Let me just first point out that these fishing spots in Torquay are based on my own personal experience. I'm not a member of a fishing club but would like to join one at some point.

Fishing from Princess Pier, Torquay.
A guide by Simon Day.

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NAVSAT LOCATION
Special Destination: Princess Theater
Torbay Road
Torqay
Devon
TQ2 5
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NOTE:
Between April to June this very popular fishing spot will be plastered with cuttlefish pots and they will be very close to the wall. The pots are not just in one spot but go right along the pier making fishing any distance a real pain.

Located by the princess theater Princess pier is the most popular place to fish for locals and tourists alike. A great many people are seen here with start up kits or with their children. The majority of people here float fish but bottom fishing does have its rewards. I have seen Princess pier with as many as 50 fisherman fishing so this place can handle a lot of people.

Fishing from Princess Pier you will be either pulling in fish by the truck load or can wait hours before a bite, there doesn't seem to be much in-between. It is however a safe and friendly place to go.

If you are disabled and in a wheelchair there are half a dozen small steps to go down to access the fishing part of the pier but I have often seen wheelchairs down there so it isn't a major hurdle. This is an ideal place for the disabled! It also has metal rails going all along the seaward side of the pier so it's quite safe..

There are plenty of car parks and 1 hour waiting parking but in the summer it can be very hard to find a parking place. Getting there early or an hour before the theater starts helps.

The night fishing can be very good and it is often a lot more active at night than during the day.

During the winter months there are few fisherman and plenty of bites at night so you have plenty of spots to choose from.

At this time all the lights on the pier are in working order (finally after years!).

The two biggest problems here are:

1. The day trip boats pick up and drop off along the pier making casting a problem sometimes as you wait for 20+ people to leave/embark.

2. Inexperienced fisherman casting over your line.

I've not seen people complain about the casting over other peoples lines but in the summer when the pier is packed and you then get the family of five all with rods and who have never fished before set-up next to you.. well... you might need to take a few deep breaths every now and then ;-)

if you're thinking of starting up fishing the people here are friendly enough to offer advice and even show you how to set your line up. I've done this many times and I've seen others do it also. The only thing that people do get fed up being asked is "caught much?" because you get asked that umpteen times a day by the tourists even when you have a bucket teaming with the fish you've caught sitting next to you :-)

Types of fish caught
Photos of species

Catches (depending on season) are mainly Mackerel, Garfish, Dogfish, Bass, Whiting, Pollock, Scad and Wrasse.

Rarer catches include Conger, cod, black bream, red mullet and smoothhound.

Summer Season Suggestions (June-Sept)

Down here on holiday? First thing I'd do is get the float gear or spinners out and catch some fresh mackerel. The range for casting would depend on where about's you're fishing. As a general rule 2 to 20 yards out will do it. It doesn't really matter where abouts you fish here as all spots do well.

A lot of Pollock about as well and night fishing can go really well. Again worms or mackerel strips work well for these. Expect the most common sizes to be around the 1lb to 2lb mark.

Lots of garfish about as well. Float fish quite shallow (6 to 10ft) using mackerel strips (and beads if you like).

Dogfish can sometime dominate the area at night so bottom fishing at night with mackerel strips or squid can produce sizes up to the 2 1/2lb mark.

If you come down on holiday and want a guide I'll happily go with you (work permitting) and show you the best marks if you supply any bait needed :)

Baits to use

Best baits to use are small mackerel strips, rag worm, lug worm, sand eels, peeler crab, live prawns and squid.

Depth for float

Normally between 6 to 15ft depending on conditions

Legal issues

You are only allowed to fish the seaward side of the pier. Fishing within the marina is subject to a fine. There are also rumours that you cannot feather out to sea. This simply isn't true and was confirmed by the harbour master when I went to see him on the 29/10/04.

My rating for Princess Pier: 7/10

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