Fishing forecast for Chesil Beach, Portland & Weymouth. 12th November 2012

This could be the last forecast for the next two weeks, as I am heading off this morning for the first leg of filming in Canada, then it is on to the Amazon for some rain forest fishing. If I can get an internet contact I will keep the site up to date from the reports I get back from my local sources. If I am really lucky I might be able to post some new exotic species as well.

The weekends Cod fishing went pretty much as I expected it to, with very few Cod showing. The Cod Championship was fished by 177 anglers and only 2 Cod were weighed in. One of 2lb 10 and the winner at a mighty 17lb 2 oz. This is why I don’t fish species only competitions, in the end it is more often down to luck rather than anything else. I would rather buy a lottery ticket and go out with my lure rod than sit behind a bait rod for 6 hours in the hope that one stupid fish swims by close enough to smell my bait. Having walked along the beach several times over the weekend all I heard about were packs of Dogfish and Pout. However don’t let me put a downer on the Cod fishing, as the tides are building nicely, and we are in for a bit of a blow this afternoon that might colour the water up if it continues for a few hours, which should mean far better fishing.

Water Temperature: 11.8*c             Weymouth High Tide: 5.12pm, 2.03m

Wind: SW 25mph

Sea Conditions:

Chesil Beach: Medium chop with a small swell of around 1m. The water is clear

Portland: Calm on the East side but a bit rougher on the West with a small swell  clear water.

Portland Harbour: Wavelets  and clear water.

Weymouth Bay: Calm with clear water.

Chesil Beach forecast: If you can get through the packs of Dogfish then there is always a good chance of getting some nice Whiting and Cod over the next few days. The water should colour up this afternoon and the tides are building towards a spring tide. If you want to target the Cod then big baits are what is needed. One of the few decent Cod caught this weekend at 16lb came on a doubke black lug and squid cocktail. It seems that there have been some very nice Plaice caught at Cogden and Abbotsbury over the weekend with two the went over 5lb. Now that is what I call a monster Plaice.

Portland: Pollock and Wrasse are about in decent numbers but the Bass seem to have disappeared. I talked to half a dozen very good lure anglers over the weekend whilst fishing myself and every one had the same story. I don’t know whether it is the nets that are getting them all or they have moved off a bit.

Portland Harbour: Another area that is not producing the Bass that it was at this time last year. Lets hope this set of springs brings in another fresh shoal. There are still plenty of other fish to be had though. I seen some very large shoals of Mullet around Portland Marina. One area that did produce a 6lb Bass to a lure was the beach next to the sailing club at Sandsfoot.

Weymouth Bay: Best chance of a fish will be from the Pier with Garfish, Pollock, Wrasse and Mackerel the main bulk of your catch. The clear water will make it much easier for some fun with the Squid. Both the Pleasure and the Stone Pier are good marks for Squid.

Boat & Kayak fishing: I talked to several of the charter skippers that I know to see if the Bass were still around and they have confirmed that they very much are. Catches of 70 or More Bass from the Race have been common all week, with the commercial boats landing 250 to 300 kilo a trip. Paul Whittal, skipper of Offshore Rebel told me they had some huge Plaice to almost 7lb on Friday.

Guiding: That’s it for now until after I come back from filming.  My next available date is from the 29^th of November. I am taking bookings for both Bass and bait guiding sessions for December. If last year was anything to go by then the Bass  fishing should still be good up until early January. These can be tailored to your requirements including mixed days of bait and lure fishing. Drop me an email for more details [email protected]