Fishing — Bantham River & Salcombe Estuary, South Devon

Why the South Hams Is One of Devon's Best Fishing Areas

The stretch of South Devon coastline running from the Erme estuary in the west to Start Point in the east is one of the most productive sea fishing areas in England. Several factors combine to create exceptional fishing: the River Avon and River Erme bring nutrients down to the sea; the Salcombe–Kingsbridge estuary is a protected, complex ecosystem full of baitfish; Bigbury Bay opens directly onto the Western Channel with clean, Atlantic-influenced water; and a rocky reef structure extends offshore from Bolt Head and Prawle Point that concentrates fish year-round.

The result is a coast that holds genuine populations of bass — not occasional visitors but resident fish that use the estuaries, beaches and rocky headlands as their hunting grounds through spring, summer and autumn. Alongside bass you'll find flounder, dogfish and whiting as reliable year-round species, mackerel and garfish inshore in summer, and wrasse, pollock and conger on the offshore reefs accessible by boat.

Crucially, much of the best fishing here is accessible from the shore — you don't need a boat to catch good fish in the South Hams, though a boat opens up the deeper reef marks that hold the larger species.

Bass Fishing in the South Hams — Season, Tactics and Where to Find Them

European bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) are the fish that most visiting anglers come specifically to target, and with good reason. South Devon is one of the few places in England where you can realistically expect shore-caught bass of 3–5lb+ from accessible marks. The fish are here, and the estuary system at Salcombe–Kingsbridge provides exactly the kind of habitat — shallow sandbars, river channels, baitfish concentrations — that bass exploit.

When do bass arrive? Bass overwinter offshore in deeper, warmer water and move inshore as the water warms through spring. In the South Hams, the first bass typically appear in the Salcombe estuary mouth and around Bantham in late April to May, when sea temperatures climb through 12–13°C. The main season runs May through October, with the best sport typically in June–September when water temperatures peak at 16–18°C and both fish and baitfish are at their most active. By November, the bigger fish begin moving offshore again, though estuary fish — particularly flounder — remain well into winter.

Shore bass tactics at Bantham: Bantham Beach is one of the South West's most productive shore bass marks. The combination of a sandy beach, a rocky headland (Cockleridge) at the south end, and the River Avon channel creates feeding zones where bass hunt on every tide. Fish the hours either side of high water along the beach, casting along the tide rip that runs from the river channel. Peeler crab (in season May–July) is the number one bait, but sandeel, razor clam and fresh mackerel are all effective. Lure fishing with soft plastic shads and surface poppers on light tackle (6–12lb braid on a 7–9ft lure rod) has become increasingly popular and is very effective at Bantham on calm evenings when fish are surface-feeding in the rip.

Bass fishing in the Salcombe estuary: The upper estuary and its tributary creeks hold bass throughout the season. Fish move up the estuary on the flooding tide, hunting for sand lance, small flatfish and crab. The best sport is often found at the mouth of tributary creeks — Frogmore Creek, Waterhead Creek, Batson Creek — as fish push up with the flood. Access is mostly by boat or kayak; however, several marks are fishable from the shore at places like Limebury Point (accessed via East Portlemouth) and around the ferry crossing. Fish a flowing rig with peeler crab or a 5" soft plastic on a jig head, and work the current line where flooding water meets still water in the creek mouth.

Bass Regulations — Read Before You Fish

European bass are a heavily regulated species due to stock depletion, and the rules change regularly. As of 2025, recreational anglers fishing from the shore or private boats may keep a very limited number of bass — always check the current Government recreational sea fishing guidance before keeping any fish. Many local anglers now practise full catch-and-release for bass, especially for fish under 45cm — the science is clear that releasing large spawning females is critical to stock recovery. Barbless hooks and unhooking mats are worth using if you're practising release.

Shore Fishing Marks — The Best Spots in the South Hams

The South Hams coastline offers a diverse range of shore marks, from sandy beaches through to steep rock platforms and estuary banks. Here's a guide to the most productive, accessible spots:

Bantham Beach: The most versatile shore mark in the area. The beach itself produces bass, flounder and dogfish. The rocks at Cockleridge (south end, walk from the car park) give access to clear water over a mixed sand and reef bottom — pollock, wrasse and the occasional bass are all possible. Fish the incoming tide for the best sport. The river channel edge, fished from the south end of the beach at low tide, is particularly productive for bass at night during summer. Warning: the river rip current makes wading dangerous — fish from dry land.

Hope Cove: The sheltered inner harbour at Hope Cove is an excellent flounder mark year-round, and holds small bass through summer. Fish with ragworm on a light running leger for flounder. The outer headland (reached via the South West Coast Path towards Bolt Tail) gives access to deeper water over a rocky bottom for pollock and wrasse. Accessible, free parking in the village.

Thurlestone Rocks: The rocky shore to the east of Thurlestone Sands, extending towards Leas Foot Sand, is a productive mixed reef and sand mark. Bass, pollock, wrasse and dogfish are all caught here. Fish an incoming tide, peeler crab or a large slug-tail lure worked along the rock edges. Access from Thurlestone village — note the footpath to the coast can be muddy in winter.

Salcombe Bar: The sandy bar at the mouth of the Salcombe estuary is accessible from Snapes Point on the East Portlemouth side (short ferry crossing or long walk around). Bass patrol this bar on every tide, hunting sandeels in the current. Wade fishing with lures or fresh sandeel at dawn and dusk is highly productive in summer. Don't wade too deep — the bar drops away sharply into the main channel.

Slapton Sands: The shingle beach at Slapton is a classic South Devon bass and flatfish mark. The deep water close in means you can reach productive ground without a long cast. Fish at night with peeler crab or squid for bass and smoothhound; during the day, try mackerel feathers for the regular summer mackerel runs that push inshore here.

Boat Fishing Out of Salcombe — Offshore Reefs and Wrecks

Salcombe is the main boat fishing base for the South Hams, with the harbour offering good access to a range of offshore marks within 5–15 miles. The Salcombe Harbour Authority controls launching — there is a public slipway at Batson Creek and the harbour authority runs a launch and recovery service. VHF Channel 14 is the working channel for Salcombe harbour.

The reef ground extending south and east of Start Point towards the Skerries Bank is considered among the best in Devon for a variety of species. Large bass, big pollock, cod (in winter), ling and conger are all present. Bream (red and black) appear on the shallower reef tops in summer. The wrecks in the Western Channel — some within reach of a powerful dayboat — hold large pollock and coalfish. Hire a charter skipper for your first trips offshore until you know the marks: Salcombe Charters runs regular trips from the harbour.

Closer inshore, boat fishing in the estuary and around Salcombe Bar produces excellent results. Drifting for bass over the bar with sandeels in summer is classic South Devon sport. Anchor up inside the estuary on a flooding tide and you'll find flounder, small bass and the occasional sea trout. The sheltered estuary means these marks are fishable in weather that keeps bigger boats in harbour.

Mackerel Fishing at Bigbury Bay

Summer mackerel runs in Bigbury Bay are one of the most accessible and enjoyable fishing experiences the South Hams offers. From June to September, large shoals of Atlantic mackerel push into the bay chasing whitebait and sandeels. From the shore, a set of mackerel feathers (size 2–4 hooks, no additional bait needed) cast from Bantham Beach, Bigbury-on-Sea or Hope Cove on a summer evening will frequently produce instant, fast results. Six mackerel at a time is normal when you're into a shoal.

From a boat, the mackerel run is even more dramatic. Finding the birds — gannets and terns diving from above — marks the shoal below. At its peak, a set of feathers dropped into an active shoal will produce a full catch of six within seconds of hitting the water. Mackerel are excellent eating fresh — worth bringing a cool box and cooking them the same evening with nothing but lemon and a grill. There are currently no recreational bag limits on mackerel but practice restraint — take what you'll eat.

Year-Round Fishing Calendar Summary

Planning a fishing trip to the South Hams? Here's a quick month-by-month summary of what to target. January–March is flounder and whiting season in the estuary, with cod possible on offshore wrecks in calm spells. April brings the first bass arrivals as water warms — start checking the Bantham marks. May–June is prime bass season with peeler crab at its peak, mackerel arriving and garfish appearing in the estuary. July–August offers the full range of summer species — bass, mackerel, garfish, bream on the offshore reefs — and is the best time for boat fishing. September–October is arguably the best shore fishing of the year: bass are at their fattest before moving offshore, the crowds have gone, and the fish are less pressured. November–December sees bass moving out but pollock, whiting and dogfish remaining reliable; offshore cod begin to appear on the deep reef marks.

Sources: Devon & Severn IFCA · Salcombe Fishing · South Devon Bass Guide