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WAC local knowledge

Chesil Beach fishing marks

From Chesil Cove and Ferrybridge to Abbotsbury, West Bexington, Cogden and Hive Beach. Start with the conditions, then choose your mark and tackle.

Chesil Beach Live Webcam @ Quiddles Café

Chesil changes quickly. Swell, tide and steep shingle can make the shoreline hazardous even when the wind seems manageable. A webcam is one view of the beach, not a safety clearance. Check local forecasts and conditions before travelling.

Weather & tides Reserve access & seasonal restrictions Reserve fishing rules

Choose a Chesil venue

Nearby postcode DT5 1BW

Chesil Cove

What to expect

An open shingle beach with a steep shoreline and changing surf. Match the session to the observed conditions, not the reputation of the mark.

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.

Before you go: Deep water and a steep shingle edge make this an exposed venue. Avoid the waterline in swell and do not fish when waves threaten your position.

Open map

Nearby postcode DT4 9XE

Ferrybridge

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.

Before you go: This card refers to the seaward Chesil beach, not unrestricted fishing in the Fleet. Check the reserve’s access map and seasonal restrictions.

Open map

Nearby postcode DT3 4LA

Abbotsbury

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.

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

Open map

Nearby postcode DT2 9DF

West Bexington

What to expect

An open shingle beach with a steep shoreline and changing surf. Match the session to the observed conditions, not the reputation of the mark.

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.

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

Open map

Nearby postcode DT6 4RB

Cogden

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.

Before you go: There is a walk over uneven ground and shingle. Carry only what you can manage and assess the return route as well as the fishing position.

Open map

Park at Hive Beach Car Park DT6 4RF

Hive Beach, Burton Bradstock

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.

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

Open map

Reserve access: There is no summer access on the section between the Abbotsbury Tank Teeth and Portland Bound Stone. Use the reserve’s current map and signs for the boundaries and seasonal dates.

Sea fishing size limits & rules

Checked 4 November 2026. This local summary covers recreational angling in the Southern IFCA district. Use the official sources for the full rules and any later changes.

Selected legal minimum sizes

Measure finfish from the snout to the end of the tail fin. Skate and ray measurements are wing tip to wing tip. Release undersized fish immediately.

Species	Minimum size
Bass	42 cm
Black seabream	23 cm
Mackerel	20 cm
Horse mackerel / scad	15 cm
Plaice	27 cm
Dover sole	24 cm
Flounder	27 cm
Dab	23 cm
Pollack	30 cm
Whiting	27 cm
Ballan wrasse	18 cm
Conger eel	58 cm
Thick lipped & thin lipped grey mullet	42 cm
Golden grey mullet	36 cm
Whole skates & rays, where retention is lawful	40 cm wing width

A minimum size is not permission to keep a protected species or exceed a bag limit. Species not listed here may have other restrictions.

Southern IFCA minimum sizes Full local size byelaw (PDF)

Bass: the 2026 rules

1 February to 31 March: catch and release only with rod or handline.
During January and 1 April to 31 December: a maximum of three bass per person per day, each at least 42cm.
The rules cover both shore and boat anglers.
Nursery areas have additional restrictions. In the Fleet, fishing for bass from a boat is prohibited throughout the year.

MMO bass guidance 2026 Southern IFCA bass & nursery areas

Other catch rules & local restrictions

The UK and EU agreed a three fish daily recreational pollack retention limit for 2026. Check the latest implementation and area rules with the MMO before retaining pollack. European eels and shad must be returned unharmed. Protected skate, ray and shark species have separate restrictions.

Follow local signs and harbour directions, keep fishing gear clear of navigation and never assume a map pin gives permission to fish.

Southern IFCA rod & line rules MMO fishing regulations 2026 pollack agreement

Put your Chesil session together

Explore a small WAC selection of shore fishing essentials, then match the sizes and weights to your own setup. Need a second opinion? Call 01305 777771.

Fresh and frozen bait is for shop collection only. Phone the shop for availability.

WAC local knowledge

Portland fishing marks

Rock marks, sheltered harbour water and the protected Fleet. The setting changes sharply around the island, and access needs as much thought as the tackle.

Rock fishing needs experience. Wear suitable footwear and a properly fitted lifejacket, fish with company and stay away from wave washed ledges. Do not attempt a mark if safe access and retreat are uncertain.

Park at Cheyne Weares DT5 2EG

Cheyne

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.

Before you go: An exposed rock venue for experienced anglers. Assess swell, tides, footing and escape routes in daylight. Do not climb down to wet or wave washed ledges.

Open map

Nearby postcode DT5 2JT

Pulpit 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.

Before you go: An exposed Portland Bill location with strong tidal water. Avoid the rock edges in swell and do not treat this guide or the map pin as an access route.

Open map

Nearby postcode DT5 1HT

Church Ope Cove

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.

Before you go: Travel light because of the walk and steps. Lovely in calm conditions.

Open map

Nearby postcode DT4 9JZ

Hamm Beach and Portland Harbour

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.

Before you go: Keep mobile and cover the weed edges, channels and shallow water with lures.

Open map

Protected lagoon: access is restricted

The Fleet: Ferrybridge & the Narrows

Access

The reserve permits shore angling around Ferrybridge and the Narrows. Angling west of the Narrows is not permitted.

Conservation

The Fleet is a bass nursery area. The reserve discourages targeting bass; boat fishing for bass is prohibited all year.

Methods

Fish only where access is permitted and follow reserve signs. Do not wade into soft sediments or assume the whole lagoon is open.

Before fishing

Check the reserve’s rules and Southern IFCA nursery area regulations. Keep disturbance to wildlife to a minimum.

Before you go: The lagoon and shorelines contain unstable soft sediments and tidal hazards. Do not use general beach advice for the Fleet.

Reserve fishing rules Bass nursery restrictions