Sugary Cove Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Sugary Cove Fishing Map

A small, secluded cove beneath Dartmouth Castle at the mouth of the River Dart. Access is via steep steps to a tiny shingle/sand pocket with kelpy rock ledges either side. The ground is rough and snaggy with quick access to depth from the rocks; sheltered from prevailing southwesterlies but exposed to easterlies and swell surge. Best at dusk or dawn on a flooding tide. Summer brings wrasse, pollack, mackerel, scad and garfish; after dark pouting and conger move in. Limited space and slippery weeded ledges—take care, and expect swimmers in settled weather.

Ratings

⭐ 6.5/10 Overall
Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 5/10
Accessibility 4/10

Fish You Can Catch at Sugary Cove

🐟 Bass 8/10
🎯 Tip: Surface/shallow-diving lures in onshore swell at first/last light, or live/whole sandeel on the flood. Work gullies around the points. Late spring–autumn.
🐟 Pollack 8/10
🎯 Tip: Weedless soft plastics or metal jigs along kelp-lined rock edges at dawn/dusk on the flood. Cast parallel to ledges; clear water best. Summer–autumn.
🐟 Mackerel 7/10
🎯 Tip: Summer shoals; cast metals/feathers from the points on the last of the flood and first of the ebb. Dawn/evening, clear water; keep gear high to avoid kelp.
🐟 Ballan Wrasse 7/10
🎯 Tip: Crab or rag on strong gear into kelp-filled holes; float or light ledger. Best on a flooding tide in clear water. Late spring–early autumn; unhook carefully.
🐟 Pouting 6/10
🎯 Tip: Small mackerel or rag strips on size 2–4 paternoster into deeper gullies at dusk/night. Mixed rough ground fishes best on the flood.
🐟 Corkwing Wrasse 6/10
🎯 Tip: Tiny hooks and rag/soft crab under a float beside kelp-fringed rock faces on the flood. Summer; calm, clear days produce bites.
🐟 Conger Eel 6/10
🎯 Tip: Night; big mackerel/squid baits on heavy traces dropped tight to rocks and kelp. Top of tide and first of ebb. Expect snags; use rotten-bottoms.
🐟 Garfish 6/10
🎯 Tip: Float small slivers of mackerel/sandeel 4–6 ft deep over cleaner patches on a flooding tide. Late spring–autumn; dawn/evening best.
🐟 Scad (Horse Mackerel) 5/10
🎯 Tip: After sunset in late summer; small metals or sabikis with a glow bead worked mid-water from the points on the first of the ebb.
🐟 Mullet (Thick-lipped) 5/10
🎯 Tip: Calm, clear mornings; look for fish browsing in the lee of the cove. Free-line bread flake or small rag on fine tackle. Best on neaps with minimal surf.

Sugary Cove Fishing

Summary

Sugary Cove is a small, secluded pocket beach tucked just below Dartmouth Castle at the mouth of the River Dart in South Devon. It’s a scenic, rough-ground mark that fishes well for a mixed bag, from summer wrasse, pollack and bass to winter pout, whiting and conger. The setting is stunning, but space is limited and conditions can change quickly with the tide and swell.

Location and Access

Access is via Dartmouth Castle, a short drive from Dartmouth town, with a steep footpath and steps down to the cove. It’s a compact shingle/pebble beach hemmed in by rocky ledges, so arrive early if you want a platform to yourself.

Seasons

This mark produces typical South Devon rough-ground species, boosted by tidal movement at the estuary mouth. Expect summer sport on lures and floats, and bait fishing into darkness in the colder months.

Methods

Rough ground and tide runs call for thoughtful tactics and abrasion‑resistant gear. Keep rigs simple, use rotten-bottom links, and adjust to water clarity.

Tides and Conditions

Sugary Cove is very tide dependent: the beach can all but disappear on big highs, and the estuary mouth generates strong runs on springs. Plan around safe water levels and pick conditions for the target species.

Safety

It’s a beautiful but committing little venue with steep steps, slippery ledges and lively tidal movement. Treat it as a rock mark, not a casual beach.

Facilities

Facilities are modest at the mark itself, but Dartmouth town is close by. Plan bait and water ahead in peak season when parking is tight.

Tips

This is a classic “travel light and time it right” South Hams nook. Small adjustments—depth on the float, lure weight, and presentation angle—often make the session.

Regulations

Recreational angling from the public beach/rocks is generally permitted here. There may be no fishing from inside any fenced/paid areas of the castle—respect any on‑site signage and directions from staff or wardens.