Mudeford Quay Fishing

Summary

Mudeford Quay sits at the mouth of Christchurch Harbour on Dorset’s eastern edge, where the famous tidal ‘Run’ rips between the quay and Hengistbury Head. It’s a compact, easy-access mark that regularly produces bass, mackerel, garfish and scad in season, with winter whiting and year‑round mullet and conger prospects. The powerful tide concentrates bait and predators, making it brilliant but technical fishing.

Location and Access

Access is straightforward and parking is right by the water, making Mudeford Quay popular with both dedicated anglers and families. The ground is paved and mostly level, with railings along the edge of the quay.

• Drive via the A35 to Christchurch, then follow signs to Mudeford and Mudeford Quay; the pay‑and‑display car park is on the quay itself (postcode BH23 4AB).
• Overflow/alternative parking can sometimes be found at Avon Beach if the quay is full (BH23 4AN), followed by a short walk.
• The fishing is from the quay wall (concrete/piled) and adjacent hard standing; no long walk or rough terrain.
• Expect crowds in summer days; arrive early morning, evening, or after dark for space.
• Observe signed no‑fishing sections around the ferry steps, landing stages and the RNLI slip — enforcement is active in busy periods.

Seasons

The Run funnels baitfish in and out of the harbour, so predators track the seams. Expect variety by season, plus reliable mini‑species for LRF.

• Spring (Mar–May):
  • Bass (schoolies to decent fish on the flood)
  • Thin‑lipped and thick‑lipped mullet (harbour side)
  • Early garfish in May; odd mackerel late spring in warm years
  • Flounder (tail‑end in early spring, often inside the harbour)
• Summer (Jun–Aug):
  • Mackerel (shoals on springs and clear water)
  • Garfish, scad (horse mackerel) at dusk and after dark
  • Bass (best at dawn/dusk and in rougher or coloured water)
  • Mullet (bread or micro‑lures), occasional black bream, wrasse tight to structure
  • Mini species: blennies, gobies, scorpion fish, poor cod for LRF
• Autumn (Sep–Nov):
  • Bass peak (stormy spells and spring tides)
  • Mackerel and gar linger into October; scad strong at night
  • Whiting and pouting begin in late autumn
  • Conger eels from the quay face after dark
• Winter (Dec–Feb):
  • Whiting, pouting, occasional dab/sole in calmer spells
  • Conger at night
  • Mullet remain catchable on milder, clear days (bread tactics)
  • Codling are rare nowadays but still the odd surprise in hard blows

Methods

Strong tide demands thoughtful presentation. Keep gear simple, fish the seams, and match your approach to the state of the Run.

• Float fishing (daylight into dusk):
  • Sliding float rigs with small sandeel strips, mackerel slivers or live prawn for mackerel/gar/scad.
  • Set depth to work the top third of the water on a flooding tide; adjust as light fades.
• Spinning/lures:
  • 20–40 g metal jigs and slim sandeel patterns swung across the tide for mackerel and scad.
  • Surface/sub‑surface hard lures or soft sandeels for bass at first light and dusk; retrieve with/along the flow, not straight against it.
• Bottom tactics (choose neaps or slackish water):
  • Running ledger with 2–4 oz watch or rolling leads; avoid heavy grip leads that wedge and snag.
  • Size 1–3/0 hooks for bass with peeler crab, squid strip, whole sandeel or live prawn.
  • Two‑hook flapper (size 4–2) with rag/lug or mackerel slivers for pout/whiting.
  • Use a rotten‑bottom (weak link) if casting into rougher ground or the channel edge.
• Livebaiting and LRF:
  • Sabiki small joeys/scad, then float/live‑line for bass when the tide eases.
  • LRF (1–7 g) with isome, Gulp! or tiny metals for gobies, blennies, scorpion fish and micro‑pollack.
• Mullet tactics:
  • Bread flake on size 8–12 hooks with stealth and fine fluorocarbon; fish the harbour side eddies.
• Landing fish:
  • A drop‑net or long‑handled landing net is essential due to the height of the quay wall.

Tides and Conditions

Mudeford Quay is all about reading the tide. The Run can be ferocious on springs, so pick your windows and fish the edges of flow.

• Tide state:
  • Flood tide into high water is prime for mackerel, gar and bass; last of the flood/slack is best for bottom tactics.
  • Ebb can be too fast; target slack periods or neaps, or fish the softer inside eddies.
  • Neaps are kinder for ledgering; springs draw baitfish and suit float/spin tactics.
• Time of day and water clarity:
  • Dawn and dusk are standout for bass and surface activity.
  • Clear, bright days favor mackerel/gar; coloured water and onshore winds can switch bass on.
  • After dark, scad, pout/whiting and conger move in; keep light use minimal if chasing scad.
• Wind/sea:
  • SW/W winds can push chop across the bar; the quay has some shelter but the channel still rips.
  • Easterlies flatten the sea and can improve sight‑feeding species.
• Positioning:
  • Cast across or slightly uptide to swing baits/lures along the seam; long straight down‑tide casts often drag and snag.

Safety

This is a safe, hard‑standing venue if you respect the tide, traffic and signage. It’s suitable for most abilities, but the water is deep and fast.

• The Run is powerful; never climb railings or descend steps to the water. A lifejacket is strongly recommended, especially after dark.
• Keep well clear of the RNLI slipway and any lifeboat or ferry movements; expect horns and sudden activity.
• Observe all ‘No Fishing’ signs around ferry steps, landing stages and busy crabbing areas.
• Use a drop‑net; do not hand‑line fish up the wall. Wet weeded steps and edges are extremely slippery.
• Expect crowds and many crabbing lines in summer; keep hooks covered and casts controlled.
• Snag hazards exist along the wall and channel edge; use rotten‑bottoms and avoid heavy grip leads.
• Surface is mostly level and paved with railings; good for trolleys and limited‑mobility anglers, but space can be tight at peak times.

Facilities

Facilities are a big part of the quay’s appeal, with parking, toilets and refreshments within a short stroll. Phone signal is generally reliable.

• Pay‑and‑display car park on the quay (BH23 4AB); it can fill quickly in summer — arrive early/late.
• Public toilets adjacent to the car park (usually open daytime; check seasonal hours).
• Pub and kiosks for hot food, ice cream and drinks on/near the quay; fishmongers often open in season.
• RNLI lifeboat station and shop on site — expect occasional launches.
• Tackle/bait shops in Christchurch and Southbourne supply fresh/frozen bait (rag/lug/sandeel/squid) and LRF gear.
• Night lighting along the quay, litter bins, and benches; please leave the mark tidy.

Tips

Small local tweaks make a big difference on this tide‑driven mark. Watch the water and the birds, not other anglers’ casts.

• Catch live prawns under the quay lights and use them immediately under a float for bass and big gar.
• If terns are working tight to the quay on the flood, have a metal or sandeel‑imitator ready — mackerel and bass won’t be far behind.
• For scad at dusk, downsize to size 6–10 hooks, luminous beads and slow, steady retrieves.
• Bread mash trickles mullet into range on the harbour side; keep lines light and presentations subtle.
• Use watch or drilled bullets to let baits roll naturally along the seam rather than anchoring solid.
• Carry both a drop‑net and long‑handled net; you’ll save fish and tackle.
• Seals regularly patrol the Run — expect follows and the odd “taxed” fish; land quickly.
• In peak tourist season, fish early/late and stick to less congested corners to avoid crabbing lines and constant boat traffic.

Regulations

Fishing is permitted from designated sections of Mudeford Quay, but there are clear local restrictions. Always obey on‑site signage and harbour staff instructions.

• No‑fishing areas: Do not fish from the ferry steps/landing stages or the RNLI slipway; signed areas must be kept clear at all times.
• Boat traffic: Give way to ferries, charter boats and the lifeboat; do not cast across the channel during movements.
• Size/bag limits: UK national minimum sizes and daily bag limits apply (for example, European sea bass has a 42 cm minimum size and a seasonally varying recreational retention limit that is reviewed annually). Check the latest rules before your session.
• Local authority/IFCA: This area falls under Southern IFCA and the local harbour authority; Christchurch Harbour is environmentally protected, with bylaws affecting netting and bait collection. Consult Southern IFCA and BCP Council/harbour bylaws for current details.
• Bait collection: Follow local codes of practice; avoid damaging saltmarsh/dune vegetation and only hand‑gather where permitted. Some forms of netting/cast‑net use may be restricted — check before use.
• General conduct: Use a drop‑net for landing, keep walkways clear, take litter home, and do not clean fish on the quay.
• Always verify the most up‑to‑date regulations via official sources before retaining any fish.