Purfleet & Rainham
FreeA mostly snag-free, muddy stretch of the Thames covering Harrison Wharf at Purfleet and the Ferry Lane area just along the bank at Rainham. Both fish on the same pattern, best a few hours either side of high water, for a mixed bag of silver eels, flounder, whiting, school bass, codling and pouting, with the odd sole turning up too. Earthworm is worth digging out specifically for the flounder and eels here.
Access: Free shore access along the Thames foreshore, no rod licence needed for sea fishing
Parking: Parking near Harrison Wharf, Purfleet, or Ferry Lane, Rainham
Last updated: 16 September 2026
Species you can expect
| Species | Best season |
|---|---|
| Eel | All-year |
| Flounder | All-year |
| Whiting | All-year |
| Bass | All-year |
| Codling | All-year |
| Pouting | All-year |
Standard sea fishing baits work across most species here, but earthworm specifically is called out as a successful bait for flounder and silver eels. The ground is mostly snag-free mud, and the best window is a few hours either side of high water rather than low tide.
Caught something here?
Upload a photo of your catch from Purfleet & Rainham → - not sure what it is? We'll help identify it.