Chapel Porth Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Chapel Porth Fishing Map

Exposed Atlantic-facing sandy cove backed by high cliffs, with rocky platforms and kelp-filled gullies on both flanks. Best fished on a flooding or ebbing tide in calmer windows after a blow. The surf can produce bass from the beach, while the adjacent rocks yield wrasse and pollack; occasional rays and flatfish come from the cleaner sand. National Trust parking is close to the beach with a short, slightly steep access. Powerful swell, rips and a fast-filling tide can cut off rock ledges—check tides and swell carefully.

Ratings

⭐ 6.4/10 Overall
Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 5/10
Accessibility 6/10

Fish You Can Catch at Chapel Porth

🐟 Bass 9/10
🎯 Tip: Work surf gutters on a flooding tide; plugs or sandeel/peeler in coloured water. Best May–Oct, dawn/dusk or after a blow.
🐟 Pollack 7/10
🎯 Tip: Soft plastics or metals around rough ground and drop-offs at dusk on the flood; spring–autumn; long leaders to avoid kelp.
🐟 Ballan Wrasse 7/10
🎯 Tip: Crab or ragworm tight to kelp-covered rocks on the headlands; rising tide, daylight, summer–early autumn.
🐟 Small-eyed Ray 6/10
🎯 Tip: Long cast onto clean sand from the beach on a settled evening flood; sandeel or launce baits. Late spring–autumn.
🐟 Mackerel 6/10
🎯 Tip: Float or feather from rocky points in calm seas at first/last light on the flood; June–Sept. Beware swell.
🐟 Golden-grey Mullet 6/10
🎯 Tip: Small strips of sandeel or isome in surf edges and gutters on a gentle swell; summer evenings, mid–late flood.
🐟 Whiting 5/10
🎯 Tip: Small fish/squid baits at range on clean ground in winter nights; mid–high water.
🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 5/10
🎯 Tip: Sandeel or squid on the sand during darkness; any tide, best when surf is modest.
🐟 Garfish 5/10
🎯 Tip: Float fish thin sandeel strips off the points on a flooding tide at dusk in late summer–autumn.
🐟 Bull Huss 4/10
🎯 Tip: Big crab or fish baits into rough ground at night on the flood; summer–autumn; strong traces.
🐟 Conger Eel 4/10
🎯 Tip: Large fish/squid baits into kelp gullies from the rocks after dark; top of the tide; use heavy abrasion-resistant gear.
🐟 Weever Fish (Lesser) 4/10
🎯 Tip: Small baits on fine gear in calm surf over clean sand; summer; mid-tide. Handle with care—venomous spines.

Chapel Porth Fishing

Summary

Chapel Porth is a dramatic National Trust beach on Cornwall’s exposed north coast between St Agnes Head and Porthtowan. Rugged slate headlands, kelp-filled gullies and an energetic surf make it a rewarding but committing mark for experienced sea anglers. Time it right and you’ll find quality bass, wrasse and pollack close in, with the sands occasionally throwing up rays and turbot on calm summer nights.

Location and Access

Set in a steep valley beneath the Wheal Coates mine ruins, Chapel Porth is reached down a narrow lane from St Agnes. Access is straightforward at the beach car park, but reaching the rock marks either side involves uneven paths and tide awareness.

Seasons

Chapel Porth offers a classic mix of surf species on the sand and rough-ground fish around the headlands. Expect quick changes with swell and sand movement.

Methods

The mark splits neatly into surf work on the sand and rough-ground tactics on the flanks. Travel light, adapt to the swell, and use rotten-bottoms where necessary.

Tides and Conditions

This coast is swell-driven. Pick your windows carefully around tides, swell height/period, and water clarity.

Safety

This is a committing Atlantic mark with fast-flooding tides, powerful surf and slippery, weeded rock. Treat it with full coastal PPE and conservative decision-making.

Facilities

Facilities are seasonal but handy, making Chapel Porth a comfortable base for a long session if you plan around tides.

Tips

Local anglers treat Chapel Porth as a finesse timing game: read the gutters, watch the swell, and move with the tide rather than anchoring to one spot.

Regulations

Angling is generally permitted at Chapel Porth, which lies within the Godrevy to St Agnes Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ). The MCZ does not ban recreational rod-and-line angling, but do respect protected habitats and local bylaws.