Summary
Crow Point is the sandy spit at the south side of the Taw/Torridge estuary mouth, opposite Instow and Appledore in North Devon. It’s a classic, ever-shifting estuary-surf mark where strong tides carve gutters and bars that draw in bass, flounder, and mullet. Anglers come for mobile, water-reading sessions that can be superb when tide and wind align.
Location and Access
Crow Point sits beyond Braunton at the seaward edge of Braunton Burrows. Access is straightforward but involves a private toll road and a short walk over soft sand. Check local signage for gate times and any estate notices.
- Drive to Braunton and follow signs for Velator Quay; from there, take the private toll road signed for Crow Point/Crow Beach (pay-and-display/barrier system; carry a card/coins).
- Park at the end-of-road car park behind the dunes; from there it’s a 5–20 minute walk depending on where along the spit you fish. The tip can be 25–35 minutes each way over soft sand.
- Terrain is firm in places but often soft, with deep, newly-cut channels after springs or storms. The spit and bars move—expect the layout to differ between visits.
- No coordinates given here; local maps and on-site boards signpost the route. Avoid driving onto the beach or dunes—prohibited and enforced.
Seasons
This is a dynamic estuary-surf interface; species shift with season, clarity and tide. Bass headline the venue, with flounder and mullet reliable options and a few summer surprises.
- Spring (Mar–May):
- Bass (school fish increasing through spring; larger fish possible around the bar)
- Flounder (tail end of the winter run, then thin out)
- Thin‑lipped mullet (arrive late spring in the channels on clearer tides)
- Summer (Jun–Aug):
- Bass (best sight‑fishing and lure sport on neaps/dawn-dusk)
- Thin‑lipped and golden‑grey mullet (calm, clear flood tides)
- Smoothhound (occasional, on peeler crab from deeper channel edges)
- Dogfish; the odd small ray from outer bars; garfish along the edge in bright weather
- Autumn (Sep–Nov):
- Bass (peak months; bait and lures both score, especially in a rolling sea)
- Flounder (builds from September in the slacks and creeks)
- Whiting (at night on the mouth in rougher spells); occasional gilthead bream late warm autumns
- Winter (Dec–Feb):
- Flounder (prime time inside the estuary margins)
- Whiting and dogfish on the seaward side; the very occasional codling in sustained onshore blows
Methods
Mobile, water-reading tactics shine. Work the flood up the gutters for bass and mullet; settle on the slacks and creek mouths for flounder. Grip leads help when the tide rips.
- Bass (lure):
- Weedless soft plastics (sandeel/shad patterns), surface walkers at first/last light, small metal spoons in the tide rips.
- Target flooding water into newly-flooded gutters and bar edges; keep moving.
- Bass (bait):
- Running ledger/pulley with 3/0–5/0 hooks; 4–5 oz grip lead. Baits: peeler crab, ragworm, sandeel, mackerel strip.
- Fish the first three hours of the flood and first hour of the ebb along channel bends.
- Flounder:
- Light 2‑hook flappers or one‑up one‑down, size 2–4 hooks, beads/spoons for attraction. Baits: ragworm, lugworm, maddies, small crab.
- Cast short into slacks, creek mouths and inside bends; twitch the rig occasionally.
- Mullet (thin‑lipped/golden‑grey):
- Small Mepps‑style spinners with a tiny strip of Isome or rag on the treble, or delicate float rigs with bread/rag.
- Sight-fish along clear, gently flooding margins away from heavy surf.
- Occasional smoothhound/ray:
- Fresh peeler or hard-back crab on a pulley/dropper; place baits tight to deeper channel edges on a steady flood.
- General rigs and line:
- 12–20 lb mainline with 40–60 lb leaders for lure work around surf; 20–25 lb mono or 30–40 lb braid with 60 lb shock for baiting in tide.
- Keep leaders long and use strong grips; current can be fierce.
Tides and Conditions
This is big-tide country. The Bristol Channel range and the estuary’s twin-river flow create fast water, shifting sand and short feeding windows—get the state and direction right.
- Best tide phases:
- Bass: first 3 hours of the flood and last hour of the ebb; springs push fish tight to gutters, neaps suit lures and wading.
- Flounder: slack water around low and early flood in inner creeks/channels.
- Mullet: neap to mid-tides with clear water and gentle flow.
- Sea state and wind:
- A light-to-moderate SW–W wind that lifts a mild surf often switches bass on; heavy onshores can be unfishable with weed.
- Easterlies flatten the surf and can push fish out; try clearer channels with lures.
- Time of day and seasonality:
- Dawn/dusk markedly better for bass and mullet in settled conditions; autumn holds the most consistent bass action.
- After storms, fresh crab and dislodged food wash along the bars—great for baited hooks.
- Avoid:
- Peak of big springs on the tip if you’re static bait fishing—run and weed can be brutal; pick edges and eddies instead.
Safety
Treat Crow Point with full respect. Channels shift, the tide races, and people are regularly cut off—plan exits before you start and wear a lifejacket if wading.
- Fast flooding tide: bars and the tip flood from behind; never commit to low‑water wandering without an escape route.
- Soft sand and scoured holes: apparent firm areas give way near channel edges; avoid wading murky water without a wading staff.
- Strong currents and boat traffic: stay well clear of the marked fairway to Instow/Appledore; expect sudden surges on springs.
- Weather and visibility: sea fret and squalls roll in quickly; carry a headtorch, compass/phone and spare layers.
- Footing and mobility: mostly level but soft; unsuitable for most wheelchairs; hikers’ poles help. Keep to paths over dunes to protect the SSSI.
- Safety basics: wear a PFD if wading, carry a phone in a waterproof pouch, fish with a partner if possible. In an emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Facilities
Facilities are minimal at the mark; plan to be self‑sufficient and leave no trace. Nearby villages cover the essentials.
- Parking at the end of the private toll road behind the dunes; no lighting; limited bins—take litter home.
- No on-site toilets or freshwater; public toilets, cafés and shops are in Braunton and Instow (seasonal hours).
- Bait and tackle in Braunton, Barnstaple, Bideford and Westward Ho! Check opening hours before travel.
- Mobile signal is generally fair but can dip behind dunes; download tide/weather info in advance.
Tips
Think like a hunter: read water, move often, and time your sessions around the push. Small adjustments make big differences here.
- Walk at low water to ‘map’ fresh gutters and bars for the next flood; the layout changes after every spring blow.
- For bass on lures, fish cross‑current to sweep plastics naturally along the seam; pause at the end of the swing.
- Colour counts: a faint green/brown tinge often outfishes gin‑clear or chocolate surf.
- Use minimal terminal bling for bass in daylight; add a few beads or a spoon for flounder when it’s dull.
- Carry both 3–4 oz and 5–6 oz grip leads; step up as the run builds.
- Keep an eye on birds working over the bar—baitfish under them often mean a fast bass cameo on metals.
- Respect the nature reserve: avoid cordoned nesting areas; leash dogs where requested. You’ll see more fish if you move quietly.
Regulations
Rules here are a mix of national sea fisheries measures and local SSSI/access conditions. They change—always check before you go.
- Access and site status: Crow Point sits within/adjacent to Braunton Burrows (SSSI/UNESCO Biosphere/NNR). Keep to paths over dunes, no camping, no fires, no vehicles on the beach, and observe any seasonal bird‑nesting exclusions posted on site.
- Bass: Recreational bass measures are updated annually by UK authorities. Bag limits, size limits and open/closed periods can change—check the latest MMO/DEFRA notice before retaining any fish.
- Local IFCA: This area falls under Devon & Severn IFCA. Review local byelaws on netting, bait collection and estuary protections, and any voluntary codes for the Taw/Torridge.
- Estuary fairway: Do not obstruct navigation or fish within marked fairways; give way to vessels.
- Conservation:
- Return any salmonids (salmon/sea trout) encountered; targeting them in estuaries is prohibited.
- Follow best-practice catch and release for undersized fish; wet hands, barbless or crushed barbs where appropriate.
- Litter and biosecurity: Take all waste home and rinse waders/tackle to prevent spreading invasive species.
- Always defer to on-site signage and the latest official notices; enforcement is active and fines apply for breaches.