Ayrmer Cove Fishing

Summary

Ayrmer Cove is a tucked-away, south-facing cove between Ringmore and Challaborough in the South Hams, Devon. It offers classic mixed-ground shore fishing: a sandy pocket flanked by kelpy rock ledges and gullies that attract bass, wrasse and pollack, with night-time chances of eels and huss.

Location and Access

This is a rural National Trust coastline reached on foot from Ringmore village; the payoff is quiet, unpressured fishing and beautiful scenery. The final approach is steep and can be slippery after rain, so allow time and wear decent footwear.

• Parking: National Trust car park in Ringmore (charges apply for non-members). A useful postcode for the village is TQ7 4HL; follow local signs for the NT car park by the church.
• Walk-in: 15–20 minutes on a public footpath down the valley to the cove; the return is a stiff uphill. Some uneven steps and muddy sections in wet weather.
• Terrain: Sand and shingle in the bay with large boulders and weeded rock platforms on both flanks. A small stream crosses the beach—expect wet feet at higher stages.
• Best fishing stances: Rock ledges on either side for wrasse/pollack; central sand for bass and the odd ray in the dark. Take a rock spike if ledgering.
• Public transport: Limited rural bus services to Ringmore/St Ann’s Chapel; expect a walk. Most anglers will need to drive.

Seasons

Ayrmer fishes like many South Devon coves: wrasse and pollack on the rough ground, bass in any surf, and night-time scavengers in the gullies. The list below is indicative rather than exhaustive.

• Spring (Mar–May):
  • Bass on a building sea, especially after a blow as it settles
  • Ballan and corkwing wrasse as water warms (Apr/May onward)
  • Pollack on lures in clear water
  • Thick-lipped mullet nosing in the stream mouth on calm days
• Summer (Jun–Aug):
  • Ballan wrasse (plentiful), corkwing wrasse
  • Pollack, mackerel and garfish on lures/float
  • Bass at dawn/dusk, especially with some colour in the water
  • Scad (horse mackerel) and pouting at dusk into dark
  • Occasional triggerfish in warm spells on the rocks
• Autumn (Sep–Nov):
  • Bass at their peak, including after squally weather
  • Pollack and mackerel late into the evenings, scad at night
  • Bull huss and strap conger from the gullies after dark
  • Chance of a small-eyed ray from the sand patches on settled nights
• Winter (Dec–Feb):
  • Conger, bull huss and pouting after dark
  • Rockling and dogfish; whiting on some nights
  • Occasional codling does turn up in the South Hams, but treat as a bonus

Methods

Mixed ground calls for a blend of light lure work and rugged bottom tactics. Keep it simple, fish tight to feature, and use abrasion-resistant gear.

• Lure fishing:
  • Weedless soft plastics (10–20 g) for wrasse/pollack worked along kelp edges; 20–30 lb fluoro/mono leader to cope with abrasion.
  • Metal jigs and small spoons for mackerel/scad; slim minnows or surface walkers for bass at first/last light in gentle surf.
• Float fishing:
  • Floats set 4–12 ft for wrasse/garfish/pollack tight to rock faces. Baits: ragworm, prawn, hardback crab, mackerel strip.
• Bottom fishing (rocks and sand patches):
  • Use a rotten-bottom link as standard. Pulley pennel (3/0–4/0) with squid/sandeel/mackerel for bass/ray chances; running ledger 1/0–2/0 with crab/worm for wrasse.
  • For huss/conger after dark: strong mono (60–80 lb trace), 4/0–6/0 single hook with oily fish baits; fish into gullies on a flooding or first of the ebb.
• Mullet: Light float or freelined breadflake in the stream plume on calm, clear days; size 8–12 hooks and stealth.
• Tackle notes: A 10–11 ft lure rod (10–40 g) plus a sturdy 12–15 ft beach rod or 9–10 ft rough-ground rod covers most bases. Boots with good grip and a long rock spike are very useful.

Tides and Conditions

Ayrmer responds to movement and oxygenated water, but the rock platforms are exposed to swell—choose your windows. As with most coves, dusk and dawn are prime.

• Best tide states:
  • Bass: flooding tide through high, especially with light surf and some colour; first of the ebb can also produce.
  • Wrasse: 2 hours either side of low to mid on the rocks—lets you reach gullies safely and see the ground.
  • Night species (huss/conger/pout): top of the flood into the first of the ebb.
• Sea and wind:
  • A gentle to moderate SW/W swell puts life into the cove for bass; too big and it becomes dangerous/unfishable.
  • E/NE winds flatten and clear the water for lure and float work.
• Water clarity:
  • Clear = lures/float for wrasse/pollack/garfish; coloured = natural baits for bass.
• Seasons and times:
  • Summer evenings for surface-lure bass and mackerel; autumn nights for huss/conger; spring tides move fish but increase drag and snags—neaps can be easier to present baits in the gullies.

Safety

This is an exposed rock-and-boulder venue with a steep walk and no on-site facilities. Plan like a small expedition and give the sea full respect.

• Not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility; steep uneven path and boulder scrambling to prime ledges.
• Wear a personal flotation device, grippy boots, and carry headtorch plus spare if staying late.
• Check swell height and period; long-period swell wraps into the cove with surprising surges. Avoid fishing near the waterline in big seas.
• Use a rotten-bottom link to avoid pulling from snags; never try to retrieve terminal tackle from the wash.
• Risk of tidal cut-off on some ledges at higher states—identify safe exits in daylight and mark a retreat line.
• Slippery, weeded rocks and unstable boulders; test every step. Beware loose cliff edges above.
• Phone signal can be patchy; tell someone your plan and expected return time. No lighting on paths—leave in good time if unsure of the route.
• National Trust land: respect signage, stock fencing, and seasonal grazing; keep gates closed.

Facilities

There are no facilities at the cove itself; come self-sufficient for water, food, and lighting. Nearby villages offer limited amenities.

• Parking: National Trust car park in Ringmore (charges for non-members). No parking at the beach.
• Toilets: None at Ayrmer. Public toilets are usually available at Bigbury-on-Sea; seasonal facilities at Challaborough holiday park are for patrons.
• Food and drink: The Journey’s End Inn in Ringmore is popular for post-session meals/drinks (check opening times).
• Tackle and bait: Nearest options are in Kingsbridge and Ivybridge; Plymouth has multiple full-range tackle shops if you’re passing that way.
• Mobile signal: Intermittent in the valley and on the beach depending on network.
• Bins: Very limited—pack out all litter and waste line.

Tips

Treat Ayrmer like two venues: a lure/float playground on the rocks in clear water, and a rough-ground ledger mark after dark. Small tweaks make a big difference.

• Soft plastics: Dark backs/natural bellies on bright days; brighter or white patterns in colour. Go weedless and keep contact to feel the kelp contours.
• Bait for wrasse: Peeler crab is king in spring; hardback crab and prawn are excellent summer stand-ins. Ragworm works but attracts small fish.
• Bass windows: The first push of a new swell as it cleans, or the evening after a blow when the sea starts to settle.
• Night odds: A whole squid or mackerel fillet will sort through the dogfish for huss; keep baits just off the rough to avoid constant snagging.
• Leaders and traces: 40–50 lb main leader for abrasion; step up to 60–80 lb for conger traces.
• Recon: Arrive at low water once to map the gullies and sand tongues; fish the flood with a clear plan.
• Crowds: In school holidays the beach is busy—fish dawn/dusk or push to the flanks to avoid swimmers.
• Wildlife: Seals sometimes patrol the bay; when they’re close, expect bites to slow.

Regulations

Sea angling is permitted from the shore at Ayrmer Cove. Regulations can change—always check current notices from the MMO and Devon & Severn IFCA before you go.

• Rod licence: Not required for sea fishing in England (a licence is needed for freshwater).
• Bass (ICES 7e–h, South & SW coasts): Recreational limit commonly set at 2 fish per angler per day between 1 March and 30 November, catch-and-release only in December–February. Verify the current year’s bylaw before retaining bass. Minimum size 42 cm.
• Tope and spurdog: Recreational retention of tope is prohibited in England; spurdog retention is also prohibited for recreational sea anglers—return both alive.
• Minimum Conservation Reference Sizes (MCRS): Observe national/IFCA sizes for species like bass, mackerel, wrasse (where applicable), rays, etc. When in doubt, release.
• Bait and shellfish: Do not take undersized crabs/lobsters; it is illegal to remove berried (egg-bearing) lobsters or crawfish. Setting pots/nets requires appropriate permits.
• Protected areas: This stretch of coast sits within wider designated marine habitats; angling from shore is allowed but be mindful of any seasonal restrictions or NT site guidance (no fires, no camping, leave no trace).
• Local netting byelaws: IFCA netting restrictions apply around estuaries and nursery areas in the district; while Ayrmer is outside the Avon estuary limits, be aware if you fish nearby river mouths.
• General: Use barbless or crushed-barb hooks when practicing catch-and-release, and handle wrasse and conger carefully for a safe return.