Dorset Spearfishing 2013

[ashly122]

hi all i have fished the pier with rod and been snorkling under.under bournemouth pier the most commom fishes are as follows small pollock when tide is in. also small school bass on low tide.there is the ocasional bass ov about 3-6lb at night but these dont get caught much.about 100yds of the end ov the pier there is a chance of rays ov various kinds a couple weeks ago i guy nearly caught a nice thornback of about 8-10lb but failed to get it onto the pier.also bream off the end about 70yds. makerel are the most popular fish caught on rod here when tide comming in.also sole and other flat fish off the sides. better places to go would be to find were the hidden reefs are along the beaches.

Hi Rog,
Are you still planning to go this weekend? haven't seen the weather report just yet, I am originally from poole/ Bournemouth area however i'm living at Shaftesbury now. All my gear is still in Bournemouth (townsend by throop). I should be able to do a Saturday dive depending on where you're planning.
Send us a PM if you like.

 

[Kuya]

Went for walk with my good lady on the eastern side of the Purbecks today. Didn't get in but vis looked ok between mid -> south Studland Bay. Around Old Harry at least a few metres (except for close in Studland side where there was chalky water. Didn't check Swanage, Durlston looked ok, as did the section from Durlston Head to Tilly Whim caves (which requires some planning if you fish there).

 

[Highlander]

Went for walk with my good lady on the eastern side of the Purbecks today. Didn't get in but vis looked ok between mid -> south Studland Bay. Around Old Harry at least a few metres (except for close in Studland side where there was chalky water. Didn't check Swanage, Durlston looked ok, as did the section from Durlston Head to Tilly Whim caves (which requires some planning if you fish there).

Looks nice & calm. I haven't done Tilly this year, not that I can remember, although I did it a fair few times last year. I fancy getting out Southbourne at night some time although the weather looks like it is closing in for the weekend.
May fancy Durleston sometime if its ok weather & missus depending, as my freezer is pretty bare at the moment & haven't had much Bass or Mullet this year, although my lobby uptake is better.

 

[Highlander]

Hi Rog,
Are you still planning to go this weekend? haven't seen the weather report just yet, I am originally from poole/ Bournemouth area however i'm living at Shaftesbury now. All my gear is still in Bournemouth (townsend by throop). I should be able to do a Saturday dive depending on where you're planning.
Send us a PM if you like.

Ash, long time no see. Are you back in the UK for good now? Have you been getting out much & have you done much night dives?

 

[ashly122]

Ash, long time no see. Are you back in the UK for good now? Have you been getting out much & have you done much night dives?

Yes back in the UK for good now. Haven't really got out much at all recently as only have a motorbike so having to borrow vehicles to go. Been out a couple of times at night but sometimes the vis was rubbish. How about yourself, you been out much?


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[Highlander]

Yes back in the UK for good now. Haven't really got out much at all recently as only have a motorbike so having to borrow vehicles to go. Been out a couple of times at night but sometimes the vis was rubbish. How about yourself, you been out much?


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Not really, I did more last year. My hit rate is good though as I have come back most times with something. So either lobster of Bass/Mullet & some Dover Sole. I have been getting out with Cesar, but between work & holidays & some poor conditions.

 

[rog]

hi all anyboady have any experiance and advice of fishing winspit.many thnx

 

[ashly122]

Not really, I did more last year. My hit rate is good though as I have come back most times with something. So either lobster of Bass/Mullet & some Dover Sole. I have been getting out with Cesar, but between work & holidays & some poor conditions.

Ah right ok, that's good that you're coming back with something most times, are these day dives or night? I'm yet to get a lobster. My bottom tines have been reduced massively as not getting out much and practicing. Thinking or doing one of the freedive courses towards the end of the year. Ate you planning on going out soon.

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[Kuya]

Vis from groyne 51 - Southbourne. Looks fishable. Wearing polarising glasses which cuts through the surface glare I could see deeper than shown in this pic.

Could be at least 2m further out.

 

[Highlander]

Ah right ok, that's good that you're coming back with something most times, are these day dives or night? I'm yet to get a lobster. My bottom tines have been reduced massively as not getting out much and practicing. Thinking or doing one of the freedive courses towards the end of the year. Ate you planning on going out soon.

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Getting the lobsters at night or dusk. I want to get out at the weekend, but depends on her indoors, might like to go for a day into night to try & take advantage of some lobbies between the times. Might be Saturday, but not sure.

 

[denian]

Ah i know them rocks ! Looks better than when i was there.amazeing how much life they hold.why cant the council put some bolders in for us all. make us some randum reefs sure it would become very fishy within days.we could get a lot of reefs for what was spent on the surf reef! It would be very productive for the area!

 

[Kuya]

Getting in this evening fishing into darkness - my first night dive.

If the MetOffice forecast still holds, I may also get in very early morning on Sunday fishing from darkness to light before the weather turns sour.

 

[Kuya]

Ah i know them rocks ! Looks better than when i was there.amazeing how much life they hold.why cant the council put some bolders in for us all. make us some randum reefs sure it would become very fishy within days.we could get a lot of reefs for what was spent on the surf reef! It would be very productive for the area!

Denian, if you get time you may want to explore the eastern side of Christchurch Bay. There are lots of rocks used as a sea defence and I have seen big fish there too. However, there can be a quite swell hitting that part of the bay with the vis somewhat reduced. I am generalising with the location here, but if you want specifics send me a PM.

 

[SurfnSpear]

hi all anyboady have any experiance and advice of fishing winspit.many thnx

Its a good mark but dont be tempted by even a tiny swell. It will teach you a little lesson and rough you up. Just before low entry, head west and then work back to Winspit with tide. Also the current is extremely hard going on the flood if you get caught out and coupled with not much other exit strategy I would be very specific on the pre dive planning. I have had one of my hardest ever swims there in current.

 

[rog]

thnx surfnspear I have fished with rod there a few times and have seen the swell there amazing to watch.when u say low entry do u mean walk along the rocks at low tide and make way bk towards the caves.many thnx.

 

[Kuya]

Got in at Hengistbury area this evening fishing into darkness. The sea was quite lumpy with white caps at times (fairly strong breeze) and it was hard to relax at first. Vis was mostly a murky 2 meters.

Later on I found a quieter area out of the wind and fished the shallows. Saw small ray, plaice, sole. I saw one sizeable bass but it was at a point where the vis had dropped and it disappeared into the murk.

Also saw a seatrout which came right up to me... it seemed to be very curious.. could have touched it with my hand... also saw another almost sizeable bass just resting on the bottom.

I have recently filled my nano fish tank with seawater, sand and a limpet from Southbourne. The tank is currently cycling which is unfortunate as I saw a few critters I would have liked to bring back tonight.

3 sea kayakers paddling came up to me as they were curious as to what I was doing. Next time I will put a night light on my float.. I thought it would have just been me out where I was. Anyway, the dive torch I had illuminated the surrounding water, I would have been very easy to spot.

I came back with 2 sizeable sole - a worthwhile trip for me.

 

[ashly122]

Got in at Hengistbury area this evening fishing into darkness. The sea was quite lumpy with white caps at times (fairly strong breeze) and it was hard to relax at first. Vis was mostly a murky 2 meters.

Later on I found a quieter area out of the wind and fished the shallows. Saw small ray, plaice, sole. I saw one sizeable bass but it was at a point where the vis had dropped and it disappeared into the murk.

Also saw a seatrout with came right up to me... it seemed to be very curious.. could have touched it with my hand... also saw another almost sizeable bass just resting on the bottom.

I have recently filled my nano fish tank with seawater, sand and a limpet from Southbourne. The tank is currently cycling which is unfortunate as I saw a few critters I would have liked to bring back tonight.

3 sea kayakers paddling came up to me as they were curious as to what I was doing. Next time I will put a night light on my float.. I thought it would have just been me out where I was. Anyway, the dive torch I had illuminated the surrounding water, I would have been very easy to spot.

I came back with 2 sizeable sole - a worthwhile trip for me.

Good effort mate, reo on its way

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[denian]

did walk down from bornmouth to have a look for ya but gave up got to grion 32 i was knackered n the wind was pickin up and surf .sounds like you did good.nice to know theres fish around.

 

[SurfnSpear]

thnx surfnspear I have fished with rod there a few times and have seen the swell there amazing to watch.when u say low entry do u mean walk along the rocks at low tide and make way bk towards the caves.many thnx.

What I mean is just an hour or so before 'low tide entry' swimming west and then making use of the incoming tide flooding east to take you home to Winspit...

 

[Kuya]

I haven't yet dived along the section between St Alban's to Durlston Head so these tips for Winspit are useful to me too.

I have kayak fished along there though. It's worth familiarising yourself with the get in / out places along there in case you get caught out and have to go with the flow.. from East to West --> Tilly Whim, Dancing Ledge, Seacombe, Winspit. There may be others I have not mentioned.

The current around the headlands (Dulston, Anvil Point, St Albans) will obviously be a lot faster, if you do get caught out work your way across the tide inland and stay close inshore but if there is swell running don't get too close to the cliffs.

I have paddled around St Albans Head in calm conditions on a kayak.. if you stay close inshore within metres of the shoreline you will miss the worst of the infamous tide race out there. Just west of St Albans Head you can get out there also. A fair walk will be involved if you get out at a different part you started out!

When I was there earlier this week the wind had been from a northerly direction flattening the sea off. When I get round to fishing that section as well as tide and weather, I will visit magicseaweed.com to check the swell.