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Devon

Barricane Beach

6.6 · Beach · Devon

A small shell-and-sand cove just north of Woolacombe with rocky ledges on both flanks and clean sand in the middle. Best on a flooding tide into dusk; summer brings baitfish and predators tight to the points, while the rock edges hold wrasse. Space is limited at high water and Atlantic swell can surge into the cove. Steps lead down from the roadside above; a seasonal cafe operates behind the beach.

Should you fish Barricane Beach?

53 Fair

Today · Best window

Best window: 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide

Most likely species: Ballan Wrasse and Mackerel

Fair conditions. Best around 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide. Good chance of Ballan Wrasse and Mackerel.

NW 5 mph Rain 19% High tide 11:39

Fishable, but pick your timing carefully.

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7-day fishing forecast for Barricane Beach — 7-day forecast

Scores and best windows are weighted for .

Met Office Met Office · Open-Meteo

Where the data comes from. Weather and sea-state readings come from the Met Office and Open-Meteo forecast models, refreshed several times a day. High and low water are taken from tide-station predictions for this stretch of coast.

How the score works. Each window is scored 0–100 from the signals that most reliably move fish inshore: tide movement (a running tide carries food, so the last of the flood and first of the ebb are usually the prime spells), wind speed and direction (onshore wind stirs food into the surf — up to the point it makes fishing hard), sea state (a little wave and swell movement helps, heavy swell hurts), and weather — rain, temperature and light. Behind the headline number we score bite opportunity and comfort separately, and run a separate safety check on wind and swell. The size of the tide counts too: spring tides move more water than neaps, so the tidal range for this stretch of coast is weighed alongside the tide's direction, your target species and this mark — and unusually big springs strengthen the safety check, because the water rises faster and covers more ground.

Your target species counts. Pick a species below and the score also weights what we know about it — its season, preferred sea temperature, tide stage and sea state, and whether it feeds by day or night.

The rating is guidance, not a guarantee — conditions change fast on the coast, so always judge the sea in front of you before you fish.

Wednesday looks better than today. Unlock the week to see its score and exact window.

· windows & tide

Spring vs neap tides. Spring tides have a larger difference between high and low water, so more water moves on each tide — usually stronger flow that stirs up food and gets fish feeding. Neap tides have a smaller range and generally gentler movement. The range here is compared with what is normal for this stretch of coast, and the cycle swings between springs and neaps roughly every week, following the moon.

Big spring tides: the water rises faster and covers more ground than usual — double-check access routes and cut-off points before you fish.

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Barricane is a compact shell-and-sand cove that rewards timing more than distance casting. The middle is the cleaner option for bait fishing, while the rocky flanks, kelpy gullies and points are the key zones for wrasse, pollack, mackerel, garfish and lure-caught bass. The strongest general pattern is a flooding tide into dusk, with May to October the headline period. Fish light and mobile, but avoid the mark when Atlantic swell is surging into the cove or when summer beach use leaves too little safe casting room.

  • Know whether to fish the outer points or the middle sand.
  • Time the flood so the gullies fill while predators move in.
  • Pick the right flank for wrasse, pollack, mackerel and garfish.
  • Avoid wasting tackle by matching rigs to sand or kelp.
  • Know when swell and high-water squeeze make Barricane a poor call.

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Woolacombe 0.4 mi Georgeham 2.8 mi Croyde 3.2 mi Ilfracombe 4.9 mi Chambercombe 5.0 mi

Explore nearby towns: Woolacombe · Georgeham · Croyde · Ilfracombe · Chambercombe

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Forecast tuning currently supports Bass and Mackerel — more species are on the way.

Overall rating

6.6 /10

Blend of catch potential, access, safety, and overall experience.

Category scores

Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 6/10
Accessibility 7/10

Bass 8/10
Tip: Flood tide into dusk; work shallow lures through the surf and gullies or fish fresh sandeel/peeler from the beach after a swell.
Ballan Wrasse 8/10
Tip: Rough, kelpy rocks either side; daylight on the mid–flood. Crab or prawn, float or light leger tight to boulders. Summer–autumn.
Pollack 7/10
Tip: Dawn/dusk on a flooding tide; cast metals or soft shads past the rock points and retrieve; also float-fished sandeel. Summer–autumn.
Mackerel 7/10
Tip: Summer shoals on calm evenings; small metals or feathers from the points on the flood. Give space to swimmers.
Pouting 6/10
Tip: Dusk into dark over mixed ground; small fish baits on size 2 hooks, keep rigs just off snags. Best after a swell.
Lesser Spotted Dogfish 6/10
Tip: After dark over sand patches in the cove; sandeel or small fish baits on two-hook flappers on the flood.
Corkwing Wrasse 6/10
Tip: Small hooks with ragworm or prawn under a float tight to weeded rocks; best mid-tide in clear water. Summer.
Garfish 6/10
Tip: Late spring–autumn; float a sliver of mackerel strip set shallow off the points on a flooding tide.
Scad (Horse Mackerel) 5/10
Tip: Aug–Oct at dusk into dark; tiny metals or sabikis worked mid-water, retrieve steadily from the rock points.
Conger Eel 5/10
Tip: After dark from rocky gullies; big fish baits, heavy abrasion leader, fish the flood. Mind the ledges when landing.
Bull Huss 4/10
Tip: Occasional at night from rough ground; large fish or squid baits on strong mono trace; flooding tide in summer.

Local knowledge

Barricane Beach fishing guide

Practical access, seasons, methods, tides, safety and facilities for this mark.

Barricane Beach, a small shell-strewn cove just north of Woolacombe in North Devon, is a charming, rock-framed mark with clean sand pockets and kelpy gullies. It fishes best on a flooding tide into dusk for bass, wrasse, and pollack, and offers sheltered options when the main surf beach is blown out. Compact but productive, it rewards careful tide timing and light-on-your-feet tactics.

Location and access are straightforward, with roadside parking above the beach and steps down into the cove. The terrain is a mix of sand and rough rock ledges, so plan accordingly if you’re hauling kit.

  • Nearest postcode: EX34 7DB (Woolacombe Esplanade area; follow signs to Barricane Beach)
  • Parking: Pay-and-display and roadside bays along The Esplanade; it fills quickly on sunny days—arrive early or fish evenings
  • Approach: Short walk and a set of steps to the cove; at low water you can reach exposed rock platforms either side
  • Terrain: Sand in the middle, rough ground and kelp along the flanks; ledges are uneven and can be slippery
  • Not suitable for trolleys/wheelchairs; carry a pared-back setup
  • Alternative access from the Combesgate end at lower tides, but beware of being cut off on the flood

A mixed, seasonal venue, with wrasse and pollack around the rocks in warmer months and bass moving through on a push of water or surf. Cleaner patches can throw up the usual small Bristol Channel suspects after dark.

  • Spring to early summer:
    • Ballan and corkwing wrasse tight to rock and kelp
    • Pollack from the ledges at dawn/dusk
    • Early bass on onshore blows and coloured water
  • Summer:
    • Bass in the surf line at dusk, especially on the flood
    • Mackerel and garfish in calm, clear spells
    • Thick-lipped mullet nosing around the margins on small tides
    • Dogfish over the sand after dark
  • Autumn:
    • Bass peak continues on rougher days
    • Pollack remain at first/last light
    • Ray are possible further across Morte Bay; odd small ray from clean patches is an outside chance
  • Winter:
    • School bass and whiting on calmer nights
    • Poor cod and the occasional pouting from rough ground
    • Conger possible from deeper holes after dark (rare but present)

Tackle to suit mixed ground is key: keep it simple over sand and robust over kelp and rock. Lures and floats excel in daylight; clipped-down rigs come into their own in a bit of sea or after dark.

  • Lure fishing:
    • Bass: surface walkers and sub-surface minnows at dawn/dusk along the wash; soft plastics (10–20 g) worked through gullies on the flood
    • Pollack: 14–28 g metals or slim sandeel lures fished mid-water around headlands; count them down and retrieve steadily
    • Mackerel/gar: small metals (10–20 g) or single-hook feather/flash rigs in clear water
  • Float fishing:
    • Wrasse: float set 1–3 m, fish ragworm, prawn, or hardback crab tight to rock faces
    • Garfish: small slivers of mackerel under a float when the water is clear
  • Bottom tactics:
    • Rough ground: 4–5 oz leads on a pulley/pulley pennel (2/0–4/0) with a rotten-bottom link; baits—peeler crab, squid strip, sandeel
    • Clean patches: 2-hook flappers (size 2–1) for whiting, dab, small bass; sandeel, mackerel, or lug/rag cocktails
    • Conger-at-night option: single strong hook (5/0) with squid/mackerel flank into deeper holes; heavy rubbing leader (60–80 lb)
  • Line and leaders:
    • Mainline 20–30 lb mono or 30–40 lb braid; 50–60 lb leader for abrasion
    • Use a long-handled net or drop net at higher water—the ledges can sit above the wash

Timing the tide and reading the sea make all the difference here. The cove fishes small but comes alive as water pushes into the gullies.

  • Best tide states:
    • Mid-flood to high water and the first hour of the ebb are prime
    • Neaps for clearer water and wrasse/pollack; springs for bass in a bit of surf
  • Sea conditions:
    • Bass: a mild W–NW onshore push and fizzing white water are ideal; a touch of colour helps
    • Lure and float work: calm to moderate seas with good clarity
  • Time of day:
    • Dawn and dusk consistently out-fish the middle of the day
    • After dark for dogfish, whiting, the odd conger, and roving bass
  • Seasonality:
    • May–October is the headline window; winter sport is patchy but can produce on settled evenings

Safety demands respect: the ledges are slippy, the tide rises quickly, and swell reflects off the rock walls. In summer, swimmers and paddle-craft are common—give them a wide berth.

  • Slippery, uneven rock with kelp—wear grippy boots/cleats; consider a waist-belted PFD for rock work
  • Incoming tide can cut off the northern and southern platforms—always keep an escape route and check tide times
  • Groundswell from W–NW can surge into the cove; avoid fishing when long-period swell or >1–1.5 m sea is running
  • Use a headtorch and fish with a partner at night; mobile signal is generally good on the esplanade, patchier low in the cove
  • RNLI seasonal lifeguard cover and bathing zones may operate—do not fish within flagged swim areas or when crowds are present
  • Hooks and leads near bathers are a serious hazard; if the beach is busy, wait for evening or fish the shoulders
  • Dogs often present; seasonal dog restrictions apply—check signage
  • As always on rock marks: eye protection, spare warm layers, and a first-aid kit are sensible

Facilities are better than most rocky coves, thanks to its proximity to Woolacombe. You can combine an evening session with a quick bite when the weather plays ball.

  • Seasonal Barricane Beach Café (famed for Sri Lankan curry evenings; weather-dependent)
  • Public toilets, shops, and cafés in Woolacombe within a short walk
  • Pay-and-display/roadside parking on The Esplanade; additional car parks in Woolacombe
  • Nearest tackle shops: Ilfracombe (lure/sea tackle) and Barnstaple (full-range tackle)
  • RNLI lifeguard presence is typically on the main beach; Barricane may have seasonal cover—obey flags and advice
  • Mobile signal: generally good atop the steps/road; can dip by the waterline

Small details add a lot of fish at Barricane. Think stealth, timing, and tidy rigs for rough ground.

  • Fish light and mobile: work the flood, hop between gullies, and don’t camp in one spot
  • For bass, arrive an hour before dusk on a pushing tide with a gentle onshore breeze; start with surface lures then switch to soft plastics
  • Wrasse love hardback crab and prawn; keep hook lengths short (1–2 ft) to avoid snagging
  • Use rotten-bottom links over the kelp to save leads; a slightly buoyant bait (squid strip with foam) can reduce hang-ups
  • After a blow, check the sandline for mullet and bass picking among dislodged shell and weed
  • Carry a long-handled net—there’s often a short drop to the wash at higher states
  • Summer crowds can be intense; evening sessions are quieter and often far better fishing
  • Fun fact: the beach is famous for cowrie shells; admire them, but avoid taking living creatures from the shore

Know the rules before you cast. Regulations change, so always check the latest from the MMO and Devon & Severn IFCA before your trip.

  • Recreational bass rules: minimum size commonly 42 cm with seasonal bag limits; retention windows can change annually—check current MMO guidance before retaining any bass
  • Minimum Conservation Reference Sizes (MCRS) apply to many species (e.g., bass, rays, flatfish); release undersized fish promptly
  • Devon & Severn IFCA byelaws: restrictions on taking certain shellfish (e.g., berried crab/lobster prohibited), gear limits for shore gathering, and local size limits—consult IFCA notices
  • Marine protected status: this coastline forms part of wider conservation designations (e.g., Marine Conservation Zone/Voluntary Marine Conservation Area). Recreational angling is permitted, but avoid damaging protected features and do not remove living shore life
  • Lifeguarded bathing zones (seasonal): do not fish within flagged swim areas or cast where bathers/boards are present—local wardens may direct you to stop
  • Night fishing is generally permitted; respect residents, use minimal lighting, and pack out all litter and line
  • No licence is required for sea angling from the shore in England, but you must comply with species limits and local byelaws