With more than 20 beaches, 3 harbours and 2 piers, Torbay is a magnet for all those that love sea angling. Below is a list of all popular (and some less so) angling spots around the Bay.
Staying at the Hotel Balmoral means you are only 2 minutes walk from the sea! With a fantastic coastline and some terrific fishing spots, you are bound to find a place that suits you, or possibly even discover something new! Our resident chef, Kevin Babbini insists on only the freshest fish, straight from the Brixham Fish Market are on the menu, cooked to perfection.
The following is a sample of the best spots and their catch. All warnings must be observed and at a few places fishing is only permitted at certain times of the year.
Torquay-
Meadfoot Beach and Thunder Hole- This is a good spot for kayak fishing and probably the most disabled-friendly. Meadfoot beach is a long, rocky beach with Thunder Hole located to the end of Meadfoot promenade, offering up mostly Garfish and Dogfish although Mackerel are also in abundance here. One of the best spots to fish is near the cafe, just off the launch ramp, with Pollock, Mackerel and Garfish all making an appearance here, but also good for Conger, Bass and Black Bream. The closest beach to the hotel, less than 500 yards, just 2 minutes down the hill.
Oddicombe Beach- This beach is closed off due to rockfall and as a result isn’t fished very often. It can be difficult to reach but rewarding. Oddicombe beach is well known to the locals as an excellent place for catching flatfish. Mackerel, Dogfish and Pollock are all in abundance here, but so is the Sole and Cod if you can spot them. Just 2.6 miles from the hotel.
Babbacombe Pier- This is a very popular spot for anglers of all ages and abilities, with a fantastic pub just above the beach. Access is via a steep hill but you can drive down, with a PAY&DISPLAY car park at the bottom. Its pretty much all float fishing here and it can be hard to find a good spot as its a very busy tourist beach. Most common fish found here are the Whiting, Dogfish and Mackerel, although there are also Cod and Smoothhound if you are lucky enough. 2.3 miles from the hotel.
Hope’s Nose- Hope’s Nose is where a lot of professional fisherman go. It can be quite a tricky location to reach and is always fairly busy, often attracting a few night fishermen. It is a mix of float fishing and bottom fishing with the most common fish being Mackerel, Dogfish and Whiting, but its also possible to catch a Ballen Wrasse. Only 1.3 miles from the hotel.
Princess Pier- Located near the Princess Theater in Torquay town, Princess Pier is the most popular place to fish for locals and tourists alike. Lots of people are seen here with start up kits or with their children. The majority of people here float fish but bottom fishing can have its rewards. The types of fish caught here include Mackerel, Dogfish, Whiting and Pollock although it has been known to catch such rareties as Cod, Red Mullet and even Conger! 1.2 miles away from the hotel.
Paignton-
Elberry Cove, Broadsands- This is quite a remote destination, 7.3 miles from us here at the hotel, with sand, shingle, rocks and seaweed in plentiful supply so the fishing here can be varied. Access is via some steep paths and turnstiles so unfortuantely is not disabled-friendly. of course the season dictates which fish you are more l;ikely to catch, but the most common here are Bass, Flounder, Mackerel and Garfish, however Black Bream and Smoothhound have been caught here.
Brixham-
Brixham Breakwater- Brixham Breakwater is where most of the records in Torbay have come from and it is a very popular place to fish. Brixham Breakwater, is a massive place to go fishing. Although possibly the furthest from the hotel, at 9.9 miles away. From the car park it will take you about 10 minutes to walk to the end. The last third of the breakwater offers the best fishing and both float fishing and bottom fishing here can produce outstanding results. Access for the disabled is really good and there are toilets nearby. Again, catches depend on the season, but are mainly Mackerel, Conger, Garfish, Dogfish, Bass, Whiting, pollock, Rockling, Codling and Wrasse. Rarer catches include Cod, Black Bream and Smoothhound.
Berry Head- Berry Head is an abandoned limestone quarry situated at the mouth of Torbay, just a little further than the breakwater from our hotel (10 miles). The waters are deep around this area, as much as 100 feet just a few yards from shore. This is a very popular spot for both holiday-makers and keen anglers alike with Mackerel and Scad being the most common fish found here. In the winter, anglers fish the bottom for Cod and this is probably one of the few areas around the Bay with a realistic chance of them. There are also Flatfish, Gurnard and other species to be had. Some real monsters are often taken here. In fact, the current British shore caught record for the mackerel was taken at Berry Head in 1982, a magnificent fish of 5 lbs 11 oz taken by M.A.Kemp.
Call us on 01803 293381 or visit www.thehotelbalmoral.co.uk for to check our latest availability of rooms and special offers. If you prefer to just relax at the hotel we have live music and entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights during the off peak periods of the year, February to early June & late September to the end of December.