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1. WARSASH BEACH             

       The beach itself is mainly gravel/mud with an abundance of crustaceans and quite shallow with a few larger rocks and tyres, but snags shouldn't be a problem. In summer the water comes alive with shoal Bass, little Black-Bream, the odd larger Bass and some Smoothhounds, though seldom above 8-9lb. There is a spit which creates a sheltered lagoon which, in the summer months has lots of Mullet, Eels and a few larger Bass. Come winter you can fish on the reverse of the spit onto mud for flounders with variable success, and likewise from the beach itself. Top baits here are usually Rag/Squid mixes although rag on its own often works well, if you are targeting Smoothhounds then Hermit Crab is the best.

Latest report : 28/10/11                           CLICK HERE to see the reports for this mark

2. WESTERN SHORE        

          Essentially a shallow mud-flat beach running from the Rolling Mills jetty in Woolston up to Netley and Westfield Common until you reach the mouth of the Hamble river. Prime target is Flounder with peak time being from October to February when double-figure catches are possible, however most of the big opens are won with 6 to 8 fish. Bass are a possibility and may pick up baits intended for Flounder but it's probably not worth targeting them. Summer and Autumn means mainly small Eels but in recent years small Smoothies have shown up to 6 lb in line with the general Smoothie explosion. You may get Pout and the odd Whiting in darkness in season and if really lucky the very occasional Plaice, although these are generally rare and small.              

Latest report : 15/01/12                          CLICK HERE to see the reports for this mark

3. MAGAZINE LANE        

        Magazine Lane is a deep-water venue opposite the Container Terminal in upper River Test. Easy casting into dredged deep water channel for youngsters, elders and anyone else. Odd snaggy area but as long as you reel in fast up the dredged bank generally comfortable fishing. Due to depth of water many species can turn up here. Pout are numerous although mainly small with the odd 1 lb plus fish. Dogfish are regularly caught along with a few Flounder, Bass, Eel and Whiting. Sole are worth targeting with small hooks and for the more patient amongst you, Grey Mullet can be caught. It is not a prolific Mullet venue, 1 or 2 fish can be considered a good day with blanks to be expected, but many of the fish top 4 lb. Small Smoothies have shown in reasonable numbers in recent years. Other fish encountered are Mackerel and Scad in the summer months. Don't rule out anything because a Cod was caught here a few years ago and smaller Codling have turned up but you have probably more chance of winning the lottery !

Latest report : 06/01/12                           CLICK HERE to see the reports for this mark

4. DIBDEN BAY/HYTHE        

        Access to Dibden Bay is available through Hythe marina and fishing is available from the marina to the private land on Dibden Bay. The marina does get busy but is an excellent flattie mark. Remember parking is now being charged on the marina and they are quite aggressively clamping non-payers. Tackle shop in Hythe village a short walk away. Dibden is sheltered from South West winds and generally a quiet place to fish. Probably slightly deeper than Weston across the water but is the same sort of muddy shoreline. Flounder fishing in the Winter can be exceptional. The fishing is consistent although there are definite hot spots. You can fish 20 yards from others and get out-fished or out-fish them by a dozen fish.10-20 sizeable fish in 4 hours is quite possible, numerous double-figure sessions are had and 8 fish could be considered average on a good day. Be prepared for double shots when the fish are really on the feed. The size of fish seems to have increased and a fair number of 2 lb plus fish now show with the odd 2 lb 8oz plus. Ragworm is best either Maddies or King, long or short range, if you are lucky enough to find the days hot spot. Bass can show but mainly 2 lb to 3 lb fish. Eels are a fish that you can bag up on during the Summer with 6 fish a session about the norm. Night time sees more Eels but generally smaller with daytime giving far less fish but normally better size, fish over 4 lb are possible. Night time will also give the odd Sole, small Smoothies, Pout and occasional Whiting, targeting Mullet is also an option.

Latest report : 16/12/11                           CLICK HERE to see the reports for this mark

5. CALSHOT         

        Fishing available from the boundary with the activities centre to the Lepe Border. Fishing available in the activities centre for a yearly fee, quite pricey though a good deep-water mark. Most people tend to fish up by the beach huts which is good for flatties, good size Plaice can be caught at the Lepe end of the beach.

Latest report : 21/01/12                         CLICK HERE to see the reports for this mark

6. LEPE        

        Fishing available all the way along the beach stretching from the border with Calshot all the way towards the Beaulieu river. Three marks in particular attract the most fishermen. 1. Stone point : This mark is left towards Calshot and identifiable by two world war II jetties/pontoons, a deep water mark, giving good Bass, Smoothhound, Ray, Cod, Flounder, Bream etc. 2. Coastguard cottages : Stretches from the main carpark right to the old life boat house. A rich sandy bed lies 60/70 yards out, an excellent Bass spot in the summer also Flounder, Plaice and migratory Sea Trout around the sluice gate, a good spot for spinning and lure fishing in the summer. 3. Gypsy Lane : From the old lighthouse up to the Beaulieu River, good for Bass and Flounder.

Latest report : 28/10/11                         CLICK HERE to see the reports for this mark

7. PARK SHORE   

        A private beach belonging to the Beaulieu estate. Available to fish by permit, which you can obtain from the Bucklers Hard harbour-master or the Beaulieu estate office, both close by. Cost in 2003 was £3 per day or £16 per year. Permits are checked regularly on summers' evenings when the Smoothounds are in and there can be 50+ anglers on the beach. A lovely peaceful beach and parking is free. The beach is legendary for Smoothound but also Stingray, big Bass to10lb plus, Flounder and Plaice all available.

Latest report : 06/08/10                         CLICK HERE to see the reports for this mark

8. PENNINGTON MARSHES   

        A rather isolated but consistent mark providing the opportunity to dig your own bait and catch in summer Smoothhounds, Stingray, Pout and Bass and in winter Flounder, Whiting and if you are really lucky Cod. Parking (at own risk) is available about 600yds away from the shore, as soon as you reach the shore (sea wall) there is an old pipeline outflow, to the left is good for digging lug and the right ragworm. Most people fish a few hours before and after high water but it is possible to fish the tide all the way up and down, as with most Solent marks it has its good and bad days concerning weed, the currents are moderate at best with 5oz leads quite adequate. The sea-bed consists of mud, shingle and stone gently sloping and is fairly stable under foot.

Latest report : 08/01/12                         CLICK HERE to see the reports for this mark

9. HURST        

        A 1 1/2 mile long shingle bank sticking out into the western entrance of the Solent with Hurst Castle at the end provides a good variety of fishing in most weather conditions. At Hurst Point just south of the jetty near the lighthouse "Hurst Hole" is an area of very deep water with strong currents which yields sizeable Cod, Dogfish, Conger, Pouting, Garfish, Mackerel, Dabs and Plaice. The shingle and sand spit at the eastern end of the castle is an excellent spot for Bass, particularly when conditions are rough. In front of the castle the sea-bed is snaggy in places, but the end facing the Needles yields Cod at high tide and Bass on the east running tide along with Sole, Plaice, Pouting and autumn Codling. The north side of the jetty (facing east up the Solent) has a sandy shore and is good for Sole, Dabs, Plaice, Flounders and Bass. Milford Shingle Bank itself has deep water on the outside becoming progressively deeper with stronger currents the nearer the castle end you go, because of these currents an ebbing neap tide is the best time to fish here, especially after dark, expect big Cod, Whiting, Dogfish, Bass, Conger, Flounder, Plaice and in summer Mackerel, Stingray, Smoothhound, and Bream. The castle can be reached by ferry from Keyhaven or some parking is available at the beginning of the spit, although this may become covered by water depending on the tides.

Latest report : 14/01/12                         CLICK HERE to see the reports for this mark

Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service. Image reproduced with kind permission of

  Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.

Thanks to Stan, Rob, Dave, Ben, Tom and all the forum members who contributed or made suggestions for their help in compiling this page.