Summary
Nothe Gardens, Weymouth (Dorset) sits on the headland by Nothe Fort, overlooking the entrance to Weymouth Harbour and Weymouth Bay. It’s a convenient, urban rock mark with mixed rough ground, kelp, and patches of sand that hold wrasse, pollack, mackerel and bass in season. The gardens offer shelter in prevailing south-westerlies, easy top-side access, and productive short-range fishing with float, lure and light ledger tactics.
Location and Access
This mark is within the public parkland around Nothe Fort on the eastern side of Weymouth Harbour. You fish from the rock and boulder shoreline below the gardens, accessed by footpaths that drop down from the lawns and car park level.
- Drive through Weymouth and follow signs for Nothe Fort/Nothe Gardens; the access road is via Nothe Parade then up Barrack Road to the pay-and-display car park.
- Parking: Pay-and-display at the Nothe Gardens/Nothe Fort car park (charges and hours vary—check machine/signs). Limited on-street spaces on Nothe Parade below the headland.
- Walk-in: 5–10 minutes on good paths through the gardens; final sections to the shoreline are steep and can be slippery, with uneven steps and dirt paths.
- Terrain: Low rock ledges, boulders and kelp gullies with occasional small platforms at lower states. It’s rough, snaggy ground—boots with good grip are essential.
- Note: Do not attempt to fish from within the Nothe Fort museum grounds or any fenced/posted areas—use the public foreshore below the gardens.
Seasons
A healthy, mixed-ground ecosystem produces year-round options, with summer and autumn the pick for variety on light tackle.
- Spring (Apr–May): Ballan and corkwing wrasse, pollack, school bass, occasional garfish late spring.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): Wrasse in numbers, pollack, mackerel, garfish, scad (horse mackerel) at dusk, occasional mullet in calmer water, chance of a bonus bass.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): Mackerel (early), scad into darkness, wrasse (early autumn best), pollack, increasing bass in lively seas; occasional squid after dark in settled, clear conditions.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): Pouting, whiting on calm nights, rockling, strap conger after dark; sporadic bass in rough, coloured water.
Methods
Rough ground and close-range structure favour float-fishing, light ledger with a rotten-bottom, and modern LRF/spinning approaches. Keep tackle simple and expect snags.
- Float fishing: Ragworm or small crab for wrasse and pollack; mackerel strip for gar and scad. Set depth to just clear the kelp (typically 1.5–3 m).
- Lures: Small metals (14–28 g) for mackerel/gar/scad; 7–12 cm weedless soft plastics (paddletails or stickbaits) for pollack/bass worked through gullies and along the point. Micro-jigs and LRF hardbaits pick up corkwing, pollack and scad.
- Bottom tactics: 1–3 oz leads are usually sufficient. Use a simple running ledger or short pulley with a weak-link (rotten-bottom) to save gear. Size 1–2/0 hooks for wrasse/bass; size 4–6 for smaller species.
- Baits: Ragworm, peeler/soft-back crab, strips of mackerel or squid. For conger after dark, larger squid or mackerel baits on heavier gear.
- Times: Dusk into darkness switches on scad, pollack and bass; daytimes are excellent for wrasse on a float in clear water.
Tides and Conditions
The headland creates tidal flow near the harbour entrance and calmer pockets inside the coves. Plan around swell height and the state of tide for safe ledge access.
- Tide state: The flood into and around high water fishes well; first of the ebb along the point can suit bass and pollack. Mid-tide over kelp is prime for wrasse.
- Sea state: Sheltered in prevailing SW winds; exposed and weedy in strong E/SE. Best after 1–3 days of settled weather for clear-water lure/float fishing.
- Time of day: Dawn and dusk are most consistent for pelagics (mackerel/gar/scad) and hunting species (pollack/bass). Nightfall brings scad, pout and conger.
- Tidal range: Springs push water up onto low ledges—great movement but increased risk of swamping/cut-off. Neaps are easier for float and finesse methods.
Safety
It’s a benign-looking park top-side, but the shoreline is real rock-fishing with all the usual hazards. Choose stable perches, keep an eye on the sea, and have a retreat route.
- Slippery kelp and weeded rock—wear boots with good grip; consider cleats in winter weed.
- Low ledges can be awash on springs or with vessel wash from the harbour entrance; never turn your back on the water.
- Cut-off risk on some lower platforms—note the tide and escape paths before starting.
- Rough, uneven ground is unsuitable for wheelchairs/buggies; the gardens and fort area above are accessible but the foreshore is not.
- A manually inflated lifejacket is strongly recommended, and a head torch if staying into dusk/night.
- Observe any local signage; avoid casting near the small Nothe beach or swimmers in summer; do not fish from fenced or museum areas.
Facilities
You’re fishing beneath a popular public park, so facilities are close by, with full town amenities a short walk or drive away.
- Toilets: Public toilets near the Nothe Gardens/Nothe Fort area (typically daytime/seasonal opening—check locally).
- Food & drink: Seasonal kiosks/cafés near the fort and pubs down on Nothe Parade/Weymouth harbourside.
- Tackle & bait: Several tackle shops in Weymouth town/harbour area supply fresh bait and lures (ask for local bait runs and tide notes).
- Seating/bins: Benches and bins in the gardens; please carry litter up from the rocks and dispose of it properly.
- Mobile signal: Generally good on major networks around the headland.
Tips
Small adjustments make a big difference here: think finesse, stealth, and good fish care on the wrasse. Expect snags and plan for them.
- Fish light and local: Most action is within 10–30 m—no need for heavy beach gear unless targeting conger at night.
- Wrasse tactics: Float-rigged rag or crab with a long fluorocarbon trace; keep baits moving just above the kelp to reduce crabs and snags.
- Scad after dark: Downsized metals or small glow-sleeved sabikis fished slowly under a clip-on light can be deadly from late summer.
- Weedless wins: Texas-rigged soft plastics shine among the boulders; pause the retrieve to let pollack and bass hit.
- Ground baiting: A light breadcrumb/fish-oil mash can pull garfish and mullet into range—use sparingly to avoid feeding the crabs.
- Rotting-bottom: Always use a weak link to your lead; it saves rigs and time. Carry a long-handled disgorger for deep-hooked wrasse/pout.
- Etiquette: The gardens are busy with walkers—keep gear tidy on paths, warn before casting, and avoid peak bathing times at the small beach.
Regulations
Sea angling is generally permitted from the public foreshore below Nothe Gardens, but there are a few important rules and norms to observe. Always check the latest official guidance before your trip.
- No licence is required for recreational sea angling in England; a licence is required only for migratory salmonids (not typically targeted here).
- Do not fish from within Nothe Fort museum grounds or any fenced/posted areas; follow local signage and keep clear of the harbour fairway.
- Bass (recreational) rules change—check current UK Government/MMO guidance. As a guide, recent rules have included seasonal catch-and-release periods and a small daily bag limit with a 42 cm minimum size.
- Shellfish and crustacea: Minimum sizes apply and berried (egg-carrying) lobsters/crabs must not be retained. Check Southern IFCA byelaws for sizes, methods, and any local closed areas.
- Wrasse: There is no national MLS, but local conservation strongly encourages catch-and-release for larger ballan wrasse; some commercial wrasse fisheries have been restricted—anglers should practice careful handling and quick release.
- Respect bathing and safety zones at the small Nothe beach; never cast near swimmers or watercraft. Dispose of line and litter responsibly.
- For authoritative updates, consult Southern IFCA and the harbour authority/borough council notices before fishing.
