Ferrybridge Fishing

Last updated: 3 days ago

Ferrybridge Fishing Map

A well-known tidal bottleneck where the Fleet Lagoon meets Portland Harbour beside the A354 bridge. Expect a strong tidal run, clear water on neaps, and a clean-sand channel bordered by mixed ground and lagoon shallows. Best results come on the flood and first of the ebb; slack can be quiet. Summer targets are thin-lipped and thick-lipped mullet and bass working the tide seams; autumn evenings can see garfish, mackerel and scad. Winter and early spring favour flounder and plaice from the harbour side. Short, accurate casts into the flow often out-fish long chucks. Easy parking at Smallmouth/Ferrybridge with a very short walk, but be mindful of fast currents, slippery rocks and occasional soft mud. Check local conservation rules for the Fleet and avoid wading in strong flows.

Ratings

⭐ 7.1/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 7/10
Safety 6/10
Accessibility 9/10

Fish You Can Catch at Ferrybridge

🐟 Bass 9/10
🎯 Tip: Work surface/sub-surface lures or live sandeel in the tide race by the bridge; best dawn/dusk on a flooding tide. After a blow, fish the Chesil surf-line with crab or rag.
🐟 Mullet (Thin-lipped) 8/10
🎯 Tip: Spin small Mepps or Delta spoons with rag strip in the brackish flow under the bridge; clear, calm summer mornings on a flooding tide.
🐟 Plaice 7/10
🎯 Tip: Clean ground off the Chesil side; long casts with rolling lead, beads and rag/lug or squid tip. Best spring to early summer on the flood.
🐟 Mackerel 7/10
🎯 Tip: Summer shoals along Chesil; feather/sabiki or small metals at range. First light and dusk, especially on a rising tide.
🐟 Mullet (Thick-lipped) 7/10
🎯 Tip: Bread flake or crust under a float around harbour edges and eddies near the bridge. Stealth and light gear; settled, bright conditions.
🐟 Pouting 6/10
🎯 Tip: Dark hours on Chesil or near structure; small hooks and fish baits close in. Bites peak in the first two hours of the flood.
🐟 Whiting 6/10
🎯 Tip: Winter nights on Chesil; 2–3 hook flappers with mackerel strip or lug. Keep baits small and fresh; first of the flood fishes well.
🐟 Scad (Horse Mackerel) 6/10
🎯 Tip: Late summer/autumn nights; small sabikis or 1–2 inch soft plastics mid-water from the Chesil side. Try the first of the flood.
🐟 Garfish 6/10
🎯 Tip: Float-fish tiny slivers of mackerel or sandeel, or small spoons. Warm, clear summer days on the flood along the harbour mouth/Chesil edge.
🐟 Black Bream 5/10
🎯 Tip: Calm, clear summer spells; small squid or rag strips on long snoods, fish at range off Chesil near Ferrybridge. Avoid heavy surf.
🐟 Gilthead Bream 5/10
🎯 Tip: Crab or prawn on size 2–1 hooks in Portland Harbour/Fleet margins near Ferrybridge. Warm months on the flood with light running rigs.
🐟 Flounder 4/10
🎯 Tip: Brackish Fleet margins on small ragworm; slow retrieve with a watch lead. Best autumn–winter on a flooding tide.

Ferrybridge Fishing

Summary

Ferrybridge sits at the Portland end of Chesil Beach where the Fleet Lagoon meets Portland Harbour, just outside Weymouth, Dorset. It’s a versatile mark offering options on the shingle, the harbour wall, and around the tide-etched channel, producing fish year-round with minimal walking and good facilities close by.

Location and Access

Getting there is straightforward and the walks are short, but the ground varies from easy pavement to steep shingle. Park up and choose whether to fish the harbour side, the channel edges, or the first section of Chesil.

Seasons

Ferrybridge fishes across seasons with a mix of harbour and open-beach species. Expect variety, with peak action in late spring to early autumn.

Methods

You can fish Ferrybridge with float, lure, or bottom tactics depending on the side and conditions. Keep rigs simple, match bait to the ground, and adjust for tide run.

Tides and Conditions

Movement is key here: the channel and harbour fish best on a running tide, while Chesil shines with either colour or clarity depending on target. Time your session to catch the push.

Safety

Ferrybridge is convenient but not risk-free. Respect the tide, the traffic, and the steep shingle if you venture onto Chesil.

Facilities

Facilities are better than most open-coast marks thanks to the visitor centre and nearby businesses. You won’t need to lug everything miles.

Tips

Local knowledge makes Ferrybridge far more productive. Small adjustments to bait, length, and timing pay off.

Regulations

Ferrybridge sits beside the protected Fleet Lagoon and Chesil Bank, so rules are tighter than at many marks. Always read and follow on-site signage and current byelaws.