This mark at the mouth of the Avon river is productive from September to early November. There are several choices of mark, including the front beach facing Bigbury Bay on the eastern flank and river beaches on both sides of the estuary up to where it turns sharply right into the river itself. The open beach shelves steadily and you can wade out to cast, but the channel inside the estuary is steeply shelving and deep water is a very moderate cast from the firm banks.
SPECIES
Small-eyed, thornback, spotted and occasional blonde rays, plus bass.
BEST BAITS
A live sandeel or launce accounts for virtually all the small-eyeds and blondes, while a live prawn is the deadliest bait you can offer for the thornies. Bass are tempted with a live eel, prawn, squid, cuttlefish, peeler crabs and marine worms. All are top ingredients for a cocktail.
TACKLE
Use a beach rod with a moderate action matched with a multiplier without a level-line facility. Fish a pulley rig tied from minimum 30lb mono and carrying hooks to size 3/0 or try a single hook fl owing trace. A paternoster can also be successful.
GETTING THERE
Come off the A379 at Churchstow and go sharp right (signposted Bantham) on to the narrow road with passing places right to the Bantham car park. For the Bigbury on Sea side of the estuary, come off the A379 at Harraton Cross on to the B3392 and follow the signs for Bigbury. A very narrow road leads down to the waterline, but it is better to leave the car and walk. There is plenty of parking.
TACKLE SHOP
Devon Angling Centre 4/5 Orchard Meadow, Chillington, tel: 01548 580888.
