The Groynes, Hurst Castle, Hants

SPECIES
A mixed species mark giving sole, bass and rays in the summer and autumn, with bass and cod in the winter. Smaller species such pout, rockling, dogfish and whiting also show.

BAITS
The best of the bass and cod fall to a whole squid, though black lug baits tipped with squid can also be deadly. Peeler crab is good for the bass and smaller cod throughout the year. For the sole and other smaller species try rag or blow lug. Top bait for the rays is fresh or frozen sandeel or half a mackerel fillet.

TACKLE & TACTICS
This area is swept by a fair tide run, plus it's a rough bottom with plenty of snags, so choose a stiff 5-6oz beachcaster and a reel loaded with 20 to 25lb line and a 60lb shock leader.

A good rig is a standard pulley rig made from 60lb mono, but with a 30 to 40lb hook length and single size 4/0 to 6/0 Viking pattern hook. Fish the lead weight to a weak link system to save some tackle. For the sole and smaller fish, use a two-hook flapper rig with size 2 to 4 Kamasan Aberdeen hooks.

You'll need to carry leads from 5-6oz for average conditions, but locals fish that bit longer through the tide run by carrying 8oz grip leads.

Most fish are fairly close in and a normal overhead cast will easily put you in to the feeding zone. Some of the bigger bass work tight in to the stones at your feet, especially in the dark.

Peak fishing time is the two hours before high water and the first hour back, especially at night. Drop in short for the bass when the tide is running hard. It produces best with a bump on the sea.

LOCATION
From Lymington, head west on the A337 then take the B3058 at Everton. At Milford-on-Sea follow the signs for Keyhaven until you come to New Lane on your right. Follow this until you reach the shingle bank where there is roadside parking available. Go over the bridge on to the shingle bank and The Groynes are a good mile walk away at the end of the peninsula, but is rated by the locals as worth the hike.