Branscombe Beach Fishing

Last updated: 1 month ago

Branscombe Beach Fishing Map

Long, steep shingle on the Jurassic Coast with mixed clean-to-rough ground and quick depth off the middle sections. Easy access from the National Trust car park at Branscombe Mouth; rockier ground at both ends towards Beer Head and Sidmouth holds wrasse and pollack. Summer brings dense shoals of mackerel, scad and garfish; autumn–winter produces whiting, pout and dogfish, with the odd thornback. Thin-lipped mullet work the stream outflow. Best results typically come on a flooding tide into dusk or after dark. Swell can dump heavily on the steep bank and cliffs are prone to falls—choose settled conditions and keep clear of the toe of the cliffs.

Ratings

⭐ 7.3/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 8/10
Safety 6/10
Accessibility 7/10

Fish You Can Catch at Branscombe Beach

🐟 Mackerel 9/10
🎯 Tip: Summer shoals; cast small metals or sabikis from the steep shingle. Best at dawn/dusk on the flood. Watch for bird activity.
🐟 Bass 8/10
🎯 Tip: Work surface/soft lures in the surf at dawn/dusk on a flooding tide, or fish peeler/sandeel into the gutter after a blow.
🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 7/10
🎯 Tip: After dark year-round; short lob baits (mackerel/squid) on 2-hook flappers into the gutter. Steep shingle helps hook-ups.
🐟 Scad (Horse Mackerel) 7/10
🎯 Tip: Late summer/autumn nights; small sabikis or 10-20g metals with slow retrieve under the rod tip. Try the flood near deeper water.
🐟 Pouting 6/10
🎯 Tip: Dusk to dark over mixed/rough patches at either end; small fish/worm baits on size 2–4 hooks. Keep rigs simple; short casts.
🐟 Whiting 6/10
🎯 Tip: Winter nights; clip-down rigs with small worm/fish baits at 60–100m. Keep baits small and fresh; expect bites on the flood.
🐟 Garfish 6/10
🎯 Tip: Clear, calm summer evenings; float-fish mackerel strip or sandeel set shallow and cast beyond the shore break. Steady retrieve.
🐟 Pollack 5/10
🎯 Tip: Dusk into dark; cast soft plastics or metals tight to rocks and kelp at either end, slow and deep. Light swell and flood help.
🐟 Conger Eel 5/10
🎯 Tip: After dark by rough ground at the ends; big fish baits on strong mono traces and rotten-bottoms to beat snags. Flooding tide best.
🐟 Plaice 4/10
🎯 Tip: Spring to early summer over clean sandier patches; long snood with beads/spoons and rag/sandeel. Cast long on the flood.
🐟 Smoothhound 4/10
🎯 Tip: Late spring to early autumn; peeler crab baits at medium range over clean/mixed ground. Best at dusk on a flooding tide.
🐟 Black Bream 4/10
🎯 Tip: Calm, clear summer days; small strips or squid/worm on long snoods over cleaner patches at range. Keep hooks size 2–4.

Branscombe Beach Fishing

Summary

Branscombe Beach sits between Sidmouth and Beer on East Devon’s Jurassic Coast, a long, steep shingle strand backed by high, crumbly cliffs. It drops into deep water fairly quickly, offering year‑round opportunities from scratching sessions to proper specimen hunting. Night tides can be excellent, and both ends of the beach give access to slightly different ground and species.

Location and Access

Reaching the mark is straightforward, but the final approach is along a narrow valley lane to Branscombe Mouth. There’s a National Trust car park by the beach and a short walk across steep shingle to your peg.

  • Drive via the A3052, then follow signs for Branscombe; the lane to the beach is single track with passing places.
  • Parking: National Trust car park at Branscombe Mouth (approx. postcode EX12 3DP); pay-and-display, often busy in summer weekends/holidays.
  • Walk-in: 1–5 minutes from the car park to the shingle, but walking any distance along the beach is heavy going due to steep, shifting stones.
  • Terrain: Deep shingle with patches of sand at range; rockier fringes toward both ends (Beer Head to the east; Weston/Salcombe Regis side to the west).

Seasons

The beach produces a good mix of clean- and mixed-ground species, with the best variety from late spring through autumn. Winter brings predictable scratching and the odd surprise.

  • Spring (Mar–May): bass, plaice (on sand patches), dogfish, early garfish, wrasse near the rocks, occasional ray.
  • Summer (Jun–Aug): mackerel, scad, garfish, bass, smoothhound (peeler time), wrasse, gurnard, small-eyed/spotted ray, soles after dark on neaps, occasional bull huss from rougher ends.
  • Autumn (Sep–Nov): peak bass, mackerel/scad to first frosts, plaice, rays, sole, increasing whiting and pouting, occasional squid on very clear calm nights.
  • Winter (Dec–Feb): whiting, pouting, dogfish, occasional codling after onshore blows, conger from the rougher patches in darkness, dabs on settled seas.

Methods

This is a versatile shingle venue: distance work finds the sand for flatfish and rays, while the first gulley is classic bass territory. The rocky fringes favour wrasse and pollack techniques.

  • Bottom fishing: 2–3 hook clipped-down rigs for distance scratching; pulley pennel (3/0–4/0) or up-and-over for bass/rays/codling.
  • Baits: lugworm and ragworm for flats/whiting; squid/mackerel cocktails for rays and conger; sandeel (whole or sections) for bass and rays; fresh peeler crab for bass and smoothhound in late spring/summer.
  • Lure fishing: 20–40 g metals for mackerel/scad; soft plastics and surface lures for bass at dawn/dusk in calm surf; small SPs for pollack around rough ground at the ends.
  • Float fishing: rag strips, prawn, or mackerel slivers for garfish and mackerel in summer; ragworm or hardback crab for wrasse by the rocks.
  • Tackle notes: 4–6 oz grip leads help pin baits on the slope; use a shock leader and a sturdy tripod (banksticks sink in shingle). Keep hook snoods fine for scratching (15–20 lb), heavier (40–60 lb) for conger/huss.

Tides and Conditions

Branscombe responds well to moving water, especially into darkness. The beach faces broadly south, so wind and swell direction matter.

  • Tide state: Flood to high and first of the ebb often fishes best; neaps for soles/plaice, springs for bass and rays.
  • Time of day: Dusk into night is prime for bass, rays, and conger; early mornings for mackerel/gar and lure-caught bass in summer.
  • Sea state: A gentle, coloured push after a south-westerly blow is great for bass; too much swell makes the backwash treacherous. Clear, calm water suits mackerel/garfish and scratching tactics.
  • Wind: Onshore easterlies can drive weed lines; light south or west breezes are kinder. After storms, allow a settling period for better water clarity and reduced debris.

Safety

This is a steep, mobile shingle beach beneath unstable cliffs—treat it with respect. Choose your peg with exits and backwash in mind.

  • Steep shingle and strong backwash: keep well clear of the swash line, especially on spring highs and in swell.
  • Cliff risk: do not sit, fish, or set up directly under the cliffs; rockfalls are common after rain and freeze–thaw.
  • Cut-off potential: the far ends beneath headlands/undercliffs can become tight at high water—know your route and tide times.
  • Footing: shingle shifts underfoot; wear good boots and use a solid tripod. Headtorch and spare light essential at night.
  • Lifejacket: recommended when fishing near the waterline or on slippery/rocky areas.
  • Accessibility: short walk from car park, but the shingle makes wheelchair access and barrow work difficult; consider light, portable gear.

Facilities

Basic facilities are available at Branscombe Mouth, with more options in nearby Beer and Seaton. Expect a rural feel and occasionally patchy mobile signal in the valley.

  • Toilets: public toilets by the beach/car park (seasonal opening hours possible).
  • Food & drink: seasonal beach café at Branscombe Mouth; pubs and village shop up the valley (e.g., Masons Arms/Fountain Head).
  • Tackle/bait: nearest in Beer and Seaton; check local shops for fresh lug/rag and frozen sandeel/squid.
  • Parking: National Trust car park by the beach (fees apply; NT members typically free). Arrive early in summer.
  • Signal: mobile reception can drop out near the cliffs and at beach level; better higher up the valley.

Tips

Regulars treat Branscombe as a ‘Chesil-in-miniature’: steep shingle, quick depth, and fish close at dusk. Small adjustments in range can transform a session.

  • Bass often cruise the first gulley: a whole sandeel or crab bait 10–30 yards out at dusk can outfish a 150-yard chuck.
  • For rays, find the sand: step up to bigger baits (sandeel/squid) and clipped-down rigs; give baits time to soak on neaps.
  • Summer nights can see scad thick in the margins—small metals or size 4–6 fish strips do the damage.
  • Watch for bird activity between Beer and Branscombe; shoals move fast—travel light if spinning.
  • After blows, expect weed banks; use breakout leads, keep lines high on the tripod, and trim leaders to reduce drag.
  • Historical note: the 2007 MSC Napoli incident scattered debris along this stretch—snaggy pockets still exist; use rotten-bottom links if exploring new ground.

Regulations

Shore angling is permitted at Branscombe Beach. Normal national and local fisheries rules apply—always verify current rules before you go, as they change.

  • Management area: Branscombe falls under the Devon & Severn Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA).
  • Minimum sizes and protections: adhere to current Devon & Severn IFCA minimum conservation reference sizes for finfish and shellfish; never retain berried (egg-bearing) lobsters or crawfish.
  • Bass rules: recreational bass retention is subject to seasonal openings, daily bag limits, and a minimum size (commonly 42 cm). Check the latest MMO/DEFRA notice before retaining any bass.
  • Marine protected sites: this coast forms part of the Jurassic Coast WHS and nearby marine conservation designations; these do not prohibit shore angling but do protect habitats—avoid disturbing reefs and undercliffs.
  • Night fishing and beach access: no specific local angling ban is posted, but respect National Trust signage, any seasonal restrictions, and general public space bylaws (litter, fires/BBQs, camping).
  • General: carry a measuring device, return undersized fish promptly, and consider catch-and-release for larger breeders (bass, wrasse, rays).