Shoalstone Fishing

Summary

Shoalstone is a classic Torbay rock mark beside the Shoalstone seawater pool on the edge of Brixham, Devon. The limestone ledges, kelp gullies and clean patches offer varied fishing for lure, float and bottom tactics, with summer pelagics and year‑round rough‑ground species. It’s popular for its easy access, clear water in easterlies, and reliable dusk sessions for pollack, wrasse and bass.

Location and Access

Shoalstone sits along Shoalstone Road on the seaward side of Brixham, between the Breakwater and Berry Head. Access is straightforward, with a short stroll from parking onto the promenade and then steps and paths down to the rocks.

• Drive from Brixham harbour following signs for Shoalstone Pool/Berry Head; the mark is adjacent to the seawater lido on Shoalstone Road.
• Pay‑and‑display car park by the pool, with additional on‑street parking nearby in the off‑season; arrive early on hot summer days.
• Walk: 1–5 minutes to fishable ground. The concrete promenade is flat; rock ledges require short downclimbs via steps and worn paths.
• Terrain: hard limestone platforms, kelp‑fringed gullies and patches of clean sand/shingle in the bays. Footing can be slick with weed and spray.
• Public access paths run both west and east; choose ledges that keep you well clear of bathers and water users around the pool.

Seasons

This is a mixed ground mark with a strong summer peak. Expect rough‑ground residents year‑round, with pelagic visitors in warm months.

• Spring (Mar–May): pollack, ballan and corkwing wrasse, bass (increasing late spring), thick‑lipped mullet in calm water, occasional pout/poor cod.
• Summer (Jun–Aug): mackerel, garfish, scad (horse mackerel at night), wrasse (peak), pollack, bass at dawn/dusk, mullet, occasional squid in clear evenings.
• Autumn (Sep–Nov): bass (often best), pollack (dusk), scad at night, wrasse (early autumn), mackerel runs tailing off, squid/cuttle on calm clear nights.
• Winter (Dec–Feb): conger eel after dark, pout/poor cod, pollack on lures in settled spells; fewer daylight options but still worth a dusk raid in calm, clear conditions.
• Occasional catches: tompot blenny and rock gobies (close in), grey triggerfish in very warm late summers, small rays on adjacent cleaner patches (uncommon here).

Methods

Lure, float and light bottom approaches shine here. The ground is snaggy—fish above it or use rotten‑bottoms.

• Lure fishing (pollack/bass/wrasse):
  • 10–30 g metals or sandeel‑style lures for mackerel/garfish/pollack in daylight.
  • Weedless soft plastics (paddletails 10–14 cm, slug/senko styles) on 7–14 g Texas or belly‑weighted hooks for bass and wrasse around kelp edges.
  • Small paddle/shads 7–10 cm on 10–20 g jigheads for dusk pollack; count down and work up the face—keep moving to find fish.
• Float fishing (garfish/mackerel/pollack/wrasse):
  • Sliding float, 12–18 ft set‑depth, size 4–1/0 hooks; mackerel strip, prawn or sandeel.
  • Wrasse love peeler crab, prawn or rag tipped with crab; present just above the kelp.
• Bottom fishing (conger/bass/wrasse):
  • 2‑up paternoster or short pulley with a weak link (rotten‑bottom) to a 3–5 oz lead; 20–30 lb mainline, 40–60 lb abrasion leader.
  • Baits: crab, prawn, rag/lug for wrasse and bass; whole or half mackerel/squid for conger after dark.
• Night sessions:
  • Sabikis under a small float or light for scad; keep rigs tidy to avoid tangles in a breeze.
  • Egi (2.5–3.0) for squid on calm, clear autumn evenings—slow lifts and long pauses.
• Tackle notes:
  • Use a long drop‑net or a 10–12 ft rod to steer fish around ledges; a short handled net is often too small here.
  • Fluorocarbon leaders (20–30 lb) resist abrasion; go heavier for conger. Always carry spare leads/rigs.

Tides and Conditions

Shoalstone fishes best on a flooding tide into dusk with moderate movement. Water clarity drives the method choice.

• Tide: 2 hours before high to just after high is prime for wrasse and pollack; bass often show on the last of the flood and first of the ebb.
• Springs vs neaps: neaps suit lure/float work in clearer water; strong springs increase lateral sweep and snags—use heavier leads or fish higher in the water.
• Wind/sea state:
  • Easterlies flatten and clear Torbay—great for lure and float, sighting garfish and mullet.
  • A bit of southwest groundswell stirs food, improving bass sport along the white water; avoid big swells.
• Time of day: dawn and, especially, dusk are consistent for pollack and bass; midday can still produce garfish and wrasse in clear water.
• Seasonality: June–October is most consistent overall; winter is mainly a conger/pollack at dusk proposition on settled nights.

Safety

This is a public bathing area beside a lido—be courteous and keep well clear of swimmers and water users. The rocks are uneven and can be very slippery.

• Do not fish from the pool structure or within any signed designated bathing area; lifeguards operate in summer and may move anglers on.
• Choose ledges that give you a safe backstep and avoid any swell lines; rogue waves can wash over low platforms.
• Wear grippy boots or studs; consider a personal flotation device and a headtorch with spare batteries for dusk/night.
• Use a drop‑net where feasible; gaffs are not appropriate in a family bathing spot and for catch‑and‑release fish.
• Accessibility: the promenade is pushchair/wheelchair friendly; the productive rock ledges require confident footing and are not suitable for limited mobility.
• Avoid fishing crowded summer afternoons—early morning or late evening is safer and more productive.

Facilities

Facilities are a strong point here, especially in summer around the lido.

• Toilets by the Shoalstone Pool (seasonal opening hours).
• Seasonal café/kiosk at the pool; more cafés, pubs and shops in Brixham a short drive/walk away.
• Pay‑and‑display parking adjacent to the mark; arrive early in hot weather.
• Mobile phone signal is generally good along the promenade.
• Bait and tackle: shops in Brixham town and Paignton/Torquay; check opening hours outside peak season.
• Bins are provided—take all line and litter home if they’re full.

Tips

A few small tweaks make a big difference at Shoalstone.

• Keep mobile: work 20–30 m between casts with lures; pollack and bass here are often pocketed along weed lines.
• For garfish, mash bread and a drizzle of fish oil to create a faint slick; fish a mackerel sliver under a long float.
• Fish a slightly longer hooklength (1.2–1.5 m fluoro) under the float in gin‑clear water to improve takes.
• Use a weak link on every bottom rig; a light 10–12 lb mono tail to the lead saves whole rigs when snagged.
• Check the pool overflow and any slicks on neaps—baitfish gather and scad/mackerel often patrol under them at dusk.
• Summer crowds: fish very early or into dark; you’ll avoid swimmers and markedly increase your chances.
• If seals or dolphins show, expect a lull—downsize to target garfish or move along the ledges to find undisturbed water.

Regulations

Know the local rules and national limits before you fish. Signage on site takes precedence.

• Bathing/lido: do not fish from the Shoalstone Pool structure or within any marked bathing area. In summer, lifeguards manage zones and may restrict casting from nearby ledges—follow all signage and instructions.
• Marine protected areas: Shoalstone lies within Torbay’s protected coastal waters; recreational rod‑and‑line angling is generally permitted, but avoid any disturbance to wildlife and follow local notices.
• European sea bass: seasonal restrictions and a minimum size apply. At the time of writing, bag limits and open seasons can change year to year—check the latest DEFRA/MMO announcement before your trip. Minimum conservation reference size is commonly 42 cm; many anglers practice catch‑and‑release outside the open season.
• Minimum sizes and byelaws: adhere to UK minimum sizes and any Devon & Severn IFCA byelaws. Return undersized fish and consider releasing larger wrasse, which are valuable breeders.
• Squid/cuttle: no specific rod‑and‑line limits locally, but be considerate with numbers and avoid fishing where jigs risk bathers.
• General conduct: no littering, no overhead casting near the promenade when busy, and keep a safe distance from swimmers, kayakers and paddleboarders.