Summary
Castle Beach sits on Falmouth’s seafront below Pendennis Castle, with rocky reefs, kelp beds and small sand patches that draw a wide mix of species. It’s a compact, easy-to-reach mark that fishes best around dawn/dusk and when the rocks are exposed at lower states of tide. Expect classic Cornish rock fishing for wrasse and pollack, plus summer mackerel, garfish and the odd bass.
Location and Access
This is the small bay between Gyllyngvase Beach and Pendennis Point, directly off Cliff Road. Access is straightforward, but the beach all but disappears on bigger highs, so plan around the tide for rock access and space.
- Parking: Limited on-street pay-and-display along Cliff Road; larger car parks by Gyllyngvase Beach (e.g., TR11 4PA) and near Pendennis, both a short walk away.
- Approach: Steps by the Castle Beach café lead down to sand, shingle and reef; the descent is simple but steep in places.
- Terrain: Mixed ground—boulders, weed, and finger reefs with gullies; some sand patches between the ledges at mid-to-low water.
- Public transport: Regular buses run along the seafront; Falmouth Town railway station is within walking distance.
- Space: On spring highs, usable ground is limited; at mid-to-low tide more rock platforms open up, but watch your retreat routes.
Seasons
The mark fishes like a classic Cornish mixed-ground venue with seasonal variety. Expect wrasse and pollack around the kelp, with summer surface visitors and winter scad/whiting after dark.
- Spring (Mar–May): Ballan and corkwing wrasse, pollack, early bass; occasional plaice/dab from the cleaner patches; thick‑lipped mullet nosing around rock pools.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): Mackerel, garfish, scad at dusk; wrasse in numbers; pollack on lures; school bass on calm evenings; black bream are an occasional bonus in settled, clear water; mullet.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): Continued mackerel/garfish runs, scad at night, wrasse still active through October; pollack improve at dusk; conger/pout from rough ground after dark; chance of squid on very clear evenings.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): Whiting and pouting on the cleaner patches after dark; rockling; conger from the rougher holes; school bass possible in milder spells.
Methods
This is primarily a rough-ground, lure and float-fishing venue; bottom gear works only if you pick your spots and use snag-conscious rigs.
- Float fishing: Ragworm, prawn or strips of mackerel/sandeel drifted along the kelp edges for wrasse, pollack and garfish. Set 1.5–4 m deep depending on ledge and state of tide.
- Spinning/HRF: Weedless soft plastics (paddletails, senkos) on 7–14 g Texas/Chebs for wrasse and bass; small metal jigs or spoons for mackerel/scad; shallow divers or topwaters at dawn/dusk for bass on calm days.
- LRF: Isome/gulp worms or tiny metals around boulders and gullies for mini species, corkwing and small pollack/scad.
- Ledgering: Only on identifiable clean patches—use a weak-link/rotten-bottom and long snoods. Baits: rag/lug, peeler (in season), cut squid/mackerel; pulley or running paternoster with 3–4 oz leads.
- Night tactics: Size 4–2 hooks with fish/squid cocktails for pouting/whiting; scaled-up traces with tough mono for conger if fishing the holes.
- Presentation: Fluorocarbon leaders (10–15 lb for float/lure; 20–40 lb around heavy kelp) and crimped or knot-protected stops help resist abrasion.
Tides and Conditions
Tide height dictates both access and how fish patrol the ledges. Because the bay is sheltered, a little movement often helps, but heavy swell quickly makes it unfishable from the rocks.
- Best states: Mid-to-low tide for exploring and positioning on the reef edges; the flood up to high brings predators tight in at your feet.
- Time of day: Dawn and dusk are prime for bass and pollack; into dark for scad, whiting and conger.
- Sea state: Light chop or a gentle rolling swell is ideal; big swell or strong onshore wind (S–SE) lifts weed and makes ledges dangerous. Northerlies often flatten and clear the water.
- Water clarity: Clear water favours lure/float work and summer surface species; a slight colour can improve bait fishing on sand patches.
- Seasonality: Peak mixed fishing June–October; winter becomes a narrower game of night bait sessions on the cleaner ground.
Safety
Rough ground and tide pinch points mean you should treat Castle Beach like a small rock mark rather than a family promenade spot when fishing. Give bathers and water users a wide berth and plan your exit with the tide in mind.
- Rocks and weed: Very slippery kelp; wear grippy footwear (studded soles if you have them) and avoid wading on weeded boulders.
- Tide cut-off: Some ledges flood behind you—identify retreat routes and set a cut-off time before starting.
- Swimmers/paddlecraft: Summer daylight sees heavy water use; fish early/late or off-season and never cast among people.
- Swell/surge: Even modest swell can surge across low platforms—keep low to the ground, avoid edges, and consider a PFD when on the rocks.
- Night fishing: Take a headtorch plus spare light; the reef is uneven with ankle traps.
- Accessibility: Steps down are steep and the shoreline is uneven—unsuitable for wheelchairs and difficult with buggies.
- Signage: Obey any local council signs; if temporary no‑fishing notices appear during events or peak season, comply and move along the seafront.
Facilities
You’re fishing a town beach, so amenities are close by, though Castle Beach itself is modest.
- Food/drink: Seasonal café on the beach; numerous cafés, pubs and takeaways along Cliff Road and into Falmouth town.
- Toilets: Public toilets near Gyllyngvase/Queen Mary Gardens; café facilities may be for customers only when open.
- Tackle/bait: Several tackle shops in Falmouth/Penryn for fresh/frozen bait and lures within a short drive or walk from the seafront.
- Parking: On-street seafront bays and larger nearby car parks (charges/time limits common).
- Connectivity: Generally good mobile signal along the promenade.
- Lighting: Limited natural light at night; bring your own—there’s no pier-style illumination.
Tips
Small tweaks make a big difference on this compact, pressured mark. Work the water in front of you first—many fish patrol right under the ledges.
- Depth control: For float fishing, start at 2 m and adjust down to tickle the kelp without snagging; bites often come just as the float lifts past a weed edge.
- Weedless wins: Texas-rigged 3–4 inch soft plastics save a lot of tackle when wrasse fishing tight to structure.
- Pre-baiting for garfish: A little mashed bread or fish scraps tossed up-tide can keep gars and mullet milling in range on calm, sunny days.
- Travel light: One lure rod and a compact sling is perfect for rock-hopping as the tide drops; you can always return for heavier gear at slack water.
- Explore at low: Walk the reef at a big spring low to map gullies, sand tongues and snag fields for future sessions.
- Respect the neighbours: Snorkellers and paddleboarders love this bay—flash a light and shout up when night fishing if you see head torches approaching the ledges.
Regulations
Shore angling is generally permitted at Castle Beach, but normal national and local rules apply. Regulations change, so always check current notices and official sources before your trip.
- Bathing beach etiquette: Do not fish within any flagged/swimming areas if seasonal lifeguard flags are in place on nearby beaches; avoid casting among bathers at all times.
- Cornwall IFCA byelaws: Minimum conservation reference sizes (CRS) and local measures apply to many species—measure your catch and return undersized fish.
- Bass rules: Recreational bass fishing is subject to a minimum size (42 cm) and a seasonal bag/retention framework that is updated periodically—check the current MMO/DEFRA notice for the exact dates and limits.
- Protected sites: The Fal/Helford area includes protected habitats; rod-and-line is allowed, but avoid disturbing eelgrass and do not collect undersized shellfish or exceed personal foraging limits.
- No litter or fish waste: Use bins on the promenade or take everything home; do not discard line or bait packaging.
- Local restrictions: Events or peak-season crowding may bring temporary no-fishing signage along parts of the seafront—observe any posted instructions and move to a quieter stretch.
