South Beach Studland Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

South Beach Studland Fishing Map

Sheltered, gently shelving sandy beach at the southern end of Studland Bay with clean ground and seagrass beds, plus small patches of rougher ground toward the headlands. Best on a flooding tide, especially at dawn or dusk. Summer brings bait and lure opportunities close in, while winter sees flatties and whiting at modest range. Wading helps reach channels, but be mindful of the Marine Conservation Zone and seagrass; it can be busy with swimmers and small craft in peak season. National Trust parking and a short walk make access easy; scenery is excellent.

Ratings

⭐ 6.5/10 Overall
Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 6/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 7/10
Accessibility 8/10

Fish You Can Catch at South Beach Studland

🐟 Bass 8/10
🎯 Tip: Shallow surf beach; fish a flooding tide at dawn/dusk or in a blow. Shallow-diving plugs or sandeels; or rag/peeler on a long trace close in.
🐟 Plaice 7/10
🎯 Tip: Mar–Aug on clean sand. Long casts with bead/bling flappers and lug/rag/shellfish. Bright days and a flooding tide work well.
🐟 Smoothhound 7/10
🎯 Tip: May–Sep. Peeler crab on running ledger/pulley at 30–80 yd over clean sand. Best on a building tide into dusk.
🐟 Starry Smoothhound 7/10
🎯 Tip: Summer evenings. Peeler crab baits, medium range over clean sand. Flood to high water produces.
🐟 Whiting 6/10
🎯 Tip: Nov–Feb nights. Lug/squid cocktails on 2–3 hook flappers at range over clean sand. Best on a flooding tide into darkness.
🐟 Thornback Ray 6/10
🎯 Tip: Spring–early summer. Sandeel/squid on pulley dropper; cast to sand troughs at 60–100 yd. Slack water and first of the flood best.
🐟 Mackerel 6/10
🎯 Tip: Jun–Sep shoals. Evening/dawn in clear water. Small metals or strings of sabiki feathers; watch for surface activity and cast beyond it.
🐟 Garfish 6/10
🎯 Tip: Late spring–autumn. Float-fished sandeel/strip or small metals in clear, calm seas over the flood.
🐟 Undulate Ray 5/10
🎯 Tip: Late summer–autumn. Sandeel/squid on pulley or up-and-over; cast to gullies at medium range. Dusk and first of the flood are prime.
🐟 Golden-grey Mullet 5/10
🎯 Tip: Calm summer seas. Small bits of rag/maddies on size 8–10, freelined or light float in gutters. Clear water, making tide.

South Beach Studland Fishing

Summary

South Beach, Studland sits on the southern lip of Studland Bay beneath the chalk of Old Harry Rocks. It’s a sheltered, sandy venue with rougher corners that offers varied fishing from flatties on the beach to bass and wrasse around the rockier fringes.

Location and Access

Reaching the mark is straightforward and the last approach is short but a little steep. It’s popular in summer, so plan early or late sessions to avoid crowds and parking pressure.

Seasons

The bay fishes differently through the year, with the sandy middle and rougher ends producing distinct mixes. Expect clearer water species in settled weather and scavengers after a blow.

Methods

Both light beach ledgering over sand and more targeted lure/float work around the rough ground score well. Keep tackle light and mobile to fish the short-range gutters that run along the beach.

Tides and Conditions

Studland faces east and is sheltered from prevailing south-westerlies but exposed to anything with east in it. Water clarity is often good after a settled spell.

Safety

This is an accessible sandy venue, but it’s a busy bathing beach in season and the rock fringes and nearby headland have hazards. Fish with care and give space to water users.

Facilities

Studland is managed by the National Trust with seasonal facilities nearby. Expect good general amenities but minimal lighting and no on-beach services at night.

Tips

Treat it like two marks: a clean, short-range surfy gutter on the sand and a wrasse/bass venue on the rough fringes. Travel light and be ready to move with the fish.

Regulations

Studland Bay is a Marine Conservation Zone focused on protecting eelgrass and seahorses. Shore angling is permitted, but there are important local protections and national rules to follow.