UK sea species
Practical species pages for the fish Castwise scores from UK shores. Each guide explains likely ground, season, tide, tackle, lookalikes and how the app turns those factors into a recommendation.
Start with the common and high-intent species. The generator is built so the library can expand as more curated data is shared with the website.
Common shore approaches include surf beaches, estuary mouths, rocky gullies, kelp edges, sand bars and harbour edges where tide moves food past ambush points. Bass fishing usually builds through late spring, is strongest through summer and autumn, and slows as water cools. Local timing varies by region and year.
Look for broken rock, kelp beds, drop-offs, gullies and deeper water within casting range. Spring and autumn can be productive, with summer still possible on suitable rock marks. Local water temperature and baitfish movement matter.
Target rock ledges, kelp-lined gullies, boulder ground and mixed rough ground where fish can retreat into cover. Wrasse fishing is usually best in warmer months, especially late spring through autumn.
Deeper piers, rock edges, harbour arms and open-coast marks with access to clean water are typical shore options. Summer into early autumn is the main shore season, with local runs varying year to year.
Look for rock holes, deep ledges, kelp, wrecky structure, harbour walls and rough mixed ground. Warmer months into autumn are often strongest from the shore, though local deep-water marks can vary.
Cod can be targeted from rough ground, mixed beaches, piers, harbour arms and storm beaches where food is stirred up. Autumn and winter are the traditional shore season, though regional patterns differ around the UK.
Estuary channels, sandy mud, harbour edges, creek mouths and sheltered beaches are common shore options. Flounder can be caught across much of the year, with local runs and spawning movements affecting results.
Beaches, clean sand, shingle banks, estuary mouths and gently mixed ground are typical shore contexts. Spring through autumn is often the main shore window, with local variation.
Look for broken ground, reef edges, clean mixed ground, piers and deeper marks within casting range. Late spring through summer into early autumn is the main shore period in suitable regions.
Estuaries, harbour edges, shellfish beds, sandy channels and clean mixed ground are common contexts where present. Warmer months are most relevant, with local appearances depending on water temperature and food.
Clean sand, surf beaches, deeper bays, estuary mouths and sandy patches near rougher ground are common contexts. Spring through autumn is often productive for many shore ray targets, but species and regions vary.
Clean beaches, sandy patches near reef, estuary mouths and mixed ground can all produce where hounds are present. Late spring through summer is usually the main shore window in suitable regions.
Clean to mixed ground, beaches, piers, harbour walls and rougher edges can all produce dogfish. Dogfish can be present across much of the year, depending on region.
Sandy beaches, piers, harbour arms and estuary mouths can all hold whiting when they move inshore. Autumn and winter are the main shore period in many areas.
Piers, harbour walls, rough ground, mixed beaches and deeper structure can all produce pouting. They can appear across much of the year, with local peaks often in cooler months.
Harbour walls, piers, rough ground and mixed ground can all produce poor cod. They may be encountered across much of the year depending on local ground.
Clean to lightly mixed beaches, sandy patches, piers and deeper clean ground can produce where gurnard are present. Warmer months are usually most relevant from the shore.
Piers, harbour arms, rock ledges and deeper clear-water marks can produce garfish. Summer into early autumn is the main shore period in many regions.
Harbour edges, estuary creeks, marina walls, mudflats and sheltered urban water can all hold mullet. Warmer months are usually best, though local estuary fish can be present for longer.
Castwise updates
Use Castwise to compare target species by mark, tide, season, swell and safety.