Summary
Nothe Fort is a classic Weymouth rock mark perched at the mouth of the harbour, with clean-to-mixed ground, kelp, and deepish water close in. It’s a versatile spot that produces wrasse, mackerel, garfish, pollack, bass and winter whiting, with shelter from prevailing south-westerlies. The rocks and ledges around the fort and Nothe Gardens offer varied fishing without needing long casts.
Location and Access
Set on the headland between Weymouth Harbour and Weymouth Bay, the mark is reached through Nothe Gardens and around the base of Nothe Fort. Access is straightforward for fit anglers, but final approaches are over uneven rock and grass paths.
- Parking: Nothe Gardens/Nothe Fort pay-and-display car parks (use DT4 8UF or DT4 8QE for sat nav). Check seasonal opening/locking times of garden gates and car parks.
- Walk-in: 5–10 minutes from the car park through the gardens to the rock ledges around the headland and to Nothe Beach. Final footing is uneven and can be slippery when wet.
- Terrain: Rock platforms, boulders and kelp gullies around the point; shingle/sand at small Nothe Beach (inside the harbour bay). No need for long walks, but expect some clambering.
- Restrictions: You cannot fish from inside the museum ramparts/grounds. Stick to the rocks and public shoreline around the fort headland and beach.
Seasons
The Nothe fishes year-round with a strong summer topwater scene and winter scratch potential. Expect variety, especially at dusk.
- Spring (Mar–May): Ballan and corkwing wrasse, pollack, school bass, garfish late spring, early mackerel on settled, clear days; mullet nosing along walls and calm margins.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): Mackerel, garfish, scad, pollack, wrasse, school-to-mid bass; occasional black bream in clear water; thick- and thin-lipped mullet in very calm, bright conditions.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): Peak mackerel/scad runs early autumn, wrasse still strong, better chance of a larger bass on a blow; pouting and poor cod after dark; occasional cuttle/squid in September–October evenings if baitfish are in.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): Whiting, pouting, rockling; the odd conger from the boulders at night; flounder and small bass from the nearby beach in settled conditions.
Methods
Most fish are caught within 20–40 yards thanks to quick depth and structure. Scale your gear to the rough ground and expect crabs.
- Float fishing: Ragworm, prawn, or hardback crab for wrasse along kelp edges; strip mackerel or sandeel for garfish/pollack. Set 6–12 ft deep and adjust until you find the layers.
- Lure fishing: Metals (20–40 g) and slim spoons for mackerel/gar; small paddletails/weedless soft plastics for pollack and bass along the edge of the flow; surface lures at first light for bass on a gentle swell.
- Bottom fishing: 1–2 hook paternoster or short pulley with a weak link/rotten bottom. Size 1–2 hooks for mixed species; 3/0–4/0 pennel for bass baits. Use 3–5 oz leads depending on tide run.
- Baits: Rag/lug, peeler or hardback crab, squid strip, mackerel strip, sandeel. Limpet or prawn are superb wrasse baits when crabs are rampant.
- Mullet tactics: Small size 6–10 hooks, bread flake or crust, stealthy presentation. A trickle of mashed bread draws fish along the walls.
- Night options: Pouting/whiting scratching with small baits, and conger from the boulders with a robust trace (80 lb mono) and whole squid/mackerel flapper.
Tides and Conditions
The headland benefits from moving water. Aim for tidal push and workable clarity for the best fishing.
- Tide states: Flood and first of the ebb fish well, especially around the point where flow accelerates. Slack water can be quiet; springs out-fish neaps for predators.
- Sea state: Sheltered in prevailing SW winds; a light onshore ripple often improves bass. Heavy E/SE blows can wrap surge around the rocks—uncomfortable and unsafe.
- Water clarity: Clear-to-moderate for wrasse, pollack, gar and mackerel; slight colour can help bass on bait or lures.
- Time of day: Dawn/dusk are prime for lure and float work; darkness boosts pouting/whiting and conger interest.
- Seasonality: Peak variety June–September; winter is a scratch session with small species unless you commit to conger at night.
Safety
It’s a rocky, uneven shoreline with weeded ledges and occasional swell wrap. Treat it as proper rock fishing, not a promenade.
- Footing: Slippery weeded rock—wear boots with good grip or studs. Avoid green-weeded ledges at low water.
- Swell and surge: Swell can rebound and pulse around the point even on seemingly calm days. Keep well back and never turn your back on the sea.
- Drops and snags: Use a drop-net for landing better fish; hand-lining fish up the rocks risks line breaks and injury.
- Harbour traffic: Do not cast across or into the harbour fairway; give all vessels, especially the RNLI lifeboat, absolute priority.
- Lighting: Limited after dark—take a headtorch and spare light. Mark your exit path.
- Accessibility: Not suitable for wheelchairs or prams; limited handrail protection away from paths. A modern lifejacket is strongly recommended on the rock edges.
Facilities
Close to town, you’ve got plenty within a short drive or 15–20 minute walk, plus seasonal amenities in the gardens.
- Toilets: Public facilities in/near Nothe Gardens (seasonal opening). Additional toilets on Weymouth seafront/harbour.
- Food & drink: Cafés and takeaways around Weymouth Harbour and town; Nothe Fort has a café during museum opening hours.
- Tackle & bait: Several tackle shops in Weymouth for fresh/frozen bait and terminal gear. Ring ahead for rag/lug/crab availability in summer.
- Parking: Pay-and-display at Nothe Gardens/Fort; check closing times to avoid being locked in. Alternative town parking within walking distance if needed.
- Phone signal: Generally good on major networks around the headland.
Tips
This mark rewards mobility and timing—work the edges and keep moving until you find fish.
- Travel light: A lure rod and a float rod cover 90% of opportunities. Carry minimal leads and use rotten-bottom links to save tackle.
- Read the water: Fish the colour lines and the edge of the tide rip on the point for pollack/bass. In flat calm, push into shade lines for wrasse and mullet.
- Beat the bustle: Early mornings avoid dog-walker pressure and give first pick of mackerel shoals.
- Crab pressure: In warm months, baits vanish quickly—use tougher baits (squid, hardback crab) or keep baits moving under a float.
- Drop-net: Essential for safe landing of wrasse, pollack and bass from higher ledges without risking a lost fish or a fall.
- Events: The gardens and fort host events (including fireworks) that can crowd the area. Check schedules to avoid disappointment—or enjoy the show after a dusk session.
Regulations
Rules are straightforward but do change—always check the latest notices on-site and with local authorities before you fish.
- Access: No fishing from inside Nothe Fort museum grounds or any signed restricted areas. Keep clear of the harbour fairway and do not impede vessels (Weymouth Harbour byelaws).
- Bass: Recreational bass rules typically include a closed catch-and-release period in winter, a minimum size of 42 cm, and a limited daily bag during the open season. Confirm the current UK measures for the year before retaining any bass.
- Size and bag limits: Observe national MCRS/MLS for species like wrasse, bream, pollack, cod, whiting, etc. Southern IFCA guidance applies along this coast—check for any local variations.
- Conservation: Consider catch-and-release for larger wrasse; they’re slow-growing and valuable to the reef ecology.
- Methods: No casting across navigational channels; no fishing where signs prohibit (e.g., specific quays, slipways). Use drop-nets rather than gaffs when landing fish from height.
- Litter and lead: Take all litter and line home; avoid leaving lead or rigs on the rocks. Respect other shoreline users and swimmers at Nothe Beach in summer.
