Fishing at Bexhill Seafront

BeachEast Sussex🐾 Seasonal daytime dog ban★☆☆ family

A shingle-into-sand seafront running from Cooden towards Hastings, with the usual East Sussex mix of bass and smoothhound in summer giving way to whiting and codling once the weather turns.

📍 View on the map

What you can catch → Full fish guide

Species	Season	Method
Bass	Apr-Nov	Crab or lures worked along the groynes
Smooth-Hound	May-Sep	Peeler crab fished hard on the bottom
Garfish	May-Aug	Float-fished strip in the upper layers
Whiting Codling (Juvenile Cod)	Oct-Feb	Standard two-hook flapper with worm or fish bait
Mackerel	Jun-Sep	Feathers, best in August

Tactics

Fish tight to the base of the groynes and any weed-covered rock for bass and hounds through summer - peeler crab is the standout bait for the smoothhound run. Garfish and mackerel show in the upper water on float tackle or spinners on calm summer evenings. Once autumn arrives, switch to standard beach rigs with worm or fish bait for whiting and the first codling of the winter.

Best tide: Flood tide · Best time: Summer evenings for bass/hounds; winter nights for cod

Dogs

Rother District Council's PSPO fully bans dogs (not just lead-required) on the main beach between Brockley Road (Sovereign Light Café) and Sea Road (Sailing Club) from 1 May to 30 September; leads are required separately on the promenade between groynes 34 and 78, including the lawns.

Official source: View the rule at source →

Access & parking

Roadside and seafront car parks along De La Warr Parade and Marina; flat prom the whole length. Family rating: ★☆☆ — Long, flat promenade and beach make access easy, though the main bathing stretch has the summer dog ban to be aware of if bringing a dog too.

FAQs

Is Bexhill seafront dog friendly?

Not on the main beach between 1 May and 30 September under Rother District Council's PSPO - dogs must be on a lead on the promenade during that period, or exercised elsewhere.

Do I need a licence to fish at Bexhill?

No rod licence is needed for sea fishing from the shore in England.

Nearby marks

Hastings Stade · Pevensey Bay · Eastbourne Seafront

Last updated 16 July 2026 — sources & disclaimer

Compiled from angling guides, forums and the relevant council's dog byelaws, cross-checked where possible.

Rules and conditions change, so always check current signage and tides before you go. We do our best to keep this accurate but can't promise it's error-free.