South West

Summary

South West England has the UK’s most varied sea fishing: wild Atlantic surf on the north coast of Cornwall and Devon, deep rock ledges and headlands, long shingle beaches like Chesil in Dorset, and sheltered estuaries from the Fal to the Exe and Poole Harbour. The region fishes year-round for bass, rays, wrasse, pollack, bream, smoothhound, and winter codling/whiting in places, with big tidal ranges and changeable weather keeping things interesting. It is hugely popular with traveling anglers for its scenery, species variety, and the chance of specimen fish from both shore and boat.

Location and Access

• North Cornwall and North Devon (Atlantic coast): Rugged cliffs, surf beaches (Woolacombe, Saunton, Bude), and rough-ground headlands (Hartland, Morte). Bass in surf, small-eyed rays on sandy bays, huss and conger from rocks, summer tope possible from big surf beaches. Access often involves steep paths; powerful swells common.

• South Cornwall and the Lizard: A mix of deep rock marks, sheltered coves, and rich estuaries (Fal, Helford, Fowey). Bass in bays and estuaries, wrasse and pollack around headlands, gilthead bream in some estuaries, mackerel and gar in summer. Mounts Bay and the Lizard offer deep water close in; watch swell.

• Plymouth and South Hams (South Devon): Productive urban and wild marks around Plymouth Sound, Whitsand, and the South Hams surf beaches (Bantham, Thurlestone). Slapton and Start Bay for rays and smoothhound; estuaries like the Yealm, Avon, and Dart for bass, flounder, and mullet. Good access and plenty of charter boats.

• Torbay to Lyme Bay (East/South Devon): Torbay’s sheltered limestone ledges, Berry Head’s deep water, and the Exe/Teign estuaries. Black bream spring to autumn, garfish and mackerel in summer, plaice off Exmouth, bass along the beaches. Generally kinder seas than the Atlantic side.

• Dorset and the Jurassic Coast: Chesil Beach is a premier venue for bream, plaice, rays, smoothhound, and winter whiting; Portland’s ledges for pollack and conger; Purbeck coast for wrasse and bass; Poole Bay piers for mackerel and gar; Poole Harbour for flounder (winter) and bass/gilthead (summer). Access can be easy (piers, promenades) or demanding (Portland ledges, Purbeck paths).

• Bristol Channel (Somerset and North Devon Channel coast): Huge tides, muddy/sandy banks and rough ground around Minehead, Watchet, Blue Anchor, and down to Lynmouth. Thornbacks, small-eyed rays, smoothhound, conger, bass; winter codling and whiting when conditions align. Heavy tackle and big grip leads are standard; know your tides.

• Isles of Scilly and Lundy (offshore Cornwall/Devon): Crystal-clear water, wrasse and pollack from rocks, bass over kelp and sand, summer mackerel galore. Access is more involved but rewards with scenery and quality fish; observe local marine protections (Lundy MCZ).

Seasons & Species

Season	Likely species and notes
Late winter to early spring (Feb–Apr)	Flounder tail end in estuaries; early plaice on Dorset and East Devon sand; wrasse wake up in March/April on calm, clear days; conger from deep rock marks; occasional Bristol Channel codling into Feb; bass building in estuaries as temps rise.
Late spring (May–Jun)	Bass strong in surf and estuaries; black bream arrive on Dorset/Devon reefs and Chesil; smoothhound peak begins (Dorset, Start/Slapton, Bristol Channel); rays (thornback, small-eyed, undulate in Dorset) on sandy bays; garfish in numbers; mackerel shoals appear.
High summer (Jul–Aug)	Bass, mackerel, gar, scad; wrasse and pollack excellent off rocks; tope from North Devon/Cornwall surf beaches and boats; gilthead bream in estuaries (Poole, Exe, Dart, Fal, Helford); rays continue; night sessions for huss and conger.
Early autumn (Sep–Oct)	Often the best mix: bass, bream, plaice, rays, smoothhound tail; squid runs begin off some piers/ledges; bigger pollack close in; mullet at peak.
Late autumn to winter (Nov–Jan)	Whiting on south coast open beaches; Bristol Channel codling when cold and coloured; conger from piers and rocks; bass possible in rough seas and estuaries (observe bass regulations); flounder prime in estuaries; occasional spur dog from deeper Channel marks.

Common targets by area:

• Atlantic north coast: bass, small-eyed rays, huss, pollack, tope (summer), mackerel.
• South coast (Cornwall/Devon/Dorset): bass, black bream, plaice, undulate/thornback rays, smoothhound, wrasse, gar, squid (autumn), whiting (winter).
• Bristol Channel: thornback and small-eyed rays, smoothhound (late spring–summer), conger, codling/whiting (winter), bass in surf/estuaries.

Note: Check current size/bag limits, especially for bass (min size 42 cm and seasonal bag limits apply; confirm with the relevant IFCA/DEFRA).

Methods & Tackle

• Beaches and mixed ground: 12–13 ft beach rods with 5–6 oz grip leads; clipped-down rigs for distance on Chesil; pulley pennel (3/0–5/0) for bass, rays, huss; use rotten-bottom links over rough ground.
• Rays and smoothhound: Pulley or up-and-over rigs with strong hooks (2/0–4/0); baits include peeler crab (prime in spring), sandeel, squid, or fish cocktails. In Poole/Start/Chesil, light bites can be smoothhound.
• Bream and plaice: Two-hook flappers or wishbones with size 2–4 hooks and fluorocarbon snoods; small strips of squid/mackerel for bream; rag/lug with beads or spoons for plaice on clean ground.
• Lure fishing: 20–40 g metals for mackerel/gar/scad; soft plastics and weedless paddle tails for bass over kelp and reef; surface lures for dawn/dusk bass on calm days; shore jigs and weedless softies for pollack on headlands.
• Wrasse and pollack from rocks: Float-fish rag/crab for wrasse; deep spinning with metals/soft plastics for pollack. Use abrasion-resistant leaders (30–40 lb) and carry a long-handled net or gaff where legal/safe.
• Estuaries and harbours: Light lure or float gear for mullet, schoolie bass, scad, and gar; LRF tactics with small metals and soft plastics for mini-species.
• Bristol Channel specifics: 6–8 oz grip leads often necessary; 18–25 lb mainline mono with 60–80 lb leaders; strong wired grips; big baits for conger/codling in season.
• General: Use shockleaders (10 lb per ounce of lead casting weight); adjust hook sizes to bait and target; scale down in clear water; carry spare rigs due to snags.

Tides and Conditions

• Tidal range: The Bristol Channel has one of the world’s largest ranges (up to ~12–14 m). Expect fierce currents and dramatic flood/ebb movement. Dorset and the south coast have moderate ranges; Atlantic north coast sits between.
• Springs vs neaps: Big spring tides can switch fish on (especially rays and bass) but are harder to hold bottom and can be unsafe on ledges or steep shingle. Neaps are kinder for scratching (plaice, bream) and for learning venues.
• Wind and swell:
  • North coast (Atlantic): Westerly to north-westerly winds build surf; fish the surf for bass as it settles after a blow. Long-period groundswells can make rock marks hazardous even on light winds.
  • South coast (Channel): South to south-westerly winds push bait and bass onto beaches; easterlies flatten seas and clear water for bream, wrasse, and plaice but may push mackerel offshore.
  • Portland/Start headlands: Strong tidal races; time your sessions around slack or manageable flows.
• Water clarity: Clear water favours lures and finesse rigs (bream/wrasse/plaice). Coloured water can bring bass close and switches on rays and codling/whiting in season.
• When it’s unsafe: Big swell on Atlantic headlands, steep backwash on Chesil in heavy surf, the Portland Race in strong tides/wind-over-tide, mudflats and fast-flooding tides in the Bristol Channel. If in doubt, do not fish a mark.

Safety & Acccess

• Cliffs and ledges: Many marks involve serious drops, uneven ground, and loose rock. Wear sturdy footwear, carry a headtorch, fish with a partner, and avoid unfamiliar ledges in the dark.
• Swell and backwash: Atlantic groundswell can sweep rock marks; steep shingle (Chesil) has powerful backwash. Keep well back from the waterline in surf, especially at night.
• Tides and cut-offs: Headlands and coves can flood behind you; learn the flooding pattern and access points. The Bristol Channel floods fast and exposes soft mud and sinking sands; avoid wading on unknown flats.
• Portland and Start headlands: Tide races and sudden sea state changes; pick neaps/slack and stable weather. Do not climb down wet, green, or barnacled routes.
• Regulations and closures: Check local IFCA bylaws (Cornwall, Devon & Severn, Southern, Isles of Scilly). Some MoD ranges (e.g., Lulworth, Tregantle) close areas during firing days; observe signage. Respect MCZs and local fishery limits.
• Parking and access: Popular venues have pay-and-display; remote marks require long walks. Take only essentials, pack a first aid kit, and consider a personal flotation device.
• Communication: Patchy mobile signal in coves and cliffs; tell someone your plan and return time.

Tips

• After a south-westerly blow, fish the first settling surf on south coast beaches for bass with sandeel or crab.
• On Chesil, fish a building tide into dusk for bream and plaice; clip-down rigs and fresh rag/squid strips score.
• For small-eyed rays on Atlantic beaches, aim for clean sandy gullies at medium range on evening flood tides.
• Scale down to size 2–4 hooks and fluorocarbon to pick up bream, gurnard, and plaice when bites are shy.
• Carry spare grip leads and use weak links; the region’s rough ground eats tackle.
• Try surface lures at dawn around reef edges in Torbay, the Lizard, and Start Bay for explosive bass takes.
• In Poole Harbour, small crab or worm baits produce gilt-head bream on light rigs during the flood.
• Bristol Channel: target the last two hours of the flood and first hour of ebb for rays and smoothhound; hold bottom with wired grips.
• Autumn evenings at Portland or Berry Head can produce quality pollack on metals worked deep and slow.
• Observe bass rules and handle fish carefully; many marks are heavily fished and benefit from prompt release.

Nearby

• South Wales (Bristol Channel and Gower) – big tides, thornbacks, smoothhound, and winter codling when cold.
• South Coast eastwards (Hampshire and Isle of Wight) – sheltered Solent, bream, rays, and year-round opportunities in calmer waters.
• Channel Islands – short travel from the south coast; exceptional wrasse, bass, and bream fishing in clear tides (check travel and regulations).
• Celtic Sea/Ireland south coast (via ferry/air) – prolific boat fishing and shore bass; different regulations apply.
• Inland South West (Bristol, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire) – landlocked but close to coastal marks; rich maritime history and easy access to Somerset, Devon, and Dorset shores.

FAQs

• Do I need a licence to sea fish from the shore? No general licence for saltwater shore fishing in England, but permits apply on some private piers/harbours. A rod licence is required for salmon/sea trout in estuaries and rivers.
• What are the bass rules? Minimum size is 42 cm with seasonal bag limits (often two fish per angler per day in open months). Rules change; check DEFRA/IFCA before you go.
• Where is good for beginners? Chesil (fair weather), Torquay/Brixham piers, Exmouth beach, Poole piers, and Minehead promenade offer space, access, and regular bites in season.
• Can I night fish? Yes, and it can be excellent for bass, rays, huss, and whiting. Ensure safe access, headtorch, reflective gear, and avoid exposed ledges in swell.
• Best time of year to visit? May to October offers the widest species mix. Winter brings whiting, conger, and Bristol Channel codling when conditions are right.

Summary Table

Area	Character and access	Headline species	Best methods	Peak season	Key safety	Facilities
North Cornwall & North Devon (Atlantic)	Surf beaches, rough-ground headlands; some long walks	Bass, small-eyed rays, huss, pollack, tope (summer)	Surfcasting with crab/sandeel; lures; pulley pennel for rays/huss	May–Oct	Powerful swell, cliff paths, rip currents	Limited; some car parks, few piers
South Cornwall & Lizard	Deep rock marks, coves, rich estuaries	Bass, wrasse, pollack, gilthead, mackerel/gar	Float/lure off rocks; estuary bait/lures; light rigs for bream	May–Oct	Atlantic swell on ledges; cut-offs in coves	Mixed; harbours and small towns
Plymouth & South Hams	Urban shore and wild beaches	Bass, rays, smoothhound, conger, flounder	Pulley rigs on sand; estuary tactics; lures for bass	May–Sep (bass/hounds); winter flounder	Tidal races near headlands; night access	Good parking, charters, shops
Torbay to Lyme Bay (E/S Devon)	Sheltered bays, limestone ledges, estuaries	Black bream, plaice, bass, gar, mackerel	Light flappers for bream/plaice; metals/float; surf/light bait	Apr–Oct	Cliffs and tidal flow at headlands	Piers, marinas, easy access
Dorset (Chesil/Portland/Purbeck/Poole)	Long shingle, deep ledges, harbour systems	Bream, plaice, rays, smoothhound, pollack, squid, whiting	Clipped-down beach rigs; pulley for rays; float/lures for gar/pollack; LRF in harbours	May–Oct (mixed); Nov–Jan (whiting)	Steep shingle backwash; Portland Race	Excellent: piers, promenades, shops
Bristol Channel (Somerset & N Devon)	Huge tides, mixed sand/mud/rock	Thornback, small-eyed ray, smoothhound, conger, codling/whiting (winter), bass	Heavy grip leads; big baits; pulley/up-and-over	May–Sep (rays/hounds); Nov–Feb (winter)	Fast tides, mudflats, cut-offs	Promenades, parking, charter boats