Where’s The Fish? Logo for Where's The Fish?
Devon

Mouthmill Beach

6.2 · Beach · Devon

Remote boulder-and-pebble beach on the Hartland Heritage Coast beneath Blackchurch Rock. Rough, kelpy ground with gullies and occasional sand patches; fishes best on a flooding tide into dusk through late spring to autumn. Access is via a steep woodland path from the Brownsham National Trust car park (about 20–30 minutes) and the shore is uneven, with slippery boulders and exposure to Atlantic swell. Target wrasse and pollack tight to kelp and rock ledges; summer brings mackerel, scad and garfish on calm evenings. After dark, bigger fish and squid baits can find bull huss and conger. Beware swell, loose boulders and potential cut-off near Blackchurch Rock around higher tides; avoid heavy seas and big spring highs.

Should you fish Mouthmill Beach?

51 Fair

Today · Best window

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

Most likely species: Ballan Wrasse and Pollack

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

NW 4 mph Rain 19% High tide 11:28

Fishable, but pick your timing carefully.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for Mouthmill Beach — 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.

Now

Tide curve will appear once tide data is available.

All windows will appear once the forecast is loaded.

Premium forecast

Unlock exact best windows, tactics and backup options for this mark.

Trip planner

Find the best time to fish Mouthmill Beach

Choose when you're free and what you want to catch. We'll show the best tide, weather window and method for this mark.

Premium unlocks exact windows, tactics and alerts.

Premium Mark Insight

Locked

Mouthmill is a remote, rough boulder-and-pebble beach where the fishing is built around kelp edges, rock gullies and occasional sand patches rather than long clean casts. It is usually at its best on a flooding tide into dusk from late spring through autumn, with bass, pollack and wrasse the main daylight targets and huss, conger, pouting and dogfish more likely after dark. The mark can fish well, but it is exposed to Atlantic swell, awkward underfoot and has cut-off risk around Blackchurch Rock near higher water, so pick a manageable sea and keep the session mobile and simple.

  • Know whether to fish kelp, gullies or sand patches first
  • Time the flood window for bass instead of guessing
  • Pick the right Mouthmill tactic for wrasse, pollack, huss or conger
  • Avoid the Blackchurch Rock tide traps at the wrong stage
  • Build a rough-ground rig plan before the walk down

Included with Premium

Cancel anytime · Stripe

Unlock this mark's plan

Jump to towns around this mark for more marks and guides.

Hartland 2.7 mi Buck's Cross 3.7 mi Woolfardisworthy 4.0 mi Bradworthy 8.0 mi Westward Ho! 8.5 mi

Explore nearby towns: Hartland · Buck's Cross · Woolfardisworthy · Bradworthy · Westward Ho!

Zoom and pan to explore access points and nearby marks.

Jump to guide

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

Overall rating

6.2 /10

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

Category scores

Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 8/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 3/10

Bass 8/10
Tip: Work surface/sub-surface lures through white water around Blackchurch Rock on a flooding tide at dawn/dusk; also fish peeler crab among boulders after a blow.
Pollack 8/10
Tip: Cast soft plastics or metals along kelp-lined gullies off the rocks; evenings on the flood; float-fished sandeel works when there’s swell.
Bull Huss 7/10
Tip: Big mackerel or squid baits at dusk into night, dropped into deeper rough ground; neaps or early flood; use abrasion-resistant traces.
Ballan Wrasse 7/10
Tip: Hardback/peeler crab or ragworm tight to kelp and rock crevices; summer to early autumn, daytime; strong gear and lift fish clear to avoid snags.
Pouting 6/10
Tip: Size 2-4 hooks with mackerel/squid baits into rough ground at night; short casts; expect quick bites over the flood.
Lesser Spotted Dogfish 6/10
Tip: Small fish or squid strips on short casts to sand patches between boulders; best 2 hours either side of high water after dark.
Mackerel 6/10
Tip: Summer shoals on clear, calm evenings; cast feathers or 20-40g metals from the rockier points; flooding tide and dusk best.
Scad (Horse Mackerel) 5/10
Tip: Small sabikis or a float-fished sliver of mackerel midwater at dusk into darkness; flood to high water with steady tide run.
Corkwing Wrasse 5/10
Tip: Ragworm or prawn on small hooks lowered beside weed-covered rocks; calm summer days on the mid-flood; keep tackle light.
Tompot Blenny 4/10
Tip: Tiny hooks baited with rag or prawn dropped into holes and under ledges at low to mid-flood; keep line tight for shy bites.
Conger Eel 4/10
Tip: Whole mackerel or large squid baits at night into kelp gullies; slack to first of the flood; strong mono traces to combat abrasion.
Garfish 4/10
Tip: Float-fish thin mackerel strips shallow over clear water on a calm flood tide in late summer/autumn; keep baits moving.

Local knowledge

Mouthmill Beach fishing guide

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

Mouthmill Beach (often written Mouth Mill) sits between Hartland Point and Clovelly on North Devon’s wild Heritage Coast. Backed by high cliffs and home to the dramatic Blackchurch Rock arch, it’s a remote, rough-ground mark suited to anglers who like rugged terrain and mixed-species fishing. Expect bass in a tumble of cobbles and kelp, wrasse in the gullies, and nocturnal predators on a big bait after dark.

Reaching Mouthmill involves a scenic woodland descent and a clamber over cobbles, so plan light and give yourself time. The most direct access is from the National Trust’s Brownsham car park, with a steep return walk that feels longer on the way back.

  • Approach via lanes signposted to Brownsham (National Trust). The Brownsham car park is the usual start; an approximate postcode for the area is EX39 6AN (use for navigation only, then follow local signs).
  • From the car park, follow the waymarked footpath through Brownsham Woods to Mouthmill; allow 20–30 minutes down and longer back up.
  • Terrain is uneven: woodland steps, mud after rain, and large beach cobbles/boulders. Good footwear is essential.
  • Alternative access via the South West Coast Path from Clovelly is longer and more strenuous; only sensible if you’re set for a hike-in/hike-out session.
  • No vehicle access to the beach. Pack light, use a rucksack, and stow end gear securely for the scramble.

This is classic North Devon mixed ground with seasonal variety. Summer brings lure sport and wrasse fishing; autumn into winter sees more nocturnal bottom feeders.

  • Spring (Apr–May):
    • Bass (schoolies to better fish on onshore pushes)
    • Wrasse (ballan, corkwing) as water warms
    • Pollack (close in at dawn/dusk; check current retention rules)
  • Summer (Jun–Aug):
    • Bass (lures and crab baits), garfish, mackerel and scad on calm evenings
    • Ballan wrasse (reliable in kelp gullies)
    • Occasional smoothhound on crab baits
  • Autumn (Sep–Nov):
    • Bass (prime time, especially into darkness and after a blow)
    • Pollack, pouting, gurnard oddities
    • Bull huss and strap conger after dark
  • Winter (Dec–Feb):
    • Whiting, pouting, dogfish
    • Bull huss and conger at night on big baits
    • The odd codling in dirty seas (uncommon nowadays)

Rough ground tactics rule here: fish strong, use weak links, and pick your spots. Lures cover ground efficiently in daylight; bait rules at night and in coloured water.

  • Rigs and tackle:
    • Pulley pennel (4/0–5/0) with 60–80 lb rubbing leader for bass/huss over rough ground
    • 1-up/1-down with short snoods for mixed fish on the cleaner patches
    • Rotten-bottom/weak-link lead on all bottom rigs to save gear in snags
    • 10–12 ft beach rod for bait work; 7–9 ft M/MH lure rod for plugs/soft plastics
  • Baits:
    • Peeler or hardback crab is king for bass and wrasse
    • Squid, mackerel, and bluey for huss/conger after dark
    • Ragworm/sandeel where available for a broader catch
  • Lures:
    • Weedless soft plastics (paddle/needle tails) around kelp edges for bass and pollack
    • Surface/sub-surface hard lures at first and last light on a flooding tide
    • Metals and slim spoons for mackerel/scad in summer shoals
  • Presentation and timing:
    • Float fish crab or worm tight to kelp gullies for wrasse in daylight
    • Big static baits after dark for huss/conger; keep rod tips high to clear boulders
    • Move and fan-cast with lures; bites often come where broken ground meets small sand patches

The Bristol Channel’s range and Atlantic swells shape this venue. Work the windows: coloured water with a manageable swell for bass, clearer neaps for wrasse and lure fishing.

  • Tide states:
    • 2 hours up and the first of the ebb are productive for bass along the flood line
    • Low water exposes more gullies and reaches; watch for rapid flood and cut-off risks
    • Neaps make positioning and lure control easier across the boulders
  • Sea and weather:
    • A small to moderate onshore push with colour is ideal for bait-caught bass
    • Calm to slight seas and clear water favour wrasse and lure fishing
    • Big long-period swells hammer this coast—avoid heavy surf days
  • Time of day/seasonality:
    • Dawn/dusk for lures; after-dark sessions for huss, conger, better bass
    • Late summer to late autumn is the headline bass period here

This is a serious rough-ground mark beneath high cliffs. Treat it like a remote rock mark: prepare, check tides, and have an exit plan.

  • Large, unstable cobbles and weeded boulders: wear sturdy boots with good grip; consider cleats/spikes
  • Cliff fall risk: do not fish directly under crumbly faces, especially after heavy rain/frost
  • Cut-off hazards around Blackchurch Rock and adjacent ledges near mid–high water
  • Powerful swell sets and surges: keep well back; never turn your back on the sea
  • Limited/patchy phone signal in the combe; tell someone your plan and carry a charged headtorch for the climb out
  • Not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs; steep, uneven access with steps
  • A personal flotation device is strongly recommended on any rough-ground session

Mouthmill is a wild spot with no facilities on the beach. Plan as if you’re on a remote hike.

  • No toilets, water, bins, or lighting at the mark
  • Nearest amenities: Clovelly Visitor Centre (seasonal toilets/café) and Hartland village (shops, pubs)
  • Tackle and bait: head to Bideford, Barnstaple, Bude, or Ilfracombe
  • Phone reception is often poor at beach level; better on the cliff tops
  • National Trust Brownsham car park (daytime; unlit) is the usual base

A few local quirks make a difference on this coast. Fish smart around the kelp, and you’ll lose less gear and land more fish.

  • Use rotten-bottom links on all ground rigs; a short boom or uptrace swivel helps keep hooks clear of snags
  • Crab out-fishes almost everything for bass and wrasse when available; hardbacks can be superb where peelers are scarce
  • Work the edges: where broken rock meets a finger of sand is a classic bass ambush line
  • In warm months, expect midges in the woods at dusk—pack repellent for the hike out
  • After a blow, give it 12–24 hours for the sea to settle; a slight lingering colour can be perfect for bass
  • Photographers flock to Blackchurch Rock at sunset—be courteous and keep lines clear of tripods
  • If seals are working the bay, switch to lures and keep moving, or relocate a short distance

Mouthmill sits on National Trust coastline within protected landscape designations. Shore fishing is generally allowed, but you must follow national and local fisheries rules and any on-site signage.

  • Bass (UK MMO rules): In recent years the shore recreational allowance has typically been 1 fish/day at a 42 cm minimum size during March–November, with catch-and-release only in Dec–Feb. These measures are reviewed annually—check the current year before retaining a bass.
  • Pollack: 2024 introduced zero-retention for recreational pollack in ICES Area 7; status may change—verify the latest rules before keeping any pollack.
  • Devon & Severn IFCA district: Local byelaws apply (e.g., protections for berried/v-notched lobsters and crawfish, netting permit restrictions, MLS for certain shellfish). Check D&S IFCA guidance before collecting or retaining shellfish.
  • Conservation designations (AONB/SSSI/Heritage Coast): Do not disturb wildlife, damage vegetation, or hammer the rock arch; no fires, and take all litter home.
  • Night fishing is permitted, but there are no lights or facilities—be self-sufficient and respectful of other users.
  • Always confirm the latest regulations via the MMO and Devon & Severn IFCA websites or a reputable local tackle shop before your trip.