Hengistbury Head Fishing

Last updated: 4 days ago

Hengistbury Head Fishing Map

A long rock breakwater at the seaward end of Hengistbury Head, forming the mouth of Christchurch Harbour (the Run). Deep water is close in with a strong tidal stream and mixed ground of boulders and adjacent clean sand. It fishes well for summer pelagics (mackerel, garfish, scad) and produces bass in the white water on a flooding tide; wrasse, pollack, pouting and conger around the rocks; and in winter whiting and dogfish over the sand. The harbour side can hold mullet and the occasional flatfish on slower tides. Best at dawn/dusk and on the flood, with lures, float and bottom tactics all effective. Expect a long walk from the car park, slippery rocks and powerful tide—avoid heavy swell and springs.

Ratings

⭐ 7.2/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 9/10
Scenery & Comfort 8/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 5/10

Fish You Can Catch at Hengistbury Head

🐟 Bass 9/10
🎯 Tip: The Run and headland on spring tides; dusk/dawn or into dark. Lures (paddletails/surface) or livebait/peeler crab. Best May–Oct; also after onshore blow.
🐟 Mackerel 8/10
🎯 Tip: Summer shoals along the headland; cast feathers or small metals into the tide on the flood, dusk best. Move to find baitfish.
🐟 Starry Smoothhound 7/10
🎯 Tip: Evening into dark May–Sep from the sand spit/beaches; crab baits at range on clean to mixed ground over the flood.
🐟 Garfish 7/10
🎯 Tip: Late spring–autumn on clear, calm days; float a strip of mackerel or small worm just off the surface along the Run or tide edge.
🐟 Whiting 6/10
🎯 Tip: Winter evenings from the beaches; cast worm/squid cocktails to clean ground on the flood and into first of the ebb.
🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 6/10
🎯 Tip: Night from beaches and mixed ground; small fish or squid strips on the flood. Year-round, peak autumn–winter.
🐟 Scad (Horse Mackerel) 6/10
🎯 Tip: Warm nights Aug–Oct; small metals or sabikis worked mid-water in the tide run, particularly at dusk into dark.
🐟 Ballan Wrasse 6/10
🎯 Tip: From the rocks at the Head on flooding tide; fish crab or rag close to kelp and boulders. Summer daytime; use strong gear to bully fish from snags.
🐟 Mullet (Thick-lipped) 6/10
🎯 Tip: Work bread flake or tiny lures in the Run and along groynes on the last of the flood and first of the ebb; stealthy approach, clear water, summer–early autumn.
🐟 Pouting 5/10
🎯 Tip: After dark around the rocks and rough patches; small worm or fish baits fished close in on the flood. Year-round, best autumn–winter.
🐟 Plaice 4/10
🎯 Tip: Early spring on bright days; long-range casts with bead/bling rigs and worm/shell baits over clean sand on the flood.
🐟 Thornback Ray 4/10
🎯 Tip: Occasional from the beaches in spring/autumn; fish sandeel or squid at long range over clean sand on the flood into dusk.

Hengistbury Head Fishing

Summary

Hengistbury Head is a striking sand-and-cliff headland on the eastern edge of Bournemouth, guarding the mouth of Christchurch Harbour. The Long Groyne and adjacent beaches give varied, tidal fishing with true ‘catch-what’s-there’ potential. Expect fast-moving water, summer surface action, and productive winter nights—one of Dorset’s most versatile shore marks.

Location and Access

Set on the south-eastern tip of Bournemouth, Hengistbury Head is well signposted and easy to reach, though the best spots involve a pleasant walk. Access is straightforward along a wide, mostly level track to the Long Groyne and Mudeford Sandbank.

Seasons

This is a mixed fish venue with distinct seasonal pulses. Expect surface feeders in warm months and classic channel species as temperatures drop.

Methods

A true all-round mark: match-style scratching on the beach, lure and float work off the Long Groyne, and heavier bottom fishing when targeting rays or hounds.

Tides and Conditions

Tide and water movement define this venue. The Long Groyne sits beside ‘The Run’—the harbour entrance—which can rip on springs.

Safety

This is an exposed headland with fast tides and the potential for wave overtopping—treat it with respect. Conditions can change rapidly with wind and tide.

Facilities

Facilities are good by South Coast standards, particularly near the car park and on the sandbank in season.

Tips

Hengistbury rewards mobility and tide-reading; small adjustments in casting angle or depth often make the session.

Regulations

Hengistbury Head is a local nature reserve with additional seafront bylaws nearby. Angling is generally permitted, but parts of the beach and groyne system can be subject to seasonal or situational restrictions.