Best Time to Go Sea Fishing in Poole: A Seasonal Guide

After 30 years in the military and now spending my days on the water off Poole, I've learned a thing or two about when the fishing's good and when it's not worth getting out of bed. Here's the no-nonsense guide to fishing seasons in Poole Bay and beyond.

Spring (March to May)

Spring is when things wake up. The water's still cold but the fish are hungry.

March: Early bream start showing up around the harbour mouth. It can be brisk out there — bring layers. Good month for the hardy angler who doesn't mind a bit of weather.

April: Black bream fishing kicks off properly. This is one of my favourite times — the bream are on the feed and you'll often have the water to yourself before the summer crowds arrive. Bass start appearing too.

May: Prime spring fishing. Bream, bass, mackerel start running. The weather's turning and the days are longer. May is when I start smiling again.

Summer (June to August)

This is peak season, and for good reason — the fishing can be phenomenal.

June: Everything's firing. Bass, bream, mackerel, tope, smooth-hound, rays — you name it. Water's warming up and the fish are active. This is the month I'd recommend for anyone who wants the best all-round experience.

July: We're in it now. Still excellent fishing across the board. Mackerel are plentiful. Bass fishing is at its best. Conger eel on the wrecks if you fancy something bigger. Only downside? It's busy — book early.

August: Similar to July but the water's at its warmest. Good for species like triggerfish which are relatively new visitors to our waters. Still plenty of bass and bream about.

Autumn (September to November)

Don't pack your rod away — autumn can be spectacular.

September: Cod start appearing. The summer species are still around but the winter fish are moving in. A transitional month that often produces surprise catches. The water's still warm, the weather's often glorious, and the boats are quieter.

October: Cod fishing gets going properly. Bass are still about. Conger fishing is excellent. This is a seriously underrated month — fewer people, great fishing.

November: Winter cod fishing at its best. Big cod, proper fish. You need to wrap up warm but the rewards are there for those who brave it. Inshore fishing is quieter but the wrecks produce.

Winter (December to February)

This is for the dedicated angler. It's cold, it's dark, but the fishing can be outstanding.

December: Cod, whiting, and conger from the wrecks. Inshore fishing for flounder and dab. Not for the faint-hearted but the boat's heated and there's always a hot brew on the go.

January & February: Deep water wreck fishing for cod and conger. These are proper fishing trips — the kind that put hairs on your chest. If you can handle the conditions, you'll be rewarded with some of the best fishing of the year.

The Bottom Line

There's no bad month to go fishing in Poole — just different fishing. Summer's the crowd-pleaser, autumn's the connoisseur's choice, and winter's for the hardcore. Give me a call and I'll tell you what's biting right now.

Book your charter with Danny Boy 2 and let's get you out on the water — whatever the season.