Summary
Cape Cornwall, near St Just on the far west of Cornwall, is a dramatic granite headland where the Atlantic tide streams meet. Deep water close in, kelp-fringed ledges, and powerful tidal movement make it a serious but rewarding rock mark. Expect quality pollack, wrasse and bass sport in season, with nighttime chances of conger and huss for prepared anglers.
Location and Access
Reaching the cape is straightforward, but the last stretch is steep and exposed. The angling is from rugged rock ledges around the headland and at the small working cove just east of the point.
- Drive to St Just and follow brown signs for Cape Cornwall; there is a National Trust pay-and-display car park above Priest’s Cove.
- From the car park, a steep tarmac lane drops to Priest’s Cove; side paths and trods lead to ledges on both the west (towards Sennen) and east (towards Pendeen) flanks.
- Walk-in time is typically 5–15 minutes depending on the ledge chosen; expect uneven granite, boulders, and slippery weed.
- Do not block the slipway or the fishermen’s huts at Priest’s Cove; it’s an active working cove with boats launching at various states of tide.
- There are no handrails or formed platforms; this is natural rock fishing and not suited to those with limited mobility.
Seasons
This is a classic rough-ground, deep-water rock mark with seasonal variety. Summer and autumn are the headline months, but there is year-round potential in settled spells.
- Spring (Apr–Jun):
- Pollack (increasingly good from May)
- Ballan and corkwing wrasse on warmer days
- Early bass during onshore pushes
- Garfish as the water warms; first mackerel often show late spring
- Summer (Jul–Aug):
- Pollack (lure and float), mackerel, scad (horse mackerel) at dusk
- Ballan wrasse to specimen size; occasional cuckoo wrasse
- Bass in lively water and around bait shoals
- Conger eel and bull huss after dark
- Thick-lipped mullet mooching in Priest’s Cove
- Autumn (Sep–Nov):
- Peak bass time, especially in building seas and after storms
- Consistent pollack; mackerel and scad into October in fair weather
- Wrasse until the first frosts; occasional late-season triggerfish in calm, warm spells
- Winter (Dec–Mar):
- Conger and huss on big baits in settled windows
- Kelp-cave pollack on lures and bait
- Whiting and rockling are possible; codling are rare but not impossible in heavy weather
Methods
Rock-fishing tactics dominate here; choose robust gear and be ready to work around kelp and tide run. Dawn and dusk consistently outperform bright, flat-calm midday sessions.
- Lure fishing (pollack/bass):
- 9–10 ft rods rated roughly 20–60 g with 20–30 lb braid and 40–60 lb leader.
- Soft plastics on weedless hooks (sandeel and paddle-tails), 20–40 g metals, and diving minnows.
- Count lures down and sweep along the kelp line; hug the edges of the tide stream rather than the fastest water.
- Float fishing (wrasse/garfish/mackerel):
- Large sliding floats with 12–20 lb mono straight-through for abrasion resistance.
- Depths typically 10–20 ft; set to run above the kelp canopy.
- Baits: ragworm, king rag, hard/peeler crab, prawn; strips of mackerel for gars and macks.
- Bottom fishing (conger/huss/bass):
- 5–7 oz-rated rough-ground rod, 25–30 lb mono or 50–65 lb braid; 80 lb abrasion-resistant traces.
- Pulley or pulley pennel with a rotten-bottom (weak link) for the lead; 4/0–6/0 strong patterns.
- Baits: whole/squid cocktails, mackerel/flapper, big crab for bass in lively water.
- General tips:
- Carry spare leads and end tackle; snags are part of the game here.
- A drop-net and 10–15 m rope are useful on higher ledges; avoid gaffing.
- Travel light, keep the rod angles high, and bully fish clear of kelp early in the fight.
Tides and Conditions
Tide flow is strong around the point, with distinct rips and back-eddies off the Brisons and along the kelp beds. Reading the water is crucial.
- Tide states:
- Productive windows often bracket slack water: first two hours of the flood and last two of the ebb can be excellent.
- Neaps make bait presentation easier over rough ground; springs can trigger bass but are more hazardous.
- Sea and wind:
- A long-period Atlantic swell quickly makes the western ledges unfishable; small onshore chop can be good for bass.
- Easterly to southeasterly winds flatten the sea here and favour lure/float work; strong westerlies build surf and surge.
- Time of day/season:
- Dawn/dusk for pollack, bass and scad; nights for conger and huss in calm spells.
- Late summer into autumn brings the most consistent mixed bags.
- Water clarity:
- Clear to lightly coloured water suits pollack and wrasse; a bit of colour and fizz helps bass. Heavy bloom or chocolate seas are usually poor.
Safety
Cape Cornwall is an exposed Atlantic rock mark with real hazards. Only fish conditions you can manage and always have a clear exit.
- Exposed ledges with slippery weed; wear grippy boots/cleats and consider a personal flotation device.
- Powerful surges wrap around the point; rogue waves are common—keep well back and never turn your back on the sea.
- Some spots become awkward or cut off as the tide rises; plan a safe route and relocate before you have to.
- Strong tidal streams: avoid casting directly into the fastest water unless you’re geared and positioned for it.
- Night sessions are for experienced rock anglers only; carry two headtorches and spare batteries.
- Mobile reception can be patchy low in the coves; better on higher ground—tell someone your plan and ETA.
- Respect the working cove: keep clear of boats, gear, and winch cables; heed any local notices or cones.
Facilities
Facilities are limited on the headland itself; plan to be self-sufficient. St Just provides most amenities within a short drive.
- Parking: National Trust pay-and-display car park above Priest’s Cove; NT members usually park free.
- Toilets: Public toilets are available in St Just; there are typically no facilities on the cape itself.
- Food and drink: Cafés, pubs, and shops in St Just; occasional seasonal vans near the car park.
- Tackle and bait: Good tackle shops and fresh/frozen bait in Penzance and Newlyn; limited options in St Just.
- Phone signal: Variable—generally fair on the headland, poorer down by the rocks.
Tips
Local knowledge pays dividends at this tidal headland. Watch the water for 10 minutes before committing to a ledge.
- Work lures along the seam where fast water meets slack—pollack sit on the edge of the stream rather than in it.
- For wrasse, fish tough baits (hardback crab, prawn, razorfish) and keep the rig simple; strike and haul to beat the kelp.
- Count down metals and soft plastics at different intervals to map the depth and snags; note where you get hit.
- Late-summer evenings can produce big scad on small metals and sabiki under a float—great bait makers.
- Grey seals often patrol The Brisons and the cove; if a seal appears, move rather than feed it your fish.
- Use a rotten-bottom every time on bottom gear; it saves rigs and reduces lost fish tethering.
- In swell, pick higher, safer perches and fish shorter; bass often come tight in under white water.
- Keep noise and lights low at night—conger and huss bite more confidently in the dark.
Regulations
Recreational sea angling is permitted from the shore here, but you must follow national and local rules. Regulations can change—always check before your session.
- Bass: Recreational bass measures (bag limits, open months, and a 42 cm minimum size are common requirements) are updated annually. Check the current rules via the UK Government/MMO and Cornwall IFCA before retaining any bass.
- Minimum sizes/bag limits: Observe UK and Cornwall IFCA minimum conservation reference sizes for common species (e.g., mackerel, wrasse have no statutory MLS but many anglers practice catch-and-release for large wrasse; conger has no MLS).
- Shellfish: Strict size limits and protections apply to crabs/lobsters; never take berried females. Check Cornwall IFCA bylaws if gathering any shellfish.
- Protected areas/species: The coastline is environmentally sensitive; do not collect live baits from protected features and never disturb seabirds or seals. Some nearby areas carry additional protections—heed onsite signage.
- Access: The headland is on National Trust land; angling is allowed, but no fires, no littering, and no obstruction to working fishermen. Overnight parking/camping is not permitted in the car park.
- If in doubt, practice catch-and-release and verify the latest bylaws before keeping fish.
