Portland Shore Angling

Portland is considered to be one of the top spots for shore angling in the United Kingdom. If you are visiting Portland whether as a novice or experienced angler, you are sure to have some serious fun here and could get genuinely hooked on fishing the island. The coves and rocky outcrops of south Portland offer many different opportunities to fish from record catches of Mullet to challenging Bass, Pollack and Wrasse, while Chesil beach, also a popular national match spot, is also renown for the more exquisite species.

Nina Hukkanen boasts a 3lbs Bass caught 30 yards off Chesil Beach

Spinning, plugging and float fishing with light rods or spinners can be very rewarding both around the rock  marks as well as on Chesil Beach or under Ferry Bridge. During the summer months, feathering off either side of the island is sure to give you a nice little challenge with schools of Mackerel while throughout the season, ledgering or using two hook paternosters with a beachcaster is the choice of many who wait it out for ‘the big one’.Chesil Beach has in the past been voted the number one angling spot in Britain for two years running (‘Improve Your Sea Angling’ magazine) and being a storm and shingle beach on the Portland side, slopes out into the deep almost immediately requiring little casting effort and experience. The beach can be rewardingly fished at a number of marks and the close proximity of the Chesil Beach Angling Centre for any bait that can be used on the day of a session.

A simple walk from the Tourism Information Centre car park on Chesil Beach leads the angler to the pebble beach facing the wreck of the Royal Adelaide, a spot populated by trigger fish during the summer months and frequently fished throughout autumn, winter and spring. Chesil Cove and the east side of the beach boast a number of good marks where catches vary from good size Bass and Pollack to Whiting, Mackarel, Scad, Garfish and a variety of flat fish. Chesil can be spinned, float fished and ledgered but often produces the best of its fish after a fresh storm has churned up the sea bed and the scent lures fish in from the depths.

Rock Marks: As a general rule it is best to fish the West side of the island during the last hour of the flood tide and the early stages of the ebb tide, and fish the East side of the island on the flood tide. To the West of Portland Bill the ledges are higher with sharp drops which in some locations means the need of more care on part of the angler, but fishing here is also very rewarding. To the East of the Bill there are a number of marks on the ledges but also many flat outcrops scattered between these that allow for safer angling. Over the years the sea has eroded many of the rocks on both sides of Portland Bill into natural platforms that are now frequented by anglers.

Portland Bill is undoubtedly the most favoured rock mark on the island and it is possible to catch Bass, Pollack, Mackeral, Garfish, Wrass and Conger here. The tides that run very strong just off the Bill govern the feeding habits of most predators and can often be used to float fish distances or use the currents to release and retrieve lures.  Pulpit Rock to the West of the Bill, offers a number of different angling possibilities including spinning, float spinning and sliding floats.

East Side: To the east of Portland Bill there are many flat outcrops where big Pollack, Mackerel, Garfish and Wrasse can be caught . Summer sea weed and a rocky bottom composition means float fishing or spinning to save tackle, or using a rotten bottom with plenty of spare tackle and plain bombers for the more serious waits. If fishing from rock marks anglers are advised to be aware of the tides and swell that could be dangerous, keep well inwards of the high cliffs and wear proper boots ~ as the traditional wellies could be very slippery on wet rocks indeed. Also please note that mobile telephone reception might not always be available at all marks on the East side of the island.

Popular Baits for Portland Bill include: Strips of Mackerel, Frozen Sandeel,  Squid, Crab, Lugworm and Ragworm. Parking: Portland Bill Car Park. Fees vary by season. Toilets available and open throughout the year. Close-by cafe and restaurant open at scheduled hours. Points of Interest: Raised Beach, Portland Lighthouse, Portland Bird Observatory, the Bill, the Cranes (There is a popular footpath that leads off both to the West and East side of the island with the East side giving a constant sea view).

Church Ope Cove: This is a sandy cove that is flanked by rocks which lies just under the ruined remains of Rufus Castle and ideal both for the experienced angler and family anglers. It is normally protected from west and southwesterly winds and a popular walking spot for visiting tourists. Generally preferred as a fishing method here is beachcasting with night fishing yielding also Bass and Conger. There is snaggy ground close in so tackle loss might need to be taken in mind. There are also a lot of float fishing opportunities to both sides of the Cove.

Parking: Free car park just across Portland Museum. Points of interest: Portland Museum, Fossilised Tree, Rufus Castle and “Pirate’s graveyard”, dubbed so in an erred interpretation of ancient symbols.

Ferry Bridge: This is the only transportation link between Portland and the rest of the world and the bridge itself spans the narrow channel of tidal water linking Portland Harbour with the nature reserve of the Fleet (where angling is restricted). Spinning, float fishing and ground tackle cast out at various points will take Bass, Conger and Flounders. There are some rocks which provide a stance for spinning and floatfishing close to the bridge. Fishing off the bridge itself, due to traffic, is not advised.  If fishing from Ferry Bridge please take a moment to look at the stone that was used to put together this single road connection Portland has with the rest of the world and reflect upon the millions of years during which the fossils that lie within.

The Fleet is an important S.S.S.I. site and one of England’s most sensitive marine areas.
It is very important that anglers respect this unique conservation resource.

Popular Baits for Ferry Bridge include: Lugworm, King Ragworm, Mackerel strip and Squid. Parking: Behind Ferry Bridge Inn — concession fees to be paid inside. Toilets available at the Inn, open throughout the year. Points of Interest: Abbotsbury Oyster Farm, the Fleet Nature Reserve, Chesil Beach Tourism Office (with bird observatory), the Fleet Footpath.

Resources:
● Denning Tackle, Weymouth Angling Centre, Reels and Deals
● Sea Fishing in Dorset by Hugh Stoker ISBN 0 9508088 3 0
● Anglers Guide to Weymouth & Portland – Weymouth and Portland Borough Council

External Map-Chart Links:
● Shore Angling Map for Weymouth and Portland

Portland and Weymouth Bait & Tackle:

Wyke Regis
(On your right just before reaching the Ferry Bridge Roundabout)

Denning Tackle
114 Portland Road
Wyke Regis
Weymouth
Dorset. DT4 9AD

01305 783145

Stockists for Abu, Daiwa, Century etc.
Fresh and frozen baits available.
www.denningtackle.co.uk

Weymouth

Reels and Deals
St. Thomas Street
Weymouth
Dorset

01305 787848

Rods & reels, bait and accessories, only 150 yards from Town Bridge.

Weymouth

Weymouth Angling Centre
The Old Harbour House
24 Trinity Road
Weymouth
Dorset. DT4 8TJ

01305 777771

Open from 6.30 7 days a week. Lug, rag, crab, frozen baits and live sandeels. Serving the Anglers of Weymouth.