Heddon's Mouth Fishing

Summary

Heddon's Mouth is a dramatic, boulder-strewn cove on Exmoor’s north Devon coast, where the River Heddon meets the sea below towering cliffs. It offers classic North Devon rock and boulder fishing in wild, unspoilt surroundings. Expect hard-fighting fish, challenging ground, and memorable sessions when the tide and swell align.

Location and Access

Set in the National Trust’s Heddon Valley between Combe Martin and Lynmouth, access is via a scenic riverside path from the Hunter’s Inn. The final approach is over large, slippery boulders and shingle, so travel light and wear proper footwear.

• Parking: National Trust Heddon Valley car park by the Hunter’s Inn, Parracombe (postcode EX31 4PY). NT members usually park free; otherwise pay-and-display.
• Main approach: From the car park/inn, follow the level path down the river to the cove (around 1 mile; 20–30 minutes). The last 100–200 metres are over uneven boulders.
• Alternative approaches: Steep descents from the South West Coast Path (e.g. via Trentishoe/West Side or Woody Bay) are longer and more strenuous; only for fit, experienced walkers.
• Terrain at the mark: Big rounded boulders, cobble shingle, kelp, and jagged rock ledges either side of the cove. Space is limited near high water.
• Public transport is limited; this is a remote valley with narrow lanes. Arrive early in peak season to secure parking.

Seasons

This is classic rough-ground, north-facing coast with seasonal variety. Summer brings lure sport, while autumn and winter suit bait fishing for larger nocturnal species.

• Spring (Mar–May):
  • Bass (schoolies to better fish on a building sea)
  • Pollack (from ledges and points)
  • Wrasse (ballan; increasingly active from late spring)
  • Mullet (thin- and thick-lipped around the river mouth in calm, clear water)
• Summer (Jun–Aug):
  • Pollack and mackerel (dawn/dusk; lures and float)
  • Garfish and scad (evenings, clear water)
  • Ballan wrasse (peaks mid-summer)
  • Bass (lures in fizz; bait in coloured water)
  • Pouting, poor cod; occasional cuckoo wrasse off the rougher points
• Autumn (Sep–Nov):
  • Bass (often the best period, especially after blowy spells as it settles)
  • Pollack (bigger fish at dusk into dark)
  • Huss/bull huss; conger after dark on big baits
  • Mackerel/scad lingering into October in mild years
• Winter (Dec–Feb):
  • Bull huss, conger, rockling, pouting
  • Whiting in some seasons; the odd spurdog in deeper water years
  • Occasional codling in cold snaps (rare on this section of coast)

Methods

Rough ground tactics, strong gear, and snag management are essential. Travel with a minimalist, mobile approach and pick your platforms carefully.

• Lure fishing (spring–autumn):
  • Bass: surface walkers and subsurface minnows in a light chop at first light; 20–40 g metals or 4–6 inch soft plastics when there’s tide.
  • Pollack: weedless soft plastics on 10–20 g heads or 20–40 g metals; work along the points/ledges at dusk.
  • Garfish/mackerel/scad: small metals (10–20 g), slim spoons, or 2–3 inch soft plastics on light gear.
• Float fishing:
  • Depths of 8–15 ft over kelp gullies; baits include sandeel, mackerel strip, prawn, or crab for wrasse/pollack/gar.
  • Use streamlined floats and fluorocarbon leaders for clear water mullet and gar.
• Bottom fishing (evening/night or in coloured water):
  • Rigs: pulley or pulley pennel (4/0–5/0) with a rotten-bottom/weak link; up-and-over for distance if needed.
  • Baits: peeler crab, squid, mackerel, sandeel; crab/squid cocktails for huss; whole squid or large fish baits for conger after dark.
  • Snoods short and abrasion-resistant; 25–60 lb leaders and tough mono/fluoro.
• Wrasse tactics:
  • Float-fished or freelined hardback/peeler crab; or weedless soft plastics (2/0–4/0) around kelp gullies.
  • Unhook quickly and release—wrasse are slow-growing and valuable to the ecosystem.
• Gear notes:
  • 10–11 ft lure rod (15–40 g) with 20–30 lb braid for lures; 12–13 ft 4–6 oz beach/rock rod and 25–30 lb mono or 40–50 lb braid for bait.
  • Always incorporate a weak link below the lead; expect snags.

Tides and Conditions

This north-facing cove is driven by Bristol Channel tides and swell. Reading the sea is key to success and safety.

• Tide state:
  • Flood to high typically fishes best for bass pushing into the boulders; last 2 hours of the flood can be excellent.
  • Over the top into the first of the ebb for pollack from the points; avoid being cut off on ledges.
  • Neaps suit lure and float work in clearer water; springs create more movement but also more weed and snags.
• Sea and wind:
  • A gentle to moderate swell with some fizz is ideal for bass; too much northerly swell makes it unfishable and dangerous.
  • Clear, calmer water favours pollack/gar/mackerel; coloured water after a blow brings bass closer.
  • Offshore/southerly winds flatten the cove; strong northerlies pile swell straight in.
• Time of day and season:
  • Dawn/dusk prime for lures and float; night sessions for huss/conger.
  • Late summer to late autumn often produces the best mixed bags.

Safety

This is a committing, rough-ground mark beneath high cliffs. Plan conservatively and treat swell forecasts with respect.

• Footing: Large rounded boulders, slime and kelp—use studded boots or rock spikes; wading staffs can help.
• Swell and tide: North-facing and exposed; rogue sets surge across the boulders. Never fish close to the waterline in swell; watch for rapid flooding on springs and avoid ledges that can cut off.
• Rockfall: Steep friable cliffs—don’t linger under overhangs; helmets are sensible on ledges.
• Night fishing: Headtorch plus spare, glow sticks on gear, and a clear exit route; avoid solo night sessions.
• Clothing/PPE: Wear a PFD/lifejacket, carry a knife to cut free from snags, and pack a first-aid kit.
• Mobile signal: Often patchy at the beach; better near the valley/inn. Tell someone your plan and ETA.
• Accessibility: The riverside path is level and well-made, but the final approach is over big boulders; not suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs, or limited mobility.
• Wildlife/seasonal: Ground-nesting and cliff-nesting birds (spring–summer); keep noise down and avoid climbing near nest sites. Ticks can be present in bracken—check after your trip.

Facilities

Facilities are concentrated at the National Trust hub around the Hunter’s Inn; the beach itself is wild with no amenities.

• Toilets: Near the NT car park/Hunter’s Inn (check seasonal opening hours).
• Food/drink: Hunter’s Inn serves meals and refreshments; hours vary by season.
• Tackle/bait: Nearest options in Combe Martin, Ilfracombe, and Barnstaple; buy bait before you go—none at the cove.
• Parking: NT pay-and-display at Heddon Valley; limited roadside alternatives on narrow lanes.
• Phone/data: Intermittent in the valley; usually weak or none at the beach.
• Lighting/water: No lighting, no potable water—bring everything you need in and take all litter out.

Tips

Small adjustments and local habits make a big difference on this mark.

• Rotten-bottoms are mandatory: carry spare weak-link leaders and clips; a 10–15 lb mono weak link below the lead saves end tackle.
• Work the edges at dawn: bass often cruise the first line of boulders—keep moving and fan your casts.
• Colour lines count: after a blow, fish the boundary where river-stained water meets clearer sea; lures or big crab baits.
• Crab activity is high: in summer/autumn, use tougher baits (squid, crab/squid cocktail) or rebait frequently.
• Mullet are spooky: scale down to 6–8 lb fluoro, size 6–10 hooks, and bread flake or mashed bread feed; keep noise to a minimum.
• Birds show the bait: terns and gulls reveal sandeel/mackerel—switch to metals or small SPs when they’re working.
• Respect the setting: this is National Trust and Exmoor—no fires or BBQs, keep dogs under close control near livestock, and pack out every scrap.

Regulations

Heddon’s Mouth lies within Exmoor National Park and the National Trust’s Heddon Valley, and along the Bideford to Foreland Point Marine Conservation Zone. Recreational rod-and-line sea angling from the shore is generally permitted here, but you must follow current national and local rules.

• Access/landowner: National Trust land—no camping, no fires/BBQs, and follow local signage. Fishing from the shoreline is commonly tolerated; if any temporary restrictions/signs are posted on the day, comply.
• Marine Conservation Zone: Bideford to Foreland Point MCZ includes this coastline. MCZs can restrict certain gears; rod-and-line angling has been permitted at time of writing. Check for updates before your trip.
• Local byelaws: Devon & Severn IFCA byelaws apply on this coast (e.g. gear restrictions, MLS guidance, intertidal collecting rules). Do not damage or remove living reef/kelp and avoid turning boulders for bait.
• Minimum sizes and protected species: Observe UK national MLS and protected species rules. Return wrasse in good condition; handle conger/huss carefully and release if not kept for consumption.
• European seabass: Bass rules (bag limits, seasons, 42 cm minimum size) are updated periodically. Always check the latest MMO/DEFRA notice before retaining any bass.
• General: No littering, no leaving line/terminal tackle; respect seasonal bird nesting and seal haul-outs. In emergencies dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.