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Devon

Sharkham Point

6.8 · Rocks · Devon

Sharkham Point is a rugged, kelpy headland of broken rock ledges on the south side of Brixham with relatively deep water close in. It fishes best on a flooding tide at dawn/dusk and into darkness, producing summer lure sport for pelagics and consistent bottom fishing around the kelp and rough ground. Expect heavy snag potential—use rotten-bottoms—and be cautious of swell and slippery weed. Access is via the South West Coast Path from the Sharkham Point car park, then a steep, uneven descent to the ledges; superb scenery but fully exposed to wind and sea.

Should you fish Sharkham Point?

56 Fair

Today · Best window

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

Most likely species: Ballan Wrasse and Pollack

Fair conditions. Best around 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide. Good chance of Ballan Wrasse and Pollack.

W 3 mph Rain 4% High tide 12:06

Fishable, but pick your timing carefully.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for Sharkham Point — 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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Sharkham Point is a rugged, kelpy rock mark where timing and sea state matter more than distance. It is strongest on a flooding tide, especially dawn, dusk and settled darkness, with pollack, wrasse, mackerel, huss and conger the key targets. Fish tight to kelp edges, gullies and deeper water close in, but expect heavy snagging and avoid committing to lower ledges in swell or big spring-tide windows.

  • Know when the flood is worth waiting for here
  • Pick kelp edges without donating tackle every cast
  • Target pollack, wrasse, huss and conger by the right tide stage
  • Spot when Sharkham is too exposed before you climb down
  • Have nearby backup marks ready if swell or colour ruins the point

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

Brixham 3.5 mi Kingswear 4.0 mi Dartmouth 4.3 mi Dittisham 4.5 mi Paignton 4.6 mi

Explore nearby towns: Brixham · Kingswear · Dartmouth · Dittisham · Paignton

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

Overall rating

6.8 /10

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

Category scores

Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 8/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 4/10

Pollack 9/10
Tip: Dawn/dusk on a flooding tide; work soft plastics or sandeel under a float along kelp edges from the ledges. Keep lures deep and moving.
Mackerel 8/10
Tip: Late spring–autumn; spin small metals or feather from higher ledges on a rising tide, with dusk best. Avoid heavy swell.
Ballan Wrasse 8/10
Tip: Summer daylight on mid-flood; fish crab or ragworm tight to rocky gullies/kelp. Use strong abrasion-resistant gear and a rotten-bottom link.
Pouting 7/10
Tip: Common after dark; small fish baits on two-hook rigs into the deeper water off the point, especially first of the flood.
Bull Huss 7/10
Tip: Night over rough, kelpy ground; whole squid or mackerel on a pulley with rotten-bottom. Best low to first push of flood.
Conger Eel 7/10
Tip: After dark with big fish baits dropped into kelp gullies on the rise. Heavy mono trace; hit bites hard to keep them out of snags.
Bass 6/10
Tip: On onshore winds and lift; big lug/sandeel baits or shallow-diving plugs at dusk on a flooding tide around the point.
Scad (Horse Mackerel) 6/10
Tip: Late summer/autumn nights; small metals or sabikis worked mid-water in headland eddies. Glow beads help. Best on the flood.
Corkwing Wrasse 6/10
Tip: Warm months; fish small rag or prawn under a float close to kelp on the flood. Short casts, light gear, quick return.
Garfish 6/10
Tip: Clear, settled seas late spring–autumn; float-fish small sandeel/rag 6–10 ft deep over the flood, keeping baits moving near surface.

Local knowledge

Sharkham Point fishing guide

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

Sharkham Point sits just south of Brixham on the edge of Torbay, with rough ground, kelp-fringed gullies and deep water close in. It is a classic rock mark for lure and bait anglers, offering wrasse and pollack by day and conger and huss after dark. The scenery is superb, but the access and ledges demand care and good footwear.

Reaching the mark is straightforward via Brixham, with a short coastal walk to the headland and then steeper trods down to fishing ledges. It is part of a protected coastal landscape, so stick to paths and avoid trampling vegetation or cliff edges.

  • Drive through Brixham toward St Mary’s/King’s Drive area and follow signs for Sharkham Point; there is a pay-and-display car park near the headland.
  • From the car park, follow the South West Coast Path 10–15 minutes to the point; expect exposed cliff-top sections with no railings.
  • Access to actual fishing spots is via informal, steep, sometimes loose paths to rock platforms and boulder gullies; not suitable for buggies or limited mobility.
  • Footing is a mix of limestone and shale with weeded rock, very slippery when damp; grippy boots or rock cleats recommended.
  • Respect nearby properties and campsites; do not block lanes or gateways when parking.

This is a mixed rough-ground venue with resident wrasse and pollack, summer pelagics, and nocturnal predators. Winter can still produce fish in settled spells, but the mark is most consistent late spring through autumn.

  • Spring (Apr–May):
    • Ballan and corkwing wrasse
    • Pollack
    • Garfish on calm, clear days
    • Early mackerel shoals on lures or floats
  • Summer (Jun–Aug):
    • Wrasse (best period)
    • Pollack to good size at dawn/dusk
    • Mackerel and garfish, occasional scad
    • Bass around colour lines and on a bit of surf
    • Conger eel and bull huss after dark
  • Autumn (Sep–Nov):
    • Pollack peak at dusk
    • Wrasse until the first prolonged chills
    • Mackerel/scad into October given clear water
    • Conger, huss, pout after dark; chance of a strap ling
  • Winter (Dec–Feb):
    • Conger and huss in settled windows
    • Pouting, poor cod; the odd whiting on still nights
    • Bass possible in rougher, coloured seas (less consistent)
  • Occasional/bonus:
    • Squid is uncommon here compared to piers, but a few show on very calm, clear nights
    • Small codling are rare in South Devon but not impossible in cold snaps

Sharkham rewards mobile lure work in clear water and stout bottom tactics over the rough ground. Strong leaders and rotten-bottom weak links save gear and fish.

  • Lure fishing (daylight, especially dawn/dusk):
    • Weedless soft plastics (10–20 g jigheads or weighted hooks) with paddle/jerkbaits for pollack; fish parallel to the ledges and along kelp lines.
    • Metals (20–40 g) for mackerel/scad; long, fast retrieves; add a small assist or feather above for garfish/scad.
    • Surface/sub-surface hard lures for bass on coloured-water lines or gentle swell.
  • Float fishing:
    • Adjustable waggler or sliding float with mackerel strip/sandeel for garfish and mackerel; fish 6–12 ft deep over clean patches or gullies.
    • Float crab or ragworm tight to rock faces for wrasse where ledge height allows safe landing.
  • Bottom fishing (evening/after dark):
    • Running ledger or pulley rig with a rotten-bottom link; 30–60 lb leader, 4/0–6/0 strong hooks for conger/huss with mackerel/squid cocktails.
    • Simpler size 1–2 hooks on short snoods for pout/poor cod if scratching.
  • Tackle notes:
    • 9–10 ft lure rods (20–40 g) for mobile work; 12–13 ft beach/rock rods or heavy 8 ft uptiders for bait sets.
    • Mainline 20–30 lb braid with 40–60 lb mono/fluoro leader to resist kelp/rock abrasion.
    • Carry a drop-net where ledge height allows; otherwise plan to unhook at water level and release.
  • Baits:
    • Crab (peeler/hardback), rag/lug, prawn for wrasse; mackerel, squid, bluey for conger/huss; sandeel/mackerel strip for pollack/garfish.

The point feels tide and swell more than the bays, so pick windows. Clarity drives lure success, while a little colour and movement can switch on bass and conger.

  • Tide states:
    • Mid to flood tide fishes well along the kelp line for wrasse/pollack; last two hours of flood into high water are prime.
    • Slack at high can be slow; first of the ebb may spark a short pollack bite on the drop-offs.
  • Sea and wind:
    • The headland faces roughly east into Lyme Bay; easterlies bring swell and can make ledges dangerous.
    • South-westerlies are often offshore/sheltering, improving water clarity for lures.
    • A gentle roll is good; heavy groundswell is a no-go on lower ledges.
  • Light and timing:
    • Dawn and dusk markedly improve pollack and bass; garfish and mackerel favour bright, calm periods.
    • Night sessions for conger/huss in settled seas; avoid springs on the lowest ledges to prevent cut-off.
  • Seasonality:
    • Best overall window May–October; winter success depends on settled high-pressure spells.

This is an exposed, uneven rock mark under cliffs—treat it with full respect. There are no railings, and several ledges are tide-affected.

  • Steep, narrow, and sometimes loose paths to ledges; not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.
  • Wear a personal flotation device, grippy boots/cleats, and carry a headtorch with spare batteries for any low-light fishing.
  • Check swell and tide times; some lower rock tongues can be cut off on big tides.
  • Slippery weeded rock, hidden holes and undercuts—move slowly and keep loads light.
  • Keep back from cliff edges; rockfall is possible after heavy rain/frost.
  • Mobile signal can be patchy close to the cliffs; tell someone your plan.
  • The area forms part of an SSSI/MCZ landscape; keep to established paths and avoid disturbing nesting birds.
  • If signage indicates temporary access restrictions (e.g., erosion, nesting), comply and choose alternate spots.

Facilities are minimal at the headland itself, so go self-sufficient. Brixham is close for supplies and services.

  • Parking at Sharkham Point car park (pay-and-display); no toilets on the point.
  • Nearest public toilets, cafés, and shops are in Brixham town; seasonal kiosks may operate around St Mary’s/Berry Head.
  • Tackle and bait available in Brixham; phone ahead in peak season for bait availability.
  • Mobile reception is generally fair on higher ground but can drop near the cliffs.
  • No freshwater or shelter on-site; bring water, sun/wind protection, and take all litter home.

Small tweaks and local patterns make a big difference on this rough ground. Travel light, fish smart, and expect to lose gear without a plan.

  • Use weedless soft plastics and shallow-running lures to cut snagging; cast along the line of the ledges rather than straight out.
  • A 10–15 lb weak link to the lead (rotten-bottom) saves rigs when fishing bait into the kelp.
  • For garfish, fish a slim strip of mackerel on a size 4–6 long-shank below a small float; add a few drops of fish oil to a chum mash.
  • Big wrasse fight hard—short, powerful rods and tight drags help steer them from kelp; consider voluntary catch-and-release for larger specimens.
  • Pollack often sit higher in the water in low light; count down your lure and vary retrieve to find the depth band.
  • After an easterly blow, give it 24–48 hours for clarity to return before committing to lures.
  • Carry a lightweight drop-net if your chosen ledge allows safe use; do not attempt high lifts of big fish on light gear.
  • Keep noise and headtorch use to a minimum at dusk—bite rates often improve when it’s quiet and dark.

Angling is generally permitted from the shore at Sharkham Point, but the headland lies within protected designations (SSSI and nearby Marine Conservation Zone), so follow site guidance. Always check current rules before you go, as measures change.

  • No rod licence is required for normal sea angling in England; a licence is required for migratory salmon/sea trout (not typically targeted here).
  • Sea bass measures (minimum size and seasonal bag limits) are set annually at national level; check the latest MMO/DEFRA notice before retaining any bass.
  • Devon & Severn IFCA byelaws apply locally, including minimum conservation reference sizes for several species—verify sizes before keeping fish.
  • Do not interfere with fixed commercial gear (pots/flags/lines); it is illegal to tamper with or remove from pots.
  • SSSI/MCZ: Rod-and-line angling is allowed, but avoid disturbing wildlife, do not hammer bolts or damage rock, and follow any on-site seasonal access advice (e.g., nesting birds/erosion closures).
  • General good practice: return undersized fish, use barbless or crushed barbs where practical, and take all litter/line home.
  • For definitive, up-to-date rules, consult the MMO, Devon & Severn IFCA, and Natural England/MCZ site guidance before your session.