Places To Plug Away

[Shropfisher]

I am down in Dorset house hunting next week and looking for places I can cast a plug / spinner from with a real chance of catching, can you help, as mentioned before I am looking at the Bournmouth / Poole area, so anywere along that coast would be great,

[DommyBoy]

Well if you dont mind a 45 minute drive and a 20 minute+ walk then take a trip to Hurst castle just up the way from Milford-on-sea/Keyhaven. This is a wicked place to plug for bass.

 

 

Dom

[Coddy]

You could also try a little nearer to home and try where the chain ferry operates.

 

I have been told the nearer the slipway where the ferry comes the better and one chap said he tries to hit the ferry with the plug and let it drop from there!

 

Can be a bit weedy depending how strong the tide flows.

 

First thing in the morning or evening seem to be best. If in the evening you can pop into the Sandbanks Hotel for a drink afterwards!

 

The FPO can sit in the car and watch the boats and world go by so she is happy as well!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Beware of car park ticket collectors as this is the first stop at 8.30am! So buy a ticket just in case.

 

Coddy

[Shropfisher]

Thanks Guys, Tried Hurst castle in July while waiting for a charter trip, had a Garfish on a Dexter, nothing else, but it weas July, hot afternoon not late in the day. Always wondered about the area near the ferry, all that water going at a rate of knots, seemed bassy but never sure.

[Paul J]

I think the trick is to try at Dusk or Dawn- the Chain ferry would be my suggestion.

 

I don't do enough plugging- must try harder

 

pj

[Maverick Martin]

If your up for a little drive and a walk then try swanage. Park in the main carpark at the end of town (near pier) walk up the road past the rnli building and to the coastguard lookout station. then along the rocky bay to the right. Not easy walking but work your way along the beach. The use of floating plugs would be an advantge here as it is very rocky and can become expensive. Largest shore caught bass that I have seen come from this area 11lb 13oz. Best time to target is from about half tide up then down again as it is very shallow in places.

 

There are other access points to this bay but not easily described in a post. PM/Phone me if you want more info

 

Martin

[bootlegger]

As look would have it just before coming back to London myself and Dan spent a few hours spinning etc at the Chain Ferry last night.

 

Net result 2 spider crabs, one Dragonet and a small smoothhound, no bass or wrasse but have caught both there on floating/diving plugs.

[DommyBoy]

Also another place worth a go would be off the end of the Hengistbury Head groin, plenty of everything and worth a bit of float fishing aswell, bass, gars, wrasse, macky, pollock, and plenty of others. Can get a bit weedy at times but a great place to go.

 

 

[Shropfisher]

Thanks again guys, enough there to keep me out of trouble, I'm assuming to fish the ferry area from Poole side rather than beach side across ferry. I'll let you know how I do.

[TomBettle]

My word what a lot of top secret, can't tell anyone else, nobodies heard of them marks coming out (only being slightly facecious based on recent events )!

 

 

 

My best bet for a quick fix and where you may well find me over the next few days thrashing the water to a frenzy with my new fly set-up would be at the chain ferry.

There is a guy here at the marina who fishes there a lot and he reckons:

 

1) Fish the start of the flood tide as there is less weed going in the harbour than comes out on the ebb.

 

2) Fish uptide of the ferry, so on a flood tide stand on the seaward side.

 

3) He uses a drilled bullet, bead, swivel to a 4 foot flurocarbon trace and a redgill (or similar rubber lure).

 

4) As the ferry comes in cast up the side of it towards the far end, let your bait go underneath the ferry in the current and then just hold the rod tight.

 

Apparently the Bass hang around under the ferry in the turbulence created by it and the tide. He does very well there and usually comes back successful.

Don't discount casting around the groins on the beach side of Sandbanks. No good during a busy day, but early in the morning is well worth a try.

 

Good Luck

Tom

 

 

[Shropfisher]

Well plugged away at the ferry area for about 6 hours in total, and 2 hours at Kimerridge, but only caught at Hurst castle, a few makies and a 4ft Gar fish, all went back, still enjoyed it. shame nothing decent came along.

[Swainiac]

Four foot gar!!! I had one three foot long and it weighed in at 2lb 4ozs!!! A four footer would be nearly 3lbs or more.

 

Rich

[Paul J]

you may well find me over the next few days thrashing the water to a frenzy with my new fly set-up

 

Tom let me know when- i'll join you

 

PJ

[duncan]

I had one last weekend take a half mackerel and end up cleanly hooked on a size 4/0 - probably up in the 2 1/2 - 3lb mark - but it wasn't a ray or a flatfish

[Swainiac]

It would have been a new club club record, and probably earned the captor a Gold NFSA award, not to mention all the bells and whistles that go with nice pics for the glosies.

 

Rich