Branksome Chine Fishing

Last updated: 1 month 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.

  • Drive via the A338/B3066 or from Poole via the B3065, following signs for Branksome Chine and the seafront
  • Pay‑and‑display parking at Branksome Chine car parks off Pinecliff Road (BH13 area; clearly signposted); additional on‑street options on nearby residential roads where permitted
  • Short, easy walk via ramps or steps from the promenade to the sand; the promenade runs the length of the beach for simple repositioning
  • Terrain is mainly clean sand with occasional shallow bars and gutters; wooden groynes every 60–80 m provide useful reference points
  • Night access is straightforward; lighting along the prom helps with packing down and general orientation

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.

  • Spring (Mar–May):
    • Plaice and flounder on worm baits, especially in daylight on clearer seas
    • Early bass in a mild onshore push; first smoothhounds and occasional rays late spring
  • Summer (Jun–Aug):
    • Bass at dawn/dusk and in onshore surf
    • Smoothhound runs (crab baits) and undulate/small‑eyed rays on sandeel or fish baits
    • Sole after dark on neaps; gurnard, garfish and mackerel shoals close in at times
  • Autumn (Sep–Nov):
    • Peak bass and consistent ray fishing into the evenings
    • Sole on calm, warm nights; late plaice still possible
    • Whiting and pouting begin to show from late October
  • Winter (Dec–Feb):
    • Whiting, pouting, dogfish and dab the mainstay on night tides
    • Flounder in calmer spells; the odd codling is possible in a proper blow but increasingly rare

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.

  • Bass:
    • Methods: Surfcasting with a running ledger or pulley dropper; lure fishing with shallow divers, metal spoons and 12–20 g soft plastics
    • Baits: Peeler/soft crab, rag or lug cocktails, whole squid, or fish baits in coloured water
    • Notes: Bass often patrol the first breaker—don’t always blast it long
  • Rays (undulate/small‑eyed):
    • Methods: Pulley/pulley‑panel rigs with 4–5 oz grippers
    • Baits: Whole sandeel, bluey or mackerel fillet, squid/bluey cocktails
    • Notes: Evenings into darkness; look for settled, slightly coloured water
  • Smoothhound:
    • Methods: Running ledger or pulley with strong mono snoods
    • Baits: Peeler crab is king; hardbacks or hermit also work
    • Notes: Late spring through summer on building tides
  • Flatfish (plaice/sole/dabs):
    • Methods: Two‑hook flappers or long‑trace single hooks; add beads/spinners for plaice
    • Baits: Rag/lug tipped with mackerel or squid slivers; maddies for sole if you can source them
    • Notes: Sole after dark on neaps; plaice by day in clear water
  • Summer surface/float action:
    • Float a strip of mackerel or sandeel for garfish; metals for passing mackerel/scad around dusk
  • General tackle notes:
    • 12–13 ft surf rod (3–5 oz) and 6000–8000 reel, 15–18 lb mono or 0.10–0.12 braid with 60 lb shock leader
    • 4–6 oz grip leads to hold in lateral drift; step up hook length abrasion resistance for rays/hounds

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.

  • Tide state:
    • Two hours up to high and the first of the ebb fish well for bass and rays
    • Over‑top highs after dark are prime for sole
    • Neaps: great for sole and rays; Springs: more flow for bass and smoothhounds
  • Wind/sea:
    • S–SW onshores create a surf and colour that pulls bass close
    • Settled, slight colour for rays; very clear, calm days suit plaice prospecting
    • After strong blows, weed can be troublesome—wait 24–48 hours for it to drop
  • Time of day and season:
    • Dawn/dusk year‑round; summer nights for sole/rays; autumn evenings for bass
    • Winter nights for whiting/pouting with steady bites on small baits

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.

  • Seasonal beach management:
    • Expect restrictions on fishing within flagged bathing areas when lifeguards are on duty in summer; obey all local signage and seafront staff
    • If in doubt, fish outside flagged zones or outside lifeguard hours
  • Hazards:
    • Rips and strong longshore drift around groynes in onshore winds
    • Slippery/wave‑washed groyne timbers—avoid climbing or fishing from them
    • Surf surges can swamp low‑placed gear—use a sturdy tripod and set up above the swash line
  • Wading and PPE:
    • Wading only in gentle surf and with caution; a waist‑belted wader and personal flotation aid are sensible
    • Headlamp, spare light and warm layers recommended for night sessions
  • Accessibility:
    • Ramps from the promenade to the sand; gradient manageable for most
    • Wide, even prom suitable for trolleys; benches and shelter along the front

Facilities

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

  • Toilets at the seafront (seasonal opening hours; some year‑round facilities)
  • Cafés/kiosks and the Branksome Beach restaurant on the promenade (seasonal hours vary)
  • RNLI lifeguard patrols in summer (check dates/times on local boards)
  • Bins along the prom—please take all bait packaging and line home
  • Mobile coverage: generally strong across major networks
  • Tackle/bait: multiple shops in Poole and Bournemouth; pick up fresh worm/crab before arrival, especially for early/late sessions
  • Public transport: frequent buses along Poole/Bournemouth seafront corridors; nearest stops a short walk from the chine

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.

  • Walk the beach at low water to map bars and gutters; fish flood tides that push across those features
  • Start short: many bass are within 20–40 m in lively surf—then step up distance if needed
  • Use gripper leads with long wires to combat the lateral pull; switch to shorter wires if you want baits to roll and search for flatfish
  • Crab activity can be intense in summer—use tougher baits (squid wraps, elastic‑bound cocktails) or pop‑ups to lift baits
  • For plaice, add small beads/flashers and keep baits neat and tipped; for sole, keep it simple with small hooks and minimal bling
  • After hot days, the first couple of quiet night hours can fish brilliantly once swimmers leave and the beach settles
  • If weed is heavy near one groyne, shift one or two bays—the distribution can be very localised

Regulations

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

  • Bathing beach restrictions (BCP Council):
    • Angling is typically not permitted within flagged swimming zones when lifeguards are on duty during the main summer season; follow all seafront signage and staff directions
    • Fishing outside those zones and/or outside lifeguard hours is generally acceptable
  • Bass regulations (English Channel, Dorset coast):
    • Recreational bass rules change periodically; minimum size commonly 42 cm with a limited daily retention period
    • Check current guidance from the UK government/MMO before retaining any bass
  • Protected species:
    • Undulate ray are subject to strict protections in much of the Channel; release immediately and unharmed if caught
  • Minimum sizes and bag limits:
    • Observe national MCRS/size guidance and local IFCA bylaws (Southern IFCA district) for species limits and any gear restrictions
  • General conduct:
    • Do not obstruct lifeguards, swimmers or beach operations; keep casting areas clear and pack away lines quickly if bathers approach
    • No littering; take all line, hooks and bait waste home
    • Bait collection on busy bathing beaches is discouraged; respect dune vegetation and any local digging restrictions