Summary
Arish Mell is a small, dramatic cove on the Lulworth Ranges between Mupe Bay and Worbarrow Bay on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast. It looks like a dream bass-and-wrasse venue, but there is no permitted public access to the beach and shore angling here is prohibited under MoD range rules. If you’re afloat and outside any active danger areas, the surrounding reefs and sandy pockets can fish very well.
Location and Access
Set within the MoD Lulworth Ranges, Arish Mell sits beneath steep chalk slopes with no authorised descent. You can view it from the coastal path when the ranges are open, but signage clearly prohibits dropping to the beach. For legal shore options, target adjacent, permitted bays when open (e.g., Mupe or Worbarrow).
- Access status: Inside the Lulworth Firing Ranges; shore access to Arish Mell beach is not permitted at any time.
- When ranges are open: The coastal path may be accessible; obey all range signage, flags, and waymarked paths. Do not leave the path to attempt a descent.
- Parking for the area: Tyneham village car park (range opening times apply) or Lulworth Cove car parks; a commonly used nearby postcode is BH20 5RQ (West Lulworth) to get you into the area, then follow local signage.
- Terrain overview (for viewing/nearby venues): Long, hilly walks, chalk and grass underfoot, slippery in wet, and exposed to weather.
- Afloat access: Launch from suitable nearby slipways/launch sites outside the range danger areas and only when the sea danger area is open (check Notices to Mariners and range schedules).
Seasons
Although you cannot shore fish at Arish Mell, the cove’s mixed ground gives good clues to what’s around for anglers afloat nearby. Expect a blend of reef and sand species through the year.
- Spring: Bass moving onto baitfish; wrasse over kelp; black bream beginning to show on cleaner patches; early smoothhound on crabs.
- Summer: Mackerel and garfish in numbers; bass on lures and live sandeel; ballan and corkwing wrasse tight to rock; black bream over broken ground; rays (undulate/small‑eyed) on sandy tongues; occasional tope/smoothhound.
- Autumn: Bass feeding hard on sprat/sandeel; bigger wrasse; bream tailing off late; rays still possible; conger and bull huss from rough ground into dusk.
- Winter: Pouting, poor cod, and whiting on deeper edges; conger after dark; rays in settled spells; bass possible in coloured water after blows.
Methods
Tactics here are about reading the reef edges and sand patches, but remember: shore fishing is prohibited at Arish Mell—these notes apply to boat or kayak sessions outside any active danger area.
- Boat/kayak lure fishing:
- Work soft plastics (paddle-tails, weedless creature baits) along kelp gullies for wrasse and pollack.
- Bass respond to surface walkers and slim minnows over the flood on colour lines and tide seams.
- Vertical or drifted metals locate mackerel/gar; switch to sub-surface lures when fish are finicky.
- Boat/kayak bait fishing:
- Rays/smoothhound: 2–3 ft flowing trace, 3/0–4/0 hooks with sandeel/squid (rays) or peeler/hard crab (hounds) on sandy tongues.
- Conger/huss: Robust pulley rigs with large squid/mackerel—fish dusk into dark over rough ground.
- Bream: Small hooks (size 2–4), fluorocarbon wishbone or light two‑down rigs with squid strips/shellfish over clean broken ground.
- General rigging:
- Use rotten-bottom links over rough ground.
- Keep leads modest (2–4 oz) and drift where possible to reduce snagging.
- Times: Early flood and last of the ebb around the cove mouth are prime; dusk often kicks predators into gear.
Tides and Conditions
Tide and sea state are everything on this exposed stretch. Clear water favours wrasse and bream; a touch of colour and fizz helps the bass.
- Tide state: First half of the flood is often best; slack-to-early flood for wrasse; mid-flood runs for bass; neaps improve lure control over reefs.
- Sea conditions: A light-to-moderate onshore ripple stirs bass; avoid big swell which rebounds hard off the cliffs and makes close-quarters work unsafe.
- Water clarity: Clear to lightly tinged for wrasse/bream; mild colour for bass and rays.
- Seasonality: Late spring to early autumn is most reliable afloat; winter windows appear after settled periods.
Safety
This is an MoD danger area with strict access controls and additional natural hazards. Treat the place with utmost respect and do not attempt shore access to Arish Mell beach.
- Range rules: Red flags/lights mean the range is active—no public access; even when open, Arish Mell beach remains off-limits. Obey all signage and stay on waymarked paths.
- Unexploded ordnance: Do not touch metal objects; report suspicious items.
- Cliffs and ground: Unstable chalk, frequent rockfall, steep slopes; no safe descent routes to the cove.
- Sea hazards: Powerful surge and reflected swell under cliffs; strong tide lines near reef heads; kelp snags.
- Comms: Mobile reception can be patchy; carry a charged phone, VHF for afloat trips, and a PLB if possible.
- PPE: Wear a lifejacket when afloat or near water; use appropriate footwear and carry a first‑aid kit.
- Alternative shores: If the ranges are open, consider permitted marks like Mupe Bay or Worbarrow Bay instead.
Facilities
There are no facilities at Arish Mell itself and no legal shore access to reach any. Plan to be entirely self-sufficient.
- Toilets/food: Seasonal facilities at Lulworth Cove; basic toilets at Tyneham village when ranges are open.
- Tackle and bait: Weymouth Angling Centre (Weymouth), Swanage Angling Centre (Swanage), and shops in Wareham usually carry fresh/frozen bait.
- Parking: Pay-and-display at Lulworth Cove; donation/managed parking at Tyneham when open—arrive early in peak season.
- Bins: None at the mark—pack all litter out.
- Phone signal: Variable; assume limited coverage along the range coast.
Tips
Think of Arish Mell as a reference point for boat drifts and for understanding how the Purbeck reefs link up—then choose legal access points to fish similar ground.
- Check range opening times before you even set off; closures can change at short notice.
- For a like-for-like feel from shore when open, try the ends of Mupe Bay: kelp gullies for wrasse and sand tongues for rays/bass.
- On a kayak, plot short drifts across the sand–reef interfaces; mark hits on your GPS and repeat.
- Carry spare leads and use rotten-bottoms—snags are inevitable over this kelpy, bouldery ground.
- Expect May “snot weed” to foul lines; switch to streamlined lures or fish baits slightly off-bottom with longer snoods.
- Evening sea breezes can kick up a nasty rebound under the cliffs—give yourself extra offing on the way home.
Regulations
Arish Mell lies within the MoD Lulworth Ranges and shore access to the beach is prohibited by range byelaws; do not attempt to descend to or fish from the shore here. Always follow red flag/light signals and obey posted instructions.
- MoD access: When red flags/lights are flying, the land and sea danger areas are closed—no entry. Even when the coastal path is open, Arish Mell beach remains off-limits to the public. Consult the Lulworth Range opening times and local Notices to Mariners for sea closures.
- Marine conservation: This coastline forms part of designated conservation areas (including an MCZ). Recreational hook-and-line angling is generally permitted, but check for any local gear/anchoring restrictions before running a boat session.
- General fisheries rules: Minimum sizes, bag limits, closed seasons (e.g., for bass) and tackle restrictions can change. Check current Southern IFCA guidance and the latest UK government notices before fishing.
- Protected species: Undulate ray and shad may be protected—photograph and release if required by current law.
- Leave no trace: No fires, no artifact collecting, and remove all litter; report any found ordnance to authorities without disturbing it.
