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

I would think that there will be quite  a few anglers targeting Plaice this weekend on Chesil Beach. This is traditionally when the Plaice normally start to show on the beach. Given that the tides are dropping to medium sizes ones, the chances are not bad.. However the wind has picked up and changed to South Westerlies, putting the wind in your face and creating rougher conditions than it has been for a few weeks, the conditions are going to be a bit more difficult. With some luck I will be out fishing for some Plaice myself.

Sea Conditions: 

Water temperature 6.4*c it is still dropping, when it should be going up!

Chesil Beach: Choppy with a 1.5 swell. The water has cleared a bit over the past couple of days.

Portland: 1.5m swell and lightly coloured water

Portland Harbour: Calm with almost clear water.

Weymouth Bay: Calm with a slight colour in the water.

Chesil Beach forecast: Plaice and early Ray, are going to be most anglers target fish this weekend. Recent results have shown that Abbotsbury and Cogden have produced most of the fish, with West Bexington being much quieter than normal. There are still a lot of Rockling around and night time fishing will produce the normal Dogfish and Pout. Don’t be too surprised if you pick up a bonus Thornback Ray whilst Plaice fishing. If you want to target the Rays then Peeler Crab or Squid will work.

Portland: The continual cold weather is going to keep the Wrasse in the deeper water, making lure fishing for them very difficult. If you want to target Wrasse then it is back to basics with a simple rig with a rotten bottom to reduce tackle losses. Live hardback crab or Ragworm will see you catch Wrasse. Pollock will be around from dawn til dusk. THey will happily take lures or float fish for them with Ragworm or strips of Mackerel.

Portland Harbour: Reports from the harbour show that it is still very quite, but it should not stay that way for long. As soon as the water temperature starts to rise that is one of the first marks to start to liven up.

Weymouth Bay: With a more fishable surf today Preston should produce some late Whiting and early Bass. The Stone Pier will be god for small Pollock, Pout and Whiting.

Guiding & Lessons: I know it is the heart of winter, but now is a good time to think about booking a 1 to 1 lesson or get on one of my fishing workshops. This will give you plenty of time to practice the techniques you learn before the fish turn up again in the spring. Have a look on the guiding link at the top of the page or drop me an email for more details to [email protected]