Summary
Downderry Beach sits between Looe and Whitsand Bay on Cornwall’s south coast, offering a long sweep of shingle and sand with handy access from both Downderry and Seaton villages. It’s a versatile open coast mark with clean-to-mixed ground, rock ledges at either end, and plenty of tide movement that brings bass, rays and summer surface feeders within range. Night sessions and a building surf often produce the better fish.
Location and Access
Access is straightforward from either end of the beach, with Seaton offering the easiest parking and shortest carry, and Downderry providing quicker reach to rocky features. The beach itself is mainly shingle over sand, so travel light or use a trolley if you plan to roam.
- Seaton (west end): Large pay-and-display by the beach with level access to the shingle; shortest walk to the sandier ground.
- Downderry (east end): Small village car park and limited roadside spaces near the seafront; expect steps/slopes down to the beach.
- Public transport: Regular bus services run along the coastal road linking Looe, Seaton and Downderry; handy for one-way walks.
- Terrain: Mixed—clean sand patches near Seaton, increasingly pebbly with exposed rock ledges and gullies towards the Downderry end at lower tides.
- Walking difficulty: Shingle can be energy-sapping; allow extra time, especially when moving marks on a rising tide.
Seasons
This is a genuine mixed ground venue. Expect clean-ground species from the Seaton side and rougher-ground specialists closer to Downderry’s reefs and ledges.
- Spring (Mar–May):
- Bass nosing the surf and gutters, especially after a blow.
- Plaice and gurnard from cleaner patches; dogfish widely.
- Early small-eyed/spotted ray showings in settled seas.
- Wrasse return around the rockier fringes.
- Summer (Jun–Aug):
- Bass at dawn/dusk and in onshore surf.
- Rays (small-eyed and spotted) on calm, clear days over sand.
- Garfish, mackerel and scad on lures/float in clear water.
- Pollack and wrasse from reefy edges; occasional smoothhound on peeler crab.
- Odd black bream in some seasons.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov):
- Peak bass fishing; schoolies to good doubles possible in the right surf.
- Consistent rays; gurnard; increasing whiting and pout into evenings.
- Bull huss from the rough ground after dark.
- Winter (Dec–Feb):
- Whiting, pout and dogfish the mainstay on the clean patches.
- Bull huss and the chance of a conger from rockier pockets at night.
- The occasional flounder nearer the Seaton river outflow in calm conditions.
Methods
Downderry fishes well to a mix of surfcasting, ledgering on mixed ground, and light lure or float tactics around the rocky edges. Match the approach to the patch in front of you.
- Ledgering/surfcasting:
- Rigs: 2-hook flappers for distance scratching; pulley or pulley-dropper pennel (4–5 ft) for rays/bass; clipped-down rigs for longer casts to clean sand.
- Hook sizes: 2–1/0 for general work; 3/0–5/0 pennels for bass/rays/huss.
- Weights: 4–6 oz grip leads hold in a pushy surf or on the flood.
- Baits: Fresh lug/rag for general species; peeler crab for bass/smoothhound; whole or wrapped sandeel, squid or mackerel for rays and huss; cocktail lug/squid for range and scent.
- Lure fishing:
- Soft plastics and surface walkers for bass along the reef edges and gutters at first/last light.
- Metals and slim spoons for mackerel, gar and scad when the water is clear and birds are dipping.
- Float fishing:
- Small strips of mackerel or sandeel for gar/scad; limpets/shore crab for wrasse around kelpy fingers on a flooding tide.
- Timing:
- Dawn, dusk and into dark are prime for bass and huss; daytime in clear, calm seas favours garfish, mackerel and rays.
Tides and Conditions
The beach fishes across all states, but understanding how the ground changes with the tide is key. Explore at low water to map sand runs, gutters and reef edges, then fish them on the flood.
- Tide states:
- 2 hours up to high and the first of the ebb often best for bass and mixed bags.
- Rays prefer neap-to-mid tides with a steady, even pull over clean patches.
- Sea conditions:
- A building S–SW swell with coloured water is classic for surf bass (avoid heavy weed runs).
- Clear, settled seas suit gar, mackerel and rays; light crosswinds help presentation.
- Time of day/seasonality:
- Dawn/dusk year-round; dark hours boost better fish on mixed/rough ground.
- Late spring to autumn is most consistent, with winter better on smaller tides and calmer spells.
- Water clarity:
- After prolonged easterlies the water clears—scale down end-tackle for line-shy fish or switch to lures.
Safety
This is an exposed south-coast beach with steep shingle in places and rock ledges that flood quickly. Plan your session around safe exits and changing conditions.
- Shingle banks can be steep with a strong undertow and dumpy surf—keep well back when setting rods.
- Rock ledges and gullies near the Downderry end get cut off on a fast flood; identify safe retreat routes at low water.
- Weed-covered rocks are slippery; use boots with grip and a headtorch with spare batteries if fishing after dark.
- Keep clear of cliff bases due to occasional rockfall, especially after heavy rain or swell.
- Wear a PFD if venturing onto ledges or wading; use a buddy system at night.
- Accessibility: Seaton end offers the flattest approach to the top of the shingle, but the loose surface is challenging for wheelchairs and those with limited mobility.
Facilities
Facilities are good by south-coast standards, especially at the Seaton end, with essentials close to the beach. Downderry has a village feel with a pub and small amenities.
- Seaton: Public toilets, café/kiosk and seasonal amenities near the car park; family bathing areas in summer—give swimmers a wide berth.
- Downderry: Pub (food/drink) and small shop options seasonally; limited parking close to the beach.
- Tackle and bait: Good options in Looe and the wider area; check opening hours for fresh lug/rag and crab.
- Mobile signal: Generally okay on the seafront/road; can be patchy low on the beach in some dips.
Tips
Treat Downderry as several marks in one—clean, mixed and rough ground—then tailor your tactics to the patch in front of you. Small adjustments often make a big difference here.
- At low water, mark the gutters and sand tongues with landmarks; fish their edges on the flood for bass.
- For rays, aim onto the cleaner patches from mid-beach with long sandeel or squid wraps and keep baits pinned hard with grippers.
- If weed is streaming in a SW blow, step along the beach to find a clearer line rather than fighting it.
- Peeler crab is king from late spring; fish it on a neat short-drop pulley when the surf is lively for bass and the chance of a summer hound.
- Scale down to 15–20 lb leaders and smaller hooks for gar/scad on crystal-clear evenings; carry a bubble float or slim controller for fun sport.
- Travel light: a rod, a spare rig wallet and a small bait box let you roam to where the fish are rather than waiting for them.
Regulations
Sea angling is permitted from the beach and adjacent rocks. As always on the south coast, several general and local rules may apply—check current notices before you go.
- Bass measures for recreational sea anglers are seasonal and updated periodically; check the latest rules (minimum size and any bag/retention periods) on the UK government website before retaining fish.
- Cornwall IFCA minimum sizes and byelaws apply to finfish and shellfish; measure your catch and return undersized fish promptly.
- Whitsand & Looe Bay Marine Conservation Zone covers this coastline. Rod-and-line angling is allowed, but do not disturb protected features (e.g., reefs, seagrass) and avoid removing intertidal features or protected species.
- Bait collection: Keep digging minimal and well below the strandline; avoid sensitive areas and refill holes. Some local restrictions can apply—observe any signage.
- Beach use: In summer there may be lifeguarded bathing zones near Seaton—do not cast into flagged areas. Dog access rules and hours can change seasonally; check council signage.
- Private property: Access paths cross residential areas—keep noise down late at night and take all litter and line home.
