Sea angling
A host of opportunities await Sea Angling visitors to the town of Poole. A number of species can be caught from the shore and boats around Poole during the year. If you're disabled, the quayside will provide easy access and a good chance of catching fish. Let us not forget the kids, they can also get into the act by crablining off the Quay as well as catching blennies and wrasse. Poole is truly a family fishing zone.

Shore angling
There are so many different types of fish you can catch from the many beaches around Poole throughout the year. In the harbour, bass can be caught although many will be schoolies but the entrance to the harbour will see Toby Lures the downfall of some double figure bass. Hefty flounders usually start around September to January but smaller flatties, school bass and eels will give sport around Rockley from April. Some great mullet sport can be had from the Quay with fish up to 5 lbs not uncommon. Anglers should be aware that Poole Harbour has four tides in every 12 hours, two high waters and two low waters giving a lot more movement than at other venues. As rough guides can be inaccurate, it is always best to get information from the tackle shops for up to the minute catches. Studland and Sandbanks, a short drive from Poole town centre will see some good smoothhound sport from the beaches during June. Dusk is the best time to try, no matter what the tide is doing and smoothhounds to double figures will fall to peeler or hermit crab baits, the aforementioned producing best results. Sandeels are also readily available and many anglers find freelining for bass in the harbour entrance rewarding.

Charter boat angling
Charter Boats can be booked from the contributing Charter agencies. They cater for Sea Anglers going for 3 hours, 4 hours, all day, evening, wrecking, reefing, sharking and Channel Islands Angling trips. All boats are properly licensed which of course is of the utmost importance. Most boats have toilets for the lady anglers although it is better to make sure. Boats will cater for novices and will hire rods and tackle for a small extra fee. Novice anglers are well looked after so listen to what the skipper says and there is no reason why you should not get a result. If you're a specimen hunter its an idea to ask at the tackle shops what is the best time to try. They will always offer friendly advice.

Anglers from all over the country converge on Poole during May for the fierce fishing black bream. This fish gives a good account of itself whilst drift fishing over marks in Poole Bay with light gear. Inshore fishing will see bass, mackerel, tope, gurnard, blonde, thornback, undulates, small-eyed and spotted rays. Also garfish, dogfish, bull huss, scad, wrasse, plaice, pout, smoothhounds, congers, bream, pollock, etc., throughout June to September. Some huge plaice come from the harbour with fish of 6lbs 8oz caught during June to August falling to ragworm bait. Shark fishing is best from the end of July to the beginning of September. Some boats are kitted out specially for this. The Sharks which enter our waters are threshers or porbeagles although a rare blue was caught this past year. Wrecks hold plenty of Pollock with trips from March until the end of September providing good hauls. Cod, ling and congers will join the dominant Pollock around May onwards. Small species included bream of 5 lbs and the odd John Dory can be caught towards September. Turbot, brill and bass will provide good sport for anglers taking in a Channel Island trip. Cod will be caught from various marks off Old Harry Rocks during October until January with all fish around double figures. Big blonde rays and double-figure pollock will also be caught as will congers while anglers bait their big hooks with plenty of squid for that meaty cod. The end of September throughout most of October sees the arrival of the herring which gives anglers an alternative bait or a tasty meal. Whiting usually turn up at the end of October and many anglers enjoy catching them right through until the end of January although if you want cod, a big bait and big hook is required.

Angling vessels are not allowed to drift in the fairways, or to obstruct other vessels with their craft or gear in any channel or fairway
(Byelaw 2c and 2d).