Sea Fishing

No licence required. From pier fishing for mackerel to beach casting for bass and cod, sea fishing is the most accessible form of angling in the UK.

800+ spots5 species

Interactive Map

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Top Venues

Top Fishing Spots

The best-rated fishing venues across the UK.

  1. 1

    Chesil Beach, Dorset

    Sea bream, bass, mackerel, cod

  2. 2

    Brighton Marina

    Mackerel, bass, pollack

  3. 3

    Whitby, Yorkshire

    Cod capital, shore and boat

  4. 4

    Newquay, Cornwall

    Bass and mackerel from surf and rocks

  5. 5

    Mumbles Pier, Swansea

    Bass, mackerel, flatfish

  6. 6

    Deal Pier, Kent

    Cod, bass, sole, mackerel

  7. 7

    Hartlepool Headland

    Cod, pollack, north-east

  8. 8

    Amble Pier, Northumberland

    Cod, mackerel, pollack

  9. 9

    Tenby, Pembrokeshire

    Bass, mackerel, flatfish

  10. 10

    Looe, Cornwall

    Mackerel, pollack, bass

Species Guide

Species You Can Catch

Learn about the fish you’ll find at these venues.

Sea Bass

April–November (peak June–September) · Ragworm

Sea Bream

June–October (peak July–August) · Ragworm tipped with squid

Mackerel

May–October (peak July–August) · Mackerel feathers (sabiki rigs)

Cod

October–March · Lugworm

Getting Started

Fishing Licence & Tips

Licence Information

No fishing licence is required for sea fishing in England and Wales. In Scotland, no licence is needed either. Just turn up and fish.

Read the full fishing licence guide

Quick Tips

  • No licence needed for sea fishing anywhere in the UK.
  • Piers are the most beginner-friendly sea fishing spots.
  • Check tide times; fishing around high tide is usually best.
  • Mackerel arrive from May-June in the south and push north through summer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sea Fishing

No. Sea fishing in England and Wales requires no licence. Scotland also has no requirement. Just turn up and fish.

Summer (June-September) for mackerel and bass. Winter (October-March) for cod. Different species peak at different times.

A 10-12ft beachcaster or 8-10ft spinning rod, a 4000-6000 reel, 15-20lb line, and basic terminal tackle. Mackerel feathers are cheap and effective.

Chesil Beach (Dorset), Whitby (Yorkshire), Brighton Marina, Deal Pier (Kent), and Newquay (Cornwall) are among the best.

Absolutely. Pier fishing for mackerel is the most accessible form of angling in the UK. No licence, cheap tackle, and almost guaranteed catches in summer.

Mackerel, bass, cod, flounder, whiting, pollack, and sea bream are all commonly caught from UK shores depending on season and location.

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