Hurst Shingle Bank Difficulty Rating: *
Accessibility:** Variety of Fish:***** Parking: Free
Hurst castle was an 18th century smugglers stronghold but now has its place as one of Hampshire’s most recognised tourist attractions.
The beach is a shingle bar that stretches for 1 and ¼ mile.
Hurst is widely recognised as a great multi-species match and pleasure fishing venue but it is a must to check the state of the wind and tide as it is a venue that can be massively affected by these factors. Too much tide and you will really have to use some serious lead just to hold bottom, too much wind from the wrong direction and you will have great troubles casting.
Now to the fish, Hurst Spit holds most of the seasonal fish. You will catch Cod and Flounders in the colder months and Black Bream and Mackerel in the summer. You can also pick up some serious Bass and Rays.
I have seen Steve Grier catch an 18lb Cod from the castle the same day as Ricky Prince caught a 9lb Bass while fishing next to him!!!
Weed can be a pain in the summer as Hurst forms a bottle neck with IOW and on big tides it sends water and weed across the beach at a staggering rate of knots.
Now to Hurst’s main attraction, the hole. At the back of the castle there is a very deep hole only 90 yards out that slopes off to over 100 foot on the sea charts. This of provides some amazing angling year round and really throws up some amazing species.
Alan Shergold
(The above mentioned information was written by Mr Alan Shergold on 14/10/2006. This information is to be used as a guide to help you find places to fish in your local area. Any damage to persons or persons property whether it be fishing gear, transportation or other is at the readers own risk and Mr Alan Shergold will not be held responsible. If you are in any doubt about your permission to fish any spot from Hampshire’s shore line make sure you contact the relevant authorities to check first.)
