Round Tower

Round Tower is a classic Old Portsmouth harbour-mouth mark, fished from the public waterfront around the historic fortification rather than from the tower itself. Its appeal is depth, fast-moving water and a steady procession of baitfish around the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour, although it is a busy, exposed and sometimes awkward place to fish.

• It is principally a spring-to-autumn venue for mobile species, with bass and mullet the headline possibilities.
• The mark can produce worthwhile short sessions when bait and tide coincide, but it is not a quiet, open-beach venue where a large spread of rods is practical.
• Treat it as an urban harbour mark: anglers need to share limited space with walkers, sightseers, cyclists, harbour users and events.
• The water immediately off the point is influenced by major commercial, naval, ferry and leisure-boat traffic, so sensible positioning and close attention to the water are essential.

The Round Tower stands at Old Portsmouth, on the waterfront at the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour and close to the Hotwalls/Camber Dock area. The fishing is generally associated with the accessible quay or seawall beside the tower and the harbour-side frontage, not the historic structure, its roof or any fenced-off heritage areas.

• It is an easy walk from central Old Portsmouth and Southsea, with city-centre public transport and parking options nearby; allow extra time in summer and during events, when roads and parking can be congested.
• Expect hard surfaces, walls, railings and narrow pedestrian space rather than sand or shingle. Choose a spot that does not obstruct the public right of way.
• Access changes with restoration work, events, temporary barriers and harbour-security measures. If an area is gated, signed or coned off, do not attempt to fish it.
• The harbour entrance gives access to deep water relatively close in, but casting room can be restricted and lines may be exposed to passing traffic, floating debris and other waterfront users.

The mark’s species list is led by fish that follow bait through the Solent and harbour entrance, with catches varying markedly with season, water clarity and tide. It is more productive to target the conditions than to expect every listed species on every visit.

• Bass are a major attraction, particularly when small baitfish, crabs or prawns are moving along the wall and through the harbour entrance.
• Thick-lipped mullet can appear in the harbour-influenced water, especially in warmer, calmer periods; they are highly mobile and can be frustratingly selective.
• Mackerel, garfish and scad may come within casting range in settled summer weather when shoals are present.
• Flounder, eels, pouting and small whiting are plausible bottom-fishing catches, with the better chance of the latter two generally in the cooler part of the year.
• Wrasse, pollack and occasional bream-type visitors may be possible around rougher harbour structures, though they should not be treated as guaranteed targets from every accessible position.
• Small fish, crabs and other non-target catches are common around urban harbour walls; handle them carefully and return undersized or unwanted fish promptly.

Travel light and use tackle that can be brought in quickly: the flow, limited room and vessel movements make long, unattended presentations unsuitable. A landing net on a long handle is often more useful than extra rods where the wall is high above the water.

• For bass, use a compact ledgered bait such as peeler crab, ragworm, lugworm, squid or a small fish bait where lawful and appropriate; present it close to the wall or along the edge of the flow rather than casting blindly into the navigation water.
• A light spinning outfit with small metals, soft plastics or shallow-running lures can account for bass, mackerel, garfish and scad when fish are visibly feeding. Keep casts controlled and avoid casting across areas used by vessels.
• For mullet, a light float or free-lined bread presentation can work in quiet water, but only fish it where there is room to do so without tangling pedestrians, moorings or harbour craft.
• A simple two-hook or single-hook bottom rig with worm or squid can pick out pouting, flounder and eels. Use enough lead to hold bottom, but avoid needlessly heavy gear in a snag-prone, fast-flowing area.
• Keep terminal tackle economical: walls, harbour debris and rough ground can claim rigs. Use a robust knot, abrasion-resistant leader and a method for lifting fish safely from the wall.
• Do not leave rods unattended, and retrieve immediately if a vessel, harbour patrol or other water user could come into conflict with your line.

Tidal movement is central to the Round Tower’s fishing, because the mark sits beside one of the Solent’s busiest and most energetic harbour entrances. The best window is often the period when water is moving but still fishable, rather than the fiercest part of a big flow.

• Both the flood and ebb can bring fish past the point, but the exact productive period depends on wind direction, freshwater influence, boat activity and where bait is holding on the day.
• Moderate tidal conditions are usually easier for shore anglers than very large tides, when the current can make bait presentation and safe landing difficult.
• A sheltered-looking promenade can still be unpleasant in strong wind, especially when wind opposes tide and throws spray over the wall. Check the marine forecast as well as the general weather forecast.
• Clear, settled summer water favours float fishing, lures and surface-feeding species; coloured or cooler water can suit scent-based bait fishing for bass, pouting and eels.
• Night sessions can be productive for bottom-feeding species, but the combination of high walls, wet surfaces, pedestrians and harbour traffic makes daylight reconnaissance especially important.

This is not a forgiving mark when the tide is running or the weather is rough. The exposed edge, hard quay surfaces and constant harbour traffic demand more care than a typical open shore.

• Wear suitable non-slip footwear and keep bags, tackle boxes and rod rests well back from the edge; algae, spray and seaweed can make masonry extremely slippery.
• Do not fish in conditions where waves are washing the frontage, where you cannot safely land a fish, or where a retreat route could be cut off by water or crowding.
• Use a long-handled landing net where appropriate and never climb down harbour walls, ladders, moorings or heritage masonry to recover tackle or fish.
• Maintain a clear passage for pedestrians, wheelchairs, emergency access and waterfront staff. Pack light, keep hooks covered when moving, and do not cast over people.
• The general waterfront approach is relatively level in places, but uneven paving, kerbs, narrow sections, wall height and restricted casting space mean the exact fishing position may not be suitable for every mobility need.
• Fish with a companion after dark where possible, carry a charged phone and be prepared to move if directed by harbour, police, security or site staff.

Round Tower benefits from being in Old Portsmouth, where food, shops, public transport and other visitor services are close by. It is nevertheless best to arrive self-sufficient for a fishing session, as facilities can be seasonal, busy or closed outside normal hours.

• Cafes, pubs and convenience shopping are available within a short walk in Old Portsmouth and nearby Southsea, subject to opening times.
• Public toilets and parking may be available in the wider waterfront area, but availability, charges and opening arrangements can change; check before travelling.
• Bring drinking water, a headtorch for low-light fishing, a landing net, a rubbish bag and a compact first-aid kit.
• There is no reason to leave line, bait packaging or fish waste on this heavily visited heritage waterfront. Take all litter home, including discarded tackle and cut-off line.

Round Tower rewards observation more than distance casting. Spend time watching the current seams, bait activity and vessel movements before choosing a swim, then fish a neat, low-profile setup that can be moved quickly.

• Arrive early for space in fine weather, at weekends and during school holidays; the best-looking corner may be unsuitable if it is crowded with visitors.
• Watch for small fish dimpling, diving birds, surface disturbance and colour changes where harbour water meets the Solent flow. These are better clues than relying solely on a tide table.
• Keep bait and catches discreet and manage any odour or mess carefully; this is a residential and tourist-facing area.
• A short session around a favourable tide is often more effective than an all-day commitment in difficult current.
• If the immediate tower frontage is crowded or restricted, do not force the issue. Move to a clearly accessible public section of waterfront and fish only where you can do so safely and courteously.

There is no assumption here that every piece of waterfront around Round Tower is open to angling at all times. The area is beside a working harbour and a protected historic site, so local signs, temporary restrictions and directions from authorised staff take priority over any general description of the mark.

• Check Portsmouth City Council notices, Portsmouth Harbour authority information and on-site signage before fishing, particularly after redevelopment, security changes or event set-ups.
• Do not fish from closed heritage areas, private land, moorings, jetties or any location carrying a no-fishing, no-access, security or harbour-safety notice.
• Keep clear of navigation channels, ferry routes, vessel approaches and harbour operations. Retrieve lines promptly when required and comply with instructions from harbour officials.
• Follow current national rules on minimum conservation sizes, protected species, catch limits where applicable and lawful bait collection. These rules can change, so verify them through official fisheries sources before retaining fish.
• Observe local bylaws concerning litter, public nuisance, fires, alcohol, dogs and access. Return unwanted fish with care and do not remove crabs, shellfish or bait from places where collection is restricted.