Durley Chine Fishing

Last updated: 6 days ago

Durley Chine Fishing Map

Durley Chine is a wide, sandy beach on Poole Bay between Bournemouth Pier and Alum Chine. It’s mostly clean sand with wooden groynes and a gentle gradient, making it ideal for standard beach gear and long casts. Best results come on the flooding tide into dusk and after dark, especially outside the summer bathing hours when lifeguards zone the water. In summer, look for a light surf or coloured water for bass; at night the beach often produces dogfish, sole and, later in the year, whiting and dabs. Spring sees plaice at longer range over clean sand. Expect occasional summer mackerel, scad and garfish close in at dusk, and the odd undulate ray on bigger baits. Access is easy via the chine with parking, toilets and seasonal food kiosks nearby, but be mindful of groynes, surf, and weever fish in warm months.

Ratings

⭐ 6.9/10 Overall
Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 7/10
Accessibility 9/10

Fish You Can Catch at Durley Chine

🐟 Bass 8/10
🎯 Tip: Surf over clean sand; dawn/dusk on a flooding tide after a blow. Paddle-tails or lug/peeler close in between groynes.
🐟 Whiting 7/10
🎯 Tip: Winter evenings on flooding/early ebb; 2-3 hook flappers with lug, mackerel strip or squid at range onto clean sand.
🐟 Plaice 7/10
🎯 Tip: Spring on bright days; long casts on clean sand with bead rigs, lug/rag tipped with squid. Best on the flood.
🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 6/10
🎯 Tip: Summer-autumn nights; scent baits (mackerel/squid) on a simple paternoster, medium range over clean ground.
🐟 Flounder 5/10
🎯 Tip: Autumn-winter; short to mid range on lug/rag or worm tipped with crab, slow water near groynes on the flood.
🐟 Dab 5/10
🎯 Tip: Winter; small hooks, lug or maddies, long casts over clean sand. Gentle surf on a neap can fish well.
🐟 Dover Sole 5/10
🎯 Tip: Warm nights Jun-Sep; fish close with size 2-4 hooks, rag or lug with a touch of squid, slow retrieve across sand. Last of the flood into slack.
🐟 Smoothhound 4/10
🎯 Tip: Late spring-summer; peeler crab on pulley or running ledger, medium range over clean sand. Dusk on the flood.
🐟 Mackerel 4/10
🎯 Tip: Jun-Sep when shoals push tight; evening high water with a light onshore breeze. Spinners or small metals; feathering if fish show.
🐟 Garfish 3/10
🎯 Tip: May-Sep; float fish small strips or sandeel at dawn/dusk along the edge of the surf on a flooding tide.

Durley Chine Fishing

Summary

Durley Chine is a classic Bournemouth beachfront mark on the west side of the main pier, with timber groynes, clean sand, and easy access. It’s a reliable venue for bass in surf, summer flatfish, and winter whiting, with comfortable, family-friendly facilities right behind you.

Location and Access

Set on Bournemouth’s West Cliff frontage, Durley Chine is reached via the promenade and a short slope from the clifftop parking. Access is straightforward and suitable for most anglers carrying beach gear.

Seasons

Species vary with season, but this is a dependable clean-sand venue with surf-feeding predators and flatfish.

Methods

Tackle for clean ground with a mix of close-in work and clipped-down distance casting covers most bases.

Tides and Conditions

Durley fishes on most states, with a real lift around dusk and into darkness. Surf and colour often switch on the bass.

Safety

This is a family beach with lifeguarded bathing zones in season—anglers must keep clear of swimmers and respect signage.

Facilities

Durley Chine is well serviced, making it a comfortable choice for long sessions.

Tips

Work the gutters between groynes and adjust tactics to the colour and movement of the water.

Regulations

General recreational sea angling is permitted, but this is a busy, lifeguarded Blue Flag beach with seasonal bathing zones. Always follow local signage and steward directions.