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Devon

Lee Bay

7.1 · Rocks · Devon

A compact, rocky cove between Ilfracombe and Woolacombe with kelp-filled gullies, ledges and a small pocket beach. Access is via the village of Lee with a short walk from the car park; some scrambling is needed to reach the outer rocks. Best results come on a flooding tide into mid-to-high water: clear, calm days suit wrasse and mullet, while dusk into darkness brings pollack, pouting and scad. The ground is very rough with snaggy kelp, swell rebound and potential tidal cut-offs on the outer ledges—use sturdy footwear, check the forecast and know your exit routes.

Should you fish Lee Bay?

53 Fair

Today · Best window

Best window: 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide

Most likely species: Ballan Wrasse and Corkwing Wrasse

Fair conditions. Best around 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide. Good chance of Ballan Wrasse and Corkwing Wrasse.

W 5 mph Rain 19% High tide 11:39

Fishable, but pick your timing carefully.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for Lee Bay — 7-day forecast

Scores and best windows are weighted for .

Met Office Met Office · Open-Meteo

Where the data comes from. Weather and sea-state readings come from the Met Office and Open-Meteo forecast models, refreshed several times a day. High and low water are taken from tide-station predictions for this stretch of coast.

How the score works. Each window is scored 0–100 from the signals that most reliably move fish inshore: tide movement (a running tide carries food, so the last of the flood and first of the ebb are usually the prime spells), wind speed and direction (onshore wind stirs food into the surf — up to the point it makes fishing hard), sea state (a little wave and swell movement helps, heavy swell hurts), and weather — rain, temperature and light. Behind the headline number we score bite opportunity and comfort separately, and run a separate safety check on wind and swell. The size of the tide counts too: spring tides move more water than neaps, so the tidal range for this stretch of coast is weighed alongside the tide's direction, your target species and this mark — and unusually big springs strengthen the safety check, because the water rises faster and covers more ground.

Your target species counts. Pick a species below and the score also weights what we know about it — its season, preferred sea temperature, tide stage and sea state, and whether it feeds by day or night.

The rating is guidance, not a guarantee — conditions change fast on the coast, so always judge the sea in front of you before you fish.

Wednesday looks better than today. Unlock the week to see its score and exact window.

· windows & tide

Spring vs neap tides. Spring tides have a larger difference between high and low water, so more water moves on each tide — usually stronger flow that stirs up food and gets fish feeding. Neap tides have a smaller range and generally gentler movement. The range here is compared with what is normal for this stretch of coast, and the cycle swings between springs and neaps roughly every week, following the moon.

Big spring tides: the water rises faster and covers more ground than usual — double-check access routes and cut-off points before you fish.

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Lee Bay is a compact rough-ground cove where the main decision is whether to fish safely from the inner beach/near ledges or commit to the outer rocky flanks. The mark usually rewards a flooding tide into mid-to-high water, especially when depth covers the kelp and gullies. In clear, calm conditions it is a wrasse, pollack, garfish and mullet venue; with some colour and manageable movement it can produce bass, while darkness brings pouting, dogfish, huss, conger and occasional scad-style sport. The ground is very snaggy, so presentations need to stay above kelp or be rigged to lose leads rather than fish.

  • Know when to fish the outer flanks and when to stay inside the cove
  • Use the flood correctly over Lee Bay’s kelp-filled gullies
  • Pick wrasse, pollack, bass or night baits by conditions
  • Avoid the tide and swell traps that spoil this mark fast
  • Rig for rough ground so you lose fewer fish to the kelp

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Woolacombe 2.3 mi Ilfracombe 2.9 mi Chambercombe 3.0 mi Georgeham 4.6 mi Croyde 5.3 mi

Explore nearby towns: Woolacombe · Ilfracombe · Chambercombe · Georgeham · Croyde

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Forecast tuning currently supports Bass and Mackerel — more species are on the way.

Overall rating

7.1 /10

Blend of catch potential, access, safety, and overall experience.

Category scores

Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 5/10
Accessibility 6/10

Ballan Wrasse 8/10
Tip: Crab or ragworm into kelp-filled gullies on the flood; summer–autumn. Strong gear; expect snags.
Bass 7/10
Tip: Plugs or soft plastics in surfy corners on a rising tide or first of the ebb after a blow; late spring–autumn.
Pollack 7/10
Tip: Small metals/soft plastics worked at dawn/dusk along the kelp line from the points; flooding tide to high.
Pouting 6/10
Tip: Two-hook paternoster with small squid/worm baits into rough ground; best after dark, especially autumn–winter.
Lesser Spotted Dogfish 6/10
Tip: Small fish/squid baits on long snoods to sandy patches at night; easier on neap tides.
Mackerel 6/10
Tip: Summer shoals; feathers or 20–40 g metals at range from the headlands, best on the evening flood. Watch swell.
Corkwing Wrasse 6/10
Tip: Float-fish rag or prawn tight to boulders and weed in settled seas; mid tide up in summer.
Bull Huss 5/10
Tip: Large fish baits at night cast to kelp edges; slack to first of flood. Expect rough-ground snags.
Rock Goby 5/10
Tip: Tiny hooks and rag/sabiki dropped into rock pools and ledges on the flood; calm, clear days.
Conger Eel 5/10
Tip: After dark, big fish/squid baits into deep gullies; favor neap tides and use heavy trace/abrasion-resistant line.
Garfish 5/10
Tip: Float-fish slivers of mackerel midwater in clear water from points; late spring–autumn on the flood.

Local knowledge

Lee Bay fishing guide

Practical access, seasons, methods, tides, safety and facilities for this mark.

Lee Bay sits between Ilfracombe and Woolacombe on North Devon’s rugged Atlantic coast, a pretty, steep-sided cove fringed by kelpy reefs and slate ledges. It’s a classic rock mark for wrasse, pollack and night-time conger/huss, with bass in the right surf and mullet nosing around the creek in calm, clear weather.

Tucked below the village of Lee, access is via very narrow Devon lanes from the A361/B3343; take your time and use passing places. Parking is by the bay with a short stroll to the shingle and rock platforms on either flank (approx postcode: EX34 8LR).

  • Small council car park near the beach; seasonal charges; arrive early in summer.
  • 2–5 minute walk to the cove; additional paths lead onto both headlands via the South West Coast Path.
  • Terrain is mixed shingle, weed-covered rock and slate ledges; grippy boots essential.
  • The lanes into Lee can be congested in peak season; larger vehicles should proceed with care.
  • Public transport is limited; plan around seasonal bus services from Ilfracombe/Woolacombe if not driving.

This is mixed, rough ground with classic North Devon reef life. Expect wrasse and pollack in season, with night predators over the kelp and occasional summer visitors.

  • Spring (Mar–May): Ballan wrasse, corkwing wrasse, pollack, early bass on calmer evenings, rockling.
  • Summer (Jun–Aug): Ballan/corkwing wrasse, pollack, mackerel (from headlands), garfish, scad at night, thick‑lipped mullet in the cove, dogfish; occasional smoothhound, bass in a light surf.
  • Autumn (Sep–Nov): Bass (best chance), pollack, wrasse (until first big chills), scad, mackerel tapering off, bull huss; chance of codling after heavy blows.
  • Winter (Dec–Feb): Conger, bull huss, dogfish, whiting, rockling; occasional codling in rough, coloured seas.

Rough ground tactics rule here; think abrasion-resistant leaders, rotten-bottom links and presentations that rise above kelp. Lure fishing is excellent in clear water and low light.

  • Lure fishing:
  • 9–10 ft lure rod, 20–30 lb braid, 30–40 lb fluoro leader.
  • Weedless soft plastics (e.g. 12–20 g heads/weightless Texas) for pollack and bass, worked along reef edges at dawn/dusk.
  • Metals (20–40 g) and small casting jigs for mackerel/scad; slow-pitch in gullies for pollack.
  • Float fishing:
  • 15–25 g float, stoppered to fish 6–15 ft over the kelp.
  • Baits: king rag, prawn, peeler/hardback crab for wrasse; strips of mackerel/sandeel for pollack/gar.
  • Bottom fishing (ledger):
  • Pulley/pulley‑dropper or running ledger with a weak/rotten-bottom link; 50–60 lb leaders over rough ground.
  • 2/0–4/0 hooks; squid/mackerel cocktails for huss/conger; crab or worm baits for bass.
  • LRF/UL tactics:
  • Tiny metals and isome-style worms for mini species (corkwing, rock gobies) around boulders on calm days.
  • Timing: wrasse bite best on the flood in daylight; pollack and bass improve toward dusk; conger/huss after dark on a making tide.

The Bristol Channel’s range is big; water depth and access change fast. Work the tides to avoid cut-offs and to put baits/lures in the right water.

  • Best states: mid-flood to high water for depth over the kelp; last two hours of ebb can also fish if swell/light allow.
  • Neaps are kinder for presentation and snags; springs add run and risk of cut-off on lower ledges.
  • Conditions: slight to moderate swell with some colour for bass; clear, calm water for wrasse and pollack on lures/float.
  • Time of day: dawn and dusk are prime for pollack and bass; bright days suit wrasse under the float in shady gullies.
  • After storms: coloured, lively water at night brings huss and conger close; pick higher, safer platforms.
  • Wind: offshore/easterly calms and clears; strong westerlies push swell straight into the bay and can make rock marks hazardous.

Lee Bay is beautiful but unforgiving—kelp, slippy slate and fast-flooding tides demand respect. If in doubt, stay high and fish the beachy sections or return another day.

  • Slippery rock and weed: wear studded boots or rock cleats; avoid green slime.
  • Tide cut-off: do not venture onto low-tide reefs/adjacent coves without a clear exit; the flood races in.
  • Swell: Atlantic sets wrap in; rogue waves are possible even on calm forecasts. Keep low to the water only when it’s genuinely flat.
  • Night fishing: headtorch, spare light, and a partner strongly recommended.
  • Lifejacket: a modern auto-inflate PFD is strongly advised on all rock marks here.
  • Edges and drops: some ledges undercut; test footing before committing.
  • Accessibility: the immediate beach is reachable via short slopes, but rock platforms and coast path sections are not suitable for mobility-impaired anglers.
  • Respect swimmers and kayakers in summer—give a wide berth to any bathing areas and avoid casting across traffic.

The cove is rural with limited amenities at the water’s edge; plan self-sufficient and top up in nearby towns.

  • Parking by the bay (charges may apply; check signs); spaces fill on sunny days.
  • Public toilets are typically available near the car park in season (can be locked off-peak).
  • The Grampus Inn in Lee village offers food/drink; additional cafés and shops in Ilfracombe and Woolacombe.
  • Tackle/bait: head to Ilfracombe, Braunton or Barnstaple for shops and fresh/frozen bait.
  • Phone signal can be patchy in the cove; move higher for reception.
  • No lighting or water on the mark; take headtorch, spare batteries and plenty of drinking water.
  • Bins are limited—take all litter and line home.

Lee is known as “Fuchsia Valley” for a reason—summer crowds come for the scenery. Fish early, fish late, and think vertical water over kelp.

  • Float baits just over the weed to avoid constant snagging; crab, prawn or big rag catch the better wrasse.
  • Dark-pattern soft plastics (black/purple) excel for pollack at dusk; retrieve close to structure but keep moving to reduce hang-ups.
  • Use a weak-link (rotten bottom) on all bottom rigs—accept some tackle losses as part of the ground.
  • Groundbait mashed bread quietly for mullet in dead-calm conditions; ultra-light tackle and small bread flake baits.
  • If mackerel are scarce in the cove, try the higher-energy headlands or time your session for the flood at first light.
  • After a blow, give it 24–48 hours for the swell to ease but leave some colour for bass.
  • Keep an eye on oystercatchers and gannets—bird activity often mirrors bait movement along the reef edge.
  • Winter conger/huss: upsize traces (80 lb for eels), use big squid or mackerel flappers, and fish the top of the flood from a safe, high stance.

Recreational sea angling is permitted at Lee Bay, but normal UK and local byelaws apply—check them before you go as they change.

  • Minimum sizes and general rules: see the UK MMO (Marine Management Organisation) for current minimum conservation reference sizes and general fisheries rules.
  • Bass: strict seasonal and daily limits apply, including a 42 cm minimum size; closed or catch‑and‑release periods are common—check the current year’s bass regulations before retaining any fish.
  • IFCA district: Lee Bay falls within the Devon & Severn IFCA area. Their byelaws cover bait collection, potting/netting permits, and species protections; recreational bait digging and shellfish collection may have restrictions—consult D&S IFCA.
  • MCZ/MPA: The surrounding coast includes designated Marine Conservation Zones; rod‑and‑line angling is generally allowed, but some extraction (e.g., certain shellfish or seaweed) can be restricted.
  • No retention of berried lobsters/crabs; observe MLS for all crustaceans and fish.
  • Private land and paths: stick to public rights of way and obvious rock platforms; heed any local signage regarding access or safety closures.
  • If unsure, practice catch and release and seek up‑to‑date guidance from local tackle shops or the IFCA/MMO.