Berry Head Quarry
Berry Head Quarry CLOSED
A deep water fishing mark
Berry Head Quarry has the deepest water to fish in Torbay, easily reaching depths of up to 30ft when fishing from the shore.
This makes it a fantastic spot to catch most species. Mackerel are most commmonly fished for here, with a good chance of them during the Summer. This is when this mark is the busiest.
Other fish caught here include Pollock, Wrasse, Bass, Dogfish, Codling, Smoothhound shark, Conger Eel and many other species. You can really catch anything here! It is a fantastic spot to fish using lures, as the rocky shoreline provides a feeding ground for larger fish. I have had great success with soft plastics and metal jigs.
Location
If you're parking in the main Berry Head car park, walk up the road heading up to the headland. Instead of turning right and onto the point of Berry Head, where the Guardhouse Cafe is, instead, continue straight and follow the road left. Eventually you will come across an open gate on the right that leads down to the Quarry.
Accessibility
Easier than Hopes Nose, and once down at the Quarry, easier to fish than the Breakwater on the long flat concrete platform.
The walk from the main car park to the top of the Quarry is around 10 minutes, flat and along a paved road. Once at the top, there is a walk down a fairly steep paved road, down to the Quarry (5 mins). When you are at the bottom, if you fish from the Platform on the left, it is very flat and easy to fish from, however, if you wish to fish any other spots at this mark, then you will need to climb over rocks. The walk back up is a bit of a killer, not as bad as Hopes Nose (heart-attack hill), but it can be exhausting if taking a lot of gear.
Species
A Pollock, caught by myself at Berry Head Quarry
Pollock
Live among the kelp close in-and around the rocky outcrops. Prefer deep water such as Berry Head Quarry.
Caught using Soft Plastic lures such as Paddletails, Shads, and Eel imitations, as well as metal spinners such as Dexter Wedges and many others.
Larger Pollock will really test your fishing tackle, as they can put up a massive fight.
Usually feed in the morning at sunrise or in the evenings at sunset, they prefer low light and hunt their prety using their big eyes 👀
Let the lure sink to the bottom, and then slowly retrieve it in a constant motion. Your lure should be swimming just above the bottom of the seabed. This is where the Pollock are most active.
Mackerel
Arrive in large shoals, often chasing smaller baitfish such as Sandeels and Sprats.
Caught using Feathers, Metal spinners, Soft plastics. Mackerel will attack anything.
Most fun can be had using a very light rod and a metal jig, as they fight hard on light tackle, often jumping out of the water.
The most effective way to catch them is using feathers. Simply tie on your feathers and a 3oz weight using a carp rod or beachcaster. Cast out as far as possible and after a few seconds of sinking, start retrieving. If the mackerel are there they are unavoidable using feathers.
A Mackerel, caught by myself at Berry Head Quarry