SPECIES
Bass, small-eyed ray, some blonde ray, conger, whiting, turbot, dabs, plaice and dogfish.

BAITS
Top bait is fresh or frozen sandeel which takes pretty much everything, especially the rays. Squid and mackerel are good alternatives for the rays as well as for conger and bass. Big black lug baits take bigger autumnal bass. Ragworm and blow lug are good for the whiting, dabs and plaice, with sandeel or mackerel strips for the turbot.

TACKLE & TACTICS
The beach is shallow with few if any snags and produces fish throughout the year. It is popular with summer tourists, so is best fished through the dark either side of low water.

April to early October is good for small-eyed ray, with bass showing in surf conditions all year round. Autumn is best for the conger, which seem to cruise the beach looking for food. September seems to produce the blonde ray. Dabs and whiting show from October through to February, with plaice most likely between March and June, but you need to hit long range to find the plaice.

A 5-6oz beachcaster and smaller 6500 sized multiplier loaded with 12 to 15lb line and a 60lb shock leader is the popular choice. For the rays and bass, go for a one-hook clipped down rig with a single size 3/0 Viking type hook. The flatfish and whiting are best targeted with a three-hook clipped down flapper rig or a two-hook wishbone rig, each armed with size 2 Kamasan B940 Aberdeen's.

It faces away from the prevailing south-westerly winds, so offers sheltered fishing during rougher weather.

LOCATION
Take the A361 to Braunton, then take the B3231 for Saunton and head for the village of Croyde. Pass through Croyde and look for the left turn to Puttsborough Beach. This is a narrow road with signs to the beach and car park.

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