Friars Cliff Fishing

Last updated: 6 days ago

Friars Cliff Fishing Map

An open, gently shelving sand-and-shingle beach with timber groynes on the Christchurch Bay shoreline. Easy, family-friendly access via the promenade and nearby car parks makes it a straightforward shore mark. Fish the scoured gutters between groynes and beyond the outer bar; best results are typically at dusk into dark and on a flooding tide. Summer brings surf-running bass and smoothhounds, with mackerel, garfish and scad showing when baitfish are in. Nights produce dogfish, and winter sees whiting; clean sand at range can turn up small-eyed rays, with sole and the odd plaice close in after dark. Typical tactics: peeler crab or rag for bass and smoothhound, lug/rag (with small beads) for plaice, small worm baits for sole, and sandeel/squid or mackerel strip for rays and dogfish. Watch for weed after onshore blows, keep clear of swimmers and lifeguarded zones in peak season, and mind the submerged groynes in a swell.

Ratings

⭐ 6.8/10 Overall
Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 8/10
Safety 7/10
Accessibility 9/10

Fish You Can Catch at Friars Cliff

🐟 Bass 8/10
🎯 Tip: Surf over sand and around groynes; fish dawn/dusk or after a blow on a flooding tide. Peeler crab, lug or 28-40g surface/soft lures when water clears.
🐟 Whiting 7/10
🎯 Tip: Winter nights on clean sand. Size 1-2 hooks, worm/squid cocktails. Best on a making tide; keep baits small and fresh.
🐟 Smoothhound 7/10
🎯 Tip: Early summer to autumn, calm evenings. Fresh peeler crab on running ledger or pulley with 2-4/0 circle. Cast 40-80 yd onto clean sand. Best on the flood.
🐟 Mackerel 7/10
🎯 Tip: June-Sep in clear, calm seas. Dawn/evening; feathering or small metals from groyne ends. Watch for birds and bait on a flooding tide.
🐟 Plaice 6/10
🎯 Tip: Spring daylight over clean sand, long casts. Beaded rigs with lug/rag or squid slivers. Best on the first of the flood over a gentle surf.
🐟 Dover Sole 6/10
🎯 Tip: May-Sep, still nights. Rag or lug on size 2 long-shanks, short casts into the gutter at low to mid tide. Light leads; keep baits static.
🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 6/10
🎯 Tip: Year-round, best at night. Small fish or squid strip baits on size 2/0, cast to clean sand between groynes. Use grip leads in a settled sea.
🐟 Dab 5/10
🎯 Tip: Winter to early spring on clean sand; small lug/rag baits with a few beads, gentle lob into the gutter. Best on neap tides with a light surf.
🐟 Garfish 5/10
🎯 Tip: Late spring to autumn. Float-fish mackerel or sandeel strip or cast small metals at dawn/dusk. Work near groyne tips on a flooding tide.
🐟 Golden-grey Mullet 5/10
🎯 Tip: Summer over surfy sand. Tiny rag or fish-bait slivers on size 6-8, short casts into channels. Best on evening flood with light surf.
🐟 Thornback Ray 4/10
🎯 Tip: Occasional from this beach; dusk/night with sandeel or squid on a pulley pennel, cast 80+ yd onto clean sand. Peaks on the flood in spring.

Friars Cliff Fishing

Summary

Friars Cliff is a gently shelving sand-and-shingle beach on Christchurch Bay, between Highcliffe and Mudeford in Dorset. It’s a friendly, accessible mark that rewards thoughtful tide timing with bass in surf, summer smoothhounds and rays after dark, and reliable winter whiting. Easy access, a promenade, and nearby amenities make it a practical choice for both short sessions and longer, tide-focused trips.

Location and Access

This mark sits on the open coast east of Christchurch, with multiple seafront car parks and a level promenade behind the beach. Access is straightforward, and you can be fishing within minutes of parking.

Seasons

Friars Cliff fishes as a classic open-bay beach with seasonal movement of species. Expect better variety from late spring through autumn, with dependable winter action on smaller fish.

Methods

A mix of surf-ledger tactics and lighter close-range work covers this venue. It’s a shallow bay, so smart bait presentation and timing beat brute distance on many tides.

Tides and Conditions

Friars Cliff responds strongly to water movement and surf height. Focus on building tides, manageable surf, and low light for better fish.

Safety

This is a relatively friendly beach, but groynes, surf and lateral drift deserve respect. In summer, lifeguarded swim zones are established—avoid fishing between flags and around crowds.

Facilities

Friars Cliff is well served by seafront amenities, especially in season. This makes it convenient for family-friendly trips and longer stints.

Tips

A few local patterns can really lift your catch rate at this otherwise straightforward beach mark.

Regulations

Rules are typical of an open coastal beach in the Southern IFCA district, with additional common-sense restrictions around lifeguarded bathing areas. Always check current notices and official sources before you go.