Summary
Maidencombe Beach is a small red-sand cove on the northern edge of Torbay, tucked between Torquay and Shaldon/Teignmouth. Framed by kelpy reefs and clean sand in the middle, it’s a classic mixed-ground mark that rewards thoughtful tactics. It fishes well for wrasse, pollack, mackerel and bass in season, with comfortable short-range work from the rocks or tucked off the beach.
Location and Access
This is a compact, sheltered beach reached down a steep path from the village of Maidencombe off the A379. Access is straightforward but involves steps, and parking is limited, so plan your arrival around tide and daylight.
- Follow signs for Maidencombe from the A379 (Torquay–Teignmouth Road); the village lane is narrow with passing places.
- A small council car park near the top of the beach path serves the cove; spaces are limited and pay-and-display typically applies in season.
- The approach to the shore is via a steep, stepped path (5–10 minutes down, longer coming back). Not suitable for wheelchairs or heavy barrows.
- The beach is red sand with patches of shingle; rocky headlands and kelp-fringed ledges sit to both sides and are the primary fishing spots.
- Avoid blocking residential lanes. Overflow options are scarce; arrive early or fish unsociable hours.
Seasons
Maidencombe offers classic Torbay variety, with rough-ground residents and summer visitors. Expect better action in settled, clear water through late spring to early autumn.
- Spring (Mar–May):
- Ballan and corkwing wrasse returning to the kelp; schoolie bass over the sand at dusk.
- Pollack along the ledges; occasional plaice/gurnard on the sandy patch in calm seas.
- Thick- and thin-lipped mullet mooching in the cove on bright days.
- Summer (Jun–Aug):
- Mackerel and garfish on calm, clear evenings; scad after dark.
- Wrasse (ballan dominant) to good sizes in the gullies; pollack at dusk.
- Bass on gentle surf or after a blow as it settles; occasional black bream over rough ground in the bay area.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov):
- Bass peak around first autumn swells; mackerel/gar linger into September.
- Scad and pout at night; conger from the rocks after dark.
- Dogfish on bottom baits; the odd small ray from the sand is possible but not consistent.
- Winter (Dec–Feb):
- Whiting, pout, poor cod and rockling at night in settled spells.
- Conger from rough ground; occasional schoolie bass on milder, coloured days.
Methods
Think light, mobile and precise: the mark suits float tactics, LRF/HRF and short-range bottom fishing. Long casting is rarely necessary, and a rotten-bottom save lives on reefy ground.
- Lure fishing:
- Wrasse: weedless soft plastics (crab/worm patterns, 7–14 g) worked through gullies on the flood.
- Pollack: small paddletails on jigheads at dusk; work parallel to kelp lines.
- Bass: topwaters/sub-surface minnows at first/last light over the sand and reef edges; SPs after a blow as the sea cleans.
- Float fishing:
- Depth set to graze weed tops for wrasse, gar and mackerel; use ragworm, prawn, sandeel strip or mackerel belly.
- Slim pencil floats help in swell; fluorocarbon hooklengths improve bites in clear water.
- Bottom fishing:
- 2-hook flapper or 1-up/1-down to the edge of sand–rock transitions; 1–3 oz leads are usually ample.
- Use a weak-link/rotten-bottom when casting near reef. Baits: ragworm, lugworm, peeler/hardback crab, sandeel, squid/mackerel strip.
- At night, small fish baits find pout, conger and dogfish; keep hooks 2/0–4/0 for conger, size 2–1/0 for general species.
- Micro/UL tactics (LRF):
- Isome, gulp worms and micro metals for mini-species, scad and mackerel; superb in summer evenings.
- Times:
- Dusk into dark is prime for pollack, scad and bass; daytime is good for wrasse and gar in clear water.
Tides and Conditions
Tide and water clarity drive sport here. The flood pushes fish into the cove and up the rock edges; the ebb can fish, but beware cut-off points on the ledges.
- Tide state:
- Best from mid-flood to high water, especially the last two hours of the flood.
- Over low water, explore gullies for wrasse; avoid getting stranded as the flood races back.
- Sea state:
- Westerly winds give shelter, settling the water for mackerel, gar, wrasse and bream.
- Easterly/north-easterly winds push swell into Torbay, stirring weed and making ledges slippery; bass may show as the sea colours, but pick windows as it drops.
- Water clarity/time of day:
- Clear, sunny evenings are excellent for surface lures and float tactics; overcast/dusky periods favour pollack and bass.
- Seasonality:
- May–October is the marquee window; winter nights can still throw up whiting, pout and the odd conger in calm spells.
- Tidal range:
- Spring tides expose more reef and increase cut-off risk; neaps are kinder for wrasse work in the gullies.
Safety
It’s a steep descent to a mixed-ground cove with slippery red sandstone and kelp. Treat the ledges with respect and plan around the tide.
- The steps are steep and often damp; not suitable for those with limited mobility or heavy tackle.
- Slippery weeded rock, undercut ledges and sudden drop-offs: wear grippy footwear and consider a buoyancy aid when fishing the rocks.
- Cut-off risk on both headlands as the tide floods; identify escape routes and set a firm turnaround time.
- Falling rocks/cliff debris are possible after heavy rain; don’t sit under the cliffs.
- Swimmers, paddleboards and kayaks use the cove in summer; avoid casting near bathers and respect any flagged bathing zones.
- Night fishing: bring a headtorch with spare batteries; the path has no lighting. Mobile reception can dip by the cliff, though generally workable higher up.
- As with any rock mark, carry a charged phone, fish with a partner where possible, and tell someone your plan.
Facilities
Facilities are modest but adequate for a short session; most services are a short drive away in Torquay, St Marychurch or Teignmouth.
- Small pay-and-display car park near the top of the beach path; limited capacity in peak season.
- Seasonal public toilets typically near the car park or beach access (hours vary by council schedule).
- Seasonal beach café/kiosk when open; The Thatched Tavern in Maidencombe village is a few minutes’ walk for food and drink.
- Nearest tackle shops are in Torquay/Paignton and Teignmouth/Shaldon; stock up before you descend.
- No lighting on the path or beach; bring your own. Mobile signal is fair but can be patchy at water level.
- Bins may not always be available; take all litter, line and bait packaging home.
Tips
This is a mark that rewards stealth, timing and fishing ‘the edges’. Travel light and work the ground methodically.
- Fish the reef–sand seams: wrasse and bass patrol these borders; don’t overcast past the fish.
- Use a short fluorocarbon trace (12–20 lb) for wrasse/gar under a float; trim baits to thumbnail size to avoid crabs.
- Weedless SPs excel: rig Texas-style to slide through kelp; a slow lift-and-drop often beats fast retrieves.
- Tie a weak-link to the lead on any bottom rig near rock; you’ll lose leads, not whole rigs.
- Summer crowds: fish dawn/dusk or after dark to avoid swimmers, and keep casting lanes clear.
- Chum lightly for gar and mackerel with tiny slivers of mackerel; too much feed lifts fish off your hookbait.
- Watch for mullet nosing around the wash; a small bread flake freelined can save a slow session.
- Parking fills quickly on hot days; arrive early or pick breezy, off-peak windows.
- Seals sometimes cruise the bay—if one moves in, expect a lull and switch to wrasse tight in the rocks.
Regulations
Rod-and-line sea angling is generally permitted at Maidencombe, but beach use is shared—expect seasonal bathing zones and obey any signage on site. Always check the latest national and local byelaws before you go.
- Bathing zones: do not fish between red/yellow flags or where signage prohibits angling during lifeguarded/busy hours.
- Marine Protected Area: the coastline falls within the Torbay Marine Conservation Zone; rod angling is allowed, but do not damage or remove protected features. No take of any protected species.
- Bass rules: recreational bass regulations change; at the time of writing, a minimum size of 42 cm applies and seasonal bag/retention limits are in force. Check current UK government guidance before retaining any bass.
- Minimum sizes/bag limits: observe national MLS for common species (e.g., wrasse have no statutory MLS—practice catch-and-release; black bream 23 cm in many regions; check current lists). Return undersized fish promptly.
- Crustaceans: it is illegal to take berried lobsters/crabs; respect minimum sizes and local potting byelaws (Devon & Severn IFCA).
- No set lines, no gill nets from the shore, and no spearfishing in or near bathing areas.
- Dogs, BBQs, fires and overnighting may be restricted by council rules—check beach-side notices and comply.
- If unsure about any restriction, ask the council/IFCA or a local tackle shop; when in doubt, release fish and fish away from bathers.
