Fishing at Sandymouth
A big, exposed National Trust sand beach 3 miles north of Bude with a stream cutting a gutter down the middle — fish the gutter and the northern rock ledges for a proper mixed bag of bass, rays and dogfish after dark.
📍 View on the mapWhat you can catch
| Species | Season | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | Apr–Nov | Sand eel or peeler crab fished hard on the bottom after dark, working the gutter cut by the stream at the northern end. |
| Small-eyed ray | May–Sep | Fish bait or sand eel cast beyond the breakers on clean sand, best on the making tide. |
| Thornback ray | Apr–Oct | Squid or mackerel strip on a pulley rig, fished at range over sand. |
| Dogfish | All year, heaviest in summer | Takes almost any fish or worm bait fished on the bottom after dark. |
Tactics
Fish two hours either side of low water over the clean sand, working sand eel or peeler crab hard on the bottom after dark for bass and rays — the stream at the northern end cuts a gutter that's always worth a cast.
Best tide: Low water and the first two hours of the flood · Best time: After dark for bass and rays; flood tide for spinning off the northern rocks
Dogs
Access & parking
Signed off the coast road north of Stibb, about 3 miles from Bude. National Trust pay-and-display car park sits around 300 yards back from the beach. Sat-nav: EX23 9HW.Get directions → Family rating: ★★☆ — RNLI lifeguards patrol in season and there's plenty of sand, but it's an exposed north-coast beach with rip currents around the gutters and rocks.
FAQs
Is Sandymouth dog friendly?
Yes, all year round with no seasonal ban — just keep dogs under control near livestock and the cliff path.
Do I need a licence to fish at Sandymouth?
No. Shore sea fishing anywhere in the UK needs no rod licence — licences are only required for freshwater and game fishing.
What can you catch at Sandymouth?
Bass, small-eyed and thornback rays and dogfish are the regulars, especially fishing sand eel or peeler crab after dark.
Nearby marks
Last updated 7 July 2026 — sources & disclaimer
Compiled from angling guides, forums and the relevant council's dog byelaws, cross-checked where possible.
Rules and conditions change, so always check current signage and tides before you go. We do our best to keep this accurate but can't promise it's error-free.