Castle Cove Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Castle Cove Fishing Map

Compact rocky cove beneath Dartmouth Castle at the mouth of the River Dart. Deep water close in with kelp-lined gullies and ledges, clear water on neap tides, and strong tidal pull on springs. Best in settled conditions with a light swell and a flooding tide around mid to high water. Summer brings prolific lure and float sport for pelagics; wrasse and pouting come from the rough ground; conger after dark. Access is via the Dartmouth Castle car park and steep steps; space on the rock ledges is limited and can be slippery. Beware boat wash from the estuary entrance, swell rebound off the cliffs, and areas that can become cut off at high water.

Ratings

⭐ 7/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 8/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 6/10

Fish You Can Catch at Castle Cove

🐟 Ballan Wrasse 9/10
🎯 Tip: Float-fished crab or rag tight to kelp-lined gullies; best mid-flood on calm summer days. Use strong gear—snaggy ground.
🐟 Pollack 8/10
🎯 Tip: Weedless soft plastics or small metals along rocky points at dawn/dusk on the flood; work midwater to avoid kelp.
🐟 Bass 7/10
🎯 Tip: Plugs or shallow soft plastics in the wash around rocks on a flooding tide at dusk or after a swell; peeler crab or sandeel in gullies.
🐟 Pouting 7/10
🎯 Tip: After dark, short cast into rough ground with size 2 hooks and small mackerel/squid strips; compact rigs to limit snags.
🐟 Mackerel 7/10
🎯 Tip: Summer; small metals or single-feather rigs from deeper edges on the flood. Keep mobile to find shoals.
🐟 Scad (Horse Mackerel) 6/10
🎯 Tip: Late summer/autumn evenings; small sabikis or size 6 hooks with mackerel strips, slow retrieve under the surface on the flood.
🐟 Corkwing Wrasse 6/10
🎯 Tip: Size 6–8 hooks with rag or prawn dropped among kelp; steady through mid-tide in summer. Light float gear works well.
🐟 Conger Eel 6/10
🎯 Tip: Night sessions with whole mackerel/squid on heavy gear into gullies; neap tides and early flood reduce tide run and snags.
🐟 Garfish 6/10
🎯 Tip: Float a sliver of mackerel or sandeel 1–2 m under a float in clear summer seas on the flood; long traces help.
🐟 Tompot Blenny 5/10
🎯 Tip: Tiny hooks with worm/shrimp lowered into cracks right under the rod tip; any tide state, very close in.

Castle Cove Fishing

Summary

Castle Cove sits just below Dartmouth Castle at the mouth of the River Dart in South Devon, offering photogenic rock marks with quick access. It’s a compact, tidal cove with rough ground, kelp and swirling currents that draw in wrasse, pollack and bass, plus summer visitors like mackerel and garfish. Time it right and you’ll find lively, close-range sport on light tackle in beautiful surroundings.

Location and Access

This mark is on the Dartmouth headland by the English Heritage castle, reached via Castle Road and the South West Coast Path. Access is straightforward but steep, and the small beach all but disappears at high water.

Seasons

The cove fishes like a classic rough-ground rock mark with a strong estuary influence. Expect resident wrasse and pollack with seasonal pelagics and estuary roamers.

Methods

Short-range, accurate presentation is more important than huge casts. The ground is snaggy, so tailor rigs and tackle to save gear and fish effectively.

Tides and Conditions

This headland feels a strong tidal draw from the Dart; water can rip around the points and form back-eddies. Plan around safety first, then fish movement.

Safety

It’s a compact, tidal cove with steep access and slippery, kelp-glazed rocks. Treat it as a rock mark rather than a family pier.

Facilities

Facilities are modest at the mark but Dartmouth town is close by.

Tips

Castle Cove rewards tidy, mobile fishing. Think like a rock-hopper and cover water methodically.

Regulations

Sea angling is generally permitted from the foreshore here. There can be seasonal bathing management on the small beach—use common sense and give priority to water users. Always confirm current rules before your trip.