Newton's Cove Fishing

Last updated: 2 days 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.

Seasons

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

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.

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.

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.

Facilities

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

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.

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.