Jacobs Ladder Beach Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Jacobs Ladder Beach Fishing Map

Jacob's Ladder Beach in Sidmouth, Devon is a mixed shingle and sand beach backed by striking red sandstone cliffs, with reefy, kelp-lined ground and extensive rockpools at lower tides. Anglers typically fish the western end around the ladder/Connaught Gardens rocks and the adjacent clean-to-mixed ground. Summer brings clear water and pelagics; the rougher ground consistently holds wrasse, gobies and blennies. Best results are usually at dawn/dusk on a flooding tide. Access is straightforward via the promenade and the Jacob's Ladder steps; take care with slippery weeded rocks, swell rebound off the cliffs, and occasional cliff-fall warnings. It fishes well in settled seas and on small to moderate swells; avoid busy bathing times in peak summer.

Ratings

⭐ 6.9/10 Overall
Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 6/10
Accessibility 7/10

Fish You Can Catch at Jacobs Ladder Beach

🐟 Bass 8/10
🎯 Tip: Dawn/dusk on a flooding tide; work surface lures or fish crab/sandeel into the surf and along reef edges, especially after a blow.
🐟 Mackerel 7/10
🎯 Tip: Summer evenings; cast metals or feathers to showing fish. Watch for birds. Best on a rising tide in settled seas.
🐟 Pollack 6/10
🎯 Tip: Work soft plastics or metal jigs tight to the rocky west-end ground at dusk or after dark on a flood.
🐟 Pouting 6/10
🎯 Tip: Night over mixed/rough ground; small fish baits or rag on 2-hook flappers cast just beyond the shingle scarp. Mid to high water.
🐟 Scad (Horse Mackerel) 6/10
🎯 Tip: Late summer nights; small sabikis under a float or slow-jigged metals. A headlamp on the water helps. Best from mid tide up.
🐟 Ballan Wrasse 6/10
🎯 Tip: Daylight on the flood; fish crab or rag under a float or simple ledger tight to rocks/kelp at the western end.
🐟 Whiting 5/10
🎯 Tip: Winter nights; small mackerel or lug strips on size 2 hooks at 40-70 m. Glow beads can help. Fish mid to high.
🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 5/10
🎯 Tip: Evenings/nights year-round; use squid or mackerel on a simple ledger over mixed ground. Best on a flooding tide.
🐟 Garfish 5/10
🎯 Tip: Late spring to autumn; float-fished sandeel or strip near the surface in clear, calm conditions. Mid to high tide.
🐟 Conger Eel 4/10
🎯 Tip: Night around bouldery reef under the cliffs; big fish or squid baits on strong gear. Fish the flood and first of the ebb.

Jacobs Ladder Beach Fishing

Summary

Jacob’s Ladder Beach sits at the western end of Sidmouth, East Devon, beneath the red sandstone cliffs and Connaught Gardens. It’s a classic steep shingle-and-reef mark on the edge of Lyme Bay, offering seasonal lure sport, wrasse and pollack around the ledges, and night fishing for dogs and winter whiting. The scenery is superb and the ground variety lets you switch between rocky gullies at low water and deeper shingle close in at high.

Location and Access

The mark is at the west end of Sidmouth seafront, below Connaught Gardens and the white wooden steps known as Jacob’s Ladder. Access is straightforward, but you’ll be working with steep shingle and some steps depending on your approach.

Seasons

The mix here changes with the seasons and the tidal range. Expect summer lure and float sport, with quieter but worthwhile winter nights on bait.

Methods

You can fish this beach with lures, floats, or bottom rigs depending on tide state and ground you choose. Travel light and adapt as the reef shows or covers.

Tides and Conditions

Jacob’s Ladder fishes differently as the reef shows on the ebb and the shingle deepens at high water. Plan around light levels and sea state more than raw tide height.

Safety

This is a steep shingle and rock mark beneath crumbly cliffs—treat it with respect. Plan exits, watch the backwash, and avoid being cut off on the ledges.

Facilities

Sidmouth is a well-served seaside town, and the Jacob’s Ladder end has good amenities close by. Expect crowds on fine summer days.

Tips

Treat it like two marks: an intertidal reef venue at low water and a steep shingle beach at mid-to-high. Pack a light lure rod and a simple bait rod so you can switch quickly.

Regulations

There is no general ban on recreational sea angling at Jacob’s Ladder Beach, but you must follow national and local rules. Always check current notices on-site and the latest byelaws before you fish.