The Cobb Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

The Cobb Fishing Map

Historic curving stone breakwater forming the harbour wall at Lyme Regis. Fishable on both the outer (rough/kelp and deeper water) and inner (cleaner, calmer) sides. Summer brings shoals and surface action; autumn nights see good sport under harbour lights. The lower walkway offers easier access, but the higher wall can be very slippery and dangerous in swell. Best on a flooding tide with clear to moderate water clarity; avoid heavy seas and respect harbour traffic.

Ratings

⭐ 7.3/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 5/10
Accessibility 8/10

Fish You Can Catch at The Cobb

🐟 Mackerel 9/10
🎯 Tip: Summer to early autumn; cast feathers or metal spinners from the outer end on a flooding tide, best at dawn or dusk.
🐟 Pollack 7/10
🎯 Tip: Work small soft plastics or metal jigs along the outer wall and rock armour at dawn/dusk on a flooding tide.
🐟 Scad (Horse Mackerel) 7/10
🎯 Tip: Late summer/autumn after dark; fish sabikis or small metals under the lights along the wall on a flooding tide.
🐟 Ballan Wrasse 7/10
🎯 Tip: Crab or ragworm tight to kelp/rocks on the outer side; daytime, mid-high tide. Snaggy ground—use strong gear.
🐟 Mullet (Thick-lipped) 7/10
🎯 Tip: Calm, clear days inside the harbour; freeline bread flake or fish bread mash under a small float. Stealth essential.
🐟 Pouting 6/10
🎯 Tip: After dark, small strips of mackerel or worm down the side near structure; steady action from mid to high tide.
🐟 Corkwing Wrasse 6/10
🎯 Tip: Float or light ledger with small worm baits tight to weeded boulders; daytime, mid tide up, bites very close in.
🐟 Garfish 6/10
🎯 Tip: Float a sliver of mackerel or small sandeel mid-water from the end in summer on a rising tide; fast retrieve can trigger takes.
🐟 Bass 5/10
🎯 Tip: Rougher seas and a flooding tide around the harbour mouth; plugs/soft plastics or peeler crab at first light or dusk.
🐟 Tompot Blenny 5/10
🎯 Tip: LRF close to the stones; tiny hooks with bits of rag or squid, drop straight down; takes at most states of tide.
🐟 Conger Eel 5/10
🎯 Tip: After dark from the end; drop a large mackerel or squid bait straight down the wall. Heavy gear, slack to first of the flood.
🐟 Whiting 4/10
🎯 Tip: Winter nights casting from the end onto sand; small mackerel or squid strips on two-hook flappers, best on the flood.

The Cobb Fishing

Summary

The Cobb at Lyme Regis is a historic curved harbour wall on the Dorset Jurassic Coast, offering varied fishing into both sheltered harbour water and deep, rough ground on the outer face. It’s a classic south coast mark for summer mackerel and garfish, with wrasse and pollack around the boulders and conger eels after dark. Busy in peak season, but with the right timing it can be superb, especially on a flooding tide.

Location and Access

Set on the western end of Lyme Regis seafront, The Cobb is reached via the promenade past the sandy beach and boat harbour. Access is straightforward to the harbour side, but the wall itself is uneven, sloped and can be very slippery in wet or swell conditions.

Seasons

The Cobb produces a mix of summer surface feeders and rough-ground species on the outer face, plus harbour mini-species. Seasonality and water clarity are key.

Methods

Match your approach to the face you’re fishing: the inner harbour suits light tactics; the outer wall is deeper, snaggy and rewards robust gear.

Tides and Conditions

Depth on the outer wall makes most states fishable, but certain combinations are notably better. Always factor swell—The Cobb is exposed to SW and can be dangerous in onshore blows.

Safety

This is a public promenade and working harbour with significant drop-offs and slippery stone—treat it with respect. In poor weather the wall is occasionally closed by the authorities.

Facilities

Lyme Regis is a full-service seaside town, and The Cobb sits beside cafés, pubs and seasonal kiosks. Expect good amenities within a short walk.

Tips

Crowds and conditions shape success here—fish smart around them. A little timing and finesse go a long way.

Regulations

Fishing is generally permitted around The Cobb, but it’s an active harbour with local rules. Always obey on-site signage and directions from harbour staff or the RNLI.