Catch report & fishing forecast for Dorset including Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth

I hope those of you that got out over the weekend enjoyed some good fishing. Reports suggest that it was a bit quite, and given the size of the tides it was nothing unexpected. Expect that to all change towards the latter part of this week, when the tides pick up. Saturday and Sunday will see big springs. These are the landmark tides that most people wait for. They normally herald the start of the Bass season and the larger Smoothounds show up as well. Early Bream are showing to the East of Dorset and into Hampshire.

The Mackerel were around in good numbers over the weekend with some big fish amongst the shoals. Quite a few anglers I know managed fish to 1 1/2lb, which for a mackerel is a cracking fish. maybe thats what the Tuna the was caught in nets at Torbay on Saturday have followed in.

I have been thinking about a new rod for fishing Chesil beach during the summer, and for some time now I have been admiring the much longer and slimmer, continental style rods. I managed to get my hands on one for an extended test and I now have to have one. They are such a pleasure to use and cast without any effort required. I am not going to say too much at the moment about which rod I have decided on, as I like to give any piece of tackle a very comprehensive test before I write a review about it. I will say expect a review soon.

Sea Conditions: 

Water temperature 9.8*c.

Chesil Beach: Calm with very little swell. The water is slightly coloured.

Portland: Calm with good water clarity.

Portland Harbour: Calm and clear.

Weymouth Bay: Calm and clear.

Chesil Beach forecast: Plaice, Dabs and Rays will be around to the West of Chesil. Abbotsbury seems to be the main area for the larger catches at the moment. Smoothound and Mackerel are coming in all along the beach, with Herring still around.The usual Dogfish and Pout are showing up at night with Pollock towards Portland.

Portland:  Lots of Wrasse and Pollock being caught around the Bil, but netters have been spotted along the Eastern side of the island, making Church Ope Cove a long walk for nothing. As usual dawn and dusk are the best times for the Pollock. If you fancy a go for a large Conger then this month is the time to do it. Top marks are Blacknor Point on the West side and Chine on the East side. You need heavy gear and rotten bottom rigs to tackle the Conger that can exceed 60lb. It has been a few years since a monster that size has been landed but I am sure they should be around.

Portland Harbour: Lots of bait fish in the harbour but little sign of anything else. Even the Mullet seem to be absent. It has to be worth a go with some Peeler Crab around Ferrybridge to see if the Bass are in yet.

Weymouth Bay: I had a wander around the harbour this morning. I noticed that the Thin Lipped Mullet have disappeared again and all that is left is a few dozen Thick Lips. Tonight is Weymouth Angling Society’s junior night on the Stone Pier. If you are interested in getting your kids into fishing, or just want to see how many fish are being caught, go down there and talk to one of the club members.

Guiding & Lessons: If you are looking for Bass guiding in Dorset or any other guiding, then I am opening up the diary again for the next 6 months. Now that they fish have started to show, I should have some good sessions.  Have a look on the guiding link at the top of the page or drop me an email for more details to [email protected]