Devon
Places to fish in Devon
Last updated: 1 month ago
Fishing Marks in Devon
Anstey's Cove
A small, steep-sided limestone cove between Torquay and Babbacombe with rocky ledges and kelp-covered ground flanking a narrow shingle beach. Most anglers fish from the rocks on either side where the water deepens quickly, giving access to wrasse and pollack close in and summer pelagics further out. Best on a...
Axe Cliff
Axe Cliff is a rough-ground rock mark beneath the cliffs east of Axmouth/Seaton. It’s a series of kelp-filled gullies, boulder tongues and small ledges with mixed sand patches just off. Water clarity is strongly influenced by the River Axe; fishing is best after a settled spell with a gentle swell,...
Ayrmer Cove
Secluded National Trust cove near Ringmore with mixed rough ground, kelp-filled gullies and adjacent sand patches. Best suited to lure and float fishing from the rock ledges and light ledgering onto the sand. Summer and early autumn are prime for wrasse, pollack and mackerel; bass show in surf and tide...
Babbacombe Beach
A sheltered shingle-and-sand cove within Babbacombe Bay, bordered by kelp-covered rocks and a small pier. The water is clear and relatively deep close in on the right-hand side, with mixed ground (sand patches between boulders). Best results are on a flooding tide into dusk and after dark. Summer brings prolific...
Babbacombe Pier
A small Victorian pier in sheltered Babbacombe Bay with mixed ground (sand, shingle and broken rock/weed) and reasonably quick access to depth. It fishes best on a flooding tide, especially at dawn/dusk and after dark in summer and early autumn. Expect summer shoals of mackerel and garfish/scad, wrasse tight to...
Baggy Point
A prominent rocky headland between Croyde and Putsborough with deep kelp-lined gullies and ledges dropping quickly into tide-washed water. Best in settled seas with a light to moderate swell; water clarity matters. Productive through late spring to autumn for wrasse, pollack, mackerel, garfish and scad; after dark can produce pouting,...
Fishing in Devon
Summary
Devon’s coast runs from the high-energy Bristol Channel cliffs and surf beaches of the north to the more sheltered, rocky bays and shingle strands of Lyme Bay and the South Hams. It offers a mix of headlands, reefs, piers, long beaches, and productive estuaries (Taw-Torridge, Exe, Teign, Dart, Salcombe). The variety of ground and conditions makes it one of England’s most versatile sea-angling counties, with year-round opportunities for bass, rays, smoothhound, wrasse, and seasonal mackerel.
Location and Access
North Devon (Bristol Channel: Hartland to Morte Bay, Taw-Torridge)
- Character: Rugged cliffs, rock gullies, and surf beaches like Saunton, Croyde, Woolacombe, Westward Ho!, plus the Taw-Torridge estuary. Very large tides and strong currents with coloured water.
- What it suits: Heavy ground fishing for conger, bull huss, rays (thornback, small-eyed, occasional blonde), smoothhound in late spring–summer, and quality bass in surf. Estuaries hold bass, mullet, and winter flounder.
- Access: Mix of clifftop paths to ledges (Combe Martin, Ilfracombe) and easier beach access. Grip leads and stout tackle often essential.
South Devon West (Plymouth & South Hams: Bantham, Thurlestone, Slapton, Start, Salcombe, Dartmouth)
- Character: Rocky headlands and deep water close in around Plymouth Sound, interspersed with long shingle beaches (Slapton, Beesands) and sandy surf spots (Bantham). Estuaries (Avon, Salcombe, Dart) are very productive.
- What it suits: Rays (blonde, thornback, small-eyed) from shingle, smoothhound on crab, bass in surf and estuary mouths, black bream on reefs in season, wrasse and pollack from rock marks, mullet in harbours. Conger possible from rough ground and harbour walls at night.
- Access: Generally good with car parks and coastal path, but some marks near Start Point and Bolt Tail are exposed to swell and tide.
Torbay (Brixham, Berry Head, Paignton, Torquay)
- Character: Sheltered bays, breakwaters, and reefy headlands with relatively clear water much of the year.
- What it suits: Mackerel, garfish, scad, pollack, wrasse, black bream (late spring–autumn), bass around rough ground and during surf in onshore blows. Easy-access venues like Brixham Breakwater and Torquay’s piers are popular for mixed bags.
- Access: Excellent, with promenades and breakwaters; gets busy in summer.
East Devon (Lyme Bay: Exmouth, Budleigh, Sidmouth, Beer, Seaton, Axmouth)
- Character: Jurassic Coast cliffs, shingle/pebble beaches shelving into deep water (Seaton, Budleigh), and the Exe/Teign estuaries.
- What it suits: Summer mackerel and garfish, bass on lures and baits, rays from shingle (blonde and thornback), sole and plaice in the right conditions, wrasse/pollack from Beer headlands, mullet in harbours and the Exe. Occasional winter codling in easterlies, regular whiting.
- Access: Good beach access; some undercliffs and landslip zones require caution.
Seasons & Species
| Season | Likely species (shore) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Bass, rays (thornback/small-eyed, early blondes), smoothhound (late), plaice (East Devon), wrasse, pollack, mullet | Bass pick up from April. Plaice show on shingle/sand when crabs start peeling. Crab baits excel late spring. |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Mackerel, garfish, scad, bass, black bream (Torbay/Lyme Bay), gilthead bream (estuaries), wrasse, pollack, smoothhound, rays, sole | Peak variety. Lures shine in clear water; nights for rays/sole/conger. |
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) | Larger bass, rays, smoothhound (early), bream (to Oct), mackerel (to early Oct), whiting, conger, mullet | Great for big bass after blows; mixed bags from shingle beaches. |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Whiting, conger, rockling, dogfish, dab, flounder (estuaries), occasional codling (north/east coasts) | Estuaries produce flounder; rough ground for conger and huss. Catch-and-release often for bass under seasonal rules. |
Methods & Tackle
- Beach and rough-ground ledgering: Pulley pennel (4/0–6/0) with 5–6 oz grip leads for bass/rays/huss in surf and tide; add a rotten-bottom link over snaggy ground. For East/South Devon shingle, 3–5 oz often suffices.
- Clean-ground distance work: 1–2 hook clipped-down rigs or wishbone rigs for plaice/sole and general mixed fishing. Size 1–2 hooks with ragworm, lugworm, sandeel tips.
- Estuaries: Running ledger or simple flowing traces with peeler/soft crab for bass and smoothhound; light flappers with worm for flounder and sole. Long-shank size 2–4 for flats.
- Lure fishing: Shallow divers, surface walkers and soft plastics for bass over reefs/surf (dawn/dusk, flood tide). Metals/feathers for mackerel from piers and headlands. Weedless paddletails for wrasse/pollack around kelp.
- Float fishing: Bread or fish strip for garfish and mackerel in Torbay; prawn/crab for wrasse over rough ground.
- Baits: Peeler/soft crab is king (bass, hounds, wrasse); sandeel, mackerel, and squid for rays/huss/conger; rag/lug for flats, bream and general species. Fresh is best in clear water.
- Tackle notes: North Devon often needs heavy gear (25–30 lb mono or 40–50 lb braid with 60–80 lb shock leader). Elsewhere, standard beach gear is fine. Use strong grip leads in tide; scale down to finer fluorocarbon snoods in clear, calm conditions for wary species like bream and sole.
Tides and Conditions
- Tides: North Devon sits on the Bristol Channel with one of the world’s highest tidal ranges; expect fierce run and rapidly flooding/ebbing shores. South and East Devon (English Channel) have smaller ranges and clearer water more often, but still strong races around headlands like Start Point and Bolt Tail.
- Big vs small tides: Springs stir food and can switch on bass, hounds and rays, but make holding bottom difficult in the Channel and add weed. Neaps are easier for presentation and for delicate species like sole and bream.
- Wind and swell: Onshore south-westerlies create surf and colour that suit bass on open beaches (Saunton, Bantham, Slapton). After a blow, a dropping sea is prime. Prolonged easterlies flatten the sea; great for lures, mackerel and wrasse, but can push fish wider on exposed beaches.
- Safety windows: Avoid heavy swell on rock ledges (Hartland, Baggy, Berry/Start headlands) and steep shingle in big surf (Slapton/Beesands undertow). In North Devon, don’t get cut off by fast-flooding tides in gullies and around headlands; in estuaries (Exe, Taw-Torridge), beware soft mud and strong tidal streams.
Safety & Acccess
- Cliffs and ledges: Many marks involve steep coastal paths; wear sturdy footwear, keep hands free, and avoid wet weeded rock. Never fish low ledges in swell.
- Steep shingle: Slapton, Beesands, Budleigh and Seaton can dump heavy surf with severe backwash—stand well back, especially at night and on springs.
- Tidal cut-off: Around Combe Martin, Ilfracombe and headland gullies, the flood can trap you quickly. Plan an exit route and set a turnaround time.
- Estuary hazards: Deep channels, fast currents, and soft mud (Exe, Taw-Torridge, Teign). Stick to firm ground and avoid wading unfamiliar areas, especially in the dark.
- Piers/harbours: Observe local notices and seasonal restrictions; use drop nets for landing fish and be mindful of other users.
- Parking and access: Many car parks are pay-and-display; some summer restrictions apply. Respect private land, follow the South West Coast Path markers, and leave gates as found.
- Communication: Check forecasts and tide tables, tell someone your plan, carry a charged phone and a headtorch with spare batteries. A PFD is sensible on exposed rock marks.
Tips
- In coloured surf on Saunton/Croyde or Slapton, a big crab or squid/sandeel cocktail on a pulley pennel is a bass and ray magnet.
- For Torbay black bream, fish small size 4–6 hooks with ragworm or strips of squid over clean-to-mixed ground, and keep snoods short to reduce tangles in tide.
- Smoothhound show in numbers from late May onward—use peeler/soft crab, lightish gear and circle hooks for great sport and easy release.
- On clear, calm mornings, work topwater lures along reef edges at first light for explosive bass takes, especially around Berry Head and Start Bay fringes.
- Golden grey mullet patrol surf lines at Dawlish/Teignmouth and Saunton—tiny Isome-style worms or bread flake on size 8–10 hooks score.
- Night sessions transform shingle beaches: sole move tight in, rays roam, and whiting fill in over autumn/winter—keep baits neat and luminous beads to a minimum.
- In the Bristol Channel, under-load your rod rather than over-cast; prioritize grip and presentation over raw distance in the big tide run.
- Use a weak-link clip for leads over rough ground and carry spare weights; it saves rigs and time when fishing kelpy ledges.
- After a blow, give it 24–48 hours for the sea to settle and colour to hold—perfect for bass on big baits or metals in the wash.
- Check current regulations: bass minimum size is 42 cm and seasonal bag limits apply; some piers/harbours have byelaws and no-fishing zones.
Nearby
- Cornwall – Rugged Atlantic coast, surf beaches and deep rock marks; short hop west of Plymouth and the North Devon border.
- Somerset – Upper Bristol Channel with huge tides and coloured water; productive winter mixed fishing.
- Dorset – East along Lyme Bay; clearer water, shingle beaches (Chesil), bream and ray fishing, and classic lure venues.
FAQs
- Do I need a licence to sea fish in Devon?
- No rod licence is required for sea species from the shore, but you need an Environment Agency licence to target salmon, sea trout or eel in tidal waters. Always follow local byelaws.
- Where’s good for beginners?
- Brixham Breakwater, Torquay’s piers, Seaton and Budleigh beaches, and Exmouth seafront offer easy access, room to cast, and regular mackerel/whiting/bass in season.
- Can I night fish?
- Yes, many venues fish best after dark—especially Slapton/Beesands for rays/sole and North Devon beaches for bass. Take extra safety precautions and a strong headtorch.
- When are mackerel about?
- Typically June through September along Torbay and East Devon headlands, with early/late daylight often best. Short-lived shoals can appear outside these months.
- What’s the best bait for smoothhound and bass?
- Peeler or soft crab is top, followed by fresh sandeel and quality fish/squid cocktails. In clear water, keep presentations neat on strong, sharp hooks.
Summary Table
| Area | Coast character & access | Best species | Prime season | Go-to methods | Key safety notes | Facilities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Devon (Bristol Channel) | Cliffs, gullies, surf beaches; mixed access via coast path and beaches | Bass, small-eyed/thornback ray, smoothhound, huss, conger; estuary flounder/mullet | May–Oct (summer variety); Oct–Jan (winter mixed) | Pulley pennel with crab/fish baits; surf bassing; estuary running ledgers | Huge tides, fast floods, swell on ledges; cut-off risk | Town car parks (Ilfracombe, Woolacombe), tackle shops Barnstaple/Ilfracombe |
| South Hams & Plymouth | Shingle beaches, rocky headlands, deep water close in; good parking | Bass, blonde/thornback ray, smoothhound, wrasse, pollack, conger, mullet | Apr–Nov (peak Jun–Oct) | Ledgering on shingle; lure/float from rocks; estuary crab tactics | Swell/undertow on Slapton; tide races at Start/Bolt | Multiple shops in Plymouth/Dartmouth; ample car parks |
| Torbay | Sheltered bays, breakwaters, reefs; very accessible | Mackerel, gar, scad, black bream, bass, wrasse, pollack | May–Oct | Feathers/metals; light rigs for bream; lures/float fishing | Busy promenades; watch swell at Berry Head | Piers, breakwater, cafés, toilets, parking |
| East Devon (Lyme Bay) | Steep shingle/pebble beaches, cliffs; Exe/Teign estuaries | Bass, rays, sole/plaice, mackerel/gar, wrasse/pollack, whiting (winter) | Apr–Nov; winter for whiting/flounder | Clipped rigs for distance; crab/sandeel for bass/rays; lures in clear water | Steep shingle backwash; landslip/undercliff hazards | Car parks at Seaton/Budleigh/Exmouth; local tackle shops |