Summary
Rockley Point sits on the Hamworthy side of Poole Harbour, Dorset, beside Ham Common and the Rockley Park boat/holiday complex. It’s a sheltered, low-tide-friendly mark that shines for winter flounder and spring–autumn bass and mullet, with comfortable access for short, opportunistic sessions.
Location and Access
This is a harbour-edge mark with mixed sand, gravel and patches of soft mud, reached from Hamworthy/Poole. Access is straightforward, but some parts of the foreshore are uneven and slippery when wet. Parts of the adjacent marina/slipway are private and not for fishing.
- By car: Approach via Rockley Road toward Rockley Park (postcode BH15 4LZ). Parking inside the holiday park is primarily for guests; visitor bays and the beach car area are seasonal and subject to park rules. If in doubt, use Ham Common car parks off Rockley Road and walk down.
- On foot: From Ham Common, follow signed paths toward the shore and skirt west to the point (10–20 minutes depending on start). Final access to the foreshore is via compacted paths and short slopes.
- Public transport: Hamworthy railway station is roughly a 20–25 minute walk; local buses run along Blandford Road with stops near the Rockley Park entrance, then walk down Rockley Road.
- Terrain: Low, sheltered shoreline with sand/gravel, weeded rock, and soft mud pockets. Standard shore footwear with good grip is advised.
Seasons
Poole Harbour is a productive, nursery-rich system, and Rockley Point benefits from fish moving on and off nearby flats and channels. Expect numbers rather than monsters, with seasonal highlights for flounder, bass and mullet.
- Winter (Nov–Feb): Flounder (prime), dab occasional, school bass sporadic in mild spells.
- Spring (Mar–May): School bass, thick‑lipped mullet, remaining flounder, early gilthead bream in May in warmer years.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): Bass (dawn/dusk best), thick‑ and thin‑lipped mullet, gilthead bream (peeler and prawn baits), garfish on springs; wrasse around rockier fringes; mini‑species for LRF.
- Autumn (Sep–Oct): Peak schoolie bass, mullet still strong, flounder numbers build again; garfish into early October in clear, bright spells.
- Notes: European eel and shad are present in the wider harbour—do not target or retain. Mackerel are uncommon this far inside, but the odd fish can appear on big tides.
Methods
This is a mixed-method mark. Lure and light bait tactics cover most bases, with longer traces and natural baits excelling in the harbour’s gentle flows.
- Flounder: 1–2 hook long flowing traces or up‑and‑over rigs with beads/spoons; size 2–4 fine-wire hooks. Baits: ragworm, lugworm, maddies, worm tips with squid sliver. Cast to channel edges, then slowly inch the lead back.
- Bass (bait): Running ledger or pulley/dropper with size 1–2/0; peeler crab, ragworm or live/peel prawn. Fish the flood at dawn/dusk along the flooded grass and weed lines.
- Bass (lures): Surface walkers, small sub‑surface minnows, and 3–5 inch soft plastics on light jigheads. Work the current seams and flooded margins as the tide rises.
- Mullet: Light float gear, size 8–12 hooks, bread flake over a steady bread mash trail. Live prawn under a small float also scores—keep presentation ultra‑stealthy.
- Gilthead bream: Simple running ledger or 2‑hook flapper with size 2–1 hooks, short snoods near gravel or clean patches; peeler crab is king, rag/prawn when peeler is scarce.
- Summer LRF: Isome-style worms, micro metals, and tiny creature baits around rock fringes and structure. Do not fish from private pontoons or the slipway.
Tides and Conditions
Rockley fishes best around higher water when fish push over the flats, with harbour colour often working in your favour for flatties and bass.
- Tide state: The last 2–3 hours of the flood and the first hour of the ebb are prime for bass and mullet; flounder also feed on the making tide and early ebb.
- Springs vs neaps: Springs move fish wider and onto the edges; neaps can be kinder for mullet and finesse work. Big springs can bring floating weed in summer.
- Time of day: Dawn and dusk give a clear edge for bass; bright, calm late mornings can be excellent for mullet spotting.
- Wind and clarity: Sheltered in W–SW; brisk E–NE winds cool it quickly. Coloured water favours flounder/bass; clearer water suits mullet/garfish.
- Seasonality: Winter flounder, spring lift for bass/mullet, summer variety, and a strong autumn run of schoolie bass as baitfish gather.
Safety
This is a low, sheltered shoreline, but harbour mud, slippery weed and rising water demand respect. Plan around the tides and keep clear of private/operational areas.
- Soft mud: Do not wade into dark, soft patches—risk of sinking. Stick to firm sand/gravel and obvious paths.
- Cut-off risk: If you wander around the point at low water, the flood can push you back. Always check the tide table and your exit.
- Slips and trips: Weed‑covered rocks and slipways are extremely slick; cleated footwear helps. Avoid the operational slip and pontoon areas.
- Private areas: The Rockley Watersports/boatyard pontoons, marina berths and slipways are private—no fishing or loitering on them.
- Night fishing: A headtorch, reflective clothing and a personal flotation device are sensible. Let someone know your plan and avoid fishing alone in deep dark.
Facilities
Facilities nearby are good by harbour standards, but some are seasonal or restricted to holiday park guests. Plan accordingly.
- Parking: Limited visitor/seasonal bays near Rockley Beach; otherwise use Ham Common car parks and walk down.
- Toilets/refreshments: Facilities within Rockley Park are primarily for guests; public toilets and kiosks are available at Hamworthy Park (a short drive east) in season/daytime.
- Tackle/bait: Several tackle shops in Poole town supply fresh/frozen bait, rigs and lures. Pre‑order peeler in season.
- Mobile signal: Generally strong 4G/5G coverage.
- Public transport: Train to Hamworthy; local buses along Blandford Road toward Rockley Park entrance.
Tips
Little details make a big difference in the harbour—especially how and when your bait or lure moves.
- Flounder like movement: Cast uptide and creep the rig back a foot at a time—most takes come as the spoon lifts puffing silt.
- Bass on the flood: Work surface/sub‑surface lures across the first flooding foot of water over the grass and weed fringe at dawn.
- Crab rules: When peelers are in (late spring–summer), bass and giltheads switch on—bring fresh crab or live prawns.
- Mullet manners: Set a gentle bread mash trail and wait them to settle. Long, fine hooklengths and small, sharp hooks pay off.
- Avoid peak bustle: Summer afternoons can be busy with dinghies and paddlecraft. Fish early/late or shoulder seasons for less disturbance.
- Weed strategy: In summer, a short rotten‑bottom link can save end gear if drifting weed snags you on springs.
Regulations
Rockley Point falls within the Southern IFCA district and the environmentally protected Poole Harbour system. Know the rules before you go.
- Access/fishing status: Shore fishing is generally permitted, but the marina, pontoons and operational slipways are private—no fishing from those structures. Obey any on‑site signage.
- Bass (recreational): Current UK rules commonly allow a daily bag limit with a minimum size of 42 cm and a closed retention period in winter. Regulations can change—check the latest MMO/DEFRA advice before retaining any bass.
- Protected species: European eel and shad must not be retained. If caught, unhook carefully and release immediately.
- Bait collection: Poole Harbour has conservation designations and local byelaws. Hand‑gather small amounts for personal use only, avoid saltmarsh/SSSI disturbance, and never use mechanical tools. Check Southern IFCA guidance before digging/pumping.
- Other local rules: Netting and commercial activity are regulated within the harbour; anglers should avoid interfering with navigation and moorings and keep clear of launching areas. As always, take litter and line home.
- Always verify: Consult Southern IFCA and the local council/landowner notices for any seasonal restrictions, wildlife protection zones, or event closures.
