Whenever you imagine what your British fishing adventure will look like, there’s probably some rain involved. This is the UK, after all!
However, we’ll bet you’ve never pictured casting your line against a backdrop of dystopian power stations and a desolate shingle beach, surrounded by the skeletons of ancient drift boats. You may even encounter an old sea-dog or two on your journey. They’ll tell you plenty of fishing tales that’ll send a shiver up your spine.
Although this atmosphere may seem spooky, we’re actually talking about the good kind of spine-shivers – those of excitement! Make your way down to South East England for a day of fishing in Dungeness, Kent, and you’ll experience an adventure like never before.
It may not fit your idea of what a typical fishing trip looks like, but this area has a stark, barren beauty that’s all it’s own. It’s a truly unique place to explore.
What’s even better is that it’s not just the unusual scenery you’ll be able to take in. The waters surrounding this headland are home to world-famous fish, and you don’t even need to board a boat to get to them.
Thanks to its unique geographical features, Dungeness juts more than five miles out into the English Channel. This means that deep sea waters, as well as a whole plethora of incredible species, can be reached from shore.
In this post, we’ll outline the top catches you can find in Dungeness, how you can catch them, and some of our favourite places to cast a line in the area. Yes, it covers only 12 square miles in total, but there are some hidden hotspots (known as “marks” in England) that you won’t want to miss out on!
Top Catches in Dungeness
There’s one thing we have to make clear before delving into the fish on offer. Despite sharing a name with this location, you can’t actually find Dungeness Crab here. This crustacean actually gets its title from the port of Dungeness in Washington state in the US, where it’s seriously plentiful.
Kent’s Dungeness more than holds its own when it comes to offering up some prized fish, though. There’s a whole combination of species you can target here, which makes Dungeness tough to beat in the angling stakes. What’s biting at any given time varies a lot depending on the season.
We’ve divided the top species here up into winter and summer categories, as these are generally the most productive months in Dungeness – and England as a whole! That way, you can plan your visit accordingly. Let’s find out exactly what you could catch below…
Winter Species: A Word on Cod
Ask local anglers dotted all around the Kent area to describe Dungeness’ winter fishing scene, and there’s one phrase you’ll probably hear more than any other: “It used to be Codtastic!”
This bottom fish is famous all over the world, especially in Europe, for its delicious taste and is a staple when it comes to that popular British meal, fish and chips. It used to be extremely plentiful in Dungeness between October and April – which made the UK the perfect place to come and hook a big one.
Unfortunately, time has seen Dungeness’s Cod population become depleted, which means your chances of hooking a gigantic fish these days are considerably lower. Don’t fret, though – these waters aren’t completely Cod-free, and it’s somewhat common to find “Codling,” which is a Cod weighing six pounds or less, at the end of your line.
Although these varieties may seem less impressive than their oversized brothers, they’re the perfect catch to practise your beach-fishing skills against – and they taste just as delicious, too.
Winter Species: The Rest!
A much more common winter catch in Dungeness is Whiting. This smaller fish shows up around October, and makes for great angling action if you’re new to the sport, or want to introduce the little ones to fishing. It’s also delicious, for both humans and sea life alike, making it a great bait fish.
For you Flatfish enthusiasts, you’ll have to wait until spring or summertime to go after Dover Sole. However, there’s another species you’ll be able to target during winter that may well fulfill all your Flatfish needs – the Dab. Its name might now be slightly overshadowed by the viral dance move, but make no mistake, this fish is plenty of fun to catch (and eat).
The Dab is most plentiful in November/December time and prefers to lurk around sandy estuaries and shallow inshore waters, as well as brackish waters. This means that pretty much any mark in Dungeness will do the job! Get ready for some heavy lifting, too – species regularly reach dinner plate size here.
In addition to Dab and Whiting, you’ll also be able to target varieties of Rockling, Flounder, and Pouting. Local anglers say that whenever you cast a line in Dungeness’ waters, you’re never quite sure what you might pull out. That goes for the summer months, too!
Summer Species
A British summer is anything but predictable. Can’t rely on the weather during your Dungeness fishing trip? There’s one thing that won’t let you down – the species on offer!
We may have waved goodbye to the odd Cod or Codling in April, but summer sees us welcoming in some new fish. The most popular catch during this time is Seabass.
This bottom fish is a close relative to that famous species, the Striped Bass. It’s fair to say that it causes as much excitement in UK anglers as the Striper does across the pond!
Something to be aware of, however, is that, as tasty as the Seabass may be, it’s also heavily regulated. From 1 April to 31 December, anglers can harvest and keep only two Seabass per day.
Between July and August, it’s common to find huge shoals of Mackerel right by Dungeness’ coastline. Although these are considered bait fish rather than target species by most anglers, they’re still plenty of fun to catch, especially for children and newer anglers.
We mentioned Dover Sole earlier, and Flatfish fans will be pleased to see that this species makes an appearance during this season. A late-summer adventure in Dungeness’ Rye Bay offers up the biggest varieties!
Casting Your Line: Where and How to Fish in Dungeness
How?
Something that makes a Dungeness fishing adventure even more unusual is that, usually, you won’t be stepping foot on a boat. Although it’s possible to hop aboard one of the few charters in the area for a guided trip, the most common way to explore these waters is on foot.
Why? Well, for one thing, there’s Dungeness’ size. This headland provides ample angling opportunities, and you can reach all of the hotspots on foot.
“On foot fishing” often involves fishing piers or marinas, but Dungeness really goes back to basics – or, more accurately, tradition. The most common way to fish here is by simply setting up your rods and reels on the shingle beach.
If you’re newer to angling and this sounds overwhelming, make use of the many bait and tackle shops in the area. These outfitters offer fishing gear for sale or rent and are used to helping out visiting anglers and tourists. They’ll be able to advise you on the best gear for your target species, as well as how to set it up.
Where?
Dungeness is small, but there are plenty of treasure troves to be found –very suitable for a place that used to be known as a smuggler’s paradise thanks to its bevy of waterways!
Jury’s Gap. Fish this large storm beach (a beach formed by particularly fierce waves) during high water. Cast your line in summer when the surf’s up for Seabass. Bottom fish for “flatties” (Dover Sole) during late summer.
Galloways. This southwest-facing beach is a hotspot during the winter months when the spring tides flood it out. It’s your best bet when it comes to hooking the increasingly rare Cod. Visiting in the summer? Wait until the drowsy late evenings, and cast your line for flatties, Bass, and Mackerel.
Denge Marsh. Sometimes stylised as Dengemarsh, this wide shingle beach has earnt a name for itself as a Sole fishing hotspot. July–September is especially plentiful. In the winter it’s a hotspot for Codling and Whiting, especially in its easternmost “Diamond” area. This is where waters get very deep.
Dungeness Beach. Looking to hooking a mixed bag of Dungeness’ fishy favorites? Visit its eponymous beach. A second-to-none deepwater location, you’ll find everything from the rare huge Cod to Sole, to Bass, and plenty more. A local favourite spot is ‘back-of-the-boats’ near the lighthouse.
The Point. This hotspot is home to deep, fast waters, a strong tide, and a seriously big drop, so it’s better left to more experienced anglers. Ready to test your skills? Head here during high water, and make sure you invest in a 6 oz breakout lead to avoid line breakages!
The Pilot. Located opposite the Pilot Inn, this mark is a must for anglers looking to hook some summer Bass. After you’ve cast your line to your heart’s desire, head to the Inn for some local-style fish and chips!
Taylor Road. Much like The Pilot, this mark is also a hotspot for Bass fishing. Head here during a rising tide to fish over high waters. This is a good starting point for visitors unfamiliar with the area, as there’s parking conveniently located right nearby.
Littlestone Wall. This is another high-water mark, and is similar to Dungeness Beach in that all local species can be hooked here. Just make sure you look out for the area’s ‘groynes’, which are low walls or barriers built into the sea.
Pirate’s Bay. Similar to Littlestone Wall, you’ll find a whole host of Dungeness’ favourite species on offer here. You’ll also have access to the waters around St Marys Bay, as well as its beach. Unlike the rest of Dungeness, it’s sandy! If the weather suits, pack yourself a picnic and end your fishing trip here.
Rules and Regulations
By now, you’re hopefully well on your way to preparing your perfect Dungeness fishing trip. You know what you want to catch, how you want to catch it, and have noted down all the marks you want to visit. However, before you go further, you probably need to know what the local rules and regulations look like!
Simply put, fishing in Dungeness is classed as “sea fishing.” You are not required by UK law to have a licence in order to sea fish.
All you need to be aware of before heading on your adventure is the various rules and regulations that surround bag and size limits for certain species.
If you’re planning on combining your Dungeness fishing adventure with some freshwater action, read up on England’s freshwater fishing regulations.
It is mandatory to purchase a fishing licence for freshwater fishing. As we mentioned, this should not be an issue if you are only planning to fish in Dungeness’ saltwaters.
Planning your trip around Galloways? This is a hot fishing mark, but also has an entirely different function. The Ministry of Defense sometimes uses it for live firing practise!
Because of this, be very careful about approaching this area whenever red flags or red lights are shown. You can find out more here.
Dungeness: A New World
As well as its conversation-worthy angling action, another main point of interest in Dungeness is the ‘Prospect Cottage’. It has attracted plenty of local and nationwide attention due to its unusual decor. The cottage is painted black and has the poem ‘The Sunne Rising’, written by John Donne, painted along one side.
As well as famously demanding that “No man is an island,” John Donne also once wrote, “Let sea-discoverers to new worlds have gone.” We think this is actually the perfect sentiment for Dungeness!
Strange, desolate, and starkly beautiful, visiting this headland really does make you feel you’re stepping foot into a new world. It’s unlike anything you’ve experienced before. Fishing – and life – in Dungeness is about appreciating what can be found in the pockets of nature we often overlook.
If you’re searching for a truly unique angling adventure, what better place to cast your line than this weird, wild, and wonderful landscape? Sea-discoverers, unite – and get ready to explore this exciting new world!
Have you ever been fishing in Dungeness? What did you catch? Any interesting tidbits or tips and tricks that you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments below.
