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Dorset

Smallmouth Bay

6.8 · Beach · Dorset

Sheltered shingle-and-sand on the Portland Harbour side at Ferrybridge (Smallmouth Bay), with easy parking and level access. Clean-to-mixed ground with patches of boulders; best on a flooding tide and into dusk when baitfish push in. Suits light ledgering, float tactics and small metals/feathers. Summer brings mackerel, scad, garfish and mullet; autumn–winter sees whiting and pouting. Watch the Fleet outflow for stronger currents, and expect drifting weed in summer.

Should you fish Smallmouth Bay?

52 Fair

Today · Best available

Best available: 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide

Most likely species: Plaice and Mullet (Thick-lipped)

Fair conditions. Best available around 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide, but no window reaches the strong threshold today. Good chance of Plaice and Mullet (Thick-lipped).

W 5 mph Rain 0% High tide 12:10

Fishable, but pick your timing carefully.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for Smallmouth Bay — 7-day forecast

Scores and best windows are weighted for .

Met Office Met Office · Open-Meteo

Where the data comes from. Weather and sea-state readings come from the Met Office and Open-Meteo forecast models, refreshed several times a day. High and low water are taken from tide-station predictions for this stretch of coast.

How the score works. Each window is scored 0–100 from the signals that most reliably move fish inshore: tide movement (a running tide carries food, so the last of the flood and first of the ebb are usually the prime spells), wind speed and direction (onshore wind stirs food into the surf — up to the point it makes fishing hard), sea state (a little wave and swell movement helps, heavy swell hurts), and weather — rain, temperature and light. Behind the headline number we score bite opportunity and comfort separately, and run a separate safety check on wind and swell. The size of the tide counts too: spring tides move more water than neaps, so the tidal range for this stretch of coast is weighed alongside the tide's direction, your target species and this mark — and unusually big springs strengthen the safety check, because the water rises faster and covers more ground.

Your target species counts. Pick a species below and the score also weights what we know about it — its season, preferred sea temperature, tide stage and sea state, and whether it feeds by day or night.

The rating is guidance, not a guarantee — conditions change fast on the coast, so always judge the sea in front of you before you fish.

Saturday looks better than today. Unlock the week to see its score and exact window.

· windows & tide

Spring vs neap tides. Spring tides have a larger difference between high and low water, so more water moves on each tide — usually stronger flow that stirs up food and gets fish feeding. Neap tides have a smaller range and generally gentler movement. The range here is compared with what is normal for this stretch of coast, and the cycle swings between springs and neaps roughly every week, following the moon.

Big spring tides: the water rises faster and covers more ground than usual — double-check access routes and cut-off points before you fish.

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Smallmouth Bay is a sheltered harbour-side sand and shingle mark where tide movement and finesse matter more than distance. It fishes best when the flood pushes life into the margins and subtle channels, especially around dusk, with light ledgering, floats and small lures all useful depending on season. The key decision is whether to target the Ferrybridge flow lines for bass and moving fish, the cleaner sand for flats and sole, or the weed-fringed gullies for mullet and gilthead bream.

  • Know when to fish the Ferrybridge flow and when to stay on cleaner sand
  • Time the flood-to-high window instead of guessing the tide
  • Match bass, bream, mullet and flats to the right micro-ground
  • Avoid the spring-tide flow and summer weed traps
  • Have a nearby backup plan before the bay gets busy

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Forecast tuning currently supports Bass and Mackerel — more species are on the way.

Overall rating

6.8 /10

Blend of catch potential, access, safety, and overall experience.

Category scores

Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 8/10
Safety 7/10
Accessibility 9/10

Bass 8/10
Tip: Work soft plastics or shallow plugs along the Smallmouth/Ferrybridge current on a flooding tide; or ledger sandeel/peeler at dusk into the channels.
Plaice 7/10
Tip: Rag/lug cocktail or rag tipped with squid to clean sand beyond weed beds on the flood in spring; long snoods, small beads, slow lift-and-drag retrieve.
Mullet (Thick-lipped) 7/10
Tip: Float bread flake by the slipway and weed fringes on calm, clear days; early morning or dusk on neap tides.
Flounder 6/10
Tip: Winter target; lugworm on a flowing trace cast to channel edges; trickle retrieve across clean sand; last of the flood and first of the ebb.
Golden-grey Mullet 6/10
Tip: Small rag or isome on size 8s worked slowly across the surfy edge over sand; summer, best on a pushing tide.
Gilthead Bream 6/10
Tip: Peeler or hard crab on a running rig into sandy gullies by weed patches; late spring to early autumn, best on the flood and at dusk.
Dover Sole 5/10
Tip: Warm months after dark; fish ragworm or lug close-in over clean sand with light grip leads; gentle flood most productive.
Starry Smoothhound 5/10
Tip: Late spring–summer nights; peeler crab on a light running ledger lobbed into the channel; best on a flooding tide.
Mackerel 5/10
Tip: Clear, calm summer evenings; small metals or float-fished strip cast toward the channel on the flood.
Garfish 4/10
Tip: Late spring–autumn; float sandeel strip or work tiny metals fast across the surface at first light on a rising tide.

Local knowledge

Smallmouth Bay fishing guide

Practical access, seasons, methods, tides, safety and facilities for this mark.

Smallmouth Bay sits on the Portland Harbour side of the causeway between Weymouth and the Isle of Portland. It’s a sheltered, easily accessed beach that offers consistent light-tackle sport and a real chance of bass, flounder, mullet and gilthead bream.

The water here is generally calm, making it a great option when the open coast or Chesil is unfishable, and it rewards thoughtful, scaled-down tactics.

This mark lies just north of Ferrybridge, facing into Portland Harbour, a short hop from Weymouth. Access is straightforward and largely flat, with short walks to reach the sand and shingle.

  • Approach via the A354 (Portland Beach Road) and use the signed pay-and-display car parks by Ferrybridge/Chesil Beach Centre, then walk 5–10 minutes to the Smallmouth side.
  • Limited roadside bays may be available along the causeway where permitted; observe local signage and restrictions.
  • Regular buses run between Weymouth and Portland and stop near Ferrybridge; from the stop it’s a short, level walk.
  • Terrain is a mix of firm sand, small shingle and occasional weed beds; trainers or light boots are fine.

Smallmouth Bay holds a classic mix of harbour species with seasonal highlights. Think finesse rather than brute force.

  • Spring (Mar–May):
    • Flounder and the odd plaice over the clean patches
    • School bass nosing along the margins
    • Thick- and thin-lipped mullet in the clear water
    • Early gilthead bream in May during warm spells
  • Summer (Jun–Aug):
    • Bass (better at dawn/dusk and after windy days that stir the margins)
    • Gilthead bream over sand and broken ground
    • Thick-lipped mullet; golden-grey mullet possible in calm, clear seas
    • Garfish and scad (evenings), occasional mackerel shoals pushing in
    • Wrasse around any rockier fringes
  • Autumn (Sep–Nov):
    • Peak bass time, including better fish after blowy south-westerlies
    • Gilthead bream on worm/crab baits
    • Mullet still present; scad at dusk into dark
    • Occasional gurnard on small worm or fish-strip baits
  • Winter (Dec–Feb):
    • Flounder and dab on the cleaner sand tongues
    • Whiting and poor cod in colder snaps
    • Rockling after dark
    • Bass are present but far fewer; mostly a bonus fish

This is a light-tackle venue where subtlety pays. Keep end tackle neat and baits small to mid-sized to tempt wary harbour fish.

  • General ledgering:
    • 1–2 hook flapper with size 4–1 hooks for flounder, dab, whiting; up to 1/0 for bass/bream
    • Running ledger or long flowing trace for bass; light leads (1–2 oz) often suffice
    • Baits: ragworm, harbour rag (maddies), lugworm, peeler/soft crab, prawn, mussel; small fish strips for gar/scad
  • Bream and flatties:
    • Short snoods for flounder; longer fluorocarbon snoods (20–30 in) for gilthead bream
    • Fresh crab or worm/corn cocktail for giltheads; rag/maddies for flounder/plaice
  • Bass tactics:
    • Weedless soft plastics (4–5 in) on light jig heads or weighted hooks along the margins and tide lines
    • After-dark ledgered worm or crab baits close in
  • Mullet:
    • Bread flake on size 8–10 under a clear waggler; pre-bait with mashed bread
    • Harbour rag or small prawn pieces for thin-lips on a simple running float rig
  • Surface/float:
    • Small floats with slivers of mackerel or sandeel for garfish in summer
  • LRF/HRF:
    • Micro metals and isome-style worms will pick up scad, small wrasse, pollack and oddities at dusk into night

Tide movement is the key driver here, especially around the Ferrybridge pinch point, but avoid the fiercest springs for comfort and safety.

  • Best tide states:
    • Flood to high water fishes well, bringing life into the margins
    • First of the ebb can also produce, but expect stronger flow near the bridge
  • Conditions:
    • Clear to lightly coloured water favours mullet, gar and bream; a bit of colour helps bass confidence
    • Fresh south-westerlies can push bait into the harbour; heavy weed may accompany big blows
    • NE/E winds flatten it off—good for sight-fishing mullet
  • Time of day/seasonality:
    • Dawn and dusk are prime for bass, gar and scad in summer and early autumn
    • Winter flounder respond to steady, smaller tides and delicate presentation
    • Night sessions can be excellent for bass and scad on neaps

This is a relatively friendly venue, but the currents at Ferrybridge and mixed user traffic (swimmers, paddle craft, sailors) demand care.

  • Strong tidal flow where the Fleet meets Portland Harbour—do not wade near the bridge or channels
  • Shelving shingle can be awkward underfoot; watch for slippery weed at the waterline
  • Keep clear of marked navigation channels and any moorings; never cast across active water-sport areas
  • In onshore blows, floating weed can foul line; avoid overlong leaders and keep rod tips high
  • Head torch, PFD for any rock-hopping, and studded boots if you venture onto weedy stones
  • Accessibility: short, mostly level approach; final access is onto sand/shingle which may be challenging for wheelchairs or walkers without assistance

Facilities are decent within a short radius, with more options in Weymouth and on Portland.

  • Pay-and-display parking nearby (Ferrybridge/Chesil Beach Centre); check seasonal hours
  • Public toilets typically at/near the Chesil Beach Centre (seasonal opening)
  • Cafés and pubs on both Weymouth and Portland sides within a few minutes’ drive
  • Tackle shops in Weymouth for bait and gear; some offer fresh/live baits in season
  • Good mobile reception for most networks; no lighting on the beach—bring a head torch
  • Water sports activity is common in daylight; expect sailing, paddle boards and kayaks

Local knowledge here is about finesse, timing and reading the subtle flow lines.

  • Scale down: fluorocarbon snoods (10–12 lb for bream/mullet, 15–20 lb for bass) and neat knots out-fish heavy gear
  • For gilthead bream, fish fresh peeler or soft crab on a long trace and let the bait sit—don’t strike too early
  • Bass patrol surprisingly tight to the edge in coloured water after a blow; a quiet approach and short casts win
  • Pre-bait mullet marks with mashed bread 30–60 minutes before you fish and keep feeding little-and-often
  • Use bait elastic and fine mesh for soft baits to beat pickers and crabs
  • If the main beach is busy, walk a little to find quieter pockets and subtle gullies
  • Big spring tides can be awkward—aim for mid-tide on neaps for calmer, more controllable flows
  • Keep a small LRF rod ready at dusk; scad and gar can switch on suddenly around the top of the tide
  • Fun fact: “Smallmouth” refers to the narrow mouth where the Fleet lagoon meets Portland Harbour—the flow can audibly ‘hiss’ on stronger tides

Recreational sea angling is generally allowed from the beach, but Portland Harbour and the adjacent Fleet have local rules. Always obey on-site signage and current byelaws.

  • Portland Harbour: no fishing from marinas, private pontoons, slipways or within marked exclusion areas; keep clear of navigation channels and operating vessels
  • The Fleet lagoon is environmentally sensitive with access restrictions in places—do not fish into the Fleet or from the road bridge; heed any nature reserve/SSSI signage
  • Bass management measures apply in England (minimum size 42 cm and seasonal bag limits that can change year to year). Check the latest MMO/DEFRA notice before retaining any bass
  • National/protected species: do not retain shad, allis/twaite, or European eel; return any accidentally caught specimens immediately
  • Minimum conservation reference sizes (CRS) apply to many species; measure and release undersized fish
  • Bait collection: avoid seagrass and sensitive mud/sand flats; some local restrictions may apply—check South West IFCA guidance
  • Take litter and line home; do not leave discarded tackle where it can endanger wildlife or water users