Portland Conger bash - Report.

[phil_I]

Richi and me drove down last night intending to fish Ringstead bay - but its a bit of a trek from the car park to the beach - very like a mini Kimmeridge for those that know it - and the westerly wind made the pitch unplayable

 

Looking to our right we saw portland and decided to stick that twixt the elements and us

 

We happened on a perfect launch site - FREE parking, Slipway and about as sheltered a launch as you could hope for as its all within the harbour walls.

 

Looks great, any chance of some directions to this launch site, cheers.

[SpeciMan]

I think they launched from Castletown Slipway - it's where the word 'CASTLETOWN' is marked on the road here.

 

Rough directions.. head out from Weymouth towards Portland. When you've travelled down the long Portland Beach Road, turn left when you get to the roundabout at the end (Portland Castle turning), then take the next left. Head over a small roundabout and down into Castletown. Slipway about 300 yards on the left. There are a few dive shops along the road down there.. if you're down there during opening hours worth a browse they sell anchor reels, torches, clothing for under drysuits etc.

[phooey]

I think they launched from Castletown Slipway - it's where the word 'CASTLETOWN' is marked on the road here.

 

 

 

Rough directions.. head out from Weymouth towards Portland. When you've travelled down the long Portland Beach Road, turn left when you get to the roundabout at the end (Portland Castle turning), then take the next left. Head over a small roundabout and down into Castletown. Slipway about 300 yards on the left. There are a few dive shops along the road down there.. if you're down there during opening hours worth a browse they sell anchor reels, torches, clothing for under drysuits etc.

 

Yep Speciman, you're right on the button !

 

The parking is opposite the slip just alongside the dive shops - its prolly 'hit and miss' but there were a few spaces when we turned up.

 

And thanks for the wreck marks - dod'nt notice any Buoys though ?

 

Phoo.

[SpeciMan]

There won't be a buoy over HMS Hood but there should be a largish buoy faded orange near the dredger only a few feet away from the outer breakwater wall. Tucked in the corner there, there is a section of beach (if you can call it that) where you land at low water.

[phil_I]

Thanks

 

Im not ready for night sessions yet, does this mark produce during the day. Any particular tide to aim for (high, low, spings?).

[SpeciMan]

Portland Harbour in that area is a good day time mark this time of year. Fished it the other week tide down and had consistent bites throughout the day. If the tide near the entrance is too strong you can always fish the rocky shoreline of Balaclava bay or pull back and fish the wrecks in between the middle and southern breakwater. The tide over the dredger mark should be weak.

 

Given the fish holding areas it would not surprise me if we were in with a chance of fish at all states of the tide there.

[spanner]

Richi,

 

Nice conger mate

 

That rockling is a three bearded, you can tell by the spots.

 

Cheers

Paul

[richi]

The one you caught is a good size for a rockling.

 

You're right SpeciMan-I've just done a bit of research and the specimen size is only 1lb8oz----wish I'd weighed it!

[dan01]

Looks like a great trip. Well done

[Starvinmarvin]

Saw Phooey on the run off to home as I was heading out, looks like you had a great time and yet another speciman to add to the list

 

Nice bass as well, did the prisoners chuck anything at you

 

SM