Last updated: 6 days ago
Ness Beach is a sheltered shingle and sand cove tucked beneath The Ness headland at Shaldon, on the south side of the Teign estuary in Devon. Protected from prevailing south-westerlies yet open to easterlies, it offers varied inshore fishing with mixed ground, convenient parking above, and a uniquely atmospheric access through the Smugglers Tunnel.
Set beneath steep red sandstone cliffs, Ness Beach feels secluded but is straightforward to reach. The classic route is through the Smugglers Tunnel from Shaldon, or via steps from the hill-top car park. Expect a short but steep approach and a beach of sloping shingle with rock patches at either end. - Parking: Ness Car Park (pay-and-display) near The Ness headland, Shaldon; postcode commonly used by visitors: TQ14 0HP. - Access: Smugglers Tunnel entrance near Shaldon end; illuminated at times, with uneven floor and steps. There are also steps down from near the car park. Both approaches involve gradients and stairways. - Distance/effort: 5–10 minutes from car park/tunnel; carry light and compact gear. - Terrain: Steep shingle strandline, pockets of rough ground and kelp towards the cliffy edges; firmer sand/shingle in the middle sections. - Note: The tunnel/steps may be closed at night or during bad weather by the council for safety—check local signage and gate opening times before planning a late session.
This is a mixed-ground mark with seasonal variety; summer brings bait fish and predators, while winter favors smaller bottom species after dark. Occasional surprises come from the rougher corners. - Spring (Mar–May): School and occasional larger bass; garfish toward late spring; ballan and corkwing wrasse on the rockier edges; early mackerel runs in May; pollack at dusk. - Summer (Jun–Aug): Mackerel, garfish, scad (horse mackerel) at dusk/night; wrasse tight to rocks; bass in a small onshore push; pollack on lures at first/last light; occasional black bream on mixed patches; gurnard possible on clean lanes. - Autumn (Sep–Nov): Bass (often best of the year in onshore colour), mackerel/scad persist into October, whiting start showing, pout at night, conger from the rough ground after dark; chance of squid on calm, clear evenings. - Winter (Dec–Feb): Whiting and pouting after dark, dogfish, rockling; the odd bass in a blow; conger lingering in the rougher corners on big baits.
Both scratching tactics and predator approaches work here. Choose position and method to match the ground: cleaner middle for lighter rigs, rougher edges for wrasse/conger. - General shore rigs: 2-hook flapper or 1-up/1-down with size 2–1/0 hooks for whiting, pout, gurnard; clip-down pulleys or pulley-droppers with 3/0–4/0 for bass and bigger baits. - Leads: 3–5 oz grip leads to hold on the shingle slope; lighter plain leads for short-range scratching in calm conditions. - Baits: Ragworm and lugworm for general bites; peeler/soft crab for bass/wrasse in spring–summer; mackerel or squid strip for mackerel/gar/scad on float; whole/squashed sandeel or mackerel head for bass; large mackerel/squid cocktails for conger after dark. - Lures: 20–40 g metals and slim spoons for mackerel/gar; small SP minnows and weedless soft plastics for bass/pollack in the flood tide; surface lures at dawn in light surf; pink or glow jigs for scad and potential squid on calm autumn nights. - Float fishing: Excellent along the rocky margins for wrasse (rag/crab) and for garfish/mackerel (small slivers of mackerel). Set 6–12 ft depending on depth and swell. - Ground tactics: Use a short rotten-bottom link when casting towards the rougher ends; keep hooklengths short (20–40 cm) in weed or strong lateral drift. - Timing: First and last light for predators; after-dark sessions for whiting/pout/dogfish and conger; daytime floats and LRF around the edges on clear, calm days.
Tide height closes the beach in places, so plan your stand and retreat. The cove fishes best with some movement, and the headland gives shelter from the usual south-westerlies. - Tide state: Mid-tide flooding to high water and the first of the ebb is consistent for bass and general species; neaps can be kinder for presentation in the rough patches. - Range: Big springs push you high onto the shingle—set up early and mark a safe retreat. - Wind/sea: Sheltered in W–SW winds; exposed in E–NE, which can bring swell and weed. A slight onshore ripple or colour often improves bass sport. - Water clarity: Clear water favors float and lure work for wrasse, gar, pollack; coloured water suits bigger baits for bass. - Time of day: Dawn/dusk for mackerel, pollack and bass; full dark for whiting, pout, dogfish and conger. - Seasonality: Late summer to autumn is prime for variety; winter is a smaller-fish, night-time game unless a blow stirs bass in the surf.
This is a cliff-backed pocket beach with limited escape routes at very high water. Underfoot is steep shingle and there are steps and a tunnel to negotiate. - Tidal cut-off: The strand can become narrow at springs—position above the swash line and avoid being hemmed in near the cliff ends. - Falling material: Natural rockfall risk from the cliffs; do not set up under overhangs or below obvious debris lines. - Swell/surge: Easterly swells rebound off the cliff, creating unpredictable shore break. Keep distance and use PFD if venturing onto slippery rocks. - Footing: Steep shingle, slippery weed-covered rocks at the margins; wear grippy footwear. - Tunnel/steps: Uneven, damp, and dark in places; use a headtorch after dusk and mind the handrails. - Accessibility: Not suitable for wheelchairs or those with limited mobility due to gradients and steps. - Crowds: In summer the small beach can be busy with bathers; avoid casting when swimmers are present and consider very early/late sessions. - Always carry: Headtorch with spare batteries, charged phone, and tell someone your off-by time.
Despite its tucked-away feel, Ness Beach sits close to village amenities. Plan ahead for after-dark sessions as there is no lighting on the beach itself. - Toilets: Public toilets typically available near the Ness Car Park/tunnel area during daytime hours (check seasonal opening times). - Food/drink: Pubs and cafés in Shaldon, including near the headland; more options across the bridge in Teignmouth. - Tackle/bait: Tackle shops and bait suppliers in Teignmouth; some local garages/shops may stock frozen bait—ring ahead. - Bins: Take litter home if bins are full or absent; keep the cove pristine. - Lifeguards: None normally present at Ness Beach. - Mobile signal: Often patchy right under the cliffs; better on the headland.
Small details make a big difference at this compact mark, especially on busy days. Travel light and be ready to switch tactics with the tide. - Keep it mobile: Start on lures at first light, then swap to baited rigs as the flood slows. - Read the ground: Cleaner middle for distance scratching; target the right/left rocky edges with float or weedless soft plastics on a flooding tide. - Short and sharp: Evening into dark sessions of 2–3 hours around high water are often more productive than long soaks. - Mackerel madness: In summer, look for terns working—cast metals beyond the boil and wind fast. Drop to a float and small strip if they’re fussy. - Wrasse etiquette: Barbless or crushed barbs, wet hands, and quick releases preserve these slow-growing fish. - Weed watch: Easterlies can pile in string weed; switch to single-hook pulleys with short snoods and keep gear high in the water on the retrieve. - Travel light: The tunnel and shingle make barrows awkward—use a rucksack and rod sling. - Quiet times: Dawn on a neap with light SW breeze is prime for bass close-in along the shingle lip.
Rod-and-line sea angling is generally permitted at Ness Beach, but be mindful of other beach users and any on-the-day council notices (especially in peak summer). Always check current rules before you go. - Bass: Recreational European seabass rules in England have recently included a minimum size of 42 cm and seasonal bag limits (e.g., in 2024, up to two fish per angler per day from 1 March–30 November, catch-and-release only outside those dates). Regulations can change annually—confirm with the UK Government/MMO before retaining bass. - Local byelaws: Devon & Severn IFCA manages local sea fisheries—review their byelaws and Minimum Conservation Reference Sizes for species you intend to keep. - Protection areas: While Ness Beach is not itself a no-take zone, wider Lyme Bay and local coastal waters include designated areas—check charts and IFCA notices if boating/kayaking. - Night access: Council may lock the tunnel/steps outside posted hours for safety; this is an access, not a fishing, rule—observe signage. - Good practice: Do not fish near swimmers or within any flagged bathing zones; use lights considerately; take all litter and line home. - Licences: No licence required for sea fishing from the shore in England, but a rod licence is needed if you fish for migratory trout/salmon in the estuary (EA rules). Always verify current guidance.
