Hurst Shingle Bank - This is a huge bank of shingle that stretches out to the nearest point of the Isle of Wight. On its west facing bank it provides a steep shingle beach that can offer both inshore and many offshore species. Bass, Bream, Flounders, Rays, Gurnards, Sole, Tope, Smoothhound and even Congers can be caught on certain marks along the shingle bank. In the winter some good Cod and Whiting can be caught. Check local tidal conditions as this can influence your lead choice in the strong tidal movement at certain times. On the east and Solent facing side of the bank is the entrance to Keyhaven harbour where more sheltered waters offer Bass, Flounders and Sole.
Hurst Castle – To fish this venue, either walk the shingle bank – approximately 1½ miles, or during the summer catch the ferry from Keyhaven. Fishing the bay facing the Solent can produce Flounder, Sole Bass, Eels and Plaice. The water is deeper near the point facing the fort on the Isle of Wight. This deep mark known as “Hurst Hole”, and Rays, Dogfish, Conger, Pouting, Bass and Smoothhound can be caught from this mark. Garfish and Mackerel can be had by float fishing in the summer. Winter produces Cod and Whiting.
Milford Beach, Hordle Cliff and Taddiford – Evening fishing best during the summer as these beaches are used for bathing. Shore fishing can produce Rays, Plaice, Sole, Flounder, Bass and Pouting.
The beaches of Barton, Highcliffe, Mudeford, Southbourne and Bournemouth all offer shallow sloping sandy sea beds, which produce Sole, Plaice, Dabs, Bass and Flounders, plus at certain times of the year, Rays move inshore along with Smoothhound (Barton and Southbourne). Occassional cod and Whiting move in from October on wards.
Barton-on-Sea – Species here include Bass, Sole, Plaice, Flounder, Rays and Pouting. There are patches of clay on the sea bed where your weight may be difficult to retrieve.
Highcliffe – The castle area is a popular venue for Bass, Thornback Ray, Sole and Plaice and some quality Smoothhound. This is a bathing beach, so evening fishing is recommended during the summer months. Winter fishing produces Pouting and Whiting.
Friars Cliff and Avon Beach – These are useful beaches which are sheltered when the wind is gale force from the west to south-west. Species here include Bass, Plaice, Pouting, Eels and Smoothhound in the summer, with Flounder caught during the autumn and winter months. A very popular match venue during December, January and February for Pouting, Rockling and Flounders.
Mudeford Spit – Excellent fishing during the summer months for Bass, especially at the harbour entrance. Hefty Cod are the target species during winter. Flounders are available both at night and during the day. Plaice also show in the summer and Pouting around autumn.
Hengistbury Head – Variety of fish available during the year, with the groyne fishing the best during the summer. Light tackle can produce Mackerel, Garfish, Pollack, Wrasse and some good size Bass. The odd Conger turns up off the end of the groyne.
Double Dykes – Popular haunt from June to December. Small Turbot, Plaice, Flounders, Bass and Sole caught in the summer, with Cod and Whiting available in autumn and winter. Night tides best for Sole and Cod.
Southbourne Beach – A sandy beach which offers plenty of variety during the autumn. Sole, Bass, Plaice, Flounders, Cod, Pouting and Whiting fish best on night tides. Good sized Small-Eyed Ray also available.
Boscombe Pier – Dabs, Flounders, Plaice and Pouting caught from this location with Whiting the dominant species. At present angling is very restrictive due to the condition of the pier. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PIER HAS NOT BEEN DISMANTLED.
Bournemouth Beach – Lying between the piers, Flounders are available on night tides between January and March. Dabs, Pouting, Rockling, Whiting and the odd Codling are also on the cards. Fishing during the summer is very restrictive due to bathers, but fishing for Sole and Pouting on night tides is very lucrative.
Bournemouth Pier - This venue is noted as an all year round flat-fish mark. Few big Plaice are also caught. Mackerel and lively Garfish are available from the end of the pier, with sizeable Mullet and Pollack being caught around the piles.
Sand Banks – A busy holiday area during the summer. Sport is restrictive to winter months for Flounders, Pouting, Whiting and Bass being available. Early spring fishing can sometimes produce good sized Plaice.
Poole Harbour – One of the hot spots along the south coast. With many islands and sheltered shores, fishing venues can be found in even the most severe weather conditions. The shallow water of the harbour provides a nursery area for Bass, Mullet, and Flat-fish. Specimen size Flounders can be caught from many of the shallow beaches during the months of September to January. Eels and good size Bass can be caught during the summer months. Fishing during early morning or at night, along the Town Quay, can produce Pouting, Whiting and Pollack, with Mullet showing in the early morning. Be careful on some of the beaches, as these are often frequented by Sailboarders. The harbour entrance can produce figure Bass through the summer and autumn.
Studland Bay – With a flat and sandy beach, Studland Bay is worth fishing for Flounders during the winter months, with good Plaice showing during the summer and Bass, when the surf is good. Last three hours of the flood tide produce the bet catches.
TO THE WEST - The rugged cliffs from Swanage through to Weymouth provide a stark contrast to the sandier eastern side to our area. As you approach Weymouth the beaches return to shallow sloping sand and on the entrance to Weymouth Harbour is Stone Pier. Further to the west is Portland which offers a superb rocky peninsular jutting out into the deep waters offshore. The fishing here can be spectacular. Sweeping away from Portland is the infamous Chesil beach, a steep, shingle beach which can produce almost every species found in our waters. Seek local knowledge from a local tackle shop for the up to date news on what’s being caught, before you fish. It could save you a long walk.
Swanage Bay – A refuge for anglers during a strong south westerly. The rocks at the eastern end produce Pollack, Wrasse, small Conger and the odd Bass. The centre of the bay will see Flounders, Pouting, Plaice and the occasional Ray, which can be taken at night. The pier fishes well for Mullet, Wrasse, Mackerel and Pouting during the day, with Conger at night.
Peverel Point - A rough ground venue with the summer fishing for small Pollack, Wrasse, Mullet and Bass.
Dancing Ledge - A walk of approximately 1 mile, and a descent down the cliff will bring you to big Wrasse, Pollack and Mullet, during the summer, fished with light tackle. Known as a good Conger mark during the autumn.
Chapman’s Pool – Holds Bass, Wrasse, Pollack and Conger, and a few flatfish in summer. Approach for this venue is via Worth Matravers, but beware of the crumbling cliff.
Durlston Bay – A shallow rocky mark which fish well for big Wrasse from September to early October. Mullet appear in numbers when the sea is flat, calm and clear. Durlston Head is famous for its superb Conger fishing. Good sized Pollack and Wrasse, with the occasional double figure Bass are also available during the summer. Be careful and fish this venue only during calm conditions, as during the slightest swell, the sea is pushed over the top of the flat rock shelf.
Kimmeridge Bay – A shallow water mark, noted for its Bass and Mullet, taken on light tackle.
Warbarrow Bay and Tout – A deeply shelving shingle beach which can produce Conger, Dogfish, Wrasse, Rays, Pollack and Flatties. The Tout has a strong tidal race and will fish well for large Conger, Pollack, and even the odd Tope in summer. This venue is only approached, by foot, from the deserted village of Tyneham, which lies in the middle of the Ministry of Defence Firing Range.
Lulworth Cove – Provides a sheltered haven during rough weather. Summer is very busy with small boats anchoring a few yards off the beach. Bass, Conger, Wrasse and Pouting can be taken with ledger gear in the autumn. The rocky platform at the eastern entrance fishes well for small Pollack, Wrasse, Garfish and Mullet, especially on light tackle.
Durdle Door – Popular holiday beach during the summer, but the quiet autumn nights will bring Huss, Conger and Rays to the beach, although the odd specimen Sole, Plaice and Pouting can never be ruled out.
Ringstead Bay – This used to be excellent venue for large Conger and Plaice, but has declined over the years. Conger still taken from rocky areas with the odd Plaice showing. Small Pollack and Wrasse will rattle rod tips.
Redcliffe Beach and Point – Fairly steep shelving shingle beach which will produce specimen size Sole at night, during the summer. Also noted as a Conger mark, along with Pollack, Plaice, Pouting and Dogfish.
Preston Beach – A non starter during the summer months. Night time tides during the winter will produce Flounder, Pouting, Dabs and small Whiting. Odd Bass can be expected during stormy periods.
Weymouth Harbour – Mullet are quite prolific here, together with Flounder, Pollack, Pouting and the Coalfish feeding at night.
Stone Pier – Fishes all year round and is a safe haven for youngsters. Light float tackle brings Pollack, Wrasse, Mackerel, Garfish, Mullet and Whiting, while ledgered baits produce Flounders, Pouting and even the odd Codling in the autumn.
Portland – Wrasse and Conger are the main sport along the coast of Portland, with Church Ope Cove, Cheyne, Pulpit Rock and Ocean Rock being the best vantage points. Pollack can also be taken at most spots.
Chesil Beach – Some very good fish are caught along the 18 miles of shingle beach. Access is extremely limited and often a long hike or a short boat trip across the Fleet is needed to reach the fishing areas. Excellent Cod can be caught in the winter, at a number of points, including Bridging Camp, Moonfleet and Langton Herring. Good Conger and Wrasse can be caught during night tides in the autumn and winter, together with Dabs, Whiting, Pollack and Pouting. Fishing the Fleet itself can produce Flounders and hefty Bass. Mackerel can be caught in large quantities during the summer.
Abbotsbury – Large shoals of Mackerel patrol close to the shore, which in turns produce a number of predatory species, ranging from double figure Smoothhound,, to 40lb Conger. Whiting, Pouting, Dabs, Plaice and Dogfish are also caught, while Cod can be taken to the eastern end of the beach, during the winter.
West Bexington – Plaice are the main target during the early part of the year, with the first fish appearing around March. Mackerel and Dabs are the dominant species during the summer, with Whiting and Cod turning up in the autumn and winter.
BAIT - Worm baits for flatfish, Gurnards, Wrasse and Pollack; sandeel for Bass and Rays; crab for Smoothhound, Wrasse and Bass, and fish baits for Conger and Rays. Squid for Bream and lug/squid cocktails for the Cod and Whiting.
