Summary
Rockham Bay sits below Mortehoe on North Devon’s wild Atlantic coast, a sandy pocket cove flanked by kelp-fringed rock ledges and gullies. It’s a scenic, mixed-ground mark that rewards mobile anglers with bass, wrasse and pollack by day, and huss or conger after dark when the sea is behaving.
Location and Access
Rockham is reached on foot via a signed National Trust path from Mortehoe village, with a steep staircase down to the beach. The approach is straightforward in fair weather but the final descent and ledges are uneven and can be slippery.
- Parking: Pay-and-display in Mortehoe (approx postcode EX34 7DT); National Trust and village car parks are a short walk from the footpath.
- Walk-in: 15–25 minutes each way on a well-used coast path; allow time for the return climb. Travel light.
- Descent: A steep flight of steps to the sand; after storms these steps can be temporarily closed or repaired—check National Trust notices locally before committing.
- Terrain: Mixed sand, boulders and kelp gullies at low tide, with fishable rock ledges on both sides of the cove. The west side trends towards Morte Point; the east side towards Bull Point.
- Access timing: Arrive around low to mid-tide to choose safe ledges and plan exit routes as the flood encroaches.
Seasons
Rockham’s mix of reef and sand produces variety through the seasons. Summer and autumn are the most consistent, with opportunist sessions in winter after blows.
- Spring (Apr–May): Schoolie to mid-size bass on lures and crab baits; wrasse activity starts as water warms; pollack on clearer days.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): Ballan wrasse, corkwing wrasse; pollack; mackerel, garfish and scad on calmer evenings; bass on a push of tide; lesser-spotted dogfish common; bull huss after dark.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): Best chance of larger bass in a dropping sea; pollack peak; scad into October; bull huss and conger on big baits at night.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): Generally quiet; dogfish and the odd whiting; occasional codling or coalfish after strong northerly blows; bass possible in rough, coloured water when conditions allow but pick windows carefully.
Methods
Both lure and bait tactics work, dictated by tide height, swell and water clarity. Expect heavy, snaggy ground—use abrasion-resistant leaders and weak-link (rotten-bottom) systems for leads.
- Bass on lures: Surface walkers and shallow divers at dawn/dusk over the reef; weedless soft plastics (10–20 g) ticked through kelp tongues on the flood.
- Bass on baits: Pulley or pulley-pennel with a weak lead link; peeler crab, sandeel, squid/mackerel cocktail. Cast to sand–reef edges or into gullies on the first half of the flood.
- Wrasse: Float-fished hard crab or rag/lug over boulders; or short pulley/ledger with 30–40 lb trace, 2/0–3/0 hooks. Strike and turn fish hard to keep them out of kelp; quick unhook and release.
- Pollack: Weedless soft plastics, slim metal jigs or shallow plugs worked along the outer ledges; also effective under a float with sandeel strip at dusk.
- Night species: Bull huss and conger on big mackerel/squid baits, 4/0–6/0 strong hooks, 80 lb mono rubbing leader (wire not required for huss). Drop baits into deeper gutters and gully mouths.
- Mackerel/gar/scad: Small sabikis with a 1–2 oz lead or light metals; keep clear of ledge edges and waves when spinning.
- Tackle notes: Lure rod 9–10 ft, 10–30 g; bass rod 10–11 ft, 2–4 oz; heavier beachcaster if baiting into rough ground. 20–30 lb braid with 40–60 lb leader; always fit a rotten-bottom lead link.
Tides and Conditions
Tide shape and swell direction are crucial here. A gentle to moderate swell with some colour on a flooding tide is prime for bass; clearer, settled days favour wrasse and pollack.
- Tide state: Two hours either side of low for accessing gullies/ledges; first half of the flood is often best for bass as water creeps over new ground.
- Springs vs neaps: Springs open more ground at low but flood faster—higher cut-off risk; neaps give easier presentation but shorter feeding windows.
- Wind/swell: Often fishable in light–moderate SW/W winds due to partial shelter; exposed to N–NW swells which can rebound dangerously—avoid big northerlies.
- Water clarity: A slight peat/kelp stain benefits bass; go for clear water for wrasse/pollack presentations.
- Time of day: Dawn and dusk are the key bite windows; after dark for huss and conger in settled seas.
Safety
This is a serious rock venue with steep access, slippery kelp and powerful tides. Plan conservatively and treat swell and cut-off hazards with respect.
- Personal safety: Wear a modern inflatable lifejacket, cleated or studded boots, and carry a headtorch plus spare light; consider a helmet on rough, weedy ground.
- Cut-off risk: Identify exit routes before you start; don’t drop onto low ledges you can’t climb off as the tide floods.
- Swell: Rebounding waves are common—keep back from the edge, especially with northerly swell. If in doubt, don’t go out.
- Ground: Very slippery kelp/barnacles; use a wading staff for balance and avoid fishing directly beneath unstable cliffs (rockfall risk).
- Steps: The final staircase is steep and can be closed after storm damage—check current access on National Trust notices locally. Extra care in darkness/wet weather.
- Accessibility: Not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility. Keep dogs on a lead near cliffs/livestock.
- Emergencies: Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard; state “Rockham Bay, near Mortehoe, North Devon.”
Facilities
There are no facilities on the beach or rocks, and no lighting—plan to be self-sufficient. Pack out all litter.
- Parking: Pay-and-display in Mortehoe village (approx EX34 7DT); limited on-road options in peak season.
- Toilets: Public toilets in Mortehoe (seasonal opening). None at the beach.
- Food/drink: Pubs and cafés in Mortehoe; wider options in Woolacombe.
- Tackle/bait: Dedicated tackle shops in Ilfracombe; pre-order fresh worm/sandeel where possible. Basic frozen bait is sometimes available in Woolacombe convenience stores.
- Mobile signal: Patchy to poor down in the cove; generally better on the clifftop.
- Lifeguards: None at Rockham; do not confuse with lifeguarded Woolacombe beach.
Tips
A mobile, stealthy approach outfishes sitting tight. Think short sessions that track the flood across new ground.
- Leapfrog the flood: Fish a ledge or gully for 15–20 minutes, then move with the rising water to fresh ground.
- Lure nuance: Weedless soft plastics dragged then paused across kelp tongues often draw savage bass hits.
- Dropping sea: 24–48 hours after a blow, with residual colour and a manageable swell, is classic bass time here.
- Float wrasse: Set the stop so the bait rides just off bottom; a few prawn scraps fed by hand can hold garfish in front of you on calm evenings.
- Snag management: Use weak links on leads and change retrieve angle to free gear—yanking straight back just wedges tackle deeper. Carry plenty of spare leads.
- Landing fish: Pick lower, safer ledges at the outset; a long-handled net beats a gaff. If you can’t land it safely, don’t hook it there.
- Wildlife: Grey seals regularly work the bay—if one appears near you, move spots to avoid spooking fish and stressing the animal.
- Clean gear: Rinse and dry kit between venues to reduce spread of marine invasives; don’t transfer live bait between catchments.
Regulations
Rockham Bay lies on National Trust coastline within the Devon & Severn IFCA district and close to/within the Bideford to Foreland Point Marine Conservation Zone. Shore angling by rod and line is permitted. Always check the latest official sources before you fish.
- Sea bass (recreational): In 2024, the limit is 2 fish per angler per day at a minimum of 42 cm, permitted 1 March–30 November; catch-and-release only outside those dates. Regulations are reviewed annually—confirm current rules via MMO/DEFRA before retaining any bass.
- MCZ/SSSI context: Hook-and-line angling is generally allowed; avoid disturbing intertidal habitats, nesting birds and seals. Do not move boulders or damage reef features.
- Other species: No national recreational bag limit for mackerel in England (take only what you need). Consider voluntary catch-and-release for wrasse to protect local stocks.
- National Trust: Respect signage; no fires or camping; keep to marked paths and take litter home.
- Protected/large fish: Release tope, shad and unusually large conger or huss in good condition.
- Bait collection: Follow local byelaws for bait digging/collecting; avoid digging on sensitive reefs and only where it is permitted.
- General: Observe size limits where applicable, use a measure, and be mindful that some local byelaws can change seasonally.
