St Oswald's Bay Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

St Oswald's Bay Fishing Map

A remote, steep shingle beach backed by high chalk cliffs between Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove. Mixed ground with boulders and kelp at the ends and cleaner sand patches in the middle gives options for both lure and bait fishing. Summer evenings bring mackerel, garfish, scad and bass within range; wrasse and pollack hold tight to the rocky shoulders. After dark, pouting and dogfish are common with the chance of conger. Access is a long, steep descent from the Durdle Door area and the beach can narrow at high water—beware rockfalls and cut-off risk.

Ratings

⭐ 5.9/10 Overall
Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 8/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 3/10

Fish You Can Catch at St Oswald's Bay

🐟 Bass 8/10
🎯 Tip: Work surf along shingle on a rising tide, at dawn/dusk or after a blow. Plugs, soft plastics or crab/sandeel. Stay mobile, target gutters and reef edges.
🐟 Ballan Wrasse 8/10
🎯 Tip: Crab or rag baits tight to kelpy ledges either side; daylight on the flood. Use strong gear and rotten-bottom rigs to beat snags. Best late spring–autumn.
🐟 Pollack 7/10
🎯 Tip: Dusk into dark, cast soft plastics or metals along the kelp line from the rocks on the flood. Retrieve high to avoid snags.
🐟 Black Bream 7/10
🎯 Tip: Summer over rough ground; small strip/squid/rag on light flappers, longer casts to reefy patches. Calm, clear days on a flooding tide.
🐟 Pouting 6/10
🎯 Tip: After dark over rough ground; 2-hook flappers with worm or small fish baits. Cast just beyond the breakers; neaps help reduce weed/snags.
🐟 Mackerel 6/10
🎯 Tip: Summer shoals; feather or small metals at first light/dusk from deeper water. Watch for birds; mid-to-late flood often best.
🐟 Corkwing Wrasse 6/10
🎯 Tip: Small hooks with crab/rag dropped into rock holes and kelp pockets at mid-to-flood. Gentle lift-and-drop; abrasion-resistant traces.
🐟 Garfish 6/10
🎯 Tip: Float a thin mackerel strip or spin small spoons in calm, clear water on the flood. Keep baits shallow and moving. Late spring to autumn.
🐟 Conger Eel 5/10
🎯 Tip: Night fishing with big fish baits into kelp gullies on heavy mono and rotten-bottom. Best last of the flood into slack; expect snags.
🐟 Mullet (Thick-lipped) 5/10
🎯 Tip: Settled seas and clear water; bread flake or small baited sabikis under a float near weed lines/rocky corners on the flood. Stealth is key.

St Oswald's Bay Fishing

Summary

St Oswald's Bay sits between Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, a sweeping shingle arc backed by towering chalk cliffs. It’s renowned among local anglers for bass over surf-washed sand and the chance of summer rays and pelagics when conditions align. Note: the beach has had long-term access closures due to landslips—treat this as a boat/kayak mark unless official access is restored.

Location and Access

This bay lies on the Lulworth Estate, immediately east of Durdle Door and west of Lulworth Cove. The South West Coast Path overlooks the bay, but the direct paths down to the beach have been closed for years following major cliff falls. Plan as if there is no safe public descent to the beach.

Seasons

The bay mixes clean sand with chalk and boulder fringes, offering surf species over the middle and rock-associated fish towards either end. Expect a classic south coast seasonal pattern.

Methods

Treat the centre of the bay as a clean-to-mixed surf venue and the ends as rougher, kelpy ground—adjust tackle accordingly. Low light and moving water are key.

Tides and Conditions

This coast responds best to movement and moderate surf, but clarity matters over chalk—too much swell turns the water milky. Time trips around light and tide if possible.

Safety

Safety at St Oswald’s Bay is dominated by severe cliff instability and steep shingle—respect the signage and conditions. Fishing should only be attempted where access is lawful and safe, typically by watercraft.

Facilities

This is a wild, undeveloped bay with no on-site amenities; plan to be self-sufficient. Nearby honeypot sites have services, but they’re a walk away.

Tips

Treat this as a conditions-led venue where small changes in swell and clarity swing the odds. Travel light and fish efficiently.

Regulations

There is no general angling ban over St Oswald’s Bay waters, but access to the beach is frequently and formally closed due to landslips—obey all local signage and estate instructions. Always verify current rules before you go.