Summary
Boscawen Point is a wild granite headland on the far west Cornwall coast, set between Lamorna and the St Loy/Penberth stretch. It’s a serious rock mark with deep, kelpy water, powerful tidal push and superb potential for pollack, wrasse, bass and night-time conger. For confident rock anglers, it rewards effort with proper fish and dramatic scenery.
Location and Access
This is remote Penwith coast; access is via the South West Coast Path with steep, rough sections and occasional short scrambles to reach fishable ledges. Plan your approach and exit in daylight on a first visit and travel light.
- Approaches: from Lamorna Cove (pay-and-display) or from the St Loy valley/Penberth side via the coast path; allow 20–45 minutes’ walk depending on route and pace
- Parking: Lamorna Cove car park (TR19 6XQ, charges apply); limited roadside pull-ins on the B3315 near St Loy/Penberth are scarce and sensitive—be considerate and do not block gateways
- Terrain: narrow cliff path, granite steps, heather and gorse, then uneven, sloping rock platforms; some ledges require a confident step across gaps
- Footwear: studded boots or rock shoes strongly advised; hands free pack and rod sling make the approach safer
- First-timers: scout at low or mid tide in calm weather to identify safe platforms and exits; avoid new or rope-access gullies unless with an experienced local
Seasons
A rugged reef mark with depth and kelp, Boscawen produces classic West Cornwall species through the year. Expect fewer but better fish in lively seas.
- Spring (Mar–May): pollack, wrasse (ball/corkwing), bass on sandeel runs, garfish as it warms, occasional scad late spring
- Summer (Jun–Aug): mackerel, garfish, pollack to lures at dawn/dusk, thick‑lipped and thin‑lipped mullet in calmer corners, wrasse (including cuckoo wrasse), bass in onshore fizz
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): peak for big pollack, bass on rougher days, scad at dusk/dark, increasing conger and bull huss after dark, pouting/poor cod
- Winter (Dec–Feb): conger, bull huss, pouting, whiting on darker nights; occasional bonus pollack in settled spells
- Always possible: small gurnards, rock gobies, dragonets on LRF gear; occasional triggers of the unusual in warm summers
Methods
Lure and float tactics shine around the point, while strong ledger gear scores after dark. Keep it simple, strong, and abrasion‑resistant.
- Lures (mobile): 20–40 g metals, slim minnows, and 4–6 inch weedless soft plastics on 10–20 g heads for pollack and bass; work edges of the kelp and tidal seams at first/last light
- Float fishing: sliding float set 8–20 ft for pollack/garfish/mackerel; baits include sandeel strips, mackerel belly, ragworm; keep rigs streamlined to avoid kelp
- Bottom tactics (rough ground): pulley pennel 4/0–5/0 with a weak/rotten-bottom link; big mackerel/squid cocktails for conger and huss; 60–80 lb mono rubbing leader
- Scratching: 2‑hook flapper, size 2–1 hooks with rag/squid slivers for mixed fish; accept some tackle loss, use minimal lead needed to hold
- LRF: 1–7 g jigheads and isome/gulp for wrasse, scad, mini species in calmer water
- Leads: 3–5 oz typically; avoid grippers in kelp unless a steady tide line demands it
- Times: dawn/dusk for pollack and bass; full dark for conger/huss; float and lure sport best with some movement but not a big swell
Tides and Conditions
The point accelerates tide and swell. Read the water: small-to-moderate push with clear to lightly coloured water is ideal for lures and floats; rougher, coloured water favours bait for bass and eels.
- Tide state: flood and the first half of the ebb often best; fish 2 hours either side of high for access to depth and active fish
- Springs vs neaps: neaps give manageable flow for lures; springs create strong races—effective but demanding; position with care
- Wind/swell: light north through east winds flatten the sea; avoid big southerly/westerly swell—sets wrap the headland unpredictably
- Water clarity: clear-to-gin clear in settled spells (great for pollack/garfish/wrasse); slight colour boosts bass confidence
- Seasonality: late summer–autumn is prime for pollack; winter nights for conger/huss; summer evenings for garfish/mackerel
- Light: low light is a trigger here—arrive early to be set for first light, or stay into dusk; night tides for eels/huss
Safety
This is an exposed rock headland with committing ledges. Treat it as a serious rock mark—there is no easy access and no quick rescue.
- Steep, uneven paths with drops: not suitable for limited mobility or young children; go hands‑free and keep group sizes small
- Swell hazard: rogue sets wrap around the point; observe for 15–20 minutes before committing to a ledge; never fish with swell at your back
- Footing: weeded, sloping granite—use studs/felt, carry a throw line, and wear a PFD; a climbing helmet is sensible on windy days
- Tackle safety: use rotten‑bottom links; keep gear leashed/minimal to move fast if seas build
- Night fishing: recce in daylight; mark exits; carry two headtorches and spare batteries
- Lone fishing: not advised—tell someone your plan and ETA; phone signal can be patchy
- Wildlife and nesting birds: keep distance during nesting season; some gullies may be out‑of‑bounds if birds are present
- Restrictions: no formal angling ban known; some descent lines used by locals—avoid rope access unless experienced and equipped
Facilities
There are no facilities at the point itself—treat this as a self‑supported session.
- Nearest toilets/café: Lamorna Cove (seasonal, pay‑and‑display); additional facilities at Porthcurno in season
- Tackle/bait: Penzance/Newlyn shops for fresh bait and end tackle; buy before you walk in
- Parking: Lamorna Cove car park (TR19 6XQ) or limited lay‑bys on the B3315 near St Loy/Penberth; charges and space vary
- Mobile signal: intermittent; do not rely on data/coverage around the point
- Water/bins: none—bring water; pack out all litter and line
Tips
Small adjustments make a big difference here; think abrasion resistance, stealth, and tide lines.
- Use 40–60 lb leaders for lures worked tight to kelp; pollack will dive instantly—keep pressure on and turn them early
- A short trace (2–3 ft) above the lead reduces snagging; keep baits streamlined
- Mash or drip a little mackerel off the ledge to draw garfish and scad in summer evenings
- Free‑line or lightly weighted live/dead sandeel at dusk along the race for bass on neap floods
- If seals are working the point, move 50–100 m; they shut the fishing down
- Watch for basking sharks and dolphins in late spring/summer—great to see, but switch marks if they linger
- Ticks in bracken on warm days: long socks and a check when you get back to the car
- Foghorn from Tater‑du can sound in poor visibility—don’t be startled on the ledge
Regulations
There is no known local ban on angling at Boscawen Point, but national and regional rules still apply. Always check for updates before you go.
- Bass measures: recreational bass rules are seasonally specific (bag limits and closed periods); check the latest MMO/DEFRA notice before retaining any bass; minimum size 42 cm
- Cornwall IFCA: size limits and byelaws apply across species; consult Cornwall IFCA for current MCRS and any seasonal or gear restrictions
- Marine Conservation Zone: this stretch sits within/adjacent to protected designations (e.g., Mounts Bay area); shore angling is permitted, but avoid disturbing wildlife and do not collect from protected features
- Protected species: allis/twaite shad, seahorses, and crawfish are protected—return immediately if encountered
- Access: keep to public rights of way; respect private land and any temporary nesting‑bird or cliff‑fall closures
- Retention ethics: wrasse are slow‑growing reef fish—many local anglers practice catch‑and‑release for larger wrasse to conserve stocks