Bamaluz Beach Fishing

Summary

Bamaluz Beach is a small, tide-limited pocket of sand tucked between St Ives Harbour and Porthgwidden, directly below the St Ives Museum. Sheltered from prevailing south-westerlies and backed by low rock ledges, it offers fun, close-quarters fishing with light tackle for a variety of species. It’s a compact mark that rewards timing, stealth, and finesse more than brute distance.

Location and Access

Bamaluz sits on the seaward side of St Ives’ old town, reached via narrow lanes and a short flight of steps. It’s an easy stroll for most, but the last approach is steep and the beach all but disappears at higher tides.

• Parking: The Island car park is the closest and most reliable option (look for “The Island, St Ives” – postcode area TR26 1SY). Town-center car parks fill quickly in season.
• On foot: From the harbour, follow Back Road East toward the St Ives Museum; steps lead down to the sand/rocks by Bamaluz.
• Terrain: Mixed sand, boulders, and low granite ledges with weed growth; mostly uncovered mid-to-low tide.
• Public transport: Frequent trains to St Ives (branch line) and local buses; expect a 10–20 minute walk through narrow streets.

Seasons

This is a mixed ground, small-scale mark where species change with tide state and season. Summer and early autumn are most varied.

• Spring–Summer (Apr–Aug):
  • Ballan and corkwing wrasse around the kelp and ledges
  • Pollack along the edges and deeper gullies
  • Mackerel and garfish on calm, clear evenings
  • School bass over the flooding surf line
  • Rock gobies, blennies, and goldsinny for LRF
• Late Summer–Autumn (Sep–Nov):
  • Bass at dusk and into darkness on the flood
  • Mackerel and scad (horse mackerel) in shoals
  • Wrasse still present on settled days
  • Occasional squid/cuttle in very clear water
• Winter (Dec–Feb):
  • Whiting after dark on small baits
  • Pouting and poor cod in the rough patches
  • Possible dogfish; odd conger from the deeper holes at night
• Occasional visitors:
  • Grey mullet nosing along the stones in calm, sunny spells
  • Plaice/flounder are possible but not common here compared with wider St Ives Bay

Methods

Light, precise approaches outfish heavy gear at Bamaluz. Think short casting, careful presentation, and moving with the tide.

• Lure/LRF:
  • 1–7 g LRF rods with small metals (7–15 g), jigheads (1–5 g) and isome/scented worms for gobies, wrasse, and pollack
  • 3–5 inch weedless soft plastics worked along kelp edges for wrasse and school bass
  • Small spoons and slim metals for mackerel/garfish on calm, bright water
• Float fishing:
  • Slim float, 8–12 lb mono, size 4–8 hooks; baits: ragworm, prawn, mackerel strip
  • Set depth to just clear kelp tips on the flood; drift the edges and gullies
• Bottom tactics:
  • 1- or 2-hook flapper with size 2–4 hooks, 2–3 oz leads; rag, lug, small sandeel or mackerel strips
  • Use short snoods to reduce snagging; add a weak link/rotten bottom for mixed ground
• Timing/placement:
  • Fish the ledges at mid-to-low water for wrasse/pollack; move higher as the tide floods
  • Work the crease where the flood laps the rocks at dusk for bass
  • Keep casts short; the fish are often under your feet

Tides and Conditions

Tide height dictates access; conditions dictate species and methods. Plan around the flood into evening for best results.

• Tide state:
  • Mid flood to high water at dusk is prime for bass, mackerel, and garfish
  • Low to mid tide in daylight is best for wrasse along the kelp-fringed ledges
  • Springs bring life but reduce safe standing room; neaps are kinder for LRF
• Sea and wind:
  • Sheltered from SW; exposed to northerly/NE swell which can surge unpredictably
  • Clear, bright water suits float/lure; a slight colour helps bait fishing
• Time of day/season:
  • Dawn/dusk outperform midday, especially in summer crowds
  • Autumn evenings can be excellent for mixed bags and the odd bass run

Safety

This is a compact, slippery rock-and-sand venue that submerges significantly at higher tides. Be tide-aware and keep a clear exit route.

• Slippery granite and weeded boulders; wear good-grip footwear or cleats
• Cut-off risk: on springs the beach/ledges vanish quickly; note your step-off and retreat early
• Swell surges in northerlies; don’t fish with your heels to the water’s edge
• Casting space is limited and the beach is popular with dog walkers; look behind before casting
• Night sessions: headlamp, spare light, and a simple kit to keep hands free
• A personal flotation device is recommended on the ledges
• Access involves steps; not suitable for wheelchairs or those with limited mobility

Facilities

St Ives has excellent amenities within a short walk, though peak-season crowds are intense.

• Public toilets near The Island car park and at nearby beaches (check seasonal opening hours)
• Cafés, pubs, and shops in the old town and along the harbour
• Tackle and bait available in St Ives/Hayle/Penzance; check opening times, especially off-season
• RNLI presence at the harbour; Bamaluz itself is not lifeguarded
• Generally good mobile signal; limited lighting after dark—bring your own

Tips

Small water, small moves: shift with the tide and target fish that are visibly using the edges and gullies. Keep it quiet and tidy—this is a shared, dog-friendly cove.

• Carry a short-handled net; many fish are hooked tight to the rocks below you
• Polaroid glasses help spot wrasse patrol routes; drop a bait ahead of them rather than on their heads
• For garfish, fish mackerel belly on a long shank hook under a slim float; shallow set, steady retrieve
• If seals show up (common around St Ives), move marks—they’ll ruin a bite and may take hooked fish
• Scale down: size 6–10 hooks and light fluorocarbon catch more in clear water
• Use a weak-link on your lead and keep snoods short to reduce kelp snags
• Hit it early morning or late evening to avoid crowds and inquisitive dogs

Regulations

Angling is generally permitted at Bamaluz Beach; always heed any on-site signage and be considerate of other beach users. Nearby harbour structures may have separate rules.

• Bass (England): As of 2024, recreational rules included a 42 cm minimum size and a limited retention season/bag limit; outside that, catch-and-release only. Regulations change—check current UK GOV/MMO guidance before your trip.
• Cornwall IFCA bylaws apply: respect minimum conservation reference sizes; do not retain berried/v-notched lobsters or berried crabs; observe shellfish and netting regulations
• No fishing across designated bathing areas or where locally prohibited; give swimmers and watercraft ample space
• Shore collection limits and protected species rules apply—if in doubt, return it
• Dispose of line and hooks responsibly; this is a small, family- and dog-friendly beach