Thurlestone Sands Fishing

Last updated: 1 month ago

Thurlestone Sands Fishing Map

A wide, clean-sand bay backed by dunes with rocky points at either end and the offshore Thurlestone Rock. Mixed ground gives options: surf and clean patches for bass, flatfish and rays; rougher edges for wrasse and pollack; summer brings mackerel, scad and garfish. Best on a flooding tide into dusk; calm, clear water suits lures around the rocks, while a light surf stirs up bass and flatfish. Access is via National Trust car parks at South Milton/Thurlestone with straightforward beach walks. Watch for rips, a lively shore break on SW winds and the risk of being cut off around the points at higher states.

Ratings

⭐ 7.3/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 6/10
Accessibility 7/10

Fish You Can Catch at Thurlestone Sands

🐟 Bass 9/10
🎯 Tip: Surf beach; fish dusk/dawn on a flooding tide. Plug in white water or use peeler crab/sandeel in the gutter after a blow.
🐟 Mackerel 7/10
🎯 Tip: Summer shoals; cast metals or small feathers from the rocky points on the flood in clear water.
🐟 Ballan Wrasse 7/10
🎯 Tip: Work the rocky ends and around Thurlestone Rock in summer; float crab or hardbacks, or weedless soft plastics into kelp gullies on the mid-flood.
🐟 Pollack 6/10
🎯 Tip: From the rocky headlands at dusk into dark; weightless weedless soft plastics or float rag/sandeel on a flooding tide close to kelp.
🐟 Whiting 6/10
🎯 Tip: Autumn–winter evenings over sand; small strips of mackerel or squid at 30–70 m. Neap tides often give steadier bites.
🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 6/10
🎯 Tip: Common after dark on the sand; small fish or squid baits in the first trough on a mid-to-late flood.
🐟 Pouting 5/10
🎯 Tip: Rocky ends and mixed ground after dark; small fish baits or rag close to structure.
🐟 Spotted Ray 5/10
🎯 Tip: Occasional over clean/mixed sand; night on neaps. Fish sandeel or squid at range; avoid heavy weed.
🐟 Garfish 5/10
🎯 Tip: Late spring–autumn; float a thin mackerel strip on small hooks from rocky points on the flood. Dawn best.
🐟 Golden-grey Mullet 5/10
🎯 Tip: Calm summer evenings; tiny rag/Isomes on size 8–10 hooks in surfy gutters or around weed lines. Stealth essential.
🐟 Plaice 4/10
🎯 Tip: Spring to early summer on cleaner patches; long flowing trace with beads/spoons, rag/lug tipped with squid. Daylight on neaps.
🐟 Conger Eel 4/10
🎯 Tip: Night from the rocks; big fish or squid baits. Use a rotten-bottom to cope with snags on a rising tide.

Thurlestone Sands Fishing

Summary

Thurlestone Sands, in the South Hams of Devon between Thurlestone and South Milton, is a broad, surf-facing beach backed by low dunes and flanked by rocky ledges. The iconic Thurlestone Rock arch and nearby reefs create fish-holding gutters and structure. It’s a versatile mark that suits both bait and lure anglers, with bass, rays and summer species the headline draw.

Location and Access

Access is straightforward, with two main car parks and short, mostly flat walks onto firm sand. The mark spans the National Trust-managed South Milton Sands and the beach by Thurlestone Golf Club, with reefs and boulder patches at either end.

  • Driving: From the A381 (Kingsbridge–Salcombe road), follow signs for Thurlestone or South Milton; lanes are narrow with passing places.
  • Parking: National Trust car park at South Milton Sands (pay-and-display; postcode often given as TQ7 3JY). A smaller parking area serves the Thurlestone/Leas Foot side; spaces are limited in summer.
  • Walk-in: 2–5 minutes from either car park to the sand; longer if you head to the rocky extremities.
  • Terrain: Firm sand with shifting bars and gutters; low rock platforms and boulders at both ends, plus the offshore rock arch. Easy underfoot on the beach, but the rocks are uneven and can be weed-slick.
  • Alternative approach: Public footpaths cross the golf course to the northern beach—stay on marked paths and be mindful of golfers.

Seasons

This is a mixed ground beach with adjacent reef, offering a seasonal spread. Bass and rays headline, with summer visitors and winter staples rounding it out.

  • Spring (Apr–May):
    • Bass, schoolies through to better fish on building tides
    • Wrasse along the reefy margins (mostly ballan)
    • Plaice and the odd turbot on clean patches
    • Garfish late spring on settled, clear days
  • Summer (Jun–Aug):
    • Bass in the surf and around gutters
    • Smoothhound in warm spells, especially after molting crabs
    • Rays (thornback, spotted; occasional small-eyed) after settled seas
    • Mackerel and scad from dusk; garfish by day
    • Pollack from the rougher ground at dusk; gurnard over sand
    • Sole occasional on quiet, warm nights
  • Autumn (Sep–Nov):
    • Peak bass, especially September–October on lively surf
    • Rays at night over sand with sandeel
    • Mackerel/garfish tail off; wrasse until the first big blows
    • Whiting begin on dark nights
  • Winter (Dec–Mar):
    • Whiting, dogfish and pout on bigger tides
    • Huss from the rough patches on fish baits after dark
    • The odd ray in mild, settled spells
    • Codling are rare visitors but not impossible in strong westerlies

Methods

Both bait and lure tactics produce here. The beach rewards reading the bars and gutters, while the rock fringes suit wrasse and opportunist bass.

  • Bait fishing (surf/beach):
    • Rigs: Pulley pennel (3/0–5/0) or up-and-over for bass/rays; 2-hook flapper for whiting/flatfish; long snoods for shy biters.
    • Baits: Fresh sandeel (whole or section), peeler or soft crab, lugworm/black lug, ragworm, squid strips, mackerel heads/fillets for rays/huss; cocktail sandeel-squid is a local staple.
    • Range: Often 30–70 yards into the first or second gutter is enough; don’t ignore the lip at your feet on the flood.
  • Lure fishing (reef/edges/surf):
    • Surface/sub-surface hard lures (pencils, walkers, shallow divers) over the boulder fields at dawn/dusk.
    • Weedless soft plastics (paddle tails, slugs 10–15 cm) for bass working the white water; use weighted hooks only as needed.
    • Metals (20–40 g) for mackerel/garfish on clear, bright days; adjust retrieve speed.
  • Float fishing (rock fringes):
    • Ragworm or prawn for wrasse and pollack; sandeel strips for garfish.
  • Timing: Dusk into dark for rays and better bass; early mornings for lure work in summer; after a 2–3 day settle for rays and huss.

Tides and Conditions

Reading the sandbars and gutters is key. Conditions swing fast with Atlantic swell; aim for manageable surf for bass and settled spells for rays.

  • Tide states:
    • Bass: Flood tide into high, especially the last two hours up and first hour down.
    • Rays: Mid-to-late flood into early ebb on neaps and small-to-mid springs after a calm spell.
    • Winter species: Bigger spring tides on dark nights.
  • Swell and wind:
    • Light to moderate onshore W–SW creating 1–3 ft surf is prime for bass; too much swell brings weed and unsafe rips.
    • Easterlies or light northerlies flatten the sea for wrasse and lure work in clear water.
  • Water clarity:
    • Slightly coloured water helps bass; crystal-clear suits lures/garfish but can slow bait fishing by day.
  • Seasonality:
    • Late spring to late autumn is the main window for bass and summer species; winter shifts to whiting/dogs with occasional surprises.
  • Other cues:
    • Small stream/outflows and rip lanes often mark feeding routes—fish the edges, not the heart, of the white water.

Safety

This is an exposed surf beach with shifting bars and active rips; the rocks are slippery when weeded. Plan your session and treat the tide with respect.

  • Rips and surf:
    • Strong rips form around the sandbars and near the rock features—avoid wading in heavy swell and never turn your back on the sea.
  • Cut-off risks:
    • The rocky ends can become cut off on a pushing tide; identify escape routes before you start.
  • Footing:
    • Weed-slick rocks and uneven boulders demand cleated boots; consider a wading staff.
  • Crowds/lifeguard zones:
    • In summer, RNLI-swim zones may be in place—do not fish between the flags or near bathers; move to quieter ends at dawn/dusk.
  • Visibility and PPE:
    • Headlamp with spare power for night sessions; wear a PFD if fishing off rocks or wading.
  • Accessibility:
    • Beach access from car parks is short and fairly flat; the rocks are not suitable for limited mobility. Cell coverage can be patchy—tell someone your plan and carry a fully charged phone (999/112 for Coastguard).

Facilities

Facilities are good by rural South Hams standards, especially on the South Milton side, but can be seasonal.

  • Parking: National Trust pay-and-display at South Milton Sands; limited additional spaces near the Thurlestone/Leas Foot end.
  • Toilets: Usually available seasonally at South Milton Sands (check National Trust notices).
  • Food and drink: Seasonal beach café at South Milton Sands; pubs and shops in Thurlestone and nearby villages.
  • Tackle/bait: Nearest tackle options are in Kingsbridge and Salcombe—check current opening hours and bait availability before you travel.
  • Rubbish: Take all litter and line home; bins may be seasonal and can fill quickly in summer.
  • Mobile signal: Variable across networks; generally workable on the beach but expect dead spots behind the dunes.

Tips

Local knowledge on sand movement and fish lanes pays dividends. Keep mobile, read the water, and time your session around the surf and light levels.

  • Walk the beach at low water to map bars, rips and gullies; return to fish the same features on the flood.
  • Small surf with a bit of colour? Fish crab or sandeel tight to the first gutter for bass.
  • After two calm days, set baits for rays at dusk with whole sandeel or sandeel-squid cocktails.
  • For lures, start topwater at gray light over the boulder fields, then switch to weedless paddles as the sun lifts.
  • Don’t cast over the feeding zone: bass often patrol within 20–40 yards—short, accurate casts beat hero distances.
  • Summer crowds: fish dawn, dusk and after dark; avoid the flagged swim areas entirely.
  • Weed can be brutal after big SW blows; give it 24–48 hours to clear.
  • Chest waders help for positioning on the bars—but only in modest swell and with a buddy if possible.

Regulations

Angling is generally permitted here, but some practical and legal rules apply. Regulations change—always check current notices and official sources before retaining fish.

  • Bathing zones: No fishing between RNLI red/yellow flags or near swimmers during lifeguarded periods.
  • Bass regulations (Area 7d–h): As of 2024, recreational anglers may retain up to 2 bass per angler per day from 1 March to 30 November, minimum size 42 cm; catch-and-release only in January–February and December. Subject to annual review—check MMO/IFCA updates.
  • Spurdog and shad: Retention prohibited—return immediately if encountered.
  • Rays: Return undulate rays unharmed if caught; know your species before retaining any ray.
  • Minimum sizes/bag limits: Observe UK national MLS and any local Devon & Severn IFCA byelaws; measure fish carefully.
  • Foraging/bait:
    • Respect any local SSSI/Dunes protections and signage; avoid damaging vegetation and only collect bait where permitted.
  • Access and parking: Obey National Trust and local parking rules; do not obstruct emergency access.
  • General: Use barbless or crushed barbs when practical, carry a disgorger, and release unwanted fish promptly and carefully.