Oddicombe Beach Fishing

Last updated: 1 month 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.

  • Parking: Pay-and-display car parks and on-street bays near Babbacombe Downs and St Marychurch; arrive early on fine weekends and in school holidays.
  • Access: No general public vehicle access to the beach; steep gradient on the lane and path. The cliff railway (seasonal, paid) is the easiest route with tackle, but check operating hours for your return.
  • Terrain: Predominantly shingle with patches of sand; rock ledges and boulders at both ends. Footing can be soft where the shingle shelves.
  • Approach: From Babbacombe Downs, follow signed paths to Oddicombe. The walk back up is strenuous with gear; pack light or time your exit with the railway.

Seasons

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

  • Spring (Mar–May): Plaice and dabs on worm baits; early bass on a building sea; wrasse around rocky fringes; occasional smoothhound on peeler crab late spring.
  • Summer (Jun–Aug): Mackerel, garfish and scad on lures/floats; pollack from the rough ground edges; wrasse and the odd black bream tight to rock; school bass in the surf line; dogfish common; thornback ray the occasional bonus on sandeel.
  • Autumn (Sep–Nov): Continued mackerel/gar on clear, calm evenings; bass on onshore winds; red mullet and gurnard possible on small worm strips; increasing pouting; squid sometimes on still, clear nights.
  • Winter (Dec–Feb): Whiting and pouting after dark; dabs on small baits; rockling in the rough; conger from the bouldery ends at night; codling are rare visitors but not impossible in a proper blow.

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.

  • Bottom fishing: 2-hook flappers (size 2–1) with ragworm/lug for dabs, plaice and bream; up-and-over or pulley/pulley-dropper with 3/0 and sandeel/squid/mackerel for bass or rays.
  • Lure fishing: 10–30 g metals and slim jigs for mackerel/scad; small paddletails/weedless soft plastics at first/last light for pollack and bass around the rough ground.
  • Float fishing: Set 8–15 ft for garfish, mackerel and wrasse; baits include mackerel strip, prawn or ragworm; fish tight to reefy edges and seams.
  • Night tactics: Scale down for whiting (size 4–2, lug/squid cocktails) and keep baits fresh; a whole squid or large fish bait fished static near boulders can find conger after dark.
  • Casting: Don’t blast it—many fish patrol the first gulley. Medium rods with 2–4 oz leads suffice; tides are gentle in Torbay.

Tides and Conditions

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

  • Tide state: The last two hours of the flood and first hour of the ebb are consistent for most species; night-time highs are prime in winter.
  • Wind and sea: Light SW–W winds give comfortable, clear water for lure/float work; a modest onshore push and colour can switch on bass. Strong E/NE winds create swell, dragging weed and reducing safety/clarity.
  • Water clarity: Clear water suits mackerel/gar/pollack; add a little colour for bass and rays. After heavy rain, expect reduced visibility.
  • Time of day: Dawn and dusk are standout for pelagics; full dark for whiting, dogfish and conger; avoid peak bathing hours in summer.
  • Seasons: Late spring to early autumn for surface/float action; late autumn to winter for consistent bottom fishing after dark.

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.

  • Cliffs/rockfall: Keep well clear of the cliff base and any undercut sections; heed local signage and any taped-off zones.
  • Swell and weed: Easterly swells rebound off the shingle and can knock footing; floating weed can swamp lines—choose your weather.
  • Beach profile: Shelving shingle can sink underfoot; use boots with good grip. Headtorch and spare batteries essential at night.
  • Cut-off risk: Low on the main beach, but if you wander onto the rocky ends in a pushy sea, watch your retreat line.
  • Bathing zones: In summer, respect marked swimming areas and lifeguard directions; do not fish among bathers or watercraft.
  • Mobility: Steep access; the cliff railway offers step-free travel when operating. Without it, the climb is demanding with tackle.
  • PPE: A waist-belted PFD is sensible near the rocks or at night; carry a charged phone and fish with a partner where possible.

Facilities

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

  • Toilets: Public toilets typically available near the beach and seasonally at café facilities when open.
  • Food and drink: Beach café and seasonal kiosks; more options up on Babbacombe Downs and in St Marychurch.
  • Tackle and bait: Several tackle shops in Torquay and St Marychurch; buy bait before descending.
  • Services: Bins provided—pack out waste if full. Lighting is minimal at night; bring your own.
  • Connectivity: Generally decent mobile reception on the beach and stronger up on the Downs.

Tips

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

  • Work the seams: The rough/sand transition at either end often out-fishes the open middle, especially at dusk.
  • Short casts win: Many bass, plaice and rays come from the first gutter—start at 20–40 yards before stepping up.
  • Garfish tell-tales: If terns are dipping just off the beach, switch to a float and a sliver of mackerel—the gars won’t be far.
  • Clear-water finesse: Long fluorocarbon snoods (1–1.5 m) and small hooks dramatically improve bites from bream, gar and red mullet.
  • Crab time: Late spring moulting crabs bring smoothhound nosing about—fresh peeler or softies can be deadly at dusk.
  • Contingency: If the beach is busy, the nearby Babbacombe Pier often shows the same pelagics—keep a light lure rod handy.
  • Tidy rigs: In summer salad-weed, keep traces short and streamlined; clip-down rigs reduce tangles on the shingle’s backwash.

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.

  • Bathing zones: Do not fish within any marked swimming areas or when lifeguards direct you to stop—seasonal restrictions can apply on busy days.
  • Bass rules: Recreational bass regulations (bag limits, minimum size, and open/closed periods) change—check the latest from the MMO before retaining any bass.
  • Minimum sizes/bag limits: Observe UK minimum conservation reference sizes for all species; return undersized fish promptly and carefully.
  • Protected sites: Parts of Torbay are within marine protected designations; shore angling is typically allowed, but avoid disturbing seagrass and do not collect undersized shellfish or aquarium species from rockpools.
  • Litter and conduct: Take all line and litter home; avoid light/noise disturbance late at night—residential properties overlook the beach.
  • Fires/BBQs and camping: Subject to council byelaws and signage on the day—comply with any prohibitions posted at the beach entrance.