Fishing at Rye Harbour

HarbourEast Sussex🐾 Dogs allowed — with rules★☆☆ family

Rye Harbour sits at the mouth of the River Rother next to a huge nature reserve, and the shingle beach either side of the river mouth fishes well for bass and the odd conger among a wildlife-rich, wide-open setting.

📍 View on the map

What you can catch → Full fish guide

Species	Season	Method
Bass	Apr-Nov	Crab or rag fished at the river mouth on the making tide
Grey Mullet	May-Sep	Float-fished bread near the harbour moorings
Conger Eel	May-Oct	Large fish baits after dark
Dab Flounder	Year-round	Small hook rigs with worm bait on the sand
Wrasse	Apr-Oct	Light tackle around any rocky groyne stubs

Tactics

The river mouth itself concentrates bass on the push of the tide, so fish the flood with crab or ragworm close to the current line. Mullet shoal around the harbour moorings in summer and respond well to bread flake under a float. It's a five-mile stretch of flat, accessible shingle inside the reserve, so there's room to walk to quieter ground if the main access point is busy.

Best tide: Flood tide at the river mouth · Best time: Dawn and dusk, spring through autumn

Dogs

Sussex Wildlife Trust, which manages Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, asks dog owners to keep dogs on a lead between the reserve entrance and the river mouth to protect nesting birds and grazing livestock - there's no seasonal ban, but the lead rule applies year-round through the reserve.

Official source: View the rule at source →

Access & parking

Free parking at the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve car park, then a walk of a few hundred metres to a mile depending on which stretch you fish. Sat-nav: TN31 7TX.Get directions → Family rating: ★☆☆ — Flat, wide-open shingle and a nature reserve setting are great for a relaxed family day, though there's no shade and access can mean a longer walk.

FAQs

Are dogs allowed at Rye Harbour?

Yes, but the Wildlife Trust asks for dogs to be kept on a lead throughout the reserve to protect nesting birds and grazing animals.

Is Rye Harbour good for bass fishing?

Yes - the river mouth is the standout spot, fishing best on the flood with crab or ragworm.

Nearby marks

Camber Sands · Dungeness · Hastings Stade

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.