Fishing at Hastings Stade
Home to Britain's biggest beach-launched fishing fleet, the Stade is a mixed-species shingle mark below Hastings Old Town — flatties and dabs as the mainstay, with bass and rays showing through spring and summer.
📍 View on the mapWhat you can catch
| Species | Season | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Plaice / Sole / Dab | All year | Fresh lug/ragworm on a two-hook flapper; sticky black lug best for dabs |
| Bass | Apr–Nov | Lugworm fished off the harbour wall at the east end, especially late autumn; 42cm minimum |
| Thornback ray | Apr–Oct | Fish bait cast at range off the open shingle |
| Cod / Whiting | Oct–Feb | Lug/squid cocktail after dark |
| Mackerel / Garfish | May–Sep | Feathers cast out beyond the fishing boats when the sea is settled |
Tactics
Fish fresh lug and rag for the bread-and-butter flatfish, and try the harbour wall at the east end of the beach for deeper water and better bass, particularly in late autumn. Give the beach-launched boats and their winch cables a wide berth.
Best tide: Rising tide · Best time: Late autumn for bigger bass; daytime for flatfish
Dogs
Access & parking
Park at Rock-a-Nore car park, right by the Stade and the Fishermen's Museum. Sat-nav: TN34 3DW.Get directions → Family rating: ★★☆ — Working shingle beach with fishing boats and winch cables — great for kids interested in real fishing boats, but keep them well clear of the launch gear.
FAQs
Is the Stade beach in Hastings dog friendly?
Yes — the council lifted its seasonal dog ban on the Stade and Rock-a-Nore beaches from the 2025 season, so dogs are now welcome here all year, though other stretches of Hastings seafront still have restrictions.
What can you catch at Hastings Stade?
Plaice, sole and dabs on lug/ragworm make up most catches, with bass and thornback rays adding interest through spring and summer.
Can you fish near the Hastings fishing boats?
Yes, but give the beach-launched boats and their winch cables plenty of room — fish from the open shingle away from the launch area.
Nearby marks
Camber Sands · Eastbourne Seafront
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.