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Devon

Meadfoot Beach

7.0 · Beach · Devon

Pebble-and-shingle cove on Torquay’s east side with rocky ledges and kelp beds at both ends. It shelves fairly quickly with pockets of clean sand between rough ground, giving close-range depth and year-round options. Best results come on a flooding tide into dusk; summer brings consistent wrasse, garfish and mackerel, with scad after dark, while nights around the rocks can turn up conger and pout. Spinning and float fishing work well over the reefs; bottom fishing needs abrasion-resistant leaders and a weak/rotten-bottom link. Access is straightforward via roadside parking and steps/ramps, but the weeded rocks are slippery and easterly swells can surge unexpectedly. Expect swimmers, kayaks and divers in settled summer weather.

Should you fish Meadfoot Beach?

54 Fair

Today · Best available

Best available: 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide

Most likely species: Ballan Wrasse and Corkwing Wrasse

Fair conditions. Best available around 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide, but no window reaches the strong threshold today. Good chance of Ballan Wrasse and Corkwing Wrasse.

NW 3 mph Rain 0% High tide 12:02

Fishable, but pick your timing carefully.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for Meadfoot Beach — 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.

Saturday looks better than today. Unlock the week to see its score and exact window.

· 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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Meadfoot is a compact mixed-ground cove where the decision is less about distance and more about choosing the right part of the bay. The rocky, kelpy ends suit wrasse, pollack, mackerel, garfish, scad and night conger/pout, while the central shingle and sand pockets give cleaner bottom-fishing options. The most reliable window is the flooding tide into dusk, with the first of the ebb also worth staying for when conditions remain calm or lightly coloured.

  • Know when to fish the rocky ends versus the clean middle
  • Time the flood so you are not guessing the bite window
  • Match wrasse, pollack, bass and scad tactics to the right ground
  • Avoid the easterly swell and weed traps that spoil sessions
  • Have a clear backup plan before summer crowds or watercraft arrive

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Torquay 0.8 mi Paignton 3.0 mi Marldon 3.9 mi Kingskerswell 4.3 mi Stokeinteignhead 4.8 mi

Explore nearby towns: Torquay · Paignton · Marldon · Kingskerswell · Stokeinteignhead

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

Overall rating

7.0 /10

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

Category scores

Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 6/10
Accessibility 8/10

Ballan Wrasse 8/10
Tip: Float-fished crab or rag dropped into kelp gullies at either end; best on the flood, spring–autumn.
Pollack 7/10
Tip: Small soft plastics or metals along reef edges at dawn/dusk; fish the flood with some movement.
Mackerel 7/10
Tip: Summer shoals; cast small metals/feathers from the rock ledges, best at dusk in clear, calm water.
Corkwing Wrasse 7/10
Tip: Ragworm or small peeler under a float tight to rocks/weed; steady on the flood in summer.
Pouting 6/10
Tip: After dark, drop small fish/squid strips into rough ground close-in; bites through the flood.
Scad (Horse Mackerel) 6/10
Tip: Summer nights; sabikis or tiny metals worked slowly under any light; best on a flooding tide.
Tompot Blenny 6/10
Tip: LRF—tiny worm/shrimp baits on small hooks right under ledges; fish when there’s a bit of depth.
Garfish 6/10
Tip: Float thin mackerel strips mid-water in clear, calm conditions; rising tide, late spring to autumn.
Bass 5/10
Tip: After a blow or slight surf, work shallow divers/softs or peeler/sandeel into gullies on the flood at dusk/dawn.
Conger Eel 5/10
Tip: Night sessions; big fish baits lowered into deep kelpy holes from the rocks; neap tides and gentle swell help.
Black Bream 5/10
Tip: Late spring–autumn over mixed ground; small strips or prawn on light rigs just off bottom; clear water, flood.
Whiting 4/10
Tip: Winter nights; cast small fish/squid baits to any sand patches; best on the flood and first of the ebb.

Local knowledge

Meadfoot Beach fishing guide

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

Meadfoot Beach sits in a scenic, east-facing bay on the Torquay side of Torbay, backed by a low sea wall and beach huts with rocky ledges at either end. It’s a classic mixed-ground shore mark: clean sand and shingle in the middle, fringing reefs and boulders on the flanks, and reliably clear water in settled weather. The mix of ground and shelter from prevailing south-westerlies makes it a flexible venue for wrasse, pollack, bass, mackerel and winter species.

Access is straightforward, with parking at either end of the beach and short ambles to sand or rock ledges. Approach via Meadfoot Sea Road/Ilsham Marine Drive from Torquay; use a sat-nav to the main car park near the café (TQ1 2LQ) and follow local signs.

  • Pay-and-display car parks at the west and east ends of the beach; limited on-road bays along the promenade fill quickly on fine days.
  • Short, mostly level walks to the promenade and slipways; a few steps down to the shingle and multiple access points to the rock fringes.
  • Terrain is mixed: shingle over sand centrally; weeded boulders and low reef ledges toward both ends (east toward Thatcher Point; west toward the cliffs beneath Daddyhole Plain).
  • Roads are narrow near the seafront; arrive early in summer or evenings to secure a space.
  • Public transport serves the area via local Torquay routes, with a short walk down to the beach from nearby stops.

The mark fishes year-round with a strong summer/autumn for lure and float work and a quieter but worthwhile winter after dark. Expect typical South Devon mixed-ground species.

  • Spring (Apr–Jun): bass, ballan and corkwing wrasse, pollack, garfish (from late spring), occasional flounder from sandy patches.
  • Summer (Jul–Sep): mackerel, garfish, scad (horse mackerel) at dusk, pollack, wrasse, schoolie to better bass; occasional black bream and mullet in the calm margins.
  • Autumn (Sep–Nov): bass peak around dusk into dark, mackerel/scad in runs, wrasse still active, pollack, occasional small thornback ray from cleaner patches, conger from rougher ground after dark.
  • Winter (Dec–Mar): whiting, pouting, dogfish, rockling; conger from the rocks; odd flounder on the sand. Very occasional better fish on a lively night tide.

Mixed ground allows you to swap between lure, float and bottom tactics as the light and tide change. Travel light and cover water.

  • Lure fishing: HRF/WRF with 5–10 g jigheads or weedless Texas rigs for wrasse and pollack; small metals and slim minnow plugs for mackerel/gar and bass. Work parallel to the ledges and current seams.
  • Float fishing: set 2–12 ft depending on ground; ragworm, prawn or peeler crab for wrasse; mackerel strip/sandeel for garfish and mackerel; adjust depth until you find the fish.
  • Bottom fishing: 1–2 hook flappers (size 2–1/0) for general species; clipped 1/0–3/0 rigs with sandeel/squid/cocktail after dark for bass, dogs and the chance of a small ray.
  • Bass tactics: simple running ledger or pulley with peeler, sandeel or squid on a modest onshore ripple at dusk; shallow diving or topwater lures at first light over the sand tongues.
  • Night sessions: small baits (mackerel, squid, worm) on size 2 hooks for whiting/pout; a stouter outfit and big bait for conger tight to the rough.
  • LRF: isome, small creature baits or sabikis along boulder edges and the sea wall for blennies, gobies, scad and mini wrasse; perfect on calm, clear evenings.

Meadfoot faces broadly east and is sheltered from most south-westerlies, making it a go-to when the open coast is blown out. Clarity is usually excellent after a couple of calm days.

  • Tide: flooding tide into high and the first of the ebb fishes best from the rocks; at high water, fish can push tight to the wall after dark.
  • Light: dawn and dusk are prime for bass, pollack and scad/mackerel; wrasse favour daylight over the rough ground on mid to high.
  • Sea state: clear, calm to slight chop for lures/float; a gentle onshore ripple with a hint of colour helps bait fishing. Strong easterlies/north-easterlies create swell and backwash and can make the mark unsafe/unfishable.
  • Weed: after easterly blows or spring tides, expect floating and string weed; step up to heavier leaders and consider weedless rigs.
  • Springs vs neaps: big spring lows expose more ledges for wrasse/pollack prospecting; neaps keep colour/weed down and suit finesse lure work.

This is a relatively friendly urban venue, but the combination of boulders, weeded rock and reflected swell deserves respect. Plan your exits on the ledges and avoid casting among bathers.

  • Rock ledges are slippy with weed and algae; wear grippy footwear and avoid hopping between isolated rocks, especially on a rising tide.
  • Easterly swells rebound off the sea wall and rocks; if waves are overtopping the wall or ledges, do not fish.
  • Some ledges can be partially cut off near high water; check tide times and keep an escape route.
  • Depth drops quickly off the beach; avoid wading in chop or poor visibility.
  • Divers, paddleboarders and kayaks use the bay; keep casts short when they are present and choose off-peak times.
  • A PFD/lifejacket is strongly recommended on the rocks; carry a headtorch, first-aid kit and fish with a partner after dark.
  • Accessibility: the promenade and slipways are near-level and suitable for trolleys; fishing from the wall is possible at higher tides with a drop net, but space is limited and it’s busy in summer. Wheelchair users may find workable spots on the promenade, though railings and footfall can be restrictive.
  • Phone signal is generally good; observe any parking gate times or seasonal restrictions shown on-site.

Facilities are good for a natural mark, with parking, seasonal amenities and town services within a short drive. Expect it to be busy on fine summer days.

  • Toilets near the car parks (seasonal opening hours; check on-site notices).
  • Meadfoot Beach Café operates seasonally for drinks, snacks and ice creams; additional cafés and shops in Torquay are a few minutes by car.
  • Bins are provided along the promenade—pack out line and lead scraps.
  • Tackle and bait are available in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham (10–20 minutes by car); bring bait if arriving late or off-season.
  • Good mobile coverage (4G/5G on most networks).

A bit of local knowledge helps you avoid snags and find the fish lanes. Travel light, move frequently, and let the ground dictate the method.

  • For wrasse, use crab or prawn on strong gear and keep the fish out of the kelp; practice quick unhooking and release big ballans.
  • Bass patrol the sand/reef edges at first light and last knockings—walk and cast rather than standing still.
  • Garfish love a slow-drifted float 2–6 ft down with a sliver of mackerel on a size 6–8 fine-wire hook; add a tiny red bead above the hook to lift takes.
  • Mullet cruise tight to the wall in calm, bright conditions; drip in mashed bread and fish light fluorocarbon and small bread flake.
  • Use rotten-bottom (weak-link) setups for leads over rough ground and a long-handled net or drop net from the wall.
  • When the water is gin-clear, scale down to 6–10 lb leaders for lures and keep metals slim and natural; after a blow, switch to darker or more tactile soft plastics.
  • Dusk into full dark is prime for scad on tiny metals or sabikis—add a touch of glow or a sliver of prawn.
  • Seals occasionally patrol the bay; expect last-minute lunges at hooked fish and avoid retaining fish in the water beside you.

Angling from the beach and rocks is generally permitted at Meadfoot, but you must follow local signage and common-sense bathing-beach rules. Always check the latest notices before you set up.

  • Bathing zones and summer crowding: do not cast among swimmers or watercraft; in peak season you may be directed away from marked bathing areas—follow any council or on-site instructions.
  • Devon & Severn IFCA byelaws apply across Torbay: observe minimum sizes and any restrictions on hand-gathering/bait collection in protected areas. Meadfoot lies near the Torbay Marine Conservation Zone—rod angling is allowed, but avoid disturbing seagrass and intertidal habitats.
  • Bass: recreational retention is seasonally restricted and subject to a minimum size of 42 cm with a strict daily bag limit. Check the current MMO/DEFRA notice before your trip, as details change year to year.
  • National and local protections: it is illegal to retain undersized migratory and certain protected species; if in doubt, release. Consider following the Angling Trust’s recommended minimum sizes.
  • General beach byelaws (Torbay Council): expect rules on litter, glass, BBQs/campfires and seasonal dog restrictions on the beach—read and obey posted signs.
  • No specific night-fishing ban is advertised at this venue, but be considerate of residents and keep noise and lights to a minimum.