Summary
Constantine Bay sits on Cornwall’s wild north coast between Trevose Head and Treyarnon, a sweeping surf beach flanked by kelpy rock ledges and gullies. It’s a versatile mark that offers classic surf bassing over clean sand, plus wrasse, pollack and occasional conger from the rough ground at either end. When swell and water colour line up, it can be superb for specimen bass and small-eyed ray.
Location and Access
Constantine Bay is a short drive from St Merryn and Padstow on the B3276, well signposted to Constantine/Treyarnon. Access is straightforward with a pay-and-display car park by the dunes and additional parking options nearby in season. Expect soft sand and some uneven paths over dune boards.
- Main approach: from St Merryn, follow signs to Constantine Bay; continue to the beach car park behind the dunes (PL28 area).
- Parking: pay-and-display near the beach; summer can be busy—arrive early or late. Overflow options around the bay and at Treyarnon with a coast path walk.
- Walk-in: 2–10 minutes on sand/dune paths to the beach; 10–20 minutes via the South West Coast Path to the rocky points and to Booby’s Bay at the north end (exposed at lower tides).
- Terrain: wide sandy beach with shifting bars and gutters; rough, kelp-covered ledges and gullies at both ends, especially into Booby’s Bay to the north and towards Treyarnon to the south.
- Night access: simple to the beach; take care on the rocks—headtorch and spare batteries essential.
Seasons
A good mixed venue by season, with surf predators over sand and reef species off the rocks.
- Spring (Mar–May): bass, turbot (odd fish on clean patches), plaice (occasional), pollack from the points, ballan wrasse in gullies, dogfish.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): bass (schoolies to specimens), smoothhound, small-eyed and spotted ray over sand, mackerel and garfish on calmer days, pollack, wrasse, mullet around stream mouths and rock pools, conger at night from rough ground.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): peak bass time, more rays on settled seas, better turbot chance, pollack in low light, whiting increasing later.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): whiting, dogfish, the odd codling in a proper blow, bass still possible on coloured seas, conger from the rocks on calm nights.
- Occasional visitors: brill (rare but possible in late spring/early summer), triggerfish in warm late summers, scad at dusk.
Methods
Match the ground: surf tactics over the clean, lure/float or crab baits around the kelp.
- Surf bassing (beach): 12–14 ft beach rod, 4–5 oz leads. Use a pulley or up-and-over with 3/0–4/0 hooks. Baits: fresh peeler crab, whole/split sandeel, lug/rag cocktails, or squid/mackerel heads in a lively surf.
- Rays and hounds (clean ground): clipped-down long-range rigs with long snoods; whole launce or sandeel for rays, peeler or hard crab for smoothhound. Fish dusk into night for best results.
- Turbot/plaice (clean patches): 1–2 hook flappers with size 1–2 hooks, beads/attractors optional; sandeel strips, ragworm or mackerel belly. Cast to the edge of gutters and bars.
- Lure fishing (rocks and surf): surface walkers and shallow divers in calm/moderate swell; 20–40 g metals and weedless soft plastics around kelp for bass/pollack. Work dawn/dusk or overcast days.
- Wrasse and pollack (ledges): float-fish with rag/crab for wrasse; freelined/weedless soft plastics or 15–30 g jigs for pollack. Keep tackle strong—snags are common.
- Conger (night, rocks): heavy mono trace (80 lb+), big hooks, mackerel/squid baits. Fish neaps and calm seas from safe, high ledges.
- Distance and placement: bass often patrol the first and second breakers; don’t overlook 20–60 yards. On big tides, bars/gutters shift—recon at low water.
Tides and Conditions
This is an Atlantic-facing bay: swell and colour rule the roost.
- Tide state: for the beach, a flooding tide into dusk and first of the ebb is reliable; for rock marks, fish the last 2 hours of the ebb through low and first push for access and movement.
- Swell: a dying W–NW swell with light E–SE wind often produces bass along the first breakers. Too much swell/weed makes it unfishable; glassy calms suit lures at dawn.
- Water colour: slight colour (tea-green) is ideal for bait; clear water favours lures or night sessions.
- Springs vs neaps: springs open more ground at low but increase rip strength; neaps suit rock fishing and conger.
- Timing: dawn and dusk are prime; overcast days fish well. After a blow, 24–48 hours of settling can be the red-letter window for bass and rays.
Safety
A beautiful but powerful surf venue—rips, swells and cut-off risks demand caution.
- Strong rips across the bay, especially on spring tides and surfy days—never wade deep and never turn your back on the sea.
- Rock ledges (Booby’s Bay and south end) are slippery with kelp; wear grippy/studded footwear and consider a personal flotation device.
- Cut-off hazard on the north side: ledges that are dry at low can flood fast on the flood—plan an exit and keep an eye on the push.
- Big Atlantic swells can surge onto seemingly high ledges; keep well back and avoid exposed perches when swell is running.
- RNLI lifeguards operate seasonally; do not fish within flagged bathing/surf zones when on duty.
- Accessibility: soft sand and uneven paths; not ideal for limited mobility. A barrow helps with beach gear. Headtorch, spare light and a charged phone recommended.
- In an emergency call 999 and ask for the Coastguard; give clear description of your position relative to the main beach access/car park.
Facilities
Facilities are decent in season, basic out of season. Plan accordingly.
- Parking: pay-and-display near the dunes; fills quickly in peak summer.
- Toilets: seasonal facilities near the beach or at nearby bays; more reliable year-round toilets at larger neighbouring beaches.
- Food and drink: seasonal beach kiosks/cafés nearby; shops and pubs in St Merryn and Padstow.
- Tackle/bait: nearest tackle and fresh bait options in Padstow, Newquay or Wadebridge—ring ahead in summer; frozen bait sometimes available locally.
- Lifeguards: seasonal RNLI patrols—observe flagged areas and advice.
- Mobile signal: generally fair on higher ground; may dip in the coves and under cliffs.
- Lighting: no artificial lighting—carry good headtorches for night sessions.
Tips
Experience and little tweaks make a big difference here.
- Bass often sit just behind the first breaker on a pushing tide—fish short before you blast to the horizon.
- Scout at low water to map bars, gutters and kelp tongues; they shift after storms.
- After a heavy swell, try whole launce or big sandeel baits for small-eyed rays an hour after high into the ebb.
- On calm, clear evenings, work surface walkers across the corners of the bay for explosive bass takes; switch to weedless soft plastics when kelp is thick.
- For wrasse, fresh peeler or hardback crab out-fishes worm most days; keep hooklengths short to turn fish from snags.
- A small stream enters the beach—after rain it can draw mullet and bass; present a subtle bait or small SP near the colour line at dusk.
- Weed can be brutal after onshore blows; a simple pulley with minimal hardware sheds weed better than multi-bling rigs.
- If surfers are in, fish the rock fringes or extreme ends and keep casts clear of line-ups—good etiquette and fewer tangles.
Regulations
Shore angling is generally permitted at Constantine Bay, but you must follow national and Cornwall IFCA rules. Always check for updates before you go.
- Bass (Area 7): as of 2024, recreational anglers may retain up to 2 bass per angler per day, minimum size 42 cm, with seasonal restrictions applying; regulations are reviewed annually—check MMO/DEFRA for the current year.
- Cornwall IFCA byelaws: observe local minimum sizes and gear rules; some commercial restrictions apply within nearby protected areas, but shore angling is allowed. Review Cornwall IFCA guidance before retaining fish.
- Marine Protected Areas: the coastline sits near/within designated conservation areas (e.g., Padstow Bay and surrounds). These do not ban shore angling but do restrict some damaging activities—no issue for normal rod-and-line fishing.
- Lifeguarded zones: when RNLI flags are flying, do not fish within flagged bathing or surf zones and follow any directions from lifeguards/beach staff.
- SSSI dunes: keep to marked paths—do not dig bait or damage vegetation in protected dunes.
- General: take all litter and line home, do not set unattended lines, and respect private property and access signage.
- Verify current rules: check the MMO, Cornwall IFCA, and RNLI/local council notices for seasonal updates (dog restrictions, event closures, or safety advisories).
