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Top Sea Angling Marks - Where Can You Go Sea Fishing in the UK? PART 2
Welcome back to our location guide to the best places to go sea fishing in the UK. This is the second part of the guide, for the first part, click here.
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PART 2 |
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You can view our map of all the locations in our Sea Fishing Guide below.
Southern Coast of England
The most southern part of the UK offers fishing from the English Channel. Its coastal counties are Hampshire, Dorset and Devon. Unfortunately, Angling Direct stores have not branched this far yet but you can still order all your sea fishing tackle online.
Portsmouth Piers, Hampshire
Located in front of Portsmouth Harbour, Victoria Pier offers a concentration of mackerel and garfish shoals just before high water, whereas Clarence pier offers some great sole fishing. Ferries passing during these visiting shoals means chopped fresh bait for bass!
| £: | Aside from paying for paring, fishing here is free. |
| Main Species: | Sole, Mackerel, Garfish, Bass, Pollack, Wrasse and Bream. |
| Season: | Some excellent sole is from August until November. |
| Recommended Baits: | Springtime fishing calls for peeler crabs whereas in the summer and winter use ragworms. |
| Recommended Tackle: | With many piers or harbours, snagging is quite a problem so be sure to use braid and heavyweights. |
| Directions: | The best access to the seafront is the M275. Follow the signs to Cross Channel Ferries from junction 12 of the M27, then look for Southsea and Seafront. Public toilets and cafes can be found a short walk away from the pier. |
| Parking: | Nearby parking can be found at Clarence Pier car park with all-day tickets costing £12 |
Brighton Marina, Brighton
Situated close to Brighton town centre, this huge construction provides a superb angling venue that is made up of East Arm and West Arm. Ideal fishing methods include float fishing or feathering close to the structure of the arms (where most fish species are hiding). Anglers should be cautious of the ground around the marina as it is mixed with some snaggy patches as well as fishing when the sea is rough waves do crash over the structure.
| £: | There is a charge for fishing on the marina and this area will be busy with tourists in summer. Charter boats can also be arranged at a price near the coast. |
| Main Species: | Garfish, mackerel, pollack, mullet, bass, dogfish, gurnard, pouting, sole, whiting, cod |
| Season: | Summer for garfish, mackerel and pollack, autumn for whiting and cod. |
| Recommended Baits: | Ragworm, lugworm, peeler crab or mackerel strip. |
| Recommended Tackle: | Spinners, daylights and feathers will catch most of these species. Stepping up the hook size to a 2/0 – 4/0 and using a large bait could catch big bass. Try a pennell rig with 4/0 hooks or bigger. |
| Directions: | Take the slip road off the A259, 1.5 miles east of the town centre. |
| Parking: | Brighton Marina Car Park offers free parking for 3 hours or there is a pay and display further down the coast at Black Rock car park. |
South West of England
The south-western coast of England happens to have more tropical weather than the rest of the UK with warmer waters most of the year. Sea species come from the Celtic Sea and the English Channel and coastal counties include Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. If you are travelling from other parts of the UK you are likely to pass AD Bristol or AD Swindon.
Brixham Breakwater, Devon
Very popular angling venue that can produce lots of fish and species. Many anglers head towards the end of the breakwater as you can get decent catches, closer in. This area is quite rocky and can be snaggy. Don’t cast far when conger fishing as they are often caught right next to the structure of the breakwater.
| £: | To fish is free but you might want to consider coming here during the evening time when the parking charges are much cheaper. Check how bust the Breakwater is here. |
| Main Species: | Dogfish, mackerel, garfish and pollock, wrasse and potentially conger. Black bream can also be caught here, as can mullet in the summer months. Codling, flounder and whiting are caught during the winter. |
| Season: | Summer (June – September) gives the best chances for most species. |
| Recommended Baits: | Float fishing a mackerel strip during warmer months can be deadly. Bait with large herring, mackerel, squid or cuttlefish. |
| Recommended Tackle: | Spinners or lures are ideal for bigger specimen, using size 6/0 hooks. |
| Directions: | Follow Devon Expy/A38, A380 and A3022 to your destination in Brixham. Go past the harbour to reach the beach and breakwater area. |
| Parking: | There is a disable friendly, long stay pay and display car park located on Berry Head road, in Brixham with 103 spaces. This can be costly for long angling sessions but is a short walk to the breakwater with toilet facilities. |
Fowey Estuary, Cornwall
The Fowey estuary offers anglers both onshore and boat fishing with a host of species to land. If you don't have your own boat or kayak then there are plenty of fishing trips to book onto in the area. Another noteworthy mark for the intrepid angler is St. Catherine’s Castle at the mouth of the River Fowey. Access can be very difficult, but fishing can be great with the species most anglers target.
| £: | Fishing along the shoreline and harbour is free but parking is not. Day tickets can be purchased to save money on hourly tickets. Charter boats in Fowey can be booked through Borlewen. You can check out the AD team’s visit here. |
| Main Species: | There is high chances of catching bass, mackerel, wrasse, congor eels, pollock, and dogfish. Further up the Fowely river can provide great fishing for mullet, flounder and school bass, whereas offshore sees predators such as blue sharks! |
| Season: | Summer months such as August can see some great fishing offshore. |
| Recommended Baits: | For big, predator fish, bait with mackerel flappers. Standard crabs, worms and eels will work when shore fishing. |
| Recommended Tackle: | Use a beach caster rod, surface lures and floats. |
| Directions: | Access can be found from the A390, then B3269. Access to the mark can be found along Passage Street and North Street. |
| Parking: | There are a couple of pay and display car parks in the area. The Caffa Mill car park allows you to pay via a mobile app so if you need to top up your stay, you do not need to return to your car to do so. |
Want more places to fish in England?
If you want more top fishing locations to visit in England, check out our dedicated guide here.
Wales
Wales is on the western coast of the UK, sharing seas with the Celtic Sea, St George’s Channel and the Irish Sea. Check out our Wales Fishing Location guide here for more sea and freshwater spots.
Angling Direct stores are not reaching Wales just yet but if you are travelling from England you are likely to pass through Bristol where we have a huge Angling Direct tackle shop.
Amlwch Harbour, Anglesey
Famous for its copper mines and nicknamed the Copper Kingdom. The harbour offers cold water throughout the year which fish in the summer love. The harbour is nearby boulders, coupled with the rocky outcrops which it is also an ideal area to target sea species. Facilities and refreshments can be found at nearby Cafes such as the Copper Stove.
| £: | Free parking and venue. Charter boats are all available at the port. |
| Main Species: | Ideal for congers, pollock, corkwing wrasse and more. |
| Season: | Use sandeel, squid or strips of baitfish as bait. |
| Recommended Baits: | Great in the summer, especially June/July. Check the forecast for the venue here. |
| Recommended Tackle: | Many anglers take juniors fishing here on light gear. Make sure to keep tackle light due to the rocks and use spinners to attract your baitfish. For float fishing, use around 10lb line. |
| Directions: | It takes around 30 minutes by car from the Britannia Bridge crossing. |
| Parking: | Car parking can be found for free at the Inner Harbour or down a rough path by Breakwater. |
Llandudno Pier, Conwy
A popular tourist spot, Llandudno Pier is well-known for its sea fishing opportunities. Fishing close to the pier structure can produce very good results as it is one of the few places on the North Wales coast that you are able to access deep water without a boat!
| £: | Day Fishing Permits are available from the Café at Pier Head at roughly £5.00 per Person. |
| Main Species: | Whiting, flatties, dogfish, cod, mackerel, bass, codling, coalfish, bull huss, thornback ray or smooth-hound. |
| Season: | Opening times for the Pier are 8 am - 6 pm (off-season) and 8 am - 10 pm (main season). Smoothhounds in summer and Cod in winter. |
| Recommended Baits: | Lugworm, sandeels and strips of mackerel work well as baits here. |
| Recommended Tackle: | Use mackerel feathers or Sabaki rigs on most species, and there is a chance of big specimens so bring a drop net. |
| Directions: | Access can be found just off the A456, onto Happy Valley Road, which you can follow down to the pier. |
| Parking: | Car Parking can be found at Happy Valley Car Park at just £4.50 for all day. There is also pay and display parking at the start of the pier but it can get busy in summer so getting there early or very late. |
St. Brides Bay, Pembrokeshire
As well as stunning views, there is a wide range of saltwater species spotted in the bay, which is also referred to as St Brides Haven. With its rocky inlet fishing onto the rough ground, anglers prefer most of the marks on the west side of the bay. The nearest facilities are in Marloes village which has a pub, restaurant and café/bar. There is also a selection of B&Bs and self-catering accommodation as well as campsites in the area.
| £: | Charter boats operating from the harbours of Milford Haven, Neyland, Dale and St Davids can be booked for game fishing sessions, offering catch and release shark fishing. There may also be a fee for parking further along the bay. |
| Main Species: | Pollock, bass, mackerel dogfish, bull huss, conger eels, herring and rays can also be fished for here. |
| Recommended Baits: | For shore fishing, use a 2 Hook flapper rig, baited with lug and razorfish. |
| Directions: | Access can be found from the B4327 towards north Dale, where St. Brides is then signposted off this road. A footpath leads out to the marks on the western side of the inlet. |
| Parking: | There is parking available near the church for 20 cars only at St Brides Haven Beach. |
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is met by mostly the Irish Sea and a part of the Atlantic Ocean, offering some great sea fishing opportunities. Angling rules can differ in Northern Ireland to the rest of the UK so be sure to check before you travel.
Ballycastle, County Antrim
Ballycastle has several good sea fishing marks however the rock marks in the area are considered quite dangerous and should only be attempted by knowledgeable anglers in calm seas and good weather. Many choose to river on the eastern side of the beach near Pan Rocks.
| £: | May be a fee for the Pan Rocks Car Park. There are also charter boat options. More information here. |
| Main Species: | Flatfish species such as flounder, dab and turbot. Bass, dogfish, bull huss, conger eels pollock, wrasse and mackerel can also be caught here. Occasionally you will catch salmon that are migrating. |
| Recommended Baits: | Mackeral strips are a good choice for targeting larger species. Peeler crab and worm are good too. |
| Recommended Tackle: | Use float fishing tackle with spinners, or daylights/feathers to get your baitfish. For predators and bigger species use spinning rods and reels with a 60g lure. |
| Directions: | Ballycastle is 19 miles East of Coleraine and 47 miles North of Belfast. Access can be found on the A2, which you turn off when reaching Carrickmore Road. Follow this down for both the Pan Rocks Car park and the pier. |
| Parking: | Pan Rocks car park offers parking and direct access to the beach. Parking a little limited so can be busy on a good day so get there early. This car park is just 5 minutes outside of Ballycastle town. |
Blackhead Lighthouse & Whitehead Promenade, County Antrim
Fishing from Whitehead promenade at high tide can produce a number of species thanks to its rough ground and the large flat rocks that hide fish. Around Blackhead lighthouse, just up from the promenade is a noteworthy fishing mark too.
| £: | Free to fish both the promenade and the rocks by the lighthouse but there may be charges at both car parks. |
| Main Species: | A great place for mackerel. You may also see dogfish, rockling, flounder, dabs and conger eels. Also, a chance of rough ground species such as ballan and cuckoo wrasse, pollock and coalfish. Cod will be caught in the winter months. |
| Recommended Baits: | Large mackerel flapper baits do well for larger species. Other productive baits include sandeels, crabs, fish and lugworms. Some anglers suggest artificial eels and feathers on the flooding tide / high water. |
| Recommended Tackle: | Use your standard beach caster rod and sea reel of choice with 15lb lines so you can cast further to clean ground. Pair your line with hooks sizes 1 – 3/0 and a 4oz lead. Float fishing gear is suggested for wrasse. |
| Directions: | For the lighthouse, follow the coast from Lahinch passing Fanore on the N67. For the promenade, If you’re coming from Belfast head out towards Carrickfergus, travel out towards Whitehead on the A2 Coast road. |
| Parking: | Parking is limited at the lighthouse (two cars), so parking towards Fanore is suggested. For Whitehead Promenade, the is a car park off Old Castle Road. |
We hope this list of locations helps you pick a destination for your next fishing holiday. Is there anywhere great you have been sea fishing in the UK that is not on this list? Let us know via social media.
New to Sea Angling or Beach Fishing? Why not check out our series of Sea Fishing beginner and buying guides.