Summary
Devil's Point (Western King Point) sits at the mouth of the Hamoaze where the Tamar meets Plymouth Sound, between Firestone Bay and Royal William Yard in Plymouth, Devon. It offers deep, fast water within easy reach, regular bait fish movement, and a real chance of quality lure and bottom fishing in dramatic surroundings.
Location and Access
This is an urban, well-signposted mark reached via Durnford Street, Stonehouse, with short, straightforward walks on paved paths into Devil's Point Park. The final fishing spots are on railings and rock ledges overlooking very deep, fast-running water.
- Parking: Small pay-and-display car park at Devil's Point/Firestone Bay end of Durnford Street; overflow and additional parking at Royal William Yard. Useful sat‑nav postcodes: PL1 3DL (Durnford St end) and PL1 3RP (Royal William Yard).
- Approach: Paved, mostly level park paths; final few metres can be uneven with rock shelves and steps. Minimal walk from the car park (2–5 minutes).
- Terrain: Mixed—railed promenade sections and rugged rock platforms. Surfaces can be slick with spray and weed.
- Public transport: City buses run to Stonehouse/Durnford Street; the mark is a short walk from there.
- Access notes: Avoid private areas inside Royal William Yard and any signed no‑fishing zones on ferry landings or bathing steps.
Seasons
Species here reflect fast, deep tidal water funnelling bait past the headland. Expect classic summer predators and reliable winter scratching.
- Spring (Apr–May): Pollack, ballan and corkwing wrasse, early bass; odd mackerel on warmer pushes; occasional thick‑lipped mullet nosing around Firestone Bay.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): Mackerel, garfish, scad (horse mackerel) at dusk/night; pollack and wrasse from the kelp fringes; bass on the flood; occasional squid on calm, clear evenings.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): Bass peak on spring tides; scad in numbers after dark; pollack continue; conger eels on big baits; late mackerel runs in settled spells.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): Whiting, pouting, poor cod after dark; strap conger; the odd bonus codling in cold snaps (infrequent).
- Always possible bycatch: Dogfish, small gurnards; schoolie bass year‑round.
Methods
Fast tides and depth reward tidy rigs, robust tackle, and thoughtful lure work. Prepare for snags with rotten‑bottoms and have a drop net for landing.
- Lure fishing:
- Pollack/wrasse: Weedless soft plastics (10–20 cm, 10–20 g heads/texas) worked tight to the kelp lines; darker patterns in murk, naturals in clear water.
- Bass: Surface and sub‑surface hard lures on the flood; 20–40 g metals when bait fish show; white sandeel patterns are consistent.
- Mackerel/gar/scad: 20–40 g metals; minimal‑hook sabikis (2–3 hooks) to cope with cross‑tide.
- Squid (calm, clear evenings): Size 2.5–3.0 egi jigs, count‑down and slow lift‑and‑drop.
- Float fishing: Balsa/waggler with 8–12 ft depth set; small strips of mackerel or ragworm for garfish, pollack, wrasse.
- Bottom fishing:
- Rigs: Pulley or pulley‑pennel (4/0–5/0) for bass/conger; 2‑hook flapper (size 2–4) for whiting/pout. Always use a weak‑link/rotten‑bottom to save leads.
- Leads: 4–6 oz typically; step up on big springs. Use grippers when fishing static baits.
- Baits: Fresh mackerel/sandeel, squid, peeler/soft crab (summer bass/wrasse), lug/rag for general scratching.
- Tackle: 9–10 ft lure rods (20–40 g) or 12–13 ft beach rods for bottom work; 20–30 lb braid with 40–60 lb leader around rocks; carry a drop net for safe landing from height.
Tides and Conditions
The point fishes to running water; slack periods are short. Springs can be ferocious, so plan tide state carefully.
- Tide state: Best 2 hours before to 1 hour after high water for mackerel/gar and lure work; first of the ebb also productive for bass and pollack. Neaps are easier to hold bottom; springs move bait but are harder to present in.
- Sea state: Light W/SW winds are fine; strong westerlies create swell and rebound off the rocks. Easterlies flatten and clear the water—good for lures and squid.
- Time of day: Dawn and dusk are prime; after‑dark sessions bring scad, whiting, pout, and conger.
- Water clarity: After storms the water muddies—switch to darker lures and strong‑scent baits; in clear water, natural sandeel patterns excel.
- Seasonal notes: Bass peak late summer to autumn; wrasse/pollack strongest Apr–Oct; winter nights for whiting/pout.
Safety
This is a serious tidal headland beside a working port channel. Treat it with respect and fish within your limits.
- Strong currents and overfalls at the point—do not climb down to water level; fish from secure, dry stances behind railings.
- Swell and wash: Ferry and naval vessel wash can surge—step well back when ships pass; never cast across a vessel’s path.
- Slippery rock and weed; wear grippy boots. A flotation aid/lifejacket and headtorch (after dark) are strongly recommended.
- Use a drop net for landing; do not attempt to handline or gaff fish from height.
- Bathing area: Firestone Bay is a popular swimming spot—give swimmers wide berth and avoid feathering or heavy leads near the bathing steps/pontoons. Obey any seasonal lifeguard or council signage.
- Mobility: Paths to the railings are largely level and paved; some fishing spots have steps/uneven rock, which may limit wheelchair access. The railings area can suit seated/rail‑rest fishing with assistance.
- Weather: Avoid big springs in strong winds; wind‑against‑tide can create turbulent, unpredictable water.
Facilities
Urban convenience is a big plus here, with amenities a short stroll away. Expect crowds in good weather.
- Parking: Pay‑and‑display at Devil's Point/Firestone Bay; additional parking and eateries at Royal William Yard. Check local tariffs/hours.
- Toilets: Seasonal/public toilets at the park or nearby; reliable facilities and refreshments inside Royal William Yard.
- Food and drink: Multiple cafés, restaurants, and a pub at Royal William Yard; kiosks appear seasonally by Firestone Bay.
- Tackle/bait: Several tackle shops in Plymouth (10–15 minutes by car); call ahead for fresh bait.
- Connectivity: Strong mobile signal (4G/5G common). Lighting from the city helps but bring a headtorch for night sessions.
- Bins/seating: Litter bins and benches in the park—pack out line and unwanted tackle.
Tips
Patterns here hinge on timing your presentation to the tide race and kelp edges. Travel light, fish tidy, and expect snags.
- Run‑and‑gun luring: Walk the railings/edges and cover water on the last of the flood—pollack often sit tight to the drop‑off.
- Keep sabikis short (2–3 hooks) to avoid twist in the cross‑tide; metals with single inline hooks reduce tangles and damage to fish.
- Use bait elastic and tougher baits (squid/mackerel belly) in summer to beat crabs; re‑cast regularly.
- A weak‑link lead clip saves money—snags are part of the game here.
- Drop net is gold: Saves fish and tackle when you hook a better bass or conger from height.
- If porpoises or seals show, bites often slow—switch marks or methods for 20–30 minutes.
- After a blow, the first clear evening can be dynamite for scad/whiting on small baits and for bass on big, dark lures.
- Be courteous: It’s a busy public spot—keep feathering away from bathers and dog walkers; locals appreciate tidy anglers.
Regulations
Devil’s Point is within Plymouth Sound, a busy port and a designated marine protected area, but line fishing from the shore is generally permitted. Always follow posted signs and current fisheries rules.
- Harbour/port byelaws (Plymouth): Do not obstruct navigation; keep clear of ferry landings and do not cast when vessels are approaching or transiting. Obey any local no‑fishing signs on steps, pontoons, or private property (e.g., parts of Royal William Yard).
- Bass regulations: Minimum size 42 cm; seasonal bag limits and retention periods apply to recreational anglers—check current DEFRA/MMO guidance before you go.
- Minimum sizes/bag limits: Observe national/IFCA rules for species you intend to keep. Many anglers release wrasse due to their ecological role.
- Bait collection/netting: Devon & Severn IFCA byelaws apply in the area—consult D&S IFCA for up‑to‑date restrictions on netting and any bait‑gathering controls within estuarine waters.
- Protected sites: Plymouth Sound and Estuaries designated sites do not generally ban rod‑and‑line shore fishing, but do not damage features, disturb wildlife, or remove protected species.
- General: Take litter and discarded line home; respect seasonal swimming zones at Firestone Bay. Check parking hours and local council notices for any temporary restrictions.
