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Dorset

Chesil Beach Ferrybridge

7.2 · Beach · Dorset

The Ferrybridge end of Chesil Beach is an easily reached shingle bank beside the causeway to Portland. The steeply shelving beach gives quick access to depth with a strong tidal run influenced by the Fleet outflow and Portland Harbour. It produces summer pelagics at dawn/dusk, bass in surfy conditions, spring plaice, and reliable winter fishing for whiting, pouting and dogfish. Night sessions are especially productive. Ground is mainly clean shingle/sand with patches of weed; long casts pick up flats and rays, while bass and sole are often close in. Avoid big onshore swells and be mindful of the steep shingle and drop-off. Respect Fleet Nature Reserve bylaws—do not fish into the lagoon side.

Should you fish Chesil Beach Ferrybridge?

49 Low

Today · Best available

Best available: 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide

Most likely species: Mackerel and Garfish

Poor conditions. Best available around 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide, but no window reaches the strong threshold today. Good chance of Mackerel and Garfish.

W 5 mph Rain 0% High tide 12:10

Consider a backup mark if conditions do not improve.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for Chesil Beach Ferrybridge — 7-day forecast

Scores and best windows are weighted for .

Met Office Met Office · Open-Meteo

Where the data comes from. Weather and sea-state readings come from the Met Office and Open-Meteo forecast models, refreshed several times a day. High and low water are taken from tide-station predictions for this stretch of coast.

How the score works. Each window is scored 0–100 from the signals that most reliably move fish inshore: tide movement (a running tide carries food, so the last of the flood and first of the ebb are usually the prime spells), wind speed and direction (onshore wind stirs food into the surf — up to the point it makes fishing hard), sea state (a little wave and swell movement helps, heavy swell hurts), and weather — rain, temperature and light. Behind the headline number we score bite opportunity and comfort separately, and run a separate safety check on wind and swell. The size of the tide counts too: spring tides move more water than neaps, so the tidal range for this stretch of coast is weighed alongside the tide's direction, your target species and this mark — and unusually big springs strengthen the safety check, because the water rises faster and covers more ground.

Your target species counts. Pick a species below and the score also weights what we know about it — its season, preferred sea temperature, tide stage and sea state, and whether it feeds by day or night.

The rating is guidance, not a guarantee — conditions change fast on the coast, so always judge the sea in front of you before you fish.

Saturday looks better than today. Unlock the week to see its score and exact window.

· windows & tide

Spring vs neap tides. Spring tides have a larger difference between high and low water, so more water moves on each tide — usually stronger flow that stirs up food and gets fish feeding. Neap tides have a smaller range and generally gentler movement. The range here is compared with what is normal for this stretch of coast, and the cycle swings between springs and neaps roughly every week, following the moon.

Big spring tides: the water rises faster and covers more ground than usual — double-check access routes and cut-off points before you fish.

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Ferrybridge is a versatile, deep-water shingle mark where the key decision is whether to fish close to the steep drop-off or punch baits out over cleaner ground. It can produce year-round, with summer pelagics and bream, bass when there is surf and colour, spring plaice, and reliable after-dark winter action from whiting, pouting and dogfish. The seaward side of Chesil is the fishing line here; do not fish into The Fleet lagoon side.

  • Know when to fish close to the Chesil drop-off instead of casting long.
  • Pick the right Ferrybridge tide window for bass, rays, plaice and whiting.
  • Avoid wasting a session when weed or swell makes the beach unfishable.
  • Use the seaward side correctly and stay clear of the Fleet lagoon restrictions.
  • Build a two-rod plan for Ferrybridge: one close, one at range.

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Fortuneswell 1.4 mi Weymouth 2.6 mi Weston (Dorset) 2.6 mi Grove (Dorset) 2.7 mi Southwell (Dorset) 3.3 mi

Explore nearby towns: Fortuneswell · Weymouth · Weston (Dorset) · Grove (Dorset) · Southwell (Dorset)

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Forecast tuning currently supports Bass and Mackerel — more species are on the way.

Overall rating

7.2 /10

Blend of catch potential, access, safety, and overall experience.

Category scores

Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 7/10
Safety 5/10
Accessibility 8/10

Mackerel 9/10
Tip: Summer into autumn; feathering or small metals cast well off, evenings on a flooding tide. Use single-hook lures when busy.
Bass 8/10
Tip: Work the tide race on a flooding tide; dusk/dawn best. Peeler crab or rag on pulley rigs, or shallow lures in the surf, esp after a blow as the sea clears.
Pouting 7/10
Tip: Abundant after dark year-round; small baits (mackerel/squid) on 2-hook flappers lobbed close in. Flood and ebb both fishable.
Black Bream 7/10
Tip: Late spring-autumn in clear water, daylight. Small strips of squid or crab on size 4 hooks, 1-2 oz lead and long snoods over clean shingle. Gentle lob or short cast.
Whiting 6/10
Tip: Oct-Feb after dark; small strip baits on 2-3 hook flappers. Cast 40-70 yds. Fish a flooding tide and avoid heavy weed.
Starry Smoothhound 6/10
Tip: May-Sep evenings; peeler crab on pulley or running ledger. Cast to tide seams; neaps often best.
Scad (Horse Mackerel) 6/10
Tip: Late summer-autumn nights; small sabikis or size 6 hooks tipped with fish. Keep gear high in the water, slow retrieve under light surf.
Garfish 6/10
Tip: May-Sep; float-fish a sliver of mackerel 3-6 ft deep across the tide. Evenings on the flood with clear water.
Mullet (Thick-lipped) 6/10
Tip: In the Fleet by the bridge in calm, clear conditions and neap tides. Bread flake under a float or freelined; stealth essential.
Plaice 5/10
Tip: Spring on neaps; long snoods with bead bling, worm or cocktail baits. Cast 60-100 yds over cleaner patches; let baits sit.
Small-eyed Ray 4/10
Tip: Late spring-autumn nights; sandeel or launce on pulley rigs. Target cleaner shingle at range on a gentle surf. Best around slack into flood.
Conger Eel 4/10
Tip: After dark on rougher nights; whole squid or mackerel on strong pulley rig. Fish close to the drop-off; expect strap eels.

Local knowledge

Chesil Beach Ferrybridge fishing guide

Practical access, seasons, methods, tides, safety and facilities for this mark.

Ferrybridge is the Portland (eastern) gateway to Dorset’s famous Chesil Beach, reached directly off the A354 causeway between Weymouth and Portland. It’s a classic steep shingle mark that offers year‑round sport, from summer mackerel, bream and bass to winter whiting and the odd codling. Easy access, deep water and a mix of clean to lightly broken ground make it a reliable, versatile venue.

Set beside the Chesil Beach Visitor Centre at the Portland end of the causeway, access here is among the easiest on the whole bank. Expect a short but calf‑testing walk over loose shingle once you leave the path.

  • Best parking: pay‑and‑display at the Chesil Beach Visitor Centre (postcode DT4 9XE), directly off the A354 between Weymouth and Portland
  • From the car park, follow the signed path over the bank to the seaward side; 2–5 minutes on firm path then loose shingle
  • Terrain: steep, shifting pebbles; no steps on the beach itself; a sand spike/rod pod is essential
  • Alternative pull‑ins along Portland Beach Road come and go; use official parking to avoid restrictions and to stay clear of protected habitats
  • Public transport: regular buses run along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland, stopping close to the Visitor Centre

A big draw here is variety, with different fish moving through with the seasons and conditions. Target accordingly for best results.

  • Spring (Mar–May): black bream (from late spring), bass, rays (thornback, small‑eyed; undulate possible), dogfish, occasional plaice, garfish, early mackerel on warmer spells
  • Summer (Jun–Aug): mackerel, scad, garfish, black bream, bass, smoothhound, gurnards, rays, sole after dark, pouting and dogfish; conger after dark
  • Autumn (Sep–Nov): bass peak, bream linger into Oct, mackerel/scad runs, rays, sole, whiting arrive, occasional codling in a blow, garfish
  • Winter (Dec–Feb): whiting, pouting, dogfish, conger, the odd codling after sustained westerlies, dabs occasional; surprise winter mackerel can show during mild spells

Classic beach ledgering dominates, but keep a lure rod handy when bait fish push through.

  • Bottom rigs: 2‑hook clipped downs for range; pulley/pulley‑pennel (3/0–4/0) for bass, rays and codling; 2‑hook flappers (size 2–4) for bream and general scratching
  • Bream/plaice rigs: long snoods, small hooks (size 4–2) with beads/spinners for plaice; keep bream snoods 1–1.5 m for natural bait movement
  • Leads: 4–6 oz grip leads typically; 7 oz in strong onshore winds or heavy tide run
  • Baits: ragworm and lug/black for general work; peeler crab for bass/smoothhound; sandeel or squid for rays; squid/bluey cocktails for codling; small squid/mackerel strips for bream and gar
  • Lures/floats: metals or slim casting jigs for mackerel/scad; float‑fished sandeel/strip for garfish and bass in calm, clear water at dawn/dusk
  • Night tactics: scale down for sole/whiting; size 4–6 hooks with rag/lug/squid slivers; keep rigs low and static
  • Range: mixed—fish at 40–80 m for bream/sole in summer and push to 100–130 m when scratching for whiting in winter

Chesil can fish on any tide, but Ferrybridge responds well to movement and a touch of colour. Balance safety with the benefits of a building sea.

  • Tide: 2 hours either side of high water often productive for bass and rays; steady pickings throughout the flood when there’s colour
  • Ebb influence: on the first of the ebb, a gentle lateral push can perk up bass bites, especially after lively seas
  • Sea state: light to moderate onshore ripple with some colour for bass/rays/codling; clear, calm water suits bream, gar and mackerel
  • Wind: W/SW can be excellent after the blow eases, but big swells make it dangerous; easterlies flatten and clear the water—good for bream/gar, tougher for codling
  • Time of day: dawn/dusk for bass and mackerel; full dark for sole, whiting, conger and rays
  • Seasonality: summer and early autumn are the most varied; winter is bite‑filled on smaller species with chances of codling after persistent westerlies

Chesil is serious water: steep shingle, strong undertow and rogue waves demand respect. Plan exits and keep well back in a swell.

  • Steep shingle bank: footing is unstable; ascending/descending repeatedly is tiring—pack light and wear grippy boots
  • Swell/undertow: never wade; keep a safe distance from the wash; do not fish big onshore swells or when the bank is being over‑topped
  • The ‘step’: a lip forms at high tide; mind your footing at night
  • Weed: after blows, rafts of weed can pin lines—use stronger leaders and be prepared to move
  • Ordnance: historic military debris occasionally washes up on Chesil; if you find suspicious items, do not touch—dial 999 and ask for Coastguard
  • Lifejacket: strongly recommended, especially when fishing alone or at night
  • Accessibility: the path to the top is good, but the loose shingle beyond is not wheelchair‑friendly; no railings or platforms

Ferrybridge is one of the better‑served Chesil marks, with amenities right behind you. Hours can be seasonal, so check ahead.

  • Parking: large pay‑and‑display at Chesil Beach Visitor Centre (DT4 9XE)
  • Toilets: at the Visitor Centre during opening hours; none on the beach itself
  • Café/refreshments: usually at/near the Visitor Centre (seasonal)
  • Bins: provided near the car park—pack litter out from the beach
  • Tackle/bait: multiple shops in nearby Weymouth and on Portland; fresh worm/crab availability varies by season—pre‑order in summer weekends
  • Mobile signal: generally strong along the causeway
  • Lighting: no beach lighting—bring a good headtorch and spare batteries

Small tweaks make a big difference here—think presentation, range and reading the bank on the day.

  • Count your paces down the bank in daylight so you can find a safe retreat line after dark
  • Use long shock leaders (at least 2 rod lengths) so you can climb the shingle with the sinker outside the tip ring
  • For bream, fish small, neat baits—fingernail‑sized squid or worm tips on fine‑wire size 2–4 hooks
  • Bass often patrol close in at dusk; try a single big crab bait on a pulley pennel dropped just beyond the first slope
  • After a blow, let the sea settle 12–24 hours; that first green tinge can be magic for bass and codling
  • Feather responsibly in mackerel season: take what you need, switch to a single lure/float once you have enough
  • In clear, bright conditions, scale down snoods and go longer for more bites from bream and gar
  • Keep an eye on weed lines; a 10–20 m move up or down the bank can transform presentation

Most general UK sea angling rules apply, with added environmental protections for Chesil and The Fleet. Always check on‑site signs and current national guidance before you fish.

  • Access: fishing on the seaward side of Chesil at Ferrybridge is generally permitted; do not fish inside The Fleet lagoon where nature reserve protections and local restrictions apply—obey all signage near the causeway
  • Bass: recreational bass retention is subject to seasonal closures, daily bag limits and a minimum size; check the latest MMO/DEFRA notice before retaining any fish
  • Rays: undulate rays are a sensitive species in the Channel—practice catch‑and‑release and handle in the water where possible
  • Minimum sizes/bag limits: observe current UK national minimum conservation reference sizes (MMO) and any Southern IFCA byelaws
  • Bait collection: parts of The Fleet/Chesil are protected SSSI/EMS—do not dig bait in restricted areas; only collect where permitted and with due care
  • Fires/camping: commonly prohibited on Chesil; use stoves only where allowed and leave no trace
  • Litter and line: mandatory to remove; waste bins are by the car park—pack out all gear from the beach