Island Fishing

The Needles & Western Wight are to the West & Bembridge to the East of the island.
The coastline with its 65 miles of fishable bays, beaches and four rivers offers to the sea angler fishing of every type and species of fish to match. A major benefit of its shape is that there is always a sheltered shore from the wind, to fish. The predominate wind is westerly .
The top two coasts face the Solent from the Needles to Ryde and the bottom two shorelines face the English Channel.
From January to March Flounders and Plaice are the main quarry. Then April to May Thornback Skate and Bream until the shoals of Mackerel and Bass appear, then until October almost all known species can be caught around our coastal water.
Then when the water temperature drops Cod and Channel Whiting are the favorite target.
For up to date local knowledge and seasonal baits
contact tackle shops as listed on SITE PREVIEW page all are pleased to advise.

The Solent From The NEEDLES to RYDE
Starting at the Needles, ALUM BAY is the first fishable point in the WEST WIGHT it is accessible by steep steps or in the summer a chair lift operates but only during the day. Large Bass can be caught near the old pier site and towards the Needles Cliffs after dark Conger and skate are caught.
Traveling northwards the coastline from the Bay to Atherwood Point is pretty rugged and although can be fished with local knowledge it is tough going and virtually virgin territory and little fished from the shore.
The Point fishes well in the late evening for Bass, Mullet and Bream. Lug or Rag worms the favorite bait.
Totland Old Lifeboat Station is the next mark worth a cast or two Bass and Flat fish are caught using light tackle, sand eels for bait.
Totland Pier depending on the state of the tide, when it is rising to high water, casting from the shore along side the pier produces
Bass Mullet and Pollack for the canny angler. The water is usually very clear so light tackle is essential.
Follow the sea wall to Colwell with Warden Ledge visible at low water. Mullet and school Bass can be caught from the wall
However, the Ledge is best fished from a dingy. Dinghies can be hired from Colwell Slipway.
Heading towards Fort Albert, a huge square monstrosity, which has been transformed inside into flats. The sandy beach fishes well in the evening for Sole and Flounders. Between Albert and Fort Victoria it is difficult to fish without local knowledge with a fast tide race, endless rocks, blue slipper clay and no beach during spring tides. The sea wall from Victoria via Norton to Yarmouth is very popular with local anglers for its ease of access and as dark approaches fish arrive in close to the wall Bass, Pout, Conger and a variety of Flatfish.
Yarmouth Pier fishes well early morning half way up for Bass parchment paper for bait or prawn. On the extreme end of the pier to the east casting 75 meters out at a 45 degree angle to the pier end Thornback skate can be caught during April/May.
They are there feeding on mussel beds but can be enticed with herring, squid or sand-eels as bait.
Fishing very light Smelt can be caught for bait from the pier. For smelt freshwater tackle is required 3lb line a size 14 hook or smaller& Slither of squid or cuttle-fish as bait.
The Green at Yarmouth produces good Bass, Sole and Flounders and at low water the prawns can be caught with a net. It can be good fun at dusk for prawns with a net and a torch they are attracted by the light from the torch, and can be collected easily, if you do not mind some wet pants as it is simple to slip with the thrill of the chase.
Bouldnor to Hampstead defense boom is difficult to fish with little to no access and slipper clay when you get there.
Fishing with caution is advised.
Outside Newtown Entrance to the right good bags of Flounders and Plaice can be caught from a boat.
Newtown to Gurnard is private or holiday camp controlled beaches so can only be fished from a boat.
From Gurnard to Cowes Esplanade runs a sea wall with good parking. It is very popular but it is only towards sunset are fish caught in any quantity. Egypt Point fishes well for Mackerel, Bass and Flatfish for the very fortunate large lobsters have been known to hook themselves when fishing from the shingle beach, by the green, inside the rocks towards Cowes Esplanade.
The Esplanade fishes well when the crowds of people permit. In the day trolling a live rag worm on light tackle produce Bass over the numerous slipways and from sunset Pout, Bass, Mullet and Conger may be caught, casting into deep water in the wake of the local ferry.

The Medina flows from Newport to Cowes and most fish can be caught in the deep water from the Floating Bridge to the Power Station. Then into Newport along the Medina Flatfish and Mullet hold there own from the shore or trolling from a dingy Rag worm the favorite lure. Sea Trout reach the Newport Quay late in September and can be caught on a fly rod for the very patient and watchful.
East Cowes to Norris Castle fishes well most times of the day from the esplanade Bass, Mullet, Wrasse, Flatties and after dark in move the Pout and Conger. Small pout can be caught using light tackle during the day near the chain ferry and make good bait after dark.
From Norris Castle Eastwards to Fishbourne & Wootton Creek the shoreline is private but good fishing from a boat. Wootton Creek offers on a good tide Mullet, Bass and Flatties both from the shore and from a dingy Rag or Lugworm the preferred baits.
Ryde Pier is the next favorite spot for locals Bass. Wrasse. Mullet and Flatties Light tackle is preferred and local dug lugworm is the best bait. The lug can be dug on low water east of the pier towards Appley Beach.
The sea wall from Appley to Seaview attracts Bass and Mullet in the warmer months and can be caught yards from the wall overcastting results in blank fishing. Best baits bacon rind sand-eels and local lug-worm; do not forget to try cheese if all else fails.
The wall at St Helens on the entrance to Bembridge Harbour attracts locals in the late summer months Bass Mullet, Flatties and Silver Eels best bait worms and sand eels. Bembridge Harbour is where most boats leave to fish Bembridge Ledge and the Nab Tower.
If there are any fish left in the sea they can be caught from one of these marks. You name the fish and the local boatman will show you how to catch it from Sharks to Bream, they all pass here and are caught.

The English Channel From Sandown to the Needles

Sandown to Shanklin supports long sandy beaches and rocky formations most fish are caught along this stretch local knowledge is an advantage ask at he tackle shops for information on good fishing marks and seasonal baits, this will give you an edge as we do not live long enough to find out all the tricks for ourselves.
Leaving Shanklin we find Luccombe, Bonchurch, Wheelers Bay and Ventnor all venues worthy of a visit good fishing although access is not always easy.
Rocken End is the start of big fish country and heavy tackle is necessary. From here onwards to Chale Bay, Atherfield and Dutchman's Hole the fishing can equal anywhere in the south with rocks, shingle and sandy beaches and records waiting to be broken. The water can be very deep close in and large Tope can be caught off shore. A reconnoiter at low water would prove beneficial as even old shipwrecks are located within a hundred yards of the beach and rocky outcrops everywhere.
Brightstone to Freshwater Bay it shallows up considerably with long shelving sandy beaches but look for the fresh water running down the chine's as Big Bass favor the shrimp located near these inlets of fresh water.
Do not over cast the third wave is far enough to catch most fish.
Freshwater Bay is the last shore fishable spot before the Needles. The Bay fishes well in the evening when the bathers have departed.
Close in from the wall catches Bass. Pout and Silver Eels, in the middle by the slipway. On the far left under the cliffs for Conger at night but mind the rocks, tackle losses can be heavy.
The Bay to the Needles can only be fished from a boat, as the cliffs are inaccessible.
Fishing boats leave from Yarmouth to fish this area.