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Devon

Putsborough Sands

6.6 · Beach · Devon

Long, exposed sandy beach at the southern end of Woolacombe Bay with clean sand, surf gutters and rocky fringes toward Baggy Point. Best fished on a flooding tide into dusk or after dark when the surf eases. Target small-eyed rays and dogfish at range over clean ground; bass work the gutters and rips in moderate surf. Summer brings mackerel and garfish; winter sees whiting. Occasional turbot close-in along the banks. Access via the Putsborough Sands car park directly onto the beach. Watch powerful surf, shifting sandbars and rips; the tide can push hard against the cliffs at high water near the ends. Crowded with surfers by day in summer, so evenings and nights are most productive.

Should you fish Putsborough Sands?

53 Fair

Today · Best window

Best window: 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide

Most likely species: Bass and Flounder

Fair conditions. Best around 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide. Good chance of Bass and Flounder.

NW 5 mph Rain 19% High tide 11:56

Fishable, but pick your timing carefully.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for Putsborough Sands — 7-day forecast

Scores and best windows are weighted for .

Met Office Met Office · Open-Meteo

Where the data comes from. Weather and sea-state readings come from the Met Office and Open-Meteo forecast models, refreshed several times a day. High and low water are taken from tide-station predictions for this stretch of coast.

How the score works. Each window is scored 0–100 from the signals that most reliably move fish inshore: tide movement (a running tide carries food, so the last of the flood and first of the ebb are usually the prime spells), wind speed and direction (onshore wind stirs food into the surf — up to the point it makes fishing hard), sea state (a little wave and swell movement helps, heavy swell hurts), and weather — rain, temperature and light. Behind the headline number we score bite opportunity and comfort separately, and run a separate safety check on wind and swell. The size of the tide counts too: spring tides move more water than neaps, so the tidal range for this stretch of coast is weighed alongside the tide's direction, your target species and this mark — and unusually big springs strengthen the safety check, because the water rises faster and covers more ground.

Your target species counts. Pick a species below and the score also weights what we know about it — its season, preferred sea temperature, tide stage and sea state, and whether it feeds by day or night.

The rating is guidance, not a guarantee — conditions change fast on the coast, so always judge the sea in front of you before you fish.

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· windows & tide

Spring vs neap tides. Spring tides have a larger difference between high and low water, so more water moves on each tide — usually stronger flow that stirs up food and gets fish feeding. Neap tides have a smaller range and generally gentler movement. The range here is compared with what is normal for this stretch of coast, and the cycle swings between springs and neaps roughly every week, following the moon.

Big spring tides: the water rises faster and covers more ground than usual — double-check access routes and cut-off points before you fish.

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Putsborough Sands is a long, exposed surf beach where the best decisions come from reading the banks before you fish. The most consistent plan is to find the gutters at low water, then fish the flood into dusk or after dark as bass, dogfish, small-eyed rays and smoothhounds move through the surf lanes. In lively but manageable surf, work close for bass; in settled, cleaner water, switch to distance baits over clean sand for rays and hounds.

  • Know when to fish the near gutter instead of blasting long.
  • Pick the right tide window for small-eyed rays at Putsborough.
  • Use the surf, rips and banks to place bass lures properly.
  • Avoid the cliff-end squeeze and summer surfer conflict.
  • Switch tactics fast when weed or surf makes the beach unfishable.

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Jump to towns around this mark for more marks and guides.

Georgeham 1.2 mi Croyde 1.3 mi Woolacombe 1.8 mi Braunton 3.7 mi Chivenor and Wrafton 5.1 mi

Explore nearby towns: Georgeham · Croyde · Woolacombe · Braunton · Chivenor and Wrafton

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Forecast tuning currently supports Bass and Mackerel — more species are on the way.

Overall rating

6.6 /10

Blend of catch potential, access, safety, and overall experience.

Category scores

Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 6/10
Accessibility 7/10

Bass 8/10
Tip: Surf bass take plugs, metals or crab in the gutters at dawn/dusk on a flooding tide; best spring–autumn, after a blow as seas settle.
Small-eyed Ray 7/10
Tip: Night over clean sand with sandeel or small fish baits; 2 hours either side of high on neaps; late spring to autumn.
Lesser Spotted Dogfish 7/10
Tip: Common after dark; mackerel or sandeel on two-hook flappers just beyond first breaker; bites through the tide, best mid-flood.
Whiting 6/10
Tip: Winter nights; worm/sandeel cocktails on long snoods; fish mid to high water in calmer seas.
Smoothhound 6/10
Tip: Late spring–summer; fresh peeler crab in the first gutter, mid-flood to high on settled seas; release gently.
Flounder 5/10
Tip: Winter; lug or rag fished short into gutters with slow retrieve; best last of ebb and first of flood.
Weever Fish (Lesser) 5/10
Tip: Summer on shallow sand bars; tiny worm/sandeel baits on small hooks at low to mid tide; beware venomous spines.
Dab 4/10
Tip: Winter on neap tides; small worm baits on long snoods; cast just past the first breaker around high water.
Turbot 4/10
Tip: Late spring–early autumn; slowly retrieve sandeel or fish strips across sand banks at mid-flood.
Mackerel 4/10
Tip: Calm evenings when bait shows; small metals or feathers; better near the rocky ends on the flood.
Ballan Wrasse 4/10
Tip: From the Baggy Point end rocks on the flood; fish crab or worm tight to kelp by day with strong tackle.
Thornback Ray 3/10
Tip: Occasional; whole sandeel or squid at night over deeper gutters near high water on settled seas.

Local knowledge

Putsborough Sands fishing guide

Practical access, seasons, methods, tides, safety and facilities for this mark.

Putsborough Sands sits at the southern end of the Woolacombe–Morte Bay sweep in North Devon, below Baggy Point. It’s a broad surf beach with shifting sandbars and productive gutters that regularly turn up bass, small‑eyed rays and summer smoothhounds. Night tides in settled seas can be excellent, while a lively surf draws bass tight into the first breakers.

Putsborough is reached via narrow country lanes from Georgeham/Braunton or from the Woolacombe side, finishing at the private clifftop car park above the southern end of the bay. The beach is directly below the car park, with a sloping access road/path onto firm sand at low tide and softer going higher up the beach.

  • Parking: Putsborough Sands private car park (pay-and-display; seasonal charges). Postcode: EX33 1LB (for the car park/general approach).
  • Approach: Single-track lanes with passing places; drive slowly and be courteous to farm traffic.
  • Car park hours: Often reduced/opening hours in the evening; gates may be locked after dark at certain times—check signs if planning a night session.
  • Alternative access: From Woolacombe, you can walk the beach north–south (approx 30–40 minutes to the Putsborough corner) if the Putsborough car park is closed.
  • Terrain: Long sand beach; some rock ledges and reefs appear towards the Baggy Point end at lower states of tide.

This is a classic surf venue with seasonal variety. Expect surf predators in warmth and small-eyed rays on settled summer nights, with winter whiting when temperatures drop.

  • Spring (Mar–May):
    • Bass (increasing from April, often in coloured surf)
    • Small‑eyed rays (late spring liftoff)
    • Smoothhound (from May, first pushes on crab)
    • Plaice/dabs occasional on calmer days
  • Summer (Jun–Aug):
    • Small‑eyed rays (prime), smoothhound, bass
    • Dogfish abundant on baits after dark
    • Turbot the odd chance on sandeel over banks
    • Garfish and mackerel close-in on still evenings
  • Autumn (Sep–Nov):
    • Bass (often peak in blowy conditions)
    • Small‑eyed rays continue on neaps and settled seas
    • Huss near rocky fringes after dark
  • Winter (Dec–Feb):
    • Whiting, dogfish, dabs
    • Codling very occasional in sustained northerly blows
    • Ray by-catch still possible early winter in settled spells

Standard surf tactics dominate, with clipped distance rigs to reach outer gutters and simple flappers for closer seams. Lure work shines in a lively but manageable surf.

  • Bottom fishing (surfcasting):
    • Rigs: Pulley pennel 3/0–4/0 for rays/bass; up‑and‑over long snood for turbot/ray; 2–3 hook flapper with size 1–2 for whiting/flatfish.
    • Leads: 5–6 oz wired grip leads hold on the banks; drop to 4–5 oz in lighter surf.
    • Baits: Sandeel (prime for small‑eyed rays/turbot), peeler or soft crab (smoothhound/bass), squid or squid‑sandeel cocktails, lug/rag for general bites, bluey/mackerel for scent trails.
    • Range: Identify gutters/banks by daylight; fish the near gutter at dusk and step back as the tide floods.
  • Lure fishing (bass/gar):
    • 9–10 ft rod, 15–30 g lures; shallow divers, metal spoons in chop, and 4–6 inch soft plastics on 10–20 g heads.
    • Work the edges of rips and the first breaker line on a flooding tide, especially dawn/dusk.
  • Rock fringe options (Baggy end at lower tides):
    • Float or light lure for garfish/pollack around the reefy tongues—only in calm seas and with great care.
  • Night tactics:
    • Rays/hounds: Big scented baits, cast onto the seaward side of a gutter 2 hours either side of high.
    • Winter: Scale down hooks and baits for whiting/dabs to keep the rod nodding.

Shifting sandbanks mean conditions trump tide tables, but some patterns repeat. Find the gutters, fish the flood into dusk, and match bait to the day’s water colour.

  • Tide states:
    • Flood to high water is most consistent, especially last 2 hours of the flood into the first hour of the ebb.
    • Neap-to-medium tides are reliable for small‑eyed rays; springs can be weedy/draggy but open up deeper gutters.
  • Sea state & wind:
    • Bass: 1–3 ft lively surf, some colour, SW–W airflow on a making tide.
    • Rays/hounds: Prefer a more settled sea and cleaner water; light onshores or gentle offshore (E/SE) can help.
  • Time of day/season:
    • Dusk through midnight is prime in summer/autumn for rays/hounds; first light excels for lure‑caught bass.
    • Winter nights bring whiting; fish bigger tides for movement.
  • Reading the beach:
    • At low water, walk and note seams, rips, and the second bar; return to these marks as the tide floods.
  • Weed & debris:
    • After blows, expect kelp lines and suspended weed; step along the beach to find cleaner water.

This is an exposed Atlantic-facing beach with strong rips and a big tidal range. Plan your session around safe exits and never cast among bathers or surfers.

  • Rips and surf:
    • Powerful rips along the gutters—great fish-holding features but hazardous for wading; avoid deep wades, especially alone.
  • Tidal squeeze/cut-off:
    • Near the Baggy Point rocks, the flood can push hard against the cliff—don’t get trapped; keep an eye on retreat routes.
  • Footing and kit:
    • Soft sand can swallow tripod legs; use a sand spike or dig in feet securely.
  • Cliffs/rockfall:
    • Avoid standing tight under the cliff base; occasional slumps after heavy rain/frost.
  • Night fishing:
    • Carry a headtorch and spare light; mark access in daylight; reflective tape on tripod helps.
  • Accessibility:
    • Sloped access from the car park; soft sand makes wheelchair access challenging without beach-specific aids.
  • Lifesaving:
    • A waist-belt PFD is strongly recommended if wading or working near the waterline; fish with a partner when possible.
  • Crowds/flags:
    • In season there may be RNLI‑flagged bathing/surf zones—do not fish within or near these and give wide berth to water users.

Facilities are good by North Devon beach standards but can be seasonal. Expect summer crowds by day and quieter nights.

  • On-site: Toilets and Putsborough Sands Café by the car park (typically seasonal opening hours).
  • Lifeguards: Seasonal RNLI lifeguard cover and flagged zones may operate—check beach signs on arrival.
  • Bins: Limited; take all litter and waste line home.
  • Mobile signal: Patchy near the cliff base; usually better in the car park and higher ground.
  • Tackle/bait nearby: Options in Braunton, Ilfracombe and Barnstaple; buy bait en route and bring enough for a full session.
  • Parking: Private car park with charges; hours can change—confirm if planning to exit late at night.

Think like a match angler when reading the beach, and like a big-fish hunter when the sea settles. Little adjustments make big differences here.

  • Gutters first: Identify the inner gutter at low tide; fish it on the first push for bass, then leapfrog back as water climbs.
  • Sandeel is king: Fresh/frozen sandeel or squid‑sandeel wraps are ray magnets; peeler/soft crab turns smoothhounds.
  • Hook choice: 3/0–4/0 fine‑wire aberdeens for rays/hounds; size 1–2 for winter scratching.
  • Leads that hold: Proper wired grip leads reduce drag in the push; release wires before winding in to avoid straightening hooks.
  • Move for clarity: If kelp lines foul you, walk 50–100 m to find a cleaner seam; don’t sit it out in soup.
  • Lure lanes: Work SPs across the shoulders of a rip rather than in its heart; bites often come on the edge.
  • Summer quirks: Lesser weever fish bury in the sand—wear footwear when wading; night sessions are far quieter than daytime.
  • Bioluminescence: On hot, still nights you may see sparkling surf—the fishing can switch on when it appears.

Shore fishing is generally permitted at Putsborough, but you must follow national and local byelaws and any on‑site signage. Rules can change—always check before you go.

  • Local authority/site rules:
    • Observe any RNLI lifeguard instructions and do not fish in or near flagged bathing/surf zones in season.
    • Seasonal dog restrictions and other beach byelaws may apply; check the boards at the car park.
  • Fisheries regulations:
    • Devon & Severn IFCA district applies—review current recreational sea angling byelaws and size limits on the IFCA website.
    • European sea bass measures are updated annually by DEFRA/IFCA; check current size and bag limits before retaining any bass.
    • National minimum conservation reference sizes (MCRS) apply to retained species; return undersized fish promptly.
  • Protected areas/habitats:
    • Baggy Point and surrounding coast include sensitive habitats; stay on established paths and avoid dune/cliff erosion.
  • Good practice:
    • No litter, no discarded line or hooks, and no campfires in the dunes. Use a headlamp with red mode to reduce disturbance.