A lovely seaside town and home to the Adnam’s brewery, where the pier has been rebuilt in recent years.
A local club controls the pier fishing, but day tickets are available at the entrance, tel: 01502 722105. Fishing is 8.30am to 4.30pm.
The end of the pier goes just beyond a sandbank running parallel to the beach, so offers access into reasonable depth. At the southern end of the beach is the harbour where the River Blyth enters the sea. There is a strong tidal flow but plenty of fishing potential right through to the saltmarshes at Blythburgh. The beach is a sand and shingle mix and fishes well on the flood and ebb.
Species
Mullet work their way into the saltmarshes in summer and there are bass in the harbour, around the pier and from the beaches from May to September.
Fishing for soles can be excellent from June to September with the beach north of the pier favoured. Whiting arrive in September and leave at Christmas, while codling show from October to April.
Best baits
Lure fishing for bass is popular at the harbour entrance, but the big fish are caught on fish guts or whole squid fished near the commercial boats. Ragworms are used for soles, although lug will catch. Lug tipped with fish or squid takes bigger whiting. Lug tipped with squid is good for codling. Peeler crabs are best in spring for codling and bass.
Tackle
Carp rods can be used for lure fishing. There is plenty of room to cast from the pier so standard beach rods are fine. The tide can be quite strong, but 150g sinkers are usually enough.
Distance casting is sometimes needed from the beach for codling and whiting, but the soles are usually very close. Fixed spools and small multipliers loaded with 15lb line and a shockleader will suffice.
Tackle shops
Southwold Angling Centre, 9 Station Rd, Southwold. Tel: 01502 722085.
Opening times: 9am – 5pm Monday to Saturday (closed 1pm Wednesday), Saturday 9am – 4.30pm
Bait: Ragworm, lugworm, peeler crab, fresh blacks when available. Big selection of frozen baits.
Number of lakes/pegs : –
Prices : –
Directions : From the A12 at Blythburgh follow the A1095 signposted to Southwold. The road goes right into the town and will take you through to the harbour where it finishes and you can park right next to the water. Once in the town there is a mini roundabout and turning left will take you to the pier and beaches. There is a large car park next to the pier
