Summary
Basset’s Cove sits on the dramatic North Cliffs between Portreath and Godrevy on Cornwall’s Atlantic coast. It’s a rugged, kelp-fringed mark with deep water close in, broken ground, and pockets of sand that draw predators. Experienced rock and surf anglers rate it for bass, pollack and wrasse when the swell and tide align.
Location and Access
This is a wild stretch of coastline accessed from the B3301 North Cliffs road, with short walks from cliff-top lay-bys to the coastal path. Access to the beach and lower rock ledges is steep and can be treacherous after rain or heavy seas; many anglers choose to fish safer higher ledges or adjacent headlands.
- Location: North Cliffs between Portreath and Godrevy; signed pull-ins for Basset’s Cove off the B3301.
- Parking: Small lay-bys/cliff-top pull-ins; arrive early in summer. No formal lighting or overnight security. If you need a postcode for sat nav, aim for North Cliffs/B3301 near Tehidy; exact postcodes vary.
- Approach: Short walk on the South West Coast Path, then steep, uneven desire paths to lower ground. Ground is a mix of grassed cliff tops, rocky steps and boulders.
- Footwear: Sturdy boots with good grip; wading boots with studs help on weeded rock.
- Note: Paths and ground here are subject to erosion and landslips; heed any closures or warning signage and never cut new paths.
Seasons
The cove and its flanking headlands fish differently through the year. Expect classic North Coast species with a few seasonal visitors.
- Spring: Schoolie to mid-size bass, pollack, ballan and corkwing wrasse, garfish on calm, clear days; occasional plaice/sole unlikely here due to rough ground but odd flounder can show inside the cove after storms.
- Summer: Bass (dawn/dusk and in fizz), pollack to good sizes, mackerel, garfish, scad at night, wrasse (some very big ballans), pout, dogfish; occasional thin-lipped mullet nosing around the cove in settled water.
- Autumn: Peak bass and pollack, more consistent mackerel and scad; bull huss after dark; conger from rough gullies; odd triggerfish in warm, settled spells.
- Winter: Whiting on calmer nights, conger and huss in the rough, the odd codling in a proper northerly blow; bass still possible in coloured seas following storms.
Methods
Rough ground meets sand tongues here, so match tactics to the feature in front of you. Lures excel around the headland shoulders; baits score in the gullies and on sandy patches.
- Lure fishing: 20–40 g metal jigs and slim spoons for mackerel/scad; 20–30 g weedless paddle-tails and sandeel patterns for pollack/bass; surface walkers and small pencils at first/last light in settled swell.
- Float fishing: Slow-sink float with ragworm, prawn or mackerel strip for wrasse and pollack along kelp edges; set 8–15 ft depending on ledge height and depth.
- Bottom fishing: Pulley/pulley dropper with 3/0–4/0 hooks for bass/huss; 2/0–3/0 for mixed fish. Use rotten-bottom (weak link) leads over rough ground. 4–6 oz grip leads hold on the flood.
- Baits: Peeler or hard crab for bass/wrasse, fresh mackerel or squid strips for pollack/huss, sandeel for bass/rays if you can reach sand tongues, rag/lug for general.
- Line/leader: 20–30 lb mainline (or 30–40 lb braid) with 50–60 lb rubbing leader. For conger/huss, step hooklengths to 80 lb mono.
- Night sessions: Fish big crab or mackerel baits into the seams between rock and sand; carry a drop-net for higher ledges if you intend to retain fish.
Tides and Conditions
The mark fishes best when Atlantic energy is present but manageable. Water clarity and swell direction dictate whether you lure, bait fish, or go home.
- Tide: Flood tide draws fish tight to the rocks; last two hours of the flood and first hour of the ebb are prime for bass. Pollack often peak on the ebb as rips form off the headlands.
- Swell: A modest W–NW swell with fizz (2–4 ft) and some colour is excellent for bass; glassy or lightly rippled seas suit lures for pollack, mackerel and gar.
- Wind: Light offshore or cross-off from the E/SE improves clarity for lure work; strong onshore winds quickly make it dangerous.
- Time of day: Dawn and dusk are standout; after dark brings huss, conger and better bass on bait.
- Seasonality: April–November is the most consistent; winter needs a weather window and bigger baits.
Safety
This is a serious, committing rock mark beneath unstable cliffs. Treat it with respect and do not descend to low ledges in big swell or on spring tides.
- Cliffs/erosion: Frequent rockfalls and landslips; keep well back from edges and obey closures. Avoid fishing under actively crumbling faces.
- Swell/surges: Atlantic sets and rogue waves occur even on small forecasts; never turn your back on the sea; fish well above the wash line.
- Cut-off risk: The small beach and some low ledges get cut off quickly on the flood; plan your exit and set a turnaround time.
- Footing: Weed, kelp and algae make rock extremely slippery; wear studs/cleats. Headtorch and spare batteries essential if finishing in the dark.
- Gear handling: High ledges make landing fish tricky; use a drop-net where safe, otherwise release at water level. Do not attempt risky climbs with a rod in hand.
- Solo fishing: Not advised. Tell someone your plan; carry a charged phone in a dry pouch. A lightweight inflatable lifejacket is strongly recommended.
- Accessibility: Not suitable for those with limited mobility, pushchairs or trolleys.
Facilities
This is a natural, undeveloped spot with very limited amenities on site. Plan to be self-sufficient and pack out all litter.
- Toilets: None at the cove. Public toilets usually available in Portreath and at larger car parks near Godrevy (seasonal opening).
- Food/drink: Cafés, pubs and takeaways in Portreath; seasonal kiosks near Godrevy. Bring water on hot days—no shade.
- Tackle/bait: Tackle shops and bait in Camborne/Pool/Redruth and Hayle; ring ahead for fresh crab or rag.
- Mobile signal: Generally decent on the cliff tops; can drop out in the cove.
- Parking: Small cliff-top lay-bys; no marked bays and no lighting. Respect local residents and gateways.
Tips
Read the water more than the forecast here; micro-changes in swell and colour can switch the mark on or off in minutes.
- Work the seams: Cast lures along the whitewater edge where it meets clearer water; bass often patrol that line.
- Scaled-down metals: On calm, clear evenings, 15–20 g slim metals burned high in the water bring surprise garfish and mackerel tight to the rocks.
- Crab timing: First crab peels of late spring wake up wrasse and bass; dawn crab baits into kelpy gutters can be electric.
- After the blow: Give it 24–48 hours for the swell to settle and colour to hold a green-brown tinge—perfect for baited pulley rigs.
- Keep quiet: Noise and headtorch beams spook bass in the cove; fish with red light and keep chatter down at dusk.
- Wildlife: Seals patrol regularly—if one appears, expect a lull or move 100 m along. Don’t feed or interact; they’re protected.
Regulations
There is no known local prohibition on recreational sea angling at Basset’s Cove, but the area sits within a sensitive stretch of coast. Always check the latest national and Cornwall IFCA byelaws before you go.
- Marine Conservation Zone: This coastline falls near/within the St Ives Bay to St Agnes MCZ. Recreational angling is generally permitted, but do not damage protected features (e.g., reef and intertidal habitats) and avoid collecting from living reef structures.
- Bass rules: Recreational bass measures change; in recent years retention was limited by season with a 42 cm minimum and daily bag limit. Check current MMO/CIFCA notices for the exact open season and limits before retaining any bass.
- Minimum sizes/bag limits: Observe UK and Cornwall IFCA minimum conservation reference sizes for species such as wrasse (if specified), rays, rays/skates, codling, etc. When in doubt, release.
- Pollack advisories: Pollack have been subject to temporary conservation measures in some years; retention by anglers may be restricted—verify current guidance.
- Protected wildlife: All seabirds and marine mammals are protected by law. Keep distance from nests and resting seals; disturbance is an offence.
- Access: Obey any temporary path closures or cliff safety signage. No open fires or camping on cliff tops; take litter home.
- Tides/safety: Regulations don’t replace common sense—unsafe ledge access can void insurance and risk rescue call-outs; plan conservatively.
