Popular Marks

Here's an overview of some of the popular recreational sea angling marks.

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 2012 Torbay Sea Angling Festival, 134 specimen fish of 100% or over 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, 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.

Inshore marks include the "Skerries Banks", renowned for its Plaice fishing and Blonde Ray. The 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 / Starehole Bay

This is the western limit for shore anglers.

Bolt head is a long walk, even for the sure footed.

Day: Wrasse Mackerel, Garfish and Pollack.

Night: Dogfish, Bull Huss, and Ray.

East Portlemouth

East Portlemouth-Where the British Shore Record Thornback Ray of 22lbs 11ozs 10 drms was caught by Mike Johnson in 2008 and Snape Point.

Day: Thornback Ray, Plaice, Wrasse, Pollack, Coalfish, Gilthead Bream, Mullet, and Flounder.

Night: Ray, Sole and Plaice.

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!

Day: Wrasse, Mackerel, Garfish, Pollack and Bass.

Night: Ray, Conger, Bull Huss and Rockling.

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.

Thornback well into double figures, Gilthead Bream, Plaice, Couches Bream, Flounder, Wrasse, and Pollack all make an appearance.

Start Point

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. There is also plenty of mixed sandy and rough ground which is home to many species of ray, bullhuss and conger eels

South Hams Beaches

The South Hams beaches are made up of Hallsands, Beesands, Slapton Sands and Blackpool Sands. All of these beaches throw up some incredible fish if fished in the correct conditions, everything from rays smoothounds and spurdogs up to bream, flatties, Eels and Bullhuss. Be sure to also pack your light gear as there are also plenty of mackerel and gar at the right time of year

Scabbacombe

If you are prepared for a long walk, you can venture down to various rock marks along Scabbacombe. Pictured is outer froward, which is home to some of the countries best rough ground fishing, home to Bullhuss, Rockling, Dogfish, Conger Eels and Wrasse

Brixham Breakwater

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.

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.

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.

Hopes 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.

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 Smoothound.

Night: Conger, Whiting, Codling, Rockling and LS Dogfish.

River Teign

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 and Mullet.

River Dart

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. Pictured is the Dartmouth Embankment

Day: Ray, Mullet and Wrasse.

Night: Rockling, Ray and Dogfish.

Berry Head

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.

Torbay

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.

Torquay Harbour

MOST FISHING IS BANNED IN TORQUAY HARBOUR FOR THIS YEAR'S TORBAY FESTIVAL. However, special permission has been given to competitors of this years Festival that they may fish in the Banjo area of Torquay outer harbour for Mullet only and only with certain restrictions applying:

1) Fishing midnight to 9.00am only.

2) No overhead casting.

3) Split shot weights only.

4) No mess please.

5) You must carry your Festival Entry form with you as you might be asked to show it. If you don't have it you will be asked to leave.

ANY OTHER FISH WEIGHED IN FROM TORQUAY HARBOUR WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. THE ANGLER WILL ALSO BE SUBJECT TO A BAN BY THE COMMITTEE FROM FUTURE TORBAY FESTIVAL.

Paignton Harbour

Competitors may NOT 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.

Babbacombe Pier

Located at the bottom of one of the steepest hills in this area. Fortunately, you may drive down to it.

Day: Mackerel, Garfish, Scad, Bream, Wrasse, Pollack

Night: Conger, Codling, Mackerel and Whiting.

River Exe

Popular spots include Starcross, the Lock, Green Buoy and Lympstone.

Day: Flounder and Mullet.

Exmouth Beach

A sandy beach with a lot of tidal flow.

Day: Plaice, Flounder and Bass.