Firestone Bay Fishing

Last updated: 1 month ago

Firestone Bay Fishing Map

Firestone Bay sits beside Devil’s Point and Royal William Yard in Plymouth Sound. It’s a rocky shoreline with patches of clean sand and kelp-covered reef, offering deep water close in and strong tidal flow, especially on the ebb. The mark is productive year-round: summer and early autumn bring baitfish (mackerel, scad, garfish) close to the rocks, while evenings and winter nights produce whiting, pouting and poor cod. Resident pollack and wrasse work the kelp edges, and conger are possible after dark. Access is good via steps and paths from Devil’s Point/Royal William Yard; however, expect snags over rough ground and be mindful of swimmers, divers and fast currents. Fish a rotten-bottom on the rough patches, target the cleaner sand for distance casts, and time sessions around the flood or the first of the ebb for best results. Sheltered from prevailing SW winds, it’s a comfortable, scenic venue with parking and amenities nearby.

Ratings

⭐ 7.4/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 6/10
Accessibility 8/10

Fish You Can Catch at Firestone Bay

🐟 Bass 8/10
🎯 Tip: Work shallow diving plugs or soft plastics along the Point on a flooding tide with onshore swell; dusk/dawn. Also fish crab/sandeel in surfy pockets.
🐟 Ballan Wrasse 8/10
🎯 Tip: Float or light bottom fish with crab or rag close to kelpy rocks; daytime on flooding tide. Use abrasion-resistant leader; release quickly.
🐟 Pollack 7/10
🎯 Tip: Spin soft shads or metal jigs along drop-offs at dusk on the flood; keep lures high over kelp. Long trace if baiting with sandeel strips.
🐟 Mackerel 7/10
🎯 Tip: Feathers or small metals into the tide from the point on summer evenings, best on a rising tide; avoid crowded swimmers; single spinners when clear.
🐟 Scad (Horse Mackerel) 7/10
🎯 Tip: Small sabikis or size 8 hooks with mackerel strip under a float at dusk into darkness, late summer–autumn; deeper water on the point fishes best on the flood.
🐟 Pouting 6/10
🎯 Tip: Fish small hooks with rag/squid strip into the deeper holes at dusk/night on the flood; keep rigs just off the snaggy bottom.
🐟 Corkwing Wrasse 6/10
🎯 Tip: Float-fish small pieces of rag or prawn tight to weeded rock margins on the flood; small hooks size 6–8.
🐟 Conger Eel 6/10
🎯 Tip: Big mackerel/squid baits on 80lb trace after dark into the ebb slack; drop into rough ground ledges—expect snags and use strong gear.
🐟 Garfish 6/10
🎯 Tip: Float small slivers of mackerel near-surface in clear summer seas on the flood; long light traces and tiny hooks.
🐟 Mullet (Thick-lipped) 6/10
🎯 Tip: Bread flake under a float in calm, clear water around steps and walls; early mornings on neap tides. Stealth and fine tackle key.
🐟 Whiting 5/10
🎯 Tip: Winter nights on small fish baits cast into the tide; clip-down rigs to reach flow, expect pin fish with odd better one.

Firestone Bay Fishing

Summary

Firestone Bay sits at the western mouth of Plymouth Sound between Devil’s Point and Royal William Yard. It offers deep water close in, mixed rough ground, and easy urban access, making it a reliable mark for lure, float, and bottom fishing. Summer brings mackerel, gar and wrasse, while autumn nights can be lively with scad, squid and conger.

Location and Access

Firestone Bay is on the seaward side of Royal William Yard, below Devil’s Point Park on Admiralty Road. Access is straightforward via the promenade with multiple railings and steps down to lower ledges.

  • Drive via Admiralty Road; limited bays at Devil’s Point Park and larger paid parking inside Royal William Yard (use PL1 3RP for the yard, PL1 3QR gets you close by the Artillery Tower).
  • A level, paved path runs along the water; 2–5 minute walk from either car park to the mark.
  • Terrain is a mix of promenade railings, stone platforms and rough, weeded rock shelves. Most anglers fish from the railings or stable blocks.
  • Public transport serves Royal William Yard and Stonehouse; the walk-in is short and flat.
  • Avoid setting up on the swim steps and within the tidal pool area used by bathers; there is often advisory signage.

Seasons

The bay fishes as a classic mixed-ground, deep-water city mark. Expect species to change with water clarity and temperature.

  • Spring (Apr–May): ballan and corkwing wrasse, pollack (C&R only under current rules), early bass on the flood, garfish in clear water, odd mackerel late May.
  • Summer (Jun–Aug): mackerel, garfish, wrasse, bass, scad at dusk, mullet in the bay on calm days, occasional strap conger; LRF species like blennies, gobies and scorpionfish.
  • Autumn (Sep–Nov): bass, mackerel to October in runs, abundant scad at night, squid on calm clear evenings, conger eels, pout and poor cod.
  • Winter (Dec–Feb): whiting, pout, poor cod, rockling, strap conger; very occasional codling in a blow (rare here).

Methods

Both lure and bait tactics work, with depth right under your feet. Scale gear to the tide and snaggy bottom.

  • Lures: 10–30 g metals and slim jigs for mackerel and scad; 5–12 g soft plastics (paddle/jerk shads) for bass/pollack; small hard minnows at dawn/dusk along the wall.
  • Float: 12–15 ft sliding float with small strips of mackerel or sandeel for gar and mackerel; rag/lug sections for wrasse. Set 8–15 ft to find midwater fish.
  • Bottom: pulley dropper or short up-and-over with a weak-link (rotten bottom) sinker for bass/conger/huss; two-hook flapper (size 1–2) for whiting/pout.
  • Baits: ragworm and peeler/soft crab for wrasse and bass; mackerel/squid cocktails for conger and whiting; sandeel for bass; isome and small rag for LRF species.
  • Squid: size 2.0–3.0 egi under lights on calm, clear autumn nights. Work the edges of the light pool.
  • Terminal advice: abrasion-resistant leaders (20–40 lb) and strong snoods; long-handled drop net helps when fishing from railings; carry 4–6 oz leads for stronger flows.

Tides and Conditions

The mark is heavily influenced by the tide race at Devil’s Point. Plan around flow, swimmer traffic, and water clarity.

  • Best states: two hours either side of high water on neaps to mediums for general fishing; first push of the flood is prime for bass.
  • Springs: mid-tide can rip; bottom fishing may be difficult—switch to float or lures. Neaps are kinder for wrasse and LRF.
  • Sea and wind: generally sheltered by the Breakwater and Drake’s Island, but strong SW swells and ferry/warship wash can surge. Easterlies flatten and clear the water.
  • Light: dawn/dusk for mackerel, bass and pollack; after-dark for scad, whiting, conger and squid. Clear, green water favours gar and wrasse.
  • Rainfall: after heavy rain the Sound colours up from the Tamar—lure and visual fishing can dip for 24–48 hours.

Safety

This is deep water with powerful cross tides and busy water use. Treat edges with respect and avoid conflict with swimmers and divers.

  • Strong currents at mid-tide near Devil’s Point; leashed gear and PFD recommended, especially at night.
  • Do not fish from the swim steps/within the tidal pool area; give wide berth to bathers, paddleboarders and divers (often present at slack).
  • Surges from ferries and naval traffic can overtop lower ledges—keep bags leashed and stand back.
  • Slippery weeded rocks at lower states; stick to stable stone blocks or fish from behind railings.
  • Headtorch and cleated boots help; take extra care when retrieving fish from height.
  • Accessibility: the promenade is level and suitable for trolleys and wheelchairs; some railing heights may complicate netting fish.

Facilities

Urban convenience is a big plus at Firestone Bay. Most amenities are within a short walk.

  • Parking: limited bays at Devil’s Point Park; larger paid parking inside Royal William Yard.
  • Toilets: facilities within Royal William Yard (venue opening hours); seasonal/public toilets near Devil’s Point may operate limited hours.
  • Food and drink: multiple cafés/restaurants at Royal William Yard; occasional kiosks by the park in season.
  • Tackle and bait: several shops in Plymouth (e.g., Plymouth Angling Centre) within a short drive; frozen bait sometimes available at convenience stores.
  • Phone signal: generally strong 4G/5G; good street lighting along the promenade.
  • Bins present but can fill quickly—take all litter and line home.

Tips

Local patterns repeat year to year if you watch the water. A few small tweaks will save gear and add fish.

  • Use a weak-link on your sinker—snags are common on the rough patches.
  • Keep a small metal or casting jig rigged; fast-moving shoals of mackerel/scad can appear without warning on the flood.
  • For wrasse, fish crab or rag tight to the wall and lift into the fish quickly to beat them from the kelp.
  • Autumn squid love calm, clear nights—work the edge of any artificial light and pause the jig near bottom.
  • Crabs are relentless in summer; bind soft baits with elastic and check frequently.
  • It’s a popular wild-swim spot: fish very early or after dusk in summer to avoid crowds and conflicts.
  • Naval traffic throws a big wake; a short lull after a passing ship can switch fish on as food is stirred.

Regulations

Fishing is generally permitted at Firestone Bay, but parts are shared with designated bathing areas. Always follow on-site signage and be courteous to other water users.

  • Do not fish from the tidal pool or the main swim steps/entry points when bathers are present; local advisory signs may be in place seasonally.
  • Royal William Yard marina/pontoons and private berths are typically no-fishing areas—obey any posted restrictions.
  • Bass (recreational): at the time of writing, a 2-fish daily bag per angler at 42 cm minimum applies March–November, with catch-and-release only in December–February. Check the latest GOV.UK notice before your trip.
  • Pollack (recreational): current measures in ICES Area 7 (covers Plymouth) prohibit retention; catch-and-release only until rules change. Verify the latest annual update.
  • Other sizes/bags: observe national MCRS and any Devon & Severn IFCA byelaws. Consider returning larger breeding wrasse and avoid using wrasse as bait at this inshore mark.
  • No rod licence is required for sea angling in saltwater in England, but local harbour and MoD security restrictions apply—do not impede navigation or access and keep clear of exclusion zones.
  • If in doubt, consult the latest “Recreational sea fishing limits” on GOV.UK and Devon & Severn IFCA for local rules.