Summary
Coverack Breakwater is a classic Cornish harbour wall on the east side of the Lizard Peninsula, offering mixed ground within easy reach and shelter from prevailing westerlies. It’s a versatile mark that can produce year-round, with summer evenings bringing mackerel and garfish and rougher, low-light sessions favouring pollack, wrasse, and nocturnal species.
Location and Access
Set in the picturesque village of Coverack (Cornwall, TR12 area), the breakwater forms the outer arm of the small working harbour. Access is straightforward but the approach is steep, and surfaces can be uneven and slippery when wet or weedy.
- Approach via Helston then the B3293 through St Keverne, following signs into Coverack village and the harbour.
- Main parking is the council pay-and-display on the hill above the village; expect a 5–10 minute steep walk down to the harbour and a tougher walk back up.
- Very limited short-stay/permit parking near the harbour; do not block the slipway or working areas.
- Access to the wall is via the quay/slip; the top is generally level but with trip hazards, mooring cleats, and uneven granite. Good footwear is essential.
Seasons
Coverack fishes like two marks in one: clean-to-mixed ground straight out, and rough/kelp fringe down the wall and off the head. Expect different species by season and light levels.
- Spring (Mar–May): pollack, ballan and corkwing wrasse, garfish (from late spring), occasional plaice/dabs on longer casts to cleaner patches, thick-lipped mullet in calm water inside the harbour.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): mackerel and garfish (evenings), pollack, wrasse, scad (horse mackerel) after dark, pout/poor cod, school bass at dawn/dusk, mullet in the basin on bright, still days.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): scad in numbers at night, mackerel tailing off, pollack good on lures in clear water, wrasse until the first real cold snaps, whiting begin on calm nights; occasional squid under harbour lights.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): whiting, pout, poor cod, rockling, conger eel after dark; odd pollack on big tides/clear windows; mullet possible on mild, calm spells.
Methods
This is an adaptable venue: float, lure and bottom tactics all have their moments. Scale your approach to the water clarity and the ground you’re covering.
- Float fishing: set 8–12 ft for garfish and mackerel with slivers of mackerel or sandeel; deeper along the wall for wrasse with ragworm or prawn.
- Lures: small metals and slim sandeel-style spoons for mackerel/garfish; 3–5 inch weedless soft plastics on 7–14 g heads for pollack tight to the kelp; micro jigs/isome for LRF species in and around the steps and boulder edges.
- Bottom rigs: 2-hook flapper with size 2–4 hooks for mixed species over cleaner patches; pulley/dropper with a weak link (rotten-bottom) if casting near the rough; large single hook traces with fish baits (mackerel/squid) after dark for conger and pout.
- Baits: ragworm and peeler/hardback crab for wrasse; mackerel strip, sandeel and squid for general work; small slivers or isome for scad/mini species; bread flake or crust for mullet in the basin.
- Presentation notes: keep baits just off the deck in summer to beat crabs; short casts and working down the face often outfish bombing long into the bay.
Tides and Conditions
The bay faces broadly east and is usually comfortable under westerlies, but an easterly blow can push swell and weed straight onto the wall. Time your session around bitey states and clarity.
- Tide: the last two hours of the flood and first of the ebb are reliable; high water into dusk is prime in summer; neaps can suit wrasse and mullet; springs add flow along the wall for pollack.
- Light: dawn and dusk are golden for mackerel, garfish and bass; full dark brings scad, pout and conger.
- Sea state: clear to lightly coloured water for lures; a little lift helps bass and pollack, but strong easterlies make the head unfishable.
- Seasonality: peak variety from late spring through autumn; winter rewards patient night sessions in settled weather.
Safety
This is a working harbour with no railings on the outer wall and a real drop to water. Treat swell and slippery weed with respect and keep clear of boats and the slipway at all times.
- Wear grippy boots; the wall, steps and boulders get slick with spray and algae.
- Avoid the head in onshore easterlies or swell; rogue waves can overtop the wall.
- Use a lifejacket, headlamp, and a long-handled drop net at night; fish with a partner if possible.
- Keep clear of mooring lines, pots and the slipway; give vessels absolute priority when launching or berthing.
- Steep approach and uneven surfaces make this mark unsuitable for wheelchairs and challenging for those with limited mobility.
Facilities
Coverack is a friendly village with seasonal amenities close to the harbour. Expect most basics, but plan ahead for bait and tackle.
- Public toilets in the village near the beach/parking area (check seasonal opening hours).
- Cafés, a seafront pub and seasonal eateries within easy walking distance.
- No dedicated tackle shop in the village; nearest options are in Helston and Falmouth for bait and gear.
- Mobile reception is generally fair, improving higher up the hill; it can dip down by the harbour wall.
- Some harbour lighting, but it’s dim at the head—bring a good headlamp.
Tips
Small details turn a pleasant session here into a memorable one. Think finesse, tidy presentation and respect for the working harbour.
- Don’t cast past the fish: pollack and wrasse hug the wall and kelp; work lures parallel to the structure.
- Mackerel show best on calm summer evenings—single lures or small sabikis outfish big feather rigs when fish are shy.
- For scad, fish tiny hooks (size 6–8), small slivers or isome, and slow, steady retrieves in the dark.
- Pop-up beads or small foam stops lift worm baits above crabs in summer.
- Free-line bread or use clear wagglers for mullet inside the basin on still, bright days.
- A weak-link lead clip saves gear on the rough ground off the head.
- Check harbour signage on arrival: rules can change seasonally, and busy summer periods may restrict feathering or fishing inside the basin.
Regulations
Coverack is a working harbour adjacent to sensitive reef habitats, so a mix of harbour rules and inshore fisheries byelaws apply. Rod-and-line angling is generally permitted from the outer wall, subject to local signage and safety.
- Obey harbour notices: do not fish from the slipway or obstruct boat movements; avoid fishing inside the basin when vessels are active.
- The coastline lies adjacent to The Manacles Marine Conservation Zone; recreational rod fishing is allowed, but respect protections for designated features and avoid damaging the reef/kelp.
- Bass management measures apply on the south coast: there is typically a closed winter period, a minimum size, and a small daily bag limit—check current MMO/Cornwall IFCA guidance before retaining any bass.
- Always release undersized fish and handle wrasse and mullet carefully; consider barbless or crushed barbs where practical.
- If collecting your own bait or shellfish, be aware of local byelaws, size limits and any seasonal closures.
- Take litter and discarded line home; lost tackle on the harbour wall is a hazard to boats, wildlife and swimmers.
