Durley Chine Fishing

Last updated: 1 month 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.

  • Nearest parking: Durley Chine Car Park (pay-and-display), typically signed from West Cliff; postcode BH2 5JF.
  • Access: Gentle tarmac slope down to the promenade; steps in places to the sand.
  • Terrain: Clean, gently shelving sand divided by wooden groynes; generally snag-free at casting range.
  • Walk-in: 2–5 minutes from car park to the fishing spots between groynes.
  • Public transport: Buses serve West Cliff/Westbourne; a short walk down to the chine.

Seasons

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

  • Spring: Plaice, flounder; early bass on settled, clear days; occasional gurnard.
  • Summer: Bass (dawn/dusk and in surf), smoothhound (peeler crab), soles after dark, plaice, mackerel and garfish during calm, clear spells, occasional small-eyed or undulate ray at range.
  • Autumn: Bass in rougher seas, plaice, increasing whiting after dark, dogfish.
  • Winter: Whiting in numbers at night, dogfish, occasional codling in a northerly blow (rare but possible), dab and flounder.
  • Occasional visitors: Turbot/brill are possible but uncommon; juvenile bream near structure in warm summers.

Methods

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

  • General beach fishing: 1–2 hook clipped-down rigs (size 1–2/0) for distance; 2-hook flapper with long snoods for plaice and whiting.
  • Bass: Fish the first and second gutters with a simple running ledger or pulley dropper and 2/0–3/0 hooks; or cast shallow-diving minnows/soft plastics at dawn/dusk in clear water.
  • Flatfish: Long-snood flappers, size 2–4 fine-wire hooks, bead/bling if water is coloured; rolling leads help search ground.
  • Rays/smoothhound: Up-and-over or pulley rigs, 3–5 oz grip leads, strong mono/fluoro snoods (30–40 lb); crab for hounds, sandeel or squid/bluey cocktails for rays.
  • Night fishing: Small worm or fish-bait cocktails on size 2–1 hooks sort whiting/sole; keep baits streamlined in tide.
  • Best baits: Fresh black lug and ragworm, peeler crab, sandeel, squid strips, mackerel/bluey; maddies (harbour rag) for sole/plaice when available.

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.

  • Tide state: Flooding tide into and over high water is consistent; last two hours of the ebb can also fish, especially for flatfish.
  • Sea state: A bit of onshore push and colour (after a SW blow) suits bass; neap tides and clear, calm water favour plaice and sole.
  • Time of day: Dawn/dusk are prime for bass; night sessions produce soles and whiting; daytime summer can be busy with beach users.
  • Seasonality: Late spring–autumn for variety; winter nights for whiting/dabs and the outside chance of a codling in rough weather.
  • Wind: SW–W winds create useful surf but can add weed; light E–SE gives clarity for flats and lure work.

Safety

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

  • Do not fish between red/yellow bathing flags or where local signs prohibit angling; evening/night or off-season sessions are usually most practical.
  • Groynes can be slippery with algae—avoid standing on them, especially when waves are running.
  • Watch for strong lateral drift and undertow on bigger tides; use appropriate grip leads and don’t wade in swell.
  • In onshore blows, rogue waves and overtopping can occur—fish well back from the waterline.
  • Accessibility: Promenade access is good; soft sand can be difficult for wheelchairs—consider beach wheels or assistance.
  • Wear a headlamp at night and consider a PFD if wading or fishing close to the swash.

Facilities

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

  • Toilets: Public toilets by the chine/promenade (seasonal opening times may apply).
  • Food & drink: Seasonal kiosks/cafés along the promenade; larger pubs/restaurants nearby on West Cliff.
  • Rubbish: Bins along the seafront—please take litter and line off the beach.
  • Phone signal: Generally strong 4G/5G.
  • Tackle/bait: Multiple tackle shops within a 15–25 minute drive in Bournemouth/Poole; check hours for fresh worm/peeler.
  • Lighting: Promenade lighting helps, but bring a headlamp for the beach itself.

Tips

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

  • After a blow, fish the first couple of breakers with crab or lug for bass—keep moving and cover water.
  • On calm, clear days, long-snood flappers with small worm baits pick out plaice; a rolling lead helps search.
  • Summer evenings: Look for bird activity and dimpling bait—garfish and mackerel can push tight to the groynes.
  • Weed can be an issue on strong onshore winds—use streamlined baits and check lines frequently.
  • For smoothhound in late spring/summer, bring quality peeler crab and fish into dusk.
  • Keep rigs simple and aerodynamic to reach the outer sandbars when needed.

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.

  • Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council: Observe any on-site notices; do not fish within designated bathing areas (red/yellow flags) or where signs prohibit angling.
  • Bass rules (England, 2025): Minimum size 42 cm; recreational retention is typically 1 fish per angler per day during the open season, with catch-and-release only outside it. Check current MMO notices before your trip.
  • Southern IFCA area: You are within Southern IFCA jurisdiction—review any local bylaws and minimum conservation reference sizes (MCRS) before retaining fish.
  • Rays and shark species: Identification matters; if unsure (e.g., undulate vs. other rays), release fish carefully. Many anglers voluntarily release all rays here.
  • General: Use barbless or crushed barbs if practicing catch-and-release; handle fish over a wet mat or in the wash and return promptly.
  • Always verify up-to-date regulations via the MMO and Southern IFCA websites before fishing.