🐟 UK Shore Sea Fishing – Month by Month Guide
UK Shore Sea Fishing – Month by Month Guide
Plan your fishing trips with this UK shore sea fishing month by month guide, covering the best species, top venues and the most effective sea fishing bait used by UK anglers.
The United Kingdom offers some of the best shore fishing in Europe. From the rugged coastlines of Cornwall and Wales to the beaches of Norfolk, Yorkshire and the Solent, every month brings new fishing opportunities.
Warmer months see anglers targeting smoothhound, bass, rays and bream, while winter fishing produces excellent catches of cod, whiting and flounder.
This guide shows what species to target each month, where to fish, and the best fishing bait to use.
At Solent Baits we have been supplying sea fishing bait since 1983, providing anglers across the country with reliable fresh and frozen sea fishing bait with next day UK delivery.
Whether you’re looking to buy fishing bait online in the UK, order frozen bait delivery, or stock up on high quality sea fishing bait, Solent Baits delivers trusted bait to anglers across the UK.
👉 Shop Frozen Sea Fishing Bait – Next Day UK Delivery
🌟 Catch of the Month
Send us your best fish photo caught using Solent Baits and get featured.
Each month we highlight our favourite catches from anglers around the UK.
📧 Send your photos to
solentbaits@yahoo.co.uk
Show off your catch and inspire other anglers! 🎣 you might even win a prize
UK Shore Fishing by Month
❄ January
Target Species:
Cod, Whiting, Dogfish, Flounder, Coalfish
Top UK Venues:
Chesil Beach, Portland, Norfolk beaches, Whitby, Morecambe Bay
Best Sea Fishing Baits:
Squid, Blueys, Mackerel, Lugworm, Crab Cart
Winter cod fishing can be excellent after storms, especially along exposed beaches. Using large frozen squid or mackerel baits often attracts bigger fish.
❄ February
Target Species:
Cod, Whiting, Dogfish, Conger
Top Venues:
Portland Bill, Hartlepool, Anglesey, Morecambe Bay, Aberdeen
Best Baits:
Squid, Mackerel, Crab Cart
Cold weather can extend cod fishing. Many anglers rely on frozen sea fishing bait such as squid and mackerel during winter months.
🌱 March
Target Species:
Thornback Rays, Bass, Flounder, Coalfish
Top Venues:
Selsey, Pagham, Hayling Island, Poole Harbour, Northumberland beaches
Best Baits:
Peeler Crab, Squid, Mackerel Cocktails
Spring marks the return of rays along southern beaches, while bass begin appearing in estuaries.
🌸 April
Target Species:
Thornback Rays, Bass, Smoothhound, Black Bream, Plaice
Top Venues:
Bracklesham Bay, Chesil Beach, Anglesey, Cornwall reefs, Norfolk
Best Baits:
Peeler Crab, Ragworm, Squid
Peeler crab becomes one of the most effective natural sea fishing baits during spring.
☀ May
Target Species:
Smoothhound, Bass, Rays, Black Bream, Tope
Top Venues:
Hayling Island, Selsey, Cardigan Bay, Cornwall, Morecambe Bay
Best Baits:
Peeler Crab, Ragworm, Squid, King Prawns
Smoothhound fishing peaks during this period, with crab baits producing excellent results.
☀ June
Target Species:
Smoothhound, Bass, Tope, Rays, Wrasse, Mackerel
Top Venues:
Solent, Dorset, Sussex, Cornwall, Norfolk, Northumberland, West Wales, Scottish sea lochs
Best Baits:
Peeler Crab, Hardback Crab, Squid, Blueys, Mackerel
Early morning and evening tides often produce the best fishing results.
☀ July
Target Species:
Smoothhound, Bass, Rays, Wrasse, Tope, Conger
Top Venues:
Chesil Beach, Anglesey, Cornwall, Isle of Wight, Aberdeen piers
Best Baits:
Peeler Crab, Squid, Blueys, Mackerel
Many anglers rely on frozen fishing bait such as squid and blueys during summer sessions.
🌊 August
Target Species:
Rays, Smoothhound, Bass, Bream, Conger, Mackerel
Top Venues:
Poole Harbour, Sandbanks, Swanage, Calshot, Hill Head, Welsh beaches, Scottish east coast
Best Baits:
Squid, Blueys, Ragworm, Mackerel
Warm water brings strong fishing activity, especially for rays and bass.
🍂 September
Target Species:
Bass, Rays, Smoothhound, Early Cod, Plaice
Top Venues:
Chesil Beach, Whitby, Norfolk beaches, Selsey, Cornwall
Best Baits:
Crab, Squid, Ragworm, Blueys
Autumn fishing often sees the return of cod along northern beaches.
🍂 October
Target Species:
Cod, Rays, Bass, Whiting, Coalfish
Top Venues:
Northumberland, Yorkshire coast, Chesil Beach, Morecambe Bay, Scottish beaches
Best Baits:
Squid, Mackerel, Crab
Autumn storms often trigger excellent cod fishing.
❄ November
Target Species:
Cod, Whiting, Dogfish, Rays
Top Venues:
Whitby, Hartlepool, Chesil Beach, Norfolk beaches, Anglesey
Best Baits:
Squid, Mackerel, Peeler Crab
Frozen sea fishing bait such as squid and mackerel remains a reliable winter option.
❄ December
Target Species:
Cod, Whiting, Dogfish, Flounder, Coalfish
Top Venues:
North East beaches, Chesil Beach, Morecambe Bay, Norfolk, Scottish east coast
Best Baits:
Squid, Mackerel, Crab Cart
Winter fishing rewards anglers using strong scent baits like squid and oily fish.
🧊 Popular Sea Fishing Baits Used All Year
These are among the most popular sea fishing baits used by UK anglers throughout the year:
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Squid
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Blueys (Saury)
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Mackerel
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Herring
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Peeler Crab
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Ragworm
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Lugworm
All are available as fresh or frozen fishing bait with UK bait delivery from Solent Baits.
🚀 Order Sea Fishing Bait with UK Delivery
At Solent Baits we supply anglers across the UK with reliable fresh and frozen sea fishing bait, with convenient next day bait delivery available across the country.
✔ Frozen sea fishing bait ready for UK delivery
✔ Peeler crab, squid, blueys, mackerel and more
✔ Bulk bait packs for serious anglers
✔ Trusted bait supplier since 1983
Whether you’re looking for frozen bait delivery UK, sea fishing bait delivery UK, or to buy fishing bait online, Solent Baits has you covered.
👉 Shop Fresh & Frozen Sea Fishing Bait – Next Day UK Delivery