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Devon

Daddyhole

6.8 · Rocks · Devon

Daddyhole (Daddyhole Cove/Plain, Torquay) is a steep, rocky cliff mark with deep water close in and kelp-filled gullies. It fishes best on a flooding tide into dusk and after dark. Summer brings mackerel, garfish and scad to floats and lures; pollack patrol the edges of the kelp; wrasse are reliable by day; and pouting, poor cod and conger show after dark. In autumn/winter you can see whiting on calm nights. Access is via steep paths and rock scrambles—helmets and cleats are sensible, and avoid any swell or wet weed. Expect snaggy ground: use rotten-bottoms and keep gear sacrificial.

Should you fish Daddyhole?

54 Fair

Today · Best available

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

Most likely species: Ballan Wrasse and Garfish

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 Garfish.

NW 3 mph Rain 0% High tide 12:02

Fishable, but pick your timing carefully.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for Daddyhole — 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.

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Daddyhole is a steep, serious Torquay rock mark where deep water, kelp gullies and clear sheltered water create good mixed sport, especially from late spring through early autumn. It is at its best on a flooding tide into dusk and after dark, but the same kelp and broken ground that hold fish also make it very snaggy and unforgiving. Plan around safe footing, low swell and a tidy, sacrificial approach to tackle.

  • Know when the flood turns Daddyhole on.
  • Pick the kelp edge tactic for pollack, wrasse or garfish.
  • Avoid the swell and weed traps that ruin sessions here.
  • Fish close without donating every rig to the kelp.
  • Have a safer Meadfoot backup before you descend.

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Torquay 0.7 mi Paignton 2.8 mi Marldon 3.7 mi Kingskerswell 4.3 mi Collaton St Mary 4.8 mi

Explore nearby towns: Torquay · Paignton · Marldon · Kingskerswell · Collaton St Mary

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

Overall rating

6.8 /10

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

Category scores

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

Pollack 8/10
Tip: Soft-plastic or metal lures worked along kelp edges at dusk on a flooding tide. Long leader, steady retrieve; best late spring to autumn.
Ballan Wrasse 8/10
Tip: Crab or prawn on size 2-1/0, rotten-bottom rigs into kelpy gullies; fish the flooding tide, spring to autumn. Keep gear tight to avoid snags.
Pouting 7/10
Tip: Small hooks and fish/worm strips straight down into 20-40 ft; best after dark on the flood. Short snoods to beat snags.
Mackerel 7/10
Tip: Feathers or small metals from the point on a flooding evening tide; summer shoals, best in clear water with an onshore breeze.
Garfish 7/10
Tip: Float-fish small mackerel strips 6-8 ft deep over clearer patches; late spring to autumn, favouring bright calm days on the flood.
Bass 6/10
Tip: Plugs or weedless soft plastics in low light with a bit of swell; try first of the flood and dusk. After storms, fish bait in the wash.
Scad (Horse Mackerel) 6/10
Tip: Sabikis under a small glow float at night on the flood; keep baits mid-water. Late summer to early autumn.
Corkwing Wrasse 6/10
Tip: Float-fish prawn or rag tight to the rock face on the flood; tiny hooks and light gear. Summer months.
Conger Eel 6/10
Tip: Big fish or squid baits on 100 lb trace dropped into rough ground after dark; neap tides and last of the flood fish best. Lift fish, don't drag.
Tompot Blenny 5/10
Tip: Tiny hooks with worm or prawn dropped into crevices; fish first half of the flood in summer. Great for species hunts.
Black Bream 5/10
Tip: Small squid or prawn strips on size 6s over reef edges; calm, clear summer days on the flood. Strike fast to avoid snags.
Bull Huss 4/10
Tip: Large fish or squid baits on pulley rigs to rough ground after dark; neap tides. Occasional from deeper ledges.

Local knowledge

Daddyhole fishing guide

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

Daddyhole is a striking limestone headland and cove on Torquay’s Meadfoot side, set within Torbay’s sheltered waters. Steep cliffs drop into relatively deep, kelp-fringed ground that holds wrasse, pollack and summer pelagics. It’s a scenic but serious rock mark that rewards careful planning and tidy technique.

Daddyhole sits between Torquay Harbour and Meadfoot Beach on the South West Coast Path. Most anglers base themselves at the clifftop green (Daddyhole Plain) and pick carefully down to ledges, or work nearby, easier ground at Meadfoot in rough weather.

  • Parking: Use Daddyhole Plain car park on Daddyhole Road/Ilsham Marine Drive (signposted), or Meadfoot Beach car parks a short drive away.
  • Approach: From the car park, follow the coast path; informal side tracks lead to viewpoints and rocky spurs. Any descent to lower ledges is steep, uneven and sometimes loose underfoot.
  • Terrain: Limestone rock, gullies and weed beds with deep water close in; very snaggy ground in places. Not suitable for those with limited mobility.
  • Public transport: Torquay buses stop within walking distance; allow extra time for the uphill return.
  • Night access: Feasible for experienced rock anglers only; navigation is tricky without prior daylight recce.

This is classic Torbay rough ground with year-round residents and strong summer visitors. Expect variety but mind the snags.

  • Spring (Mar–May): Ballan and corkwing wrasse, pollack, garfish late spring, early mackerel runs in May, occasional bass on a lift, rock gobies and blennies for LRF.
  • Summer (Jun–Aug): Mackerel, garfish, scad at night, black bream patches some years, wrasse at their peak, schoolie-to-mid bass on moody days, pout/poor cod, occasional squid/cuttle late summer evenings.
  • Autumn (Sep–Nov): Pollack improve at dusk, scad shoals after dark, mackerel tails off by late Oct, bream linger in settled spells, conger from rough holes after dark, chance of a better bass in on colour.
  • Winter (Dec–Feb): Pollack on lures in low light, pout/poor cod, conger at night; wrasse largely quiet in cold snaps. Odd whiting in onshore blows.

Clear water, depth and kelp dictate finesse by day and abrasion resistance by night. Travel light, and expect to lose gear without snag precautions.

  • Float fishing: Excellent for garfish, mackerel and pollack. Set 8–15 ft over depth; baits include slivers of mackerel, sandeel, prawn or rag. Drifting along the rock face works well at dawn/dusk.
  • Spinning/soft plastics: 20–40 g metals for mackerel/scad; 4–6 inch weedless soft shads on 20–30 g heads or weighted Texas rigs for pollack and bass. Work parallel to the kelp line.
  • Bottom fishing: Short-snood 1–2 hook flappers for wrasse/pout; pulley/pulley-dropper with a weak/rotten-bottom link for conger or when casting into rough. Baits: crab (peeler/softy), rag/lug, prawn, squid, mackerel strip.
  • LRF: Size 10–14 hooks, 2–6 g jigheads and isome/gulp for mini-species around weed fringes and rock pools in calm seas.
  • Tackle notes: 30–50 lb abrasion-resistant leader for lures near kelp; 50–80 lb trace for conger. Always use a weak link to the lead; carry spare weights, clips and leaders.

Torbay shelters Daddyhole from prevailing south-westerlies, but easterlies and ground swell make it dangerous and often unfishable. Water clarity swings quickly with wind direction.

  • Best tide: Mid-flood to high and first of the ebb for wrasse and general sport; dusk flood for pollack/garfish; neaps help reduce kelp drag and snags.
  • Wind/sea: Fish well in W–SW winds (sheltered water). Avoid strong E/NE winds or any significant easterly swell that can surge onto ledges.
  • Light levels: Dawn and dusk are prime for pollack, mackerel and garfish. Night brings scad, pout and conger; use red light where possible to keep shoals on the feed.
  • Seasonality: Peak mixed fishing June–September; winter sessions are shorter and more focused on pollack/conger in settled windows.

This is a cliff and rock mark with real hazards. Plan conservatively, recce by daylight, and turn back if swell or footing feels marginal.

  • Steep/loose descents: Some goat tracks are exposed and slippery in wet weather; wear grippy footwear and keep hands free.
  • Swell and surge: Easterly groundswell can wash ledges; never fish with waves breaking onto your platform. Watch a full set before committing.
  • Rockfall: Limestone faces shed small debris, especially after heavy rain and winter frosts; avoid standing directly under overhangs.
  • Tidal awareness: A few lower gullies flood or become awkward to escape at higher states; note your exit route.
  • Kit and comms: Belt-worn or auto lifejacket strongly advised; headtorch with spare batteries; phone signal is good atop but can dip in the cove.
  • Buddy system: Fish with a partner where possible and let someone know your plan.

You’re close to Torquay amenities, but the ledges themselves are wild. Prepare as if fully self-sufficient.

  • Parking: Daddyhole Plain car park (pay-and-display hours vary seasonally); additional parking at Meadfoot Beach.
  • Toilets: Seasonal facilities at Meadfoot Beach; none at the ledges.
  • Food/drink: Meadfoot Beach café (seasonal) and Torquay town cafés/shops within a short drive.
  • Tackle/bait: Several tackle shops in Torquay/Paignton stock bait and lure gear; ring ahead for fresh rag/lug and peeler availability.
  • Lighting: No lighting on paths or ledges; robust headtorch essential after dark.
  • Signal: Generally good on the headland; patchier down in the cove.

Torbay water is often gin-clear; subtlety outfishes brute force here. Watch the birds and bait rather than the clock.

  • Scale down by day: Fluorocarbon snoods (10–15 lb for float/lure), smaller hooks and natural baits get more takes in clear water.
  • Burley smartly: A light mash of bread/fish oil keeps garfish and mackerel around without overfeeding; drip it, don’t dump it.
  • Lure angles: Cast along the rock line and let shads swing with the tide; many pollack hits come as the lure rises off kelp at your feet.
  • Wrasse etiquette: Quick photos and release; they’re slow-growing and key to the inshore reef ecosystem.
  • Be considerate: This is a residential area above the cliffs—keep noise down at night and pack out all litter. Council rangers do patrol periodically.
  • Shared water: Expect kayakers, swimmers and divers in settled summer spells near Meadfoot—choose casting angles accordingly.

Angling is generally permitted from the shore here. The headland and surrounding coast sit within protected designations, so follow local signage and national fishery rules.

  • Conservation areas: The coastline forms part of the Hope’s Nose–Walls Hill SSSI and lies within the Torbay Marine Conservation Zone. Do not damage rock features, remove plants, light fires or camp; stick to established paths.
  • Bass rules: Check current UK recreational bass regulations before you go. As of 2024, retention was limited to 2 fish per angler per day at a 42 cm minimum size, open 1 March–30 November, with catch-and-release only outside those dates. Rules can change annually.
  • Minimum sizes/bag limits: Observe UK MMO/IFCA sizes for common species (bream, wrasse, pollack, mackerel, etc.) and release undersize fish.
  • No-netting/harbour byelaws: Outside harbour limits, shore angling with rod and line is allowed; do not set nets or pots from the shore without permits. Check Devon & Severn IFCA byelaws for updates.
  • Access restrictions: Temporary path closures or nesting bird protections may be posted seasonally—comply with any on-site notices.