Oddicombe Beach Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Oddicombe Beach Fishing Map

Sheltered shingle-and-sand beach in Babbacombe Bay beneath red sandstone cliffs. Clean sand in the middle with rocky ground and kelp at both ends. Access is via a steep path or the Babbacombe Cliff Railway (seasonal). Summer brings mackerel, garfish and scad to lures from the beach, while the rocky margins produce wrasse and pollack. Night sessions over the sand can yield dogfish, flatfish and the odd ray; winter sees whiting. Micro-species are abundant around the rocks and pools. Watch for falling rocks near the cliffs and lesser weever spines on the sand.

Ratings

⭐ 6.8/10 Overall
Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 6/10
Accessibility 6/10

Fish You Can Catch at Oddicombe Beach

🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 8/10
🎯 Tip: Night ledgering on clean/mixed sand from mid-beach; small mackerel or squid baits. Best on a flooding tide spring–autumn.
🐟 Mackerel 8/10
🎯 Tip: Spin metals or feathers from the beach/rocky ends at dawn or dusk on a rising tide June–Sept; shoals often tight in.
🐟 Bass 7/10
🎯 Tip: Dusk or onshore chop; fish close-in gutters with lug/peeler on a surf rig or shallow plugs. Flooding tide fishes best.
🐟 Ballan Wrasse 7/10
🎯 Tip: Crab or ragworm fished tight to rocks at either end; float or light rigs. Two hours either side of HW, May–Oct.
🐟 Pollack 6/10
🎯 Tip: Dusk into dark off rocky points; soft plastics or sandeel under a float. Rising tide, keep lures high over kelp.
🐟 Pouting 6/10
🎯 Tip: Night ledgering over mixed ground near rocky ends; small fish baits or rag. Last three hours of the flood year-round.
🐟 Corkwing Wrasse 6/10
🎯 Tip: LRF near kelp and boulders; small worm baits or isome under a float. Mid-tide to high, summer.
🐟 Conger Eel 6/10
🎯 Tip: After dark from the rocks; strong gear with mackerel/squid baits. Last of the flood into the first of the ebb; expect snags.
🐟 Garfish 6/10
🎯 Tip: Clear, calm days; float small mackerel strip 4–6 ft deep off rocky ends on the flood, late spring to autumn.
🐟 Plaice 5/10
🎯 Tip: Clean sand from mid-beach; long casts with bead/bling traces and rag or shellfish. Sunny flood in spring–early summer.
🐟 Dover Sole 5/10
🎯 Tip: Calm nights after dark; short lob of rag or lug tipped with squid onto clean sand. Late summer–autumn, last of flood into early ebb.

Oddicombe Beach Fishing

Summary

Oddicombe Beach sits beneath the red cliffs of Babbacombe on the eastern side of Torbay, Devon. It’s a sheltered, shingle-and-sand beach that fishes well in settled weather and is a handy alternative when the prevailing south-westerlies make open coast marks unfishable. Expect classic summer lure and float sport with mackerel and garfish, plus consistent bottom fishing for flatties, dogfish and winter whiting.

Location and Access

Set under high cliffs below Babbacombe Downs, access is either via the steep zig-zag lane/footpath or the seasonal Babbacombe Cliff Railway. Most anglers park at the top and walk down, then fish either the open beach or the rocky margins at each end.

Seasons

Oddicombe has a good mix of clean-ground and reef-associated species. Expect classic Torbay summer sport and dependable winter fishing after dark.

Methods

Both light lure/float tactics and sensible bottom gear work here. Match approach to where you stand: clean patches for flatties and rays, rocky edges for wrasse, pollack and bream.

Tides and Conditions

Sheltered from prevailing south-westerlies, Oddicombe excels in calm, clear conditions; it suffers when easterlies blow swell straight into the bay.

Safety

You’re fishing beneath active cliffs on a shelving shingle—treat the terrain and the sea with respect. Plan your exit, especially if relying on the cliff railway.

Facilities

For a beach mark, facilities are good—especially in season—but some are time-limited. Plan around opening hours.

Tips

Oddicombe rewards observation and light, tidy end tackle. Fish short, fish smart, and use the edges.

Regulations

Shore angling is generally permitted at Oddicombe, but common-sense and local byelaws apply—especially around bathers and protected features. Always verify current rules before your trip.