Fishing forecast for Chesil Beach, Portlnd & Weymouth. 11th August 2012

The wind has switched to the East and picked up quite a bit. This could make for some really good fishing on the Easterly facing beaches such as Preston. There is only one bait worth going for and that is Peeler Crab. Getting to the Preston Beach will be a bit of a pain, because of all the road closures for the final days of the Olympics. Role on Monday, so we can get back to normality. The East wind will keep Chesil flat and help with casting.

Water Temperature: 16.4*c             Weymouth High Tide: 1.06pm, 1.46m

Wind: E 21mph gusting 27mph, dropping of this evening.

Sea Conditions:

Chesil Beach: Calm with clear water.

Portland: West side is calm with clear water. The East side of the Island has waves of around 1m, though the water is generally clear except at Church Ope Cove where there is a bit of colour and weed in the water.

Portland Harbour: Small waves creating coloured water around the beaches at Sandsfoot and Hamm Beach. Away from the shore the water is clear.

Weymouth Bay: Nice surf, with coloured water.

Chesil Beach forecast: The beach will be pretty calm because of the Easterly wind flattening out the incoming waves. Just be aware that the swell may increase as the day progresses. There will be plenty of Mackerel from all along the beach. Some nice Bream and even some Trigger fish have come from Ferrybridge area of Chesil. Abbotsbury has produced two separate 5lb Plaice over the past two days, as well as a few smaller ones. Abbotsbury and West Bexington have been a bit of a hot spot for Thornbacks this week, with most coming on Ragworm tipped with Mackerel. It finally feels like the summer species are here in numbers.

Portland: Church Ope Cove may well produce a Bass in this wind, but you will certainly be able to get Pollock and Wrasse from the beach and rocks down there. I know it is a bit of a hike, but in these conditions it could well be worth it. Expect Pollock and Garfish on lures and float fished Mackerel around the Bill, as well as nice sized Wrasse.

Portland Harbour: Lots of Mullet and a few small Bass around. Plenty of small Wrasse around the reefs at Sandsfoot Castle. You can also pick up Flounders from the sand all along the harbour.

Weymouth Bay: Bass, Bass and some more Bass! That is what I would expect to catch this afternoon at Preston Beach. The Stone Pier will produce a variety of species including Wrasse, Pollock, Pout and Garfish.

Boat & Kayak fishing: Not such a great day for small boat owners as launching from anywhere other than Weymouth is going to be difficult. However Kayak anglers can launch from Ferrybridge or Sandsfoot sailing club beach and make use of the shelter from the Northern breakwater arms. Lots of Pollock and Wrasse as well as Pout. Try anchoring up for a Smoothound or Thornback Ray in the deeper water. If anyone is interested there are two spaces left for a bout trip on Thursday the 16^th of August. It will be a morning start for a 5 hour trip on the local banks and reefs for only £25. Email me if you are interested [email protected] The local charter boats are having a fantastic time on the banks at the moment, with some lovely Plaice and Turbot.