Last updated: 2 weeks ago
Compact twin-cove village with easy access to mixed ground, but the best fishing is from the rocky headlands and ledges around Outer Hope and toward Bolt Tail. Kelp-covered gullies and broken ground drop into 4–15 m, giving reliable summer sport with wrasse, pollack, mackerel and garfish, plus night-time pout/conger. LRF...
Hope’s Nose is a prominent rocky headland in Torquay with deep water close in, kelp beds and tide run, producing excellent summer sport and reliable autumn/winter fishing. Access is via a steep path from Ilsham Marine Drive; footing can be awkward and swells rebound off the ledges. Best results are...
Rock ledges around Capstone Hill on the seaward side of Ilfracombe, giving quick access to deep, kelpy water and a strong tidal run near the harbour mouth. Productive on flooding and ebbing tides, especially at dusk and after dark. Summer and early autumn bring mackerel, garfish and scad to lures...
Jacob's Ladder Beach in Sidmouth, Devon is a mixed shingle and sand beach backed by striking red sandstone cliffs, with reefy, kelp-lined ground and extensive rockpools at lower tides. Anglers typically fish the western end around the ladder/Connaught Gardens rocks and the adjacent clean-to-mixed ground. Summer brings clear water and...
Jennycliff is a rocky headland and shingle cove on the eastern side of Plymouth Sound. Beneath the cliffs are kelp-lined gullies and mixed rough-to-clean patches with relatively deep water close in on a making tide. It fishes best from mid-flood through dusk and after dark. Summer brings prolific wrasse and...
Rocky promontory by Kingswear Castle at the mouth of the River Dart. Deep, fast water close in with kelp-lined gullies and ledges. Strong tidal run on springs and frequent boat wash from vessels entering/leaving Dartmouth; neaps and the flood or early ebb are easiest. Productive year‑round for rough-ground species, with...
Devon’s coast runs from the high-energy Bristol Channel cliffs and surf beaches of the north to the more sheltered, rocky bays and shingle strands of Lyme Bay and the South Hams. It offers a mix of headlands, reefs, piers, long beaches, and productive estuaries (Taw-Torridge, Exe, Teign, Dart, Salcombe). The variety of ground and conditions makes it one of England’s most versatile sea-angling counties, with year-round opportunities for bass, rays, smoothhound, wrasse, and seasonal mackerel.
| Season | Likely species (shore) | Notes | 
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Bass, rays (thornback/small-eyed, early blondes), smoothhound (late), plaice (East Devon), wrasse, pollack, mullet | Bass pick up from April. Plaice show on shingle/sand when crabs start peeling. Crab baits excel late spring. | 
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Mackerel, garfish, scad, bass, black bream (Torbay/Lyme Bay), gilthead bream (estuaries), wrasse, pollack, smoothhound, rays, sole | Peak variety. Lures shine in clear water; nights for rays/sole/conger. | 
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) | Larger bass, rays, smoothhound (early), bream (to Oct), mackerel (to early Oct), whiting, conger, mullet | Great for big bass after blows; mixed bags from shingle beaches. | 
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Whiting, conger, rockling, dogfish, dab, flounder (estuaries), occasional codling (north/east coasts) | Estuaries produce flounder; rough ground for conger and huss. Catch-and-release often for bass under seasonal rules. | 
| Area | Coast character & access | Best species | Prime season | Go-to methods | Key safety notes | Facilities | 
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Devon (Bristol Channel) | Cliffs, gullies, surf beaches; mixed access via coast path and beaches | Bass, small-eyed/thornback ray, smoothhound, huss, conger; estuary flounder/mullet | May–Oct (summer variety); Oct–Jan (winter mixed) | Pulley pennel with crab/fish baits; surf bassing; estuary running ledgers | Huge tides, fast floods, swell on ledges; cut-off risk | Town car parks (Ilfracombe, Woolacombe), tackle shops Barnstaple/Ilfracombe | 
| South Hams & Plymouth | Shingle beaches, rocky headlands, deep water close in; good parking | Bass, blonde/thornback ray, smoothhound, wrasse, pollack, conger, mullet | Apr–Nov (peak Jun–Oct) | Ledgering on shingle; lure/float from rocks; estuary crab tactics | Swell/undertow on Slapton; tide races at Start/Bolt | Multiple shops in Plymouth/Dartmouth; ample car parks | 
| Torbay | Sheltered bays, breakwaters, reefs; very accessible | Mackerel, gar, scad, black bream, bass, wrasse, pollack | May–Oct | Feathers/metals; light rigs for bream; lures/float fishing | Busy promenades; watch swell at Berry Head | Piers, breakwater, cafés, toilets, parking | 
| East Devon (Lyme Bay) | Steep shingle/pebble beaches, cliffs; Exe/Teign estuaries | Bass, rays, sole/plaice, mackerel/gar, wrasse/pollack, whiting (winter) | Apr–Nov; winter for whiting/flounder | Clipped rigs for distance; crab/sandeel for bass/rays; lures in clear water | Steep shingle backwash; landslip/undercliff hazards | Car parks at Seaton/Budleigh/Exmouth; local tackle shops |