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Devon

Bigbury-on-Sea

6.5 · Beach · Devon

Expansive surf beach facing Bigbury Bay with the tidal causeway to Burgh Island on the right-hand side and the Avon estuary mouth across at Bantham. Bottom is mostly clean sand with gutters and bars, plus patches of broken ground and kelp around the island. Fishes best on a flooding tide, at first light or dusk, and after dark. Summer brings mackerel, scad and garfish with bass in the surf; calmer settled spells can produce rays. Winter sees whiting and dabs with the odd plaice and flounder. Strong tidal streams and fast-flooding water can occur near the causeway/estuary mouth and the island can be cut off by the tide.

Should you fish Bigbury-on-Sea?

58 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 4 mph Rain 4% High tide 11:40

Fishable, but pick your timing carefully.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for Bigbury-on-Sea — 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.

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· 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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Bigbury fishes as two connected venues: a clean, surf-driven beach for bass, rays, flats and hounds, and the Burgh Island/causeway edges for kelp, current seams and clear-water lure work. The best decisions here are tide-led: focus on the flood, use the bars and Avon mouth seams rather than just distance, and be ready to switch between beach and island-side tactics as water clarity and surf change.

  • Know when to fish the main surf beach versus the Burgh Island edges.
  • Time the flood so you are not casting through the dead window.
  • Target the Avon outflow and causeway seams without overcasting them.
  • Match baits to bass, rays, hounds, flats and island wrasse.
  • Avoid the tide traps, rips and summer conflict zones before they ruin the session.

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Jump to towns around this mark for more marks and guides.

Bigbury-on-Sea 0.2 mi Thurlestone 1.7 mi South Milton 3.2 mi Inner Hope 3.3 mi Aveton Gifford 3.4 mi

Explore nearby towns: Bigbury-on-Sea · Thurlestone · South Milton · Inner Hope · Aveton Gifford

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

Overall rating

6.5 /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 5/10
Accessibility 7/10

Bass 9/10
Tip: Surf the main beach; fish dusk/dawn on a flooding tide near the Avon outflow. Peeler crab, lug or sandeel; or shallow-diving/soft-plastic lures worked along bars and rips.
Smoothhound 7/10
Tip: Late spring–autumn, evening flood. Peelers/soft crab on pulley rigs beyond the first bar or along the island causeway. Clean to mixed sand; keep hooklengths light.
Ballan Wrasse 7/10
Tip: Burgh Island rocks on the flood; drop into kelpy gullies. Crab or big rag on strong gear, or weedless soft-plastic lures. Best in clear, settled seas.
Pollack 6/10
Tip: Dusk along the island causeway and rocky points on the flood. Metals or weedless soft plastics, or float-fished sandeel worked by kelp edges.
Small-eyed Ray 6/10
Tip: Night over clean sand on a rising tide. Sandeel or launce on long snoods to the second bar. Calm, small surf, late spring–autumn.
Mackerel 6/10
Tip: June–Sept, clear water from the island side on an evening flood. Small metals or feather rigs; keep mobile to locate shoals.
Golden-grey Mullet 6/10
Tip: Calm surf lines and gutter edges on a flooding tide in summer. Small rag or sandeel slivers on fine gear, or tiny surface lures.
Gilthead Bream 6/10
Tip: Summer–early autumn around the Avon mouth and gutters on the flood to high. Hardback/peeler crab or lug tipped with crab. Fish light for shy bites.
Flounder 5/10
Tip: Late autumn–winter near the estuary channel on the flood. Lug or rag on simple running rigs; target seams where sand meets gravel.
Dover Sole 5/10
Tip: Warm nights on neap floods over cleaner sand; fish close in. Rag/lug with a touch of crab on long snoods; light leads to register bites.

Local knowledge

Bigbury-on-Sea fishing guide

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

Bigbury‑on‑Sea sits at the mouth of the River Avon, facing Bigbury Bay and the iconic Burgh Island on Devon’s south coast. It offers a mix of clean surf beach and rocky island ledges, giving lure and bait anglers year‑round options. Expect bass in the surf, wrasse and pollack off the rocks, and summer visitors like mackerel and smoothhound when conditions align.

Bigbury‑on‑Sea is reached via the A38 (exit at Wrangaton), then A3121 to Modbury and the B3392 through St Ann’s Chapel to the village. Parking is easy, but summer crowds mean early arrivals are wise.

  • Main beach car park: large pay‑and‑display by the sands (Postcode: TQ7 4AZ). Fills quickly in peak season; height restrictions may apply for vans.
  • Access: flat, short walk onto the beach; firm sand at higher states, softer lower down.
  • Burgh Island: cross the tidal causeway on the ebb/low tide (10–20 minutes from car park). At high water the sea tractor operates (fee applies) when running; check locally.
  • Terrain: clean sand with occasional shingle; Burgh Island offers low rock platforms, kelp, and boulders. Studded boots recommended on the island.

The area fishes as two distinct marks: the surf beach for bass, flats and rays, and the island rocks for wrasse, pollack and mackerel. Seasonal patterns are fairly reliable.

  • Spring (Mar–May):
    • Bass in mild onshore surf, especially around the river mouth seams
    • Plaice and dabs on calmer days; early smoothhound late spring
    • Wrasse and pollack begin to show on the rocks
  • Summer (Jun–Aug):
    • Bass (dawn/dusk and rougher days), schoolies more common
    • Mackerel and garfish off the island; scad at dusk
    • Wrasse (ball/corkwing), pollack, occasional conger at night
    • Smoothhound and small‑eyed/spotted rays on the beach
  • Autumn (Sep–Nov):
    • Peak bass window; better stamp in blowy, coloured seas
    • Rays, dogfish, whiting start; scad and late mackerel on calm evenings
    • Conger from the rocks after dark
  • Winter (Dec–Feb):
    • Whiting, pouting, dogfish; the odd ray on settled spells
    • Occasional winter bass on rough, mild days
    • Rock marks quieter but still produce conger/pollack in windows

Both natural bait and lures work well here; match your method to the ground and sea state.

  • Surf/beach (Bigbury side):
    • Rigs: 2‑hook flapper (size 2–1) for flats/whiting; clipped pulley/pulley pennel (3/0–4/0) for bass/rays
    • Baits: fresh lugworm or ragworm, peeler/soft crab, sandeel, squid/mackerel cocktails for rays
    • Tactics: fish the last 2 hours of flood and first of ebb; cast onto the outer bar edges and river mouth current seams
  • Burgh Island rocks:
    • Lures: weedless soft plastics (sandeel/shad 4–6 in), metal jigs (20–40 g), and surface/sub‑surface hard baits for bass/pollack
    • Float fishing: strips of mackerel, sandeel or prawn for garfish/pollack in clear water
    • Bait: hardback/peeler crab or ragworm close to kelp for wrasse (strong abrasion‑resistant leaders)
  • General setups:
    • Beach: 12–13 ft beachcaster with 5–6 oz leads; shockleader 60 lb
    • LRF/HRF: 7–9 ft rods, 10–20 lb braid, 20–30 lb fluoro for rough ground
    • Night sessions: small reflective tip lights and stable rod rests; headlamp with red mode

Tide movement drives the fishing here, and wind direction dictates surf shape and water clarity.

  • Best tide states:
    • Beach: mid‑to‑high and first of the ebb; last 2 hours of the flood are prime for bass
    • Island rocks: mid to high for safe ledge access and depth; avoid biggest springs on exposed points
  • Wind/sea:
    • A modest SW/W onshore with some colour often switches on the bass
    • Calm, clear days suit mackerel/garfish and wrasse on lighter tackle
  • Time of day/season:
    • Dawn/dusk outperform in summer and on busy beach days
    • Autumn often gives the most consistent bassing along the causeway seams
  • Water clarity:
    • Slightly coloured for baited surf work; clearer for lure fishing off the rocks

This is an exposed Atlantic‑facing beach with a fast‑flooding causeway and lively tidal streams around Burgh Island. A cautious, tide‑led approach is essential.

  • Burgh Island causeway floods rapidly: plan exit routes and timing; do not get cut off—use the sea tractor if available
  • Strong rips at the river mouth and on bar edges; avoid wading in swell
  • Weed‑slicked rocks and kelp: wear grippy footwear; use a PFD on exposed ledges
  • Swell/backwash can be heavy on the island’s west/north sides; fish lower, sheltered ledges on rough days
  • Summer lifeguarded zones: do not cast into flagged bathing/surf areas; fish outside the zones or outside lifeguard hours
  • Night fishing: bring spare lighting, check tide heights, and avoid solo rock sessions
  • Mobility: beach is accessible from the car park; island rocks require a tidal crossing and short scramble—unsuitable for limited mobility

Bigbury‑on‑Sea is well served in season, though facilities are limited after hours.

  • Toilets: public toilets by the main car park (seasonal opening hours)
  • Food/drink: seasonal beach café (e.g., Venus Café) and refreshments; Pilchard Inn on Burgh Island when accessible
  • Lifeguards: RNLI patrols typically spring–autumn—check local boards for dates/times
  • Tackle/bait: nearest options in Kingsbridge and Ivybridge/Plymouth; bring bait in peak season to avoid shortages
  • Bins: waste/recycling at the car park; pack out line and hooks
  • Mobile signal: generally fair on the beach; patchier around the island’s seaward side

Local anglers treat Bigbury as two different venues—move if your first plan isn’t working. Subtle positioning along seams and structure often outperforms raw casting distance.

  • Bass patrol the edges of the tidal seams along the causeway and the river mouth; a 30–50 m cast into foamy water often beats a full‑blooded chuck
  • On neaps with clear water, work surface lures at first light along the island’s sheltered side for surprise fish
  • For rays, target warm, settled evenings with sandeel/squid on the beach—clip‑down presentations keep baits intact in the surf
  • Wrasse love small crab baits tucked into kelp pockets; strike firmly and bully them clear of the weed
  • Summer crowds: fish very early or after sunset; you’ll avoid swimmers/surfers and pick up the better bites
  • Mackerel runs are patchy—carry a small metal jig to cover water rather than flogging full strings of feathers
  • If collecting bait, do so only where permitted and avoid seagrass or protected areas; many South Devon estuaries have controls on digging

Rod‑and‑line sea angling is generally permitted at Bigbury‑on‑Sea and around Burgh Island, but you must follow national and local rules. Always check the latest notices on the beach and consult official sources before your trip.

  • Bass (recreational): as of 2024/25, minimum size 42 cm; typical retention window allows a limited daily bag during parts of the year, with catch‑and‑release outside that window. Regulations are reviewed annually—check current government guidance before retaining bass
  • Protected species: do not retain shad (allis/twaite), tope (if landed from a boat, release; from shore handle with care), or eel; release any unexpectedly caught protected species unharmed
  • Devon & Severn IFCA: local bylaws may affect netting, potting, and bait collection within estuaries and near nursery areas. While these primarily target commercial or fixed‑gear activity, some intertidal bait‑gathering restrictions can apply—check D&S IFCA for the Avon/Bigbury area
  • Bathing/surf zones: when RNLI flags are in place, avoid fishing into designated bathing/surf areas; lifeguards may ask anglers to move for public safety
  • Private property/access: Burgh Island has hotel‑managed areas—stick to obvious public routes/foreshore and be courteous to staff and guests
  • General: no license for sea angling from the shore in England; observe national minimum conservation reference sizes and never sell your catch without the appropriate commercial license