Petitor Point Fishing

Summary

Petitor Point is a rugged headland on the north side of Torquay, between Babbacombe and Watcombe, offering classic Devon rock fishing into mixed reef and deep gullies. It’s a quieter alternative to nearby headline marks, with clear water, kelp beds, and fast tide run that draw wrasse, pollack, mackerel and the odd bass. The ledges reward mobile lure work and traditional float tactics when the sea is settled and clear.

Location and Access

Petitor Point sits on the South West Coast Path above steep red sandstone and limestone cliffs, with approaches from both the Babbacombe/St Marychurch side and the Watcombe side. Access is straightforward at first then becomes a steep, uneven coastal path and short scramble to reach fishable ledges.

• Drive from Torquay towards St Marychurch/Babbacombe or along the A379 towards Watcombe; roadside and formal parking exist around Babbacombe Downs and residential streets above the coast path (arrive early at busy times).
• Pick up the South West Coast Path and follow waymarks towards Petitor/Watcombe; allow 15–25 minutes on foot depending on start point and fitness.
• Final approaches involve rough, sloping ground with loose stone and exposed roots; sturdy boots and a light load are essential.
• The mark comprises high and mid-level rock platforms and sloping ledges; access to wave-washed lower ledges is often unsafe in a swell and not recommended.
• Public transport runs to St Marychurch/Babbacombe; from bus stops it’s an additional 10–20 minute walk to the headland.

Seasons

The mark fishes as a classic mixed-ground headland with seasonal variety. Expect summer sport in clear water and scratchy winter sessions on the bottom.

• Spring (Apr–Jun): ballan and corkwing wrasse, pollack, garfish, early mackerel shoals, occasional bass on a building swell.
• Summer (Jul–Sep): mackerel, garfish, wrasse (best period), pollack, scad at dusk, lure-caught bass in the evenings; occasional triggerfish in warm spells.
• Autumn (Oct–Nov): pollack (often better size), wrasse tailing off late, mackerel/scad on mild evenings, conger and bull huss after dark, increasing pouting/whiting.
• Winter (Dec–Mar): whiting and pouting on bottom baits, conger after dark, chance pollack on lures in settled water; dogfish on small baits.
• Ever-present: shore crabs and small gobies/blennies in the kelp (useful signs of life and bait thieves!).

Methods

Petitor rewards mobile lure fishing and tidy float work over the kelp, with bottom fishing most effective at dusk and after dark. Strong, abrasion-resistant tackle is a must.

• Lures: 10–30 g metal jigs and slim spoons for mackerel/scad; 15–30 g weighted soft plastics (paddle tails, eels) for pollack and bass; weedless Texas-rigged creature baits for wrasse fished tight to kelp.
• Float fishing: 10–15 g clear wagglers/sliders set 8–15 ft over ground, with ragworm, prawn or mackerel strip for wrasse, garfish and mackerel.
• Bottom fishing: pulley or pulley–dropper with a weak-link (rotten-bottom) lead for rough ground; size 3/0–5/0 patterns for conger/huss with mackerel/squid cocktails; size 1–2 for scratching with rag/sandeel.
• Night sessions: concentrate on conger, huss, pouting and whiting; keep end tackle compact and keep rods high to reduce snags.
• Landing: the ledges are elevated — a drop net is the safest way to land better fish; avoid gaffs, especially if you intend to release.
• Line and leaders: 20–30 lb braid or 15–18 lb mono with a 40–60 lb abrasion leader; fluorocarbon 15–25 lb for lure traces around kelp.

Tides and Conditions

Being east/north-east facing, Petitor is often sheltered from prevailing south-westerlies, giving clear water and manageable seas. It becomes dangerous and unproductive in strong easterlies.

• Best tide: the flood and the first of the ebb, especially 2 hours up to high water when bait fish and predators push onto the headland.
• Springs vs neaps: springs bring more movement and often better pollack/bass windows; neaps can be excellent for wrasse under floats.
• Sea state: clear to lightly coloured water suits wrasse, mackerel, garfish and lure-caught pollack; a modest onshore push and fizz can switch on bass, but avoid big easterly swells.
• Time of day: dawn and dusk are prime for mackerel, scad and pollack; wrasse feed best from late morning to afternoon on bright settled days.
• Seasonality: July–September is peak for surface activity; October–November can deliver quality pollack on soft plastics in calmer spells.

Safety

This is an exposed, committing rock mark beneath high cliffs. Treat it with respect and turn back if conditions are marginal.

• Steep, uneven paths with loose rock and roots; not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs, and a challenge for anyone with limited mobility.
• Ledges can be wave-washed in any swell; never fish the lower rocks with an easterly sea running and always face the water.
• Rockfall risk exists along this stretch of coast; avoid sitting under overhangs and keep to established paths.
• Use a personal flotation device, carry a headtorch and spare light for any session spilling into dusk, and do not fish alone.
• Mobile signal is generally good on the tops but may be patchy on lower ledges — agree an exit plan and tell someone your return time.
• Wear grippy footwear, carry a small first-aid kit, and pack a throw line if fishing as a pair.

Facilities

There are no facilities on the headland itself, so plan to be self-sufficient. Nearby seaside villages have what you need before and after the session.

• Nearest amenities: cafés, pubs and seasonal toilets around Babbacombe/Oddicombe; additional shops in St Marychurch.
• Tackle and bait: several tackle shops operate in Torquay/Paignton; buy bait in town and transport in a cool bag.
• Parking: pay-and-display options around Babbacombe Downs and limited on-street parking near coast path access points; arrive early in summer.
• No lighting at the mark; bring adequate headtorches and spare batteries.
• Bins are limited — take all litter and end tackle home.

Tips

Local anglers treat Petitor as a roving, light-tackle venue in clear weather. Keeping mobile and reading the water pays dividends.

• Work lures tight to the kelp edges and where the tide boils off points; count soft plastics down to different depths until you locate fish.
• For wrasse, fresh hardback or peeled shore crab is king; failing that, live prawn or ragworm under a float fished right over the kelp fronds.
• Use weak-link leads and keep rods high to bounce gear over the rough stuff; carry plenty of end tackle and a drop net.
• On muggy summer evenings, garfish often sit high — shallow-set floats and slivers of mackerel belly out-fish everything.
• After a modest blow that just colours the water, try big paddle tails or shallow divers at first light for a passing bass along the seams.
• Keep noise and headtorch use to a minimum at dusk; pollack and scad push closer when it’s quiet.
• Seals patrol the headland at times; when they appear, move a short distance to find unspooked fish.

Regulations

Recreational sea angling is generally permitted at Petitor Point, but you must follow national and local rules. Regulations can change, so check before you go.

• Bass: minimum size 42 cm; retention and daily bag limits are seasonally controlled in ICES Area 7 — check the latest MMO/UK government notice before retaining any bass.
• Tope and sharks: recreational retention of tope is prohibited in England; release all tope alive. Handle with care using suitable traces and tools.
• Minimum sizes: observe the current UK Minimum Conservation Reference Sizes (MCRS) for species such as bass, pollack, mackerel, wrasse (where applicable), etc. When in doubt, release.
• Shellfish: Devon & Severn IFCA byelaws set minimum sizes and protect berried lobsters and egg-carrying (berried) crabs; check IFCA rules if considering any shellfish collection. Some nearby sites have specific restrictions on foraging — if unsure, do not collect.
• Protected sites: the wider Torbay area includes designated conservation sites (e.g., MCZ/SSSI). Recreational line angling is typically allowed, but avoid damaging habitats (no anchoring of gear into living reef) and do not remove intertidal life from sensitive areas.
• General: no open fires or camping on cliff tops; take all litter and line home. If signage on-site imposes temporary closures or diversions due to landslips or conservation work, follow them.