Newton's Cove Fishing

Last updated: 1 month ago

Newton's Cove Fishing Map

A small, clear-water rocky cove on the Nothe headland in Weymouth, offering easy access to kelp-covered ledges and mixed rough ground. Ideal for float fishing, LRF and light lure work, with wrasse and mini-species abundant close in and pelagics passing in summer. Sheltered compared to open coast, but rocks can be slippery and the area is popular with swimmers and snorkellers in fair weather. Best results typically come on the flooding tide up to high water.

Ratings

⭐ 7.1/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 8/10
Safety 6/10
Accessibility 8/10

Fish You Can Catch at Newton's Cove

🐟 Ballan Wrasse 8/10
🎯 Tip: Float-fished ragworm or hardback crab tight to kelp and rocky reef. Best on the flood with a little swell. Summer to early autumn.
🐟 Pollack 7/10
🎯 Tip: Work small metal jigs or weedless soft plastics along kelp edges at dawn/dusk on a flooding tide. Long casts not needed.
🐟 Corkwing Wrasse 7/10
🎯 Tip: Small hooks with ragworm strips or prawn under a float over rough ground. Calm, clear summer days, mid-flood.
🐟 Tompot Blenny 7/10
🎯 Tip: Tiny hooks (size 14-10) with bits of rag or prawn dropped into holes and under ledges very close in. Any tide state.
🐟 Shanny 7/10
🎯 Tip: Micro gear with small ragworm pieces in rock pools and kelp fringes at mid to high tide. Keep baits static.
🐟 Bass 6/10
🎯 Tip: Weedless soft plastics or surface lures over rough ground on the flood, especially after a blow or in coloured water. Low light best.
🐟 Mackerel 6/10
🎯 Tip: Spinners or small metals in summer on a flooding evening tide; watch for shoals pushing tight to the rocks.
🐟 Rock Goby 6/10
🎯 Tip: Drop-shot or light float with small worm baits straight down the rocks; slack to mid-flood in clear water.
🐟 Scad (Horse Mackerel) 5/10
🎯 Tip: Small sabikis or micro metals at dusk into dark on the flood; work mid-water with a slow retrieve.
🐟 Conger Eel 5/10
🎯 Tip: Large mackerel or squid baits dropped into gullies after dark over low into the flood; use heavy gear to keep fish from snags.
🐟 Garfish 5/10
🎯 Tip: Float fish small sandeel or fish strips shallow over clean patches late spring to autumn. Dusk on the flood is prime.
🐟 Black Bream 4/10
🎯 Tip: Small hooks, light line and squid/clam strips over broken ground in calm, clear summer spells on the flood.

Newton's Cove Fishing

Summary

Newton’s Cove sits on the Nothe peninsula at the Weymouth end of Portland Harbour, Dorset. It’s a compact, rock‑fringed cove with clear water, kelp, and a sheltered aspect that makes it a reliable lure and float mark through spring and summer. Expect wrasse, pollack, garfish, mackerel and mullet, with the odd bass when there’s a little colour in the water.

Location and Access

Set just around the corner from Weymouth Harbour and below Nothe Gardens, Newton’s Cove is easy to reach on foot and by car. Access is via the seafront paths with short descents to a promenade and to rocky ledges at low water.

  • Drive to Nothe Gardens/Nothe Fort area and use pay‑and‑display car parks (Nothe Fort postcode: DT4 8UF; check machines for hours/fees)
  • On foot, follow Nothe Parade/Newton’s Road to the curved sea wall and small shingle beach at the cove
  • 5–10 minute walk from parking; mostly paved paths with a few steps/ramps to the promenade
  • Terrain is mixed: easy, level promenade fishing in places; rock ledges and kelp gullies demand good footwear and balance
  • Public transport: Weymouth rail station is about a 20–25 minute walk; buses serve Hope Square/Brewers Quay then continue on foot
  • Parking in nearby residential streets is limited and time‑controlled—use marked bays and respect residents

Seasons

This is a classic rough‑ground, clear‑water mark with seasonal visitors. Summer is prime time; winter sport is limited and scratchy.

  • Spring (Apr–May): ballan and corkwing wrasse, early pollack, thick‑lipped mullet nosing along the wall, occasional schoolie bass
  • Summer (Jun–Aug): wrasse (best period), pollack, garfish, mackerel, scad (horse mackerel) at dusk, thick‑lipped and golden‑grey mullet, chance of black bream over rough patches
  • Autumn (Sep–Oct): wrasse tailing off late, pollack at dusk, scad shoals in the dark, mackerel on calmer evenings, better chance of a bass in coloured water
  • Winter (Nov–Feb): pouting, poor cod and rockling after dark, the odd whiting on colder snaps, occasional conger from the rough ground

Methods

Clear water and fringing kelp make this a superb lure and float venue, with selective bottom fishing possible if you plan for snags. Early and late sessions are often best.

  • Lure fishing: 7–10 ft lure rod (10–30 g) with 20–30 lb fluoro leader; weedless soft plastics (3–5 in) for wrasse; slim minnows/metal jigs (10–30 g) for pollack/mackerel; small surface/sub‑surface lures for garfish and bass at dawn/dusk
  • Float fishing: sliding float with size 6–10 hooks; ragworm, prawn, or limpet for wrasse; mackerel strip or sandeel for garfish/mackerel/pollack; set depth 6–15 ft and adjust to find the fish
  • Mullet tactics: stealthy bread‑flake on size 8–12 hooks, light fluorocarbon (4–6 lb), bread mash trickle‑fed along the wall; long‑shank hooks help with unhooking
  • Bottom fishing: rough ground rigs only; short 1- or 2‑hook flappers for scratching in sandy pockets; pulley/pulley‑dropper with a weak link (rotten‑bottom) for crab or squid baits targeting wrasse/bass after a blow
  • Night sessions: small metals/tiny plugs for scad under head‑torch glow; simple 1‑up 1‑down with mussel/squid/rag for pouting/rockling; keep leads cheap—snags are inevitable
  • Bait choices: ragworm, peeler/shore crab, prawn, mussel, limpet for wrasse/bass; mackerel/sandeel strips for garfish/mackerel/pollack; fresh bread for mullet

Tides and Conditions

Newton’s Cove fishes on most states, but depth is limited, so plan around water movement and clarity. It’s sheltered compared to open coast marks.

  • Best states: mid‑flood to high water for general fishing; first of the ebb can be good for pollack/scad at dusk
  • Low water: exposes gullies—great for wrasse with weedless soft plastics or float‑fished worm
  • Conditions: clear to lightly tinted water suits wrasse, garfish and pollack; a bit of colour and a gentle onshore push can switch on bass
  • Wind: often sheltered from prevailing westerlies; strong easterlies can chop it up and push weed
  • Tides: neaps are comfortable with less lateral flow; springs create stronger pull around the Nothe—allow for drift when float or lure fishing
  • Time of day: dawn and last light are standout; after dark is when scad, pouting and conger show

Safety

This is an accessible urban shore mark with real rock‑mark hazards. Treat the ledges with respect and give space to swimmers—Newton’s Cove is popular in summer.

  • Slippery rock and kelp: wear sturdy, grippy footwear; consider studs on the weeded ledges
  • Swell and surges: even on calm days, boat wash and surges rebound off the sea wall—stay back from the edge
  • Snaggy ground: expect tackle losses; use rotten‑bottoms and keep leads inexpensive
  • Bathers/snorkel area: avoid casting when people are in the water; there’s a local snorkel trail—give it a wide berth
  • Lifejacket: strongly recommended on the rocks, especially when fishing alone or at night
  • Night fishing: bring a headtorch and spare light; keep walkways clear for pedestrians
  • Accessibility: level promenade sections allow easier fishing with floats/LRF for those with limited mobility; rocky areas are not wheelchair‑friendly
  • General: check for any temporary local notices or event restrictions around Nothe Gardens/Nothe Fort

Facilities

Being close to Weymouth town, amenities are within easy reach, but the cove itself has limited infrastructure. Plan ahead for evenings.

  • Toilets: public conveniences at/near Nothe Gardens (daytime, seasonal) and around Hope Square/harbourside
  • Food & drink: cafés and pubs in Hope Square and Brewers Quay within a short walk; seasonal kiosk in Nothe Gardens when open
  • Tackle & bait: several tackle shops in Weymouth town and on the Portland road—fresh bait usually available in season
  • Bins: some litter bins on the promenade—take all line and scraps home if full
  • Lighting & signal: limited lighting at the cove—bring a headtorch; generally good mobile coverage
  • Seating/shelter: benches in Nothe Gardens; little shelter at the water’s edge

Tips

Local anglers rate Newton’s for its consistency in settled weather and its mullet potential on still mornings. Small changes—depth, lure profile, or timing—often make the difference.

  • Fish early or late in summer to avoid swimmers and improve your odds with mullet, garfish and bass
  • For wrasse, fish tight to kelp fringes on the flood; go weedless, keep retrieves slow, and hold the rod high to steer fish over snags
  • Drop shot or micro‑jigs will pick up corkwing wrasse, blennies and scad—great fun on LRF gear
  • Mullet are spooky: polarised glasses, long leaders, and minimal disturbance; feed tiny bread crumbs sparingly and present a single flake naturally
  • Add a short wire or abrasion‑resistant trace only if conger are your target; otherwise keep leaders fine for more bites in clear water
  • Use a weak‑link (lighter line to the lead) on any bottom rig; it saves fish and gear when you hit kelp and boulders
  • After a modest blow that colours the water, try larger soft plastics or crab baits for a chance of bass on the first calm evening
  • Keep an eye on boats transiting the harbour approaches—avoid casting across their path

Regulations

Fishing is generally permitted at Newton’s Cove, but you must follow national and local rules and heed any on‑site signage. Dorset falls within the Southern IFCA district.

  • Observe any local notices around Nothe Gardens/Nothe Fort and do not fish where signage forbids it or in marked bathing/snorkel zones
  • Bass: England’s recreational bass rules apply (including a 42 cm minimum size and a limited retention season/bag limit); dates and allowances can change annually—check MMO/DEFRA updates before your trip
  • Minimum sizes: comply with UK Minimum Conservation Reference Sizes (MCRS) for all species; return undersized fish promptly
  • Wrasse: no statutory MLS, but many local anglers practise catch‑and‑release for larger ballan wrasse to conserve the stock—strongly recommended
  • Ground collection: if foraging bait (e.g., crabs, mussels), follow Southern IFCA byelaws on size/quantity and avoid damaging protected habitats
  • Litter and fish waste: take all line, hooks and offal away; do not discard into the cove where people swim
  • Night fishing: no special permit required, but be considerate of nearby residents and other shoreline users