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Highcliffe Beach is a shingle-and-sand surf beach backed by soft cliffs and groynes, facing Christchurch Bay with views to the Isle of Wight. It fishes best on a flooding tide, especially at dusk and after dark, with onshore SW winds pushing a lively surf that draws bass close. Summer offers...
Shingle-and-sand beach directly below Highcliffe Castle on Christchurch Bay, with timber/rock groynes and patches of clay and rough ground between cleaner sand. It fishes best on a flooding tide into dusk and after dark, when surf gutters form along the bars. Summer brings bass in the surf, smoothhounds on peeler...
Steeply shelving shingle on the Jurassic Coast at Burton Bradstock, offering quick access to deeper water. Productive in summer for mackerel, scad and garfish, with bass in the surf; winter nights bring whiting, pouting and dogfish, with the chance of rays. Strong lateral tides and a heavy shore break at...
Kimmeridge Bay is a reef and ledge venue of flat rock platforms, kelp beds and gullies, with clear water and a gentle slope into deeper ground toward the bay mouth. It fishes best on a flooding tide, at dawn/dusk, and through the summer into early autumn when baitfish and predators...
An extensive system of flat limestone reefs and kelp-filled gullies on the south-facing Jurassic Coast. The ledges provide mixed rough ground with pockets of sand and shallow-to-moderate depth, ideal for wrasse and light-rock fishing in settled, clear water from spring through autumn. Bass and pollack patrol the flooding tide and...
A long, gently shelving sandy beach in Studland Bay with clean sand and nearby seagrass beds. Productive across flooding tides, especially at dusk and into dark. Best for flatfish with bass in onshore surf, winter whiting, and summer mackerel/garfish; occasional rays and smoothhound. Easy access and facilities via National Trust...
Dorset’s south-coast shoreline runs from Lyme Regis to Christchurch, mixing high Jurassic cliffs, the famous Chesil shingle bank, rocky headlands around Portland and Purbeck, and wide, sandy bays into Poole and Bournemouth with two large estuarine systems (Poole and Christchurch Harbours). It’s a top UK sea-angling destination thanks to variety: summer bream, bass and mackerel; smoothhounds and rays from surf and shingle; prolific wrasse and pollack on the rocks; plus sheltered harbour options year-round.
• West Dorset (Lyme Regis to West Bay):
• Chesil Beach (West Bay/Abbotsbury/Cogden/West Bexington/Chesil Cove):
• Portland & Portland Bill:
• Weymouth Bay & Portland Harbour:
• Purbeck Coast (Ringstead, Durdle Door/Lulworth, Kimmeridge, Swanage/Durlston):
• Poole Bay & Bournemouth (Studland, Sandbanks, Boscombe/Branksome):
• Poole Harbour & Christchurch/Mudeford:
Spring (Mar–May)
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Notes
• Beach/shingle (Chesil/Poole Bay):
• Rocks/ledges (Portland/Purbeck):
• Piers/harbours (Weymouth/Swanage/Poole):
• Estuaries (Poole/Christchurch):
• Baits: Ragworm, lugworm, peeler/hard crab, squid, mackerel strip, sandeel; live sandeel/whitelings for bass/pollack where available. • Presentation: Scale down hook size and snood diameter in clear water for bream/plaice; upsize and use strong mono (25–30 lb snoods) for rays/hounds. Night sessions often outfish days.
• Prevailing winds SW–W bring swell to Chesil and West Dorset; light E–SE gives clear water and calmer seas for bream, mackerel, wrasse and lure fishing. • Onshore winds and stirred water switch on bass along Chesil, Purbeck coves and Poole Bay surf beaches—especially on a building tide and at dusk/dawn. • Big spring tides increase tide run at Portland Bill, St Aldhelm’s/St Albans and Mudeford Run—great for predators but hazardous. Neaps can suit bream/plaice and finesse lure work. • Poole and Christchurch Harbours fish best on moving water—often last 2 hours of flood and first of ebb in main channels; avoid peak ebb at narrow entrances for safety. • Clarity matters: clear = better for lures, bream, wrasse; coloured = better for bass/rays. After a blow, wait for dropping swell but retaining colour. • Unsafe conditions: any significant swell on Chesil (even 2–3 ft can be dangerous on the steep bank), strong wind-over-tide at Portland Bill and exposed ledges, and spring-tide surges at harbour mouths. If in doubt, do not fish.
• Chesil Beach: Steep shingle with severe undertow—keep back from the water’s edge, never turn your back on waves, and avoid in any meaningful swell. Pack light; the shingle is hard going. • Cliffs/ledges (Portland/Purbeck): Unstable edges and falling rock. Wear grippy footwear and a personal flotation device; use a headtorch with spare batteries; avoid solo sessions on remote ledges. • Tide races: Portland Bill, St Aldhelm’s/St Albans and Mudeford Run are powerful—choose benign tides and conditions; be prepared to relocate if swell or wind-over-tide builds. • Harbours/estuaries: Deep, fast channels with soft mud—keep to paths and firm ground; be aware of boat traffic and no-fishing zones near ferry berths (Poole/Weymouth). • MoD ranges (Lulworth/Tyneham): Access to Worbarrow, Mupe and some cliffs is restricted during live firing. Check MoD opening times and obey signage. • Parking/access: Popular car parks at West Bexington, Cogden, Abbotsbury, Ferrybridge, Chesil Cove, Kimmeridge, Durdle Door, Swanage, Sandbanks and Hengistbury—pay-and-display common. Respect residents, gates and farm access. • Regulations: Southern IFCA byelaws apply; some nursery areas (e.g., Poole/Christchurch) have specific rules. Check current bass, wrasse (local conservation), and ray guidance; practice catch-and-release where appropriate.
• On Chesil, a gentle swell with coloured water at dusk is prime for bass—fish big sandeel or whole squid on a pulley pennel close to the surf line. • For spring plaice off Sandbanks/Poole Bay, use long fluorocarbon snoods (3–4 ft), size 2–1 hooks, minimal bait (rag/shellfish) and bright beads/spoons. • Black bream like clear water and small baits—use size 4–2 hooks with squid belly strips; keep leads just heavy enough to hold. • Portland wrasse love hard crab—present on a simple paternoster with a rotten-bottom link to save gear over kelp. • Squid fishing on Weymouth/Swanage piers is best an hour after dusk on a flooding tide; work jigs slowly under the lights. • In Poole/Christchurch, the first push of flood often triggers bass—crab or weedless soft plastics along channel edges. • When mackerel are scarce, swap from heavy feathers to single sabiki/float with small slivers of fish—less splash, more bites in clear water. • Night fishing transforms Dorset marks: sole, rays and hounds move tight in—scale your light/visibility and stay organised. • Check MoD range times before planning Purbeck coves (Worbarrow/Mupe); access can be superb when open and quiet. • Carry a long-handled drop net on piers/rocks—landing wrasse, bream and squid safely saves fish and tackle.
• Devon (East Devon): Mixed beaches and reefs of Lyme Bay continue west—plaice in spring, bass and wrasse in summer. • Hampshire: Sandy bays and piers around the Solent—rays, bream and bass; ferries and strong tides near entrances. • Isle of Wight (by ferry): Steep beaches and tide races—codling in cold snaps, bream and bass in summer. • Somerset (northwest inland border): Leads to the Bristol Channel further north—huge tides and muddy estuaries, noted for rays and codling in season.
• Do I need a licence to sea fish in Dorset?
• Is night fishing allowed?
• Where’s best for beginners?
• When is the best time for mackerel?
• Can I keep bass or rays?
| Area/Region | Access | Best species | Best methods | Prime season | Key safety notes | Facilities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Dorset (Lyme–West Bay) | Harbours, promenades, short walks | Mackerel, wrasse, bass, plaice | Float/lure, light ledger, sabikis | May–Sep | Swell on open beaches; harbour rules | Parking, tackle/bait in Lyme/Bridport |
| Chesil Beach (incl. Abbotsbury–Bexington–Cove) | Multiple car parks, long shingle walks | Bream, bass, rays, smoothhound, mackerel, sole, whiting (winter) | Pulley pennel, clipped rigs, feathers | May–Oct (winter for whiting) | Steep shingle, undertow; avoid in swell | Toilets/refreshments at main car parks |
| Portland & Bill | Rock ledges, longer walks/scrambles | Pollack, wrasse, bass, conger | Lures, float, strong bottom gear | May–Oct | Tide races, swell, loose rock | Limited parking; no facilities on ledges |
| Weymouth Bay & Portland Harbour | Piers, seawalls, sheltered harbour | Mixed species, squid, mullet, bass | LRF/float/sabikis, egi, light ledger | Jun–Nov (squid Oct–Dec) | Pier rules, boat traffic | Shops, food, toilets nearby |
| Purbeck (Kimmeridge–Swanage/Durlston) | Ledges, pier, coastal paths | Wrasse, pollack, bream, gar, bass, squid | Float/lure, small baits, egi | Jun–Sep (squid Oct–Nov) | Cliff edges, MoD range closures | Car parks; pier facilities |
| Poole Bay (Studland–Bournemouth) | Beach access, groynes, promenades | Plaice, bream, rays, bass, mackerel | Long snoods for plaice, pulley for rays, lures | Apr–Oct | Rip currents in surf, swimmers/boards | Ample parking, amenities |
| Poole & Christchurch Harbours | Quays, paths, banks (check byelaws) | Plaice, gilthead, bass, flounder, mullet | Running ledgers, crab baits, light lures | Apr–Oct (flounder into winter) | Fast tidal streams, soft mud, boat traffic | Cafes, bait shops in towns |