Home Brochure Accommodation Contact us
You are here: Home Page >> Activities >> Angling and Fishing

Shore, Boat Angling and Freshwater Fishing in Weymouth and Portland

Shore, Boat Angling and Freshwater Fishing in Weymouth and Portland

Angling in the UK has become an extremely popular sport and whether it's fishing from the shore, sea, river or lake, Weymouth and Portland is unrivalled as a centre of excellence for the most varied and best angling along the South Coast.

Weymouth is accredited for having one of the largest professional charter angling fleets operating out of a British harbour. There are plenty of launching areas should you choose to bring your own boat. By far the most popular venue, for shore anglers of all abilities is Chesil Beach.

The many fishing marks around Weymouth and Portland hold a wealth of marine life enabling both boat and shore anglers to sample what must be the most exciting sea angling on the South Coast.

Tropical trigger fish can be caught from the mighty Chesil Beach during late summer while huge mullet feed in the Fleet, the lagoon that runs behind the massive natural bank of shifting stones. During winter the scene changes with specimen whiting and double-figure cod becoming every shore anglers target. Wrasse to record breaking proportions patrol the rocks and kelp off the southernmost tip of Portland, while double-figure bass and conger growing to specimen size are a real possibility on the 'Island's' eastern flank.

The Stone Pier, guarding the western entrance to Weymouth Harbour is extremely popular with locals and holidaymakers alike hoping to catch countless species through the warm summer months. Weymouth rates as one of Britain's premier charter ports with a modern licensed charter fleet providing all types of boat fishing from mackerel trips to evening trips on the Shambles Bank or day trips out to mid-Channel wrecks for cod, ling, conger and pollack.

Local inshore boat marks, like the famous Shambles Bank, produce specimen turbot and plaice while the Kidney Bank offers the chance of landing a record-breaking blonde ray.

This all seems a very good reason to come fishing in the Weymouth and Portland area!

Mel Russ, Editor
Sea Angler Magazine

Angling Competitions

Weymouth is now the UK's Deep Sea Angling premier port for hosting major Sea Angling competitions and is recognised within Europe as a main championship venue. Top events have been held in the area over the years including the European Federation of Sea Anglers Championships, YYS International Boat Angling Challenge, World Shore Angling Championships. Weymouth also played host to the 41st World Boat Angling Championships in October 2005. Organised by the National Federation of Sea Anglers, this highly prestigious international event attracted hundreds of boat anglers from 17 nations, some as far afield as South Africa and South America, to test their skills in our unique waters whilst competing for the coveted World Title.

During September 2007, Weymouth had the honour of hosting, for the fifth time, the European Federation of Sea Anglers European Line Class and Boat Championships. Attracting in the region of 225 anglers from 18 nations, the event included two days of light line fishing and a 3 day species hunt with the anglers all fishing for the coveted gold pin and to be crowned European Champion. Russia and Iceland sent teams to compete for the first time. The winner, Heiko Drier retained his title for the second year running, although German born he was fishing for the Irish National Team.  The Italian A Team won the team event with the England B Team coming second.  A local Weymouth team of anglers entered the 4 Man Open Event and did us proud by winning the bronze medal.

Each year the Weymouth Angling Society organise a five day Open Festival which includes three days of boat fishing and two days of shore fishing. This usually takes place in September each year.

Weymouth Angling Society Tel: 785032 and Portland Angling Club Tel: 860446 offer additional Open and Closed Boat events, details plus membership available from the respective clubs.

The Inter-Services (Army/Navy/Airforce) plus several Police Federation events, the Fire Services and the Post Office's National Boat competitions, all of which are big events using up to 12 boats, are also fished from Weymouth.

Competitors are coming from Denmark, Holland, France, Germany, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and South Africa as well as England.

Information

Wherever you fish you will be close to water and potential danger so it is advisable to follow certain guidelines to ensure your safety.

If fishing alone make someone aware of where you are going and your expected time back. If fishing in remote areas it is advisable to go with a partner. Take a mobile phone if you have access to one, (you needn't have it switched on unless it is required).

Check the weather forecast on local radio or television or by phoning a recognised weather line, these hotlines are regularly updated. If sea fishing use a coastal and inshore water line such as Marine Call: 0891 500457.

Fortunately the shores around Weymouth and Portland experience a small tidal range which makes fishing relatively safe in comparison to some coastal areas, but anglers should always be aware of the state of the tide.

Finally, ensure that you are correctly dressed. It is essential that you have made provision for changing conditions and foul weather. Good non-slip footwear and a buoyancy/floatation suit or jacket are recommended, especially when fishing alone.

Telephone area code is 01305 unless otherwise stated