Summary
Seacombe is a rugged limestone cove on Dorset’s Purbeck coast, tucked between Winspit and Dancing Ledge near the village of Worth Matravers. Its kelp-filled gullies, stepped rock platforms and quick access to deep water make it a classic rough-ground mark for wrasse, pollack and bass. It’s wild, scenic and remote-feeling—rewarding for prepared anglers who don’t mind a walk and some scrambling.
Location and Access
This is a South West Coast Path rock mark reached on foot; there is no road access to the cove itself. Plan for a decent walk-in and uneven terrain before you even cast a line.
- Park in Worth Matravers village car park (donation box) and follow the waymarked path towards Winspit, then branch for Seacombe; allow 25–40 minutes on foot depending on pace and load.
- Footpath is across fields and limestone outcrops with stiles, ruts and mud after rain; the final approach drops to broad rock ledges via rough, worn steps.
- Alternative approaches from Langton Matravers/Dancing Ledge are possible but longer; none are suitable for barrows or trolleys.
- Footwear with good grip is essential; expect slippery weed and spray on the last section, especially after swell.
- Parking is limited in the village at busy times; arrive early and be considerate to residents. No lighting on any paths—bring a headtorch for early/late sessions.
Seasons
The mark fishes like classic Purbeck rough ground with kelp, cracks and tide run. Expect wrasse and pollack through the warmer months, bass in the white water, and mixed species at night.
- Spring: ballan and corkwing wrasse (from April), pollack, early bass after blows, garfish late spring; spider crab influx can be heavy.
- Summer: wrasse (abundant), pollack, mackerel, scad, garfish; occasional black bream straying in calm clear spells; conger and pout after dark; chance of squid/cuttle on very clear, still nights.
- Autumn: bass often peak (surf or fizzing tide lines), mackerel and scad shoals, pollack at dusk, pout, conger; wrasse remain reliable until the first real cold snaps.
- Winter: whiting, rockling, pout; odd codling in a proper northerly blow is possible but scarce; pollack still at first and last light in settled water.
- Always present: shore crabs, small pollack/coalies, blennies—useful indicators of life and water clarity.
Methods
Rough ground tactics rule here. Keep it simple, fish strong, and be prepared to lose some gear. Mobility and precision casting into features beats heaving long distances.
- Float fishing: sliding float set 8–15 ft over ragworm, prawn, crab or sandeel; work the float along the ledges for wrasse, pollack and garfish.
- Lure fishing: weedless soft plastics (10–20 g heads or weightless Texas) through kelp gullies for wrasse/bass; metal jigs 20–40 g and slim spoons for mackerel/scad; shallow-diving/minnow plugs and surface walkers for bass/pollack at dawn/dusk.
- Bottom fishing: single paternoster or pulley/dropper with a short snood and a weak/rotten-bottom link; 3–5 oz leads usually suffice. Cast just beyond the weed line or into visible gullies rather than the open rough.
- Baits: peeler crab (top wrasse/bass bait), ragworm, prawn, squid strips, sandeel; big squid/mackerel cocktails after dark for conger/pout. Limpet or hardback crab can score when peeler is scarce.
- Night tactics: small luminous beads or glow sticks above sabikis for scad/pout; use a drop-net if you plan to retain a fish from higher ledges—avoid gaffing for welfare and legality on release-only species.
- Terminal gear: 25–30 lb mono or 30–40 lb braid mainline with 60–80 lb abrasion leaders; hooks 1–2/0 for wrasse/bass, 4/0–6/0 for conger; expect inevitable losses—carry spare leads/rigs.
Tides and Conditions
Seacombe fishes on most states, but timing and sea state are everything. The limestone steps concentrate tide and surf, bringing bait and predators tight in.
- Tide: a flooding tide into and around high water is reliable for wrasse/bass; first of the ebb can be good for pollack. Neaps are kinder for bottom fishing; springs create stronger run and more snags.
- Conditions: a light to moderate onshore ripple creates productive fizz for bass; big groundswells wrap into the cove and make it dangerous—avoid heavy swell days.
- Wind: easterlies tend to flatten and clear the water (great for wrasse/lures), brisk westerlies push surf but can quickly become unfishable.
- Light: dawn and dusk switch on pollack and bass along edges and tongues of tide; bright midday suits wrasse in shaded gullies; night sessions bring scad, pout and conger.
- Seasonality: late spring to late autumn is prime. Winter is weather-dependent and mainly a scratching game unless you hit a brief codling window after a blow.
Safety
This is a serious rock mark beneath cliffs. There are no barriers, no easy exits, and conditions change quickly. If in doubt, don’t go down.
- Slippery ledges: weed and spray make the limestone treacherous—use grippy boots/cleats and keep low to the deck when moving.
- Swell and surges: rogue waves can wash the ledges, especially at mid-to-high tide—wear a personal flotation device, leash your gear, and set a strict backline.
- Cliffs and loose rock: avoid sitting under overhangs; do not climb the quarry faces; keep clear of climbers and their ropes.
- Night fishing: reccy your route in daylight; carry spare lights; mark your exit point; fish with a partner if possible.
- Mobile signal is patchy in the cove; tell someone your plan and ETA. Emergency access is slow—self-rescue planning matters.
- Accessibility: not suitable for those with limited mobility, young children or dogs near the edge. No pram/barrow access.
Facilities
It’s a wild mark with no amenities on-site. Plan to be self-sufficient and pack out everything you bring.
- No toilets, shelter, bins or fresh water at the cove.
- Parking and a seasonal village toilet may be available in Worth Matravers; the Square and Compass pub serves food/drink (check opening times).
- Nearest tackle/bait: Swanage, Wareham and Poole have shops—buy bait before the walk-in.
- Phone signal is intermittent to poor at water level; better on higher ground.
- No lighting along paths—headtorch and spare batteries essential.
Tips
Seacombe rewards stealth and accuracy. Read the water, keep mobile, and fish short to the features rather than launching long casts into tackle graveyards.
- Target obvious gullies and the edges of kelp beds; drop a bait or soft plastic into the dark seams where the tide pulls.
- Carry a drop-net for high ledges; many fish are lost at your feet if you try to handline or bounce them up.
- Use a sacrificial/rotten-bottom link 10–15 lb lighter than your leader to save rigs in snags.
- Float fished prawn or peeler crab can transform a slow wrasse session—fish it just kissing the rocks.
- After a modest blow, work surface lures through the foamy margins for bass on the flood; in gin-clear, calm water, go natural and subtle for wrasse (prawn/limpet) and pollack (slim SPs).
- Evening into dark often brings scad tight in—tiny sabikis with a sliver of mackerel and a small glow bead do the business.
- Weekends can be busy with walkers and climbers; give other users space and keep casting angles safe.
Regulations
There is no general ban on angling at Seacombe, but the coastline carries conservation designations and standard UK sea angling rules apply. Always check for the latest updates before your trip.
- Bass (recreational): minimum size 42 cm. Seasonal daily bag limits and closed periods apply—check current UK government guidance before retaining any bass.
- Rays: undulate ray are protected in much of the Channel—treat as catch-and-release unless current rules explicitly allow retention in your area.
- Marine protected areas/SSSI: the Purbeck coast includes protected sites. Angling from the shore is typically permitted, but do not damage rock features, hammer in metalwork, or disturb nesting birds/seals.
- Foraging/bait: adhere to local bylaws and sustainable collection—avoid stripping areas of limpets or crabs; some bait collection may be restricted.
- Size and bag limits: observe minimum conservation reference sizes for common species (e.g., mackerel, wrasse have no statutory MLS but practice sensible release; flatfish, mullet and others may have local guidance). When unsure, release.
- No camping or fires on the ledges; take all litter and line home. Respect private land, close gates and keep to public footpaths.
- Check Southern IFCA bylaws and the latest national regulations on gov.uk before you fish, as rules can change year to year.
