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.

• Drive to Lyme Regis and follow signs for the seafront; convenient parking at Cobb Gate and Broad Street car parks (e.g. DT7 3QD), or Holmbush/Woodmead long‑stay on the hill (charges and time limits apply).
• From the promenade, head east past the museum/theatre and use signed steps/ramps to reach the Church Cliff section; at lower states you can step onto the ledges.
• Terrain is Blue Lias slabs, boulders and weeded gullies; expect slippery footing and awkward, stepped access.
• Public transport: buses serve Lyme Regis from Axminster and Bridport; it’s a short walk downhill to the seafront.

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.

• Spring (Mar–May):
  • Bass on the flood, especially with some colour after a blow
  • Ballan and corkwing wrasse as the water warms
  • Pollack around dusk on the ledges
  • Thick‑lipped mullet nosing around the outflow on calm days
• Summer (Jun–Aug):
  • Bass in choppy water and at first/last light
  • Ballan/corkwing wrasse in kelp gullies at low to mid tide
  • Mackerel and garfish in settled, clear conditions
  • Scad (horse mackerel) and pout at dusk into dark
  • Conger from the rougher holes at night
  • Golden‑grey mullet in the surfy seams on small tides
• Autumn (Sep–Nov):
  • Peak bass fishing into the first autumn blows
  • Mackerel/garfish tail off by October, scad linger after dark
  • Wrasse until the first cold snaps; increasing pout/rockling after dark
• Winter (Dec–Feb):
  • Whiting (more on nearby sandier patches), pout and rockling at night
  • Occasional conger from the rough ground
  • Bass possible on dirty, lively days close to the beach

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.

• Lure fishing (bass/pollack):
  • 7–28 g shallow minnows, metal spoons and needlefish in a light chop
  • 4–6 inch weedless soft plastics (Texas‑rigged) for kelp lanes
  • Surface walkers and small pencils at dawn/dusk around the outflow
• Float fishing (wrasse/gar/mackerel):
  • Ragworm or prawn for wrasse tight to rock edges; 6–10 ft depth adjustment
  • Sandeel or mackerel strip shallow for garfish in clear water
• Bottom fishing (mixed/rough ground):
  • Running ledger or pulley (60–80 lb leader) with a short snood; add a weak‑link/rotten‑bottom to save leads
  • Baits: peeler or hardback crab for wrasse/bass; ragworm/lug for bites; mackerel/squid cocktail for conger/pout after dark
  • 2‑hook flapper only on cleaner sand tongues; otherwise expect snags
• Mullet tactics:
  • Bread flake on size 6–8 under a crystal/loafer float; feed mashed bread sparingly and fish light gear
• LRF/UL gear:
  • 1–7 g metals and isome‑style worms around rock pools and walls for blennies, small pollack and scad

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.

• Best tide windows:
  • Flood tide from mid to high for bass along the seams and outflow
  • Low to mid tide for wrasse in exposed gullies and holes
  • Neaps favour clearer water and mullet/LRF; springs give more movement for bass
• Sea state and clarity:
  • A light to moderate onshore ripple with some colour is prime for bass
  • Clear, settled seas are ideal for wrasse, garfish and mackerel
  • Heavy swell or big spring highs can overtop the walkway—avoid
• Time of day/season:
  • Dawn/dusk changeovers are notably productive
  • Late spring through autumn holds the most variety; winter is mainly nocturnal scratching
• Wind:
  • Onshore pushes bait and colour but quickly becomes dangerous if the swell builds
  • Offshore/side‑shore breezes create manageable water for floats and LRF

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.

• Tidal cut‑off: sections are isolated on the flood; identify and use promenade escape points before starting
• Slippery Blue Lias slabs and kelp; wear boots with studs/felts and consider a wading staff
• Cliff hazard: keep well clear of the cliff base due to rockfalls and mudslips, especially after rain/frost
• Swell and wave wash can surge onto ledges and overtop the walkway on big highs—avoid rough days
• Night fishing: bring a headlamp/spare, fish with a partner if possible, and keep kit minimal
• Personal flotation device strongly recommended for all rock fishing
• Water quality: storm overflows may discharge after heavy rain; avoid contact with outfall plumes

Facilities

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

• Public toilets along Marine Parade and near Cobb Gate (seasonal hours may apply)
• Cafés, pubs, takeaways and shops on the seafront and Broad Street
• Bins on the promenade; please carry off all waste from the rocks
• Tackle/bait: availability in Lyme Regis varies seasonally; reliable options also in nearby West Bay/Bridport and Seaton
• RNLI presence at The Cobb; seasonal lifeguards on the main sandy beach, not at Church Cliff
• Generally good mobile phone signal on the promenade; can be patchy tucked under the cliff

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.

• Use a rotten‑bottom/weak link on every lead—snags are inevitable
• Keep moving: hit each gully/edge for 10–15 minutes, then hop along with the flood
• Crab baits excel from late spring; when crabs are rampant, try tougher baits (squid strip, salted worm)
• In clear summer water, scale down to LRF or target mullet rather than forcing bottom baits
• Bass often sit on the colour line where the outflow meets the sea—present lures across the seam
• Summer crowds: avoid daytime casting when the rockpoolers are out; early mornings and evenings are far more comfortable
• If the sea gets weedy, switch to surface lures or float tactics to keep above the salad
• The Cobb nearby can be a plan B for mackerel or autumn scad/squid if Church Cliff is too weedy

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.

• Recreational bass fishing: subject to seasonal retention windows, daily bag limits and a legal minimum size—check the latest government notice before retaining any bass
• Minimum conservation/reference sizes apply to many species (e.g., bream, rays); measure fish and release undersized catch
• Lyme Bay contains protected areas (e.g., SAC/MPA) that restrict certain commercial gears; rod‑and‑line shore angling is generally permitted
• Do not fish where local signage prohibits it or during lifeguarded bathing restrictions on adjacent sandy beaches
• No camping or fires on the beach; keep access and the promenade clear of tackle and trip hazards
• Bait collection: take only small amounts for personal use, avoid hammering the cliffs (protected geology), and respect any local SSSI guidance
• If targeting mullet in the outflow, be mindful of water quality advisories after heavy rain
• For up‑to‑date byelaws and size/bag limits, consult Southern IFCA and official MMO/DEFRA sources before your session