Summary
Otter Head is the prominent red sandstone headland between Budleigh Salterton and Ladram Bay on Devon’s Jurassic Coast. Flanked by deep shingle and kelpy reef, it offers classic mixed-ground fishing with summer lure sport and rough-ground ledgering options. It’s a scenic, tide-swept mark that rewards careful timing and a thoughtful approach.
Location and Access
This section covers how to reach the mark and what to expect underfoot. Access is along the South West Coast Path from either Budleigh Salterton or Ladram Bay, with no formal, easy descent to sea level on the Head itself.
- From Budleigh Salterton: Park at Lime Kiln car park (EX9 6JD) and follow the coast path east. Recent estuary works provide improved crossing routes; allow 25–40 minutes on foot to the headland.
- From Ladram Bay: Park at Ladram Bay Holiday Park (EX9 7BX). Day visitor parking may be limited/charged and sometimes restricted in peak season; check with the park. Follow the coast path west 15–25 minutes.
- Terrain: Undulating clifftop path, exposed in places with unfenced edges. The headland is high and the cliffs are unstable; there is no widely accepted safe route to water level directly on the Head.
- Practical approach: Most shore anglers fish the adjacent accessible ground (Budleigh’s east-end shingle or Ladram Bay’s rocky fringes) to cover the same reefs and tide lines rather than attempting hazardous descents.
- Public transport: Buses serve Budleigh and Otterton; expect a walk from stops to the coast path.
Seasons
Expect a classic East Devon mix, with reef-dwellers on the rough stuff and pelagics along the tide lines. Summer brings the most variety.
- Spring (Mar–May): Bass, pollack, wrasse (ball/corkwing), occasional ray from nearby clean patches, early mackerel/garfish on warmer spells.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): Mackerel, garfish, bass, pollack, wrasse, scad (horse mackerel), conger after dark, occasional smoothhound and gurnard from adjacent shingle.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): Bass (often best of year), pollack, wrasse tailing off late, mackerel/scad into October in settled weather, dogfish and pouting more frequent at night.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): Whiting, pouting, dogfish, conger on the rougher ground; the odd codling is possible but uncommon nowadays. Rockling from the reefs.
- Occasional visitors: Small-eyed or thornback ray from cleaner patches, sole/plaice on the shingle margins, huss on cut baits after dark.
Methods
Tackle choices are driven by rough, kelpy ground around the Head and adjacent deep shingle. Think abrasion resistance, sensible casting weights, and simple rigs.
- Lure fishing: 20–40 g metals, slim sandeels, and shallow divers for mackerel/gar/pollack; weedless soft plastics (5–6 inch) for bass around the reef edges at dawn/dusk.
- Float fishing: Mackerel strip or prawn over kelp gullies for pollack and garfish; set depth to just clear the weed tops on the flood.
- Bottom fishing (rough ground): Strong mono or fluorocarbon leaders, 25–30 lb mainline braid, rotten-bottom (weak link) systems. Use a single-hook pulley or pulley-pennel with crab, squid, or mackerel for bass/conger/huss.
- Bottom fishing (adjacent shingle): 2-hook flapper or up-and-over with ragworm, lugworm, sandeel, or squid for mixed species and rays; 4–6 oz grip leads hold best on the slope.
- Times: First and last light are prime for bass and pollack. After dark brings conger, huss, and better whiting in season.
- Casting: Avoid blasting into dense kelp—work the tide edges and seams; retrieve quickly over the last yards to reduce snagging.
Tides and Conditions
Otter Head sits in lively tidal flow with reef fingers pushing tide into seams—great for predators but unforgiving in big swell. Choose windows that match your target.
- Tide state: Flood to the top of the tide is often best for lure work and bass; first of the ebb can fish well on shingle. For bottom fishing the rough ground, aim for mid-flood to high when fish push tight to the kelp edges.
- Sea state: A light onshore push and some colour suits bass; calm, clear water is better for wrasse and daytime pollack. Avoid heavy swell—surge over the reefs becomes dangerous.
- Neaps vs springs: Neaps give kinder presentation over kelp and fewer snags; springs create stronger seams that concentrate bait and pelagics but demand heavier leads.
- Seasonality: Peak mixed fishing June–October; winter is more scratching with windows for whiting/pouting/conger after dark.
- Water clarity: If the red sandstone stain is heavy after rain, try larger profiles or scented baits; when gin-clear, scale down lures and fish low light.
Safety
This is cliff country with active erosion; many anglers sensibly fish the accessible fringes rather than the Head itself. Treat all descent attempts with extreme caution.
- Cliffs: Unfenced edges, soft red sandstone, and frequent slips—keep well back and stick to the signed Coast Path.
- Descent: There is no established, safe public route to water level on Otter Head; avoid ad-hoc goat tracks. If you must fish near sea level, use the safer beach/rock access at Budleigh or Ladram Bay.
- Swell and surge: Kelp gullies amplify swell; do not fish close to the edge in onshore blows. Wear a PFD if anywhere near water level.
- Tidal cut-off: Any rock forays from Ladram side risk being cut off—check tide times and heights carefully.
- Footing: Deep shingle is hard going; use boots with ankle support. Carry a headtorch and spare light if fishing into dark.
- Communication: Mobile signal is patchy; tell someone your plan and carry a whistle. Consider a throw line when fishing low platforms.
- Wildlife and nesting birds: Seasonal path diversions or informal requests may be in place—follow signage and keep noise down near nesting sites.
Facilities
There are no facilities on the Head itself; plan to be self-sufficient and use amenities at the access points.
- Budleigh Salterton: Public toilets, cafés, water, and shops near the seafront and Lime Kiln car park (EX9 6JD). Pay-and-display parking.
- Ladram Bay: Holiday park with shop, refreshments, and toilets for guests/day visitors when permitted (EX9 7BX). Check day access policy/fees.
- Tackle and bait: Options in Exmouth and Sidmouth; phone ahead for fresh worm/crab availability.
- Phone signal: Generally fair on exposed clifftops, variable down in bays and under cliffs.
- Waste: No bins on the path—pack out all litter and line.
Tips
A few local habits make a big difference on this mixed ground. Think stealth, smart rigging, and reading the tide seams.
- Rotten-bottom is mandatory over the kelp—carry spare leads and pre-tied weak links.
- For bass, work white or natural sandeel-pattern soft plastics up-tide through the seam, letting them swing; bites often come as the lure straightens.
- Float rigs: Adjust depth frequently—pollack often sit just above the weed line and shift with the tide push.
- After blow-throughs, try large squid or wrap baits at dusk on the adjacent shingle for a surprise small-eyed ray or better bass.
- Mackerel/gars show on hot, still evenings—a small metal or size 1 strip under a float can outfish feathers when shoals are finicky.
- Crabs are relentless in summer; elastic-wrap baits and check regularly. Hardback crab or prawn can be deadly for wrasse.
- Keep an eye out for lobster pots and surface lines off the Head—give them a wide berth when casting lures.
- Bird activity off the point is a strong sign; when gannets or terns start working, switch to lures and cover water quickly.
Regulations
Know the national rules and local designations. This coastline borders protected habitats, and bass rules change—always check before you go.
- Sea angling licence: Not required for recreational sea fishing in England (rod and line). A licence is needed only for migratory species in freshwater.
- Bass: Recreational bass regulations are subject to annual change (bag limits/closed periods, minimum size currently 42 cm). Check the latest from the MMO/IFCA before retaining any bass.
- Minimum sizes and retention: Observe UK minimum conservation reference sizes and recommended release for species like wrasse that are vulnerable on reefs.
- Protected areas: The Otter Estuary is a designated nature reserve/SSSI. Stay on marked paths, avoid disturbance to wildlife, and note that bait digging or access on sensitive mud/saltmarsh areas may be restricted—follow on-site signage.
- Litter and lost gear: It is an offence to leave litter; retrieve discarded line/weights where safe.
- Local byelaws: Devon & Severn IFCA byelaws may affect pot marker distances, netting, and some collection activities—review current byelaws before your session.
