Charmouth West Beach Fishing

Last updated: 6 days ago

Charmouth West Beach Fishing Map

A mixed shingle-and-sand beach backed by the Black Ven cliffs, with patches of rough ground and clay ledges interspersed with clean sand. Best fished on a flooding tide into dusk; the River Char outflow creates surf lines and food lanes that draw bass and mullet. Summer brings mackerel, garfish and wrasse along the rocky scars; winter sees whiting and flatfish. Access is straightforward from the Charmouth car parks via the footbridge to the west side, but expect uneven shingle and be mindful of unstable cliffs, mud and a fast-filling tide.

Ratings

⭐ 6.8/10 Overall
Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 5/10
Accessibility 7/10

Fish You Can Catch at Charmouth West Beach

🐟 Bass 9/10
🎯 Tip: Surf over shingle and gullies; best on a flooding tide at dawn/dusk or after a blow. Lures (paddle tails/surface) or peeler/sandeel. Short to medium range.
🐟 Mullet (Thick-lipped) 8/10
🎯 Tip: At the River Char mouth in calm, clear water. Float bread or small rag; stealth and light gear. Best on the making tide in summer.
🐟 Mackerel 7/10
🎯 Tip: Summer shoals within casting; spin metals or feathers at first/last light on a flooding tide. Watch for bird activity.
🐟 Golden-grey Mullet 7/10
🎯 Tip: Patrol the surf line over sandy patches in summer. Tiny rag or sandeel slivers on size 8-10, slowly inched back. Calm, clear evenings.
🐟 Flounder 6/10
🎯 Tip: Around the river mouth and sandy gullies in winter-spring. Lug or rag on a flowing trace; add beads and use slow retrieves. First of the flood to mid-tide.
🐟 Dover Sole 6/10
🎯 Tip: Night fishing in summer-autumn on clean sand patches; short casts with ragworm or squid strip on a running ledger. Neap tides and small surf help.
🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 6/10
🎯 Tip: Common after dark over mixed sand. Small fish or squid baits on 2-hook flappers. Any state of tide, better on the flood.
🐟 Pouting 5/10
🎯 Tip: Edges of rough ground towards Black Ven; small fish baits or rag at short range after dark. Fish the flood.
🐟 Whiting 5/10
🎯 Tip: Winter nights. Small fish or squid baits at medium range on 2-3 hook rigs. Best on a flooding tide and clearer seas.
🐟 Garfish 5/10
🎯 Tip: Late spring to early autumn. Float small mackerel strips or spin slim metals near the surface at dawn/dusk on a making tide.
🐟 Smoothhound 4/10
🎯 Tip: Occasional in late spring-summer. Peeler crab at short to medium range over cleaner patches on an evening flood.

Charmouth West Beach Fishing

Summary

Charmouth West Beach sits on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast between the River Char and the Black Ven undercliff, a short hop east of Lyme Regis. It’s an easy, family‑friendly mixed-ground mark with clean sand, shingle, and rough patches that turn up bass, rays and summer smoothhounds, plus mackerel in season and reliable winter scratching.

Location and Access

Access is straightforward and well signed from the A35 into Charmouth via Lower Sea Lane. The beach is split by the River Char; West Beach is reached via the footbridge from the main seafront car parks. Terrain is mostly firm shingle with sand at low water, trending rougher toward Black Ven.

Seasons

This is a genuine mixed fishery with options in every season. Expect bass and hounds in warmer months, with winter whiting and dogs for strong catch rates.

Methods

Both clean-ground and mixed-ground tactics work here, with range rarely critical for the headline species. Bass and hounds are often within easy casting distance, while rays favour the cleaner sand lanes.

Tides and Conditions

Charmouth West fishes on all tide states, but timing to the flood and the top often pays, especially near the outflow. Conditions drive species: a small surf suits bass; settled, clear nights suit rays and hounds.

Safety

This is an exposed open beach with an active undercliff to the west. Plan your route with the tide, and keep well clear of unstable faces and mud/ clay ledges.

Facilities

Charmouth is well served right by the beach, with seasonal amenities and nearby towns for bait and supplies. Mobile signal is generally good on the promenade and beach.

Tips

Small adjustments make a big difference at this mark. Think close for bass on a lift, far enough for rays on clean patches, and always mind the undercliff.

Regulations

Shore angling is permitted at Charmouth West Beach. The foreshore lies within protected Jurassic Coast/SSSI designations and the wider Lyme Bay marine protected area; these do not prohibit line angling from the beach but do bring specific protections you should respect.

If in doubt, check on‑site notices and the latest Southern IFCA/MMO updates before your session.