Freshwater Beach Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Freshwater Beach Fishing Map

A steeply shelving shingle section of Chesil between West Bay and Burton Bradstock, with deep water close in. Best on a flooding tide into dusk and after dark. Summer brings mackerel, bass, scad, garfish and smoothhounds; rays are possible, and winter sees whiting and pouting with the chance of a cod in rougher seas. Access is via Freshwater Beach Holiday Park or longer walks from West Bay or Hive; beware heavy surf, undertow and steep shingle.

Ratings

⭐ 6.9/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 7/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 6/10

Fish You Can Catch at Freshwater Beach

🐟 Mackerel 9/10
🎯 Tip: Summer shoals; feathering or spinners at dawn/dusk on the flood. Seek clear water and bird activity; cast and retrieve at pace from the shingle bank.
🐟 Bass 8/10
🎯 Tip: Work surf gutters at dawn/dusk or after a blow on a flooding tide. Shallow divers, metals, or big lug/sandeel/peeler baits fished close in.
🐟 Whiting 7/10
🎯 Tip: Nov–Feb nights. Small mackerel or worm strips on 2-hook flappers; cast mid-range. Best on the flood and first of the ebb.
🐟 Plaice 7/10
🎯 Tip: Spring–early summer by day. Long snoods with beads/spoons; rag/lug tipped with squid. Cast 60–120 yd to clean sand; gentle tides fish best.
🐟 Small-eyed Ray 7/10
🎯 Tip: Late spring–autumn, evening into dark. Sandeel or squid on a pulley pennel, cast 60–100 yd onto clean ground. Best on the flood over neaps.
🐟 Smoothhound 7/10
🎯 Tip: May–Sep. Peeler crab on pulley or running ledger; fish the flood at short to medium range along gutters, best at dusk into dark.
🐟 Pouting 6/10
🎯 Tip: After dark year-round. Small worm or fish baits on 2-hook flappers over clean ground; short to mid-range. Rougher nights fish well on the flood.
🐟 Dover Sole 6/10
🎯 Tip: Warm calm nights Jun–Sep. Fish close in with rag or lug on light flappers and long snoods. Last of the flood and first of the ebb.
🐟 Scad (Horse Mackerel) 6/10
🎯 Tip: Aug–Oct nights. Small metals or mackerel strip under a float 2–4 m deep; lights help. Best on the flood with some tide run.
🐟 Garfish 6/10
🎯 Tip: Calm clear summer evenings. Float-fish small sandeel or mackerel strip 2–3 m deep along the tide run on the flood.

Freshwater Beach Fishing

Summary

Freshwater Beach sits between West Bay and Burton Bradstock on the West Dorset stretch of Chesil, a classic steep shingle facing the prevailing south-westerlies. It’s a productive, no-nonsense surf venue that can throw up bass, rays, smoothhounds and, in winter, whiting and the odd codling. Travel light, pick your weather, and it’s a superb alternative to the busier named Chesil hotspots.

Location and Access

This mark is the open shingle in front of Freshwater Beach Holiday Park, with continuous access along the same beach from West Bay to Burton Bradstock. Access through the holiday park is generally for residents/guests; day anglers usually approach from either end and walk the shingle to the chosen spot.

Seasons

Fish here are typical of West Dorset’s open shingle, with fast changes as the water clarity and weather swing.

Methods

Treat it as a straight, deep shingle surf venue: simple, strong and tidy. Fish two rods if conditions allow—one close for bass, one at range for flats/rays.

Tides and Conditions

This beach fishes on most states, but certain combinations are reliably better. Read the water: the first gutter and the drop-off can both hold fish.

Safety

Chesil-style shingle demands respect. The bank is steep, mobile, and the undertow is powerful in swell—don’t fish here in big seas unless you are very experienced and properly equipped.

Facilities

You’re close to West Bay and Burton Bradstock, so amenities are within a short drive or a decent walk. The holiday park has facilities for guests.

Tips

This stretch rewards timing and tidy presentation. Small adjustments in range and bait freshness make a big difference.

Regulations

Sea angling is permitted from the beach, but you must follow national and local rules. Regulations can change—always check the current position before you go.