Where’s The Fish? Logo for Where's The Fish?
Devon

Coryton Cove

6.6 · Beach · Devon

A small sandy cove at Dawlish beneath red sandstone cliffs with rocky ledges at either side and the railway above. Sheltered from westerlies but exposed to easterly swells. Best fished around dawn/dusk and a flooding tide: summer brings mackerel, garfish and scad close in, while pollack and wrasse patrol the kelp-fringed rocks. After dark, pouting and scad show; bass are possible in a small surf or coloured water after a blow. Clear, settled weather suits lures and float tactics; after seas, the red sand colours the water and small bait presentations work better. Access is a short walk via the sea wall and steps; it’s busy with bathers in summer—fish outside peak hours. Watch for slippery weeded rocks, surges on spring tides and occasional cliff debris.

Should you fish Coryton Cove?

54 Fair

Today · Best available

Best available: 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide

Most likely species: Ballan Wrasse and Corkwing Wrasse

Fair conditions. Best available around 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide, but no window reaches the strong threshold today. Good chance of Ballan Wrasse and Corkwing Wrasse.

NW 4 mph Rain 0% High tide 11:59

Fishable, but pick your timing carefully.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for Coryton Cove — 7-day forecast

Scores and best windows are weighted for .

Met Office Met Office · Open-Meteo

Where the data comes from. Weather and sea-state readings come from the Met Office and Open-Meteo forecast models, refreshed several times a day. High and low water are taken from tide-station predictions for this stretch of coast.

How the score works. Each window is scored 0–100 from the signals that most reliably move fish inshore: tide movement (a running tide carries food, so the last of the flood and first of the ebb are usually the prime spells), wind speed and direction (onshore wind stirs food into the surf — up to the point it makes fishing hard), sea state (a little wave and swell movement helps, heavy swell hurts), and weather — rain, temperature and light. Behind the headline number we score bite opportunity and comfort separately, and run a separate safety check on wind and swell. The size of the tide counts too: spring tides move more water than neaps, so the tidal range for this stretch of coast is weighed alongside the tide's direction, your target species and this mark — and unusually big springs strengthen the safety check, because the water rises faster and covers more ground.

Your target species counts. Pick a species below and the score also weights what we know about it — its season, preferred sea temperature, tide stage and sea state, and whether it feeds by day or night.

The rating is guidance, not a guarantee — conditions change fast on the coast, so always judge the sea in front of you before you fish.

Saturday looks better than today. Unlock the week to see its score and exact window.

· windows & tide

Spring vs neap tides. Spring tides have a larger difference between high and low water, so more water moves on each tide — usually stronger flow that stirs up food and gets fish feeding. Neap tides have a smaller range and generally gentler movement. The range here is compared with what is normal for this stretch of coast, and the cycle swings between springs and neaps roughly every week, following the moon.

Big spring tides: the water rises faster and covers more ground than usual — double-check access routes and cut-off points before you fish.

Now

Tide curve will appear once tide data is available.

All windows will appear once the forecast is loaded.

Premium forecast

Unlock exact best windows, tactics and backup options for this mark.

Trip planner

Find the best time to fish Coryton Cove

Choose when you're free and what you want to catch. We'll show the best tide, weather window and method for this mark.

Premium unlocks exact windows, tactics and alerts.

Premium Mark Insight

Locked

Coryton Cove is a compact, light-tackle cove where timing matters more than distance. The best sessions are usually dawn, dusk or after dark, especially on a flooding tide. Fish the rocky margins for wrasse, pollack, bass and garfish/scad when clear; switch to small bait presentations in coloured water after a blow. It is a bathing beach with limited space at high water, so avoid peak summer daytime use and any rough easterly or south-easterly swell that makes the sea wall, steps or ledges unsafe.

  • Know when Coryton’s flood tide is worth the trip
  • Pick the sand or rock edge before you rig up
  • Use coloured water for bass, clear water for float sport
  • Avoid the busy bathing window and fish the better hours
  • Have a Dawlish-area Plan B ready if swell or crowds beat you

Included with Premium

Cancel anytime · Stripe

Unlock this mark's plan

Jump to towns around this mark for more marks and guides.

Holcombe (Teignbridge) 0.8 mi Dawlish 1.2 mi Dawlish Warren 1.9 mi Teignmouth 2.2 mi Cockwood 2.9 mi

Explore nearby towns: Holcombe (Teignbridge) · Dawlish · Dawlish Warren · Teignmouth · Cockwood

Zoom and pan to explore access points and nearby marks.

Jump to guide

Forecast tuning currently supports Bass and Mackerel — more species are on the way.

Overall rating

6.6 /10

Blend of catch potential, access, safety, and overall experience.

Category scores

Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 6/10
Accessibility 7/10

Bass 8/10
Tip: Dawn/dusk on a flooding tide; work lures around the rocky points and surf line, or fish live sandeel/peeler tight to the wash.
Ballan Wrasse 7/10
Tip: Crab or prawn dropped into kelp-lined rocks; short traces, rotten-bottom leads; best May–Sep on the flood.
Pollack 6/10
Tip: LRF metals/soft plastics or float-fished sandeel along weed edges at dawn/dusk on a rising tide; summer–autumn.
Pouting 6/10
Tip: After dark by the rocks; small mackerel or rag strips on 2-hook flappers; steady on neaps, autumn–winter.
Corkwing Wrasse 6/10
Tip: Rag or small crab fished tight to weed and rock; short snoods; best May–Sep on the flood.
Rock Goby 6/10
Tip: LRF with tiny hooks and worm/squid slivers among boulders at mid–low water; abundant year-round.
Mullet (Thick-lipped) 6/10
Tip: Bread mash to draw fish; small bread flake under a float in calm, clear water; summer to early autumn on the flood.
Whiting 5/10
Tip: Winter evenings from the sandy pocket; small fish baits on 2–3 hook flappers; longer casts on the flood; expect pins.
Mackerel 5/10
Tip: Summer shoals occasionally close; spin 20–30 g metals or float small strip baits at first/last light on the flood; clear water helps.
Shanny 5/10
Tip: Micro baits under rock ledges and in pools; size 16–20 hooks; best around low water on calm days; quick unhook and release.
Garfish 5/10
Tip: Late spring–autumn; float a small sandeel or mackerel strip shallow (2–6 ft); best at dawn/dusk on a flooding tide.
Golden-grey Mullet 5/10
Tip: Tiny rag/Isome or sandeel slivers on size 10–12 in the surf line; late summer evenings on a steady flood.

Local knowledge

Coryton Cove fishing guide

Practical access, seasons, methods, tides, safety and facilities for this mark.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.