Summary
Dodman Point (The Dodman/Gweder) is a dramatic National Trust headland between Gorran Haven and Mevagissey on Cornwall’s south coast. Sheer granite cliffs, fast tide runs and deep water close in make it a serious but rewarding mark for experienced rock anglers. Expect quality pollack, wrasse and seasonal pelagics, with night sessions producing huss and conger for those who know the ground.
Location and Access
This is a remote, cliff-based mark reached via the South West Coast Path across National Trust land. Access is straightforward to the headland itself but getting down to ledges ranges from awkward to hazardous, and many spots are for competent, well-equipped rock anglers only.
- Park at the National Trust car park at Penare (signed for Dodman Point); pay-and-display in season, limited spaces in peak months.
- From the car park, allow 20–30 minutes on foot along a good coast path to the stone cross at the Point; gradients are moderate with some uneven, rocky steps.
- The fishing is from high rock platforms and narrow ledges on both the St Austell Bay (eastern) and Atlantic-facing (south/west) sides; most require careful route finding.
- Footing is mainly hard granite with gullies, kelp-fringed rock and occasional loose scree; studs or cleats strongly advised.
- Public transport is sparse; most anglers drive to Penare or Gorran Haven and walk in. Arrive early at weekends and in summer to secure parking.
Seasons
The Dodman offers mixed rough-ground fishing with genuine depth under your feet. Species vary by season and which face of the headland you choose.
- Spring: Pollack, ball and corkwing wrasse, early garfish, occasional plaice or gurnard from sand patches off the eastern flank.
- Summer: Mackerel and scad shoals, pollack, wrasse, garfish, bass on rougher days, bull huss after dark; odd squid late summer in calm, clear water.
- Autumn: Peak pollack, mackerel/scad (often into dusk), bass in lively seas, conger after dark, red gurnard possible from mixed ground.
- Winter: Whiting on calmer nights from the bay side, dogfish, conger; pollack still possible on lures in clearer spells; cod are rare visitors.
- Occasional: Tope from distance baits in settled periods (specialist approach), thick-lipped mullet in the coves toward Vault Beach; spurdog pass through but must be released.
Methods
Both lure and bait tactics work, but tackle must be tailored to deep, snaggy ground and strong tidal pull. Pack light, fish efficient, and expect to lose gear if you’re not using rotten-bottoms.
- Lure fishing (daylight/dusk): 9–10 ft lure rod, 20–40 g metals, 20–35 g soft plastics (weedless paddle-tails on 4/0–6/0 weighted hooks). Count down to mid-water for pollack; work parallel to the face to avoid kelp.
- Float fishing: Slim cigar floats set 10–20 ft for pollack/garfish; baits include mackerel strip, sandeel, prawn, or rag. Adjust depth frequently to find the layer.
- Bottom fishing: 12–20 lb class rod or powerful 5–6 oz beach/rock rod; pulley dropper or pulley pennel with 60–80 lb mono trace and a weak-link (rotten-bottom) to the lead. Baits: mackerel/squid cocktails, launce or bluey for huss/conger, peeler crab or sandeel for bass.
- Night sessions: Big fish baits on strong gear for huss and conger. Consider whether a safe landing is possible from your chosen ledge—if not, scale down ambitions or move.
- Presentation tips: Use streamlined leads in tide, long snoods for wary pollack under floats, and abrasion-resistant leaders (40–60 lb) around the granite.
Tides and Conditions
This headland accelerates tide and swell; fish the movement but avoid extremes. Different faces fish on different winds—use the headland to find shelter or colour as needed.
- Tide: Productive from mid-flood to the first of the ebb; springs can run hard—neaps are easier for bottom gear. Pollack often switch on around dusk and the top of the flood.
- Sea state: Clear-to-moderate water suits lures; a bit of lift and colour brings bass and wrasse onto baits. Avoid big onshore swell—sidewash is severe and dangerous.
- Wind: Westerlies and southerlies push swell onto the Atlantic side; easterlies calm that face but can flatten the bay side. Use whichever side offers safe, fishable water.
- Time of day: Dawn/dusk best for pollack, mackerel and gar. After dark for huss and conger. Winter whiting prefer calm, dark nights on the bay side.
- Seasonality: May–October is prime for variety; winter sessions are more scratchy but can produce conger and whiting in settled spells.
Safety
This is a serious, cliff-based venue with significant objective hazards. If you are unsure, stay on higher, roomy platforms and stick to lure or float tactics.
- Sheer drops, narrow ledges and loose ground in places; never climb down unfamiliar gullies or go beyond fencing/signage.
- Powerful sidewash and rebound off the rock; rogue waves possible even in moderate swell.
- Wear a marine lifejacket, grippy footwear (studs/cleats), and carry a headtorch with spare batteries if there’s any chance of finishing in the dark.
- Mobile signal is patchy; tell someone your plan and consider a whistle or handheld VHF in addition to a phone.
- Many ledges are not wheelchair-accessible; the approach path is rugged and the final descents can be steep scrambles.
- Night fishing is only for anglers who already know safe ledges in daylight; avoid fishing alone.
- Respect any temporary closures for erosion or nesting birds and keep to established paths on National Trust land.
Facilities
Dodman Point itself is wild and undeveloped; plan to be self-sufficient. Nearby villages have what you need before or after the session.
- No toilets, water or shelter at the mark; the closest public toilets and cafés are usually in Gorran Haven (seasonal opening hours).
- Closest tackle/bait: shops in Mevagissey and St Austell; phone ahead for fresh worm, crab or sandeel availability.
- Parking at the National Trust car park at Penare; membership or charges apply and may be seasonal.
- Mobile/data signal can be intermittent around the headland; better on higher ground than in gullies.
Tips
Treat this like an exposed rock mark on a big Atlantic headland—even though it faces the Channel, the tide and swell behave like the open ocean. Small adjustments make big differences here.
- Work lures at different depths; count-down methods are deadly for pollack holding mid-water off the face.
- If you see gannets or terns working off the point, have a metal jig ready—shoals can move through in minutes.
- Use a weak-link to your lead every time; the ground eats gear. A short boom or zip slider helps present baits above kelp.
- In summer, a strip of fresh mackerel under a float will pick out garfish when pollack go quiet—keep the bait slim and moving.
- After a blow that adds colour but leaves a manageable swell, try big crab or sandeel baits for bass tight to the rough stuff.
- Travel light: one rod, compact lure roll or a small bait wallet, and a throw line isn’t a bad idea on exposed ledges.
- Ticks can be present in summer bracken—long trousers and a quick check when you get back to the car are sensible.
Regulations
Fishing is generally permitted from the coastline here, but follow National Trust guidance and any onsite signage. Sea fish rules change—always check current MMO/CIFCA updates before you go.
- European seabass (recreational): At the time of writing, a 2-fish daily bag per angler applies from 1 March–30 November with a 42 cm minimum size; catch-and-release only outside those dates. Rules are reviewed annually—verify before your trip.
- Spurdog: Recreational retention is prohibited—release promptly and handle with care.
- Sharks, rays and large conger: Consider best-practice handling; do not gaff fish you intend to release and avoid unsafe cliff hoists.
- Shellfish/crustacea: Berried (egg-bearing) lobsters/crabs are illegal to retain; local minimum landing sizes apply if gathering—check Cornwall IFCA byelaws.
- National Trust: Keep to paths, take litter home, no fires/BBQs, and respect any seasonal access restrictions for wildlife or erosion.
- General: No fixed coordinates or markers define private no-fishing zones here, but always comply with any temporary closures or safety cordons put in place by the landowner or coastguard.
