Summary
Coryton Cove (Dawlish, South Devon) is a small, south-facing, red-sandstone cove tucked just east of Dawlish town. It’s primarily a bathing beach but, outside peak swimming times, it offers enjoyable light-tackle sport for bass, wrasse, garfish and the odd summer surprise. The mix of sand and rock, plus shelter from many winds, makes it a handy, close-to-town mark when you only have a couple of hours spare.
Location and Access
Coryton Cove sits below Lea Mount at the eastern end of Dawlish seafront, on the A379 between Teignmouth and Starcross. Access is straightforward but involves steps and, at times, sea-wall walkways that can be closed in bad weather or high spring tides.
- Drive: Follow signs to Dawlish; use town centre car parks (e.g., Barton Hill or the larger Sandy Lane by the leisure centre) and walk 5–15 minutes to the seafront.
- Rail: Dawlish station is a short walk; follow the seafront towards the east and the signed path/tunnel to Coryton Cove.
- Footpaths: Reach the cove via the sea-wall walkway from Dawlish or by steps over Lea Mount; both routes can be exposed to spray in onshore blows.
- Terrain: Sandy beach with rocky platforms and ledges at either end; red sandstone can be smooth and slippery when wet or weedy.
Seasons
This is a mixed, small-beach venue with rough ground at the edges and clean sand in the middle. Expect light-tackle variety rather than monsters.
- Spring (Mar–May): School bass, flounder and plaice on the sand; wrasse and pollack wake up around the rocks; first garfish arrive late spring.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): Bass in the surf, wrasse on the rock edges, garfish and mackerel on calm, clear days; scad at dusk; a chance of gurnard and the odd smoothhound; thick- and thin-lipped mullet mooching along the wall.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): Peak bass time in lively seas; late garfish and mackerel runs; dogfish at night; whiting start to show; occasional small-eyed ray on the cleaner patches after dark.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): Whiting, pout and rockling after dark; schoolie bass possible in mild, coloured seas; flounder stragglers on neaps.
Methods
Light, tidy approaches work best at this small, people-focused beach. Fish outside bathing hours and keep end tackle simple to avoid tangles in surf and around kelp.
- Beach ledgering: 2-hook flapper (size 2–1) with ragworm or lug for flatties/whiting; small squid or mackerel strips for dogfish; 3–4 oz grip leads hold on the sand.
- Bass tactics: Simple running ledger with peeler crab, lug/sandeel cocktail, or a surf-bead rig; or cast soft-plastic/pencil surface lures along the foam lines at dawn/dusk.
- Rock edges: For wrasse, use crab, prawn or rag on size 1–2 hooks with a short boom/rotten-bottom; or weedless soft plastics (10–20 g) worked tight to kelpy seams.
- Float fishing: Slim floats with size 6–8 hooks and tiny mackerel slivers for garfish/scad; set 4–10 ft depending on water clarity and depth.
- Metals and spinners: Small casting jigs (10–20 g) and spoons for mackerel/scad on calm evenings; avoid feathering when bathers are about.
Tides and Conditions
Being a pocket cove, depth is limited at low water; the flood brings fish into range and the rocks become wrasse-friendly as water lifts.
- Tide state: Best 2 hours up to high and the first hour of ebb; over neaps for wrasse and flatties, lively spring floods for bass in surf.
- Wind and swell: Sheltered from many westerlies by Lea Mount; an easterly or south-easterly can build productive bass surf but can also make the wall and steps hazardous.
- Water clarity: Coloured water after a blow suits bass; clear, calm evenings are prime for garfish, mackerel and lure fishing.
- Time of day: Dawn and dusk out-fish bright afternoons; after dark brings dogfish, whiting and roaming bass.
- Seasonality: Summer/early autumn is most consistent for surface and float tactics; late autumn surf produces better bass chances.
Safety
This is a bathing beach with limited space at high water, flanked by slippery rock. Add the railway and sea-wall to the mix and you must keep your wits about you.
- Waves and backwash: Rebound off the sea-wall can be sudden; keep well back in swell and never turn your back on the sea.
- Slippery ground: Red sandstone ledges and weeded boulders are slick; wear good footwear and consider a PFD if venturing onto rocks.
- Tidal squeeze: Rocks at either end can be cut off near high springs; plan an exit and avoid being hemmed in by water.
- Railway and walls: Do not trespass on the railway; use only signed paths and tunnels. Sea-wall walkways may close in storms or at very high tides—obey closures.
- Crowds and swimmers: Peak-season days are for the beachgoers. Fish early/late or after dark and give wide berth to any designated swim zones.
- Accessibility: Multiple flights of steps; not suitable for wheelchairs or heavy barrows. Travel light and use a tripod to keep kit dry.
Facilities
You’re close to Dawlish town, so amenities are better than at most rock marks. Some facilities at the cove itself are seasonal.
- On-site/nearby: Seasonal café and beach huts at Coryton Cove; public toilets typically open in season (check local notices).
- In town: Cafés, pubs, supermarkets, cashpoints and takeaway food within a short walk of the seafront.
- Tackle and bait: Nearest dedicated tackle shops are in Teignmouth and Exmouth; many anglers pre-order bait from regional shops and collect en route.
- Phone signal: Generally reliable around Dawlish; can dip under the cliffs.
- Parking: Use Dawlish town car parks (short-stay near centre; larger long-stay up the hill by the leisure centre). Expect summer charges and limited spaces on hot days.
Tips
Treat Coryton as a fast-in, fast-out light-tackle venue and it will reward you with enjoyable, opportunistic sessions.
- Lure window: Work small topwaters and 10–20 g soft plastics at first light along the foam line for schoolie bass.
- Wrasse o’clock: The last 90 minutes of the flood over the rock edges is prime; fish crab or weedless SPs tight to kelp.
- Garfish game: A slender float, long trace and tiny mackerel strip will out-fish feathering; keep it subtle and mobile.
- After a blow: As the sea drops from a SE/S blow and the water holds a tea-stain, bass push right into the cove—use crab or sandeel.
- Keep it compact: Space is tight on springs; a 10–11 ft lure rod or a light 12–13 ft beach rod and a small tripod are ideal.
- Plan B nearby: If it’s too busy or rough, try Dawlish Town Beach at first light or, with care, the rocks towards Langstone Rock on a neap.
Regulations
Fishing is generally allowed, but this is a designated bathing beach and seasonal restrictions can apply. Always check beach signage and follow any directions from council staff or lifeguards.
- Bathing priority: Expect restrictions on fishing near flagged bathing areas during the main season/daytime; avoid fishing when swimmers are present.
- Bass rules: Recreational bass fishing in this area (ICES 7e–h) is subject to a minimum size and seasonal retention limits. Check current MMO/DEFRA guidance before retaining any bass.
- Local byelaws: Devon & Severn IFCA byelaws apply along this coast. Review their rules on gear, bait collection and protected areas before your trip.
- Minimum sizes: Observe UK minimum conservation reference sizes where applicable (e.g., for species like bass). If unsure, release the fish.
- Protected wildlife and access: Do not collect from or damage any designated features; respect any temporary access closures on the sea-wall.
- Litter and hooks: Pack out all waste and used line; do not fish where you risk endangering beach users or dogs.
