West Bexington
Fishing at West Bexington or West Bexi as it tends to be called can be very good at times with a whole variety of species on offer through the different stages of the year all that will succumb to varied tactics. West Bexi is basically the centre point of Chesil beach with the deeper Cove, Ferrybridge, Bridging camp and Abbotsbury to the East and the shallower Cogden and Burton and Bradstock to the West. It is the perfect mark to target the flat fish species with Dabs, Sole and Plaice all very achievable targets from spring time right through to late autumn, simple two or three hook clip down rigs or loop rigs with small hooks and rag worm and lugworm baits will offer the best chances of finding some of these fish, using very shortened hook lengths on two or three hook clipped down rigs will help to single out the Sole amongst the Dabs and plaice. Casting in excess of 80yds will definitely help you to find more of the flatfish as they often like to sit at that range and beyond on the numerous clay and sand banks that start beyond the shingle. To target the Plaice you will want to ensure the water is very clear so a gentle settled period of weather leading up to your trip is ideal, the Sole will come with coloured water and also at night time.
At West Bexi you can find a few of the ray species which can come along really at any time of the year so a good tactic if fishing in the spring through to autumn can be to fish a two or three hook loop rig with a bigger fishy bait such as sandeel, squid or sardine on the bottom hook aimed at a Ray and a smaller worm bait on the top hook(s) seeking out a flatfish. As with anywhere along Chesil you will find the smaller stuff throughout the year such as Dogfish, Pouting, strap Conger and Whiting as well as Mackerel (when the water is very clear in the summer).
From mid/late august through to Dec West Bexi will throw up Codling to all the usual tactics, nice sized worm/squid baits or peeler crab on up and over or pulley rigs with hook sizes ranging form 2/0 up to 4/0 depending on the size of baits being used, its also very worthwhile popping out a two hook clipped down rig with size 1/0 or 2/0 hooks baited with worm for the codling as this can sometimes take fish when the bigger baits are struggling. If you are seeking a Codling, you should look at visiting just after a good heavy blow so the water becomes nicely coloured, you do not necessarily need to cast out overly far for the cod with fish taken in the right conditions from 30 yds out to as far as you can get. During the summer months through to Autumn this area is also a very good spot to target a nice Bass, again like the cod look to hit the beach when there is a nice bit of colour and ideally for the bass a nice turbulent surf, look to fish very close range with casts of literally 30-40 yards just beyond the initial surf wash.
Fishing a simple pulley or running leger rig with worm, fish or squid baits should help to find a fish or two. West Bexi is a great beach for anglers of all levels of experience, it is a relatively easy mark in terms of both access and tackle, standard 5oz -6oz leads with your favoured beach rigs, standard shock leaders and pretty clear ground, there is no necessity to be able to cast huge distances and the relatively flat shingle beach makes it a really good all round place to fish.
This can be said for ALL of Chesil beach but West Bexington can be particularly dangerous during a blow with big swells and unstable footing, NEVER take any undue risks when landing fish, ALWAYS keep your eyes on the sea as big swells can literally come from nowhere a wipe you out! Think carefully where you set your gear up giving that sea plenty of respect and space. The best wind directions for this whole area to flatten the sea state will be from the North, Northeast or Northwest, winds from these directions will see it coming from over your shoulders and will aid with distance in the cast also. All of Chesil beach is a place where you really do need to plan your trips with a close eye on conditions both whilst you intend to fish but also in the days leading to your session, if you’re unsure or it looks iffy just give it a miss as the chances are aside from being dangerous the huge rolling waves will make the fishing practically impossible.