Bigbury-on-Sea Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Bigbury-on-Sea Fishing Map

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.

Ratings

⭐ 6.5/10 Overall
Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 5/10
Accessibility 7/10

Fish You Can Catch at Bigbury-on-Sea

🐟 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.

Bigbury-on-Sea Fishing

Summary

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.

Location and Access

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.

Seasons

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.

Methods

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

Tides and Conditions

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

Safety

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.

Facilities

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

Tips

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.

Regulations

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.