Freshwater Quarry Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Freshwater Quarry Fishing Map

Steep limestone ledges from an old coastal quarry on the east side of Brixham (between Shoalstone and Berry Head). Deep water is close in with kelp-filled gullies, rock walls and scours meeting cleaner ground further out. Productive on a flooding tide and around dusk into night. Summer brings mackerel, scad and garfish tight to the face; daylight over rough ground yields wrasse and pollack; after dark expect pouting and conger. Space is limited and uneven with drops to the water—best in settled seas with a northerly or westerly wind and a sensible swell. Parking is usually at or near Shoalstone; access involves a short but steep walk over uneven paths.

Ratings

⭐ 6.8/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 7/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 5/10

Fish You Can Catch at Freshwater Quarry

🐟 Ballan Wrasse 9/10
🎯 Tip: Kelp-covered rough ground; fish daylight on flooding tide. Float fish or ledger crab, prawn or rag tight to rocks. Use strong gear and rotten-bottoms.
🐟 Pollack 8/10
🎯 Tip: Work metal jigs or soft shads at dawn/dusk along the ledges on a flooding tide. Keep lures deep, parallel to the rockface.
🐟 Bass 7/10
🎯 Tip: After swell or at first light; plug or soft plastics in the gullies on a flooding tide. Also freelined crab in white water.
🐟 Mackerel 7/10
🎯 Tip: Summer shoals; spin small metals or float fish strip at range on the flood, best at dusk.
🐟 Pouting 6/10
🎯 Tip: After dark over rough ground; small fish baits or rag on size 2 hooks. Keep gear above snags; short casts.
🐟 Corkwing Wrasse 6/10
🎯 Tip: Smaller wrasse tight to kelp; float ragworm or small crab around boulders mid-tide.
🐟 Conger Eel 6/10
🎯 Tip: After dark into boulders; strong tackle, wire/mono trace and big mackerel/flake baits. Neap tides safer; use rotten-bottom.
🐟 Garfish 6/10
🎯 Tip: Late spring–autumn; float fish small slivers of mackerel with long trace near the surface over clean patches, best on a rising tide.
🐟 Scad (Horse Mackerel) 5/10
🎯 Tip: Late summer nights; small metals or sabikis worked mid-water. Try on the flood at dusk.
🐟 Rock Goby 5/10
🎯 Tip: Abundant in holes; tiny hooks with rag or prawn fished under a float tight to the rocks, any state of tide.

Freshwater Quarry Fishing

Summary

Freshwater Quarry is the town‑centre car park and quay-side stretch that overlooks Brixham Harbour in Torbay, Devon. It’s a sheltered, easy-access spot best known for mullet and occasional bass, with seasonal mackerel, garfish and autumn squid under the harbour lights.

Location and Access

This mark refers to the quay and railings below/near the Freshwater Quarry car park in Brixham, a short walk from the inner harbour and fish quay. Access is straightforward on pavements and concrete, but do respect any Tor Bay Harbour Authority no‑fishing signs around commercial areas.

Seasons

This is a classic harbour mark with year‑round mullet interest and summer visitors. Expect better variety in warm months and during dusk/night sessions.

Methods

Light, stealthy presentation is key inside the harbour, with heavier gear reserved for the outer edges or the Breakwater. Start simple and scale down lines and hooks for mullet.

Tides and Conditions

Being inside Tor Bay, this mark is fairly sheltered, but water clarity and light levels strongly influence results—especially for mullet and squid.

Safety

This is an active, working harbour—safety and courtesy come first. Expect moving vessels, lines, and busy quaysides, and obey all local signage.

Facilities

One advantage here is proximity to Brixham’s amenities—ideal for short sessions or mixed family days.

Tips

Treat it like a sight‑fishing venue for mullet and a timing game for bass and squid. Little details make a big difference here.

Regulations

Rules can change—always follow posted Harbour Authority instructions on the day. This area falls under Tor Bay Harbour Authority and the Devon & Severn IFCA for sea fisheries management.