Barricane Beach Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Barricane Beach Fishing Map

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.

Ratings

⭐ 6.6/10 Overall
Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 6/10
Accessibility 7/10

Fish You Can Catch at Barricane Beach

🐟 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.

Barricane Beach Fishing

Summary

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

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.

Seasons

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.

Methods

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.

Tides and Conditions

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.

Safety

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.

Facilities

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.

Tips

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

Regulations

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