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Chesil Beach Fishing Marks

A handy guide to some of the best known Chesil Beach marks, what you might catch, what methods to try and what to check before heading out.

Check the live webcam

Before you head out, check the Chesil Beach live webcam on YouTube, courtesy of Beach Life Cams, to get a proper look at the sea conditions.

Watch the Chesil Beach live webcam

Wind and safety

Any SW wind over 25 mph can be tricky and dangerous on Chesil. Always check conditions carefully before setting up and never take chances if it looks too lively.

Daily updates

We post daily Chesil condition updates on our Facebook page, so give us a follow to stay up to date before you travel.

Before you fish: Chesil can change quickly depending on swell, wind and tide. Always check the conditions before fishing, keep clear of dangerous water and take all rubbish home with you.

Chesil Cove

Nearby postcode DT5 1BW

Difficulty rating

Medium

Portland end Deep water Big fish potential

What to expect

Deep water, steep shingle and plenty of fish holding potential, especially when there is a bit of movement in the sea.

What you might catch

Bass, cod in season, conger, dogfish, rays, black bream, gurnards, pout, whiting, huss, mackerel and bonus fish.

Methods

Beach casting, pulley rigs, clipped down rigs, bigger fish baits and spinning when fish are showing.

Baits and rigs

Squid, mackerel, lugworm, ragworm, crab and pennel pulley style rigs.

Local tip: This is a mark to take seriously in rougher weather. If the sea is pushing in, give it proper respect.

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Ferrybridge

Nearby postcode DT4 9XE

Difficulty rating

Easy

Good access Popular mark Mixed species

What to expect

An easier access Chesil mark on the Portland side, often picked for a shorter walk and a straightforward session.

What you might catch

Bass, plaice, flounder, dogfish, rays, black bream, gurnards, whiting, mackerel, garfish and seasonal species.

Methods

Two hook rigs, flappers, pulley rigs, light beach fishing and float or lure work when fish are in close.

Baits and rigs

Lugworm, ragworm, squid, mackerel strip and simple beach rigs.

Local tip: A handy mark when you want a Chesil session without a big walk.

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Abbotsbury

Nearby postcode DT3 4LA

Difficulty rating

Medium

Classic Chesil Shingle beach Seasonal variety

What to expect

A proper middle section Chesil mark with deep water and classic shingle beach fishing.

What you might catch

Bass, rays, dogfish, black bream, gurnards, whiting, codling in season, conger, mackerel and bonus fish.

Methods

Big bait fishing, pulley rigs, clipped down rigs and standard Chesil beach tactics with grip leads when needed.

Baits and rigs

Squid, black lug, ragworm, peeler crab, mackerel and fish baits.

Local tip: Keep an eye on weed and surf, as it can quickly make things harder if the sea gets up.

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West Bexington

Nearby postcode DT2 9DF

Difficulty rating

Medium

Popular beach mark Deep water Bass and rays

What to expect

A well known Chesil mark with plenty of room, steep shingle and good seasonal variety.

What you might catch

Bass, rays, dogfish, black bream, gurnards, whiting, codling, conger, mackerel and autumn and winter species.

Methods

Beach fishing tactics, pulley rigs, two hook clipped rigs and larger bait presentations in rougher conditions.

Baits and rigs

Black lug, ragworm, squid, peeler crab, bluey and mackerel with grip leads.

Local tip: A cracking all round Chesil mark, but do not underestimate it if the wind and surf are building.

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Cogden

Nearby postcode DT6 4RB

Difficulty rating

Medium

Bit of a walk Fine once there Proper Chesil mark

What to expect

A classic Chesil mark with a bit of a walk from the car park, but once you are down there it is a good open beach mark with plenty of room.

What you might catch

Bass, rays, dogfish, black bream, gurnards, whiting, codling in season, conger and other seasonal species.

Methods

Beach tactics, pulley rigs, clipped down rigs, two hook rigs, grip leads and larger baits when the sea has colour.

Baits and rigs

Black lug, squid, ragworm, peeler crab, fish baits and pennel style rigs.

Local tip: It is a bit of a walk, so do not overload yourself. Once there it is a good fishable mark with plenty of space.

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Hive

Park at Hive Beach Car Park DT6 4RF

Difficulty rating

Easy to medium

Park at Hive Beach Good access Mixed species

What to expect

A handy access point near Burton Bradstock with parking at Hive Beach Car Park on Beach Road.

What you might catch

Bass, plaice, rays, dogfish, black bream, gurnards, whiting, mackerel, garfish and seasonal species.

Methods

General beach tactics, two hook rigs, pulley rigs, lighter setups in calmer conditions and bigger baits in surf.

Baits and rigs

Ragworm, black lug, squid, fish strips, crab and standard beach rigs with grip leads if needed.

Local tip: Park at Hive Beach Car Park, DT6 4RF. It is one of the easier Chesil access points, but still check surf and weed.

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Check conditions before you go

Check the Chesil Beach live webcam before you travel, treat any SW wind over 25 mph with real caution, and follow our Facebook page for daily Chesil updates.

Portland Fishing Marks

A handy guide to some well known Portland marks. These marks can be trickier to access than the beach, so check swell, wind, footing and access before fishing.

Before you fish: Portland rock marks are generally trickier to access than the Chesil beach marks. Expect uneven ground, rocks, steps, swell and more demanding fishing. Only fish marks that suit your ability.

Cheyne

Park at Cheyne Weares DT5 2EG

Difficulty rating

Hard

Rock mark Tricky access Experienced anglers

What to expect

A rugged Portland rock mark with rough ground, kelp, ledges and strong fish holding areas. Access is trickier than the beach marks.

What you might catch

Wrasse, pollack, bass, conger, huss, pout, mackerel, garfish, black bream and rough ground species.

Methods

Float fishing, lure fishing, heavy rock rigs, rotten bottom tactics and bigger baits for conger and huss.

Baits and rigs

Ragworm, crab, squid, mackerel, soft plastics, metals and strong rough ground rigs.

Local tip: Not a mark for taking chances. Check swell, footwear and safe access before fishing it.

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Pulpit Rock

Nearby postcode DT5 2JT

Difficulty rating

Hard

Portland Bill Tricky access Exposed rock

What to expect

An iconic Portland Bill rock mark with deep, rough water and very exposed conditions. Best avoided in poor weather or heavy swell.

What you might catch

Wrasse, pollack, bass, conger, huss, mackerel, garfish, black bream and rough ground species.

Methods

Float fishing for wrasse, lure fishing for pollack and bass, and strong rough ground gear for bigger fish.

Baits and rigs

Ragworm, crab, squid, mackerel, weedless soft plastics, metals and rotten bottom rigs.

Local tip: Swell, slippery rock and changing conditions are the big things to watch here.

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Church Ope Cove

Nearby postcode DT5 1HT

Difficulty rating

Medium to hard

Sheltered cove Steps and walk Tricky access

What to expect

A sheltered Portland cove with clear water, steep access and mixed rough ground nearby. The walk back up can be hard with tackle.

What you might catch

Wrasse, pollack, bass, garfish, mackerel, pout, black bream, mini species and occasional squid.

Methods

Float fishing, LRF, light lure fishing, dropshot tactics and small bait rigs close to rocks and structure.

Baits and lures

Ragworm, crab baits, mackerel strip, tiny soft plastics, metals and wrasse style lures.

Local tip: Travel light because of the walk and steps. Lovely in calm conditions.

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Hamm Beach and Portland Harbour

Nearby postcode DT4 9JZ

Difficulty rating

Easy to medium

Sheltered water Great for lures Gilthead bream

What to expect

Hamm Beach faces into Portland Harbour with sheltered water, weed beds, sand patches and plenty of light tackle options.

What you might catch

Bass, mullet, flounder, gilthead bream, black bream, gurnards, pollack, wrasse, garfish, mackerel, pout and gobies.

Methods

Great for lure fishing with small hard lures, metals, soft plastics and weedless setups. Also good for LRF, dropshot, float fishing and light ledgering.

Baits and lures

Bread, ragworm, crab, small fish baits, tiny soft plastics, metals, paddle tails and light lure gear.

Local tip: Keep mobile and cover the weed edges, channels and shallow water with lures.

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The Fleet

Nearby postcode DT4 9XE

Difficulty rating

Easy to medium

Lagoon area Great for lures Check restrictions

What to expect

A sheltered lagoon behind Chesil with very different fishing to the open beach. Access and restrictions must be checked before fishing.

What you might catch

Bass, flounder, mullet, gilthead bream, black bream, gurnards, small wrasse, gobies, eels and sheltered water species.

Methods

Great for lure fishing with light soft plastics, small hard lures and shallow running lures. Also try light ledgering, float fishing, bread tactics and worm baits.

Baits and lures

Ragworm, harbour rag, bread, small fish strips, crab, soft plastics, shallow lures and light rigs.

Local tip: The Fleet is sensitive and protected in places. Always check access and restrictions first.

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Fish Portland safely

Portland can be brilliant, but it can also be unforgiving. Check swell, wind, footing and access before fishing, and do not fish exposed rock marks in unsafe conditions.