Salcombe North Sands Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Salcombe North Sands Fishing Map

A small, sheltered sandy cove at the mouth of the Salcombe–Kingsbridge estuary with easy access and parking beside the beach. Rocky ledges and kelp fringe the sides (toward Fort Charles), while clean sand and tidal run dominate the center. Best on a flooding tide into dusk, with summer bringing baitfish and predators close; winter offers occasional flatties and whiting. Watch for strong tidal pull near the mouth on springs, swell rebounding off the rocks, and weever fish in the sand. Busy with swimmers/boats in peak season—fish early or late.

Ratings

⭐ 7.5/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 6/10
Accessibility 9/10

Fish You Can Catch at Salcombe North Sands

🐟 Bass 8/10
🎯 Tip: Dawn/dusk on a flooding tide; work shallow plugs or sandeel baits along the surf line and around the rocky edges.
🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 7/10
🎯 Tip: Night over clean sand; small mackerel or squid baits on long snoods. Best 2 hours either side of high water.
🐟 Ballan Wrasse 7/10
🎯 Tip: Crab or worm baits into kelpy gullies by the rocks at either end on mid tide. Float or light ledger.
🐟 Mullet (Thick-lipped) 7/10
🎯 Tip: Calm, clear water; fish bread or prawn under a float along the margins on the ebb in summer. Keep quiet and use light gear.
🐟 Golden-grey Mullet 7/10
🎯 Tip: Summer–autumn; tiny rag or Isome on size 8–10 hooks worked in the surf fringe over sand on a flooding tide.
🐟 Pollack 6/10
🎯 Tip: Lures at dusk around the Fort Charles rocks on the flood; retrieve mid-water to avoid kelp.
🐟 Smoothhound 6/10
🎯 Tip: Late spring–autumn; peeler crab on pulley rigs cast to sand channels. Best on a building tide into dusk.
🐟 Mackerel 6/10
🎯 Tip: June–Sept; feathering or small metals at first light from the rocky points on a rising tide.
🐟 Garfish 6/10
🎯 Tip: May–Oct; float-fish a thin mackerel strip or sandeel 6–10 ft deep off the rocks over high water.
🐟 Gilthead Bream 6/10
🎯 Tip: Late spring–autumn; peeler crab or prawn on light rigs over sand/weed patches near current seams on the flood.
🐟 Flounder 5/10
🎯 Tip: Oct–Feb; ledger ragworm or lug on long snoods over the sand; best last of the ebb into first of the flood.
🐟 Dover Sole 5/10
🎯 Tip: Warm nights Jun–Oct; small rag/lug baits on size 2–4 hooks cast just beyond the surf on neap tides.

Salcombe North Sands Fishing

Summary

North Sands is a compact, sandy cove on the seaward side of Salcombe, flanked by fishy rock ledges and close to the mouth of the Kingsbridge/Salcombe estuary. It’s a versatile mark: bass over the sand in a push of tide, wrasse and pollack off the fringing rocks, and summer garfish and mackerel when the water’s clear. Fish it at quiet times for best results—dawn, dusk, or after dark—when beachgoers and boat traffic subside.

Location and Access

Access is straightforward with parking right behind the beach, making it one of Salcombe’s easier marks to reach. Expect clean sand in the middle, with rock and reef features at both ends and the tidal Fort Charles rocks just off the beach.

Seasons

This beach produces a good mixed bag with seasonal highlights. Expect estuary-influenced species and classic rock-mark fish where the ground toughens up.

Methods

Tackle to match the mixed ground pays dividends. Light surf outfits cover the sand; float and lures shine around the rocks.

Tides and Conditions

Tide timing and water clarity make or break this mark. Use the flood to draw fish tight to the beach and fish quieter windows for confidence.

Safety

It’s an accessible beach but the edges are serious rock marks—treat them with respect. Busy summer bathing and fast-filling tides are the main hazards.

Facilities

North Sands is well served for a small cove. Most essentials are within a few steps of the beach.

Tips

Think small and precise over the sand; think stealth and abrasion resistance on the rocks. Local patterns reward a tailored approach.

Regulations

This mark lies within the Salcombe–Kingsbridge estuary system, which carries specific protections and seasonal rules. Always check the latest notices before you go.