Fishing at Camber Sands

BeachEast Sussex🐾 Seasonal daytime dog ban★★★ family

East Sussex's biggest sandy beach — a gentle, family-friendly stretch by day that turns into a serious ray and smooth-hound venue after dark, especially towards Jury's Gap.

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What you can catch

Species	Season	Method
Thornback ray / Stingray	Apr–Oct	Fish bait cast at range after dark, best towards the Jury's Gap end
Bass	Apr–Nov	Lug or squid fished in the surf tables; 42cm minimum
Flounder	All year	Rag/lug fished close in
Whiting	Oct–Feb	Lug/squid cocktail after dark
Plaice	May–Sep	Ragworm/squid on a two-hook flapper

Tactics

The main beach fishes well for bass and flatfish in the surf, but for rays and bigger fish head towards the Jury's Gap end where the ground is less disturbed. Long casts onto clean sand after dark are the standard approach.

Best tide: Flooding tide into darkness · Best time: Night sessions for rays; surf sessions for bass

Dogs

Rother District Council restricts dogs to the signposted Zone C at the western end (towards Jury's Gap) between 1 May and 30 September; from 1 October to 30 April dogs can use the whole beach. Zone C is also the better ray-fishing stretch, so the restriction lines up well with the fishing.

Access & parking

Park at the Central or Western car parks off New Lydd Road, both a short walk to the sand. Sat-nav: TN31 7RH.Get directions → Family rating: ★★★ — Flat, wide, sandy beach with big car parks, cafes and toilets — one of the easiest family beaches on this coast. Watch for weever fish when paddling barefoot.

FAQs

Can I fish at Camber Sands all year?

Yes, the beach is fishable year-round, though the far western end towards Jury's Gap is the more established ray and night-fishing stretch.

Is Camber Sands dog friendly?

Dogs are restricted to the signposted Zone C at the western end from 1 May to 30 September; outside those months the whole beach is open to dogs.

What rays can you catch at Camber Sands?

Thornback rays are the regular catch, with the occasional stingray also reported, best on fish bait cast at range after dark towards Jury's Gap.

Nearby marks

Dungeness · Hastings Stade

Last updated 7 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.