Slapton Sands Fishing

Last updated: 5 days ago

Slapton Sands Fishing Map

A long exposed shingle beach in Start Bay backed by Slapton Ley. Mixed clean sand and shingle with deeper water close in on some tides; fishes year‑round. Best results typically come at night and on a flooding tide, with summer pelagics and mullet around the Torcross outflow and winter whiting and rays along the open beach. Easy parking at Torcross and Strete Gate, but walking the shingle can be tiring and strong swell can build quickly.

Ratings

⭐ 7.3/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 8/10
Safety 6/10
Accessibility 7/10

Fish You Can Catch at Slapton Sands

🐟 Mackerel 9/10
🎯 Tip: Summer shoals close on clear, calm evenings; cast small metals/feathers from the shingle. Dusk/flood best.
🐟 Bass 8/10
🎯 Tip: Work the surf at dawn/dusk on a flooding tide; plugs or sandeel/peeler crab baits in the gutters after a blow.
🐟 Whiting 8/10
🎯 Tip: Winter nights; 2-3 hook flappers with lug/squid or mackerel strip. Cast 40-80 m into the steep shingle drop; flood and first of ebb fish well.
🐟 Small-eyed Ray 7/10
🎯 Tip: Late spring to autumn nights over clean shingle; long casts with sandeel or bluey. Fish the flood into first of ebb; avoid heavy weed and strong onshore blow.
🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 7/10
🎯 Tip: Common after dark year-round; small fish/squid baits on the bottom close in. Any state, but a gentle swell and flooding tide helps.
🐟 Pouting 6/10
🎯 Tip: After dark over deeper water; small hooks baited with rag or mackerel strip, short to medium casts. Flood tide reliable.
🐟 Smoothhound 6/10
🎯 Tip: May-Sep, especially around crab peels; peeler or hardback crab on pulley rigs. Best at dusk on a flooding tide, medium cast.
🐟 Scad (Horse Mackerel) 6/10
🎯 Tip: Late summer/autumn at dusk into dark; fish midwater with sabikis under a float or slow-jig small metals. Lights help.
🐟 Black Bream 6/10
🎯 Tip: Aug-Oct in clear, settled seas; small strips or worm on size 4 hooks, short to medium cast over shingle. Daylight or dusk on neap tides.
🐟 Plaice 5/10
🎯 Tip: Spring in calm, clear conditions; long casts with beads/spoons and rag/sandeel cocktails over clean patches. Daytime on neap tides.
🐟 Garfish 5/10
🎯 Tip: Summer in clear water; float-fish small strips of mackerel or sandeel or use tiny metals. Dusk on a flooding tide works well.

Slapton Sands Fishing

Summary

Slapton Sands is a vast, steep shingle beach running between Strete Gate and Torcross in Start Bay, South Devon. It drops off quickly into deep, clean ground, making it a reliable all-round mark with year‑round prospects for rays, bass, smoothhounds, winter whiting, and prolific summer mackerel and garfish.

Location and Access

Set in front of Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve, the beach parallels the A379, with multiple parking spots and easy pick‑your‑peg access along miles of shingle. The walking is on loose pebbles that can be tiring, but access points are frequent.

Seasons

Slapton fishes 12 months of the year, with summer surface action and winter bottom fishing. Expect clean‑ground species with some surprises after blows.

Methods

A classic beachcasting venue where distance helps by day, but darkness pulls fish close. Carry a scratching setup and a heavier rod for larger species.

Tides and Conditions

Fishable at all states, but the flood into and through darkness is a banker. Wind direction shapes the mood: onshore pushes food and bass, offshore calms it down for feathering.

Safety

This is a steep shingle beach with powerful backwash and occasional dumping surf. Treat the waterline with respect and mind the loose stones underfoot.

Facilities

Facilities cluster at each end, with the middle stretches remaining pleasantly bare. Plan your session around parking, toilets and food.

Tips

Slapton rewards mobility and timing—slide along the bank to find fishy gutters and watch for bird activity and bait showers.

Regulations

Sea fishing from Slapton Sands is allowed. The beach fronts Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve (no sea‑angling restrictions) and lies near the Skerries Bank and Surrounds Marine Conservation Zone, where recreational rod angling from shore is permitted.