the Solent, and the mixed ground of the Isle of Wight. Easy access, numerous piers and marina arms (where permitted), charter ports, and genuinely year‑round fishing make it one of the UK’s most popular sea angling regions. Historic beach‑launched fleets (e.g., Hastings) and busy harbours blend tradition with modern shore and boat fishing opportunities.

Location and Access

• Kent & Thames Estuary (Thanet to Dungeness, incl. Medway/Swale):

• Character: Tidal estuaries and North Sea/Channel influences, long shingle/sand beaches, sea walls, and accessible piers/harbour structures. Big spring tides, coloured water.
• What to expect: Spring–summer smoothhound and thornback rays across the Estuary and North Kent shores; bass around rough patches, groynes, and estuary mouths; sole on calmer summer/autumn nights; winter whiting and, some seasons, codling. Dungeness/Hythe reward long casting over steep shingle with lug/squid cocktails.

• Dover Strait & Romney Marsh (Folkestone, Dover, Deal, Hythe):

• Character: Strong tides, chalk reefs and patches of rough ground, sea walls and harbour arms, steep shingle at times.
• What to expect: Bass after a blow, rays on settled big tides, wrasse/pollack from rougher marks, mackerel in season, winter whiting/codling runs in good years. Harbour arms/promenades are beginner‑friendly (check current access rules/tickets).

• East Sussex (Rye/Winchelsea to Beachy Head, Seaford/Newhaven, Brighton & Hove):

• Character: Sand/shingle beaches, extensive chalk reef ledges, groynes and promenades; marina arms (access can change).
• What to expect: Spring plaice (Eastbourne/Pevensey), summer black bream on chalk/reef ground, bass on surfy days and around structure, mackerel/gar in mid‑summer, sole at night late summer–autumn. Chalk ledges fish superbly on flooding tides but require careful timing and safety awareness.

• West Sussex (Shoreham/Adur to Selsey Bill):

• Character: Broad shingle/sand beaches, reefs offshore (Kingmere), harbour mouths, and the tidal headland of Selsey Bill.
• What to expect: Bass and rays in surf from Worthing, Goring, Ferring, and Bracklesham; black bream spring–autumn on reefs (notably near Kingmere—seasonal restrictions apply); smoothhound in May–July; night‑time sole from Littlehampton to Bognor; mackerel/gar in summer.

• Hampshire & The Solent (Hayling, Langstone/Chichester Harbours, Portsmouth/Southsea, Gosport, Southampton Water, Lymington/Hurst):

• Character: Sheltered waters with very strong currents, sandbanks, deep channels, piers and promenades; good foul‑weather options.
• What to expect: Smoothhound, bass, thornback rays May–Sept; black bream around rough ground; mullet in marinas/harbours; winter whiting/pouting. Boat fishing is outstanding for tope, bream, conger and wreck pollack when tides allow.

• Isle of Wight:

• Character: Mix of sand, shingle, and extensive reef/ledges (e.g., Bembridge, Ventnor), with fast tides near The Needles.
• What to expect: Bass over tide‑ripped ground, wrasse and bream on rough patches, rays from sandy bays, summer mackerel/gar/scad, and quality boat fishing for tope, bream, and conger. Many ledges flood quickly—know your exit points.

Seasons & Species

Season	Most common shore species	Notes
Spring (Mar–May)	Plaice, bass (building), smoothhound (late spring), rays, dogfish	Lug/rag for plaice on clean ground; peeler crab for early hounds/bass; bream arrive late May on reefs.
Summer (Jun–Aug)	Bass, mackerel, black bream, smoothhound, thornback/undulate rays, garfish, scad, sole, wrasse	Lures for bass on clear, calm dawns; crab for hounds; squid/sandeel for rays; long snoods for plaice; night sessions for sole.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)	Bass (peak), black bream (to Oct), sole, rays, mackerel/scad (early), whiting (from Oct), squid	Great time for surf bass after blows; estuaries for rays/hounds on springs; squid often from marina arms/pier ends in late autumn.
Winter (Dec–Feb)	Whiting, dabs, pout, rockling, rays, codling (best chance Kent/Thames), conger (structures)	Big baits for a codling in the east; small hooks/beads for scratching; estuaries hold thornbacks year‑round.

Methods & Tackle

• Beach and estuary:

• Pulley pennel (4/0–5/0) with 5–6 oz grip leads for bass/rays over shingle and mixed ground.
• 2–3 hook flappers or clipped-down rigs with size 1–2 hooks for whiting/flatfish; long snoods and beads for plaice.
• Up‑and‑over or long‑range clipped rigs for clean ground when distance is key (Dungeness/Pevensey).
• Baits: black/blow lug and ragworm for general species; peeler crab May–July for bass/hounds; squid/sandeel for rays/bass; mackerel strip for gars/scad. • Lure fishing:
• Bass: 20–40 g metals in swell, 12–30 g soft plastics/weedless paddletails in clear water, topwaters at dawn/dusk along surf beaches and harbour mouths.
• LRF/HRF around marinas and rock: small metals, isome, and weedless soft plastics for wrasse, scad, pollack, gobies. • Piers/harbour arms (where permitted):
• Sabiki/feathers for mackerel/scad (summer); float rigs for gar/bream; ledger squid jigs in autumn; heavy mono leaders for conger near structure. • Boat/charter:
• Flow‑dependent drift fishing for bream and tope; wrecking for pollack/codling (when present); anchored sessions for rays, hounds, conger. Use uptide/down‑tide tactics in the Solent’s strong currents. • Tackle notes:
• 12–14 ft beach rods with 5–6 oz grips handle steep shingle and tide; shockleaders (0.7–0.8 mm) for power casting. Scale down in clear water; fluorocarbon snoods and smaller hooks boost bites. Carry spare rigs—chalk/reef ground is snaggy.

Tides and Conditions

• Tide size and flow:

• Large ranges on the Channel coast (notably East/West Sussex) and powerful streams in the Solent and Dover Strait. Springs can transform fishing—great movement for rays/hounds, but some marks become unfishable. Neaps favour finesse species like plaice and sole. • Wind and water clarity:
• South‑westerlies are dominant; a blow that colours the water followed by dropping surf is classic for bass on Sussex/Hampshire beaches. Persistent easterlies flatten the south coast and can slow sport, but may help clarity for lures. North‑easterlies along Kent can be chilly but sometimes precede winter codling/whiting. • Directional notes:
• Headlands (Selsey Bill, Beachy Head, The Needles) magnify tide and cross‑sets. Estuaries (Thames, Langstone/Chichester, Southampton Water) fish best with run—often the flooding tide, though certain creeks switch on at slack. • When it’s unsafe:
• Avoid big springs/wind‑against‑tide around exposed headlands and harbour entrances. Chalk ledges and tidal islands can cut you off fast. Steep shingle (e.g., Dungeness/Hythe) has fierce backwash—especially in swell.

Safety & Acccess

• Cliffs and ledges: Chalk cliffs (Dover, Seven Sisters/Beachy Head, Seaford Head) are unstable; avoid the base after heavy rain and don’t linger under overhangs. Ledges flood quickly—know your cut‑offs and exits. • Steep shingle: Dungeness/Hythe and some Sussex beaches have strong undertow—stay well above the swash line, especially at night or in swell. • Strong tides: Solent races, Selsey Bill, The Needles, and harbour mouths can be hazardous in wind‑against‑tide. PFDs are strongly advised on exposed walls/rocks, and essential for kayaks/boats. • Ranges and byelaws: Lydd/Hythe ranges close areas during firing (watch for red flags). Local council bylaws may restrict fishing near bathing beaches in summer. Marina/pier access changes—check notices before travelling. • Parking and access: Mostly good with promenades and pay‑and‑display car parks; respect residents, keep slipways clear, and carry a headtorch and spare light. In marinas, observe security zones and keep decks clean. • Health: Watch for summer weever fish on sandy beaches (wear footwear). Use gloves with conger/spurdog; return protected species (e.g., undulate ray in many Southern IFCA areas).

Tips

• On big spring tides in the Thames Estuary and Solent, aim for the first two hours of the flood or last two of the ebb—prime time for rays and smoothhound.
• For Dungeness/Hythe, distance often counts: clipped rigs, fresh black lug, and lug/squid cocktails are staples.
• When spider crabs arrive (late spring), peeler crab baits excel for bass/hounds but soft baits get stripped—use elastic and check baits often.
• After a SW blow, fish the first settling sea at dawn/dusk with plugs or weedless soft plastics for surf bass.
• Target plaice in March–May on clean ground with long snoods, small beads/spinners, and tipped lug/rag cocktails.
• For black bream, fish small, sharp hooks (size 2–1) with squid, prawn, or worm strips; avoid anchoring or certain methods within the Kingmere MCZ during seasonal restrictions.
• Night sessions produce sole and better bass on Sussex/Hampshire beaches—keep rigs simple and bait fresh.
• Around chalk and rough ground, use abrasion‑resistant mono leaders and a weak link on the sinker to save gear.
• Autumn sees squid along marina arms and well‑lit piers—dedicated jigs at dusk into dark can be deadly.
• Check IFCA/MMO rules: bass size/bag and protected rays change; know your local minimum sizes and release requirements.

Nearby

• East of England (Essex): Vast Thames Estuary shallows, banks, and creeks—superb thornback rays and smoothhound in spring/summer.
• Greater London: Tidal Thames access for bass, flounder (recovering), and schoolie bass—urban marks with strong tides.
• South West (Dorset): Jurassic Coast rock marks, Portland tides, and Chesil shingle—big variety and classic lure/bait options.
• South Coast Central (neighbouring Dorset/Hants boundary): Continuation of Solent shelter with quick shifts from clean sand to reefy ground.

FAQs

• Do I need a licence to sea fish from the shore?
  No rod licence is required for sea fishing in England from the shore, but some piers/marinas need day tickets or permits. You must follow local byelaws, size limits, and seasonal/bag rules (e.g., bass).

• What are the current bass regulations?
  Minimum size is 42 cm with seasonal bag limits that change—check the latest MMO/IFCA announcements before you fish.

• Where’s good for beginners?
  Promenade beaches at Worthing, Bognor, Southsea, Eastbourne/Pevensey, and parts of the Kent sea walls offer easy access and safe ground. Harbour arms and marina walls (where permitted) are also beginner‑friendly.

• Can I night fish?
  Yes. Night fishing is popular and often more productive for sole, bass, and rays. Use good lighting, high‑vis clothing, and know the tide times.

• Are there conservation restrictions?
  Yes—Marine Conservation Zones and IFCA byelaws apply (e.g., Kingmere black bream protections, undulate ray release in many areas). Always check local rules.

Summary Table

Area	Access & ground	Key species	Best methods	Peak season	Safety/facilities
Kent & Thames Estuary	Sea walls, piers, shingle; mixed/clean	Smoothhound, thornback ray, bass, sole, whiting/codling (winter)	Pulley pennel, long‑range clipped rigs, crab/lug/squid	May–July (hounds/rays), Oct–Jan (whiting/codling)	Strong tides; range closures; steep shingle in places; good parking
Dover Strait & Romney Marsh	Cliffs, harbour arms, steep shingle, chalk	Bass, rays, mackerel, wrasse, winter codling/whiting	Big baits on pulley; lures for bass; float/feathers summer	Sept–Nov (bass), Jun–Aug (mackerel), winter scratching	Cliff/ledge hazards; fast tides; check access/tickets
East Sussex	Promenades, groynes, chalk ledges	Plaice, bass, black bream, sole, mackerel/gar	Long snoods for plaice; lures for bass; small bream rigs	Mar–May (plaice), Jun–Oct (bream/bass)	Ledge cut‑offs; weed after blows; pay‑and‑display
West Sussex	Long shingle/sand, reefs offshore	Bass, black bream, smoothhound, rays, sole	Surf rigs; crab for hounds; small hooks for bream/sole	May–Sept (hounds/bream), Sept–Nov (bass/sole)	Strong cross‑sets; MCZ rules (Kingmere); easy access
Hampshire & Solent	Sheltered beaches, harbour mouths, deep channels	Bass, smoothhound, thornback, bream, whiting	Uptide/down‑tide tactics; crab/squid; lures at dawn	May–Sept (hounds/rays/bass), Oct–Jan (whiting)	Powerful currents; busy shipping; good facilities
Isle of Wight	Mixed sand/reef/ledges	Bass, black bream, wrasse, rays, tope (boat)	Pulley on rough/sand; lures for bass; boat to wrecks/reefs	May–Oct	Rapid flooding ledges; tide races; limited exits