Summary
Hele Bay is a small, picturesque cove on the eastern side of Ilfracombe, North Devon, with a shingle/sand beach framed by kelpy rock ledges. It’s an accessible, family-friendly mark that still offers proper rough-ground sport, especially for wrasse, pollack, bass and nocturnal huss. Fish it for variety on a calm summer evening or for dogfish, pout and the odd winter whiting after dark.
Location and Access
Hele Bay sits just east of Ilfracombe and is one of the easiest North Devon rock-and-beach combos to reach. Access is straightforward with short walks onto the beach and slightly more care needed for the rock ledges either side of the cove.
- Drive from Ilfracombe centre towards Hele via the A399 and follow signs to Hele Bay; the beach is at the end of Beach Road.
- Pay-and-display car park close to the beach; typical postcode for sat nav: EX34 9QZ (use as a guide only).
- From the car park it’s a short stroll to the shingle; there’s a concrete slipway and steps down to the top of the beach.
- Rock options: both east and west sides provide ledges and gullies; footing is uneven with weed-covered rock and kelp. Take time to pick a safe perch at low water if planning a longer session.
- Terrain: mixed shingle/sand inside the bay with heavy kelp and boulder ground toward the headlands; rough ground beyond short casting range.
Seasons
This is a mixed-ground venue with classic North Devon species. Expect wrasse and pollack in season, bass on the push, and dogfish and pout after dark.
- Spring (Mar–May):
- Bass (schoolies building into May, especially after a blow and on dull days)
- Pollack (lure and float tactics from the rocks)
- Rockling, pout on bottom rigs
- Summer (Jun–Aug):
- Ballan and corkwing wrasse (rocky fringes)
- Pollack, mackerel and garfish (calm, clear evenings)
- Bass (dawn/dusk, some fish in the shore dump on a small swell)
- Scad (horse mackerel) at dusk into dark
- Dogfish (constant after dark)
- Autumn (Sep–Nov):
- Bass (often the best chance of a better fish in onshore conditions)
- Pollack (dusk lures), wrasse (into Oct in mild spells)
- Bull huss (occasional, rough ground, after dark)
- Whiting and pout appearing late autumn
- Winter (Dec–Feb):
- Whiting, pout, rockling on the beach at night
- Conger eel (occasional from deeper rock edges after dark)
- Very occasional codling in a big northerly blow (uncommon here)
- Occasional visitors:
- Small-eyed ray from the sandy patches near the bay mouth (rare but possible on settled summer nights)
- Triggerfish in warm summers around the kelp (sporadic years)
Methods
The mark lends itself to a mix of rough-ground bottom fishing, float fishing along the kelp edges, and light lure work for pollack and bass. Choose tactics based on swell, clarity and snags.
- Bottom fishing (rocks/beach):
- Pulley or pulley-dropper with a weak/rotten-bottom link; 3/0–4/0 for huss/bass, 1/0–2/0 for general work.
- 2–3 hook flapper (size 2–1) on the beach for whiting, pout, small bass; keep leads just heavy enough to hold.
- Baits: peeler or hard crab for wrasse/bass, rag/lug for variety, squid/mackerel/sandeel for dogs, huss and rays.
- Float fishing (rocks):
- Set depths to fish just above kelp; ragworm, prawn, small crab, mackerel strip for wrasse, pollack and gar.
- Drifts along the gullies on a flooding tide are productive.
- Lure fishing:
- Weedless soft plastics (paddle- and eel-style) for pollack/bass around first and last light.
- Metals and slim spoons for mackerel/scad when shoals show; keep retrieves high to avoid weed.
- Surface or subsurface hard lures for bass over the outer sand/reef line in a light surf.
- Timing and positioning:
- Short-to-medium casting is often best; many fish patrol tight to the kelp and sand/rock seams.
- Dusk into dark boosts bites from dogfish, huss, pout and conger; dawn favours bass and pollack on lures.
Tides and Conditions
Hele Bay fishes through the range, but depth and access change markedly with the tide. Plan around swell and weed, which can be heavy after blows.
- Tide state:
- Flooding tide into the last two hours of the push and the first hour of the ebb is a strong window, especially from the rocks.
- Mid to high water brings depth to the ledges; low water reveals routes and gullies to target later.
- Sea state and clarity:
- Light onshore ripple with a hint of colour is ideal for bass on baits; clear, calm evenings suit lures and float tactics.
- Big northerly or north-westerly swell can make the rocks unfishable and dangerous; retreat to the beach or postpone.
- Tidal flow:
- Inside the bay is manageable; outside the mouths the Bristol Channel flow is powerful on springs—fish neaps or tuck in tight to structure.
- Time of day/seasonality:
- Dawn/dusk for bass and pollack; full dark for dogs, huss and conger.
- Peak wrasse sport is late spring to early autumn; pelagics (mackerel/gar/scad) arrive in settled summer spells.
Safety
Rough ground and tidal cut-offs are the main hazards. Treat the ledges with respect and plan exits before you start fishing.
- Rock safety:
- Weed-covered rock is extremely slippery; wear cleated boots or rock spikes and consider a flotation aid/lifejacket.
- Know your cut-off points on both sides of the bay; some ledges become isolated on a fast flood.
- Avoid big-swell days; rogue waves rebound off the cliffs and can wash gear.
- Snag management:
- Use weak links/rotten bottoms for leads and keep retrieves high to clear kelp.
- Night fishing:
- Take a headtorch plus spare light; mark a safe route off the rocks while it’s daylight.
- Accessibility:
- Short, sloped access to the beach via a slipway is relatively gentle, but the shingle is soft; rock marks are not suitable for limited mobility.
- Bathing areas:
- In summer, expect swimmers and kayaks in the inner bay; avoid casting near people and consider evening or shoulder-season sessions.
Facilities
Hele Bay has handy amenities close by, with more options in Ilfracombe a short drive away. Expect seasonal opening times for some services.
- Toilets near the beach/car park (often daytime/seasonal opening).
- Beach shop/café and a pub in Hele village within walking distance.
- Tackle and bait: Ilfracombe has angling shops for fresh/frozen bait, rigs and licenses/consumables.
- Bins in the car park area—pack out all line and litter if full.
- Mobile signal can be patchy by the cliffs; it usually improves higher up the road.
Tips
This venue rewards tidy presentation and fishing tight to features. Think short casts, strong abrasion resistance and stealth at prime times.
- Use 40–60 lb shock/leader and abrasion-resistant snoods over the kelp; check traces frequently.
- For wrasse, fish crab or rag baits hard on the edge of the kelp; bites often come quickly—strike positively and keep the fish moving.
- For bass, try an hour either side of dusk on a small pushing tide with a subtle soft plastic or a whole sandeel on a pulley dropper.
- Carry a long-handled net or gaff alternative (where safe and legal) for landing fish below ledges; many spots have an awkward lip.
- In summer, switch to small metals or sabiki-style rigs at dusk for scad and mackerel—keep them high in the water to dodge weed.
- Arrive at low water to scout safe perches and identify gullies you’ll target on the flood.
- Parking is limited on hot days; get there early or fish evenings when the beach is quieter.
Regulations
Angling is generally permitted at Hele Bay, but always follow national and local rules and any on-site signage. Regulations change—check before you go.
- Minimum sizes and species protections: Comply with UK MMO/CEFAS minimum conservation reference sizes for sea fish.
- Bass rules: Seasonal bag limits, size limits and closed periods apply to recreational bass—check current MMO guidance for dates and allowances before retaining any fish.
- IFCA byelaws: Devon & Severn IFCA sets local byelaws on netting, potting, and some bait-collection practices; review their latest notices if you intend to gather bait or fish regularly.
- Marine protected areas: This coastline falls within wider conservation designations; recreational line angling is generally allowed, but extra care is expected—avoid damaging reefs and do not remove undersized shellfish or excessive intertidal life.
- Beach use and summer zones: If any seasonal bathing zones or local notices are in place, do not fish within marked areas and always prioritise public safety.
- General conduct: No littering or discarding line/weights; respect private property and keep clear of cliff falls, pot lines and boat channels.
