Summary
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.
Location and Access
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.
Seasons
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
Methods
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.
Tides and Conditions
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.
Safety
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
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.
Tips
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.
Regulations
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.