Summary
Straight Point is the prominent red-sandstone headland between Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton in East Devon. The ground here is a mix of kelp-covered rock, ledges and adjacent sand tongues, making it a classic rough-ground venue with clean patches nearby. It’s productive for wrasse, pollack and bass in summer, with rays and flats on the fringes—provided you plan carefully around the MOD firing range closures and tricky access.
Location and Access
Reaching Straight Point is all about approaching from either side and respecting the range. There is no safe or legal descent of the cliffs within the range boundary; anglers typically fish the foreshore and adjacent beaches on either flank when access is permitted and tides allow.
- Approach from the Budleigh Salterton side: park at Lime Kiln long-stay (EX9 6JD) and walk west along the pebble beach towards the headland. It’s a firm leg-stretcher on shingle, so travel light.
- Approach from the Exmouth side: use Maer Road/Queens Drive seafront parking (e.g., EX8 2DB area) and walk east past Orcombe Point towards Sandy Bay. Note that Devon Cliffs Holiday Park is private; no public parking or cut-through.
- Terrain: large pebbles, slippy rock scars and weeded gullies. The cliffs themselves are unstable and should not be attempted. Any access to rock platforms is tidally limited and can be cut off quickly.
- MOD Range: when red flags or red lights are displayed at Straight Point, the foreshore and waters within the danger area are closed—do not enter. Firing is common on weekdays and occasionally at weekends.
Seasons
A mixed-grounds headland with seasonal variety. Expect classic reef species in settled weather and surf-side visitors on the sandier fringes.
- Spring–Autumn (most consistent): ballan wrasse, pollack, bass, mackerel, garfish, pout, scad
- Summer peaks: small-eyed ray (on nearby clean patches), smoothhound, black bream (occasional), triggerfish (occasional warm spells)
- Year-round staples: lesser spotted dogfish, conger (best after dark), rock gobies, blennies
- Winter: whiting, pouting, dabs; the odd plaice on cleaner ground; codling are rare these days but not impossible after prolonged northerlies
- Estuarine fringe species nearby (not on the point): mullet around Sandy Bay edges and Exmouth side in calm, clear water
Methods
Tackle up for rough ground on the point and cleaner ground on the flanks. Fish light and mobile for the reefs, and step up for rays or conger after dark.
- Rough-ground lure work: 20–40 g metal jigs, weedless soft plastics (paddle/slug 10–15 cm) for pollack and bass at dawn/dusk along tide seams.
- Float fishing: ragworm, prawn or crab baits fished tight to kelp fringes for wrasse and pollack when the water is clear and the swell is modest.
- Bottom tactics (reef edges): pulley pennel (3/0–4/0) with a weak-link/rotten-bottom for conger, bass and larger fish; squid/mackerel/sandeel combos.
- Clean patches and beach fringes: clipped-down distance rigs or long-snood flappers for rays and flats; sandeel for small-eyed rays, lug/rag for plaice/dabs; small neat worm baits for whiting in winter.
- Night sessions: target rays, conger and bass on the last of the flood into and over high water; keep rigs streamlined to minimise snagging.
Tides and Conditions
The point accelerates tide and swell; choose windows rather than forcing it. Neaps are kinder; big swells and strong onshores make it hazardous and unfishable.
- Tide state: for the reefy edges, the last half of the flood into high water and the first of the ebb can be excellent; at lower stages, explore gullies for wrasse.
- Tidal strength: pronounced off the headland—neaps are easier for bottom work; springs favour lures in the top layers during slack turns.
- Water clarity: wrasse/pollack prefer settled, clear water; a light onshore ripple and colour lift can switch bass on along the sand fringes.
- Time of day: dawn/dusk for predators; after dark for rays, conger and sole/dabs on nearby clean patches.
- Seasonality: May–October is prime for wrasse, pollack and mackerel; small-eyed rays and smoothhounds show late spring to early autumn; whiting in winter cold snaps.
Safety
This is an exposed, snaggy headland within an active MOD firing range—safety comes first. If in doubt, fish the adjacent beaches instead.
- MOD Range closures: when red flags or red lights are displayed, do not be on the foreshore or in the water within the danger area. Expect sirens and patrols during live firing.
- Cut-off risk: the foot of the cliffs can isolate quickly on a flooding tide; always keep a safe escape route and time your return.
- Unstable cliffs: frequent rockfall from soft sandstone—never shelter under faces; there is no safe cliff-top fishing here.
- Sea state: swell rebounds and kelp make footing treacherous; avoid big onshore days and long-period swells.
- Gear and PPE: wear a PFD when near the water or on ledges; use studded boots, a headtorch at night, and carry a phone/VHF. Fish with a partner where possible.
- Accessibility: long, uneven walks on pebbles; not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility.
Facilities
Facilities are better in the towns on either side than at the headland itself. Plan to be self-sufficient on the mark.
- Budleigh Salterton: public toilets and cafés along the promenade; parking at Lime Kiln (EX9 6JD).
- Exmouth: multiple cafés, supermarkets, fuel, public toilets; pay-and-display along Queens Drive/Maer Road (EX8 area). Tackle and bait are available in Exmouth—phone ahead for bait.
- On-site: no lighting, no freshwater, no bins—take all litter and line home. Phone signal is generally good atop the beaches but can dip under the cliffs.
- Devon Cliffs Holiday Park: facilities for residents only; no casual parking or access across the range.
Tips
Treat Straight Point like a rock mark with a tide gate and a diary. The more you align with neaps, clarity and range downtime, the more you’ll catch—and keep your gear.
- Check range times the day before and again on the day; if flags/lights are on, choose Budleigh or Exmouth beaches outside the danger area instead.
- Use rotten-bottom links and, on retrieval, a lead-lift to pop weights over kelp; a slightly longer butt grip helps keep the line high on the lift.
- For small-eyed rays, fish after dark two hours up to HW from the Budleigh side to reach sand tongues with sandeel or launce.
- Wrasse roam: keep moving between gullies, feeding tiny pieces of rag or prawn. Strike positively and don’t play them deep—bully them up.
- Lures at dusk: dark or olive paddle tails on 10–14 g weedless heads worked along colour lines; if tide rips, step up the weight briefly, then drop back.
- Expect spider crab activity mid/late spring; hard baits or tougher worm cocktails can outlast pickers.
- Travel light on pebbles: one rod, chest pack, and a compact sling net saves energy and time.
Regulations
Know the byelaws and seasonal rules—this is an MOD range and a conservation-sensitive coastline. Always read on-site signage before you step onto the foreshore.
- MOD Straight Point Firing Range: when red flags or red lights are displayed, public access to the foreshore and waters inside the danger area is prohibited. Obey all instructions from range staff and signage.
- Bass rules: recreational bass measures in the English Channel change year-to-year (size limits, retention seasons and daily bags). Check the current year’s government notice before your trip and release bass if you’re unsure.
- IFCA area: this coastline falls under Devon & Severn IFCA byelaws. Local regulations may cover bait collection, netting, potting and protected species—check the latest IFCA guidance if you intend to gather bait.
- Protected/return-only species: release any shad, eel and all skate species you cannot positively identify; handle rays and large wrasse carefully and return promptly.
- Exe Estuary note: bass nursery restrictions apply within parts of the nearby estuary (not on the open headland). If you fish inside the estuary, consult the nursery byelaws for seasonal prohibitions.
- General: observe national minimum conservation/reference sizes, use barbless or de-barbed hooks when practical, and never gaff wrasse or rays intended for release.
