The Ness is a small, secluded beach found just to the west of the Ness Headland at the mouth of the River Teign. Except at low water on very big spring tides the beach can only be accessed using an original smugglers tunnel. The tunnel cuts its way down through the red sandstone cliffs from just below the small zoo and pitch and putt golf course. The venue backs onto the awesome, high cliffs and is flanked by large rocky patches. Being small and easily accessed this venue does get very crowded with families during the summer months making very early mornings or night sessions the best times to fish to avoid being disturbed.

The beach consists mostly of red sand with a few boulders scattered about that have come from regular falls from the cliffs. The fishing here isn’t consistent but get there in the right conditions and you can be rewarded with some good catches. A rising tide will see the best numbers of fish coming ashore with plenty of bass in the late summer through to early winter. In the summer months a night tide offers the chance of hooking into a hard fighting smoothound.

Likely Species

Bass, Dogfish, Pout

Chance of Catching

Flounder, Smoothound, Whiting, Gurnard, Mackerel, Garfish

Best Baits

Lugworm is the top bait for the bass and other small species. Peeler crab is the bait to use if you wish to target the smoothounds. Spinning in the early morning or when the light begins to dim will see you catching mackerel and the odd bass.

Rigs

Simple single hook rigs are the best for fishing here.

Directions

The Ness is in Shaldon on the opposite side of the river from Teignmouth. See the Shaldon venue guide for directions to the car park. The tunnel can be found next to the toilet block, under the entrance to the zoo.