Summary
Hengistbury Head Long Groyne is the prominent breakwater on the eastern tip of Bournemouth’s coastline, guarding the entrance to Christchurch Harbour (The Run). It’s a classic south-coast rock mark offering mixed fishing: summer mackerel and garfish blitzes, bass in the tide rips, and night-time conger and winter whiting. The setting is superb, but the tidal flow can be fierce and demands thoughtful tactics and careful footing.
Location and Access
Set at the end of Hengistbury Head, the Long Groyne is reached via the main reserve car park and a level coastal track. Expect a fair walk and an exposed, rocky structure with occasional wet overtopping in swell.
- Main parking: Hengistbury Head main car park by the Visitor Centre (Broadway, BH6 4EW). Pay-and-display; gates and charges vary seasonally.
- Approach: Follow the tarmac track east towards Mudeford Sandbank; the groyne is clearly visible at the tip. Allow 15–25 minutes on foot with tackle.
- Seasonal land train runs along the spit (spring–autumn, limited hours); useful for reducing the carry, but check operating times and capacity for rod tubes.
- Terrain: Concrete-topped sections near shore, transitioning to uneven rock armour and slick algae further out. Sturdy boots essential.
- Alternative drop-off: If arriving by ferry to Mudeford Sandbank (from Mudeford Quay), it’s a short beach walk to the groyne, but check ferry times and weather limits.
Seasons
This is a mixed, tide-swept venue with seasonal variety. Expect pelagics in clear summer water and classic channel species when the temperatures drop.
- Spring (Mar–May):
- Plaice (early spring on adjacent beaches), school–mid bass, pollack, garfish from May, wrasse, the first black bream.
- Summer (Jun–Aug):
- Mackerel, garfish, scad, bass (dawn/dusk), wrasse (ballan/corkwing), black bream, mullet nosing along the harbour side.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov):
- Bass at peak, late mackerel and scad, bream, wrasse, pollack, squid occasionally on calm clear nights, increasing pout/dogs.
- Winter (Dec–Feb):
- Whiting, pout, dogfish, occasional codling after strong blows, conger eels at night, flounder inside The Run.
- Year-round occasionals:
- Rays on adjacent sands (calmer periods), gurnard, small smoothhound in settled warm spells.
Methods
The venue rewards mobility and matching tactics to tide strength. Fish light and mobile for pelagics and lures; switch to robust, sacrificial terminal tackle for bottom fishing.
- Spinning/LRF:
- Metals 20–40 g and slim jigs for mackerel/scad; work rips and colour lines. LRF paddletails 2–3 in for pollack, scad, wrasse on the lee edges.
- Surface/sub-surface plugs and 10–20 g soft plastics for bass at first and last light; fish the seams and eddies.
- Float fishing:
- Slim cigar/pole floats with small strips of mackerel or sandeel for garfish; depth 6–12 ft depending on state and clarity.
- Bottom fishing (snaggy):
- 1-hook or 2-hook rigs with rotten-bottom links; 3–5 oz leads (more on springs). Pulley/dropper for bass/rays; short snoods for bream.
- Baits: ragworm/lug for plaice/flatfish and bream; peeler or hardback crab for wrasse/bass; sandeel/razor for bass/rays; mackerel/squid for conger/dogs.
- Night tactics:
- Big fish baits for conger/bass positioned on the edge of the run; bring a long-handled drop net or gaff alternative (where safe/appropriate) for landing.
- Terminal gear tips:
- 30–40 lb leader, abrasion-resistant; use clip-downs for distance and neatness. Weedless rigs and chebs help with wrasse in boulders.
Tides and Conditions
Tide strength defines the session. Neaps open more options; big springs create savage crossflow and standing waves that can be spectacular but unfishable.
- Tide states:
- Flood into high often best for bass and pelagics; short slack at top. Early ebb can produce, but the run quickly becomes extreme.
- Neaps: better for bottom rigs and bream/wrasse mooching around structure.
- Sea and wind:
- Light onshore or south-westerly breeze with clear water suits mackerel/garfish. Coloured water after a blow can switch on bait bass.
- Strong S–SW swell will overtop the groyne; easterlies flatten it but can reduce colour/food in the water.
- Time of day/season:
- Dawn/dusk for bass and surface action June–October. Night sessions excel for conger, pout and winter whiting.
- Water clarity:
- Fish metals and flash in clear water; switch to darker SPs or bait in colour. Watch for weed runs after storms.
Safety
Treat the Long Groyne with respect. Tidal races, slippery rock armour and wave overtopping are the main hazards.
- Strong currents at the tip; avoid fishing down-tide edges in big springs. Never turn your back on the sea.
- Rock armour is uneven with slick algae; wear grippy boots and consider a PFD. Avoid the end section in swell or spring surges.
- Limited railings; drops can be significant. A drop net helps safe landing and reduces risky scrambling.
- Night fishing: headtorch, spare light, and a buddy recommended. Mobile signal is generally OK but can be patchy at the extremity.
- Accessibility: long flat approach path, but the groyne itself is not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility due to rocks and steps.
- Seasonal beach use: in peak summer, lifeguarded bathing areas and signage may restrict fishing or casting near swimmers; comply with on-site instructions.
- Nature reserve: stick to marked paths across Hengistbury Head and avoid cliff edges and fenced areas.
Facilities
Facilities are good at the headland, sparse at the groyne itself. Plan to be self-sufficient on the rocks.
- Toilets and café at Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre (by main car park). Seasonal kiosks along Mudeford Sandbank/Beach House area.
- Water, shelter and lighting: none on the groyne; bring headtorch and warm layers—wind chill can be severe.
- Tackle/bait: several tackle shops in Christchurch/Bournemouth within a short drive; check hours, especially Sundays.
- Phone signal: generally decent 4G, variable at the tip. Lifebuoys are usually positioned along the seafront but not always on the groyne end.
- Public transport: local buses to Southbourne/Hengistbury Head; seasonal land train/ferries as noted.
Tips
Local knowledge makes a big difference here. Think edges, seams and timing.
- Work the eddies: the harbour-side lee on the flood often holds bass and scad; the beach side can light up with mackerel when the water clears.
- Travel light: one lure rod and a small pouch lets you roam and hit short feeding windows.
- Rotten-bottoms save gear: carry premade weak links and accept some tackle losses—snags are part of the game.
- Change angles: a few steps up-current or down-current can turn a dead drift into a fish-holding seam.
- Dawn raids beat crowds in summer and avoid bathers. Evening into dark is prime for bass/conger with less footfall.
- Keep peace with beach-hut owners and walkers: cast sensibly, mind backcasts, and tidy line clippings.
- After onshore blows, try big crab or squid baits tight to structure for a bonus bass.
- Autumn experiment: small egi jigs at dusk when scad are about—occasional squid do show in the clear, calm spells.
Regulations
Check current rules before you go; local byelaws and national measures change. Hengistbury Head is within the Southern IFCA district and BCP Council seafront.
- Bass (recreational, ICES area 7d–h): as of 2024, a bag limit of 2 fish per angler per day, minimum size 42 cm, permitted Mar 1–Nov 30; catch and release only Dec–Feb. Verify latest DEFRA/MMO notice before fishing.
- Black bream: no national recreational MCRS, but a strong local conservation ethic—many anglers voluntarily return spawning fish (May–June) and keep only 24 cm+ outside peak spawn.
- Wrasse: no statutory size for anglers locally; wrasse are slow-growing—consider catch and release, especially larger ballans.
- Christchurch Harbour/The Run: separate harbour byelaws apply (navigation priority, no obstruction of channels). Do not cast across active navigation lanes or ferries.
- Seafront byelaws/signage: BCP Council commonly restricts fishing near lifeguarded bathing zones, especially during peak daytime hours in summer. Always follow on-site signs and lifeguard directions.
- Nature reserve: keep to marked paths; no damaging vegetation or protected habitats. Bait collection may be restricted on nearby mudflats—check Southern IFCA guidance before digging.
- General: no littering; take all line and hooks home. Observe closed areas if storms or maintenance works lead to temporary groyne closures.
