Summary
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.
Location and Access
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.
Seasons
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.
Methods
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.
Tides and Conditions
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.
Safety
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
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).
Tips
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.
Regulations
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.
