Summary
South Milton Sands sits between Thurlestone and Hope Cove on the South Hams coast of Devon, a sweeping sandy bay framed by low reefs and the iconic Thurlestone Rock offshore. It’s a classic mixed-ground mark: surf-washed sand for bass and rays, with wrasse, pollack and mackerel around the rocky ends. When the swell and light are right, it can be superb, especially at dawn and dusk.
Location and Access
This is a National Trust beach with straightforward access and a short walk, but the approach lanes are narrow and busy in summer. Most anglers work the central sands or the rocky ground at either end toward Thurlestone and Hope Cove.
- Parking: National Trust South Milton Sands car park (pay-and-display; free for NT members). Postcode: TQ7 3JY. Spaces fill quickly in peak season and on good surf days.
- Approach: From the A381 (Kingsbridge–Salcombe road) via Thurlestone or South Milton along single-track lanes with passing places—drive patiently.
- Walk-in: A few minutes on firm paths/boardwalk to the beach; easy going with rod bags and a tripod. Slightly longer if you head to the rockier ends.
- Terrain: Clean sand across the middle; broken ground, kelp and boulders toward both ends and around the reefs off Thurlestone. Waders help with surf positioning, but beware rips.
- Alternative access: Limited roadside spaces near Thurlestone side in the off-season; always observe local signage and never block gateways.
Seasons
You’ll encounter a good spread of surf and rough-ground species through the year, with bass the headline act. Expect dogfish at most times and more variety as the water warms.
- Spring (Mar–May): School and early better bass; thornback and small-eyed ray; wrasse waking up on the rocks; occasional plaice/sole from the cleaner patches; flounder tail-end in early spring.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): Bass (surf and lures), smoothhound on crab, thornback/small-eyed rays, mackerel and garfish in calm spells, ballan wrasse and pollack on the reefs, golden-grey/thick-lipped mullet in the stream outflow.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): Peak time for larger bass; rays remain reliable on settled evenings; wrasse strong until first big blows; whiting start to show; chance of a late smoothhound.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): School bass on mild days (catch-and-release period applies—see regulations), whiting, pouting, dogfish; the odd flounder after rough weather. Cod are rare in this area.
Methods
Both surfcasting and rock fishing tactics work, depending on where you set up. Lures shine around the rocky fringes in settled, clear water.
- Surf/bottom fishing (sand): 3–4 oz leads; pulley pennel (2/0–4/0) for bass/rays; two-hook flapper or loop rigs for smaller fish. Use a rotten-bottom clip if casting near patchy rough.
- Baits (clean ground): Peeler crab (prime for bass/smoothhound), fresh lugworm, ragworm, squid/sandeel cocktails for rays and dogs; mackerel strip for whiting/garfish.
- Rough-ground/reef edges: Strong abrasion-resistant leaders; simple running ledger or short up-and-over with crab for bass/wrasse; keep end tackle compact to avoid kelp.
- Lure fishing: Surface walkers, shallow divers and weedless soft plastics around the Thurlestone side and reefy pockets at first/last light; metals for mackerel; small SPs for schoolies in clear, neap tides.
- Float fishing: Ragworm or prawn for wrasse; small slivers of mackerel for garfish over the kelp fringes.
- Mullet tactics: Bread flake under a light float or small spinners with estuarine patterns near the outflow on calm, bright days.
Tides and Conditions
Tide size and swell dictate where and how you fish. Medium to big tides with a modest surf often bring bass within easy range; rays like settled, mild evenings.
- Best tide states: For bass, last third of the flood into the first of the ebb over forming gutters and bars; for rays, 2 hours up to HW and the first hour down in calmer seas.
- Swell/wind: A 1–3 ft SW/WSW surf with a touch of colour is ideal for bass. If it’s raging or weedy after a blow, wait for the first settling day. Neaps/clear water suit wrasse and lure fishing.
- Water clarity: Slightly coloured for surf bass; clear for wrasse/garfish/pollack. Floating weed can be heavy on strong onshore winds—use higher rod tips and streamlined rigs.
- Time of day/season: Dawn/dusk consistently out-fish bright middays. Late summer to late autumn gives the best shot at a better bass. Night tides produce rays, dogs and whiting from the sands.
Safety
This is an exposed Atlantic-facing beach—treat the surf and reef edges with respect. Plan your exit routes before dark and carry a headlamp.
- Waves and rips: Strong lateral currents and rips form around the bars and the stream outflow; never wade deep in a building swell.
- Rocks/weed: Kelp-covered boulders are extremely slippery; wear boots with good grip or studs. Avoid perching on ledges that can be cut off on springs.
- Tides: Big ranges flood the reef edges quickly—keep an eye on backwash around Thurlestone side.
- Night fishing: Use a high-vis flag/marker on tripods; a PFD/lifejacket is strongly recommended on any rocky stance.
- Access needs: Flat access onto the main beach; the final approach is firm sand. Reefs at either end involve uneven ground and are unsuitable for limited mobility.
- Etiquette: In busy months there may be designated bathing/surf zones—do not fish into flagged areas and give water users generous space.
Facilities
Facilities are good by South Hams standards, with seasonal amenities right by the sand and full services a short drive away.
- On-site: Pay-and-display parking; usually seasonal toilets near the car park; popular beach café/restaurant (The Beachhouse) with takeaway options in season.
- Nearby: More cafés, pubs and shops in Thurlestone and Hope Cove; full supermarkets, fuel and banks in Kingsbridge.
- Tackle/bait: Tackle shops and bait suppliers in Kingsbridge and Salcombe—ring ahead for peeler crab and fresh worms in summer.
- Phone signal: Generally workable on most networks but can be patchy near the cliffs/valleys—don’t rely on data for safety-critical info.
- Notes: National Trust car parks may have seasonal opening/closing times and no overnight camping—check on arrival.
Tips
Subtle changes in sandbars and colour lines make big differences here—walk the beach at low water and mark features for your session.
- After a blow, the first calming day with a 1–2 ft residual surf is prime for bass along the right-hand (Thurlestone) side gutters.
- Small-eyed rays often come to fresh sandeel or squid at 60–90 yards on a slow, tidy tide—keep baits aerodynamic and scented.
- For wrasse, downsize and fish crab tight to the kelp pockets; bites are often instant once you’ve found a crease of deeper water.
- Mullet cruise the stream outflow on neaps—stealth matters; scale down to 6–8 lb fluorocarbon and avoid heavy footsteps in the shallows.
- Floating weed can be brutal on spring floods with onshore winds—angle rods high, use breakout leads and keep snoods short to cut drag.
- Lure anglers: Try surface lures at grey light around any gull activity over sandeels; switch to subtle soft plastics once the sun is up.
Regulations
Normal public shore fishing is permitted here; always follow national and local rules and heed any beach signage, especially around bathing zones and protected habitats. Regulations can change—check the latest from the UK Government and Devon & Severn IFCA before you go.
- European seabass (ICCAT/UK measures): Typically catch-and-release only in January–February and December; March–November a daily bag limit (commonly 2 fish at a 42 cm minimum). This is reviewed annually—verify current dates and limits.
- Spurdog: Recreational anglers are generally not permitted to retain spurdog—return alive.
- Minimum sizes/closed areas: Observe UK minimum conservation reference sizes for common species. The nearby Avon Estuary includes bass nursery restrictions for boats; if launching or kayaking, check boundaries and methods allowed.
- Protected site etiquette: Dunes and the South Milton Ley reedbed are environmentally sensitive—keep to paths, don’t dig bait in vegetated areas, and avoid disturbing birds and seals.
- General: No fishing into any lifeguarded bathing zone when flags are flying; take all line and litter home; no open fires on the dunes. If in doubt, ask a National Trust ranger or check local notices.
