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Devon

Foreland Point

6.6 · Rocks · Devon

A dramatic headland of steep, rugged cliffs with deep water tight to the rocks. Strong Bristol Channel tides create rips and eddies; fishing is best on a flooding or neap tide, at dawn/dusk or after dark. Access is via the South West Coast Path from Countisbury/Barna Barrow with a committed walk and short scrambles to small ledges; wear good boots and a lifejacket, avoid big swells, and plan your exit with the tide. Summer brings prolific lure and float fishing; nights produce conger, huss and pout. Use rotten-bottom rigs over kelp/rough ground and heavy trace for eels/huss.

Should you fish Foreland Point?

46 Low

Today · Best available

Best available: 03:00-06:00

Most likely species: Bass and Bull Huss

Poor conditions. Best available around 03:00-06:00, but no window reaches the strong threshold today. Good chance of Bass and Bull Huss.

W 5 mph Rain 67% High tide 11:53

Consider a backup mark if conditions do not improve.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for Foreland Point — 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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Foreland Point is a committed rough-ground rock mark where timing and water choice matter more than distance. Deep water sits tight to the rocks, but the Bristol Channel tide can be ferocious, so the best fishing is usually found by working kelp edges, drop-offs, eddies and seams rather than trying to fish the full tide race. Neaps and settled water suit lure and float work for pollack, wrasse, mackerel, garfish and bass; after dark, rough-ground bottom tactics can produce huss, conger and pout.

  • Know when to fish the tide race — and when to avoid it.
  • Target kelp edges and eddies instead of wasting casts in the full run.
  • Use the right tide window for pollack, bass, huss and conger.
  • Rig for Foreland’s rough ground before it costs you gear.
  • Have a safer backup plan if swell or tide ruins the session.

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Jump to towns around this mark for more marks and guides.

Lynton and Lynmouth 2.4 mi Combe Martin 10.7 mi Bratton Fleming 10.8 mi East Buckland 13.2 mi North Molton 13.3 mi

Explore nearby towns: Lynton and Lynmouth · Combe Martin · Bratton Fleming · East Buckland · North Molton

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

Overall rating

6.6 /10

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

Category scores

Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 8/10
Safety 3/10
Accessibility 3/10

Pollack 9/10
Tip: Work 20–40g metals or weedless soft plastics tight to kelp edges on the flood; dawn/dusk best. Keep lures deep in the tide run and mind swell on springs.
Mackerel 8/10
Tip: Summer shoals on the flood; spin small metals or jig feathers from the point. Dusk into dark can be hectic; watch swell.
Ballan Wrasse 8/10
Tip: Crab or rag on strong paternoster into kelpy gullies over the flood; float rigs over rough ground also score. Best May–Oct in clear water.
Bass 7/10
Tip: Big tides with some surf; plug or soft plastics along the tide race, or fish peeler/crab into rough ground at dusk. After a blow as it settles can shine.
Bull Huss 7/10
Tip: Night fishing with big fish baits dropped into rough ground; use rotten-bottom and heavy gear. Slack to early flood often best.
Pouting 6/10
Tip: Abundant after dark around kelp; small fish baits on 1–2 hooks. Good for fresh bait. Flood and first of the ebb.
Conger Eel 6/10
Tip: After dark with large fish baits near ledges/kelp; 80lb trace and rotten-bottom. Smaller tide nights safer; expect snags.
Three-bearded Rockling 5/10
Tip: Winter nights with small worm or squid baits dropped into holes at your feet; neap tides make it easier.
Scad (Horse Mackerel) 5/10
Tip: Warm evenings Aug–Oct; work small metals or Sabikis midwater, lights help if used. Best on the flood.
Corkwing Wrasse 5/10
Tip: Small hooks with rag or prawn under a float tight to weed-fringed rocks; calm, clear summer days.
Garfish 5/10
Tip: Float a sliver of mackerel on a long trace beside the tide run; late spring to autumn, bright days and flooding tide.
Whiting 4/10
Tip: Autumn–winter on neaps; small fish/squid baits at range or into the race after dark. Dogfish often mixed in.

Local knowledge

Foreland Point fishing guide

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

Foreland Point is a rugged headland east of Lynmouth on North Devon’s Exmoor coast, famed for deep water close in, fierce tides and spectacular scenery. It’s classic rough-ground rock fishing with real potential for quality pollack, bass, wrasse, huss and conger, but demands respect and preparation. Anglers who enjoy adventurous, mobile fishing will find this a rewarding, seldom-crowded mark.

Set within Exmoor National Park and largely owned by the National Trust, Foreland Point sits between Lynmouth and Countisbury. Access is via the South West Coast Path with steep, uneven sections; there is no vehicular access to the lighthouse compound (private). Plan for a committed walk-in and a serious climb out.

  • Best parking: National Trust car parks around Barna Barrow/Countisbury; the Blue Ball Inn area is a common reference point (approx. EX35 6NE). Pay-and-display applies; NT members usually free.
  • Approaches:
    • From Countisbury/Barna Barrow: Shorter but still taxing walk on the coast path to the headland, with side paths leading to ledges. Expect exposed slopes, steps, and loose ground.
    • From Lynmouth: A longer, more committing hike east along the coast path with sustained ascent/descent.
  • Terrain: High, rocky promontories, kelp gullies and boulder fields. Some goat tracks lead to platforms; several are extremely steep and not suitable in wet or windy weather.
  • Do not enter the lighthouse compound or descend its private access road; respect gates and signage.

This coast fishes very seasonally, with summer and early autumn the prime time for lure and float work, and nights year-round for rough-ground species. Expect powerful fish and hard-fighting sessions when tides and clarity align.

  • Spring (Apr–May):
    • Pollack (increasing through spring, better on neaps/clearer water)
    • Early wrasse (ball/cuckoo) on calmer days
    • Bass after onshore blows and in building seas
    • Dogfish, pout; occasional spurdog in the wider Bristol Channel
  • Summer (Jun–Aug):
    • Mackerel and garfish in settled spells
    • Pollack off the edges and drop-offs
    • Ball and cuckoo wrasse over kelp/reef
    • Bass at dawn/dusk, especially after some lift
    • Conger and bull huss after dark on big baits; scad in late evenings
  • Autumn (Sep–Nov):
    • Larger pollack and bass on lures
    • Huss and conger at night
    • Scad, pout; occasional whiting later on
  • Winter (Dec–Feb):
    • Conger and huss on rough ground
    • Whiting and pout in coloured water
    • Very occasional codling in the right blow; spurdog possible but unpredictable

Foreland Point rewards mobile lure fishing in good visibility and stout bottom gear after dark. The ground is unforgiving—rigs should be snag-resistant and built with abrasion in mind.

  • Lure fishing:
    • 9–10 ft lure rod rated ~20–40 g with 20–30 lb braid and 30–40 lb fluoro leader.
    • Soft plastics (weedless paddle/eel patterns, 15–20 cm) on 15–30 g jig heads for pollack/bass; metal jigs and casting spoons 20–60 g for mackerel, scad and searching.
    • Work lures along tide lines and drop-offs; count lures down and retrieve just above kelp to avoid snags.
  • Float fishing:
    • Robust float set 10–20 ft; baits include ragworm, sandeel, prawn or mackerel strip.
    • Target wrasse and pollack around ledges on neaps/settled seas.
  • Bottom fishing (rough ground/night):
    • 12–20 lb class rock rod or 4–8 oz-rated rod; 50–60 lb leader.
    • Pulley or pulley-pennel rigs with rotten-bottom links; 4/0–6/0 hooks for huss/conger.
    • Baits: Whole or half mackerel, squid, squid/mackerel cocktails, large crab baits for bass when available.
  • General tackle tips:
    • Use rotten-bottom/weak links on leads; carry spare leads and pre-tied rigs.
    • A drop net is strongly advised; landing fish from height can be difficult.
    • Headlamp with spare batteries and microspikes or grippy boots for weeded rock.

The Bristol Channel’s tidal range is huge and the run around Foreland Point can be ferocious. Plan around neaps for finesse work and expect heavy leads on springs if bottom fishing.

  • Tide states:
    • Often best the last two hours of flood and first of ebb; brief slack at HW/LW can be productive for conger/huss.
    • Neap tides favour lures and float fishing due to improved water clarity and manageable flow.
  • Sea and wind:
    • Settled, clear water with light offshore/northwesterly winds is prime for pollack, wrasse, mackerel and garfish.
    • A modest onshore lift can switch on bass; avoid big swell which rebounds dangerously off the cliffs.
  • Time of day/season:
    • Dawn/dusk for bass and pollack; summer evenings for scad/mackerel.
    • After dark year-round for huss/conger, especially around springs.
  • Leads: Expect 4–8 oz to hold bottom on stronger tides; step down on neaps or fish closer in.

This is a serious rock mark with exposure, steep paths and powerful tides. It is not suitable for inexperienced anglers, solo night sessions or anyone with limited mobility.

  • Steep, committing approaches; allow extra time for the hike in/out and avoid fatigue.
  • Slippy weeded rocks and loose ground; wear grippy footwear and consider microspikes in damp conditions.
  • Swell rebound and sudden sets are commonplace; never fish low ledges in swell and keep well back in rough seas.
  • Carry a drop net; do not climb down to land fish. Avoid gaffs to prevent deep hooking and legal issues with protected species.
  • Strong tidal currents; use lifejacket/buoyancy aid and carry a means of calling for help. Phone signal can be patchy; tell someone your plan and ETA.
  • Head torches with spares for night sessions; avoid unfamiliar ledges after dark.
  • Respect private property: no access inside the lighthouse compound or beyond locked gates.

There are no facilities on the headland; you’re on your own once you leave the car. Nearby villages provide basics before and after your session.

  • Parking: National Trust car parks around Countisbury/Barna Barrow (charges apply).
  • Toilets: Public conveniences in Lynmouth; none at the mark.
  • Food/drink: Pubs and cafés in Lynton/Lynmouth; the Blue Ball Inn at Countisbury is a common stop.
  • Tackle/bait: Limited in immediate vicinity; check shops in Ilfracombe, Barnstaple, Minehead or pre-order locally. Some garages sell frozen bait seasonally.
  • Mobile signal: Intermittent along cliffs; generally better on higher ground, poorer in gullies.

Foreland rewards careful timing and stealth. Treat it more like a rock-luring mission than a static beach session and travel light.

  • On neaps, work soft plastics tight to structure—count down to just over kelp and vary retrieve speeds; many takes come on the drop.
  • When the tide races, step back from the edges and fish eddies and seams rather than the full run.
  • A short leader of 80 lb mono above the lure clip helps against rock/kelp abrasion when pollack dive.
  • For wrasse, fresh crab or prawn outfishes worm in clear water; strike positively and keep fish up out of kelp.
  • Night huss sessions: Big, oily baits on pulley pennels and a steady trickle of chopped fish can draw them in; expect slack-line bites.
  • Keep noise and headtorch glare down near dusk—bass and pollack drift surprisingly close to the rocks in calm seas.
  • Deer and feral goats roam the slopes; give them space on narrow paths, especially in the dark.

Foreland Point lies in the Devon and Severn IFCA district and within the Bideford to Foreland Point Marine Conservation Zone. Shore angling is generally permitted, but you must follow national and local rules.

  • Access: National Trust land—keep to rights of way and respect any local signage. The lighthouse compound is private; no entry.
  • Bass: Recent rules (e.g., 2024) allowed a daily recreational bag of two bass at or above 42 cm during the open season, with catch-and-release only in closed months. These measures can change annually—check MMO/UK government updates before fishing.
  • Minimum sizes and protections: Observe UK minimum conservation/reference sizes for retained species. Berried or v-notched lobsters must not be taken; similar protections apply to some crabs—check Devon & Severn IFCA byelaws.
  • Tope and other sharks: Retention and sale of tope are restricted; best practice is immediate release for all large sharks. Never gaff protected species.
  • Bait and hand-gathering: Local byelaws may limit the taking of shellfish, crabs or worms—verify current daily limits and closed areas with D&S IFCA.
  • Litter and wildlife: No fires or camping on NT land; take all line and litter home. Avoid disturbing nesting birds and cliff wildlife.