Summary
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.
Location and Access
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.
Seasons
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.
Methods
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.
Tides and Conditions
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.
Safety
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.
Facilities
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.
Tips
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.
Regulations
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.
