St Aldhelm's Head Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

St Aldhelm's Head Fishing Map

Exposed limestone headland (also known as St Alban’s Head) with steep, rough-ground ledges and fast tidal run from St Alban’s Ledge. Deep water close in gives summer sport with wrasse, pollack and mackerel; bass work the race in lively seas and conger feed after dark. Access is via long, uneven coastal paths and scrambles; check swell and fish the slacker parts of the tide for safety. Stunning views but little shelter, and strong tackle is needed to beat kelp and snags.

Ratings

⭐ 6.7/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 8/10
Safety 3/10
Accessibility 4/10

Fish You Can Catch at St Aldhelm's Head

🐟 Pollack 8/10
🎯 Tip: Soft plastics or metals along tide seams at dawn/dusk; fish the flood or first of ebb, keep lures deep along kelp edges.
🐟 Ballan Wrasse 8/10
🎯 Tip: Float or light ledger hardback crab/rag into kelp gullies on the flood; best in settled seas and neap tides.
🐟 Bass 7/10
🎯 Tip: Plugs or live/dead sandeel worked in the race at first light on a flooding tide; after a blow as seas clear is prime.
🐟 Pouting 7/10
🎯 Tip: Small mackerel strips on 1-2 hook paternoster dropped into rough ground; fishes best after dark on the flood.
🐟 Mackerel 7/10
🎯 Tip: Small metal spinners or 2-3 feather rigs from higher ledges in summer; flood into dusk is reliable in clear water.
🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 6/10
🎯 Tip: Night ledger with squid/mackerel on mixed ground; first two hours of the flood are steady.
🐟 Scad (Horse Mackerel) 6/10
🎯 Tip: Tiny metals or Sabikis after dusk around tide seams in late summer; first of the ebb often best.
🐟 Corkwing Wrasse 6/10
🎯 Tip: Small hooks with rag, prawn or crab under a float near weed fringes; mid-flood in daylight.
🐟 Conger Eel 6/10
🎯 Tip: After dark, big mackerel/squid baits on strong gear into kelp edges; slack to early flood is most manageable.
🐟 Garfish 6/10
🎯 Tip: Float a thin mackerel strip mid-water in clear summer seas on the flood; bright conditions fine.

St Aldhelm's Head Fishing

Summary

St Aldhelm’s Head (also known as St Alban’s Head) is a dramatic Purbeck headland south of Worth Matravers, Dorset. It offers deep, kelpy water close in, powerful tide seams, and classic Jurassic Coast rock marks that produce quality wrasse, pollack and bass for well-prepared anglers.

Location and Access

This is a remote, cliff-backed rock mark reached on foot along the South West Coast Path. Expect a proper walk-in and potentially serious scrambles to sea-level ledges that are only for experienced rock anglers.

Seasons

The headland fishes very seasonally, with clear-water summer sport and rough-ground winter options. Deep water close-in and fierce tide lines bring predators within casting range.

Methods

The ground is snaggy and the tide is strong; scale tactics to conditions and expect to lose some gear. Lures and float tactics excel in flow, while bottom fishing is best in slack windows.

Tides and Conditions

Tide and sea state dictate everything here; the St Alban’s tidal race can be ferocious and unsafe on springs. Plan around neaps or brief slack windows and avoid any swell wrapping the headland.

Safety

This is a committing rock mark with sheer cliffs, slippery weeded ledges, strong tides and no easy exits. It is not suitable for novices, children, dogs, or anyone with limited mobility.

Facilities

There are no facilities at the headland itself—this is a wild venue. Come self-sufficient and prepared to carry everything out.

Tips

Local knowledge pays at this headland—small tweaks make big differences in heavy tide and kelp. Travel light, plan your session around the tide, and have a bail-out plan.

Regulations

This coastline sits within the Southern IFCA district and the St Aldhelm’s to Durlston Head Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ). Shore angling is permitted, but specific protections apply to habitats and some species, and national rules apply to sizes and bag limits. Always check the latest official sources before retaining fish.