VMO GUIDE TO FISHING CHESIL BEACH
Chesil Beach is one of the most popular beach fishing destinations in the UK. The 18 mile stretch of shingle is a stunning place to fish and it offers fishing opportunities for anglers of all abilities. The list of potential target species is huge and just about anything can turn up anywhere. Add in a mix of easy to access spots and isolated solitude for those prepared to walk away from the crowds and it is hardly surprising that anglers travel from all over the country to sample Chesil's sea fishing potential.
Detailed below are four of the most popular and productive marks with a guide to the species to target at each spot and some tips on how to catch them. There is also a handy Chesil calendar which gives you a guide to what is worth targeting at any given time of year.
The fishing on Chesil is generally very comfortable and if you set up camp above the high tide line you can stay in the same spot all day. You do however have to be aware of the weather and strong winds from the southerly quarter will drive in large waves and swells which can make the beach both unfishable and dangerous. A south east wind can create a huge swell which has in the past caught out many anglers as a rogue swell pushes in further than expected. If you are travelling a long way and are unsure of the potential sea state then seek advice before heading out.
Cogden Beach
Sat Nav - DT6 4RF
Target species: Plaice, sole, dabs, small eyed rays and thornback rays.
General - Cogden is the shallowest of the recognised Chesil Beach marks and is accessed via a reasonably steep but well surfaced footpath leading down from the small National Trust pay & display carpark. When you reach the beach the area straight in front is a popular spot but if you want a bit of space and peace walk either east or west for a few minutes to find a quiet patch of shingle.
Tides - If targeting flatfish and rays the most productive time is normally 2 hours before high water and 3 hours back. Alternatively, 1 hour before low water and the first 2 hours of the flooding tide can also produce a few fish. Daytime tides are generally best for the plaice with the sole preferring the cover of darkness. Rays often feed well at dawn and dusk but unlike the plaice they do not mind dirty water and if the sea is coloured then they can be caught in daylight.
Tactics - When it comes to finding the flatfish that this venue is famed for, it can pay to cover some ground either by trying a particular spot and then moving along the beach, or changing the angle/distance of which you cast. A break out style lead is the way most anglers would go, but when the tide eases it makes sense to switch to a plain lead that will move about and possibly entice fish on to the baits. When the fish do come on the feed, it is important to keep a spare trace baited up and hanging from the tripod so a fresh offering can be cast back out as soon as you have wound in. A Two hook loop rig cast as far as possible is the go-to tactic of many, but for out and out distance a One hook up & over rig can work well. Rays can turn up anywhere through here and an up and over or Drop down pulley rig is the way forward.
Bait - Ragworm is the best all round flatfish bait here. Small and sticky black lugworm are pretty much on par and a combination of the two can work really well. A single lug tipped with half a ragworm so that the head section is on the bend of the hook is the best approach. Rays will take sandeel, but if the mackerel are around, a long thin strip of freshly caught mackerel whipped to your hook is probably better still.
If the water is coloured a few crabs are worth having as these can pick up some bonus smooth hounds and bass which move into the dirty water.
NOTES - The walk to Cogden beach is a little demanding and the walk back up the hill is harder still, so travel light and only take what you need. This is not a venue where you can simply fall out of the car and on to the mark but on busy weekends the extra effort involved in getting to the beach does mean that Cogden is often less crowded than some other marks. Check out the Chesil calendar at the bottom of this page for some pointers on what to expect each month, but as a general rule of thumb, the best flatfish sport here is from the middle of March onwards.
It is essential that the water is clear for good plaice fishing as being a visual feeding fish they become difficult to catch when the water is stirred up. An offshore wind (from the north or north east) is the best time to fish as not only will it settle the sea it will also help your casting making it easier to hit the feeding grounds.
Cogden is not the best spot on Chesil for mackerel fishing but they will still show up at times. If high tide coincides with dawn or dusk then you should be able to catch a few and if you are trying in the evening stick at it as often they only appear once the sun sinks below the horizon.
(Cogden is a popular spot for naturists so be warned. Do not however get too excited as it mainly attracts old men rather than being a hang out for sun seeking glamour models!)
West Bexington
Sat Nav - DT2 9DG
Target species: Plaice, sole, dabs, small eyed rays, thornback rays, mackerel and whiting.
General - West Bexington is slightly deeper than Cogden and lies approximately two miles to the east. The advantage here over Cogden is that a large pay and display carpark is situated almost on the beach itself, so for the less abled, access is a whole lot easier. There are also public toilets behind the car park. Directly in front of the car park is a popular spot but it can get crowded so if you prefer a bit of space then walk for 15 minutes or so either west or the east of the carpark. Bexington is the perfect spot to try for the mackerel that traditionally show from May onwards. They can shoal in huge numbers and are easy to catch but be sensible and just take what you need!
Tides - As with most of Chesil, a key time to catch is when the tide is about to either slow down or pick up in pace. If targeting flatfish and rays, experienced anglers will fish 2 hours before high water and 3 hours back. Alternatively, 1 hour before low water and the first 2 hours of the flooding tide can be a productive time in the cycle. Evening spring tides with high water in darkness is the prime time for winter whiting.
Tactics - Your approach here should be considered pretty much the same as that you would adopt at Cogden. As the water here is a little deeper, it does mean that the water clarity is faster to return after strong onshore winds, so it could be worth considering this if heading down for a daylight plaice session. Cover some ground either by trying a fanning your casts out, or changing the distance at which you cast. A break out style lead is the way most anglers would go, but when the tide eases it makes sense to switch to a plain lead that will move about and possibly entice fish on to the baits. Colourful sinkers are popular and the pyramid style sinkers offer surprising grip when using light lines. When the fish do come on the feed, it is important to keep a spare trace baited up and hanging from the tripod so a fresh offering can be cast back out as soon as you have wound in. A three hook clipped down rig cast as far as possible is the go-to tactic of many, but for out and out distance a One hook up & over rig can work well. Rays can turn up anywhere through here and an up and over or Drop down pulley rig is the way forward. The whiting fishing at Bexington can be superb during the late autumn with many fish topping a pound and specimens of over 2lb in weight not out of the way. The whiting are often at quite close range and 2 or 3 hook flapper rigs are a great way to target them.
Bait - Ragworm is the best all round flatfish bait here. Small and sticky black lugworm are pretty much on par and a combination of the two can work really well. A single lug tipped with half a ragworm so that the head section is on the bend of the hook is the best approach. Rays will take sandeel, but if the mackerel are around, a long thin strip of mackerel whipped to your hook is probably better still. Whting will take lugworm baits with relish but strips of good quality frozen mackerel are a cheaper alternative and often sorts out the bigger fish.
NOTES - As with Cogden, the season here really starts in March with anglers concentrating their efforts on plaice. Early season can be hard work if conditions are not quite right (too much colour in the water) and it's fairly common to get hounded by dogfish, pin whiting and rockling. The entire western stretch of Chesil Beach is subject to a mass spider crab invasion around April and May, though possibly earlier if the weather is mild. Winding in a three hook rig to find one or more of the snoods snipped off not far away from the dropper swivel is frustrating as it renders the rig useless. Some anglers will use a short braid 'biting' snood in an effort to prevent this happening, but when the bottom is thick with crabs they will often snip the trace a considerable distance from the hook. Unfortunately this is all part and parcel of fishing here during the spring and early summer.
Abbotsbury
Sat Nav - DT3 4LA
Target species: Cod, whiting, undulate ray, smoothhound, bass and mackerel.
General - Abbotsbury lies slap bang in the middle of Chesil Beach and is perhaps the most popular venue along the entire beach. A large pay and display car park enables you to park almost on the beach and a board walk that leads up over the shingle will take you to the water directly in front of the car. There are toilets and a café, which when open is where you have to pay for your parking ticket. Good fishing can be had all along the beach and for the fit the fabled 'Dragons Teeth', an arrangement of anti-tank traps that remain from WW2 can be reached after a three quarters of a mile hike to the east of the carpark. The 'Teeth' is undoubtedly the go to spot for many keen winter cod anglers. The whole beach is very popular for mackerel fishing and this can lead to it getting very crowded on nice days through the summer.
Tides - Abbotsbury is one venue that can fish especially well over the bottom of the tide, particularly for cod. A good time to fish is one and a half hours down to low water and three hours afterwards. It is probably a good idea to avoid the really big tides here as not only do they make fishing extremely difficult owing to the extreme tidal pull, but for whatever reason the fish themselves can be reluctant to feed with any enthusiasm.
Tactics - Winter cod fishing certainly draws the crowds but the fish seldom give themselves up so it is important to have confidence in your approach. The biggest casters score well here and although cod can be taken at the end of a modest chuck, far more fish seem to come from range. A streamlined pulley rig holding 3/0 hooks is the only rig you'll need to consider when cod fishing. Many anglers fish here after a good blow up has coloured the water and cod can be caught in dirty water but pest fish will also be ravenous with huge numbers of dogfish, pout and poor cod also likely to steal your baits. Alternatively fishing during daylight when the water is clear will deter smaller species but not the cod that will feed just as comfortably under such conditions.
Similar tactics during the spring and summer will produce smooth hounds which can be ravenous when the tide is running. Undulate rays often show here and a fresh pouting bait fished at quite close range will often pick one up. Bass can caught at very close range and a large mackerel bait fished in the edge at night when the mackerel anglers have gone home is a killer tactic but you need to be quiet and avoid shining your headlamp on the water. Bass can also be taken on lures and this is also a fun way of catching mackerel compared to the more often practiced tactic of feathering.
Bait - Peeler crab is a fantastic bait for codling here with lugworm a close second. Cocktail baits involving squid are also popular and help to eck out the more expensive worm and crab. Crab, peeler or hermit, is the number one bait for the 'hounds but they can also be tempted on ragworm and squid if you cannot get any crabs. Fresh pout is tops for the undulate rays but they will also pick up squid baits. Fresh mackerel scores for the bass and the mackerel can be caught on feathers or small metal lures like the Dexter wedge.
NOTES - The first codling will be caught at Abbotsbury as early as the end of August, though numbers will usually build throughout September and in to October. Chesil on the whole is known for its early codling season, with numbers tailing off by late November although December and January are often the time when the biggest cod will show.
The Dragons Teeth area is certainly the most popular spot, but the walk across the shingle is moderately challenging. Consider lightening the load if you intend to fish here or if fishing with friends, spread the gear between you so you're not taking a set of everything each (eg scales, camera, net). Keep walking along the back of the beach in an Easterly direction until the main track heads up over the shingle. The 'Teeth' will become immediately obvious when you reach them.
Ferrybridge
Sat Nav - DT4 9XETarget species: Black bream, gurnards, trigger fish, codling, smoothhound, scad & garfish
General - Ferrybridge is the first easily accessible mark at the eastern end of the fleet. The Chesil Beach visitors centre is also here and comprises of a cafe and toilet block. This huge carpark offers 24 hour pay and display parking and it's regularly monitored by wardens, so never forget to put a ticket on the car here. Fishing can be just as good in front of the carpark as anywhere for some species, so if you are new to fishing or just don't fancy the strength sapping walk over the shingle, this could be the way to go.
Tides - Big tides can often be the most productive here and will give a pretty constant tidal pull throughout your session. This is often key to any mark on Chesil but it can be of particular importance here. Fishing around 4 - 4.5 hours before high water and 3 hours back will give you a steady run of tide for over 7 hours on a big tide and if the fish don't show within that time frame it's probably time to go home!
Tactics - Ferrybridge is noted for the wide range of species available and trying to put together a mixed bag is the way many anglers tackle it. A three hook clipped down rig with size #2 hooks on short snoods is all you'll need if this is the type of fishing you have in mind. Clipped rigs can be cast long or short, but flappers only short, so always bare this in mind when preparing rigs for your session. Bream can often be found at close range, especially early in the morning. Gurnards of both red and tub variety (more commonly reds) will also be caught here. Bites can be quite aggressive from the bream, especially when using a braided mainline, but a more successful hook-up rate comes of using mono rather than braid. Trigger fish are occasionally caught along the stretch in front of the carpark and can be fished for on your bream/gurnard rig. A long pulley rig could also be used on your second rod to target the ever increasing undulate ray population. If you are yet to catch one of these impressive fish, they really are something to behold. Smoothhounds can be caught to the west of the carpark along the popular bird sanctuary stretch where you will also find the bulk of the bream, gurnards and occasional red mullet. Fishing with a bubble float in the edge after dark is great fun and on a settled night will account for scad, garfish, pollack, bass and garfish. Codling start to show from late August and can often be picked up whilst targeting other species.
Bait - Small baits are the way forward at Ferrybridge. A single ragworm tipped with a thin sliver of squid will catch the bream, but swap these baits for strips of fresh mackerel (if you can find some) and you'll catch gurnards. Smoothhounds will take crab baits where as the rays are a sucker for half a fillet of fresh mackerel. It's always worth mixing your baits up a little here and experimenting until you find the winning combination on the day. Red mullet are not as common a catch as they once were, but they can occasionally still be caught. Small blow lugworm baits are the key to catching them along with plenty of perseverance. Lugworm and crab normally pick up the codling
NOTES - The bird sanctuary is very popular. If you head west from the carpark and follow the board walk, this will take you up on to the top of the beach. It's around a ten minute walk to reach the bird sanctuary, but the hotspot seems to be at the western end which is a further ten minutes past the end of the board walk and on to the pebbles. Do not enter the bird sanctuary during the nesting season. Early morning tides in high summer can be a good time to fish for the smaller species that feed happiest during daylight in clear water. Adding a few coloured pop up beads to your trace can add a little something extra to entice bites, but silver beads should be avoided unless you want to land three mackerel on each cast! Trigger fish are the exception to the general 'tide is best' theory on Chesil and will often only feed during slack water for short time.
A year on Chesil beach - January to June
January
How good the fishing is this month, largely depends on how cold the winter has been. Reasonable water temperatures will see some nice Cod landed in the 1st half of the month, not in the numbers of autumn but for those patient enough to try it can be a good time for the odd better quality fish. Any prolonged spell of Easterly winds and Arctic temperatures will kill Chesil stone dead and it can even be a struggle to weigh in during matches. Thankfully the last few years have been kind and the fish have hung around inshore that bit longer. Whiting fishing can also be good early in the month with Abbotsbury the top mark. The last few years have also seen a good number of huge Conger from the deeper marks with the turn of the year seeming to be one of the best times to go and target a 50lb fish probably due to the number of whiting & pout present for them to eat. Once again though only if it’s been mild.
February
A great month for tying rigs and servicing reels! Dogfish, Pout and Whiting are the mainstay during what is the quietest time of the year. For a few hours action to get a fishing fix the Western marks such as Abbotsbury and Bexington will offer the best numbers of fish. The odd bonus Undulate will show towards the Portland end and there is the chance of Plaice showing at the end of the month but this is highly dependent on good water clarity.
March
The angling world anywhere close to Chesil will be studying every long range forecast trying to figure out when the water will clear to go and chase the first run of plaice! West Bexington will usually be best for these early fish with ragworm the most consistant bait for the early run of fish. Although many will be small and about the thickness of a crisp packet, there is normally the odd ‘bin lid’ amongst them to reward a few lucky anglers with a specimen sized catch. As the month progresses the average size and number will improve and some great fishing will be had in the correct conditions.
April
It’s all about the marks between Abbotbury and West Bay this month. Expect some great Plaice fishing as improving conditions see the fish fattening up. Decent Small Eyed Ray will also start to appear so make sure to take a few sandeels. Ray fishing provides a good option if the water colour prevents going after flatfish. For Plaice, the best action usually occurs as the main run of tide just starts to decrease a little but by slack water it is usually finished. As a general rule of thumb for those fishing over high water the hot time is usually 2-3 hours after as the right to left flow slows. Although not pleasant to fish in, the annual algae bloom which starts in April does not adversely affect fishing as much as many anglers believe. For Ray’s I believe it actually improves our chances.
May
Smoothound start to make themselves known to anglers fishing crab baits. Mid-range to larger tides are often best with the area between Ferry Bridge and the Dragons Teeth at Abbotsbury the area to head for. The Plaice fishing will remain good as will the prospects of a decent Small Eyed for which May is the top month of the year. Although localised, Thornback’s also start to show now too and are best targeted on fresh Mackerel which will be catchable in clear water on daylights from the start of May.
June
Fish the Ferrybridge area with a bucket of prime peeler or hermit crab on an evening flood tide of 1.7m+ on the Portland scale and the Smoothound sport should be excellent. Fish just into double figures are possible. Red gurnard also turn up now on the same marks plus the odd bream. Mackerel numbers should be strong and these can be put to good use after dark in tempting an undulate. There will still be Plaice at the Western End and it’s another cracking month for Small Eyed’s.
A year on Chesil beach - July to December
Great mixed fishing with the best of it focused between Chesil Cove and Abbotsbury. Small multi hook rigs carrying rag tipped with Mackerel, blow lug or half a crab will attract a multitude of different species including Gurnard, Bream, Smoothound, Plaice, etc. Beef up the hook size and add a large fish bait after dark and a double figure Undulate Ray or Conger could also be on the cards. Bass can be targeted close in at night on a Mackerel head and guts or fish for Scad on light gear with a float on dusk. Thick Lipped and Golden Grey Mullet can also be targeted with plenty of ground bait and ultra-light set up's. The Western marks are favoured for the Golden Grey's.
The Eastern end of the bank will produce all the species mentioned for July but the Western end from Abbotsbury to Cogden can also be productive now for Plaice and Sole. An evening session with rag or lugworm in calm, clear water conditions can be excellent for good numbers of fish to 2lb+. Garfish also start to figure in catches now on surface rigs carrying light snoods and small hooks, an 8 is perfect.
September
One of the very best months of the year to come and fish Chesil. It is certainly possible to record upwards of 10 different species in a session now and for the specimen hunters, big Undulate Rays, Congers and Bass are there for the taking. Head East of Abbotsbury for everything but flatfish which will prefer the shallower Western marks. Codling tend to show from the middle of the month and although a rare catch now, Trigger Fish are a possibility from some of the rough ground or wreck marks. Ragworm and peeler crab are the top baits for those wishing to have a try.
October
Cod, Plaice and Sole are the main targets this month. The flatfish tend to feed ravenously this month before starting their departure for the winter. Catches topping 20 fish per session are possible in calm, settled weather. The chance of a 4lb plus Plaice is at its absolute highest this month as the fish will be in peak condition. The area from the bird sanctuary towards the bridging camp is a great area for daylight Codding whilst the Abbotsbury area tends to benefit from darkness or heavily coloured, rough seas. October is the best month for big catches of Black Bream too, most fish averaging around 14oz-1lb 8oz. Ferrybridge to the Bridging Camp is best.
November
The summer species that have been resident since July will depart for good once the first big onshore blow hits the beach. Until that time it is possible to still be catching good numbers of Bream, Garfish, Plaice and Sole plus a few Mackerel. Whiting will invade the Western marks towards dusk and after dark or a good blow. Dogfish numbers will also be on the rise. Most will now be targeting Cod in the knowledge that the best of it will usually be over by the end of this month. Big lug baits, peeler or live hermit are the top baits. Many prefer black lug but I rate freshly dug blow lug as a far superior alternative alongside crab. Tanked, shop bought lug however is a poor alternative as is frozen blacks or squid.
December
Prospects are largely dependent on what size Cod we are catching. In a year dominated by large numbers of smaller fish, they will have largely thinned out by mid-December. If it's a year of fewer, bigger Cod then December can be great. It'll take patience as by now the water usually carries a constant hint of colour meaning, Dogfish, Whiting and pout will also be competing for your baits but the chance of a big fish is good. A great month for big Congers from Abbotsbury Eastwards if it's mild as they come inshore to predate on the shoals of smaller fish. Probably the best month to catch a huge 2lb plus Pout as well if you are after club records, etc.