Northam Burrows Fishing

Last updated: 1 month ago

Northam Burrows Fishing Map

Expansive sand and shingle fronted by the Pebble Ridge with the Skern estuary on the landward side. Productive in a surf for bass and summer smoothhounds, with small-eyed and spotted rays on settled evenings. The Skern channels hold thin-lipped mullet and flounder. Best on a flooding tide into dusk; target close-in gutters and sandbars rather than pure distance. Strong tides and surf can make conditions challenging; avoid the soft mud in the Skern and be mindful of fast-filling channels and drift.

Ratings

⭐ 6.8/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 8/10
Safety 5/10
Accessibility 6/10

Fish You Can Catch at Northam Burrows

🐟 Bass 9/10
🎯 Tip: Surf beach; dawn/dusk and after a blow. Fish flooding tide over outer sandbars. Lures (shallow divers, metals) or fresh sandeel/peeler crab.
🐟 Smoothhound 8/10
🎯 Tip: Late May–Sept. Cast peeler crab from the Pebble Ridge into clean sand gullies on the flood/evening; light pulley rig.
🐟 Small-eyed Ray 7/10
🎯 Tip: May–Oct, night. Long casts with sandeel/launce onto clean sand; target low-to-mid tide over gullies.
🐟 Starry Smoothhound 7/10
🎯 Tip: Summer evenings on a flooding tide. Fresh peeler or hermit crab; cast to gutters beyond the first breaker from the Pebble Ridge.
🐟 Whiting 6/10
🎯 Tip: Oct–Feb nights on the surf beaches; small mackerel or worm baits at medium range; fish mid-flood to high.
🐟 Flounder 6/10
🎯 Tip: Autumn–winter in Skern channels; lug/rag or crab on light running rig; best last of the ebb and first flood.
🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 6/10
🎯 Tip: Year-round, best at night. Small mackerel/sandeel baits on 2-hook flappers into surf troughs; any state of tide.
🐟 Dab 5/10
🎯 Tip: Winter daylight over clean sand at medium range; small worm baits on size 2 hooks.
🐟 Dover Sole 5/10
🎯 Tip: June–Sept, warm nights. Fish close in along sandy gutters with rag/lug or peeler; light running rigs kept still on the flood.
🐟 Plaice 4/10
🎯 Tip: Spring on calm, bright days; long casts over clean sand with bright beads and worm tipped with squid; best on the flood.
🐟 Mullet (Thick-lipped) 4/10
🎯 Tip: Summer in Skern/estuary edges; bread flake or small harbour rag under a float on the flood; stealth essential.
🐟 Golden-grey Mullet 4/10
🎯 Tip: Summer calm surf lines; tiny rag/isome on size 6 hooks, sight-fish in knee-deep water on a flooding tide.

Northam Burrows Fishing

Summary

Northam Burrows sits on the north side of the Taw–Torridge estuary, backing onto the long surf beach at Westward Ho! and the famous Pebble Ridge. It’s a versatile mark offering surf, estuary and reefy fringes within walking distance, producing bass, smoothhound and small‑eyed rays in season. With huge tides and constantly shifting sandbanks, it rewards anglers who read the water and time their sessions.

Location and Access

Set within Northam Burrows Country Park, access is straightforward via Westward Ho! and Northam, with seasonal vehicle entry to the park. You can fish the surf side by crossing the Pebble Ridge, or the estuary side (the Skern) via grass tracks and firm trods.

  • Follow local signs for Northam Burrows Country Park/Westward Ho!; there is a toll/entry charge for vehicles in season and staffed gates at busy times.
  • Main parking by the Pebble Ridge at the Westward Ho! end, plus parking near the Visitor Centre for the Skern/estuary side; arrive early on busy summer days.
  • Walks range 2–15 minutes depending on chosen spot; the Pebble Ridge is made of large, unstable rounded cobbles and can be strenuous underfoot.
  • Terrain options: wide, shallow surf beach; estuary channels and saltmarsh margins; scattered rough ground and boulders at the extremities. Studded boots help on the cobbles.
  • Public rights of way cross Royal North Devon Golf Club fairways—use marked paths and watch for golfers.

Seasons

The area fishes differently between the open surf and the estuary margins. Expect classic surf species on the beach and flats species inside the Skern, with peaks from late spring to autumn.

  • Spring (Mar–May):
    • Bass (schoolies building to better fish on onshore winds)
    • Flounder (late run lingering in the estuary)
    • Thin‑lipped mullet (Skern channels on settled days)
    • Early smoothhound; first small‑eyed rays in clear spells
  • Summer (Jun–Aug):
    • Bass (dawn/dusk in the surf gutters; occasional better fish at night)
    • Smoothhound (peeler crab runs, often evenings)
    • Small‑eyed ray and occasional thornback on clean sand
    • Thick‑lipped mullet in the estuary; occasional gilt‑head bream reported
    • Dogfish; odd small turbot/sole from the open beach
  • Autumn (Sep–Nov):
    • Bass (often the peak period, especially before/after blows)
    • Small‑eyed ray; dogfish; increasing whiting on dusk tides
    • Flounder pushing upriver on neaps and coloured water
  • Winter (Dec–Feb):
    • Flounder (estuary marks), whiting and dogfish on the surf
    • The odd ray in mild spells; codling are rare visitors in this area

Methods

You can fish bait in the surf, scratch in the estuary channels, or lure fish along the surf line and rock fringes. Match your end tackle to the pull of the Bristol Channel and expect to step up leads on springs.

  • Surf bait (beach side):
    • Rigs: pulley dropper, up‑and‑over or pulley pennel; 4–5 ft snoods for rays; 5–6 oz grip leads on springs.
    • Baits: sandeel (whole or sections), mackerel, squid/mackerel cocktail for rays/dogs; peeler crab or hermit for bass and hounds; lug/rag for scratching.
    • Hooks: 2/0–4/0 for bass/hounds/rays (pennel helpful on longer baits).
  • Estuary scratch/flatfish:
    • Rigs: 2‑hook flapper or flowing trace; size 2–4 fine‑wire hooks; add beads/spoons for flounder.
    • Baits: lugworm, ragworm, maddies (harbour rag), small crab; keep baits moving with slow retrieves.
  • Lure fishing for bass:
    • Shallow divers and 12–20 g soft plastics along the first/second breaker; surface lures in calm, warm spells.
    • Metals when baitfish are pushed tight to the beach by surf; long casts not always necessary.
  • Mullet (Skern):
    • Bread flake under a float for thick‑lips; small in‑line spinner with a sliver of rag for thin‑lips. Light line and stealth are key.

Tides and Conditions

The Burrows is highly tide‑driven with a huge range; water movement and clarity dictate species. Plan around 2–3 hours either side of high on the beach and the slacker stages in the estuary.

  • Best tide states:
    • Surf side: flood tide from mid to high and the first of the ebb for bass, rays and hounds.
    • Estuary side: last of the ebb and first push for flounder; neaps often easier to hold bottom.
  • Sea and wind:
    • W–SW winds with a bit of colour suit bass; small, clean surf and clearer water favour small‑eyed rays and turbot chances.
    • After blows, look for settled periods with residual colour for bigger bass.
  • Springs vs neaps:
    • Springs bring stronger lateral pull and weed but can switch on rays/hounds; neaps are kinder for fine‑tuning presentation.
  • Time of day/season:
    • Dawn/dusk and after dark are notably better for bass and rays in summer/autumn.
    • Late spring to early autumn is prime overall; winter centres on estuary flounder and surf whiting.

Safety

This is an exposed Atlantic surf beach and a dynamic estuary—treat both with respect. Footing can be treacherous on the Pebble Ridge and the Skern has soft mud.

  • Rapid flooding and cut‑offs along sandbars near the estuary mouth; know your exit and don’t wade across channels.
  • Strong lateral currents on springs; step back if you cannot hold bottom even with heavy grips.
  • Pebble Ridge is unstable and ankle‑snapping—use sturdy boots and headlamp at night.
  • Skern/saltmarsh margins include soft mud and sinking hazards; stick to firm paths and obvious channels only.
  • Atlantic swell, rebound and rogue waves on bigger surf days—stay well back and never turn your back on the sea.
  • Royal North Devon Golf Club borders access paths—beware flying golf balls and adhere to marked routes.
  • Huge local tidal range (Bristol Channel): check tables before committing to long walks.
  • Consider a PFD if wading the margins or fishing alone; carry a spare light and keep a charged phone.
  • Seasonal gate hours/closures can apply for the Country Park; check notices to avoid being locked in.

Facilities

Facilities are close by, but the fishing areas themselves are wild and unlit. Plan to be self‑sufficient once you leave the car.

  • Toilets at Westward Ho! promenade and at the Northam Burrows Visitor Centre (seasonal opening).
  • RNLI lifeguards patrol set bathing/surf zones on Westward Ho! in season—anglers should keep clear of flagged areas.
  • Tackle and bait: Summerlands Tackle in Westward Ho! is the nearest; additional shops in Bideford and Barnstaple.
  • Food/drink: cafés, pubs and takeaways along Westward Ho! seafront.
  • Phone signal generally good on the beach and ridge; can dip behind the ridge or in low spots on the Burrows.
  • Bins near car parks; few or none out on the marks—pack out all litter and line.

Tips

Reading the beach and timing your casts makes a big difference here. Treat it as several marks in one and move to find life.

  • Scout at low water to mark gutters, bars and rip heads; return to fish these lines on the flood.
  • Don’t overcast for bass—many fish run the first and second breaker; 30–60 yd casts often out‑fish big chucks.
  • Use 5–6 oz grip leads on springs and cast slightly uptide to help anchors bite.
  • Fresh peeler crab transforms summer sessions for smoothhound and better bass; time trips to local moults.
  • Small‑eyed rays love sandeel in settled, clear evenings; keep snoods long and baits neat.
  • For flounder, inch the rig back every minute to wake fish up; small bright beads can help in coloured water.
  • After onshore blows, razor clams may wash up—razor baits can be deadly for bass.
  • Watch for working birds tight to the beach; switch to metals or a shallow plug and cover water quickly.
  • Respect roped‑off bird roosting/feeding areas on the Skern, especially in winter, and keep dogs under close control.

Regulations

This coastline falls under Devon & Severn IFCA and sits within protected habitats (SSSI), so there are specific local considerations. Always check the latest byelaws and national rules before fishing.

  • Bass regulations: UK recreational bass limits apply (minimum size and daily bag, plus any closed periods). These change—check current MMO/UK GOV guidance before retaining any bass.
  • Taw–Torridge estuary has designated Bass Nursery Areas where certain methods and boat fishing for bass are restricted seasonally; shore angling is generally permitted but confirm exact boundaries/dates with D&S IFCA.
  • No fishing in designated bathing/surf‑lifeguard flagged zones on the main beach during patrol hours; follow beach signage and lifeguard instructions.
  • Northam Burrows Country Park: seasonal vehicle access charges and gate hours; keep to marked tracks, no driving on the beach, and do not remove pebbles from the Pebble Ridge (local byelaw).
  • Bait collection: hand‑gathering of worms/crab is typically allowed in moderation, but do not dig in saltmarsh/vegetated dunes; observe any on‑site restrictions.
  • General: observe minimum conservation sizes for any retained fish, release undersize/rare species, and adhere to catch‑and‑release best practice for mullet and flounder in the estuary.
  • If unsure, contact Devon & Severn IFCA or the Country Park Visitor Centre for the latest rules, closures, or wildlife protection zones.