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Devon

Woody Bay

6.4 · Rocks · Devon

A steep, wooded cove on Exmoor’s north coast with rough, kelpy ground and rock ledges on both sides of a small boulder/shingle beach. Deep water is within easy casting range, but powerful Bristol Channel tides and swell are common. Best fished on the flood into high water or the first of the ebb; neaps are kinder than big springs. Night sessions produce larger rough-ground species, while summer daylight brings lure opportunities for pelagics. Access is demanding via a long, steep path and footing is uneven, so travel light and use a rotten-bottom setup.

Should you fish Woody Bay?

43 Low

Today · Best available

Best available: 03:00-06:00

Most likely species: Bass and Conger Eel

Poor conditions. Best available around 03:00-06:00, but no window reaches the strong threshold today. Good chance of Bass and Conger Eel.

W 5 mph Rain 1% High tide 11:53

Consider a backup mark if conditions do not improve.

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7-day fishing forecast for Woody Bay — 7-day forecast

Scores and best windows are weighted for .

Met Office Met Office · Open-Meteo

Where the data comes from. Weather and sea-state readings come from the Met Office and Open-Meteo forecast models, refreshed several times a day. High and low water are taken from tide-station predictions for this stretch of coast.

How the score works. Each window is scored 0–100 from the signals that most reliably move fish inshore: tide movement (a running tide carries food, so the last of the flood and first of the ebb are usually the prime spells), wind speed and direction (onshore wind stirs food into the surf — up to the point it makes fishing hard), sea state (a little wave and swell movement helps, heavy swell hurts), and weather — rain, temperature and light. Behind the headline number we score bite opportunity and comfort separately, and run a separate safety check on wind and swell. The size of the tide counts too: spring tides move more water than neaps, so the tidal range for this stretch of coast is weighed alongside the tide's direction, your target species and this mark — and unusually big springs strengthen the safety check, because the water rises faster and covers more ground.

Your target species counts. Pick a species below and the score also weights what we know about it — its season, preferred sea temperature, tide stage and sea state, and whether it feeds by day or night.

The rating is guidance, not a guarantee — conditions change fast on the coast, so always judge the sea in front of you before you fish.

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· windows & tide

Spring vs neap tides. Spring tides have a larger difference between high and low water, so more water moves on each tide — usually stronger flow that stirs up food and gets fish feeding. Neap tides have a smaller range and generally gentler movement. The range here is compared with what is normal for this stretch of coast, and the cycle swings between springs and neaps roughly every week, following the moon.

Big spring tides: the water rises faster and covers more ground than usual — double-check access routes and cut-off points before you fish.

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Woody Bay is a steep, rough-ground Exmoor cove where deep water, kelp gullies and rock ledges put pollack, wrasse, bass and night predators within shore range. It fishes best when the tide, swell and access line up: target the flood into high water, keep mobile over the ledges, and only commit when you have a safe exit from the rocks.

  • Know when to fish the flood into high water at Woody Bay
  • Pick the safer ledge system instead of guessing left or right
  • Target pollack, bass, wrasse, huss and conger by tide and light level
  • Use the right rough-ground setup before the kelp takes your gear
  • Spot the swell and spring-tide conditions that make Woody Bay a no-go

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Jump to towns around this mark for more marks and guides.

Lynton and Lynmouth 2.5 mi Combe Martin 5.9 mi Bratton Fleming 7.4 mi Chambercombe 9.5 mi Ilfracombe 9.6 mi

Explore nearby towns: Lynton and Lynmouth · Combe Martin · Bratton Fleming · Chambercombe · Ilfracombe

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Forecast tuning currently supports Bass and Mackerel — more species are on the way.

Overall rating

6.4 /10

Blend of catch potential, access, safety, and overall experience.

Category scores

Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 8/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 3/10

Pollack 9/10
Tip: Dawn/dusk on a flooding tide; work metals or weedless soft plastics along kelp gullies from the ledges. Keep lures tight to the weed line.
Ballan Wrasse 8/10
Tip: Summer over rough kelp; crab or rag on strong abrasion-resistant gear. Fish mid to high water dropping baits into holes and ledges.
Bass 7/10
Tip: Rising tide with swell; surface or paddletail lures in the wash, or peeler crab/sandeel at dusk. Cover moving water between gullies.
Bull Huss 6/10
Tip: After dark on the flood into slack; big mackerel/squid baits on pulley rigs to rough ground. Use heavy traces to beat kelp and snags.
Mackerel 6/10
Tip: Summer shoals on calm evenings; metals or light feathers from deeper points on the flood. Keep tackle light for safe climbing.
Conger Eel 6/10
Tip: Night fishing at high water; large mackerel baits dropped into kelp gullies. 80 lb trace and locked drag—expect powerful runs near snags.
Pouting 5/10
Tip: Reliable after dark; small fish/squid strips on two-hook flappers close to the bottom over the flood. Expect frequent bites but many snags.
Tompot Blenny 5/10
Tip: LRF tactics; tiny hooks and bits of prawn dropped tight to vertical rock faces at any state of tide. Strike fast to avoid snagging.
Long-spined Sea Scorpion 5/10
Tip: LRF around rockpools and kelp fringes; small worm/prawn baits on size 12–14 hooks. Best on a making tide.
Garfish 5/10
Tip: Late summer; float-fish mackerel strip or sandeel 6–10 ft deep along weed edges on a flooding tide. Small sharp hooks help hookups.

Local knowledge

Woody Bay fishing guide

Practical access, seasons, methods, tides, safety and facilities for this mark.

Woody Bay sits on the wild Exmoor coast of North Devon between Lynton and Combe Martin, a steep-sided cove of boulders, rock ledges and kelp-fringed gullies. It’s a classic rough-ground mark with deep water close in, producing wrasse, pollack, bass and night-time huss and conger for mobile, safety-conscious anglers. Expect a strenuous walk, dramatic scenery, and highly rewarding sessions when the sea and tides align.

Woody Bay is reached via a National Trust path descending from the A39 side of Exmoor near Martinhoe, with a long, steep walk down to the shore. It’s remote and exposed; plan your exit route and travel light.

  • Parking: National Trust Woody Bay car park, signposted from the A39 between Lynton/Lynmouth and Combe Martin; limited spaces in summer
  • Approach: Well-used but steep path and zig-zags; allow 20–30 minutes down and more coming back up
  • Terrain: Large boulders, uneven rock platforms, barnacle- and kelp-covered ledges; not suitable for trolleys or heavy boxes
  • Alternative foot access: South West Coast Path sections link from Heddon Valley/Martinhoe, but add time and ascent
  • No vehicular access to the beach; carry only what you need and wear sturdy footwear

This is classic Exmoor rough ground: wrasse and pollack in the gullies, bass on the push, and bigger predators after dark. Expect variety through the year with peaks at dawn, dusk and into darkness.

  • Spring (Apr–May): Ballan and cuckoo wrasse, pollack, early bass, dogfish; occasional bull huss; chance of spurdog on big night tides
  • Summer (Jun–Aug): Wrasse, pollack, mackerel, garfish, scad; bass on lures; conger and huss after dark; pout common at depth
  • Autumn (Sep–Nov): Bass peak, chunky pollack, huss and conger, late mackerel and garfish runs; whiting begin to show on night tides
  • Winter (Dec–Feb): Whiting, pout, rockling, conger and huss; odd spurdog on springs; codling are very rare on this stretch

Rough ground demands robust tackle and simple, strong presentations. Lure fishing shines in clear water; big natural baits sort out the nocturnal predators.

  • Lure fishing: 9–10 ft rods rated ~20–40 g; weedless soft plastics (SPs), metal jigs, surface/sub-surface minnows for bass and pollack at dawn/dusk
  • Float fishing: 12–15 ft leaders, sliding float with stop knot; depth 8–15 ft over kelp edges; baits: ragworm, prawn, strips of sandeel for wrasse/pollack
  • Bottom fishing: Pulley or pulley-dropper with a rotten-bottom weak link; 4–6 oz leads; 40–60 lb leader to cope with abrasion
  • Baits (bottom): Mackerel/squid cocktails, whole sandeel, crab for bass and wrasse, large fish baits after dark for huss/conger
  • Hooks and traces: 1/0–3/0 for general work; 4/0–6/0 pennels for big baits; 80 lb mono rubbing leader or short wire for conger if required
  • Times: First/last light for lures; dusk into 3 hours after high water for huss/conger; wrasse best over flood and early ebb in daylight
  • Tackle care: Use strong snoods and a sacrificial weak link to the lead to beat snags; keep rigs short to reduce tangles

Tidal range is large on the Bristol Channel coast, and tide run can be fierce. Time your session for fish movement and safe ledge access.

  • Tide state: Flood tide is prime, especially 2 hours up to high water; wrasse also feed well from mid-flood into early ebb
  • Springs vs neaps: Neaps are kinder for lures and float; springs push bait scent and can switch on huss/conger at night
  • Sea state: Light swell with clarity suits lures; a bit of colour after a blow favours big fish baits
  • Wind: Southerly/easterly tends to flatten this north-facing coast; strong northerly/westerly swells can make it unfishable
  • Water clarity: Clear in settled periods—downsize lures and use fluorocarbon; after surf, try darker SPs or scented baits
  • Time of day: Dawn and dusk for bass/pollack; full dark for huss/conger; mackerel/garfish in bright, settled summer spells

This is a remote, committing rock mark requiring fitness and solid sea-sense. Many ledges can be cut off—recce at low water and leave plenty of margin.

  • Steep descent/ascent: Long, strenuous walk; not suitable for limited mobility or young children
  • Slippery rocks: Barnacles, weed and surge; wear grippy boots/cleats and consider a rock-fishing lifejacket
  • Cut-off risk: Some platforms flood early; always keep a dry escape route and monitor the swell
  • Swell and rebound: Cliff faces create surges; keep back from the edge and never turn your back on the sea
  • Falling rocks: Keep clear of the base of unstable cliffs; avoid sitting beneath overhangs
  • Comms: Phone signal is patchy to none in the cove; tell someone your plan and carry a headtorch, spare light and whistle; a small VHF/PLB is sensible
  • Night fishing: Only for those who’ve recced in daylight; minimal gear, tidy footprints, and clear exits

There are no facilities on the shore—treat it as a backcountry session. Stock up before you leave the car and pack out all litter.

  • On-site: No toilets, bins, water or lighting; no shelter on the beach
  • Nearby amenities: Cafés, pubs, and toilets in Lynton/Lynmouth and Combe Martin; seasonal options at Heddon Valley
  • Tackle and bait: Reliable supplies in Ilfracombe; limited options in Lynton/Lynmouth—check opening hours in advance
  • Parking: National Trust car park (pay-and-display where applicable) with limited spaces; arrive early in good weather
  • Phone signal: Often weak or absent at shore level; better higher up near the car park

Woody Bay rewards stealth, mobility and tidy tackle management. Fish light when you can and heavy when you must.

  • Use a short rotten-bottom link to save rigs—accept you’ll lose leads in the kelp
  • Work weedless SPs tight to the rocks for bass and pollack; bites often come within a rod length of the edge
  • For wrasse, try natural baits like prawn or crab under a float just off the bottom; move between gullies until you find fish
  • After a summer blow, expect drifting kelp—switch to float or big static baits rather than mid-water lures
  • A single lure rod plus a compact bait setup covers most options; keep moving until you find life
  • Porpoises and gannets often betray mackerel or launce shoals—be ready with a metal jig or small surface lure
  • Dusk into the first hours of dark with a whole mackerel or squid-flapper can find huss; keep the drag set and rod secured

Angling is generally permitted at Woody Bay on the National Trust coastline; always follow any on-site signage or temporary restrictions. This stretch falls within the Devon and Severn IFCA district and national MMO rules apply.

  • National Trust: Respect conservation designations and nesting birds; stick to marked paths and avoid disturbing cliff ledges
  • Size/bag limits: Adhere to UK minimum conservation reference sizes (MMO) for sea fish; measure and release undersized fish promptly
  • European bass: Subject to seasonal catch-and-release/retention rules and daily bag limits—check current MMO guidance before your trip
  • Bait collection: Do not damage vegetated areas or pry rocks from the shore; only take what you need and observe local byelaws
  • Protected species: Return any protected species immediately and unharmed
  • Keep it clean: No fires on the beach, remove all litter and line; leave the site as you found it
  • Always check: Devon & Severn IFCA and MMO websites for the latest recreational sea angling regulations and any local notices