Summary
Cudden Point is a rugged headland on Cornwall’s south coast between Perranuthnoe and Prussia Cove, jutting into Mount’s Bay. It’s a classic rock mark: deep gullies, kelp beds, and moving tide lines that draw in wrasse, pollack, bass, and summer pelagics.
Location and Access
This is a coast‑path mark reached on foot, with a rewarding but uneven approach and a final descent onto rock ledges. There are no railings or formal platforms, so plan your route in daylight if it’s your first visit.
- Parking: Pay‑and‑display options in Perranuthnoe village; limited seasonal parking also signed for Prussia/Prussia Cove. Arrive early in summer and at weekends.
- Approach: Join the South West Coast Path from Perranuthnoe (west) or the Prussia Cove estate side (east). Expect a 15–30 minute undulating walk depending on your start point.
- Final access: Short, steep paths onto the ledges with some hand‑over‑rock moves; sturdy boots essential and packs kept light.
- Terrain: Slabby granite, weeded shelves, and kelpy gullies. Some ledges sit a few metres above the water and can be awkward for landing fish.
- Night access: Feasible for experienced anglers only; recce the routes by day and mark safe exits.
Seasons
The point fishes like a classic south‑coast rock mark with seasonal variety and consistent rough‑ground residents. Expect better quality fish at low light and in moving water.
- Spring: Ballan wrasse, corkwing wrasse, pollack, early garfish; occasional bass on calmer mornings.
- Summer: Pollack, wrasse (best period), mackerel, garfish, scad at dusk, schoolie to mid‑size bass; mullet mooching in adjacent coves.
- Autumn: Pollack (often better stamp), bass during lively seas, late mackerel and garfish runs, pout and poor cod after dark.
- Winter: Conger eel from the rough ground, rockling, pout; odd pollack in settled, clear conditions.
- Year‑round possibles: Wrasse on milder days, conger after dark, small gurnards or dogfish on the cleaner fringes.
Methods
Cudden rewards mobile fishing on lures and floats, with bottom tactics for conger or when you accept losing gear to the rough ground. Fish the edges of kelp, seams, and tide lines rather than casting blind into the heaviest jungle.
- Lure fishing: Weedless soft plastics (10–20 g heads or Texas rigs) for wrasse/pollack; 20–40 g metals or shore jigs for mackerel/scad; surface/sub‑surface stickbaits at dawn/dusk for bass on lively seas.
- Float fishing: Set 10–15 ft beneath the float to work above snags; baits include ragworm, prawn, sandeel, or mackerel strip. Drift along kelp edges and over gullies.
- Bottom tactics: 1‑hook pulley or pulley‑dropper with a weak/rotten‑bottom link; 4–5 oz leads usually suffice. Use abrasion‑resistant leader (40–60 lb). Expect tackle losses.
- Night conger: Stout gear, big mackerel or squid baits, 80 lb mono traces and strong patterns (e.g., 6/0–8/0). Keep fish clear of ledge edges immediately on the take.
- Landing: A drop net is very useful from the higher ledges; avoid gaffing bass or pollack you intend to release.
- Timing: Dawn and dusk see the most consistent lure and float action; after dark turns on conger and larger pollack in settled conditions.
Tides and Conditions
Tide flow wraps the headland creating eddies, back‑tides, and seams—great fish‑holding structure when handled safely. Cudden fishes best with some movement but becomes hazardous in heavy swell.
- Tide state: The flood into high water is productive, especially the last 2 hours up and first hour down. Neaps often out‑fish springs on the roughest ground.
- Sea state: Light to moderate SW push perks up bass; wrasse/pollack prefer clear to lightly tinged water. Big swell and heavy weed run make it both poor and dangerous.
- Wind: Offshore/northerly winds clear the water and improve lure/float presentation; prolonged onshore blows color it up.
- Seasonality: May–October is prime for wrasse, pollack, mackerel, and garfish; winter focuses on conger and night species when seas settle.
- Water clarity: Best after 24–48 hours of calm; if it’s milky, switch to noisy/scented presentations or fish baits after dark.
Safety
This is an exposed, uneven rock mark with surge risk—treat it with full respect. It is not suitable for anglers with limited mobility.
- Footing: Slippery weeded slabs; wear grippy boots or studded soles. Keep kit compact and hands free for scrambles.
- Waves: Rogue sets and rebound off the headland are common—never fish low ledges in swell and never turn your back on the sea.
- Cut‑off risk: Some lower perches become marginal or inaccessible at higher stages—plan exits and avoid committing to tidal ledges.
- Height: Several spots are 2–4 m above the water; use a drop net for safe landing and practice fish‑friendly handling.
- Gear: A personal flotation device, headtorch, first‑aid kit, and charged phone strongly recommended. Fish with a partner after dark.
- Wildlife/cliffs: Stay on the coast path where signed, especially during bird nesting seasons; avoid dislodging rocks onto paths below.
Facilities
There are no facilities at the point itself—treat it as a remote rock mark. Nearby villages cover basics if you plan ahead.
- Toilets/refreshments: Seasonal toilets and cafés in Perranuthnoe; more options in Marazion and Penzance.
- Tackle/bait: Tackle shops and bait suppliers in Penzance and Hayle; pre‑order live bait in summer.
- Mobile signal: Generally fair on the headland, patchy in the coves—don’t rely on data coverage.
- Other: No lighting, no bins—pack out all litter and used line.
Tips
Little tweaks make a big difference at Cudden. Work the structure methodically and keep spare end‑tackle for inevitable losses.
- Rotten‑bottoms: Always use a weak link on leads over rough ground to salvage rigs and reduce plastic/lead loss.
- Weedless is king: Texas‑rigged creature baits or paddletails dramatically cut snags when wrasse fishing.
- Read the water: Fish tide seams and color changes off the point; bass often patrol the white‑water edges on a building swell.
- Float depth: Start at 12 ft and adjust in 1–2 ft steps until you tick the top of the kelp without hanging up.
- Bite windows: Pollack often switch on right at dusk; wrasse peak around mid‑flood on clear, calm days.
- Chum for gars: Small handfuls of mashed bread/oil and tiny slivers of mackerel on size 6–8 hooks under a float.
- History nugget: You’re next door to the famous smuggling haunts of Prussia Cove—expect atmospheric nights and the odd bioluminescent glow in late summer.
Regulations
Fishing is generally permitted from the coast path/rock ledges at Cudden Point. This coastline includes sensitive habitats and conservation designations; angling is allowed, but extra care is expected.
- Conservation areas: Parts of Mount’s Bay and adjacent cliffs are protected for wildlife/habitats. Follow on‑site signage, keep to paths, and avoid disturbing nesting birds or damaging seagrass/kelp.
- Bass rules: Recreational bass regulations (bag limits, closed seasons, 42 cm minimum size) change—check current MMO/IFCA notices before your trip.
- Pollack guidance: Retention rules for pollack have changed in recent years; verify the latest recreational measures for ICES Area 7 before keeping any fish.
- Protected species: Do not retain tope or spurdog; release alive. Allis/twaite shad and European eel are protected—release immediately if encountered.
- Minimum sizes: Adhere to Cornwall IFCA minimum conservation reference sizes for any retained fish and shellfish; return undersized wrasse, bass, etc.
- Bait collection: Observe local byelaws for crabs, prawns, and worms; no taking from protected features and no removal of berried lobsters/crabs.
- General: No fires or camping on the headland; take all litter home. When in doubt, consult Cornwall IFCA and the MMO for up‑to‑date regulations.
