Church Cliff Beach Fishing

Last updated: 3 days ago

Church Cliff Beach Fishing Map

Church Cliff Beach at Lyme Regis is a tide-cut rock and shingle platform with kelp-filled gullies and patches of clean sand. It fishes best on a flooding tide and the first of the ebb, with summer sport for wrasse, pollack, mackerel and garfish, and nighttime fishing producing pouting, small conger and dogfish. Light lure and float tactics work well around the ledges; bait anglers score with ragworm, peeler crab, mussel and mackerel strip. Expect heavy ground and snags—use a rotten-bottom link. Key hazards are tidal cut-off on springs, very slippery weeded rock, and occasional cliff falls; pick settled weather and keep an eye on the tide.

Ratings

⭐ 6.5/10 Overall
Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 8/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 6/10

Fish You Can Catch at Church Cliff Beach

🐟 Bass 8/10
🎯 Tip: Dawn/dusk on a flooding tide; work surface/paddle lures along the surf line or fish peeler crab into the gullies. A light swell and coloured water helps.
🐟 Ballan Wrasse 8/10
🎯 Tip: Late spring–autumn over kelp and rock gullies; float-fished crab or ragworm, or light ledger. Keep tackle strong and lift fish clear of ledges.
🐟 Pollack 7/10
🎯 Tip: Dusk into dark along kelp edges on a flooding tide; small sandeel imitations or soft plastics, count down and retrieve just above the weed.
🐟 Mackerel 7/10
🎯 Tip: May–Sept in clear water; cast metals/feathers from rock ledges at mid–high tide, keep lures moving fast. Best in calm evenings.
🐟 Pouting 6/10
🎯 Tip: Regular at night over rough ground; small strips of mackerel or worm baits, two-hook paternoster. Peak on the flood.
🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 6/10
🎯 Tip: After dark over mixed/rough ground; small fish or squid baits on simple ledger. Fish the first of the flood to mid-tide.
🐟 Corkwing Wrasse 6/10
🎯 Tip: Summer over weedy rocks; small ragworm or prawn under a float tight to the kelp. Strike gently—small mouths.
🐟 Conger Eel 6/10
🎯 Tip: Night among boulders and ledges; large mackerel/squid baits, heavy mono and rotten-bottom to beat snags. Best on the flood.
🐟 Garfish 6/10
🎯 Tip: Late spring–autumn in clear, calm seas; float-fish thin mackerel strips set shallow or spin small metals on the top of the flood.
🐟 Scad (Horse Mackerel) 5/10
🎯 Tip: Warm late evenings into dark; small sabikis or size 6 hooks tipped with fish, worked midwater under a light. Best around high water.
🐟 Mullet (Thick-lipped) 4/10
🎯 Tip: Calm, clear conditions near weed lines or any outflow; bread flake or crust on light gear. Early flood in summer is best.

Church Cliff Beach Fishing

Summary

Church Cliff Beach sits on the east side of Lyme Regis, Dorset, beneath the Church Cliff Walk and the Blue Lias cliffs. It’s a classic, tide‑swept ledge mark with rough ground, kelp gullies and an adjacent river outflow, offering varied, mobile fishing. Expect bass in lively water, wrasse in the gullies, and summer visitors like garfish and mackerel when the bay clears.

Location and Access

This mark lies just east of Lyme Regis’ main seafront, below the museum and Church Cliff Walk. Access is straightforward from the promenade, but the fishing ground itself is rocky and uneven and is completely covered for much of the tide. Arrive on a falling or low tide to see the ground before committing.

Seasons

This is mixed rough ground with adjacent sand patches and a small river outflow, so expect a broad seasonal mix. Bass and wrasse are headline species, with summer visitors on clear, calm days.

Methods

Mobile fishing shines here: work the ledges and seams as the tide floods, then switch to static rigs as light fades. Keep tackle robust and use rotten‑bottoms over the rough ground.

Tides and Conditions

The ledges fish on most states if you pick your ground, but the flooding tide into dusk is often best. The beach vanishes at high water, so plan exits via the promenade steps.

Safety

This is a committing, tide‑affected ledge with slippery weed and unstable cliffs behind—treat it with respect. It’s not a suitable venue for limited mobility or small children on the rocks.

Facilities

Lyme Regis has excellent amenities close by, though Church Cliff itself is unlifeguarded and rugged. Expect full town facilities within a short walk.

Tips

Church Cliff rewards roaming anglers who work with the tide. Travel light, fish the features you can see, and change tactics as conditions evolve.

Regulations

Rules are typical of Dorset’s open coast, but always read on‑site signs and check current authority guidance before you fish. This shoreline falls under Southern IFCA and national MMO/DEFRA measures.