Summary
Strete Gate sits at the northern end of Slapton Sands in Start Bay, South Devon, offering deep water close to a steep shingle beach. It’s a versatile open coast mark that produces bass in onshore surf, summer mackerel and smoothhounds, and winter whiting with the chance of a bonus ray or codling after a blow.
Location and Access
Reaching Strete Gate is straightforward via the A379 between Dartmouth and Kingsbridge, with the beach immediately below the roadside car park. Access is easy to find, but the shingle is steep and heavy-going underfoot once you step onto the beach.
- Signed Strete Gate car park on the A379 (pay-and-display; check seasonal charges and opening times on local council notices)
- Short walk from the car park to the beach; no long hike, but expect a steep shingle bank
- Terrain: steep, shifting pea-to-medium shingle with a pronounced lip; largely clean ground with the odd snag from lost gear
- Alternative access further south along Slapton Sands and at Torcross if this end is busy
- Overnight parking and campervan rules vary by season; always check signs before leaving your vehicle
Seasons
Strete Gate fishes year-round with a classic Start Bay species mix. Expect quick changes with wind direction and water clarity.
- Spring (Mar–May):
- Bass (first pushes on onshore colour)
- Plaice and dabs (odd fish on worm baits)
- Smoothhound (building from May on crab)
- Dogfish, pouting
- Summer (Jun–Aug):
- Mackerel and garfish (calm, clear seas), scad at dusk and after dark
- Bass (especially during or after an easterly blow)
- Smoothhound, thornback ray, occasional spotted ray
- Bull huss at night, gurnards over clean patches
- Occasional sole on still, warm nights
- Autumn (Sep–Nov):
- Bass (peak months Sept–Oct)
- Scad, mackerel tailing off, garfish
- Thornback ray, bull huss, smoothies (early autumn)
- Whiting and pouting building into late autumn
- Winter (Dec–Feb):
- Whiting (often abundant), dogfish, pouting
- Codling are possible after prolonged easterlies and coloured water
- Bull huss on bigger baits at night
- Ray possible in settled spells
Methods
A steep shingle beach favors conventional beachcasting tactics, but don’t overlook close-range work for bass and rays, especially in coloured water. Lure fishing and float tactics score in summer when the sea clears.
- Bottom fishing:
- 4–6 oz grip leads and 12–15 lb mainline with a 60 lb tapered shock leader for distance work
- Pulley or pulley dropper with 3/0–5/0 hooks for bass, huss, and rays; clipped-down 2–3 hook flappers/paternosters for whiting and mixed species
- Baits: fresh lug and rag, peeler/soft crab (smoothhound/bass), sandeel and squid cocktails (rays), mackerel fillet or head section (huss/bass)
- Fish one big-bait rod and one scratching rod to find what’s feeding
- Lure and float:
- Metals and slim jigs (28–40 g) or small diving plugs for mackerel/garfish/bass in clear water
- Surface or shallow diving lures at dawn/dusk for bass along the first breaker line
- Float-fished strips of mackerel for garfish in calm seas
- Range and positioning:
- Don’t wade deep: water gets deep quickly and bass/rays often patrol within 10–40 yards in surf
- In calm, clear conditions, clipped rigs and a bit more distance can find gurnards, plaice, and whiting
- After dark:
- Larger baits on a pulley rig for huss/rays; keep rods high on a sturdy tripod to clear the shingle lip
Tides and Conditions
This east-facing bay flips character with the wind. Onshore easterlies create coloured surf that brings bass tight, while settled high pressure and clear seas favor pelagics and scratching tactics.
- Tide: fishes on all states; the last two hours of the flood and first two of the ebb are consistent, especially for rays and bass
- Wind: easterly/south-easterly onshore winds push colour and surf—prime for bass; westerlies flatten the sea for mackerel/garfish and long-range scratch fishing
- Sea state: a gentle roll aids rays; heavy dumpy surf reduces safety and presentation—step back up the bank
- Light: dawn, dusk, and night markedly improve bass, huss, and ray chances; scad often arrive after dark
- Seasonality: summer calm spells for lures and mackerel; autumn for mixed bags with quality bass; winter for whiting and the odd codling after prolonged easterlies
Safety
This is an exposed, steep shingle beach with deep water and a strong undertow—simple but not to be underestimated. Plan your exit route up the shingle before dark.
- Steep, shifting shingle makes footing strenuous; use a stable tripod and avoid standing at the water’s edge in a dumping surf
- Strong undertow and shore dump in onshore winds—do not wade; keep clear of the collapsing shingle lip
- Weed can be heavy after blows; be careful when retrieving loaded lines up the bank
- Limited natural shelter: dress for wind and spray; secure gear on the bank to prevent it rolling
- Night fishing: carry a headtorch and spare light; mark your access point from the car park
- Mobile signal generally fair near the road, can dip lower on the beach
- Lifejacket strongly recommended when fishing close to the swash on any surf day
- Accessibility: short distance from parking, but the soft shingle is challenging for those with reduced mobility; no firm walkway onto the lower beach
Facilities
Facilities are close by but can be seasonal at this end of the bay. Torcross, a short drive south, has more reliable year-round options.
- Strete Gate car park: pay-and-display; seasonal kiosk/refreshments may operate in fair weather
- Public toilets are sometimes available at or near Strete Gate; if closed, use Torcross facilities
- Cafés, pub, and more parking at Torcross; additional cafés north at Blackpool Sands (short drive)
- Nearest tackle and bait in Dartmouth and Kingsbridge; check local shops for fresh lug/rag and mackerel
- Bins: take litter home if bins are full/absent; discarded line and hooks are a hazard on shingle
Tips
Start Bay rewards anglers who adapt to the day’s conditions. If it looks fishy here, it probably is—if not, a short drive along the bay can change your fortunes.
- After an easterly blow, fish big worm or crab baits tight for bass as the sea settles and holds colour
- For thornback rays, a sandeel/squid cocktail and a steady, pinned-down presentation just past the first bar does the trick
- Smoothhounds love peeler or soft crab in late spring/summer—keep rigs simple and be ready for powerful runs
- In summer, scale down and work metals for mackerel/garfish; avoid peak bathing times and give swimmers a wide berth
- Keep rod tips high to clear the shingle lip and reduce line abrasion on the bank
- A long sand spike or tall tripod helps on the steep slope; a small shingle mat keeps gear out of the wash
- If crabs are rife, use tougher baits (squid wraps, elasticated baits) and keep recasting intervals short
- Historical note: the bay was used for D-Day training—there’s a Sherman tank memorial at Torcross worth a look between tides
Regulations
Sea angling is permitted from the beach at Strete Gate. Regulations change, so always confirm current rules before your trip.
- Minimum sizes and local byelaws are enforced by Devon & Severn IFCA; check their website for up-to-date size limits and any seasonal/gear restrictions
- European seabass rules apply in ICES Area 7: expect a minimum size of 42 cm and a seasonal daily bag limit; dates and limits can change annually—verify via the UK government/MMO before retaining bass
- Marine Conservation Zones: the Skerries Bank & Surrounds MCZ lies offshore in Start Bay; rod-and-line angling from the beach is generally allowed, but avoid disturbing protected features and adhere to any posted guidance
- Protected/voluntary release: release spurdog and tope as best practice; handle huss and rays carefully and unhook with long-nose pliers
- No open fires and BBQ rules vary along the bay; follow beach signage, dog control orders, and any overnight parking restrictions
- Take all litter and end tackle home; discarded hooks/line pose a risk to wildlife and other beach users
