Branksome Chine Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Branksome Chine Fishing Map

A long, gently shelving sandy beach between Bournemouth and Sandbanks, centered on the Branksome Chine stream outflow. Groynes create gutters and bars that hold fish, with surf and coloured water after a westerly blow suiting bass. Summer evenings bring mackerel, scad and garfish; nights produce dogfish and the odd ray or smoothhound. Winter sees whiting and dabs, with plaice and flounder in spring. Short, easy walk from car parks on the promenade; best around dusk into the flood and first of the ebb. Observe summer bathing zones and lifeguard flags, and mind weeded groynes and weever fish in warm months.

Ratings

⭐ 6.8/10 Overall
Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 7/10
Accessibility 8/10

Fish You Can Catch at Branksome Chine

🐟 Bass 8/10
🎯 Tip: Work the surf and groynes on a flooding tide at dawn/dusk. Shallow-running or surface lures, or peeler crab/razor baits in lively surf.
🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 7/10
🎯 Tip: Very common after dark over clean sand. Cast 40–80yd with squid, mackerel or sandeel on 2-hook flappers.
🐟 Smoothhound 7/10
🎯 Tip: Late spring–autumn. Crab baits at dusk into night; cast beyond first bar. Pulley rigs with 2/0–3/0 circle hooks.
🐟 Whiting 6/10
🎯 Tip: Autumn–winter nights on either tide. Small strips of mackerel or lug on size 2 hooks at range; expect fast rattly bites.
🐟 Plaice 6/10
🎯 Tip: Spring on clean sand; long casts to sandbars on the flood. Use blinged flappers with rag/lug tipped with squid.
🐟 Undulate Ray 6/10
🎯 Tip: Summer nights in calm seas. Sandeel or squid wraps on a pulley dropper, 60–100yd onto clean sand; unhook and release carefully.
🐟 Dab 5/10
🎯 Tip: Winter species; small rag/lug on 2–3 hook flappers. Gentle lobs 20–60yd to find gullies and depressions.
🐟 Dover Sole 5/10
🎯 Tip: Warm nights Jul–Oct. Fish close-in gutters with rag/lug or maddies on size 4–6, long snoods; bites are subtle.
🐟 Mackerel 5/10
🎯 Tip: Jun–Sep in clear, settled water. Spin metals from groynes at first/last light or use small feathers when shoals show.
🐟 Golden-grey Mullet 5/10
🎯 Tip: Calm summer evenings in the surf line. Small bread or prawn baits on a float or light ledger; keep tackle fine and stealthy.
🐟 Garfish 4/10
🎯 Tip: Late spring–autumn. Float a sliver of mackerel or small metal near the surface at dawn/dusk on a flooding tide.
🐟 Weever Fish (Lesser) 4/10
🎯 Tip: Summer over clean sand; tiny rag/sandeel scraps on small hooks. Often very close in on bright, calm days.

Branksome Chine Fishing

Summary

Branksome Chine sits between Poole and Bournemouth on the open sands of Poole Bay, with a long, gently shelving beach segmented by wooden groynes. It’s a classic surf and clean-ground venue that regularly turns up bass, smoothhounds, rays and summer soles, with comfortable access and plenty of facilities. Expect easy fishing with room to spread out, but be mindful of seasonal bathing restrictions in daytime during summer.

Location and Access

Getting there is straightforward, and the mark is very accessible compared with wilder Dorset venues. The beach is clean sand with timber groynes and a wide promenade behind.

Seasons

This is a clean, sandy surf venue that fishes year‑round, with the best variety from late spring through autumn. Expect bass in the surf, summer hounds and rays, then winter whiting.

Methods

Standard surf approaches shine here. Aim to find the gutters between bars and the scoured water around the groynes, adjusting distance with the tide.

Tides and Conditions

Branksome rewards reading the sand bars and timing your session around movement and light levels. Dusk into the first hours of darkness is consistently productive.

Safety

It’s a friendly, urban beach, but treat the sea and groynes with respect, especially in swell and at night. Seasonal bathing zones impose practical restrictions.

Facilities

You’re well served here compared with remote marks. Most basics are within a short stroll.

Tips

Small tweaks make a big difference on these open beaches. Think about where the food collects and when fish feel safe to move tight in.

Regulations

Local beach management and national sea angling rules apply. Always check the latest notices on site and official sources before your trip.