Summary
Bincleaves Point sits on the western side of Weymouth Bay, between Newton’s Cove and Sandsfoot, overlooking the Portland Harbour entrance. It’s a classic Dorset rock mark with fast tidal seams, clean-to-rough transitions and quick access from town. Expect wrasse and pollack in clear water, summer pelagics on the flood, and night-time conger and pout when the light fades.
Location and Access
This is a convenient urban rock mark reached via Old Castle Road/Bincleaves Road on the Weymouth side of Portland Harbour. Access is straightforward to the promenade, then becomes rocky and uneven around the point.
- Approach from Weymouth town towards Old Castle Road; on-street parking is limited near Bincleaves Road and along Old Castle Road (arrive early in summer).
- Nearby car parks if on-street is full: Nothe Gardens (DT4 8UD) or Sandsfoot Castle Gardens (DT4 8QE), then walk 10–20 minutes via the coast path/promenade.
- From Newton’s Cove promenade, continue south along the seafront path and pick your way onto the rock platforms towards the point. Access to ledges involves short scrambles; wear good boots.
- Ground is a mix of flat limestone shelves, boulders and kelp gullies; pack light if you plan to roam.
- Parts of the headland are fenced or signed (adjacent to private/industrial sites). Stay on public paths and foreshore only; do not cross fences.
Seasons
Bincleaves offers year‑round variety, biased towards rough‑ground species and summer visitors following bait into the tidal eddies.
- Spring (Apr–May):
- Ballan and corkwing wrasse (as water clears and warms)
- School bass on the flood and in coloured water after blows
- Early pollack at dusk; occasional garfish from May
- Summer (Jun–Aug):
- Mackerel, garfish and scad (evenings and flooding tide lines)
- Pollack (dawn/dusk), wrasse (daytime over kelp)
- Bass in onshore stir and around bait shoals
- Conger after dark; pout and the odd strap eel on bottom baits
- Autumn (Sep–Nov):
- Bass peak period, especially in a building sea
- Scad and late mackerel into the gloaming
- Pollack continue well at dusk; wrasse linger while water stays warm
- Winter (Dec–Feb):
- Whiting and pout at night
- Rockling and dogfish on the deck
- Conger in the deeper holes; very occasional codling in cold snaps (now rare)
Methods
The ground dictates tactics: lure and float fishing excel around the kelp edges; bottom tactics need abrasion‑resistant setups and sacrificial components.
- Lures (HRF/Light lure):
- Weedless soft plastics (2–5 in) on 7–14 g Texas/Chebs for wrasse and bass through the gullies
- Slim minnows and small metals for mackerel/garfish; 10–20 g spoons into the flood seams
- Low‑light hard lures and paddletails for pollack/bass along the point at dawn/dusk
- Float fishing:
- Ragworm, prawn or mackerel strip set 6–12 ft for garfish and pollack; adjust depth to work the kelp line
- Bottom fishing (rough ground):
- Pulley or pulley‑dropper with 40–60 lb leaders; use a weak link/rotten‑bottom to save gear
- Baits: peeler or hardback crab for wrasse/bass; squid or mackerel heads for conger; rag/sandeel cocktails for general pickings
- Leads 3–5 oz typically; consider a lead‑lift for retrieval
- Night sessions:
- Big fish baits on heavy gear for conger (keep fish low and away from ledges)
- Two‑hook flappers with small baits for whiting/pout
- Tools and line:
- 20–30 lb mainline or robust braid with 40–60 lb leader over the ledges; long‑handled net or drop net is helpful from higher shelves
Tides and Conditions
Tide movement makes this mark; fish the seams and eddies that form off the point. Clarity drives species choice: clear for wrasse/pollack, some colour for bass.
- Best tide windows: 2 hours up to high and the first of the ebb, especially on neaps (springs can rip hard)
- Wind/sea state: often fishable when Chesil is blown out by SW winds; a light to moderate onshore push helps bass
- Water clarity: bright/clear for daytime wrasse and float‑fished pollack/garfish; a bit of colour brings bass closer
- Time of day: dawn and dusk for pollack, scad and bass; night for conger and winter whiting
- Seasonal notes: summer pelagics track the flood; autumn blows can switch on bass along the ledges
Safety
This is an exposed rock platform with changeable footing and strong tidal influence. Treat it as a serious shore mark even though it’s close to town.
- Slippery weeded rock, undercut ledges and sudden surges: wear grippy boots/cleats and keep back from edges
- Fast tidal run at times; keep lines and landing nets tidy to avoid snags and trips
- Swell rebound around the point can knock you off balance—avoid big seas and long‑period swells
- Some sections are adjacent to fenced private/industrial property: obey all signage and do not climb or descend prohibited areas
- Night fishing: bring headtorch plus backup, and fish with a buddy where possible
- Lifejacket strongly recommended on the ledges; avoid solo fishing in rough conditions
- Not suitable for wheelchairs; the promenade is accessible but the fishing ledges require scrambling
Facilities
Being within Weymouth’s fringe, facilities are close at hand, though none sit directly on the rocks.
- Toilets: seasonal facilities at Nothe Gardens and Sandsfoot Castle Gardens; public toilets on Weymouth harbourside
- Parking: limited free on‑street near Old Castle Road/Bincleaves Road; pay parking at Nothe Gardens (DT4 8UD) and Sandsfoot Castle (DT4 8QE)
- Tackle and bait: Weymouth Angling Centre and other town shops supply fresh/frozen bait and lures
- Food/drink: cafés and kiosks around the Esplanade/harbour; occasional seasonal kiosk near Newton’s Cove
- Mobile signal: generally good 4G/5G coverage on the headland
Tips
Local patterns reward mobility and tidiness—travel light, read the water and work the edges.
- If Chesil is unfishable in a SW blow, Bincleaves and Newton’s Cove often remain manageable and can produce bass and wrasse
- Burley a little mashed fish for garfish under a float on neaps; keep baits small and moving
- For wrasse, crab out‑fishes worm when the water is clear and bright; keep hooks strong (1/0–2/0) and go weedless for plastics
- Pollack sit tight to the drop‑offs: count lures down, then retrieve slowly up and away from the kelp
- Carry spare leads, rotten‑bottom links and a lead‑lift—the ground eats gear
- A long‑handled net or drop net saves fish (and your trace) from high shelves
- Treat big wrasse and conger with care—unhook over a wet mat/towel and release quickly; wrasse are a precious local sport species
Regulations
Regulations change—always check official sources before you go. Bincleaves lies within the Southern IFCA district and normal national recreational sea fishing rules apply.
- Bass: minimum size 42 cm; seasonal bag limits and catch‑and‑release periods apply. Check current MMO/DEFRA guidance for the exact open months and daily allowance before retaining any bass
- Minimum sizes and byelaws: observe Southern IFCA minimum conservation reference sizes and any relevant local byelaws (netting, potting, berried lobster/crab protections). See Southern IFCA and UK Government resources
- Wrasse: no statutory MLS locally, but many Dorset clubs/anglers practice catch‑and‑release for larger wrasse on reefs—strongly encouraged at this mark
- Portland Harbour/port area: do not trespass on fenced port/industrial land or fish from prohibited structures; keep clear of navigation channels and shipping movements
- General: take litter and line home; respect closed areas and any onsite signage