Roundham Head Fishing

Summary

Roundham Head sits between Paignton Harbour and Goodrington Sands in Tor Bay, Devon, offering easy-access rock fishing over classic red sandstone ledges and kelpy gullies. It’s a versatile mark that fishes well for wrasse, pollack, mackerel and garfish in summer, with night sport for pout and conger year-round. Sheltered from prevailing south‑westerlies, it’s a reliable option when other local headlands are blown out.

Location and Access

Roundham Head is the prominent headland just south of Paignton Harbour and above Fairy Cove, with the South West Coast Path running along the top. Access is straightforward from either the harbour side or Goodrington/Youngs Park, with short but steep paths to the fishing ledges.

• Drive to Paignton and follow signs for Paignton Harbour or Goodrington/Youngs Park; both have pay‑and‑display car parks within a 5–10 minute walk of the headland.
• From Paignton Harbour: walk up the steps by the South Quay into Roundham Gardens and follow the coast path around the head to find several fisherman tracks down to ledges.
• From Goodrington: head up Cliff Road or through Youngs Park to Roundham Gardens, then pick up the coast path and descent paths.
• Terrain: red sandstone platforms, boulders and kelp-filled gullies; footwear with good grip essential. Some drops are steep and uneven.
• Public transport: Paignton railway and bus stations are about a 15–20 minute walk; handy if you’re traveling light.

Seasons

This headland fishes across the seasons, with summer variety and dependable winter options at night.

• Spring (Mar–May):
  • Ballan and corkwing wrasse close in
  • Early pollack on lures at dawn/dusk
  • Garfish from May in settled, clear water
• Summer (Jun–Aug):
  • Mackerel and scad on evenings
  • Wrasse (ballan, corkwing) in numbers
  • Pollack to lures, especially at last light
  • Garfish on floats; occasional black bream in calm, clear spells
  • Bass on lures when there’s some surf or colour
• Autumn (Sep–Nov):
  • Scad and mackerel into darkness
  • Pollack, pout; increasing conger interest after dark
  • Occasional squid on calm, clear nights
• Winter (Dec–Feb):
  • Pouting, rockling and conger after dark
  • Pollack on lures on the calmer nights
  • Dogfish if you can reach any sand patches away from the rough
• Year‑round possibilities: mullet mooching around Fairy Cove on still days; LRF mini species (blennies, gobies, small wrasse) in the nooks and weed.

Methods

The ground is rough and weedy, so tailor rigs and tactics to fishing tight to structure without donating too much lead.

• Float fishing:
  • Ragworm, prawn or strips of sandeel/mackerel for wrasse, garfish and mackerel; set depth 6–15 ft and adjust until you find the fish.
  • Use clear floats and fluorocarbon traces on bright, calm days.
• Lure fishing:
  • Metals and slim casting jigs (10–30 g) for mackerel/scad; work mid-water at dusk.
  • Soft plastics (paddle tails, weedless EWG rigged 3–5”) for pollack and bass; bump along reef edges at first/last light.
  • LRF: small metals and 2–3" creature baits for mini species and dusk scad.
• Bottom fishing (rough ground):
  • 2–3 ft pulley or pulley‑dropper with a weak‑link/rotten‑bottom for the lead; 25–40 lb trace to resist abrasion.
  • Baits: crab (peeler/hardback), ragworm, squid/mackerel cocktail for wrasse, pout and conger.
  • Short controlled casts into identifiable gullies; long casts usually increase snags.
• Night tactics:
  • Big fish baits (mackerel, squid) on a single strong hook (4/0–6/0) for conger/pout.
  • Clip‑on lights and a headtorch to manage line and observe swell.
• Handling/landing:
  • A long-handled landing net is useful on some ledges; avoid gaffs. Barbless or micro‑barbed hooks make unhooking wrasse easier.

Tides and Conditions

Roundham is forgiving on wind compared with open coast marks, but it still pays to time tides and read the water.

• Tide state:
  • Best from mid‑flood to the first hour of ebb; wrasse fishing often peaks 2–3 hours either side of high water.
  • Neaps offer easier presentation in the gullies; springs can add run and weed, so shorten casts and pin baits.
• Wind and swell:
  • Sheltered in prevailing SW–W winds; very fishable when other headlands are too rough.
  • Easterlies push swell into Tor Bay and can make the ledges dangerous and the water coloured—approach with caution.
• Water clarity:
  • Clear, calm water suits float and lure fishing for garfish, mackerel, pollack and bream.
  • A touch of colour and a roll can switch on wrasse and bass.
• Time of day/season:
  • Dawn and dusk are prime for lure fishing and float tactics; scad and mackerel stack up at last light in summer/autumn.
  • After dark, expect pout and conger year‑round; winter sport is largely a night game here.

Safety

This is a rock mark with uneven, sometimes slippery access. Plan conservatively and dress for immersion even if you never intend to get wet.

• Footing and drops:
  • Red sandstone ledges can be greasy with weed or spray—wear studded boots or rock shoes; take your time on descents.
  • Some platforms are wave-washed on big tides/swell; never fish with your back to the sea.
• Swell/tide hazards:
  • Avoid easterly swells which can wrap into Tor Bay and overtop low ledges.
  • A few spots can become cut off on high spring tides—note your exit before you start.
• Cliffs and edges:
  • Do not climb fences or descend unstable sections; the sandstone crumbles and there is rockfall risk below the cliffs.
• Night fishing:
  • Carry two lights, spare batteries and a charged phone. Fish with a partner where possible.
• Accessibility:
  • Not suitable for wheelchair users or pushchairs; access involves steps and steep, uneven paths.
• Personal safety gear:
  • A well‑fitted inflatable lifejacket and a throw line are strongly recommended on rock marks.

Facilities

You’re fishing inside a busy resort area, so amenities are close by, especially in season.

• Parking: multiple pay‑and‑display options near Paignton Harbour and Goodrington/Youngs Park; limited on‑street spaces on Cliff Road/Roundham Avenue (check local restrictions).
• Toilets: public toilets at Paignton Harbour and at Youngs Park (seasonal opening times; small fee may apply).
• Food and drink: cafés, kiosks and pubs around the harbour and Goodrington (many are seasonal, with reduced winter hours).
• Tackle and bait: tackle/bait available in Paignton/Torbay area; check current opening hours before traveling.
• Public transport: Paignton rail/bus stations within walking distance.
• Mobile signal: generally good 4G/5G coverage on the headland.

Tips

Local knowledge makes Roundham much more productive—treat it like a series of small spots rather than one big mark.

• Work the pockets:
  • Use polaroids at low water to identify kelp edges and holes, then fish them on the flood with floats or short underhand casts.
• Move to find fish:
  • If you don’t get bites in 15–20 minutes, shift 10–20 metres to the next gully; small moves make big differences here.
• Baits that shine:
  • Fresh local prawn and peeler crab are deadly for wrasse and surprise bream; keep baits small and neat.
• Weak‑link everything:
  • A lighter sacrificial lead link saves whole rigs in the rough; carry plenty of leads and a few heavy rubbing leaders.
• Dusk routine:
  • Have a float rod ready for gar/mackerel and a light lure rod for scad at last light in summer and early autumn.
• Quiet mornings:
  • Mullet graze around Fairy Cove on still mornings; freelined bread flake or small crusts can be effective if you want a change of pace.
• Bathing zones:
  • In summer, respect the marked swimming areas off Fairy Cove/Goodrington—keep clear of buoys and lifeguarded zones when casting.

Regulations

There’s no blanket ban on fishing at Roundham Head, but you must follow national and local rules. Regulations can change—always check the latest before you go.

• Local authority/IFCA:
  • This area falls under Devon & Severn IFCA. Their byelaws cover minimum sizes, netting/potting rules and some gear restrictions—rod‑and‑line shore fishing is generally permitted.
• Bass regulations:
  • Recreational bass rules (bag limits and open seasons) are reviewed annually by the UK Government/MMO. Minimum size is typically 42 cm; retention is only allowed during set months each year. Check current MMO guidance before retaining any bass.
• Minimum conservation/reference sizes:
  • Observe national MLS/MCRS for species you intend to keep (e.g., wrasse have no national MLS but are slow‑growing—many anglers practice catch and release for larger fish).
• Marine protected areas:
  • Parts of Tor Bay include designated conservation sites; rod‑and‑line fishing is generally allowed, but avoid damaging the reef and never remove living sessile species from the rocks.
• Bathing and harbour byelaws:
  • Do not fish inside marked bathing zones in season. If you venture onto Paignton Harbour structures, follow harbour byelaws and any angling signage.
• Bait and foraging:
  • Take only what you need, observe local restrictions on bait collection, and never hammer peeler crab or prawn stocks in small pools.
• Litter and fish welfare:
  • Take all line and tackle home; dispatch retained fish humanely. Using barbless/micro‑barbed hooks helps with safe release of wrasse.

For definitive, up‑to‑date rules, consult: Devon & Severn IFCA, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), and Torbay Council/harbour notices before your session.