Summary
Blackpool Sands is a sheltered shingle cove on the A379 between Dartmouth and Stoke Fleming in South Devon. Enclosed by wooded hills and facing roughly south, it offers clean-to-mixed ground within easy casting range, making it a convenient and scenic mark for both casual and target-led sessions.
Location and Access
This mark sits directly off the A379, a few minutes west of Dartmouth, with pay-and-display parking right behind the beach. Access is straightforward, but the beach is steeply shelving pea-to-cobbly shingle.
- Postcode for the main car park: TQ6 0RG (follow local signage once close).
- Parking is adjacent to the beach; charges apply and hours can be seasonal. Gates may be locked outside stated times—check on arrival if planning to fish late.
- Very short walk from car to waterline, but the shingle is unstable and tiring underfoot.
- Terrain: steep shingle beach with rocky patches at either end; largely clean sand/shingle in the centre.
- Public transport: the A379 bus route (e.g., Dartmouth–Kingsbridge/Plymouth services) stops near the entrance—confirm current timetables before travelling.
Seasons
Expect a mix of clean-ground and fringe reef species, with summertime baitfish and winter visitors.
- Spring (Mar–May): bass, plaice, dabs, gurnard; early garfish; occasional small-eyed ray on settled spells.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): mackerel, garfish, scad, bass (dawn/dusk and after a blow), black bream (occasional), smoothhound (odd fish), pollack from the rocky ends; dogfish at night.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): bass, mackerel (early autumn), gar/scad into darkness, bream tailing off, rays on sandeel, mixed flats; increasing pouting.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): whiting, pouting, dogfish, dab/plaice on calmer days; the odd codling in a hard blow (uncommon), conger from rock fringes after dark.
- Occasional visitors: thornback ray, small-eyed ray, sole on quiet, warm nights; squid sporadically on very calm, clear evenings.
Methods
Standard beach tactics work well, with lure or float options in summer.
- Bottom fishing: 2- or 3-hook flappers (size 2–1) for flats, gurnard, whiting; pulley/pulley pennel (3/0–4/0) for bass/rays/hounds.
- Baits: ragworm and lug for flats/gurnard; peeler or soft crab for bass/smoothhound; sandeel (whole or half) and squid/mackerel cocktail for rays; mackerel strip for gar/scad/bream.
- Lures: metal jigs and slim spoons for mackerel/scad; small surface/sub-surface plugs or soft plastics for bass at first and last light, especially on a building sea.
- Float fishing: mackerel strip or ragworm set shallow for garfish; set deeper at dusk for scad.
- Casting range: 30–80 yards covers most of the clean ground; step left/right toward the ends to probe slightly rougher patches for bream/pollack.
- Night sessions: scale baits up to avoid whiting rattles; fish a big crab or squid/sandeel combo on one rod for a bonus bass or ray.
Tides and Conditions
The beach fishes reliably around mid-to-high water, with conditions dictating target species.
- Tide: flooding tide into high water is productive; first half of the ebb can also fish if the sea holds.
- Bass: after a southerly blow when the water colours up and there’s a manageable surf; dawn/dusk are prime.
- Mackerel/gar/scad: calm to moderate seas with clear water, especially evenings into darkness (scad).
- Rays/smoothhound: settled periods with gentle swell; best on neaps or small-to-moderate tides to reduce backwash.
- Winter: calm, cold nights bring whiting/dabs; a big stir can throw up a rarity but watch for heavy dumpers.
- Wind/swell: exposed to southerly swells (dumping surf); comparatively sheltered from west/northwest winds by the surrounding hills.
Safety
It’s an easy-access beach but the steep shingle and dumping waves demand respect.
- Steeply shelving shingle creates strong backwash and sudden drop-offs—stay well clear of the swash line, especially at night.
- Dumping surf in southerly swells can knock you off your feet; wading is not advised.
- Rock ends are slippery with weed—use a lifejacket and cleated footwear if you venture onto them.
- Private/managed beach: seasonal lifeguards and bathing zones may restrict fishing during busy daytime hours—always obey local signage and staff.
- Headtorch with spare batteries for night sessions; keep kit high up the bank in case of surges.
- Accessibility: parking is close, but the loose shingle is challenging for wheels and limited-mobility anglers; ask on site about any seasonal beach access mats/ramps.
Facilities
Blackpool Sands is well-served in season, reflecting its Blue Flag status.
- Toilets and showers: usually available in season near the car park; hours can be reduced off-season.
- Café and beach shop: the Venus Café/Takeaway operates seasonally for hot food, drinks, and basics.
- Lifeguards: typically present peak summer—check current dates.
- Phone signal: generally fair but can be patchy in the valley; step up the bank for better reception.
- Tackle and bait: look to Dartmouth, Torbay, or Kingsbridge/Start Bay (e.g., Torcross) for shops; check opening times and fresh bait availability before you go.
- Parking: pay-and-display by the beach; confirm gate closing times if planning to fish late.
Tips
Reading the small variances in ground and the state of the sea pays off here.
- The central belt is clean—ideal for flats and rays—while the flanks toward the rocks hold bream/pollack in late summer.
- Watch for birds and surface dimples at dusk; scad and mackerel often push in tight for a short, frantic window.
- For bass after a blow, fish big crab or squid/sandeel at short-to-mid range on the flood; keep terminal gear simple and strong.
- Small-eyed rays show after settled warm spells—fresh sandeel is the difference-maker.
- Winter whiting can be relentless—use larger hooks/baits on one rod to filter them and hold out for a better fish.
- A lightweight beach buddy or windbreak is useful; the valley can funnel katabatic breezes in the evening.
- Keep lights low at night—this clear-water cove can switch off quickly with too much illumination.
Regulations
There is no general ban on sea angling here, but this is a privately managed Blue Flag beach with seasonal bathing zones. Always check and comply with current on-site notices.
- Seasonal restrictions: daytime fishing may be restricted during peak bathing season and within marked swimming areas—obey lifeguards and signage.
- Devon & Severn IFCA district: national minimum sizes and local byelaws apply (e.g., no retention of undersized fish; protections for berried lobsters/crawfish; permits needed for potting/netting).
- Bass rules change periodically (bag limits/closed periods). Do not assume—check the latest MMO/DEFRA and IFCA guidance before retaining any bass.
- Bait collection: follow local codes; respect private property and SSSI rules nearby in Start Bay where applicable.
- General conduct: no casting near bathers; no fires or camping on the beach without permission; take all litter and discarded line/rigs home.
