Summary
Gammon Head is a rugged headland on the South Devon coast between Gara Rock and Prawle Point, in the South Hams. It’s classic rock-fishing country: deep water close in, kelp-filled gullies, and fast-moving tide lines that draw predators within casting range. Anglers come here for quality wrasse and pollack, with a real chance of bass in the right sea.
Location and Access
Set on the South West Coast Path, Gammon Head is reached by a scenic but demanding walk and short scrambles to reach fishable ledges. Travel light, plan your exit routes, and expect uneven ground and exposure to wind and swell.
- Approach from East Prawle: park in the village car park (around TQ7 2BY) or continue via narrow lanes to the National Trust car park by Prawle Point; then walk west along the Coast Path to the headland (roughly 20–40 minutes depending on start point).
- Approach from the Gara Rock/East Portlemouth side: use signed car parks above the coast near Gara Rock or East Portlemouth and follow the path east; expect a longer, hillier walk (45–75 minutes+).
- Terrain is a mix of grassy clifftop path, rocky steps, and sheep tracks; final access to lower ledges involves steep, sometimes exposed scrambles.
- The mark sits on National Trust coastline; keep to waymarked paths across grazed land, close gates, and respect any temporary diversions for erosion or nesting birds.
- No street lighting and very limited signage at night; take a headtorch, spare batteries, and a paper map/OS app download.
Seasons
The headland’s broken ground, drop-offs and tide seams hold species year-round, with the summer–autumn window the most productive. Expect quality rather than quantity when targeting larger fish.
- Spring (Apr–May): pollack, early ballan wrasse, bass on calmer, clear evenings; chance of garfish late spring.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): ballan and corkwing wrasse, pollack, mackerel, garfish, scad at dusk/night; occasional bass on lures or livebaits.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): peak bass time in a bit of sea, chunky pollack at dusk, mackerel/scad shoals, conger after dark, shore rockling.
- Winter (Dec–Mar): fewer options but still pollack in settled spells, conger and rockling after dark; dogfish possible on cleaner patches.
- Notable by-catch: pout, poor cod, small wrasse species on LRF; very occasional bream reported in hot, clear summers but not reliable.
Methods
Rock-fishing tactics dominate here, with lure and float methods reducing snagging in the kelp and boulders. Simple, robust setups land more fish and lose fewer rigs.
- Lures: weedless soft plastics (sandeel or paddle-tail 10–20 g) for pollack and bass; metal jigs/spoons for mackerel/scad; surface/sub-surface hard lures at first/last light for bass on fizzed seas.
- Float fishing: 12–20 g floats with ragworm, prawn or soft crab for wrasse; sandeel/strip for pollack and garfish. Set 8–15 ft and adjust to work the rock edges and gullies.
- Bottom fishing: use pulley or pulley-dropper with a weak-link (rotten-bottom) lead. Big mackerel/squid baits for conger after dark; worm/crab for wrasse. Expect heavy kelp—keep hooks strong and traces abrasion-resistant.
- LRF/HRF: small metal jigs and isome on size 10–6 hooks pick out corkwing, pout and mini species when it’s slow; scale up to HRF gear for ballans.
- Tackle notes: 9–10 ft lure rod (10–40 g) with 20–30 lb braid and fluorocarbon leader; for bottom work, 12–20 lb class rods with 40–60 lb leaders. A drop net helps on higher ledges.
Tides and Conditions
Tide pressure and water movement around the headland are key. Fish the side with a working tide and avoid big onshore swell.
- Best states: first half of the flood and the last of the ebb often fish well as current wraps around the head; dusk into darkness is prime for pollack and bass.
- Conditions: a gentle northerly or light offshore gives clear water for wrasse and pollack on lures/floats. A modest SW push with some colour can switch on the bass; too much swell makes it dangerous and unproductive.
- Water clarity: after a blow, give it 24–48 hours to clear for wrasse and sight-led lure work. Night sessions can still produce conger and scad in coloured water.
- Casting distance: not critical—many fish patrol tight to the rock line and along kelp edges; work baits and lures down the face and into gullies.
- Springs vs neaps: neaps are kinder for presentation and safety; during springs, expect stronger tide run and plan your platform accordingly.
Safety
This is a serious rock mark with exposure to swell, heights and changeable weather. It is unsuitable for inexperienced anglers or anyone with limited mobility.
- Steep, uneven paths and exposed scrambles to lower ledges; sturdy boots, gloves and a sensible load-out are essential.
- Swell risk: rogue waves can wash low platforms even in moderate seas—wear a buoyancy aid/lifejacket, use a waist belt on waders, and fish higher if in doubt.
- Snaggy ground and sharp rock—carry a knife, spare leaders, and eye protection; expect kit losses.
- Night fishing: plan entry/exit in daylight, carry two headtorches, and avoid going alone; agree escape routes before the tide turns.
- Seasonal notes: livestock on clifftops, ticks in summer, and adders on warm days; give all wildlife space and check for any temporary nesting closures.
- Mobile signal is patchy; tell someone your plan and timings, and note the nearest access points back to the main path.
Facilities
The headland itself has no amenities, so bring everything you need and pack out all waste. Nearest services are in East Prawle, Salcombe and Kingsbridge.
- Parking: East Prawle village car park (approx TQ7 2BY) and National Trust parking near Prawle Point (narrow lanes). Limited seasonal parking near Gara Rock/East Portlemouth for the longer approach.
- Toilets: seasonal facilities at East Prawle and some National Trust car parks; none at the mark.
- Food and drink: pub and café options in East Prawle; more choice in Salcombe/Kingsbridge.
- Tackle/bait: head to Kingsbridge or Dartmouth for tackle shops and fresh/frozen bait; availability in Salcombe can be limited—phone ahead.
- Phone signal: variable; generally better on higher ground, unreliable on ledges.
Tips
Gammon Head rewards stealth and precision more than brute casting. Get your presentation tight to the structure and be ready to steer fish hard away from the kelp.
- Use weedless hooks and rotten-bottom leads to beat the snags; keep leaders long and abrasion-resistant.
- Work lures down the rock face on a slow count—most pollack hit on the drop; pause near ledges then lift to trigger takes.
- For wrasse, soft crab or prawn often out-fishes worm in clear water; struck bites firmly and apply immediate pressure.
- A small chum bag (mashy mackerel) can pull garfish and scad into float range on calm evenings.
- Carry a compact drop net for safe landing from higher perches; avoid hand-lining fish up sharp rock.
- Practice catch and release for big ballan wrasse—they’re slow-growing and key to the reef’s health.
- Expect coasteerers, kayaks and the odd dive boat on calm weekends; avoid casting over water users and choose quieter times for best fishing.
Regulations
There is no specific ban on angling at Gammon Head, but standard national and local rules apply. This coastline includes protected areas where damaging activities are restricted—rod-and-line fishing is generally permitted.
- Marine designations: within broader protected sites (e.g., SAC/SSSI). Stay on paths and avoid disturbing nesting birds; do not hammer limpets or damage reef features.
- Bass: England-wide recreational rules apply. In recent years this has included a minimum size of 42 cm and a limited open retention season with a daily bag limit. These can change—check the latest MMO guidance before you go.
- Other sizes/bags: follow current UK minimum conservation reference sizes and any Devon & Severn IFCA byelaws for species like crab/lobster; all berried lobsters and v-notched individuals must be returned.
- Night fishing is allowed; no camping or fires on the headland (National Trust). Pack out all litter and line.
- Safety: lifejackets strongly recommended on rock marks; fish within your limits and abandon the session if swell or wind picks up.
- If unsure about seasonal or temporary access restrictions, check National Trust/local council notices and the South West Coast Path updates before your trip.
