Coleton Fishacre Fishing

Last updated: 1 month ago

Coleton Fishacre Fishing Map

Steep, rough-ground rock ledges beneath the National Trust gardens at Coleton Fishacre around Pudcombe Cove and toward Froward Point. Deep water is close in with kelp beds, boulder gullies, and tidal run, making it a classic South Devon rock mark for lures, float-fished baits, and night fishing. Best in settled seas with a northerly or westerly wind; avoid big southerly swell. Access is via the South West Coast Path from the Coleton Fishacre car park with a steep descent and return. Use strong tackle and rotten-bottom links to cope with snags.

Ratings

⭐ 6.8/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 4/10

Fish You Can Catch at Coleton Fishacre

🐟 Pollack 8/10
🎯 Tip: Work 20–40 g metals or soft shads along kelp edges at dawn/dusk on a flooding tide. Float-fished sandeel or mackerel strip tight to rough ground also scores.
🐟 Ballan Wrasse 8/10
🎯 Tip: Kelp-filled gullies; float or light ledger with peeler crab or big rag. Best on the flood, May–Oct. Use strong abrasion-resistant gear tight to rock.
🐟 Bass 7/10
🎯 Tip: Flooding tide with some surf; shallow-diving lures at first/last light, or crab/sandeel into gullies. Keep mobile to find fizzing water.
🐟 Mackerel 7/10
🎯 Tip: Jun–Sep shoals; spin from deeper ledges on the flood or feather at dusk. Use light leads and keep rigs high to avoid snags.
🐟 Rock Goby 7/10
🎯 Tip: Very close to weeded rock; size 12–16 hooks, small worm/shrimp baits. Productive on a flooding tide in clear conditions.
🐟 Tompot Blenny 7/10
🎯 Tip: LRF in rock holes and under ledges; tiny hooks with prawn/rag bits. Best in calm, clear water at any tide state.
🐟 Conger Eel 7/10
🎯 Tip: After dark from deep rock ledges; ledger whole mackerel or squid on strong gear. Fish gullies on neap–mid tides to manage swell and snags.
🐟 Pouting 6/10
🎯 Tip: Evenings/nights over rough ground; small worm or fish strips on short snoods. Let rigs just touch bottom and keep moving to reduce snags.
🐟 Scad (Horse Mackerel) 6/10
🎯 Tip: Late summer nights; small metals or sabikis with a glow bead, under a float or slow retrieve. Best at dusk on the flood.
🐟 Corkwing Wrasse 6/10
🎯 Tip: Smaller wrasse in kelp; fish small rag or crab under a float tight to rock. Flooding tide, May–Sep.
🐟 Garfish 6/10
🎯 Tip: Late spring–autumn; float a small mackerel strip mid-water over kelp edges on the flood, especially bright, calm evenings.
🐟 Black Bream 5/10
🎯 Tip: Occasional in calm, clear summer spells; small strips of squid/prawn on light gear over mixed ground, often mid-water under a float.

Coleton Fishacre Fishing

Summary

Coleton Fishacre sits on a wild, rock-fringed stretch of coast between Kingswear and Brixham in South Devon, with access to the small, picturesque Pudcombe Cove. It’s a classic rough-ground mark for wrasse, pollack and bass, and in summer the clear water often brings garfish, scad and mackerel tight to the rocks.

Location and Access

This mark is reached via the National Trust estate at Coleton Fishacre, linking into the South West Coast Path and a steep descent to the foreshore. Expect a beautiful but demanding approach, and plan your climb back up before dark.

  • Parking: National Trust Coleton Fishacre car park (TQ6 0EQ); charges apply for non-members; seasonal opening hours.
  • Approach: Follow estate paths to meet the South West Coast Path, then take signed paths/steps down towards Pudcombe Cove; the final section is steep with many steps.
  • Alternative access: Coast Path from the Brownstone/Froward Point direction is possible but longer and equally steep in places.
  • Terrain: Kelp-covered rock platforms, boulders and shingle; very slippery after rain or swell.
  • Night access: Garden gates may be locked out of hours; use the Coast Path rather than garden routes. Always check NT notices for any temporary closures after storms or rockfalls.

Seasons

The area fishes like classic South Devon rough ground, with a strong summer showing and selective winter options. Expect clear water tactics from late spring to autumn.

  • Spring (Apr–Jun): Ball and cuckoo wrasse, pollack, early bass, garfish (from late spring), first mackerel.
  • Summer (Jul–Sep): Mackerel, scad, garfish, wrasse (peak), pollack, bass; mullet mooching in calm, bright spells.
  • Autumn (Oct–Nov): Better-sized pollack at dusk, bass after a blow, scad into dark, whiting and pout starting to appear; conger and bull huss at night.
  • Winter (Dec–Feb): Whiting, pout, dogfish, rockling; conger after dark on the rougher ledges; the odd codling is rare nowadays.

Methods

Think rough-ground rock-fishing: float gear for wrasse/gar/pollack, lures for pollack and bass, and stout bottom rigs if you’re bait fishing after dark.

  • Lure fishing:
    • 20–40 g metals and slim jigs for mackerel/scad; work mid-water on the flood.
    • 12–20 cm soft plastics on 15–30 g heads for pollack at dawn/dusk; go weedless Texas-rig around kelp gullies.
    • Surface and shallow-diving hard lures for bass in calm, clear water at first and last light.
  • Float fishing:
    • Set 8–15 ft for wrasse and pollack over kelp; use ragworm, prawn, sandeel or mackerel strip.
    • Small slivers or bread flake for garfish when they’re showing high in the water.
  • Bottom fishing:
    • 4–5 oz leads with a pulley/dropper and a weak-link (rotten-bottom) to beat snags.
    • Baits: peeler crab, squid, sandeel, mackerel. Big cocktails or a flapper after dark for huss/conger.
    • 30–50 lb mono leader; abrasion is severe around barnacled ledges.
  • LRF/HRF:
    • Small metals and isome-style worms pick up mini species and occasional bonus wrasse/scad.
  • Hardware:
    • Rock spike rather than a tripod on cramped ledges; a drop-net helps land and release better fish without climbing.

Tides and Conditions

Tide flow and water clarity dictate results. Wrasse and pollack love the flood and the dusk switch-on; bass often respond to a bit of movement and oxygenated water.

  • Tide: Flood to high water is the prime window; first of the ebb can stay productive for pollack. Avoid being cut off on small platforms near the cove.
  • Conditions:
    • Clear to lightly coloured water suits wrasse, gar and lure fishing.
    • A modest, rolling swell can switch bass on; heavy swell makes it dangerous and unfishable.
  • Time of day: Dawn and dusk for pollack, bass and mackerel; bright middays can still score on wrasse tight to kelp.
  • Seasonality: Late spring to early autumn is peak; winter is mainly a night bait venue for pout/whiting/dogs and conger.

Safety

This is a steep, serious rock mark with slippery ground and swell rebound—treat it with full respect. It is not suitable for those with limited mobility.

  • Descent/ascent: Long, steep steps; allow time and fitness for the climb back. Carry light; wear grippy boots.
  • Slippery terrain: Kelp and weeded boulders are treacherous—test every step.
  • Swell: Surges rebound off the cliffs; never fish near the waterline in a groundswell. Keep well back and watch sets for 10+ minutes before committing.
  • Cut-off risk: Some ledges pinch out on spring highs—plan an escape route.
  • Rockfall: Do not linger directly below unstable faces; avoid pulling from undercuts when snagged.
  • Lifejacket: A self-inflating PFD and cleated boots strongly recommended.
  • Communication: Phone signal can be patchy in the cove; tell someone your plan and carry a whistle/headtorch.
  • National Trust estate: Respect signage, nesting-bird buffers and any temporary path closures. No fires or camping.

Facilities

You’re on a scenic but basic rock mark; bring what you need and pack it all out. Estate facilities are daytime-only.

  • Toilets/café: At the National Trust car park/visitor area during opening hours (seasonal). None at the cove.
  • Shops/bait: Nearest full tackle and bait options are in Brixham, Paignton and Torquay; limited options in Dartmouth—check hours before travel.
  • Water/lighting: No fresh water or lighting at the mark; reliable headtorch essential for any dusk return.
  • Mobile signal: Intermittent down in the cove; generally better on the Coast Path.
  • Bins: None at shore level—take all litter and line home.

Tips

Coleton rewards stealth and tidy presentation. Think clear water, finesse, and working the kelp edges.

  • Natural baits: Peeled prawn and soft crab are killer wrasse baits when they’re wary of worm.
  • Weedless wins: Texas-rigged paddletails cut losses and extract pollack from gnarly gullies.
  • Groundbaiting: A light slick of mashed mackerel can pull in gar/scad at dusk; keep it minimal to avoid crab soup.
  • Timing: Avoid peak visitor hours in summer—dawn sessions fish better and keep you clear of swimmers near the old tidal pool.
  • Sea pool note: The historic tidal pool on the east side is a heritage feature; don’t fish into it or disturb bathers.
  • Etiquette: This is National Trust coastline—keep noise down, pack out line snips, and discourage rock turning.
  • Wildlife: Porpoises and seals patrol this stretch; a seal in the bay usually kills the bite—move rather than wait it out.

Regulations

Angling is generally permitted from the foreshore here, but you are on National Trust land—observe estate rules and any on-site signage. Always check current national and IFCA byelaws before you go.

  • Bass (recreational): Seasonal catch-and-release/retention rules and a 42 cm minimum size apply in ICES area 7—check the latest MMO/DEFRA notice for dates and daily bag limits before retaining any fish.
  • Devon & Severn IFCA: Local byelaws apply on size limits and protected species; pots/nets require permits. Do not remove berried (egg-bearing) lobsters or crabs.
  • Marine protected areas: This coastline falls within wider MCZ designations offshore; rod-and-line angling is allowed, but do not damage or remove protected features (e.g., pink sea fans) and avoid anchoring/ground disturbance.
  • Birds and seals: Respect seasonal nesting restrictions on cliffs and keep distance from hauled-out seals.
  • National Trust: No fires, no camping, keep dogs on leads near cliffs/livestock, and follow any temporary path closures after landslips/storms.
  • Tidal rights: Stay aware of the tide—access above mean high water may cross NT land with restricted hours; the foreshore below MHWS is generally accessible, but your approach route must remain lawful and open at the time you go.