Summary
Beer Beach is a steep shingle cove tucked beneath chalk cliffs on the East Devon Jurassic Coast, between Seaton and Branscombe. It’s a classic West Country mixed-ground mark: quick depth, clean-to-rough patches, and productive reef edges. Expect summer surface action for mackerel and garfish, bass opportunities in lively seas, and reliable winter sport with whiting and pouting after dark.
Location and Access
Reaching Beer is straightforward, with the village well-signposted from the A3052; once in the centre, follow signs to the seafront. Parking is via pay-and-display car parks in the village (a short, steep walk) or at the clifftop above (longer descent via paths).
Seasons
Beer fishes year-round, with species shifting as water warms and cools. The shingle shelves quickly, and the ends of the cove hold kelp and chalk reef that attract summer fish.
- Spring (Mar–May):
- Bass on building seas, especially at dusk and dawn
- Ball and corkwing wrasse from rough ground as temperatures rise
- Pollack from the reefed edges on lures or float-fished sandeel
- Occasional smoothhound in late spring on peeler crab
- Summer (Jun–Aug):
- Mackerel and garfish in settled, clear water; scad at dusk into dark
- Bass along the wash, particularly after a blow that colours the water
- Wrasse tight to the rocks; occasional black bream from reefy patches
- Thick-lipped mullet mooching around the boats and shoreline
- Lesser spotted dogfish after dark on fish or squid baits
- Autumn (Sep–Nov):
- Bass often peak; mackerel can linger into September
- Scad and garfish at dusk; pollack on lures in low light
- Conger and bull huss from rougher ground after dark
- Winter (Dec–Feb):
- Whiting and pouting in numbers on small fish or worm baits
- Dogfish, rockling, and the chance of a codling in a cold snap
- Conger eels from the rough ground at night
Methods
Match the mixed seabed with simple, efficient rigs and adjust to the time of day. Keep a lure rod handy for surface activity and a heavier beach rod for bottom work.
- Bottom fishing:
- 2–3 hook clipped-down or flapper rigs with size 2–1 hooks for whiting, pouting, scad
- Pulley or pulley-pennel (3/0–5/0) with squid/mackerel/sandeel for bass, huss, ray prospects
- Up-and-over for distance with worm/sandeel when fish are sitting off the shingle
- Use weak-link/rotten-bottom leads at the reefy ends to save tackle
- Float and lure:
- Float-fish ragworm, sandeel, prawn, or small crab tight to rock/kelp for wrasse and pollack
- Metals (20–40 g), slim jigs, and surface or subsurface plugs for mackerel, scad, bass
- Tiny slivers of mackerel under a float for garfish; keep hooks fine and sharp
- Baits:
- Ragworm and lug for general scratching; peeler or hardback crab for wrasse and hounds
- Mackerel strip, squid, sandeel for predators and nighttime species
- Bread flake or crust freelined for mullet in calm water
- Timing:
- Dawn/dusk for mackerel, garfish, bass and pollack; after dark for whiting, pout, conger
- Short, accurate casts into the gutter for bass in a surf; longer casts when it’s flat and clear
Tides and Conditions
Beer is forgiving on tide state thanks to fast depth, but movement in the water helps. Read the sea: colour and a modest swell can transform bass sport, while clear, calm days are tailor-made for float and lure work.
- Tide:
- Often best on the flood and the first of the ebb; 2–3 hours around high water is a good starting window
- Neaps give easier presentation over reef; springs push fish tight but increase undertow on the shingle
- Sea state and clarity:
- A light to moderate onshore roll with colour is prime for bass along the shoreline
- Clear, settled water favours mackerel, garfish, wrasse and mullet
- Avoid heavy swell; the steep bank creates a powerful dump and backwash
- Time of day/seasonality:
- Low light boosts lure and float action; full dark brings conger, huss, whiting and pout
- Summer evenings draw baitfish into the cove; winter nights fish consistently for smaller species
Safety
This is a working beach with quick shelving shingle under high chalk cliffs. It’s generally an easy mark to reach, but conditions and boat traffic demand attention.
- Steep shingle bank with strong backwash and shore dump in swell; keep well clear of the waterline in rough seas
- Working launch area for the fishing fleet and hire boats: obey signage and never fish within marked lanes or obstruct tractors and winches
- Chalk cliffs shed debris; avoid sitting directly below and beware of rockfall, especially after rain or frost
- The reefy ends are uneven and can be very slippery with weed; studded boots help, and a personal flotation device is recommended if fishing near the edge
- Night sessions: carry redundant lighting, avoid wading, and plan a safe route up the shingle bank
- Accessibility: short walk from village level to the beach edge, but the loose shingle is challenging for pushchairs and wheelchairs; the slipway aids access but may be off-limits when boats are operating
Facilities
Beer is well served for a small cove, with everything close to hand. Summer can be busy, so arrive early for parking and space.
- Public toilets near the beachfront (seasonal opening hours may apply)
- Beach cafés, kiosks and pubs within a short walk; hot food and drinks available most of the year
- Beach huts and boat hire present in season; frequent boat movements
- General stores in the village; main tackle and fresh bait usually found in nearby Seaton
- Bins on the promenade—take all line and litter home if they’re full
- Mobile signal generally good in the cove, but it can weaken tight under the cliffs at either end
Tips
Local knowledge pays at Beer—small tweaks reduce losses and increase bites. Think light and mobile in daylight, heavier and selective at night.
- Use a weak-link on your lead when fishing near the reef; expect tackle losses without one
- A short lob into the first gutter in a coloured sea often beats a long blast for bass
- Scale down to sabiki-style strings or single lures for mackerel and scad—safer and more effective than heavy feathers in a crowd
- For wrasse, fish small hardback crab or big rag tight to boulders and be ready to bully fish out of kelp
- Mullets cruise around the boats on calm days—freeline bread flake with minimal hardware
- In high summer, a late session after the day-trippers leave is calmer and often fishes better
- Keep an eye out for pot markers; fish down-tide of them to find fish-holding rough ground
- A long drop and firm lift at the end of the cast helps pop the lead over the shingle lip on retrieval
Regulations
Shore angling is permitted at Beer Beach, but it’s a working launch site—follow local signage and any directions from beach staff. There are no special local bans on rod fishing from the beach that are widely published, but some practical and legal rules apply.
- Boat/launch zone: do not fish within marked launching lanes or from the slipway when boats are operating; give way to tractors and working vessels
- Bass (recreational): as of 2024, minimum size 42 cm and a daily bag limit of two fish per angler during the open retention season; outside that window, catch-and-release only—check current MMO notices before you go
- Minimum sizes and MLS: adhere to UK/MMO minimum conservation reference sizes for species such as wrasse, bream, rays, etc.; release undersized fish carefully
- Shellfish and pots: do not interfere with commercial gear; observe legal sizes and permits if taking crab/lobster
- Protected areas: Beer sits within the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and near wider marine designations (e.g., Lyme Bay/Torbay SAC). These do not generally restrict shore angling, but abide by any posted local bylaws and avoid damaging foreshore features
- Seasonal beach management: expect summer bathing zones and dog restrictions; don’t cast into flagged swim areas and respect lifeguard or warden instructions
- General: use barbless or crushed barbs when practical, keep only what you need, and dispose of line and hooks responsibly
