Bolt Head Fishing

Summary

Bolt Head is a dramatic National Trust headland just west of Salcombe in South Devon, famed for clear water, deep gullies and powerful tidal movement. It’s a classic rock mark that rewards effort with quality pollack, wrasse, bass and more, but it is exposed and demands sound judgement and good footwear. If you like wild scenery and technical rock fishing, this is one of the South Hams’ standouts.

Location and Access

Reaching Bolt Head involves a scenic but undulating walk on the South West Coast Path, with sections that are narrow and exposed. Plan for a hike, travel light, and allow time for the return leg in fading light.

• From East Soar (National Trust) car park: Signed from Malborough; a well-used track leads to the coast path and on to Bolt Head in roughly 20–30 minutes. Paths are uneven, with gates, steps and short steep sections.
• From Soar Mill Cove: Park near the cove/hotel (pay-and-display). Follow the coast path east towards Bolt Head, typically 20–40 minutes depending on the ledge you choose.
• From Salcombe side: Park at North Sands or South Sands (busy in season) and walk via Overbeck’s/Starehole Bay to Bolt Head in 45–75 minutes. Steep ascents/descents and exposed traverses.
• Terrain: Rough, rocky ground and high cliffs. Some lower ledges involve careful scrambling and may be slimy. Not suitable for buggies; dogs and young children are best kept well back from edges.
• Parking: Charges apply at most car parks; spaces fill quickly in summer—arrive early. Overnight parking is generally not permitted.

Seasons

This is mixed rough ground with kelp, ledges and deep water close in. Expect wrasse and pollack as staples, with summer pelagics and occasional surprises.

• Spring (Mar–May):
  • Pollack, ballan and corkwing wrasse, early garfish.
  • Bass on calmer, coloured-water days; occasional conger after dark.
• Summer (Jun–Aug):
  • Mackerel, scad, garfish; plentiful pollack and wrasse.
  • Bass at dawn/dusk on lures; occasional black bream and triggerfish in warm spells.
• Autumn (Sep–Nov):
  • Peak pollack on lures; scad and mackerel at dusk into dark.
  • Huss/conger on big baits; bass through rougher spells.
• Winter (Dec–Feb):
  • Fewer options but pollack in settled clear water; whiting/small codling occasional on calm nights.
  • Conger and huss in the rough ground if you commit to heavy gear.

Methods

Bolt Head rewards mobile lure work and careful bait presentation. The ground is snaggy—fish strong, use rotten-bottoms, and consider a drop net for landing.

• Lure fishing (HRF/LRF):
  • Soft plastics (paddle tails, weedless stickbaits, creature baits) 7–20 g for pollack/wrasse along kelp edges and drop-offs.
  • Metals (20–40 g) and slim minnow/surface lures for mackerel, gar and bass at dawn/dusk.
• Float fishing:
  • Set 10–20 ft over depth with mackerel strip, prawn or rag for wrasse/gar/scad; adjust depth until you find the band of fish.
• Bottom fishing:
  • Pulley or pulley pennel with a weak link (rotten-bottom) to sacrificially drop the lead.
  • Baits: peeler/hard crab, big rag/lug cocktails, squid/sandeel, or mackerel fillet for huss/conger.
• Tackle notes:
  • 9–10 ft lure rod (15–40 g) for mobility; 12–13 ft beach rod or sturdy 9–10 ft rock rod for baiting.
  • 20–30 lb braid with 30–40 lb fluorocarbon/nylon leader for abrasion; heavier for conger/huss.
  • Carry a drop net where ledges are high; avoid swinging fish up on light gear.

Tides and Conditions

The headland accelerates tide and swell—timing matters. Small to moderate seas with movement are ideal; big onshore swell is dangerous and usually unfishable.

• Tide state:
  • Flood to high water often best for wrasse/pollack pushing tight to the rock; first of the ebb can also produce.
  • Springs create strong lateral pull off the point—heavier metals/weights may be needed.
• Sea and wind:
  • Light northerlies/variable winds give clear, fishable water; W–SW swell wraps around and can be lethal on low ledges.
  • A slight chop/colour lifts bass prospects; gin-clear, bright days favour deeper-running lures for pollack.
• Time of day/seasonality:
  • Dawn/dusk for bass, mackerel and scad; pollack often switch on as light fades.
  • Summer-autumn is prime; winter windows appear in settled high-pressure spells.

Safety

This is an exposed cliff venue with serious consequences for mistakes. Treat it like mountaineering with rods: plan, assess, and be prepared to walk away.

• High cliffs, narrow paths and crumbly edges—keep well back, especially in wind or after rain.
• Swell risk: rogue waves and rebound around the point; do not fish low ledges in any swell. Watch at least 15 minutes before committing.
• Cut-off potential on some lower platforms near Starehole/Soar Mill—know your exits and the tide times.
• Footing: algae, weed and spray make rock slick; wear grippy boots/cleats. Headlamp with spare batteries for any dusk return.
• Use a personal flotation device; consider a helmet on exposed rock. Fish with a partner and carry a charged phone/VHF.
• In an emergency dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Mobile signal can be patchy—move to higher ground if needed.

Facilities

It’s a wild mark with minimal onsite amenities; assume no water, no shelter and no lighting. Nearby villages have what you need before/after the session.

• Parking: National Trust/local pay-and-display at East Soar, Soar Mill Cove, North/South Sands (summer busy, height restrictions possible).
• Toilets: Seasonal/public toilets at North/South Sands and in Salcombe; limited or none at the headland itself.
• Food/drink: Cafés and hotels at South/North Sands and Soar Mill Cove; shops and restaurants in Salcombe and Kingsbridge.
• Tackle/bait: Options in Salcombe/Kingsbridge; larger stores in Plymouth. Buy bait en route—none at the mark.
• Phone signal: Intermittent; generally better on higher ground.
• No lighting: Bring headlamp/backup if fishing into dusk/dark.

Tips

Local anglers treat Bolt Head as a roving lure and selective bait venue—pack light and read the water. The more time you spend watching, the less tackle you’ll lose.

• Use a rotten-bottom (weak link) for any ledgering; 10–15 lb mono to the lead is a good starting point.
• Long, abrasion-resistant leaders help when fish dive into kelp; go heavier for wrasse/conger.
• Work lures down the faces and along tide seams; count down metals to different layers until you find the depth.
• A small float with prawn or rag will pick out wrasse from snaggy pockets where leads stick.
• Carry a compact drop net for safe landing—many ledges are too high for hand-lining fish.
• Release big ballan wrasse; they’re slow-growing and the backbone of the sport here.
• Watch for bird activity (terns/gannets) to locate bait balls; evening scad often arrive fast when the light goes.
• Summer weed blooms and jellyfish can be heavy—switch to weedless lures and keep baits moving.

Regulations

Rules change—always check the latest from the MMO/DEFRA and Devon & Severn IFCA before you go. National Trust land is generally open to responsible angling, but respect signage, paths and wildlife.

• Bass (recreational): As of 2024, a two-fish daily bag limit at 42 cm minimum length applied March–November, with catch-and-release only December–February. Verify current-year rules before retaining any bass.
• Minimum sizes/bag limits: Observe UK national MLS for species (e.g., pollack, wrasse not typically retained; conger usually C&R). Check updated lists for any changes.
• Local designations: The coastline sits near/within protected sites (e.g., SSSI/European marine sites). Avoid disturbing nesting birds and seals; keep to marked paths.
• Bait collection: No widespread ban on the open coast here, but some nearby estuarine areas have restrictions and protected zones—check D&S IFCA byelaws if gathering bait.
• Access conduct: No camping or fires on the headland; take all litter and used line home. Follow any temporary closures or seasonal wildlife wardening instructions.