The Ness Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

The Ness Fishing Map

A steep red-sandstone headland at Shaldon with deep water close in, kelp-lined gullies and rough ground. It fishes well on the flood through high water in calm to moderate seas, with summer sport on lures and floats and decent night fishing for minis and pout/scad. Avoid easterly swells and big seas; ledges are uneven and can be slippery with weed. Access is via paths from Shaldon/Ness car park with a short descent and some scrambling to reach stable ledges.

Ratings

⭐ 7.1/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 5/10
Accessibility 6/10

Fish You Can Catch at The Ness

🐟 Ballan Wrasse 8/10
🎯 Tip: Crab or ragworm dropped into kelp gullies from the rocks; short casts. Best May-Oct on a flooding tide; daylight with a little swell. Use rotten-bottom rigs.
🐟 Pollack 7/10
🎯 Tip: Work metal jigs or soft plastics along the kelp line at dawn or dusk on the flood. Float-fished sandeel also scores. Keep lures deep with a slow retrieve.
🐟 Mackerel 7/10
🎯 Tip: Summer shoals; spin tins or feathers, or float sandeel at range. Best on a flooding tide, clear water, evening.
🐟 Bass 6/10
🎯 Tip: Plugs or soft plastics around the headland in a swell; dawn or dusk on a rising tide after a blow. Big fish baits in the gully at night can pick a better fish.
🐟 Pouting 6/10
🎯 Tip: Small hooks and worm or squid strips on 2-hook flappers into rough ground; evening into dark, especially on the flood.
🐟 Conger Eel 6/10
🎯 Tip: Heavy gear; big fish baits dropped into rock holes at night on neaps. Fish tight to ledges; use abrasion-resistant trace.
🐟 Garfish 6/10
🎯 Tip: Float small strips midwater over cleaner patches; late spring to autumn, bright days, flooding tide.
🐟 Scad (Horse Mackerel) 5/10
🎯 Tip: Dusk into dark in late summer; small metals or sabikis with a slow retrieve. Try the flooding tide, midwater.
🐟 Corkwing Wrasse 5/10
🎯 Tip: Size 2-4 hooks and ragworm near weed fringes, short lobs. Best Jun-Sep, mid-flood, clear water.
🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 4/10
🎯 Tip: Small fish or squid baits on the bottom to sand patches from the cove; after dark, any state of tide, more in autumn-winter.

The Ness Fishing

Summary

The Ness is the red-sandstone headland above Ness Cove at Shaldon, on the Teignmouth side of Lyme Bay in South Devon. Steep, kelpy ground and tidal seams create classic rough-ground rock fishing within easy reach of a car park. It’s a compact mark that rewards careful tide timing with wrasse, pollack, bass and summer mackerel.

Location and Access

Set on the Shaldon side of the Teign estuary mouth, The Ness is reached via the village and the cliff-top car park by The Ness House. Access to the water is mainly via the Smugglers Tunnel down to Ness Cove, then a short scramble to the rock fringes at suitable states of tide.

Seasons

This headland fishes like classic South Devon rough ground. Kelp gullies hold resident fish, with summer pelagics pushing bait tight to the rocks.

Methods

Rough ground close in means you rarely need to cast far. Keep it simple, use abrasion-resistant gear, and tailor tactics to the tide height and water clarity.

Tides and Conditions

Tide height dictates access to the rock fringes, and wind direction controls water clarity here in Lyme Bay. Plan for workable ledges, not just peak tidal movement.

Safety

This is committing rough-ground rock fishing with tidal cut-off potential. Treat it like a small rock platform venue: plan, kit up, and give the sea respect.

Facilities

Shaldon and Teignmouth have all the basics within a short drive, and the cliff-top area is well-frequented in season.

Tips

Small details make a big difference on this compact mark. Travel light, fish efficiently, and read the water on the day.

Regulations

Rod-and-line sea angling is generally permitted here; observe national and local rules and any beach management signage. Always check for the latest updates before you go.