Gilkicker Point

Gilkicker Point is a tide-swept Solent shore mark at the eastern end of Stokes Bay, close to the entrance of Portsmouth Harbour and the historic Fort Gilkicker. It can produce varied sport, but it is a serious mark rather than an easy family beach: deep, fast-moving water, commercial and naval traffic, and changeable access all need proper consideration.

• The point fishes best when there is colour, movement and food in the water, rather than during long periods of clear, calm, slack conditions.
• It is primarily a bait-and-lure venue for mobile anglers who are comfortable fishing shingle and coping with strong tidal flow.
• Do not assume that every piece of shore, wall or structure around the fort and harbour entrance is public or fishable; use only clearly accessible foreshore and obey signs on arrival.

The mark lies on the Gosport side of the Solent, at the junction of Stokes Bay and the Portsmouth Harbour approaches. Anglers usually approach from the Stokes Bay/Gosport side, but the immediate area around Fort Gilkicker includes land and structures where access may be limited or altered.

• Expect a shingle beach and uneven, loose footing rather than a level promenade-style fishing platform.
• Parking and the most practical approach are generally found around Stokes Bay, followed by a walk along the shore; allow time to carry tackle over shingle.
• Keep clear of private, fenced, operational or signed-off areas around the fort, harbour installations and coastal defences.
• Access can be affected by redevelopment, maintenance work, weather damage and local security arrangements, so check the situation on the day rather than relying on old catch reports.

Gilkicker Point’s mix of Solent tidal flow, deeper water and nearby harbour influence can attract a useful range of species through the year. What is present is highly seasonal, and catches are often dictated by tide strength, water clarity and bait availability.

• Bass are a principal target, especially when baitfish or crabs are moving and there is a little colour in the water; observe all current bass conservation rules.
• Mackerel, garfish and occasionally scad can be available in the warmer months when shoals are within casting range.
• Black bream may show in summer in suitable conditions, while wrasse can occur close to rougher ground and man-made structure where access is lawful and safe.
• Smooth-hound, dogfish and various rays may feature for bait anglers, with peeler crab, crab baits, squid and fish baits all worth carrying according to season.
• Flounder, whiting and other colder-water species can appear during autumn and winter; codling are possible in the wider Solent but should never be treated as dependable here.
• Small pout, poor cod, eels and other mini-species may provide bites, particularly after dark or when fishing close-in ground.

A flexible approach works best at Gilkicker, because the fish may be close in on one tide and well beyond comfortable casting range on the next. Tackle must also hold bottom without being so heavy that it becomes unsafe or unmanageable in the flow.

• For bait fishing, use a beachcaster or sturdy bass rod with a grip lead sized to the actual tide; carry a range rather than automatically using the heaviest weight.
• A pulley, clipped-down pulley or simple two-hook flapper can be useful over relatively clean shingle, while a single-hook rig is often preferable for bigger baits, bass or rays.
• Lugworm, ragworm, peeler crab, mackerel strip, squid and sandeel are sensible bait options; match the bait to the intended species rather than relying on one all-purpose offering.
• Fish baits and crab baits can be especially worthwhile for bass, hounds and rays, while worm baits often pick out whiting, flounder, bream and mixed species.
• Spinners, metals, small casting plugs and sandeel-style lures can take mackerel, garfish, bass and occasional scad when baitfish are present; avoid casting towards navigational channels or vessels.
• A long-handled landing net may be useful where the waterline drops away, but never climb onto slippery harbour structures or attempt to land fish from unsafe edges.

Tide is central to fishing Gilkicker Point. Water accelerates around the point and through the harbour approaches, so the most fishable period is often around the turns or during the more manageable parts of a tide rather than at maximum flow.

• Try both sides of high water and low water over several visits, recording where the lead holds and whether fish are feeding close in or at distance.
• Strong spring tides can make presentation difficult, create side-drag and move weed through the line; lighter leads and fine rigs are often ineffective when the flow is running hard.
• Moderate onshore weather can put welcome colour into Stokes Bay, but exposed conditions can make the shingle uncomfortable and the sea hazardous.
• Clear, settled water can favour lure fishing and species such as mackerel or garfish, while coloured water may improve confidence for bass on natural baits.
• Weed can be a major nuisance after rough weather, particularly when fishing static baits; check regularly and move if every retrieve is fouled.
• Night fishing can be productive for some species, but only in calm, familiar conditions with reliable lighting and a safe retreat route.

This is not a forgiving mark in poor weather or at peak tide. The combination of loose shingle, deep water, powerful currents and nearby vessel movements demands a conservative approach.

• Wear suitable boots with grip and expect shingle to shift underfoot; avoid carrying excessive tackle, especially after dark.
• Do not wade at the point or enter the water to cast, retrieve tackle or land fish. Currents in the Solent and harbour approaches can be exceptionally strong.
• Give harbour traffic a very wide berth, never cast across a vessel’s path, and retrieve immediately if a boat is approaching your line.
• Keep well away from slippery sea walls, groynes, navigation infrastructure, moorings and any military, port or construction installations.
• The shingle surface and walk-in make the mark difficult for anglers with reduced mobility; it is not a straightforward wheelchair-accessible venue.
• Take a headtorch, charged phone, warm layers and a personal flotation device if fishing close to deep water in low light; tell somebody where you are going and when you expect to return.
• Leave at once if weather, waves, visibility, security activity or tidal conditions make the venue feel unsafe.

Facilities are more likely to be found around the wider Stokes Bay seafront than at the point itself. Treat Gilkicker as a relatively self-sufficient fishing trip and arrive with water, food and all essential tackle.

• Parking, refreshment options and public conveniences may be available elsewhere along Stokes Bay, but opening arrangements can be seasonal or change without notice.
• There are no facilities to rely upon at the fishing position itself, particularly after dark.
• Bring a rubbish bag and remove all line, bait packaging, discarded tackle and fish waste; shingle beaches and harbour approaches are highly visible shared spaces.
• Use designated parking only and do not obstruct access for residents, emergency vehicles, coastal staff or port operations.

The point rewards observation more than blind long-range casting. Spend time watching the water for tide lines, baitfish, bird activity, coloured water and the direction in which your lead is travelling.

• Arrive in daylight on a first visit, walk the intended area and identify a safe fishing level, exit route and any signs restricting access.
• Travel light enough to move: a short walk away from the busiest or most heavily fished-looking section can make a difference.
• If the tide is dragging your rig far along the beach, reduce line in the water, increase grip sensibly, change angle, or wait for a more manageable stage of tide.
• Keep hooks and rigs robust but not needlessly complicated. Flow, weed and low-light fishing all favour simple tackle that can be reset quickly.
• Do not advertise catches by leaving bait, line or fish remains on the beach. Good shore marks remain available only when anglers are considerate of other users and the environment.
• Check recent local reports for seasonal species, but treat them as a guide rather than proof that fish will be present on a particular day.

Fishing is not known to be universally prohibited from all public foreshore described as Gilkicker Point, but this is a sensitive area beside a busy harbour entrance, historic fortifications and potentially controlled land. Restrictions can apply to particular structures, access routes, security zones and temporary works, so the practical rule is to fish only where public access is clearly permitted.

• Read all signs at the access point and along the shore, including port, Ministry of Defence, construction, safety and private-land notices; do not fish beyond barriers or fenced boundaries.
• Portsmouth Harbour is an active commercial, naval and recreational waterway. Follow harbour authority directions, avoid navigation channels and do not interfere with vessels, moorings, markers or port operations.
• Check current national and local rules before retaining fish, especially for bass and any species subject to size, bag, seasonal or method restrictions.
• Respect closed areas, protected habitats and any temporary notices relating to wildlife, works or security.
• If the legal status of a particular wall, beach section or fort-side access is unclear, choose another clearly public section of shore rather than assuming it is permitted.
• Regulations and access arrangements can change; confirm current requirements through official harbour, local authority and government fisheries information before travelling.