Last updated: 2 weeks ago
The Parson and Clerk is a tidal rock mark beneath the red sandstone cliffs between Dawlish and Teignmouth (near Holcombe). You fish onto rough, kelpy ground with patches of clean sand in the gullies. It’s a classic summer venue for wrasse, pollack and mackerel/garfish, with pouting and conger after dark;...
A small, steep-sided Torquay cove with fishing from rock ledges and boulder platforms over kelp-covered rough-to-mixed ground with pockets of clean sand. The water deepens fairly quickly, suiting float-fishing, light lures and short-range bottom tactics. Best on a flooding tide in settled, clear conditions with light westerly winds; exposed and...
Secluded shingle and boulder beach backed by red cliffs between Westward Ho! and Clovelly. Access is via a long, steep woodland track from the A39/Horns Cross, then along the coast path, so pack light. Mixed to rough ground with kelp, gullies and low-tide rock shelves, with sandy patches in the...
A limestone headland between Babbacombe and Anstey’s Cove on the Torquay coast. Steep rocky ledges give deep water close in over kelp and rough ground, with clear water in calm weather. Productive on a flooding tide into dusk in summer for wrasse, pollack, mackerel and scad; after dark the rough...
A very exposed rocky headland and the most southerly point of Devon. Stepped ledges and deep gullies drop quickly into fast‑moving water, with kelp beds and a powerful tidal race off the point. Summer and early autumn bring prolific lure and float fishing; winter can see scratch fishing for smaller...
A wide, gently shelving sandy beach on the north side of Paignton with easy promenade access and parking along Marine Drive. Preston Sands fishes best on a flooding tide into dusk, with clean sand across the middle and low rocky ground at both ends (toward Hollicombe Head and toward Paignton)...
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 |