Anvil Point Fishing

Summary

Anvil Point sits on the Purbeck coast just south of Swanage, crowned by its lighthouse and surrounded by dramatic limestone ledges. It’s a classic rough-ground rock mark offering deep water close in, fast tide run, and a genuine chance of quality wrasse, pollack and bass. For the prepared angler it rewards effort with wild, energetic fishing in a spectacular setting.

Location and Access

Anvil Point lies within Durlston Country Park on the south side of Swanage, with access via well-marked coast paths around the lighthouse. The final approach to fishable ledges is on uneven limestone, and some spots involve short scrambles that are not suitable for the inexperienced or in poor conditions.

• Drive to Durlston Country Park (pay-and-display) near Durlston Castle; the commonly used postcode for the car park is BH19 2JL.
• From the car park, follow the coast path signs for the lighthouse/Anvil Point (15–25 minutes on foot depending on pace and chosen ledge).
• Terrain is limestone pavement, steps, and narrow cliff paths; stout footwear essential. Some lower ledges require downclimbs and can be wet with spray.
• Do not enter the fenced lighthouse compound; fish from public coast-path areas and natural rock platforms only.
• If arriving before opening/after closing, check car park gate times to avoid being locked in; alternative parking in Swanage means a longer walk.

Seasons

This is mixed rough ground with reefs, kelp and deep gullies; species vary by season and sea state. Expect powerful fish and snag-prone fights close to the bottom.

• Spring: ballan wrasse, pollack, early bass on lures, garfish in late spring, occasional conger after dark, pout.
• Summer: mackerel, scad, garfish, pollack (dawn/dusk), ballan and corkwing wrasse, bass in a bit of swell/colour, small to medium conger by night.
• Autumn: prime pollack on lures, chunky wrasse until the first big chills, bass on onshore blows, increasing pout/poor cod.
• Winter: pout, poor cod, conger (best at night), occasional whiting; bass possible in rough, coloured seas but not a numbers game.
• By-catch/occasional: rock gobies, tompot blenny, short-spined sea scorpion; very occasional black bream on calmer, clear summer days further along the reefs.

Methods

Rough-ground tactics dominate: think abrasion-resistant gear, rotten-bottom links, and lures or floats to work above the snags. The water is deep enough to bring fish close to the rocks.

• Lure fishing (pollack/bass/mackerel): 9–10 ft rod rated ~20–40 g; 20–30 g metals, slim surface/sub-surface hard lures for bass, and 14–25 g weedless soft plastics on Texas/weightless rigs for pollack tight to kelp edges.
• Float fishing (wrasse/gar/scad/mackerel): set 6–15 ft depending on ledge; baits include ragworm, prawn, crab, or strips of mackerel; allow the float to trot with the tide along reef edges.
• Bottom fishing (wrasse/bass/conger): strong 12–13 ft beach/rock rod, 4–6 oz leads on a weak-link/rotten-bottom; pulley or running ledger with 40–60 lb mono hooklengths. Baits: hardback crab, hermit, squid, mackerel strip or flapper for conger.
• Rigs and line: 20–30 lb mainline (braid with a long 40–60 lb mono leader, or straight mono) and 2/0–5/0 hooks for wrasse/bass/conger. Use abrasion-resistant leaders and change frayed sections often.
• Timing: dawn/dusk are standout for pollack and bass; wrasse are daytime specialists. After dark, try larger baits for conger/pout on neaps to reduce weed/drag.

Tides and Conditions

Tide flow around the headland is lively; plan for direction and strength. Many anglers favour movement without the full brunt of big springs.

• Best tide states: first half of the flood and last of the ebb often fish well for pollack/bass; neap tides are friendlier for bottom fishing and managing snags.
• Sea conditions: light northerly or calm seas give safe access and clear water for wrasse/pollack. A push of colour and a bit of onshore roll can switch on bass; heavy southerly/south-westerly swell is dangerous and usually unfishable from low ledges.
• Time of day: dawn/dusk peaks for predators; nights for conger/pout/scad in season. Bright, clear summer middays still produce wrasse tight to the bottom.
• Seasonality: May–October is prime for variety; winter is scratchier but can produce conger and the odd bonus bass in rough conditions.

Safety

This is an exposed cliff and rock mark with serious hazards. Treat it like a mountaineering venue: preparation and conservative decision-making are essential.

• Cliffs, ledge exposure and slippery weeded rock: wear grippy boots or studs/cleats; a flotation lifejacket is strongly recommended.
• Swell risk: long-period southerly swell can suddenly wash ledges—observe the sea for at least 15 minutes before committing, and avoid low platforms in any swell.
• Tidal stream: strong run can pull end tackle into snags and make footing risky when landing fish; fish higher/safer ledges on bigger tides.
• Rockfall and loose limestone: keep well back from the cliff base and avoid obvious overhangs; helmets are sensible on busy climbing sectors nearby.
• Access limitations: some paths/sections may be temporarily closed by Durlston Country Park for conservation, rockfall, or nesting birds—obey all signage.
• Mobility: not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility; steep, uneven ground with scrambles to many ledges. Do not fish alone; carry a headtorch, spare light, and a charged phone.

Facilities

You’re inside a managed country park, so daytime amenities are decent by rock-mark standards, with full town facilities a short drive away in Swanage.

• Parking: pay-and-display at Durlston Country Park near the castle; check gate times and tariffs.
• Toilets and café: at Durlston Castle during opening hours; closed evenings/overnight.
• Tackle and bait: options in Swanage, including a dedicated angling shop for bait and end tackle; call ahead for live bait availability in summer.
• Mobile signal: generally fair on the headland but can be patchy in gullies; do not rely solely on data coverage for weather/tide info.
• No lighting or shelter on the ledges; bring headtorch, spare batteries, and weatherproofs. Take all litter home—no bins on the rocks.

Tips

Anvil rewards stealth and smart tackle choices more than brute force. Travel light, fish efficiently, and expect to lose some gear—plan for it.

• Use weak-link/rotten-bottom setups for leads; a short, tough hooklength saves fish and tackle when snagged.
• Work lures tight to the kelp edges on a dropping light; let soft plastics sink on a controlled count—most pollack hit on the drop.
• For wrasse, peeler or hardback crab outfishes worm once they’re present; fish locked-up drag and lift, don’t pump, to keep them out of the reef.
• Landing fish: choose a ledge with safe water access before you start; avoid high vertical lifts. A long-handled net helps on lower ledges; gaffs are a last resort and unsuitable for catch-and-release.
• Expect climbers on nearby sectors (e.g., Guillemot/Subluminal areas); keep clear of abseil lines and don’t cast across routes.
• Summer evenings can be busy with walkers—cast awareness and tidy gear keeps everyone friendly.
• After a blow, give it 24–48 hours for the swell to settle and colour to hold for bass without the surge being dangerous.

Regulations

Anvil Point sits within Durlston Country Park and in/near marine protected designations on the Purbeck coast. Recreational angling from the shore is generally permitted, but additional protections and byelaws may apply.

• Country Park rules: stay on marked paths, respect temporary closures, no fires or camping, and avoid disturbing nesting seabirds. Do not fish from within the fenced lighthouse compound.
• Marine designations: parts of this coastline fall within Marine Conservation Zone/SSSI/SAC designations. These typically do not prohibit rod-and-line angling but may restrict certain activities like anchoring or commercial methods; check on-site signage and official sources.
• Southern IFCA area: size limits, gear restrictions, and byelaws can apply (including rules for shellfish and intertidal gathering). If collecting bait locally, ensure it’s permitted and sustainable; some areas prohibit or restrict hand-gathering.
• Bass: minimum conservation reference size is 42 cm and seasonal bag/retention rules apply to recreational anglers. Regulations change—check the latest MMO/DEFRA/Southern IFCA guidance before your trip.
• General: observe national MLS/CRS for retained species, practice catch-and-release for wrasse where possible, and never leave lines or lead on the rocks.
• If any local signage indicates temporary bans (e.g., rockfall closures or wildlife protection), these take precedence—comply and relocate.