Salcombe Estuary
FreeA drowned river valley running inland from Salcombe's sheltered harbour mouth up through the South Hams, with enough variety in one estuary to fill a season: sandy flats near the mouth for plaice, Dover sole and thornback rays, rockier stretches further up for wrasse and pollock, and quiet upper reaches that fish well for bass, flounder and mullet when the lower harbour is too busy with boat traffic.
Access: Free shore access, no rod licence needed for sea fishing
Parking: Public car parks around Salcombe town and Batson Creek; further parking upriver near Kingsbridge for the upper estuary
Last updated: 21 August 2026
Species you can expect
| Species | Best season |
|---|---|
| Plaice | Summer |
| Dover sole | Summer |
| Flounder | Autumn, Winter |
| Thornback ray | Summer |
| Bass | Spring, Summer, Autumn |
| Wrasse | Spring, Summer, Autumn |
| Pollock | Spring, Summer, Autumn |
| Black bream | Summer |
Fine tackle pays off here, size 1 hooks with ragworm, lugworm or peeler crab for the flatfish and bream on the sandy lower stretches. Step up to 2/0-4/0 hooks with sandeel, mackerel or peeler crab if you're after the bass and rays. Spinners, lures, daylights and feathers all work over the rockier ground. Head further upriver for a better shot at flounder, bass and mullet away from the summer boat traffic around the harbour mouth.
Caught something here?
Upload a photo of your catch from Salcombe Estuary → - not sure what it is? We'll help identify it.