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Dorset

Weymouth Stone Pier

7.7 · Breakwater · Dorset

A long stone breakwater at the mouth of Weymouth Harbour with deep, fast-running water on the seaward side and mixed sand/rock ground along the wall. Very popular in summer for mackerel, garfish and scad; year-round for pouting, pollack and wrasse, with whiting in winter and occasional conger at night. Easy access from town with railings and steps to lower levels. Take care with swell, slippery weeded steps and constant boat traffic; observe harbour byelaws and keep clear of the lifeboat/ferry fairway.

Should you fish Weymouth Stone Pier?

52 Fair

Today · Best available

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

Most likely species: Tompot Blenny and Mackerel

Fair conditions. Best available around 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide, but no window reaches the strong threshold today. Good chance of Tompot Blenny and Mackerel.

W 4 mph Rain 0% High tide 12:17

Fishable, but pick your timing carefully.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for Weymouth Stone Pier — 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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Weymouth Stone Pier fishes as two main marks: the rough, kelpy outer wall and the fast-running pier head. The outside and head are the first choice for mackerel, garfish, pollack, wrasse, pouting and conger, while the calmer inner harbour edges can produce small species and mullet where fishing is permitted. Tide run is the key: use the flood and high-water period for predators, slack windows for close-in wrasse work, and neaps when you want bottom gear to hold without losing tackle constantly.

  • Know whether to fish the outer face or inner wall.
  • Time the flood for predators instead of guessing.
  • Pick the right setup for rough kelp and fast tide.
  • Avoid the swell and fairway mistakes that spoil sessions.
  • Use a clear backup plan when the head is unfishable.

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Weymouth 2.1 mi Chickerell 2.8 mi Fortuneswell 3.1 mi Osmington 3.4 mi Grove (Dorset) 4.1 mi

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

Overall rating

7.7 /10

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

Category scores

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

Tompot Blenny 9/10
Tip: Drop size 12–16 hooks baited with rag/squid tight to the wall and kelpy blocks; bites all tide states. Inner harbour steps and ladders are prolific. Keep traces short and gear light.
Pouting 8/10
Tip: Small strips of mackerel/squid on size 2–4, fished under the rod tip at dusk/night. Best around the pier head on the flood when the tide runs. Minimal casting.
Mackerel 8/10
Tip: Summer shoals on the outer wall; float, feathers or small metals. Dawn/dusk on a rising tide, cast beyond the eddy line off the pier head.
Rock Goby 8/10
Tip: Sabikis or single size 12–16 hooks with rag; fish right by ladders and wall on either tide. Lots of small fish—strike gently.
Shanny 8/10
Tip: Tiny worm/shellfish pieces lowered beside kelp-covered stones; year-round under the wall. Short drop, quick bites.
Pollack 7/10
Tip: Small soft plastics or metals worked along the outer wall at dusk; also float sandeel. Best with tide run on the flood.
Scad (Horse Mackerel) 7/10
Tip: After dark under lights; small sabikis or size 6–8 hooks with mackerel slivers. Mid-to-late flood along the outer wall.
Ballan Wrasse 7/10
Tip: Rag/crab baits ledgered tight to outer-side boulders; last half of the flood best. Use strong gear to stop dives into kelp.
Bass 6/10
Tip: Surface/shallow lures or sandeel baits around the harbour mouth on the flood. Best at dawn/dusk or with a bit of swell; stay mobile.
Corkwing Wrasse 6/10
Tip: Small rag/shrimp on size 8–10 beside kelpy stones; gentle lift bites. Summer, best on the flood.
Conger Eel 6/10
Tip: After dark, big mackerel/squid baits dropped by the wall and structure. Fish slack into early flood. Heavy abrasion leaders essential.
Garfish 6/10
Tip: Summer; shallow-set float with rag/sandeel, keep it moving. Rising tide along the outer wall and pier head.

Local knowledge

Weymouth Stone Pier fishing guide

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

Weymouth Stone Pier guards the south side of Weymouth Harbour entrance in Dorset and has long been a favourite, tide-washed mark for mixed fishing. Its outside wall drops onto rough ground and kelp, while the pier head sits in strong tidal flow that draws predators and baitfish.

  • Expect a true all-round venue: summer wrasse, mackerel and garfish on clear days, plus night-time conger, pout and autumn scad, with mullet mooching the calmer inner edges where permitted.

Set beneath Nothe Gardens, the Stone Pier is reached from the south side of the harbour via Nothe Parade. Access is pedestrian only; the walking surface is mostly flat concrete with low walls and occasional railings.

  • Parking: Nothe Fort car park (DT4 8UF) or Newton’s Cove car park (DT4 8UD); both are pay-and-display and a 5–10 minute walk to the pier. Limited on-street spaces on Nothe Parade fill quickly in summer.
  • Approach: Follow signs to Nothe/Harbour South, walk along Nothe Parade to the pier entrance gate and continue out to the head.
  • Terrain: Concrete walkway with ladders down the harbour side and large boulders/rock armour below the outer wall; the outer ground is rough and very snaggy.
  • Notes: The inner (harbour) side has restricted areas; observe local signage and instructions from the Harbour Master.

The pier produces a wide mix, with rough ground species on the outer face and estuary-influenced fish near the entrance. Seasons vary with water temperature and clarity.

  • Spring (Mar–May): Pollack, early garfish, ballan and corkwing wrasse from late spring; thin-lipped mullet nosing along the calmer edges; occasional plaice from sandy patches near the entrance channel margins.
  • Summer (Jun–Aug): Mackerel, garfish, scad at dusk, wrasse, occasional black bream, pollack, bass on lures, mullet; very occasional triggerfish in warm spells.
  • Autumn (Sep–Nov): Scad, mackerel (early autumn), whiting, pout, pollack, bass, squid on calm clear nights, conger after dark.
  • Winter (Dec–Feb): Whiting, pout, rockling, conger; odd codling in colder snaps; thick-lipped mullet lingering in the harbour on mild days.

Rough ground meets fast tide here, so tailor methods to keep tackle losses down and baits working. The outside wall and head are the prime spots.

  • Float fishing: Ragworm, prawn or crab for wrasse close to the wall; strip mackerel belly or sandeel for garfish; set stops to fish 6–15 ft depending on state of tide and depth along the wall.
  • Lure fishing: Small metals and slim spoons for mackerel/scad; 3–5 inch white or natural soft plastics for pollack and bass. Use weedless/texposed hooks to work tight to the kelp.
  • Bottom tactics: 2- or 3-hook flappers with size 2–1 hooks for wrasse, pout and bream; pulley/ledger with a rotten-bottom link for rough ground. Leads of 2–3 oz on neaps, 4–6 oz on springs near the head.
  • Night sessions: Large fish baits (mackerel fillet/flapper) on 80 lb mono traces for conger; small strips of squid for scad and whiting.
  • Mullet: Bread or prawn fished under a small clear waggler or on freelined breadflake along the calmer edges where fishing is permitted.
  • Squid: Size 2.5–3.0 egi jigs under the lights in autumn evenings if the water is clear.

Tide flow is a defining feature: it rips past the head and eddies along the wall. Choose states that balance depth with manageable run.

  • Best states: Mid-flood through high and the first of the ebb for predators; neaps are kinder for bottom fishing. Slack water windows help with wrasse/bream tight to the wall.
  • Water clarity: Clear, calm days suit wrasse, bream, gar and pollack on floats and lures. Slight colour after a blow can switch on bass.
  • Sea and wind: A big south or south-westerly swell can overtop the outer wall—avoid the outside in heavy seas. Easterlies flatten it but can kill the lure bite.
  • Times: Dawn and dusk for mackerel, scad and bass; after dark for conger, whiting and pout. Summer evenings often see the best surface activity.

This is an exposed harbour entrance mark with strong tidal stream and occasional swell. Treat the outer wall with respect and keep an eye on shipping.

  • Hazards: Sudden swells on the outer face, slippery weeded concrete, snaggy boulder ground, and strong tidal pull at the head.
  • Harbour traffic: Keep clear of ladders, moorings and the lifeboat berth; pause fishing when vessels are manoeuvring. Do not cast into the fairway.
  • Personal safety: Wear a PFD/lifejacket, use grippy boots, and carry a headtorch for night sessions. A drop net helps safe landing without leaning over.
  • Accessibility: Mostly level concrete but with cambers, gaps and occasional narrow sections; wheelchair access is limited and depends on individual mobility and support.
  • Restrictions: Some inner-harbour stretches are signed No Fishing; seasonal/event closures may apply—follow on-site notices and Harbour Master instructions.

Weymouth is a busy seaside town with excellent amenities a short walk away. You won’t struggle for bait, food or toilets.

  • Toilets: Public conveniences at Nothe Gardens (seasonal) and further options around the harbour and Weymouth Pavilion area.
  • Tackle shops: Weymouth Angling Centre in town; additional bait/tackle outlets around the harbour and towards Chesil—check opening hours and bait availability in advance.
  • Food & drink: Numerous cafés, pubs and kiosks along the harbour; fish and chips close by.
  • Bins: Litter and recycling bins near the pier entrance—take all waste and line clippings home if in doubt.
  • Mobile signal: Generally strong on all major networks.

Local anglers treat the Stone Pier as two venues: the rough, lively outside wall and the tidally-charged head. Fish light and tight to structure in daylight, heavier and further out after dark.

  • Use a short rotten-bottom link to sacrifice the lead and save your rig in snags; 30–50 lb abrasion-resistant leader pays off.
  • Chum a breadcrumb/sardine mash for garfish and mullet; a sliver of mackerel belly on size 6 long-shank hooks is deadly for gars.
  • Carry both sabikis (size 4–6) for mackerel/scad and small single-hook float traces to keep things tidy when it’s busy.
  • A drop net is invaluable for conger/bigger bass—do not handline fish up the wall.
  • After a blow, try small, dark soft plastics for bass working the colour line; in clear water, go natural and keep retrieves slower at dusk.
  • Respect the lifeboat: if the pagers go, wind in and step well back—launches are fast and unforgiving.

Weymouth Stone Pier lies within Weymouth Harbour jurisdiction and Southern IFCA waters. Always follow on-site signage and current national/IFCA rules—do not obstruct navigation or fish prohibited areas.

  • Harbour rules: Fishing is typically allowed on the seaward side and at the pier head; inner harbour stretches are often signed No Fishing and casting into the fairway is prohibited. Obey any directions from the Harbour Master and give absolute priority to the RNLI lifeboat and commercial traffic.
  • Bass: Check current UK recreational bass rules before you go. As of 2024, the minimum size is 42 cm with a 2-fish daily bag limit from 1 March–30 November; catch-and-release only outside those dates (subject to change—verify before fishing).
  • Minimum sizes/bag limits: National MLS/MCRS apply to species such as bass, plaice and crab/lobster. Do not retain undersized shellfish; never take berried lobsters or interfere with pots.
  • IFCA bylaws: Southern IFCA manages local measures (e.g., netting zones, wrasse pot fishery controls for commercial effort). While not aimed at recreational anglers, sensible catch-and-release for wrasse is strongly encouraged.
  • Protected species: If you accidentally catch a protected fish (e.g., shad) release it immediately.
  • Lead and litter: Use non-toxic alternatives where possible and take all waste line and end tackle home.
  • Always verify the latest regulations with Weymouth Harbour and Southern IFCA before your session.