Summary
Torcross (Start Bay, Devon) is a steep, deep-shingle beach at the southern end of Slapton Sands, backed by the village and the Slapton Ley nature reserve. It fishes well year-round with quick access to depth, making it a reliable mark for bass in a blow and varied summer sport. Clean ground with occasional patches of rough and weed offers rays, smoothhound, mackerel, and winter whiting under the right conditions.
Location and Access
Torcross sits on the A379 between Dartmouth and Kingsbridge, with the beach immediately beside the road and sea wall. Access is simple and close to parking, but expect a steep shingle bank to negotiate.
- Approach via the A379; the seafront pay-and-display car park and on-road bays are by the sea wall (postcode area TQ7 2TQ).
- Steps/ramps from the promenade lead directly onto shingle; the last few metres are loose and steep.
- The mark fishes all along the village frontage; you can also spread out north along Slapton Sands if it’s busy.
- Terrain is clean, mobile shingle with fast drop-off; no long hike required from the main car parks.
Seasons
This beach produces a broad mix, with summer variety and dependable winter scratching. Expect quick changes with water clarity and wind direction.
- Spring (Mar–May): Bass, plaice (in clearer spells), thornback ray, smoothhound (building late spring), garfish, early mackerel on warm days, dogfish, pouting.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): Bass, smoothhound, mackerel, garfish, scad, gurnard, black bream (some seasons), thornback and small-eyed rays, pollack from rocky fringes, eels and conger after dark.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): Bass (especially in a blow), mackerel/scad tailing off, bream (early autumn), rays, smoothhound (early autumn), pout, dogfish, increasing whiting.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): Whiting, pouting, dogfish, conger at night, the odd codling in onshore blows (uncommon nowadays), bass in coloured surf during milder spells.
- Year-round possibilities: Flatties in calmer, clear periods; mullet in the surf margins and near outflows (note: Slapton Ley itself has nature reserve restrictions—see regulations).
Methods
Steep shingle means quick depth; you rarely need extreme range. Match your approach to water colour and wind.
- Bottom fishing: Two-hook flapper with size 2–1 hooks for whiting, pout, flatties; 4–5oz grip leads hold well in a moderate swell.
- Rays/smoothhound: Pulley or pulley–pennel with 3/0–5/0 hooks; sandeel, squid/sandeel wraps, or mackerel for rays; peeler crab or hermit for hounds.
- Bass: In coloured surf, fish big baits (whole squid, mackerel head, crab) close-in on a running ledger or pulley; in clear, calm spells use smaller worm baits (lug/rag) or lures at dawn/dusk.
- Lure/float: Metals and slim sandeels for mackerel/scad; surface and shallow-diving lures for bass in first/last light; float-fish strips of mackerel or rag for garfish over 8–12 ft.
- Plaice/bream (when about): Long-snood up-and-over or one-up/one-down with size 2–4 hooks; rag, lug, thin squid or prawn, with small attractors/beads.
- Night tactics: Scratch a mixed bag with worm/squid cocktails; step up snoods and keep a heavier rod ready for a ray or conger pickup.
Tides and Conditions
Torcross can fish on any state, with the flood into and over high generally most consistent. Wind and water colour are the big drivers.
- Best tide states: Mid-flood to first two hours of the ebb; at high water you can fish from high on the bank or the sea wall with care.
- Bass: After an easterly/SE blow when the water turns milky-green and there’s a surf; fish big static baits tight in at dusk or after dark.
- Summer variety: Calm or light offshore/northwesterly gives clearer water for mackerel, garfish, bream and plaice; evenings/mornings are prime.
- Rays/hounds: Often improve on the building tide in late spring to early autumn; sandeel/crab baits work even when the water holds some colour.
- Drift and weed: A strong onshore or along-shore wind can push floating weed and create lateral sweep—use heavier grip leads and adjust casting angles.
- Seasonality: Winter nights for whiting/pout/conger; late spring through early autumn for the broader mix and surface action.
Safety
This is a straightforward beach mark but the steep, mobile shingle and dumpy surf demand respect. Plan your exit before dark and keep gear high from the swash line.
- Steep shingle bank with powerful undertow and ‘cliffing’—waves can surge high; never turn your back on the sea.
- Overtopping is possible in strong onshore blows; avoid the sea wall during big easterlies or when spray is breaking over.
- Use a headtorch, keep a clear route up the bank, and wear footwear with good ankle support; a buoyancy aid/lifejacket is wise in rough conditions.
- Mobility: The promenade and parking are level, but the final shingle is challenging for wheelchairs and limited mobility; some fish from the wall at high water when conditions are calm.
- Summer bathing areas may be zoned—avoid casting near swimmers and obey any local signage.
- Severe weather can reshape the bank overnight—check your footing and avoid steep drop-offs at the water’s edge.
Facilities
Torcross has good on-hand amenities for a beach mark, making longer sessions comfortable.
- Parking: Pay-and-display bays and seafront car park beside the sea wall.
- Toilets: Public conveniences by the seafront (check seasonal opening hours).
- Food and drink: Cafés, ice cream kiosks, and the pub/restaurant on the frontage; takeaway options in season.
- Tackle/bait: Limited in the village; dedicated tackle shops are in Kingsbridge, Dartmouth, and Totnes—buy bait en route when possible.
- Mobile signal: Generally good, but can vary by network in the bay.
- Point of interest: WWII Sherman tank memorial from Exercise Tiger beside the car park.
Tips
Small adjustments go a long way here—depth is close, and fish patrol the first gutter. Travel light and move if you’re not on the fish.
- For bass in a surf, cast just beyond the backwash line or even into it—don’t blast to the horizon.
- Look for subtle longshore gutters and slight colour lines; 20–30 m moves can transform a session.
- Use Breakaway-style grip leads to combat lateral drift; step up to 5–6 oz if the sea is lively.
- Keep a spare rod rigged with a ray/hound rig—pickups often come while you’re scratching.
- After storms, the shingle profile changes; fresh scours and shelves often hold fish for a few tides.
- Summer evenings can be hectic with mackerel; switch to a single lure or float rig if birds and shoals push in to avoid foul-hooking.
- If weed is relentless at one end of the village, walk 100–200 m; pockets of clearer water are common.
Regulations
Torcross beach is open to sea angling, but it borders the Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve—respect reserve boundaries and any onsite signs. Always check the latest rules before you go.
- Jurisdiction: Devon & Severn IFCA district for local byelaws; national rules enforced by the MMO.
- Bass: Subject to seasonal restrictions, bag limits, and a 42 cm minimum size—check current MMO guidance for dates and daily allowance before retaining fish.
- Rays: Correctly identify species; many anglers release undulate rays as a best practice—if unsure of ID, release.
- Mullet: No special local rules commonly applied on the open beach, but parts of Slapton Ley are no-fishing—do not fish or bait-gather within the reserve areas.
- Shellfish/crustaceans: National protections apply (e.g., no berried lobster/crab retention) and local MLS/byelaws—consult Devon & Severn IFCA if collecting from shore.
- Bathing zones: In peak season there may be swimming areas; avoid fishing within marked zones and follow any lifeguard or local authority direction.
- General: Take only what you need, adhere to size/bag limits, and leave no litter or discarded line/hooks.
