The Aqua for Anglers
• Flask filling
• flexible checkin/checkout times
• Kit Drying and Storage
• Some storage for catch
• Our kitchen can also prepare you a meal using fish you have caught
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.
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 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 androckmarks2 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.
A nice article from Sea Angler (Dec 2010) on Rock fishing for wrasse off Pulpit Point on Portland
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.
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.
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.
If you the organiser of a fishing club, and want to understand what facilities and special offers we offer please email or call us on +44(0)135 860 269.