Ilfracombe Capstone Fishing

Summary

Capstone is the rocky headland and promenade that divides Ilfracombe’s harbour from Wildersmouth Beach on the North Devon coast. It offers quick, town-centre access to deep, kelpy water and swift tidal run—perfect for mackerel, pollack, wrasse and night-time conger. It’s a classic, convenient rock mark that rewards careful lure and float work when the sea allows.

Location and Access

Set on the seaward side of Capstone Hill, the mark is essentially the Capstone Parade walkway and adjoining rock ledges. It’s central, easy to reach, and fishes straight into tide-swept, rough ground close in.

• Access via steps/ramps from the seafront by the Landmark Theatre end (Wildersmouth) and from the harbour/St James Place side.
• Pay-and-display parking in Ilfracombe town and by the harbour; arrive early in summer and evenings as spaces fill quickly.
• The walk is 5–10 minutes on a hard surface; some sections include steps and steeper bits.
• Fishing positions range from behind railings on the Parade to small rock alcoves/ledges reached by short flights of steps.
• Underfoot can be damp and greasy with spray, algae and cliff seepage—sturdy boots are advised.

Seasons

A mixed, rough-ground venue with seasonal variety. Expect pelagic species in clear, settled summer seas and rock dwellers around the kelp all year.

• Spring: Pollack, ballan and corkwing wrasse, early garfish; the odd bass on lures in a light swell.
• Summer: Mackerel, scad (horse mackerel) after dark, garfish, pollack, wrasse, bass on lures, conger and pout at night. Occasional late-summer triggerfish in warm, calm spells.
• Autumn: Mackerel tapering off, scad and pout at night, bass in lively water, wrasse and pollack on the rough.
• Winter: Whiting on darker nights, conger from the holes and kelp edges, rockling; very occasional codling in colder snaps.

Methods

Both mobile lure fishing and static rigs work here, but the ground is snaggy—adjust tactics to keep gear moving and use weak links.

• Spinning/lures: 20–40 g metals for mackerel/scad; small to medium paddletails or weedless soft plastics (10–20 g heads) for pollack and bass. Count lures down and work them just above the kelp.
• Float fishing: Set at mid-water to just above the weed line; baits include sandeel, prawn, ragworm or mackerel strip. Excellent for garfish, pollack and wrasse in daylight.
• Ledgering: Single-hook paternoster or light pulley with a rotten-bottom/weak link. 3–5 oz leads depending on tide run. Baits: mackerel or squid for conger/pout; peeler/crab or big worm cocktails for bass.
• Feathers/sabikis: Use 2–4 small hooks rather than big festival strings to reduce tangles and avoid fouling seabirds—especially on a busy promenade.
• Hardware: A long-handled drop net is strongly recommended for safe landing from height; avoid gaffs. Headtorch and spare clips/weak links save time after dark.

Tides and Conditions

Capstone fishes on both tides, but flow is pronounced; aim to present baits and lures just above the rough. Dusk and dawn are prime; night unlocks conger, scad and pout.

• Tide: Often best from mid-flood to high and into the first of the ebb; neaps are easier to control gear, springs demand heavier leads.
• Sea state: Light to moderate swell helps bass and pollack; avoid heavy W–NW swell that throws water over the Parade. Clear, settled water favours mackerel, gar and wrasse.
• Wind: Easterlies flatten and clear the sea (good for pelagics/wrasse); a gentle onshore can liven predators but watch for overtopping.
• Light: Dawn/dusk are peak for mackerel, pollack and bass; full dark for conger, pout and scad.
• Water colour: A hint of colour is fine; chocolatey runoff after rain slows the fishing—walk to find cleaner lanes.

Safety

This is an exposed, tide-washed rock promenade with height, swell and pedestrians to consider. Choose conditions carefully and treat waves with respect.

• Wear a lifejacket, grippy boots and carry a headtorch; keep clear of the outside of railings and do not climb down wet faces.
• Do not fish if waves are washing the Parade—watch the sea for 10–15 minutes before setting up and relocate if the wind/swell increases.
• Use a drop net for landing; hauling fish hand-over-hand risks falls and lost fish.
• Ground is snaggy: use weak links/rotten-bottoms and fish slightly uptide to reduce hang-ups.
• The walkway is popular with the public—look behind before casting and avoid busy pinch points.
• Accessibility: Much of the surface is firm and fairly level, but there are steps at access points and along sections; wheelchair access for fishing is limited and dependent on the exact spot.

Facilities

It’s a town-centre mark with plenty of amenities close at hand, though they can be seasonal and busy.

• Public toilets near the seafront and harbour; check seasonal opening times.
• Cafés, pubs and takeaways within a few minutes’ walk on St James Place and around the Landmark Theatre.
• Pay-and-display parking in the town/harbour area; spaces fill quickly in summer and on fine evenings.
• Bait and tackle: Seasonal frozen bait may be available around the harbour; for fresh bait or specialist tackle, consider sourcing ahead elsewhere in North Devon or pre-ordering.
• Mobile reception is generally good; seating and shelters exist along the promenade but aren’t ideal fishing stations.

Tips

Tiny adjustments make big differences here—fish just above the rough and keep mobile to locate life.

• Count lures down: if you’re snagging, start your retrieve sooner; pollack often hit 10–20 seconds down.
• When mackerel show, a single 20–30 g metal out-fishes big feather strings and is safer among pedestrians and gulls.
• For wrasse, present crab or prawn hard against kelp edges with a float; strike positively and keep fish up and moving.
• After rain, cliff seepage colours the water in streaks—walk 50–100 m to find clearer lanes.
• Seals regularly patrol; when one appears, switch to wrasse in tight or move along the Parade.
• Bring spare end gear, weak links and a drop net; losing a fish at the wall is more common than losing it in the fight.

Regulations

Rules change—check current national limits and local byelaws before you fish. When in doubt, return fish in good condition.

• Harbour byelaws: Ilfracombe Harbour prohibits fishing from certain piers/quays; observe signage near the harbour and Cheyne Beach. Capstone is outside the harbour limits but respect any posted restrictions.
• Bathing zones: In the summer season, do not fish into lifeguarded/flagged bathing areas around Wildersmouth; comply with RNLI or council staff requests.
• Bass: As of 2024 in England, recreational bass fishing has a 42 cm minimum size and a limited open season with a daily bag limit (typically two fish when open) and catch-and-release only during closed periods—check MMO/IFCA updates for current dates.
• Minimum sizes: Follow UK minimum conservation reference sizes for common species (e.g., pollack, cod, rays). If unsure, measure and release.
• Shellfish: Devon and Severn IFCA byelaws apply—berried lobsters must be returned and size limits apply to crabs/lobsters; check the latest IFCA notices.
• Marine Protected Areas: Parts of the North Devon coast lie within MCZs; rod-and-line angling is generally permitted, but stay updated on any specific restrictions.
• Litter and wildlife: Take all line and litter home and avoid feeding gulls or seals—both are enforceable issues on busy days.