East Weares Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

East Weares Fishing Map

Rugged rock and boulder shoreline beneath the eastern cliffs of Portland. East Weares offers kelp-filled gullies, rough ground and occasional sandy patches, with relatively deep water close in. Best in settled weather with a light swell and some water clarity. Daylight suits wrasse and pollack around weed beds and reef edges; dusk into night brings pouting, scad and conger. Lure fishing is effective along the kelp line; bait fishing works from ledges over mixed ground. Expect heavy snags—use rotten-bottoms for bottom baits and weedless rigs for lures. Access is via steep paths from the Church Ope Cove/Pennsylvania Castle area followed by a clamber over uneven boulders (allow 20–30 minutes). Avoid large easterly swells and be cautious of rockfalls and rising tide pinch points. Parking near Church Ope Cove then a walk in. Spring tides run hard; a flooding tide often fishes best.

Ratings

⭐ 6.9/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 9/10
Scenery & Comfort 7/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 3/10

Fish You Can Catch at East Weares

🐟 Ballan Wrasse 9/10
🎯 Tip: Rough boulder/kelp ground; float-fished rag/crab or weedless soft plastics tight to the ledges. Best on flooding tide, spring to autumn. Use strong gear and rotten-bottom to beat snags.
🐟 Pollack 8/10
🎯 Tip: Evening/dawn on flooding tide; work weedless soft plastics or metal jigs parallel to the kelp line. Keep lures mid-water. Long leader and steady retrieve.
🐟 Conger Eel 8/10
🎯 Tip: After dark year-round; big mackerel/squid baits dropped into gullies under the rod tip. 80lb trace, strong hooks. Use rotten-bottom and keep pressure to turn fish from snags.
🐟 Bass 7/10
🎯 Tip: After a blow or at dusk; plugs or shads along the wash in gullies, or live sandeel under a float. Flooding tide fishes best. Travel light over the boulders.
🐟 Pouting 7/10
🎯 Tip: Very common after dark; small strips of mackerel or rag on size 2-4 hooks, short casts into kelpy holes. Little lead and rotten-bottom to reduce losses.
🐟 Corkwing Wrasse 7/10
🎯 Tip: Float fish ragworm or small crab close to rocks in 2–6 m. Best on the flood, late spring to autumn. Small strong hooks; expect fast bites and snags.
🐟 Mackerel 6/10
🎯 Tip: Summer on settled clear seas; metals or feathers cast from ledges. Best at first/last light on the flood. Keep fish off the rocks with a long-handled net.
🐟 Scad (Horse Mackerel) 6/10
🎯 Tip: Late summer nights; small metals or Sabikis worked mid-water under headlamp glow. Gentle retrieve on the flood. Handle carefully—big eyes, soft mouths.
🐟 Garfish 6/10
🎯 Tip: Calm, clear summer evenings; float-fished sandeel or mackerel strip set shallow over the kelp. Slow drift along the ledge on the flood.
🐟 Goldsinny Wrasse 5/10
🎯 Tip: Micro-worm baits under a float tight to the weed. Tiny hooks (size 8–12). Daytime on flooding tide, summer months. Keep fish low over the water to avoid drop-offs.
🐟 Rock Goby 5/10
🎯 Tip: Micro tactics in rock pools and kelpy holes; tiny rag/squid slivers on size 10–14 hooks. Short drops from the rod tip. Daytime low-to-mid tide.
🐟 Tompot Blenny 5/10
🎯 Tip: Sight-fish with small pieces of rag or prawn lowered into cracks at your feet. Daylight, any tide; calm days best. Barbless size 10–12 helps unhooking.

East Weares Fishing

Summary

East Weares, Portland (Dorset) is a rugged undercliff and boulder shoreline on the island’s east side, below the ruins of Rufus Castle and the Church Ope area. It’s a classic rough-ground rock mark famed for hard-fighting wrasse, wild pollack, and nocturnal conger. Expect demanding terrain, clear water in settled weather, and truly atmospheric sessions away from the crowds.

Location and Access

Reaching East Weares involves a coastal path walk and some steep, uneven ground. Most anglers drop in via Church Ope Cove and then work north or south along the undercliff.

Seasons

This is classic rough-ground fishing with a strong summer/autumn peak. Winter is quieter but still offers options after dark.

Methods

East Weares rewards mobile, tackle-efficient approaches that cope with snags and kelp. Lures and robust bottom tactics both score.

Tides and Conditions

Tide run and water clarity drive results here. Match your approach to the state of sea and light.

Safety

This is a serious rock mark with undercliff hazards. Treat it with full respect and don’t fish it for the first time in the dark or in swell.

Facilities

There are no facilities on the rocks or at the undercliff—plan to be self-sufficient. Nearby villages cover the basics.

Tips

Local knowledge really helps at East Weares. Small tweaks to tackle and approach save gear and catch more fish.

Regulations

General recreational sea angling is permitted at East Weares, but you must follow national and local rules. Regulations change—always check the latest guidance before you go.