Sandy Bay Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Sandy Bay Fishing Map

Sheltered sandy cove east of Exmouth between Orcombe Point and Straight Point, with clean sand in the bay and rocky fringes at either end. Suits surf fishing for bass and summer shoals, with wrasse and pollack from the rockier ends. Best on a flooding tide, especially dawn/dusk or after a blow. Night sessions produce flatfish and dogfish. Access is via steps/paths from Devon Cliffs or the South West Coast Path. Beware being cut off at the rocks on a making tide and observe Straight Point firing range red-flag closures.

Ratings

⭐ 7.2/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 6/10
Accessibility 6/10

Fish You Can Catch at Sandy Bay

🐟 Bass 8/10
🎯 Tip: Fish the surf on a flooding tide at dawn/dusk; crab or sandeel baits, or shallow-diving lures along the gutters.
🐟 Mackerel 7/10
🎯 Tip: Summer to early autumn from the headlands; small metals or feathers, best on the flood at first/last light in clear water.
🐟 Whiting 6/10
🎯 Tip: Winter nights over clean sand; lug tipped with mackerel, short casts. Best on the flood.
🐟 Plaice 6/10
🎯 Tip: Long casts over clean sand on neaps; beads with rag or lug. Best spring–early summer, mid-flood to high.
🐟 Flounder 6/10
🎯 Tip: Short casts with rag or lug into the first gutter; winter and after blowy spells. Slow water around low to mid-flood.
🐟 Ballan Wrasse 6/10
🎯 Tip: From rocky points nearby, drop crab or rag into kelp gullies on a flooding tide; daytime with strong tackle.
🐟 Golden-grey Mullet 6/10
🎯 Tip: Calm summer evenings; freelined bread or tiny rag strips in surf gutters with light gear. Rising tide.
🐟 Pollack 5/10
🎯 Tip: From rock ledges at dusk; work small soft plastics or metals parallel to weed lines on the flood.
🐟 Dover Sole 5/10
🎯 Tip: Warm, calm nights May–Sep; small ragworm baits, short casts into the first gutter. Neap tides and gentle surf fish best.
🐟 Garfish 5/10
🎯 Tip: Float-fish small sandeel strips from rocky points in summer; keep baits shallow. Flood tide and clear water help.

Sandy Bay Fishing

Summary

Sandy Bay sits between Orcombe Point and Straight Point on the Exmouth side of East Devon, a south-facing sweep of clean sand backed by high, crumbly cliffs. It’s primarily a family beach attached to the Devon Cliffs holiday park, but it also offers quietly productive shore fishing for bass, flatfish and winter whiting when you pick your times. The ends of the bay add rocky interest for wrasse and pollack, while the open sand yields classic surf-beach opportunities after dark.

Location and Access

This mark is the sandy beach below Devon Cliffs, with access via the South West Coast Path from Exmouth/Orcombe or from the East Devon side near Straight Point when the range isn’t active. Access is straightforward but can involve steep steps or slopes; plan your approach around tides and any range closures.

Seasons

Species reflect a classic clean-sand South Coast beach, with rocky fringe species at either end. Expect better fishing at dawn/dusk and into darkness.

Methods

Treat the middle as a surf beach and the ends as mixed/rough ground. Darkness, sensible bait choice and tidy presentation make the biggest difference here.

Tides and Conditions

This beach fishes best when it has some life on it. Target the flooding tide into dusk or the first part of the ebb if you’re not risking a cut-off at the ends.

Safety

It’s a committing bay with high cliffs, a firing range to the east, and real potential for cut-off. Treat it with respect and pick conservative routes in and out.

Facilities

Facilities are concentrated in Exmouth town and within the holiday park (generally for guests). There’s little on the beach itself outside peak season.

Tips

This mark rewards stealth, tidy rigs and working the natural features. Treat it like two venues in one: open beach and rocky ends.

Regulations

There is no blanket ban on angling here, but several local rules and seasonal restrictions apply. Always check up-to-date guidance before you go.