Widmouth Head

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.