Fishing at Great Yarmouth

BeachNorfolk🐾 Seasonal daytime dog ban★★☆ family

Norfolk's big holiday-resort beach, bookended by Britannia and Wellington piers — bass and mackerel through summer, cod and whiting from winter into spring.

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What you can catch

Species	Season	Method
Cod	Nov–Mar	Lugworm and ragworm on the bottom, especially after a blow
Whiting	Nov–Mar	Lug or rag; fish the gullies and undulations
Bass	May–Sep	Bottom-fished bait, best after a storm has stirred the sea bed
Mackerel	Jun–Aug	Spinning or feathers

Tactics

Look for the gullies and undulations in the sand rather than fishing featureless beach — these hold fish, especially after a storm has coloured the water. High tide is generally the best state to fish. A beachcaster capable of 6oz-plus with an 8000-size reel and 60lb shockleader is the standard setup, but 40–60 yards is usually far enough — no need to hammer it to the horizon.

Best tide: High water, especially after a blow · Best time: Winter through spring for cod and whiting; summer evenings for bass and mackerel

Dogs

Great Yarmouth Borough Council bans dogs from the main tourist beach — between Wellington Pier and Britannia Pier, and the equivalent stretch at Gorleston between the breakwater and the Ravine — from 1 May to 30 September; the adjoining promenade requires dogs on leads over the same dates. Outside summer the whole beach is open.

Access & parking

Anchor Gardens car park on Marine Parade is close to Britannia Pier. Sat-nav: NR30 2EJ.Get directions → Family rating: ★★☆ — A proper big resort beach with piers, amusements and food on hand, though the tide can run hard near the pier structures so keep young anglers back from the pilings.

FAQs

Is Great Yarmouth beach dog friendly?

The main central beach between the two piers bans dogs 1 May–30 September; outside that window, and outside that stretch, dogs are welcome.

What can you catch off Great Yarmouth's piers?

Britannia and Wellington piers both fish well for bass, whiting and cod depending on season; expect a strong tide, so grip leads help.

When's the best time for cod at Great Yarmouth?

November to March, especially just after a northerly blow has coloured the water.

Nearby marks

Lowestoft South Beach

Last updated 8 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.