Summary
Elberry Cove sits between Broadsands and Brixham on the sheltered side of Torbay, Devon. It’s a pretty shingle-and-pebble cove with rocky points at either end, clear water, and dependable mixed-species sport through late spring to autumn.
Location and Access
This is a walk-in mark reached via the South West Coast Path, with the easiest approach from Broadsands. Expect a short but slightly undulating stroll and a firm shingle beach bordered by low rocky ledges.
- Park at Broadsands (pay-and-display) and follow the coast path south for roughly 10–15 minutes to the cove; waymarked and straightforward.
- Alternative footpaths lead down through Churston Woods, but roadside parking nearby is extremely limited—Broadsands is more reliable.
- No vehicle access to the beach; all gear must be carried. A light, streamlined kit pays off.
- Terrain: compact shingle/pebbles in the middle; weedy, kelpy rocks at both ends; old stone bathhouse ruins on the northern side.
Seasons
Clear water and mixed ground bring variety, with summer and early autumn the prime months. Rock edges fish differently to the shingle middle, so move to find life.
- Spring (Apr–May): ballan wrasse, pollack, early garfish, first mackerel shoals, black bream start to show, thick‑lipped mullet nosing about in calm spells.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): mackerel, garfish, scad (horse mackerel) at dusk, plentiful wrasse, black bream, mullet; chance of bass at dawn/dusk, odd squid on calm nights.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): mackerel linger into September, scad peak at night, squid runs improve (Oct/Nov), better bass after a blow, conger from the rocks after dark, pout and gurnard possible.
- Winter (Dec–Mar): dogfish, poor cod/pout, rockling, the odd conger and whiting; generally quieter.
Methods
Both ends of the cove suit rough-ground tactics, while the central shingle favors lighter rigs and bream/mullet. Clear water rewards finesse and stealth.
- Lure fishing:
- Metals (15–30 g) and slim minnow/bullet lures for mackerel, garfish, and bass at first/last light.
- Soft plastics (2–4 in) on 5–10 g heads or weedless Texas rigs for wrasse and pollack around the kelp.
- Float fishing:
- Ragworm, prawn, or sandeel under a float along the rock edges for wrasse, pollack, and garfish. Set depth 6–12 ft and adjust to find the band of fish.
- Bottom tactics:
- 2‑hook flapper (size 4–2) with small baits (squid strip, prawn, cockle, mussel) for black bream from late spring; scale down and keep leads light (2–3 oz).
- Simple running ledger or pulley with a short snood and a weak link/rotten-bottom on the rough ends for wrasse/conger with crab, squid, or mackerel.
- Night sessions:
- Sabikis or small single-hook jigs for prolific scad; tiny glow beads help.
- Egi jigs (2.5–3.5) for squid on calm, clear evenings in autumn.
- Mullet:
- Bread flake or crust on light float gear; drip in bread mash to hold them. Keep hook sizes small (8–12) and use fine fluorocarbon.
Tides and Conditions
Elberry is a sheltered Torbay cove, often gin-clear after easterlies and coloured after a hard south‑westerly. Tidal flow is modest inside the cove but livens up around the points.
- Tide: fish the flood into high and the first of the ebb; mid-to-top water lifts wrasse and bream; dusk flood is prime for mackerel/scad in season.
- Light: dawn/dusk for bass, mackerel, and garfish; full darkness lights up scad, pout, and conger.
- Sea state: slight colour and a ruffled surface improve bass; flat, clear water suits bream, mullet, and squid.
- Wind: easterlies keep it calm; fresh westerlies can push chop into the cove—take care on the rocky ends.
- Seasonality: May–October offers the widest species range; winter is scratchy but still worth a short, tidy session.
Safety
This is a relatively benign beach mark, but the rocky ends are weedy and can be slippery, and the shingle can roll underfoot. Summer brings swimmers and small craft close in.
- Footing: wear grippy boots on the rocks; expect weed and barnacles. A wading staff helps if you step onto kelpy ledges.
- Swell: avoid the rock points in a groundswell or strong onshore winds; rogue waves do reach the ledges.
- Tidal: no major cut-off on the main beach, but ledges can overtop on spring highs—set up well back.
- Crowds: peak-season days are busy with bathers and paddlecraft; fish dawn, dusk, or the shoulders of the day. Respect any buoyed bathing zones.
- Accessibility: paths are good but not ideal for wheelchairs or heavy barrows; the final approach is uneven shingle.
- Safety kit: a belt-worn or automatic lifejacket is sensible on the rock ends; carry a headtorch, spare light, and a simple first-aid kit.
Facilities
There are no facilities on the beach itself; plan as a self-sufficient session and pack out all litter and line. Nearby Broadsands and Brixham cover most needs.
- Nearest toilets and cafés: Broadsands (seasonal) and the seafront kiosks; more options in Goodrington, Paignton, and Brixham.
- Tackle and bait: shops in Paignton and Brixham stock fresh/frozen baits and lures; ring ahead in winter.
- Mobile signal: generally good across Torbay, with patchy dips near the wooded approach.
- Lighting: none at the cove—bring a headtorch and spare batteries.
- Bins: usually at the Broadsands car park, not on the cove—take everything home.
Tips
Think small and stealthy in clear water, and let the mark tell you where to fish—rock edges for wrasse/pollack, middle shingle for bream/mullet.
- Carry a long-handled landing net: the shingle shelves and scad/mackerel are prone to unhooking at your feet.
- For bream: tiny squid strips or prawn on size 4–2 hooks, short snoods, and a twitchy retrieve to tempt tentative bites.
- For garfish: add a short sliver of mackerel belly to the point of a float-rigged worm—more flash, fewer missed takes.
- Chum lightly: a small bread mash can transform a slow mullet or garfish session; don’t overdo it in the tide.
- Rotten-bottoms save gear: use a weak link on the rough ends and keep casts modest—fish are often in-range.
- Watch for sprats/whitebait: when they pin to the cove, scale down metals (7–14 g) and speed up the retrieve; scad and mackerel will be tight to the surface at dusk.
- Autumn squid: work jigs slowly with long pauses; if you miss a take, drop back immediately—squid often re-grab.
Regulations
Elberry Cove falls within the Devon & Severn IFCA district and the wider Torbay area, which includes sensitive reef and seagrass habitats. There is no general ban on angling from the shore here, but normal national and local rules apply. Always check the latest guidance before retaining fish.
- Bass: strict national rules apply, including a 42 cm minimum size and seasonal bag limits for recreational anglers; confirm current open/closed months and allowances before keeping any bass.
- Sizes and bags: observe UK minimum conservation reference sizes (MCRS) for species you intend to retain; when in doubt, measure and release.
- Marine protected features: parts of Torbay contain eelgrass and delicate reef—avoid trampling exposed seagrass at very low water and do not disturb intertidal life unnecessarily.
- Netting/pots: fixed nets and recreational pots are regulated by permit in this district; shore angling with rod and line is fine, but do not set nets or lines without the correct authorisation.
- Bait collection: local byelaws restrict some shellfish and invertebrate gathering—check current IFCA rules before harvesting.
- Beach use: in peak season there may be buoyed bathing zones and council guidance; keep clear of swimmers and watercraft and comply with any on-site signage or warden requests.
