Firestone Bay Fishing

Last updated: 5 days 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.

Seasons

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

Methods

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

Tides and Conditions

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

Safety

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

Facilities

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

Tips

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

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.