UK Sea Fishing: five fish you can catch off the coast

What this site is for

The UK has thousands of miles of coastline, and a surprising mix of fish live along it. Some are chased from the beach, some from rocks and piers, and some from boats a few miles out. If you are new to sea fishing, it is hard to know where to start.

This site picks five popular species and gives you the basics for each one, so you can plan a trip with confidence.

When to fish

The time of year each species is most likely to be around.

Size limits

The minimum size you can legally keep. Anything smaller goes straight back.

Lures

The types of lure that work best, so you know what to pack.

Five fish to catch

Sea bass

Dicentrarchus labrax

When to catch it: May to October is the best of it, around estuaries, rocky shores and surf beaches. Dawn, dusk and a moving tide are the prime times.
Size limit and rules: Minimum 42 cm. Catch and release only in February and March. At other times of year you can keep up to three per person per day.
Lures: Soft plastic sandeels and paddle tails, shallow-diving plugs, and surface poppers on calm mornings.

Cod

Gadus morhua

When to catch it: Mainly October to February, when fish move inshore in the colder months. Fishing after dark from the beach can be productive.
Size limit and rules: Minimum 35 cm in most areas. Some regions have extra local rules, so check before you go.
Lures: Pirks and metal jigs from a boat, and large soft plastic shads or jelly worms on a heavy jig head.

Pollack

Pollachius pollachius

When to catch it: June to November. Look around rocky ground, kelp beds, harbour walls and wrecks, especially at the start and end of the day.
Size limit and rules: Minimum 30 cm.
Lures: Soft plastic sandeels and shads on a weighted head, redgill eels, and slim metal lures.

Mackerel

Scomber scombrus

When to catch it: May to September, when shoals come close to piers, harbour walls and headlands. Often the first fish a beginner catches.
Size limit and rules: Minimum 20 cm, or 30 cm in the North Sea. Check which applies to your area.
Lures: Feather rigs (often called Sabikis) are the classic choice. Small metal spinners and spoons also work well.

Plaice

Pleuronectes platessa

When to catch it: Spring and early summer, from April to July, over sandy and muddy seabed in shallow water. A smaller run happens in late winter.
Size limit and rules: Minimum 27 cm.
Lures: Plaice mostly take bait, but flashy spoons and small spinners with beads and a baited hook can work. Fish them slowly along the bottom.

Always check local rules. Size limits and bag limits can change, and local fisheries byelaws may add to the national rules.

Your local Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) and the GOV.UK pages on recreational sea fishing are the places to confirm the current rules.