East Weares

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.

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.

• Approach via Easton/Pennsylvania Road and the Church Ope Cove access; limited on-street parking/lay-bys nearby. Arrive early at weekends/holidays.
• Descend the steps to Church Ope Cove, then follow the South West Coast Path along the undercliff to the rock and boulder marks of East Weares.
• Alternative access from the Grove side via coastal paths above the undercliff; parking is limited and routes are less obvious.
• Terrain is very rough: large, mobile boulders, kelp, and slippery ledges. Sturdy boots and light, hands-free gear (backpack) are essential.
• Allow extra time for the walk-in and recce your exit in daylight if planning a night session. Not suitable for pushchairs or anyone with limited mobility.

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

• Spring (Apr–May):
  • Pollack (lures at dawn/dusk)
  • Ballan wrasse starting to show on calmer days
  • Bass in May during the flood, especially in a slight chop
  • Garfish in late spring on bright, calm days
• Summer (Jun–Aug):
  • Ballan and cuckoo wrasse (all states around high, crab/worm baits)
  • Pollack to lures along the kelp edges
  • Bass early/late, plus after a blow once it settles
  • Mackerel and scad on evenings; garfish in clear water
  • Conger eel and pout after dark
  • Occasional black bream on the cleaner patches
• Autumn (Sep–Nov):
  • Bass peak (especially Sept–Oct during building seas that have settled)
  • Wrasse remain strong until the first real chills
  • Pollack, scad, late mackerel
  • Conger and pout at night
• Winter (Dec–Mar):
  • Conger, pout, rockling; odd whiting on calmer nights
  • Codling now rare but the odd fish turns up in a proper cold snap

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

• Lure fishing (daylight):
  • Weedless soft plastics (Texas/Carolina) 10–25 g with 20–40 lb fluoro leaders for wrasse/pollack
  • Paddletails and slim minnow SPs for pollack; creature baits/crab imitations for wrasse
  • Metals 20–40 g and small surface/sub-surface lures for bass at first/last light
• Float fishing:
  • Sliding float set just above the kelp for wrasse; baits: peeler or hardback crab, prawn, ragworm, mussel
  • Scale down and fish shallow for garfish on bright, calm days
• Bottom fishing (rough-ground):
  • Pulley/pulley-dropper with a rotten-bottom (weak link 10–12 lb mono) to sacrifice leads
  • For conger/bass at night: single 4/0–6/0 on 80 lb trace; big fish baits (mackerel, squid, squid/mackerel wraps)
  • For mixed species: strong 1–2 hook rigs, 3–4 ft snoods, abrasion-resistant leaders
• Tackle notes:
  • 20–30 lb braid with 40–60 lb leader for lures/rough-ground; heavier mono traces at night
  • Keep end gear simple and strong; avoid multi-hook feather rigs in the rocks (single-hook ‘sabiki’ style is safer)
  • Travel light; one rod and minimal terminal gear reduces losses and keeps you mobile

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

• Tide:
  • Productive from mid-flood through high and into the first of the ebb for wrasse and lure fishing
  • Springs add movement for bass; neaps can be ideal for precise wrasse work in the gullies
• Conditions:
  • Clear to lightly tinted water is excellent for lures; a gentle chop helps bass
  • Avoid strong easterlies or long-period swell—surges are dangerous and kill presentation
  • After 24–48 hours of settled SW winds, the east side often clears nicely
• Time of day/seasonality:
  • Dawn/dusk best for bass and pollack; wrasse feed confidently in bright conditions over weed
  • Night sessions produce conger, pout, rockling—fish one rod and lock everything down
  • Summer/autumn are prime; winter windows open on calm, mild nights

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.

• Steep steps and very uneven boulder fields; not suitable for limited mobility
• Slippery weeded rocks and sudden surges; stay well back from the waterline and plan an escape route
• Frequent rockfall risk—do not linger beneath unstable faces, especially after heavy rain or frost
• Wear a lifejacket, cleated/grippy boots, gloves, and eye protection; carry a headtorch plus spare
• Use rotten-bottom links to reduce snag risk; keep gear minimal and hands-free
• Phone signal can be patchy under the cliffs; fish with a partner, leave a plan, consider offline maps/PLB
• Respect boundaries around Portland Port/security fencing—do not attempt to access restricted areas; heed any local closure or hazard signage

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

• Parking: limited on-street/lay-by options near Church Ope access; arrive early
• Toilets/amenities: public conveniences and shops in Easton; more services in Fortuneswell/Weymouth
• Tackle/bait: Chesil/Ferrybridge area shops and Weymouth Angling Centre are the closest reliable sources
• Food/drink: cafés, pubs, and takeaways in Easton and Fortuneswell
• Phone signal: variable/weak under the cliffs; stronger on higher ground

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

• Use abrasion-resistant leaders; the barnacled rock and kelp will shred light line quickly
• A 10–12 lb mono weak link to the lead (6–10 ft) saves weights without losing fish
• Work lures tight to structure but keep them moving; wrasse often hit on the lift, pollack on the drop
• Hardback or peeler crab outfishes worm for better wrasse; present just above the kelp
• Travel ultra-light: one rod, compact sling/bag, water, first-aid, and headtorch—even by day in case the walk out runs late
• Check for ticks in warm months and give the local feral goats plenty of space—they’re a regular sight on the Weares
• After an easterly blow, give it time to settle; when colour drops out, bass and pollack switch on fast
• Keep what you need and release big ballan wrasse—they’re slow-growing and the backbone of the sport here

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.

• Jurisdiction: Southern IFCA district (Dorset coast, including Portland)
• European seabass: seasonal restrictions apply; as of recent years, a closed period in winter and a limited daily bag with a 42 cm minimum size during the open season—check current dates and limits before retaining any bass
• Minimum Conservation Reference Sizes (MCRS): observe national sizes for common species (e.g., bass 42 cm). If in doubt, measure and release
• Marine Protected Areas: the wider Portland coast has protected features; hook-and-line angling is typically allowed, but avoid damaging habitats and obey any local notices
• Foraging/bait collection: only take small amounts for personal use where permitted and respect any local byelaws or shellfish protections (e.g., no taking berried lobsters/crabs)
• Private/port boundaries: do not cross Portland Port security fences or restricted areas; obey signage at all times
• Litter and lead: pack out all waste and consider non-toxic leads where practical