Summary
Widmouth Head is a rugged headland on the North Devon coast between Ilfracombe (Hele Bay) and Watermouth. Deep water close in, tide-race seams and kelp-fringed rock ledges make it a classic rough-ground mark. It rewards prepared anglers with pollack, wrasse, bass and night-time huss and conger.
Location and Access
Access is via the South West Coast Path that threads the cliffs between Hele Bay and Watermouth Cove. Expect a scenic but demanding approach with steep sections and uneven ground.
- Best approaches: from the public car park at Hele Bay (east side of Ilfracombe), or from the Watermouth/Harbour side where limited roadside parking and holiday park facilities exist (respect private parking; use designated bays).
- Walk time: typically 20–35 minutes from either side, with short, sharp climbs/descents and narrow cliff-edge sections.
- Terrain at the mark: sloping rock platforms and broken ledges with weed and kelp; some platforms only safely reached in settled seas. Worn fisherman’s paths drop off the main trail—stick to obvious lines and avoid scrambling on wet weed.
- Footwear: studded or felt-soled boots strongly recommended; a wading staff helps on slippery traverses.
- Public transport: seasonal buses run along the A399 between Ilfracombe and Combe Martin; both trailheads are within walking distance of stops.
- Note: do not climb fences or cross signed private land to shortcut the path; use gates and stiles provided on the coastal path.
Seasons
This is mixed rough ground with fast water, so expect hard-fighting rock species by day and predators after dark.
- Spring to autumn (prime):
- Pollack to 4–6 lb in tide on lures and float fished sandeel/rag
- Ballan and corkwing wrasse on crab and worm baits among kelp
- Bass on lures in fizzing water and on peeler/sandeel in colour
- Mackerel and scad in summer evenings; garfish on floats
- Year-round/after dark:
- Bull huss over clean gullies between rough patches; dogfish common
- Conger eels from deeper holes at dusk/night
- Pouting and poor cod as bycatch on bottom rigs
- Winter/occasional:
- Rockling and pouting in rough weather windows
- Whiting sometimes in coloured water on the flood
- Triggerfish very occasional in late, warm summers
Methods
Lure, float and rough-ground bottom tactics all score here—choose to match tide, swell and water clarity.
- Lure fishing (mobile):
- Weedless soft plastics (15–25 g heads, 4–6 inch paddle or straight tails) worked over kelp edges for pollack and bass
- 20–40 g metals and casting jigs for mackerel/scad and searching tide seams
- Surface/sub-surface lures on a building flood for bass when there’s fizz and colour
- Float fishing (controlled depth):
- Ragworm, prawn or peeler crab for wrasse; set 8–15 ft to skim kelp fronds
- Strips of mackerel or live sandeel for pollack/garfish in clear water
- Bottom fishing (stay snag-aware):
- Pulley pennel or pulley dropper with a weak-link (rotten-bottom) lead; 3–5 oz grip/plain leads depending on run
- 40–60 lb mono/fluoro leaders; 3/0–5/0 strong hooks for huss/conger
- Baits: peeler crab, large rag/lug cocktails, whole squid, mackerel fillet or flapper after dusk
- Times: dawn and last light are standout for lures; full dark with a flooding tide for huss/conger. Keep moving with lures—set up a ledger rod only where you have a clear lift point.
Tides and Conditions
Tide flow defines this headland. Fish when there’s movement, but treat big springs and swell with caution.
- Tide state:
- Middle to top of the flood and the first hour of the ebb fish best for pollack and bass along the seams
- Wrasse are reliable from mid-tide up when kelp is covered
- Night ledgering for huss/conger from high water down over neap to mid-range tides
- Conditions:
- Light to moderate onshore push with a little colour lifts bass sport
- Clear, calm or a gentle offshore breeze suits wrasse and lure fishing for pollack
- Avoid heavy Atlantic swell or wind-over-tide conditions—the ledges get washed out and access becomes unsafe
- Seasonality:
- April–October for lure/float work; peak June–September
- Winter windows after storms can produce with big fish baits, but pick settled days
- Time of day: first/last light are prime; full dark brings predators tight in, especially on overcast nights.
Safety
This is an exposed rock mark with serious hazards. It is not suitable for children or those with limited mobility.
- Cliff exposure: narrow path sections with steep drops; keep loads light and hands free.
- Swell and wash: rogue waves can overtop low ledges even in small swell—watch a full set before committing and keep well back.
- Tidal cut-off: some lower platforms flood early; always retain a high, dry escape route.
- Footing: weeded rock is extremely slippery; wear studded boots and consider a helmet on steeper scrambles.
- Night fishing: recce in daylight; carry two lights, a charged phone, and tell someone your plan.
- Safety gear: a waist or full lifejacket is strongly recommended; use a throw line if fishing in a pair.
- Access notes: stick to the South West Coast Path; respect any temporary signage (e.g., erosion or conservation works).
Facilities
Facilities are limited at the headland itself, but nearby bays and towns have what you need.
- Parking: pay-and-display at Hele Bay; limited, considerate roadside parking near Watermouth; busiest in summer.
- Toilets/cafés: seasonal facilities at Hele Bay and Watermouth; full services in Ilfracombe and Combe Martin.
- Tackle/bait: tackle shops and bait suppliers in Ilfracombe town centre; additional options in Combe Martin and Barnstaple.
- Mobile signal: generally fair on the open headland, patchy in coves.
- Accommodation: campsites/holiday parks around Watermouth and Berrynarbor; plentiful B&Bs in Ilfracombe.
Tips
Local knowledge pays off on such a feature-rich headland—fish the water in front of you, not just the mark name.
- Use rotten-bottom links on any bottom rig; you will lose leads—save your mainline.
- Work lures high over kelp and along colour lines; a brisk, stop–start retrieve triggers pollack.
- Downsize hooks and baits if plagued by small pout/doggies; upsize and fish whole squid/mackerel after dark to find huss.
- Carry a long-handled disgorger/forceps; barbless or in-line single hooks on metals make releases easier on high ledges.
- If seals are around, switch to lures and keep moving; static baits often get taxed.
- Wear drab clothing and keep low in clear water—especially when bassing tight to the rock.
- Join the tide: step-and-cast along the head as the flood builds rather than anchoring to one spot.
Regulations
Recreational sea angling is generally permitted here; there is no rod licence required in England for saltwater fishing. Always check the latest byelaws before you go.
- European seabass: recent rules have typically allowed one fish per angler per day within a defined open season at a 42 cm minimum size—regulations change; check current MMO/IFCA notices before retaining any bass.
- Minimum conservation/reference sizes: adhere to UK government sizes for common species (e.g., pollack, mackerel); release undersized fish promptly.
- Spurdog and other sharks/rays: protections vary by area and year—if unsure, photograph and release.
- Wrasse: many local clubs encourage catch-and-release for larger wrasse due to their slow growth; consider releasing all wrasse at this rough-ground mark.
- Local IFCA: Devon & Severn IFCA byelaws apply; review any seasonal or gear restrictions, especially around netting or bait collection.
- Access and land: stick to public rights of way; do not cross fences or walls to reach ledges; respect any temporary closures for path repair or erosion.
- General: take litter and old line home; leaving tackle on rock ledges risks wildlife and future access.
