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Devon

Broadsands

7.5 · Beach · Devon

A broad, gently shelving, south-facing sandy bay between Paignton and Brixham with clean sand in the middle and rocky ledges/rough ground at both ends (toward Elberry Cove). Summer into early autumn is prime for surface-feeding species, with wrasse and pollack from the rocks. The shallow gradient means longer casts help reach fish over the sand, especially on the flood. Mullet often work the margins and stream outflow in calm, clear conditions. Night sessions can produce scad, pouting, dogfish and the occasional conger from the rockier ends, while winter brings whiting. Easy access via a large pay-and-display car park and level paths; family-friendly but very busy in peak season, so fish early/late. Best on a flooding tide and at dawn/dusk. Beware weed on the ledges and slippery, kelpy rocks when the tide ebbs; avoid on strong easterlies when the surf and weed can make it unfishable.

Should you fish Broadsands?

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.

W 3 mph Rain 4% High tide 12:06

Fishable, but pick your timing carefully.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for Broadsands — 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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Broadsands is a sheltered, gently shelving Torbay beach where the decision is usually simple: fish the clean central sand when you want distance-led bait fishing, or move to the rocky ends when you want wrasse, pollack, garfish, mackerel, scad and occasional bream. The mark is at its best from late spring through autumn, especially dawn, dusk and after dark. Because the beach is shallow, longer casts matter over the sand, while the rock fringes reward lighter, more precise tactics in clear water.

  • Know when to fish clean sand versus the rocky ends
  • Use the right tide window for beach or ledges
  • Target bass, wrasse, pollack, scad and dogfish more precisely
  • Avoid wasting time in clear, shallow water
  • Have a backup move if Broadsands is busy or blown out

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Brixham 1.3 mi Paignton 2.0 mi Dittisham 2.6 mi Stoke Gabriel 3.0 mi Collaton St Mary 3.0 mi

Explore nearby towns: Brixham · Paignton · Dittisham · Stoke Gabriel · Collaton St Mary

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

Overall rating

7.5 /10

Blend of catch potential, access, safety, and overall experience.

Category scores

Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 7/10
Accessibility 8/10

Bass 8/10
Tip: Best at dawn/dusk on a flooding tide; fish the surf line with sandeels or shallow diving lures when there's a bit of swell. Work the ends near rocks after a blow.
Lesser Spotted Dogfish 7/10
Tip: Very common after dark over the sand; simple ledger with mackerel or squid. Fish 1-2 hours either side of high.
Mackerel 7/10
Tip: Summer shoals within casting range; metals or feathers from the headlands evenings on a flooding tide. Clear water needed.
Ballan Wrasse 7/10
Tip: Target the rocky fringes at either end; float crab or rag tight to kelp on mid to high tide. Daytime, Apr-Oct.
Pollack 6/10
Tip: Work soft plastics or metal jigs along the rocky points at dusk into dark on the flood; keep lures high to avoid kelp.
Scad (Horse Mackerel) 6/10
Tip: Dusk into dark, small sabikis or Isome on size 6-10 hooks; slow retrieve under the surface from the headlands, mid to high tide, Aug-Oct.
Corkwing Wrasse 6/10
Tip: Small hooks with rag or prawn under a float close to weeded rocks; mid tide up, calm seas, May-Sep.
Conger Eel 6/10
Tip: Night fishing from the rocks; big mackerel or squid baits on strong gear into gullies on the flood. Watch swell and snags.
Garfish 6/10
Tip: Float a small strip of mackerel or sandeel 3-6 ft down over the clean-to-rock edge on a rising tide; best late spring to early autumn in clear water.
Golden-grey Mullet 5/10
Tip: Work small rag or Isome on light rigs in the surf gutters over sand on a flooding evening tide in summer. Keep tackle fine.
Black Bream 5/10
Tip: Occasional summer fish from rough ground; small squid strips on size 4 hooks, long snoods, gentle lob from the rocky ends on mid to high tide.
Plaice 4/10
Tip: Clean sand in the bay; long cast with lug or rag tipped with squid on flowing traces; daylight on clear neap tides in spring.

Local knowledge

Broadsands fishing guide

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

Broadsands is a broad, gently shelving beach between Paignton and Brixham in Torbay, Devon, with rocky headlands leading towards Oyster Cove (west) and Elberry Cove (east). Its mix of clean sand, weed-fringed reefs and clear, sheltered water offers varied shore fishing from family-friendly sessions on the sand to more technical rock fishing. It’s a classic fair-weather, dawn-and-dusk venue that really comes alive from late spring through autumn.

Broadsands sits off the Dartmouth Road (A379) with a large pay-and-display car park behind the beach and easy, level access to the sand. The rock marks are reached on foot from either end of the bay along the South West Coast Path.

  • Driving and parking: Use the Broadsands Beach car park (postcode around TQ4 6HL); charges apply and hours can be seasonal—check on-site boards.
  • Walk-in: Flat and easy to the beach (few minutes). Allow 10–20 minutes to reach the rock ledges towards Elberry Cove (east/right) or Oyster Cove/Goodrington direction (west/left).
  • Terrain: Clean sand on the main beach; limestone ledges, kelp and broken ground around both headlands, especially towards Elberry Cove.
  • Public transport: Regular buses run along Dartmouth Road between Paignton and Brixham; alight near Broadsands Road and walk down to the beach.
  • Night access: Generally straightforward, but car park opening times may vary—confirm locally if planning late sessions.

The mix of clean sand and reef holds a good spread of seasonal species. Expect more variety from late spring to autumn, with rock marks producing even in calm, clear water.

  • Spring (Mar–May): Plaice and dab on the sand; early bass after a blow; wrasse and pollack waking up on the reefs; thick-lipped mullet in calm water; occasional gurnard.
  • Summer (Jun–Aug): Mackerel, garfish and scad on evenings; wrasse (ball/corkwing) from the rocks; pollack to lures; black bream on rough ground; smoothhound on crab from the sand; dogfish common; mullet numerous; odd thornback ray, sole after dark.
  • Autumn (Sep–Nov): Peak for bass on onshore/easterly colour; scad and late mackerel at dusk; bream into October; conger from the rocks at night; squid possible on calm, clear nights; sole and whiting starting.
  • Winter (Dec–Feb): Whiting, pouting and dogfish from the beach; rockling and conger on rough ground; the odd ray in settled spells; bass mostly catch-and-release by regulation.

Different parts of Broadsands favour different approaches. Use light, stealthy tactics in the clear water and step up gear only when fishing into rough ground.

  • Beach (clean sand): 2–3 hook flapper with size 2–1 hooks for plaice/dab/whiting; long snoods and beads for plaice work well. Up-and-over or pulley dropper with 2/0–4/0 for bass/ray/sole at night.
  • Rocks/reefs: Float-fishing with ragworm, prawn or strips for garfish/mackerel; crab or shellfish baits for wrasse. Lures (metals, slim sandeel patterns, small soft plastics) for pollack, mackerel and scad.
  • Smoothhound/rays: Peeler or soft-back crab for hounds; sandeel/squid or mackerel for rays on clipped-down rigs. Fish dusk into dark on a flooding tide.
  • LRF finesse: Iso/Isome, small metals and 1–3 g jigheads for gobies, blennies, scad and mini-wrasse along the rocks.
  • Mullet: Free-lined bread flake or small float set shallow; loose-feed sparingly and use fine fluorocarbon.
  • Squid (autumn): Size 2.5–3.0 egi jigs under a slow sink-and-draw in clear, calm evenings off the rock points.

Torbay is sheltered, so water clarity is often high. Movement is key—target tide-run along the headlands, and use coloured water windows for bass on the beach.

  • Best tide states: Mid to late flood and first of the ebb for the rocks; two hours either side of high for the beach. Neaps suit wrasse; springs can switch on bass and pelagics.
  • Wind and swell: Easterly/SE winds push in surf and colour—great for bass and rays on the beach. SW winds leave it calm/clear—ideal for wrasse, pollack, bream and mullet.
  • Time of day: Dawn and dusk are prime; night fishing boosts rays, soles, hounds, conger and whiting.
  • Seasonality: May–October is peak variety; winter is simpler but still produces on settled nights.
  • Water clarity: In very clear conditions, scale down—fluorocarbon snoods, subtle beads, smaller hooks—and keep noise/light to a minimum on the rocks.

It’s an accessible family beach, but the rock marks demand care. Plan your route, wear suitable footwear, and give swell the respect it deserves.

  • Slippery rock and weed: The limestone ledges get very slick—use grippy boots or studs; keep low and stable.
  • Swell and wash: Easterly swells can surge onto the platforms; avoid exposed ledges in a run of sea.
  • Tidal creep: Some ledges become awkward on a rising tide—know your exits to and from Elberry/Oyster coves.
  • Night fishing: Carry two headlamps, spare batteries and a charged phone; mark safe routes in daylight.
  • Bathing zones: In summer, avoid casting anywhere near swimmers or marked bathing areas; fish early/late or from the headlands.
  • Personal safety: A wearable PFD is recommended on the rocks; keep clear of cliff edges and do not fish alone in a swell.

Broadsands is well-served in season, making it easy to combine a family beach trip with a short session. Out of season, facilities may be limited.

  • Parking: Large pay-and-display car park behind the beach; seasonal charges/hours—check signs.
  • Toilets: Public toilets by the beach (hours may be seasonal).
  • Food and drink: Seasonal cafés/kiosks by the promenade; more options in Paignton and Brixham.
  • Tackle and bait: Tackle shops and fresh/frozen bait available in Paignton, Brixham and Torquay.
  • Mobile signal: Generally good across the bay.
  • Water access: Good for kayak/SUP launching in calm conditions—be mindful of swimmers and seagrass areas near Elberry Cove.

Small tweaks make a big difference in Torbay’s clear water. Think finesse, stealth and timing—then add fresh bait.

  • Fish the edges: On the rocks, work lures tight to the kelp line at first light or last knockings for pollack.
  • Clear-water rigs: Long fluorocarbon snoods (3–5 ft), minimal hardware, and subtle bead spreads for plaice.
  • Crab pressure: In summer, elevate or pop-up baits for sole/rays to reduce crab attacks; bind soft baits well.
  • Bream and wrasse: Small, sharp hooks (size 4–1) and fresh crab/squid strips; move if you’re being ragged by small wrasse.
  • Mackerel/scad: Switch from feathers to single-hook metals or a Sabiki with a 1 oz bomb for fewer tangles and better hook-ups at dusk.
  • Mullet craft: Drip-feed tiny bread morsels and keep noise down; a short fluorocarbon hooklength often out-fishes heavier gear.
  • Session timing: Peak bathing times in summer are busy—dawn, dusk and after-dark sessions are more productive and hassle-free.

There is no blanket ban on angling at Broadsands, but normal national and local rules apply. Always read on-site signage before setting up.

  • Beach byelaws: Torbay seafront rules typically restrict fishing within marked bathing areas/times in summer—keep clear of swimmers and observe any zoned areas or time limits posted on the beach.
  • Bass rules (Area 7): Recreational limit commonly set at 2 fish per angler per day, minimum size 42 cm, with catch-and-release only outside the open season. Check current-year MMO/DEFRA notices before your trip.
  • Minimum sizes/bag limits: Follow UK national MLS and any Devon & Severn IFCA byelaws; retain only legal-sized fish and practise restraint on vulnerable species (e.g., big wrasse, mullet).
  • Marine Protected Areas: Parts of Torbay, including around Elberry Cove, fall within the Torbay Marine Conservation Zone. Shore angling is allowed, but avoid disturbing eelgrass/seagrass beds and wildlife.
  • Bait collection: Respect local restrictions—do not dig in vegetated dunes or protected areas; only collect what you need and backfill any holes.
  • Litter and lead: Take all litter and old line home; consider using lead-free weights where practical.
  • Check updates: Regulations can change—verify with the MMO, DEFRA and Devon & Severn IFCA before fishing.