Dartmouth advice please

Antony perri · 17 March 2022, 15:57

Hi all, I’m new to taking my sib out on the sea it has been used a lot for carp fishing on big lakes in Europe. Me and the wife are spending a lot of our time down Dartmouth so any advise and help would be much appreciated, anything from fishing spots as this is what I love to do and then advise on all things that I should know before taking my sib out of the estuary and round the coast for trips obviously according to weather. My sib 3m and has a 10 hp Yamaha . I have a echo sounder. If there is anyone who would like to go out for the day it would be great to meet like minded people. We have our first trip booked for a week start of April many thanks for all your help

Ribstore · 18 March 2022, 10:19

Dartmouth is beautiful! I grew up rowing on this stretch, so used to know the area rather well!

If you're launching at the Higher Ferry - watch the chains! They sometimes go down as the ferry leaves the slip and come back up again!!!!

Mill Creek (head up river from the High Ferry slip and then turn left into the creek) - it's beautiful BUT watch the tides as it gets very very low up there. The running moorings are good to follow for the 'channel'.

It can get pretty bumpy on the Dart - I remember one session of serious rowing making feck all progress the wind/tide was so strong!

Watch for the big ferries going up and down the river, and crossing Dartmouth to Kingswear (passenger and car ferries).

See if you can get a map from one of the rowing club websites perhaps. If you get up past Dittisham (Ditsum) do watch the bends for shallow water. It is possible (on the right tide times) to get to Totnes and back.

I don't know anything about fishing though...one attempt off the castle with Dad and we caught seaweed twice and then ran out of hooks so went home...!

Enjoy the area!

paintman · 18 March 2022, 11:50

Can't help with details of your location but a few observations on the fishing.

You'll find your carp gear absolutely fine for sea float fishing, spinning & plugging for bass, mackerel & pollack. All of which go well on light gear.

I can recommend these & as they are self weighted use them attached directly to the mainline braid via a swivel & clip.
http://www.westin-fishing.com/en/art...he-sandy-andy/ I use the 22g natural coloured one & fish cast & retrieve in the same way you'd fish a spinner.
Self weighted Redgills etc will also work but use the smaller sizes, not the 6" ones.

I use green powerpro 30kg braid for pike fishing & sea with the 12' carp rods & heavier duty 6' drop shotting/lure rods.
Might sound a bit heavy, but it's no thicker than 15lb mono & if a lure gets caught up then pulling will usually straighten the hook enough to get the rig back which is important when deadbaiting.

I find you don't need to be far out in deep water, close in & casting towards the shoreline/ rocky areas is most productive. I'm usually in no more then 50' of water & drifting.

ETA if you use the sand andy & similar lures take some superglue with you. Glue the body to the head, it lasts longer.
As the soft body gets damaged by fish dry it with a towel & use the superglue to repair. Sets almost instantly & you can carry on using the same lure.

John McOmie · 19 March 2022, 04:49

Hi,
I tried launching from the ferry slip way at Dartmouth last October....not a car park space to be found and we went in early, so we went upstream to Mill Creek but the water was too far out and so we ended up trying Dartmouth one more time without joy...ended up launching from the beach at Beesands, free parking, a bit of a pain going over the pebbles to the water but had a great time out on the sea, lots of seals and a nice supper of fresh mackerel on feathers with a spinner as the weight.

Limecc · 19 March 2022, 09:00

Our secret for Dartmouth is to drive into the boat storage opposite the upper ferry slip, inflate and set up. If trailering, launch leave it behind in the boat store. Then park the car in the housing estate on the hill or else use the park and ride while one of us stays with the boat. Both a bit of a faff admittedly. Worst for Mrs L who prefers to sort the parking

Antony perri · 19 March 2022, 11:45

Thanks for all your reply’s it’s much appreciated we are stopping at hill head caravan park and I’ve enquired to store my boat on the water at the floating pontoon at dart haven marina it’s about 8 pound a day with parking think this takes the hassle of taking it out the water every day me and my wife will use it as a water taxi as well to visit little place 👍

Fenlander · 19 March 2022, 17:15

For me it's well worth £50-£60 a week to be on a marina pontoon all week. Usually not a significant part of the overall holiday cost and increases the time and ease of being on the water so much.

Antony perri · 19 March 2022, 17:18

We stopped in fowey last year on penmarlem campsite a short walk down a hill you have a lovely marina with a floating pontoon parking all week showers, toilets and wash off area, petrol on site and it’s safe whenever you want to pop to shops pub a meal just jump on the boat well worth 120 quid for a week

Fenlander · 19 March 2022, 17:26

Yes you might have read in the Polruan thread I was mentioning this. We just used the facilities for daily stop offs to the cafe but there's a huge amount going for that setup.

Tim M · 19 March 2022, 17:33

What a timely thread; I popped on here to search for Dartmouth launching options and this was at the top! Ive also got a few nights booked at Hillhead Campsite from the 4th April - me and a chum are escaping our other halves for a few days of exploring and pub cuisine.

I've never boated on the Dart before - also looking at launching options - Navionics and Boat Launch both show very few options. The ferry slip seems to be the most obvious. is that the one Ribeye use?

I'm probably going to launch when we arrive and keep it the Noss on Dart marina to minimise faff, but seems like a bit of a hassle having to launch on the other side of the river and then drive car and trailer back around. Parking hopefully won't be too much of an issue as we can park at the campsite and then walk down to the marina.

Fenlander · 19 March 2022, 17:43

Can't you launch at Noss?

Antony perri · 19 March 2022, 18:00

I have called dart haven marina and they said I can store my boat on the floating pontoon and parking for about 90 quid for the week this is about a 5 min drive from the camp site me and the mrs went down last weekend to look at all launching spots and caravan sites along the coast. I thought this spot was good you can launch all the time it’s close to campsite and you can use your rib for a water taxi over to Dartmouth I think your there the same time as me maybe I could tag along one day if possible many thanks

Tim M · 19 March 2022, 18:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antony perri

I have called dart haven marina and they said I can store my boat on the floating pontoon and parking for about 90 quid for the week this is about a 5 min drive from the camp site me and the mrs went down last weekend to look at all launching spots and caravan sites along the coast. I thought this spot was good you can launch all the time it’s close to campsite and you can use your rib for a water taxi over to Dartmouth I think your there the same time as me maybe I could tag along one day if possible many thanks

Hi Antony.

Certainly if our visits overlap would be good to meet up. This will be the maiden voyage for a recent acquisition of a classic 80's "Deluxe" Avon Searider, can't wait, likewise I live in France so will be nice to do some proper British boating again! I've booked a berth at Noss on Dart Marina (Premier). I presume that its possible to launch on the ferry slip on that side of the river rather than having to go all the way around to the other side....

Antony perri · 19 March 2022, 18:41

Can’t you launch from the marina ? And are you storing it in the water on a pontoon for the time you are there ? Thanks for letting me come along it’s a bit daunting going out on your own if you haven’t done it much in the open sea and it would be good to get some advise

Tim M · 19 March 2022, 18:43

Yes certainly we could do a little cruise in company! Mine will be afloat for the duration of our stay, much easier than faffing around with trailers especially after a visit to the pub.

I don't see a slipway on Googlemaps - I did email the marina earlier today to ask for the options for launching - I'll report back.

Antony perri · 19 March 2022, 19:26

It sure if me and the mrs will be there on Monday you arrive we are there the week before but as I am winding down with work and Sarah can work from the caravan we are spendng a lot more time down Devon and Cornwall I will PM you my number and if you want me to message you on info I find out on my trip I will gladly do this for you anything you would like to know I will try and find out , we also like nice pubs and restaurants so if I find any good places I will send them across also and maybe hook up on future trips 👍

Livewater · 01 April 2022, 17:13

Hey Tim M and Antony

I'm also looking at a maiden voyage in Dartmouth at somepoint this year. Still looking for an appropriate setup, however! Have you both gotten out yet?

I've earmarked another launch location (yes, I'm very keen!), Warfleet creek (near the castle). there is also lots of free parking on the road next to it and it's on the Dartmouth side so hopefully less faff for all.

Antony perri · 01 April 2022, 18:28

Hi yes I put my boat in Darthaven marina all safe and secure left in water for a week all for 40 quid come and go as you please

lakelandterrier · 01 April 2022, 18:58

Just seen this thread...it's my neck of the woods.

First parking in Dartmouth especially with a trailer is a nightmare.
The only public slip is at the Higher Ferry. there are DHNA pontoons along the embankment for upto 4.5m boats. Marin will give more security.
If venturing out in in a small SIB, the Range - the entrance to the Dart can be very bumpy and unpleasant.
If staying at HillHead - nice campsit, - you still have to cross by ferry every day.
Personally from HillHead campsite with a SIB I'd launch at Brixham and explore the coves and fishing in Torbay.

lakelandterrier · 03 April 2022, 10:53

Another couple of thought if berthing at Dartmouth with a SIB-

Have a run up river to
a. Dittisham - pontoon with walk shore. Ferryboat pub and Anchor Stone Cafe both good place for lunch right on the water

b) Stoke Gabriel - depending on tide you can get shore - lovely riverside village

c) venture further up to the Maltsters at Tuckenhay - haven't been for quite a time but be very careful of the tides and stick to the channel- I' ds only do this on a rising tide!

After time boating, before returning over the river have pint at the Ship in Dock - at town end of Coronation Park, far cheaper and friendlier than the Floating Bridge.

Enjoy