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Fishing in Torbay

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Foreshore

The occasional bass, pollack, wrasse, garfish or mackerel.

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22. Shoalstone, Marks out of 10: 5, Status: Worth a go

This mark has a sea water swimming pool and a car park at the back of it. It is not easily accessible for disabled anglers but can be quite good on an early morning trip for bass, wrasse and pollack. Pop onto the rocks for an hour either side of high tide and fish live prawns to float tackle for best results. You can also try other float variants for mackerel or garfish if you like but, if the prawns aren't working, then I would change to spinning with rubber eels.

23. Berry Head, Marks out of 10: 8, Status: Recommended

This is a popular mark with both locals and holidaymakers alike, offering a wide variety of species. Mackerel and scad can be easily caught on float but there are some very big garfish upon occasion, especially for the angler prepared to use live sandeels. Bass can be caught early morning, evening and night and there are also some good pollack and very large wrasse, though please put the latter back if you can. (It takes a long time for a mark to repopulate itself with big wrasse.)
   
In the winter, anglers fish the bottom for cod and this is probably one of the few marks around the bay with a realistic chance of them. There are also flatfish, gurnard and other species to be had.
   
Some people like to fish on the flat part of the Head but there are plenty of other spots where you can put out leger, float or spinner. Be very careful over some of the higher areas though, some of which should only be attempted by experienced anglers, in company, with a rope. South Side, for example, is not a place for the faint-hearted.
   
Although you can get a car down when the gate is open, be aware that vandalism over the locks in the past has caused a lot of friction with clamping of vehicles or fines for illegal parking now a very real possibility. You should also be aware that some parts of Berry Head are unstable and this has caused accidents in the past. It is a good spot to fish but stay alert if you are wandering away from the more hospitable parts of it and make sure that you clear any parking arrangements with the rangers.

You can catch most species from Berry Head with mackerel, pollack, mullet, scad, garfish and bass popular in the summer.

Legering produces conger, the bigger wrasse, whiting, pout, bull huss and the occasional flatfish or bream.

Disabled access is difficult though rangers may allow you to park at the bottom.

Charles Armstrong, one of life's true gentlemen and a founding members of Baywater Anglers, fishing at Berry Head. Now sadly passed away, Charles, despite his multiple sclerosis, used to enjoy float fishing for mackerel and garfish in particular. Berry Head was ideal for this although access was difficult for him. I don't know if you can see, but he used to use his crutches as a framework for a sunshade!