Parson and Clerk Fishing

Summary

Parson and Clerk is the dramatic red sandstone rock formation between Dawlish and Teignmouth, off Holcombe on Devon’s south coast. It’s a classic rough-ground mark with kelp-lined gullies, boulder patches and tide-race seams that draw wrasse, pollack and bass, with summer visitors like mackerel and garfish. Scenic, exposed and very tidal, it rewards mobile, lure-and-float tactics when fished with care.

Location and Access

Access is via Holcombe, using the signed beach access beside Smugglers Lane to reach the shore through the pedestrian tunnel under the railway. From the beach, you can walk to ledges and bouldery ground near the Parson and Clerk stacks; the towers themselves are offshore and not generally climbed or fished from.

• Parking: Limited on-street in Holcombe near Smugglers Lane (TQ14 area); be considerate and avoid obstructing residents. Larger pay-and-display options exist in Dawlish and Teignmouth if village parking is full.
• Walk-in: 5–15 minutes from the village to the beach; then a short, uneven beach/rock walk to chosen ledges. Expect shingle, sand, slippery weeded rocks and occasional scrambling.
• Tidal cut-off: Much of the beach pinches out at higher states; plan arrival/exit around the tide. Do not attempt to reach or cross railway structures—use the official beach tunnel only.
• Terrain: Red sandstone ledges, boulder fields and kelp gullies; very snaggy underfoot and under the waterline.

Seasons

This is a mixed rough-ground venue with a strong summer profile. Year-round residents are joined by migratory fish as the water warms.

• Spring (Apr–May):
  • Pollack (inshore kelp lines on lures/float)
  • Ballan and corkwing wrasse (first push onto the reef)
  • Early bass on a building sea
• Summer (Jun–Aug):
  • Wrasse (ballan dominant, occasional corkwing)
  • Pollack (dawn/dusk best)
  • Mackerel and garfish (shoals on calm, clear days)
  • Scad at dusk into dark
  • School bass in fizzing surf or over flood tide
• Autumn (Sep–Oct):
  • Bigger wrasse and better pollack
  • Bass in lively water, especially after an easterly blows through
  • Conger eel after dark from deeper gullets
• Winter (Nov–Feb):
  • Pouting, poor cod and rockling in close at night
  • Conger possible on settled nights
  • Whiting are more reliable from nearby beaches than on the rough reef itself

Methods

Rough ground means strong, abrasion-resistant tackle and snag-conscious rigs. Mobile fishing with lures and floats outfishes static bottom rigs most days.

• Lure fishing (HRF/LRF):
  • 7–9 ft lure rods, 10–30 g rating; 0.8–1.2 PE braid with 20–30 lb fluorocarbon leader.
  • Weedless soft plastics (paddletails/creatures 2.5–4 in) on Texas/Chebs for wrasse; slim softs and metals (20–40 g) for pollack/mackerel.
  • Shallow-diving/sub-surface plugs for bass/pollack at first and last light along tide seams.
• Float fishing:
  • Sliding floats set 2–5 m over ragworm, prawn or sandeel strips for wrasse, pollack and garfish.
  • Small mackerel strips and size 4–6 hooks for garfish; keep baits moving in the drift.
• Bottom fishing (selective, snag-aware):
  • One-up paternoster or long flowing trace with a weak-link/rotten-bottom to the lead.
  • 40–60 lb leader, 3/0–5/0 strong hooks for conger with mackerel/squid cocktails; fish dusk into dark.
  • Use just enough lead to hold in the gullies (2–4 oz often sufficient) and cast short; most fish are under 40 m.
• General:
  • Polarised glasses to read gullies and weed lines.
  • Long-nose pliers/disgorger; barbless or crushed barbs help with wrasse releases.

Tides and Conditions

Tide strength and water clarity dictate tactics here. Plan around the flood, and match methods to visibility and swell.

• Tide state:
  • Best 2–3 hours flooding to high water and the first hour of the ebb.
  • Neaps give manageable flow and clearer water for lure/float work; springs can be excellent for bass but increase hazard and snags.
• Sea and wind:
  • Light northerly/westerly winds = clearer water and good for pollack, garfish and wrasse.
  • Easterly onshore winds raise surf and surge; dangerous at height but can switch on bass as the sea eases.
  • Avoid big swell (>0.8–1.0 m) on the ledges—wash and back-surge are severe.
• Time of day/season:
  • Dawn/dusk consistently better for pollack, bass and scad.
  • Peak wrasse period May–October; mackerel/garfish are most reliable June–September.

Safety

This is a committing rough-ground rock mark beneath unstable cliffs with a tidal pinch point. Treat it as an exposed venue and plan conservatively.

• Hazards:
  • Risk of being cut off by the flood—know your exits and set an alarm for the turn of the tide.
  • Slippery, weeded rocks and uneven boulders; wear studded boots or cleats.
  • Cliff fall danger; do not stand or stash gear directly beneath overhangs.
  • Strong back-surge on swells; a PFD/lifejacket and a buddy are strongly recommended.
• Access notes:
  • Use only the official beach tunnel/steps; do not trespass on or near the railway or sea wall structures if signage prohibits access.
  • Not suitable for wheelchairs or prams; hands-free rucksacks and light gear advised.
  • Mobile reception can be patchy under the cliffs; tell someone your plan and carry a charged phone.
• Weather/timing:
  • Avoid easterly storm days and big spring tides if you’re unfamiliar with the mark.
  • Head torch with spare batteries for any session that might run into dusk.

Facilities

There are no facilities on the rocks or immediate beach. Treat it as a remote session even though it’s near towns.

• Toilets: Public conveniences on Dawlish and Teignmouth seafronts; none at Holcombe beach access.
• Food and drink: Pubs and cafés in Holcombe, Dawlish and Teignmouth (the Smugglers Inn is up the hill from the beach access).
• Tackle and bait: Tackle shops in Teignmouth and other nearby towns; ring ahead for fresh worm/crab in summer.
• Parking: Limited on-street near Smugglers Lane; larger car parks in Dawlish/Teignmouth.
• Phone signal: Variable/weak under the cliffs; better on open beach or higher ground.

Tips

Little adjustments make a big difference on this snaggly, tidal mark. Travel light, keep moving and fish the water in front of you properly.

• A weak-link (lighter mono to your lead) saves rigs—expect snags and plan to lose some gear.
• Work lures down-swell along the kelp edge; most takes come as the lure swings and rises.
• On clear, bright days, drop leader diameter and lengthen traces; on coloured seas, go bigger and slower.
• Chum lightly with mashed mackerel when float-fishing for garfish; keep the float creeping, not static.
• Respect wrasse—unhook in the water where possible and release larger fish to protect the stock.
• If a seal or dolphins move through, bites often switch off; take a breather and reset when they pass.
• When the easterly swell looks marginal, switch to the Teign estuary or local beaches rather than forcing the rocks.

Regulations

Shore angling is generally permitted here, but always follow posted signage around the railway, sea wall works and beach access—temporary closures do occur in bad weather. For fishery rules, check the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and Devon & Severn IFCA before you go.

• Bass: Seasonal bag limits and a 42 cm minimum size apply to recreational anglers—regulations are reviewed periodically; check current MMO notices for dates and daily limits.
• Minimum sizes and byelaws: Observe UK minimum conservation reference sizes and any Devon & Severn IFCA byelaws for species like wrasse, pollack, rays and invertebrates.
• Bait collection: Only collect where allowed and in moderation; return turned stones and avoid protected areas or nursery zones.
• Protected areas: This shoreline is not within a no-take zone, but nearby estuaries have nursery protections—netting restrictions do not usually affect rod-and-line anglers.
• Access: Do not fish from railway property or construction zones; comply with any local council or Network Rail restrictions in force at the time.