Winspit Fishing

Summary

Winspit is a dramatic old coastal quarry on Dorset’s Purbeck coast, a short walk south of Worth Matravers between Dancing Ledge and St Aldhelm’s Head. The ledges, gullies and deep water close in make it a classic rough-ground rock mark for lure and bait anglers alike. It fishes best in settled seas for wrasse, pollack and summer visitors, with night tides turning up bass, conger and huss.

Location and Access

This is a remote rock mark reached on foot, with a decent hike and a steep final approach onto uneven quarry platforms. Plan for a there-and-back walk in fading light if you fish into dusk.

• Drive to Worth Matravers (Purbeck); the village car park by the green operates an honesty box/donation (postcode area BH19 3LQ). Weekends and summer can be busy; arrive early.
• From the village, follow the signed track to Winspit: a stony farm lane turning into a coastal path. Allow 20–30 minutes on the way down and a bit longer on the way back up.
• The final section drops to the old quarry via rough steps and broken rock. Good boots with grip are essential; the ledges are uneven with holes and old cuttings.
• Access is via public rights of way across farmland; keep gates closed and stick to marked paths. No vehicle access to the quarry.
• The fishing is from rock ledges on both the eastern and western sides of the quarry cove. Some spots require a small scramble; avoid anything that looks unstable or involves climbing under overhangs.

Seasons

The rough ground, kelp and depth close in make Winspit a mixed fish venue with a strong summer lure-and-float game. Winter can be quieter but still produces nocturnal species.

• Spring to early summer:
  • Ballan and corkwing wrasse (daylight over flood)
  • Pollack (dawn/dusk, lures and float)
  • Bass on lures in a little movement/colour
  • Garfish in clear, calm spells
• High summer:
  • Mackerel and scad at dawn/dusk
  • Pollack to lures and float fished sandeel/mackerel strip
  • Wrasse on crab and soft plastics; occasional black bream strays
  • Bass on lures at first/last light
• Autumn:
  • Pollack and bass continue in the evenings
  • Scad and mackerel into October in clear water
  • Conger eel and bull huss after dark on big baits
• Winter:
  • Pouting, poor cod and rockling on small baits
  • Occasional pollack in calm, clear seas
  • Conger still possible on settled nights
• Year-round oddities:
  • Squid on calm, clear autumn nights with egi jigs (less consistent than piers)
  • Spider crabs pass through in late spring and will strip baits

Methods

Winspit rewards fishing close and smart over heavy, snaggy ground. Think abrasion resistance, rotten-bottom links, and lure work along edges and gullies.

• Lure fishing:
  • Weedless soft plastics (texas/cheb) 10–20 g for wrasse and pollack; probe kelp edges and quarry walls.
  • Slim metals 10–30 g and small surface/sub-surface lures for bass at first/last light.
  • Float-fished sandeel or mackerel strip along the face for pollack/gar; set 8–15 ft deep and trot.
• Bottom fishing:
  • Pulley or pulley-dropper with a weak-link (rotten-bottom) lead; 40–60 lb leaders and strong 3/0–5/0 hooks for bass/conger/huss.
  • Two-hook flapper with short snoods for pouting/whiting/rockling in winter.
  • Best baits: peeler or hardback crab for wrasse; king rag, lug, squid, mackerel and sandeel for general work; whole squid/mackerel heads for conger/huss after dark.
• Distances and timing:
  • Most fish come within 20–50 yards—don’t blast long into thicker snags.
  • Daylight for wrasse; low light into darkness for bass, pollack and eels.
• Tackle notes:
  • 20–30 lb mono or 30–40 lb braid with 60–80 lb abrasion leaders. Carry spare leads, rubbing leaders and a drop net or long-handled rock gaff for safe landing (no fixed gaffing of fish you plan to release).

Tides and Conditions

Tide height and sea state matter more than sheer range here. You want enough water and movement to wake predators, but not the heavy southerly swell that hammers the quarry.

• Tide:
  • Mid-tide flooding up to high and the first of the ebb are prime; neaps are often kinder for presentation in the rough.
  • Some ledges fish only with a few feet of water; at very low water it can be too weedy/kelpy.
• Conditions:
  • Light northerly or easterly winds give clearer, safer water for lure and float work.
  • Big SW/S swells and long-period groundswell surge dangerously into the quarry—avoid.
  • A slight chop/colour is great for bass; clear, settled evenings suit pollack/gar/mackerel.
• Time of day/season:
  • Dawn/dusk are consistently best. Summer into early autumn is the headline season; winter nights can still produce conger/pout.

Safety

This is an exposed rock mark with quarry hazards. Treat it as a mountaineering-style session: plan, kit up, and be ready to abandon if swell or rockfall risk looks wrong.

• Terrain risks:
  • Unstable quarry faces and cave roofs—do not stand beneath overhangs or inside caves; rockfall is a known hazard.
  • Uneven, holey ledges with slippery weed; wear studded boots/cleats. Take headtorch and spare light for the walk back.
  • Wave surge can wash ledges even in modest swell; keep well back, especially on flood.
• Access and mobility:
  • Steep, uneven approach with no handrails; not suitable for limited mobility, small children, or dogs near cliff edges.
  • No tidal cut-off in normal conditions, but treat swell as the cut-off—if in doubt, don’t go.
• Personal safety:
  • Wear a marine-rated inflatable lifejacket and carry a knife for snag emergencies.
  • Phone signal is patchy in the quarry; check reception on the clifftop and tell someone your plan. A small first-aid kit is wise.
• Restrictions:
  • Public access is on footpaths across farmland; follow signage, keep to paths, and respect any temporary closures for rockfall or conservation work.

Facilities

Winspit is wild: there are no facilities at the water. Stock up before the walk and plan self-sufficient sessions.

• Parking: donation car park at Worth Matravers village; limited on-street alternatives—observe local signs.
• Toilets: none at Winspit; nearest options are back in Worth Matravers (when available) or in Swanage/Corfe Castle.
• Food and drink: the Square and Compass pub in Worth Matravers is a local institution (check opening times; carry a payment option and water).
• Tackle/bait: tackle shops and fresh/frozen bait in Swanage and Wareham; pre-order rag/lug in summer.
• Mobile signal: variable to poor down in the quarry; better on higher ground.

Tips

Local patterns and small tweaks make a big difference on this kelpy, snaggy ground. Travel light, fish smart and keep an eye on the sea.

• Reccy at low water to map kelp beds, gullies and safe casting lanes; fish them on the next flood.
• Use weedless rigging and abrasion-resistant leaders; add a short fluorocarbon bite section for wary pollack in clear water.
• Float gear: set depth so your bait runs just above the kelp fronds; adjust constantly as the tide rises.
• For bass, work small surface/sub-surface lures tight to the rock face at dawn—strikes often come within a rod length.
• Night sessions: a gentle, steady berley (tiny mackerel/squid scraps) can hold pout and draw in eels/huss.
• Bring a drop net for higher ledges and safer fish handling; unhook wrasse in the water where possible and release big breeders promptly.
• After onshore blows, wait 24–48 hours for the swell to settle but before the water fully clears—classic bass window.

Regulations

Winspit lies on the Jurassic Coast within conservation designations where shore angling is permitted, but you must follow national and local byelaws. Rules change—always check before you go.

• Management: this area falls under the Southern IFCA district and MMO national regulations. Minimum Conservation Reference Sizes (MCRS) apply to finfish and shellfish.
• European bass: recreational rules include closed/release-only periods, daily bag limits, and a 42 cm minimum size. Check current Bass Regulations (MMO/DEFRA) for dates and limits before retaining any bass.
• Shellfish/crustaceans: it is illegal to take berried (egg-carrying) lobsters or crabs; size limits and gear restrictions apply. Some local restrictions may apply to bait and shellfish gathering—verify with Southern IFCA.
• Marine protected areas: parts of the Purbeck coast are within marine conservation zones; shore angling by rod and line is generally allowed, but avoid damaging features (no chipping weed beds, no prying in caves).
• General:
  • No littering; take all line, hooks and bait packaging home.
  • Respect private land and livestock on approach paths.
  • If night fishing, be considerate with lights around wildlife and other visitors.