Summary
Crantock Beach sits on Cornwall’s north coast, facing the Atlantic with the tidal Gannel estuary cutting in along its eastern flank. Wide sands, shifting gutters and adjacent rock fringes make it a versatile mark for bass, flatfish and summer lure sport. It’s a beautiful but dynamic surf beach where reading the sandbars and timing the tides really pays off.
Location and Access
Crantock lies just south of Newquay, backed by dunes and the Gannel estuary. Access is straightforward with National Trust parking and short walks over soft sand, but the terrain can be tiring with kit.
- Drive via the A392/A3075 to Crantock; follow signs for Crantock Beach. Main parking is the National Trust car park behind the dunes (postcode approx. TR8 5RN; charges apply, NT members free seasonally).
- Additional parking at West Pentire by the Bowgie Inn/C-Bay area (approx. TR8 5SE) gives access to the western end and nearby rocks.
- Expect a 5–10 minute walk over dunes and soft sand; trolleys struggle and a backpack is easier.
- In summer, the Fern Pit Ferry operates across the Gannel from the Newquay side; hours are tide-dependent and there’s often a small footbridge at very low water—check times to avoid being stranded.
- Terrain: wide sandy beach, the Gannel channel and mouth to the east, with rocky ledges at both ends (more extensive towards West Pentire).
Seasons
This is a classic surf and estuary interface with seasonal variety. Bass are the headline species, with mullet and flatfish in the Gannel and occasional rays on the open sand.
- Spring (Mar–May):
- Bass (schoolies building to better fish), flounder in and near the Gannel, wrasse on adjacent rocks in settled seas.
- Early smoothhound runs on crab peels in late spring; dogfish present.
- Summer (Jun–Aug):
- Bass (daybreak/dusk and on a coloured sea), thick- and thin-lipped mullet in the estuary, garfish and mackerel from rock fringes.
- Occasional gilthead bream in the estuary margins on crab, spotted or small-eyed ray at night on the open beach, pollack from the rough ground at either end in calm to moderate swell.
- Chance of a turbot on long-range sandeel baits, though uncommon.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov):
- Peak bass time with bigger fish after blows, whiting increasing after dark, late smoothhound possible in early autumn.
- Mullet linger into early autumn; rays still a chance on settled nights.
- Winter (Dec–Feb):
- Whiting, dogfish, the odd dab or flounder; rare codling in heavy seas some years.
- Conger possible from the rockier ends after dark (experienced anglers only).
Methods
Treat it as two marks in one: a surf beach and an estuary mouth with rocky flanks. Match your approach to the water in front of you.
- Surf/bottom fishing on the beach:
- Rigs: pulley/pulley pennel (3/0–5/0) for bass and rays; up-and-over for distance and clean presentation; two-hook flapper (size 1–2) for flatties/whiting.
- Baits: fresh lugworm, ragworm, peeler crab (prime for bass/smoothhound), sandeel (whole or fillet), razor and squid/mackerel wraps at night.
- Casting: don’t blast by default—fish the first and second gutters; step up to longer casts for rays or turbot on calm neaps.
- Lure fishing (beach and estuary mouth):
- Soft plastics (12–15 cm, weedless), surface walkers and shallow divers at first/last light on the flood; metals (20–40 g) if mackerel/gar show.
- Work the colour lines where the Gannel meets the surf; bass often patrol the edges.
- Estuary/light tactics:
- Mullet: bread flake under a light float, or small spoons/spinners tipped with a sliver of rag for thin-lips.
- Flounder: light ledger or watch-lead with size 2 hooks, rag/lug/peeler.
- Rock fringes (settled seas only):
- Float fish rag/crab for wrasse; small jigs or weedless SPs for wrasse/pollack; use a rotten-bottom link if casting near rough ground.
Tides and Conditions
The beach shifts constantly; finding the active gutter is more important than absolute distance. Bass sport peaks around movement and mild colour in the water.
- Best tide windows: 2–3 hours into the flood through to high; first of the ebb can also switch on. The Gannel mouth often fishes well on the push.
- Springs create strong lateral sweep and fierce flow in the channel; neaps can be excellent for finesse and rays at range.
- Conditions: a small to moderate W–NW swell (2–4 ft) with a hint of colour is classic for bass; glassy or very clear water suits lure work, especially dawn/dusk.
- Time of day: first/last light and after-dark for larger bass and rays; daytime for mullet and flounder in the estuary.
- After storms, new holes and banks appear—re-scout at low water before your next session.
Safety
This is a lifeguarded surf beach in season with a fast, shifting estuary channel—treat the water with respect. The dunes and soft sand make access demanding with heavy tackle.
- Powerful rips are common, especially near the Gannel mouth and along banks on springs; avoid wading across channels.
- The tide can cut you off at both rocky ends and beside the estuary—plan exits and keep an eye on the push.
- Obey RNLI bathing zones (red/yellow flags) and avoid casting near swimmers/surfers; these zones move with conditions.
- Rocks are slippery with weed; wear boots with good grip and use a lifejacket if fishing from rock ledges.
- Wind and blown sand can be severe; protect eyes and electronics, and secure rod rests.
- Limited accessibility: soft sand and dune paths are challenging for wheelchairs or those with limited mobility.
- Mobile signal can dip in dune hollows; carry a charged phone and a headlamp for night sessions.
Facilities
Facilities are good in season, with parking close by and amenities in Crantock and West Pentire. Off-season, some services are limited.
- Parking: National Trust car park behind the dunes; additional parking at West Pentire. Check seasonal opening/locking times and charges.
- Toilets: seasonal facilities near the main car park; additional public toilets in Crantock village (check opening hours).
- Food/drink: cafés and pubs in West Pentire (e.g., near the Bowgie/C-Bay area); beach kiosks may operate in summer.
- Lifeguards: RNLI typically patrol in the main season—observe flagged bathing areas.
- Tackle/bait: several tackle shops in Newquay (10–15 minutes’ drive) for fresh bait and gear.
- Phone signal: generally fair, but can be patchy close to the dunes and cliffs.
Tips
Think like a surfer—read the sandbars and gutters at low tide, then return to fish them as the water floods. Mobility and timing often outfish raw casting distance here.
- Scout at low water: mark the deepest holes and feeder gutters; fish them on the flood and first of the ebb.
- After a blow, try crab or big worm baits for bass tight to the first breaker line; at night, a sandeel wrap can find rays.
- On big springs, work lures along the colour seam where the Gannel meets the surf—bass frequently track the edge.
- For mullet, travel light and stay stealthy; bread mash can hold fish in the eddies out of the main flow.
- Use a rotten-bottom link if you push into the rock fringes at either end—snags are common.
- If using the summer ferry to access from the Newquay side, set an alarm for the last crossing; the detour back by road is considerable.
Regulations
Sea angling from the beach is generally permitted here, but you must respect lifeguarded swimming zones and on-site signage. The area includes sensitive habitats (SSSI and the Newquay & The Gannel Marine Conservation Zone), so low-impact angling is expected.
- No blanket angling ban: fishing is allowed; avoid casting within RNLI-flagged bathing/surfing areas when in operation.
- Bass (recreational) rules: subject to UK annual measures—commonly a closed retention period in winter and a limited daily bag (e.g., two fish at/over 42 cm) March–November. Always check current MMO/IFCA updates before retaining fish.
- Minimum conservation/reference sizes: observe UK/EU MLS/MCRS for species like bass, wrasse (local advisories), rays, etc. Return undersized fish promptly.
- Estuary considerations: if you intentionally target salmon or sea trout in the Gannel system you need an EA rod licence; release any accidentally caught migratory fish.
- Bait collection: follow local signage—do not dig in vegetated dunes or fragile saltmarsh; some restrictions may apply within protected areas.
- It is illegal to remove pebbles or disturb protected features; keep to marked paths over the dunes.
- Parking and beach byelaws (fires, BBQs, dogs) are managed locally/National Trust—check notices on arrival and comply.
