Hen Cliff Fishing

Summary

Hen Cliff sits on the east side of Kimmeridge Bay, Dorset, directly beneath the landmark Clavell Tower. It’s classic Purbeck limestone ledge fishing: shallow reef, kelp-filled gullies and deep scours that come alive with baitfish and predators on the right tide. Lure and float tactics excel here for bass, wrasse and pollack in clear water.

Location and Access

Hen Cliff is reached from Kimmeridge Bay on the Smedmore Estate, with access via a toll road and paid parking. The mark itself lies beneath Clavell Tower; expect an uneven coastal walk over flat but slippery rock ledges.

• Drive to Kimmeridge via minor lanes off the A351 (Corfe Castle). Follow signs for Kimmeridge Bay; the estate toll road leads to the seafront car park (sat nav: BH20 5PF gets you close; the village is around BH20 5PE).
• From the bay car park, walk east along the limestone ledges towards Clavell Tower. Allow 10–20 minutes depending on pace, tide and swell; footwear with good grip is essential.
• Terrain is uneven, weed-covered rock platforms with rockpools and small steps; not suitable for buggies or those with limited mobility.
• The toll road/car park has opening hours and gates are locked outside posted times; night sessions may require parking in the village and a longer, steeper walk. Always check current access times before setting out.
• Do not attempt to access from the cliff top—cliffs are unstable and fenced for a reason.

Seasons

This reef mark fishes best from late spring through autumn, with winter windows for pollack and occasional codling in a hard blow. Expect variety around the kelp and gutters.

• Spring (Apr–Jun):
  • Ballan wrasse, corkwing wrasse
  • Bass on small soft plastics and surface lures in onshore chop
  • Pollack in the deeper gullies
  • Early mackerel and garfish on calmer days
• Summer (Jul–Sep):
  • Wrasse in numbers (ballan dominant; occasional corkwing)
  • Bass at dawn/dusk and in coloured water after a blow
  • Pollack, mackerel, garfish; night-time scad (horse mackerel)
  • Conger eels and pout after dark in the rough ground
  • Occasional black bream and triggerfish in warm spells
• Autumn (Oct–Nov):
  • Bass and pollack continue in lively seas
  • Mackerel/gar tail off; scad at night on metals or small baits
  • Conger and pout persist; wrasse still catchable until the water cools
• Winter (Dec–Mar):
  • Pollack on lures in settled, clear spells
  • Whiting and the odd codling only in strong onshore systems (infrequent)
  • Wrasse largely shut down in prolonged cold

Methods

Rough-ground tactics are the key: weedless lures, floats over kelp, and snag-resistant bottom rigs. Travel light and move to find fish-holding gutters.

• Lure fishing (daylight, clear water):
  • Weedless soft plastics (10–20 g heads or weightless) in natural/white; work across the reef for bass and wrasse.
  • Small metals (10–30 g) and 120–160 mm surface/sub-surface plugs for bass over flooding tide.
  • Slim soft shads on 7–14 g heads for pollack along drop-offs at dawn/dusk.
• Float fishing:
  • Ragworm, king rag, prawn or peeler crab fished 3–10 ft under a float for wrasse and garfish.
  • Adjust depth frequently to locate the kelp edge and gullies.
• Bottom fishing (snaggy):
  • Pulley or short up-and-over with rotten-bottom link; 30–60 lb leader. Use minimal lead to hold (3–4 oz typical) and fish shorter casts into known scours.
  • Baits: crab, rag, squid/mackerel cocktail for bass/conger; sandeel or mackerel strip for pollack/pout.
• Tackle notes:
  • 9–10 ft lure rod (10–35 g) covers most lure work; 11–12 ft light beach or sturdy bass rod for ledgers.
  • 20–30 lb braid with 20–30 lb fluorocarbon leader; step up to 40–60 lb mono leader for bottom rigs around conger country.
  • Long-handled landing net or grippers help at higher water when swell makes lifting fish risky.

Tides and Conditions

Timing the tide and managing swell are everything here. The ledges fish best around low and the flood, with care to avoid cut-off near high water.

• Tide state:
  • Low to mid-flood is prime: water creeps over the ledges and fish push tight to the kelp edges.
  • Last of the ebb can be good for wrasse in the gutters; retreat before the top of the tide if swell is running.
  • Big spring highs can wash over the walkway back—plan your escape.
• Sea and wind:
  • A modest SW–S onshore chop and a hint of colour switch on the bass; too much swell is dangerous and unfishable.
  • Calm, clear conditions suit wrasse and pollack with subtle lures or float-fished worm/prawn.
  • After summer blows, expect loose weed in the water for 24–48 hours.
• Time of day/season:
  • Dawn and dusk are standout for bass and pollack; bright middays suit wrasse in clear water.
  • Peak season is May–October, with the best mixed bags in late summer.

Safety

This is a beautiful but committing reef. Slippery rock, swell and the risk of being cut off demand sensible planning.

• Wear studded boots or rock cleats; weeded limestone is extremely slick when damp.
• Check tide times and swell height; avoid if groundswell exceeds your experience level. Never turn your back on the sea.
• Identify safe exit routes before starting. Parts of the ledge flood on springs—don’t get trapped.
• Cliffs above are unstable; do not sit under overhangs or attempt to descend/ascend the cliff.
• A waist-belted lifejacket is strongly recommended, especially when lure fishing near the edge.
• Not wheelchair accessible; long uneven walk with step-ups across rock platforms.
• Phone signal can be patchy; tell someone your plan and carry a headtorch if there’s any chance of finishing in low light.

Facilities

Kimmeridge is relatively remote by Dorset standards, but the bay has seasonal amenities and the Dorset Wildlife Trust centre.

• Paid parking at Kimmeridge Bay via the Smedmore Estate toll road (check seasonal opening/closing times and fees).
• Public toilets by the car park (typically seasonal daytime opening).
• Dorset Wildlife Trust Wild Seas Centre at the bay (seasonal hours) offers local marine info and education.
• No on-site tackle shop; nearest options are in Swanage, Wareham and Weymouth. Bring bait and spares.
• Food/drink: limited—bring provisions; occasional mobile vendors in peak season only.
• Bins are limited—plan to take all litter and line home. Lighting is minimal to none after dark.

Tips

Small adjustments make a big difference on these ledges. Travel light, keep mobile and fish with stealth in clear water.

• Polaroid glasses help you read gullies and spot bait movement—fish where the life is.
• For bass, try surface lures over the flooding tide when swell brushes the ledges; switch to weightless soft plastics if it’s bright and calm.
• Wrasse love fresh prawn and rag; a short hooklength under a sliding float avoids kelp snags. Strike decisively to turn fish before they bury you.
• Use weedless hooks and a light Texas/Chebs setup to crawl plastics through the kelp for wrasse and opportunist bass.
• Carry a prawn net in summer for bait, but only collect where permitted and away from marked conservation zones; check local signage first.
• A short, weak link to the lead (rotten bottom) saves rigs when ledgering. Keep casts short into known scours rather than hurling long into tackle graveyards.
• After a blow, give it 12–24 hours for the colour to drop if you plan to lure fish; wrasse may still feed in marginal clarity.

Regulations

Hen Cliff lies within the wider Kimmeridge Marine Conservation Zone and on an environmentally sensitive shoreline. Shore angling is allowed, but do observe local and national rules.

• Marine Conservation Zone/Reserve: Angling from the shore is permitted. Some areas near the bay have additional conservation measures (e.g., restrictions on collecting shore life). Always follow Dorset Wildlife Trust and estate signage on-site.
• Bass rules (England, recreational): Minimum size 42 cm. Recent years have set a closed season and daily bag limits (e.g., catch-and-release only in winter, and a limited daily bag March–November). Check the current Defra/IFCA notice before you go, as these can change annually.
• Southern IFCA: Observe local byelaws, including minimum conservation reference sizes and any netting or gear restrictions within inshore zones. These do not generally restrict normal shore angling but are worth reviewing.
• Protected species and habitats: Do not target or retain protected species (e.g., seahorses) and avoid damaging seagrass/reef features. Cliffs and foreshore form part of SSSI designations—no hammering or removal of geological features.
• Estate and parking rules: The toll road and car park have set opening hours; gates may be locked outside hours. Night fishing access may require alternative parking and a longer walk—plan within posted rules.
• General: Take all litter and line home, use barbless or crushed barbs where practical, and consider releasing large wrasse which are valuable breeders on this reef.