Guide to Fishing on the Isle of Wight

Fish can be caught from different locations across the Island all year round. Knowing when to go, where to fish and the methods to use, can really give you the confidence you need to land your next catch!

January - March are the more challenging months due to the colder water temperatures, however certain species can still be targeted during this time. During these months, the estuaries and rivers such as the River Medina, Yarmouth Harbour, Bembridge Harbour or the Dover at St Helens all provide a chance of Flounder or Bass.

The boat fishing can also remain productive at this time of year. By booking a charter trip from Yarmouth Harbour, venturing out to the needles or hitting the deep-water banks that surround the South West side of the Island, all provide chances of a great days fishing. There are also great opportunities fishing from the North West through to the North East side of the Island in the Solent. From all of these areas you can expect to target the winter run of Cod, Bass, Whiting, Conger Eels, Dogfish and several species of Skate. (Undulate, Small Eyed, Thornback, Spotted and Blonde)

Charter trips that venture out to the Mid-Channel wrecks will put you on excellent spots where the Pollock and Cod can be on the feed! 

April – June will often see some better weather and can start with a run of Plaice being caught from the boats, drifting the sandy banks and mussel beds. Better numbers of Bass will start to appear along with Bream, Bullhuss, Smoothounds and Tope from both boat and shore. The water temperature during this time will begin to rise, however often still murky and suffering from the May weed rot. Ideal for bait fishing but can still be a challenge for the lure fishing angler. That said, finding some shallow water marks fishing over rocky ground can still produce some specimen lure-caught bass.

From May onwards, there is a great chance of landing one of our formidable Stingrays that venture into the shallow warmer waters from the North West side of the Island. Stingrays of over 60lb have been landed using large worm baits. Take a walk at low tide and keep your eyes peeled for imprints of these dangerous specimens.

July – September is when the fishing on the Island switches up a gear. With the warmer weather, calmer seas and a higher concentration of bait fish swimming through our waters, a wide range of species can be targeted. The summer months will often see good numbers of Mackerel from both shore and boat. Good shoals of Bass can be targeted using both bait and lure fishing tactics.

The Island will often see periods of spider crabs coming into the shallow protected coastline to peel, which brings the fish into a feeding frenzy. High numbers of Smoothounds can be caught during this period with specimens exceeding 15lb in weight. (Be ready, they fight really hard!)

If you are looking to keep the children entertained, using ragworm on small hooks around rocky areas will produce good numbers of Wrasse. 

The Island also has a high population of Thick lip, Thin Lip and Golden Grey Mullet. For the angler that enjoys fishing with light tackle, a float rod set-up and a loaf of bread for bait, these specimens can provide some amazing sport fishing.
Good numbers of Black bream can be targeted from the boat and shore, as well as a continued chance of Skate, Conger Eels and the occasional Red or Tub Gurnard. In more recent years, Tope of over 40lb have been landed from the beaches on the South side of the Island. Other toothy critters that are targeted during these months from certain charter boats are the Porbeagle and Thresher Sharks that inhabit our waters.

From the beginning of September, Sole can be targeted from shallow sandy/shingle beaches. These numbers seem to have declined over the years, however they continue to be caught. Ensuring that your worm baits are presented hard on the seabed, will give you the best chance of landing one of these slim but powerful creatures.

October – December although becoming colder and the time has come to add a couple of extra layers of clothing, some great fishing can still be found during these months. During this time, anglers will continue to target Thornback & Undulate Rays, Conger Eels and Dogfish from the shore, along with some of the smaller species such as Pouting and Whiting.

This can be the best time of year to target Cod. Each year a handful are caught from the shore, however your best chances of hooking one of these predatory monsters would be to book a charter trip and rely on the knowledge of the skipper. 

Top Fishing Spots

With so many places across the Island to wet a line, below are a selection of “Hot Spots” that have relatively easy access and provide a good chance of landing a few fish.

Cowes Seafront – From Egypt Light to Cowes Parade

This is an area that can produce fish right through the year. With good depths of water and a strong tidal flow, Cowes can produce Bass, Skate, Smoothound, Conger Eel, Cod, Mackerel, Dogfish, Pouting, Whiting and Wrasse depending on the time of year. Several areas along this stretch are notorious for being “snaggy” and losing tackle is likely. Using lead lifts, sufficient strength line and winding fast can be the difference between losing your tackle or landing the fish of a lifetime.

This area is best fished on the flooding tide with fish baits such as Squid, Mackerel and Crab.

Sandown Bay – From Sandown Pier right up to Culver Cliff (Red Cliff)

This area is known for targeting Turbot and Skate. Fishing at distance using Sandeel and Squid can produce the fish. During the early summer months, Black Bream can also be targeted here. There is also the chance of Dogfish, Bass and Conger Eels from this venue. Fishing two hours before high water, over the top of the tide and the first two hours of the ebbing tide is often the golden time.  

The South West Side of the Island – Brook through to Blackgang Beach

Brook, Chilton Chine and Brighstone are all shallower beach marks. Through some areas of this coastline, the ground is rough and rocky, whilst other stretches are sandy and clear. These areas are often targeted when searching for Bass, Conger Eels, Wrasse, Bullhuss and Tope. Fishing large squid or fish baits can often produce some great sized specimens. Generally producing better during dusk and darkness.

Atherfield, Chale and Blackgang are the deeper water marks situated along the South of the Island and are known hotspots for some great fishing action. With a mixture of rocky reefs and clearer shingle/sandy stretches, these beaches are known for their Skate, Conger Eel and Bass captures. That said, there is a chance of anything from these locations. Access to these venues however has become more and more difficult over the years due to cliff erosion. Sandeel, Squid, Mackerel, Anchovies and Crab would be a great choice of bait. Through the summer months, shoals of Mackerel, Garfish and Bass will often be visible chasing the Whitebait right into the shoreline.

The Piers – Sandown, Ryde and Yarmouth

Be sure to check the rules around parking and fishing from these piers and ensure that any relevant permits are purchased. The piers around the Island will often produce good numbers of mixed species. All three piers can produce Skate, Bass, Smoothounds, Bream, Squid, Cuttlefish, Mackerel, Garfish, Pollock and the odd flatfish. Trying a range of baits and tactics from these locations will give you the best chance of bagging yourself a mixture of fish. Just go prepared, there is every chance that you will hook into a large sized fish and a drop net will be required in order to safely land these specimens.

Bembridge Harbour Horseshoe Bay

With shallow reefs, rocky ledges and gullies, this area is a great spot around low tide during the early hours of the morning or the last few hours of daylight in the evening, to target Bass and Wrasse using lures. The seaweed provides great cover for these predatory territorial fish and will often be caught either using a soft plastic paddle tail style lure slowly retrieved through the rough ground or using a “Walk the dog” action with a top water surface lure or shallow diving lure.

Fort Victoria

One of the deepest fishing marks from the shore on the Island. On a good day, this venue could produce any specie of fish. Just be warned, the tide runs very hard on the ebbing tide and there is not an angler that has fished Fort Victoria and not lost fishing tackle through the snags. Another venue where fishing the incoming tide is the best option.