| Here's an overview of some of the popular recreational sea
angling marks between Exmouth and Salcombe. The
area is blessed with a wide choice of fishing from both boat and shore.
Sheltered fishing can be found in most conditions.
The fish to be
caught range over twenty or more species. In the 2005 Torbay Sea
Angling Festival, 73 specimen fish over 100% of specimen
weight were recorded by the many anglers who enjoyed this event.
Whatever your preferred fishing, it is catered for
within the coastline stretching from Exmouth to Salcombe.
From shore you can choose to float fish, spin, or cast
from the rocks or beach. Shore marks are many and varied, offering a broad
choice of fish including Mackerel, Garfish, Pollack, Plaice, Thornback Ray,
Wrasse, Dab, Flounder, Conger and Bull Huss. For the specialist,
Mullet and Bass are the prime targets.
Afloat you have the best wreck fishing to be found
anywhere. Remember, it all started at Brixham.
Inshore marks include the "Skerries Banks", renowned
for its Plaice fishing and Blonde Ray. The new potential British
Record Blonde Ray was caught here on Sunday 30th April 2006 and weighed in
at 39 lbs 10 ozs, exceeding the previous record for this species by 1 lb 1
oz. If reef fishing is more to your
liking, that is also available.
Boat enthusiasts can expect great sport from charter
boats, or their own craft, with catches as diverse as Conger, Pollack, Cod,
Ling, Pout and Bream from wrecks, and Bass, Plaice, Dab, Conger, Bull Huss,
Wrasse, Bream, Blonde, Small Eyed, Spotted and Thornback Ray from inshore
marks.
Whatever your choice, the fishing will be outstanding.
Bolt Head, Salcombe
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Bolt Head - Salcombe |
This is the western limit for shore anglers. Bolt head is a long walk, even for the sure footed.
Starehole Bay, on West
side of
Entrance to Salcombe Harbour
Photo courtesy of Mike
Millman |
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Day: Wrasse Mackerel, Garfish and
Pollack.
Night: Dogfish, Bull Huss, and
Ray.
Salcombe Harbour
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East Portlemouth Beach,
looking across
Harbour towards Salcombe |
Too many marks to list! Favourite places to fish
include:
East Portlemouth and Snape Point.
Paul Lingham shows his
shore caught
specimen Plaice 3 lbs 8 ozs 8 dr
caught from East Portlemouth, Salcombe
during Dartmouth Plaice Festival
April 2006
Photo courtesy of Mike
Concannon |
 |
Day: Thornback Ray, Plaice, Wrasse, Pollack,
Coalfish, Gilthead Bream, Mullet, and Flounder.
Night: Ray, Sole and Plaice.
Kingsbridge Estuary
A sheltered estuary (actually it's really an inlet
which runs off the main body of Salcombe Harbour)
with a reputation for quality fish.
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The Kingsbridge Estuary
pictured from above the
Pumping Station Beach
Photo courtesy of Mike
Millman |
Thornback well into double
figures, Small Eyed Ray, Plaice, Dabs, Flounder, Wrasse, and Pollack all
make an appearance.
Prawle
The most southerly point on the coastline of Devon. Many marks
are quite easy to get to, though you will have a steep climb on your
return!.
Looking back towards
Prawle Point
Devon's most southerly landfall |
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Day: Wrasse, Mackerel, Garfish,
Pollack and Bass.
Night: Ray, Conger, Bull Huss and
Rockling.
Start Point
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Start Point and Lighthouse |
Start Point is one of the most exposed peninsulas on the English Coast,
running sharply almost a mile into the sea on the South side of Start Bay,
to the west of Dartmouth. The Lighthouse, sited at the very end of the
headland, has guided vessels in passage along the English Channel for over
150 years.
Fish the gullies for Bass and Wrasse. Live
Sandeel and Live Prawn for Bass and Pollack. Peeler or Hardback Crab
for the better Wrasse. Early morning or evening best time for Bass.
South Hams Beaches
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Slapton Beach
Photo courtesy of Mike
Concannon |
 |
 |
James Hinkley age
10 years
proudly holds his specimen
shore caught Plaice 3 lbs 13 ozs
which greedily took his
live Ragworm bait from
Slapton Beach just west of
Dartmouth
Sunday 16th April
2006
Photo
courtesy of Malcolm Barnett
Devon Angling Centre, Chillington |
These beaches frame the shoreline of Start Bay, a short
distance to the west of Dartmouth. Easy Parking and fishing. Prime beach locations
are Slapton, Hallsands and Beesands, about 9 miles West of Dartmouth.
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Beesands
Photo courtesy of Mike
Concannon |
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South Hams District Council enforce car parking charges
by "Pay and Display" at Slapton, even if you hold a "Disabled" badge.
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South Hallsands
where the houses collapsed
into the sea during a
raging storm |
Day: Dabs, Plaice, Mackerel,
Garfish and Bass.
Night: Dogfish, Pout, Whiting and
Bass.
Blackpool Sands
|
View down to Blackpool
Sands |
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A private beach. about 4 miles west of
Dartmouth, near the village of Stoke Fleming. Plenty of parking
available. Busy during the day. Fish evenings either end for LSDs, Dabs, and Bass. Float fish for Mackerel and Garfish.
Please observe notices.
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Matthew's Point, Blackpool
Sands
looking West
Photo courtesy of Mike
Concannon |
Dart Estuary
There are many productive marks scattered throughout
the Dart, from the outer entrance on both the Kingswear and Dartmouth banks
of the River, right up to Totnes.
Anglers fishing from the
South Embankment
Dartmouth Town
Photo courtesy of Mike
Concannon |
 |
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Mike Bailey plays a Dart
Mullet,
up river at Totnes
Photo courtesy of Mike
Bailey |
Day: Ray, Mullet and Wrasse.
Night: Rockling, Ray and Dogfish.
Compass Point
On the western entrance to the River Dart. A
long walk. Rocky ground, mostly Wrasse. Float fish for Mackerel
and Garfish.
Dartmouth Castle, Castle Cove
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Castle Cove, Dartmouth
Photo courtesy of Mike
Concannon |
 |
Access to this popular cove has been closed for
almost 3 years, following a cliff fall which damaged the access path.
It has recently been re-built and should re-open by early June 2006.
Rocky ground, mostly Wrasse. Float fish for Mackerel and Garfish.
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Dartmouth Castle
Photo courtesy of Mike
Concannon |
Outer Froward Point
The outer landfall to the east of the entrance to the
River Dart. A very long hard steep walk.
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Outer Froward Point |
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Rocky ground, mostly Wrasse. Float fish for
Mackerel and Garfish. Ledger at night for Bull Huss and Rockling.
Battery Point
A rocky mark at the eastern entrance of the River
Dart. Fish into deep kelp filled gullies for Wrasse. Fish to
specimen size a possibility here. Float fish for Bass, Mackerel and
Garfish. Baits - Hardback Crab, Peeler Crab, Live Prawn, and Ragworm.
Scabbacombe Area
Just west of Brixham, on the way to Dartmouth. A
long walk along cliff paths, with a steep part at the end.
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View from Scabbacombe
Point |
Day: Pollack, Wrasse and Mackerel.
Night: Rockling, Ray and Dogfish.
Berry Head
A favourite mark. Access to the Quarry is on
foot only, unless you have a "Disabled" badge displayed on your vehicle.
A parking fee must be paid in the car park at the top.
Berry Head, Brixham
Aerial View |
 |
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Berry Head, Brixham |
Day: Mackerel, Garfish and Scad.
Night: Scad, Mackerel, Conger,
Rockling, Codling, Whiting.
Berry Head Quarry
Access to this old quarry is by foot only. Steep
walk back. Float fishing excellent for Mackerel, Garfish, and
occasional Pollack. Mullet fishing also productive. Fish from
the quay wall or the flat rock ledges to the far right. Casting will
produce Dabs and a few odd species; after dark, Whiting and Pout. It
is possible to fish the front of Berry Head, but it would be advisable to go
with an angler that knows the area well. Baits for ledgering, Peeler
Crab, Lug and Ragworm.
Brixham Breakwater
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Outer end of
Brixham Breakwater
Photo courtesy of Mike
Concannon |
Although the Fish Quay, Oil Jetty, enclosed Harbour and Marina are "Out
of bounds" for shore anglers in the Torbay Festival, Brixham Breakwater is
one of the easiest and largest local marks to fish.
Early morning anglers
on Brixham Breakwater
Photo courtesy of Mike
Concannon |
 |
This half mile long breakwater guarding Brixham is
excellent for float fishing along most of its length, but the top area is on
the end, by the lighthouse. Fish inside or outside from the middle to
the end for Mackerel and Garfish and the occasional Pollack and Scad.
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Brixham Breakwater Garfish
with its delighted young captor
Photo courtesy of Mike
Concannon |
Pot markers might be a problem. Bass and Conger caught near the old
fuelling jetty late evenings and early mornings. Mullet fishing is
excellent from the inside, opposite the "paint" floats.
Please do not
obstruct the RNLI Torbay Lifeboat fairway.
Day: Mackerel, Mullet, Garfish,
Dab, LS Dogfish, Wrasse, and Pollack.
Night: Conger, Rockling and LS
Dogfish.
Torbay, between Brixham and
Torquay
Many marks with easy access. Fishing similar to
Brixham. Local harbours at Brixham and Torbay enforce their own "No
Fishing" policy for shore anglers. Access to fish from shore into
Brixham Harbour from the Breakwater is AOK. No fishing into Paignton
Harbour. Anglers fish from their own boats in both venues, though
fishing on foot from any pontoons is forbidden.
Torquay Harbours and Piers
Please observe notices. There are a few restricted
areas. Princess Pier, the stone arm, approached from the Princes
Theatre, is popular for float fishing for Mackerel and Garfish. Early
mornings and evenings best.
Haldon Pier is not so popular. Pollack sometimes
caught. Excellent Mullet fishing but areas to fish are restricted.
We
draw the attention of all competitors to rules 6d, 6e, and 6f,
which have now been clarified for the 2007 Festival. Torbay Harbour Master has
clarified fishing with light tackle into Torbay Harbours during
the 2007 Event – following a recent change in local Harbour
Policy, which forbids fishing into any of the Harbours in Torbay
throughout the remainder of the year.
Torquay Harbour
– Competitors may fish into the Harbour during the Festival.
They will not be permitted to fish from the decked area on
Princess Pier (enclosed Harbour side only) which extends for an
approximate length of 200 metres; or from any pontoons, steps,
or slipways within the harbour. They will not be permitted to
cast feathers or other heavily weighted fishing tackle.
Competitors are kindly reminded to exercise due care when
fishing and respect must be given to passing vessels and other
members of the public using the Harbour.
Paignton Harbour - Competitors may fish into the
Harbour during the Festival. They will not be permitted to fish
from any pontoons, steps, or slipways within the harbour. They
will not be permitted to cast feathers or other heavily weighted
fishing tackle. Competitors are kindly reminded to exercise due
care when fishing and respect must be given to passing vessels
and other members of the public using the Harbour.
Brixham Harbour – Competitors are not allowed to
fish within any part of the enclosed Harbour.
Hope's Nose & Sandy Point
As you walk down the slope to Hope's Nose, Sandy Point
is to the right side and Hope's Nose to the left.
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Hope's Nose, Torquay
Photo courtesy of Mike
Millman |
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The fishing at Sandy Point is not as the name sounds.
It must have been named by a tackle dealer! It is mainly rock,
although Hope's Nose has a sandy bottom.
Day: Mackerel, Garfish, Wrasse,
Mullet, Plaice, Dab, LS Dogfish, Bass, and even an occasional Smoothound.
Night: Conger, Whiting, Codling,
Rockling and LS Dogfish.
Meadfoot Beach and Thunder Hole
The rocks off the slipway, the middle of the road, and
the small car park slipway produce Bass when conditions are right. Use
live Sandeel, Peeler Crab, or spin with Rapalas or other lures.
Thunder Hole is located at the end of Meadfoot
Promenade. Climb over the rocks. Mostly float fishing for
Mackerel and garfish.
Babbacombe Pier
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Looking down from Cliffs
towards Babbacombe Pier
Photo courtesy of Ted
Tuckerman |
Located at the bottom of one of the steepest hills in
this area. Fortunately, you may drive down to it.
Day: Mackerel, Garfish, and Scad.
Night: Conger, Codling, Mackerel
and Whiting.
River Teign
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Angler on River Teign
Photo courtesy of Mike
Millman |
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Regarded as the prime Flounder River. September
is not a top month, but reasonable sized Flounder can be caught. Top
marks include Back Beach, Loxton Steps, Red Rocks, Gasworks, Flow Point,
Charlie's, and Coombe Cellars.
You are only allowed to cross the railway line which
follows the east bank of the River Teign in permitted places.
Float fish for Mackerel and Garfish from the beach in the estuary.
Fishing is not permitted from Dock property or Shaldon
Bridge.
Day:
Flounder, Mullet and Silver Eels.
Night: Silver Eels.
River Exe
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Dean Corbett lands an
early morning
shore caught Flounder on the River Exe
Photo courtesy of Mike
Concannon |
Popular spots include Starcross, the Lock, Green Buoy
and Lympstone.
Day:
Flounder, Mullet and Silver Eels.
Night: Silver Eels.
Exmouth Beach
A sandy beach with a lot of tidal flow.
Day: Plaice, Flounder and Bass.
Boat Fishing
There are many varied and productive fishing marks
both in-shore and off-shore available to anglers aboard charter boats or
their own private small craft out of our local Ports.
Mike Johnson holds a
Flounder
caught from the River Exe in his
own small boat
Photo courtesy of Mike
Concannon |
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Colin Bryant from
Gloucester proudly holds his
specimen Ling 34 lbs caught from
a mid-Channel wreck mark aboard
Dave Harrison's Dartmouth charter boat
"Gemini 2", while fishing a blue
"Storm Shad" lure on 15 lb class tackle
Saturday 11th March
2006
Photo courtesy
of Dave Harrison |
Pete Sumner holds aloft
a quality Bass 12 lbs 12 ozs
Torbay Festival 2005
Photo courtesy of Mike
Millman |
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Dave Trevarthen proudly
holds his
Conger 78 lbs 1 oz 8 dr
Torbay Festival 2005
Photo courtesy of
Mike Concannon |
Joules Hewson from
Watford
proudly holds his specimen Cod 23 lbs 8 ozs
caught from a mid-Channel wreck mark, while
aboard Kevin Tate's Torquay based charter boat
"Dalora II"
May 2006
Photo courtesy of
Kevin Tate |
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Local angler Bill
Harkness
proudly holds his specimen
Pollack 18 lbs 8 ozs caught
on a "Shad" aboard
Dave Harrison's Dartmouth
charter boat "Gemini 2"
Tuesday 6th September
2005
Photo courtesy
of Dave Harrison |
If you want to find your own off-shore wreck marks, take a look
at this web site, created primarily for diving enthusiasts, which lists many
favoured wrecks holding huge, Conger, Pollack, Cod and Bass.

Start Bay
Home of the famous "Skerries" Banks off Dartmouth.
Renowned for their quality Plaice and Rays which are regularly caught by
Boat Anglers.
Steve Underwood a
member of Paignton SAA
proudly holds his magnificent Blonde Ray,
a female which weighed-in on calibrated scales
at the clubhouse at 39 lbs 10 ozs.
It is a potential
new British rod caught record for
this species from Steve's own
private boat "Predator"
hooked off Dartmouth on an "uptide" rod
baited with a fillet of fresh Launce
Sunday 30th
April 2006
Photo courtesy
of Mike Concannon |
 |
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Jason Chitty a
member of Brixham SA
proudly holds his specimen Brill 7 lbs 7 ozs 12 dr
caught from a private boat on the Skerries
off Dartmouth
Sunday 16th
April 2006
Photo
courtesy of Jason Chitty |
Roger Barge, a
member of Torbay & Babbacombe ASA
proudly holds his specimen Plaice 4 lbs 4 ozs 8 dr
caught from boat on the "Skerries" off Dartmouth on a
Ragworm bait tipped off with Squid
Saturday 22nd
April 2006
Photo courtesy
of Mike Concannon |
 |
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Chris Martin
proudly holds his
Turbot
25 lbs 12 ozs
caught from his private small boat
off Dartmouth
August 2002
Photo courtesy
of Mike Concannon |
Boats can be launched at any time from the following
slipways. Fees may be payable. Towing vehicles and trailers must
be parked where designated and parking fees paid if applicable.
Parking of towing vehicles and trailers can sometimes be difficult and inconvenient.
Boats cannot be launched from beaches within Torbay.
Torquay Harbour, Beacon Quay.
Paignton Harbour.
Brixham Breakwater slipway.
Dartmouth, next to Higher Ferry slip.
Galmpton Boatyard, 4 miles up River Dart.
Salcombe, Boat Quay.
Teignmouth, Polly Steps.
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