Westward Ho! Fishing

Summary

Westward Ho! (North Devon) is a classic surf beach backed by the famous Pebble Ridge, with rocky fringes at Kipling Tors and toward Abbotsham. It sits on the edge of the Bristol Channel’s huge tidal range, creating shifting gutters and powerful currents that draw in bass, rays and smoothhound. With both clean sand and rough ground within walking distance, it rewards mobile lure anglers and patient bait fishers alike.

Location and Access

Access is straightforward via the A39 to the B3236 into Westward Ho!, with multiple car parks close to the promenade and within Northam Burrows Country Park. The terrain ranges from firm sand to unstable boulders and rock platforms, so plan your route with the tide in mind.

• Parking: Large pay-and-display along the seafront/promenade and at Northam Burrows Country Park (seasonal toll on the access road). A handy central postcode is EX39 1LL for the main front.
• Approaches:
  • Beach/Pebble Ridge: short walk from the promenade; the Pebble Ridge is hard going with a barrow and becomes steep after storms.
  • Kipling Tors (east side): signed coastal path from the village; short but uneven walk to low rock ledges.
  • Northam Burrows/Skern: easy, flat walking on the common, but soft ground in places near channels.
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate on the beach; moderate over the Pebble Ridge; moderate to tricky on rock ledges (weed and uneven footing).
• Notes: Northam Burrows vehicle gates can be locked outside stated hours in some seasons—check current opening times locally.

Seasons

This stretch offers a good mix of surf and rough-ground species. Seasonality matters due to water temperature, bait availability and the Bristol Channel’s turbidity.

• Spring (Mar–May):
  • Bass (increasing Apr–May, surf and rock marks)
  • Smoothhound (late May on, especially near rough/clean edges)
  • Small-eyed ray (settled seas, May peak)
  • Dogfish, bull huss (nights)
  • Wrasse from rocks (Apr onward)
• Summer (Jun–Aug):
  • Bass (all methods), schoolies to better fish in onshore surf
  • Small-eyed ray, occasional turbot and gurnard from clean sand
  • Smoothhound (Jun–Jul best)
  • Mackerel and garfish from rock fringes when clear and calm
  • Pollack from rough ground on lures; wrasse reliable
  • Thick-lipped mullet in the Skern on still days
• Autumn (Sep–Nov):
  • Bass peak (Sep–Oct), including lure fishing along the surf line
  • Small-eyed ray continue in calm spells
  • Whiting arrive (Oct–Nov nights), huss on rough patches
  • Very occasional codling after a strong northerly blow
• Winter (Dec–Feb):
  • Whiting, dogfish, rockling on the beach at night
  • Flounder mainly inside the estuary arms rather than open beach
  • Huss possible from rock marks; bass mostly catch-and-release only by regulation at this time

Methods

Both static bait and mobile lure styles produce here, with your choice guided by sea state and water clarity. Keep terminal tackle streamlined to cope with tide and weed.

• Surf/clean ground (beach and gutters):
  • Rigs: Pulley pennel (3/0–4/0) for rays and bass; up-and-over for distance with long snoods; clipped rigs to cut drag.
  • Leads: 5–6 oz wired grips to hold in tide; go heavier on big springs.
  • Baits: Fresh lug/rag, peeler crab (prime for bass and hounds), sandeel and squid cocktails for rays; small sandeel/strip for turbot.
• Rough ground/rock fringes (Kipling Tors/Abbotsham side):
  • Wrasse: Simple running ledger or paternoster with strong hooks; crab, rag, mussel and limpet.
  • Pollack/mackerel/gar: Spinning with metals, float-fished strips; soft plastics on 20–30 g heads when the water is clear.
  • Conger/huss (after dark): Heavy mono trace (80 lb for conger), big fish baits, locked-down drag and snag leader.
• Lure fishing for bass:
  • When: Dawn/dusk or in overcast chop; flooding tide along the surf line and around rocky points.
  • Lures: Shallow divers, surface walkers, weedless soft plastics (pearl/ayu in clear, darker tones in colour).
• Mullet in the Skern:
  • Light float or freelined bread; stealthy approach; long fluorocarbon traces.
• General tackle notes:
  • Mainline 20–25 lb mono or 30–40 lb braid with 60–80 lb shock leader for casting 5–6 oz leads.
  • Carry spare rigs and a long-handled disgorger—dogfish and whiting can be relentless at night.

Tides and Conditions

The Bristol Channel’s range and energy define this mark. Reading the surf, gutters and colour will decide your plan.

• Best tide windows:
  • Bass: Last 2 hours of flood and first of ebb along the surf line and gutter at the base of the Pebble Ridge.
  • Rays: Mid to late flood into high on settled days with a gentle roll; neaps help with presentation.
  • Smoothhound: Dusk into dark on mid-to-large tides in late spring/early summer.
  • Rock marks: Often best from mid-ebb to low when platforms are exposed, then leave before the push.
• Sea state and clarity:
  • Mild onshore chop + coloured water = great for baited bass; too much weed after a blow can make it unfishable.
  • Clear, calm evenings suit lures, wrasse and mackerel/gar from the rocks.
• Seasonality:
  • Late spring to autumn is prime overall; winter nights focus on whiting/dogs with the odd bonus fish.
• Local patterns:
  • After storms the Pebble Ridge shifts, creating new gutters; re-scout regularly.
  • Big springs create strong lateral pull—clip down and step up lead size.

Safety

This is a high-energy coastline with fast-flooding tides and heavy surf. Choose conservative positions and give yourself exit time.

• Tidal risk: Huge range and fast push—rock platforms and sandbars can be cut off quickly. Leave rock marks well before the flood.
• Surf/shore dump: Powerful dump on mid-to-high tides; avoid wading and keep clear of backwash, especially in darkness.
• Pebble Ridge: Unstable, ankle-turning boulders; use sturdy boots and headtorch at night.
• Slippery rocks: Weed-covered ledges at Kipling Tors/Abbotsham are treacherous when wet—cleats or spiked soles advised.
• Weed and debris: After onshore blows, expect heavy kelp and flotsam; keep lines high and be ready to cut free.
• Lifeguarded zones: In season, do not fish within flagged bathing/surfing areas; move well away from water users.
• Accessibility: Promenade and some ramps offer easy access to the sand, but the Pebble Ridge and rocks are unsuitable for limited mobility.
• PPE: A modern lifejacket is strongly recommended on any rock mark; carry a charged phone and fish with a partner where possible.

Facilities

Westward Ho! is a busy resort with good amenities right behind the beach. Expect summer crowds and seasonal services.

• Toilets: Public conveniences along/near the promenade (seasonal opening hours may apply).
• Food and drink: Multiple cafés, takeaways and pubs within a short walk of the front.
• Tackle/bait: Summerlands Tackle in Westward Ho!; additional shops in Bideford/Appledore for fresh/frozen bait.
• Lifeguards: RNLI lifeguard patrols operate seasonally on designated bathing/surfing zones.
• Parking: Promenade car parks (pay-and-display) and Northam Burrows Country Park (seasonal toll).
• Mobile signal: Generally good across networks on the seafront; can dip in low ground behind the ridge.
• Public transport: Regular buses link Westward Ho! with Bideford and Barnstaple.

Tips

Local knowledge here is about reading the surf and working around crowds and weed. Travel light and keep mobile.

• Find the first gutter: On a dropping or early flood tide, the gutter tight to the Pebble Ridge often holds bass—short casts with crab or lug can beat big whacks.
• Clip down and step up: Strong lateral tide rewards aerodynamic rigs and 5–6 oz wired leads; a tripped grip can walk your bait into position.
• Crab is king: Peeler transforms catches in late spring/early summer—prime for hounds and quality bass.
• Lure windows: Dawn/dusk with a light onshore ripple; cover ground from the Tors toward the first rocky fingers.
• Weed watch: After a blow, give it 24–48 hours for the worst kelp to clear; neaps are kinder for presentation.
• Rock routine: For wrasse, fish into the kelp but lock up and use abrasion-resistant leaders; release wrasse quickly.
• Dogfish management: Scale down to smaller baits for a bit of fun, or use bigger crab/fish baits to punch through the dogs when ray/bass hunting.
• Burrows gates: If driving onto Northam Burrows, check gate times to avoid being locked in.

Regulations

Rules here are a mix of national sea fishing measures, local IFCA byelaws, and beach/park management. Always check the latest notices on-site and official sources before you go.

• Bass (recreational): Minimum size 42 cm. Retention commonly allowed 1 March–30 November (up to two fish per angler per day), with catch-and-release only outside those dates. This can change annually—check current government guidance before retaining bass.
• Minimum sizes/bag limits: National MMO conservation reference sizes apply to species like cod, bass, mullet, rays, etc. Know your sizes before retaining fish.
• IFCA jurisdiction: Westward Ho! falls under Devon & Severn IFCA. Expect byelaws covering netting, estuary nursery protections and bait collection—review current byelaws, especially if fishing near the Taw–Torridge estuary/Skern.
• Estuary/bass nursery: Parts of the Taw–Torridge system are designated Bass Nursery Areas with restrictions on certain netting methods; shore angling is generally permitted—observe any posted signs.
• Northam Burrows Country Park: Vehicle access may be charged/limited by gates; follow site byelaws, keep off protected dune/saltmarsh habitats, and respect dog/zone restrictions.
• Beach use restrictions: During lifeguard hours, do not fish within flagged bathing/surfing zones; give wide berth to water users at all times.
• Bait collection: Sensitive SSSI habitats around the Skern—avoid damaging saltmarsh and observe any local restrictions or guidance on bait digging.
• Litter and fish care: Take all litter and old line home; consider voluntary catch-and-release for wrasse and large breeding rays.