Langstone Rock lies between the beaches of Dawlish and Dawlish Warren. The venue sits alongside one of the most famous stretches of railway line in the country that runs from Newton Abbot, down the Teign Estuary, along the coast to Dawlish Warren and then up the Exe Estuary to Exeter. The spot is characterised by a large sandstone rock outcrop which is separated from the main cliff and includes an impressive natural stone arch. This small mark is divided by a slender stone jetty with a sandy beach containing small patches of rock on one side and a shallow rocky reef on the other.
This venue is popular with local anglers but is, in general, a quiet place to fish, even in the height of summer (most sunseekers won’t walk the mile or so from Dawlish or concentrate on Dawlish Warren). The beach area doesn’t see anglers catching many species but it does produce fish on a regular basis. This is a good place for a beginner as there is usually plenty of room for casting, the ground is generally clean so tackle losses are rare (if you do find a snag then a cast a couple of yards to the left or right should miss the rock patch) and simple tactics work well here.
This is one of the few beach venues in the area that fishes well in daylight as well as darkness. The best tide to fish is from low water up to high during the day. After dark doesn’t matter as much but a similar tide should see the fish coming ashore. At certain times weed can be a problem as the tide pushes it along the beach where it gathers against the jetty. At these times its better to fish Dawlish Warren but only over the high water period to avoid the weed. It is possible to collect a variety of shellfish from the beach after a big storm has hit the coastline, often enough to fill the freezer! This will be the only bait the fish will be interested in after such storms so make use of the freebies for a chance of some very good fish (big bass are regularly caught along this coastline but it is a waiting game to find the correct baits, tides, weather conditions etc to catch one).
Likely Species
Bass, Dogfish, Rockling
Chance of Catching
Mackerel, Garfish, Flounder, Dab, Plaice
Best Baits
Fish baits such as mackerel or sprat are good for the dogfish, worms (lug/rag) for all other species except after a storm, then whatever you find on the beach is a worth a try. Spinning should see mackerel and the odd bass caught. The shallow reef looks like an excellent place to try using shallow diving or surface plugs for bass on a rising tide.
Rigs
Keeping things simple is the way to go here. A running leger, match hook sizes to the size of bait you wish to use, 2/3 hook flappers; try using sequins above the bait during clear water conditions for visual attractants. You can use a pennel rig with big baits to try for a monster fish but this is a waiting game.
Dangers
It is easily possible to get cut off by the tide if you fish the reef or jetty so plan your escape route and give yourself plenty of time to get off the venue. The rocks on the reef are covered in weed and are very slippery, be cautious when walking across them. If you fish underneath Langstone Rock itself be aware that rock falls are common. Do not attempt to fish here during heavy swell conditions, the waves can easily crash over the train line!
Directions
From Teignmouth take the A379 to Dawlish (you can park here but it is a long walk to the venue), travel through the town and head towards Starcross. As you leave Dawlish there is a right turn (signposted Dawlish Warren), follow this road down into Dawlish Warren. There is a right turn into the car park. Use the first car park on the right (if you go under the railway line you’ve gone too far) and walk over the footbridge. The rock is easily visible and the beach is a couple of hundred yards walk to the right of the footbridge.
