Mount Batten Pier Fishing

Last updated: 5 days ago

Mount Batten Pier Fishing Map

Concrete pier and ferry landing on the north side of Mount Batten, projecting into the Cattewater at the mouth of Plymouth Sound. Mixed ground with kelp-fringed rock edges, scoured sand patches and a deep, tide‑scoured channel. Best on the flood up to high water and the first of the ebb; springs run hard. Summer and early autumn see shoals of mackerel, garfish and scad (after dark under lights). Year‑round options include wrasse and pollack tight to structure, with pouting and conger after dark; winter brings whiting. Use float gear or small metals for surface feeders, soft plastics for pollack, and simple two‑hook flappers with rag, squid or mackerel strip for bottom species. A drop net is useful for landing fish due to pier height. Keep clear of the ferry berths and avoid casting when the ferry is approaching. Parking and amenities are close by at Mount Batten, with generally easy, level access.

Ratings

⭐ 7.4/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 8/10
Safety 6/10
Accessibility 8/10

Fish You Can Catch at Mount Batten Pier

🐟 Scad (Horse Mackerel) 9/10
🎯 Tip: Summer-autumn nights; fish under pier lights with small sabikis or size 6 hooks tipped with bait. Keep baits mid-water on slow retrieve. Best on flooding tide.
🐟 Mackerel 8/10
🎯 Tip: Late spring-autumn on flood; feather or small metals cast seaward, let sink and retrieve through shoals. Dawn/dusk or when the lights draw baitfish.
🐟 Pollack 7/10
🎯 Tip: Work soft plastics or metals tight to the pier wall/kelp at dusk into dark on a flooding tide. Use 10-20g jigs.
🐟 Pouting 7/10
🎯 Tip: Year-round, best at night. Small fish or worm baits on 2-hook flappers dropped under the wall. Mixed rough ground-use 1-2oz leads to hold in tide.
🐟 Garfish 7/10
🎯 Tip: Float-fish small strips of mackerel with long snoods; keep bait near surface. Best on clear water, flood tide, late spring to early autumn.
🐟 Bass 6/10
🎯 Tip: Lures or live/whole sandeel along the eddies on a flooding tide; also freelined baits by the steps. Best at dawn/dusk or after a blow.
🐟 Whiting 6/10
🎯 Tip: Autumn-winter evenings; small fish/squid baits at range on 2-3 hook flappers. Keep hooks size 2-4 and avoid snags by casting to cleaner sand.
🐟 Ballan Wrasse 6/10
🎯 Tip: Daylight on flooding tide; fish hard crab or ragworm straight down the wall into kelp. Strong tackle and rotten-bottoms.
🐟 Conger Eel 6/10
🎯 Tip: After dark into the rough; big fish/squid baits tight to the wall. Use heavy gear, wire trace optional, expect snags. Slack to first of flood.
🐟 Corkwing Wrasse 5/10
🎯 Tip: Small hooks with ragworm close to kelp and boulders by the wall on flood. Keep baits static; expect bites quick.
🐟 Mullet (Thick-lipped) 5/10
🎯 Tip: Calm, clear days; bread flake or small pieces of prawn under a float near the steps and harbour wall. Little weight, stealth, and chum sparingly.
🐟 Golden-grey Mullet 4/10
🎯 Tip: Small rag or fish slivers under a float in tide runs on bright days; target shoals near surface. Fine line, size 8-10 hooks.

Mount Batten Pier Fishing

Summary

Mount Batten Pier sits on the eastern side of Plymouth Sound, projecting into the Cattewater opposite the Barbican. It’s a sheltered, easily accessed venue that produces fish year‑round with true “all-abilities” appeal. Expect bustling summer sport with mackerel, gar and wrasse, and steady winter action with whiting, pout and conger after dark.

Location and Access

Mount Batten Pier is beside the Mount Batten Watersports & Activities Centre on the Mount Batten peninsula, Plymstock side of Plymouth. Access is simple, flat and short from the car park, making it one of the most convenient city marks in Devon.

Seasons

This is a mixed, urban pier with genuine variety through the seasons. Small species thrive around the wall, with larger predators moving through on the tides.

Methods

Both bait and lure tactics score here, with the wall providing classic down‑the‑side fishing and clean water inviting float or spinning. Tackle appropriately for snags at the base of the wall.

Tides and Conditions

Depth increases nicely toward the end and along the outer face, with useful flow lines and eddies. The venue is generally sheltered from prevailing south‑westerlies but can be bleak in an easterly.

Safety

This is a public working pier next to active ferry, dive and boating operations. Treat it as a high, hard-edged structure with variable boat wash and snags.

Facilities

Urban convenience is a major draw here, with parking, toilets and refreshments a short walk away. Phone signal is generally strong.

Tips

The pier rewards tidy presentation, fishing tight to structure and adapting to flow. Treat it as an LRF playground in the day and a conger/whiting venue after dark.

Regulations

Fishing is generally permitted on Mount Batten Pier, but parts are working areas. Always follow on‑site signage and harbour instructions.