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

What a dire weekend. With the exception of a few lucky anglers, most people that fished this weekend had very little to show for hours on the beach. I heard of a couple of Rays coming from Charmouth and a few Plaice at Cogden, but thats about it. I spent most of yesterday lure fishing on some of my usual marks and didn’t even have a knock. It is not helped by the lack of water clarity.

On a positive note, the boat fishing out of Weymouth is exceptional at the moment. The charter fleet have been landing some fantastic Brill, Turbot and Plaice from the Shambles and some monster Pollock from the Wrecks. I think I am going to have to get out on a boat over the next week to chase away the fishing blues.

Sea Conditions: 

Water temperature 6.5*c

Chesil Beach: Calm with a 1m swell. There is a lot of colour in the water.

Portland: 1m swell and lightly coloured water

Portland Harbour: Calm with clear water.

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

Chesil Beach forecast: With the sea state a bit more settled and slightly less colour in the water it is time to go for the Plaice again. Use lots of coloured beads and bling to help attract the Plaice. I know having so much bling on cuts down the casting distance but it could well be worth a try. You will pick up some Roackling, Pout and Dogfish at night especially on fish baits.

Portland: The cold water just keeps the Wrasse at distance so your choices are Pollock on lures at dusk and into darkness, or to go for a Conger or Bull Huss at night.

Portland Harbour: It seems that there are at least a few Flounder in the harbour again. mainly from Sandsfoot Castle. I spent a few hours at Ferrybridge yesterday afternoon and didn’t see any sign of birds working the bait fish. So not a great sign.

Weymouth Bay: Preston is still producing some Whiting on night tides and you always have the chance of a Ray from there. Stone Pier is even slow at the moment.

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]