Dollar Cove

Dollar Cove, also known locally as Jangye Ryn, sits just north of Gunwalloe Church Cove on Cornwall’s Lizard peninsula. This exposed, mixed ground beach-and-reef mark is a classic west coast bass venue with rock options for wrasse and pollack, plus surf species over the sand patches. It rewards attentive anglers who time the swell and tide, but demands respect in heavy seas.

Getting to the mark is straightforward, with short walks from National Trust car parks and paths onto sand, shingle and low reef. Expect uneven footing and some short, steep sections of coast path and steps.

• Drive from Helston on the A3083 towards The Lizard, then follow signs for Gunwalloe/Church Cove.
• Primary parking: National Trust Gunwalloe Church Cove car park (postcode area TR12 7QE). Seasonal overflow/field parking may open nearby in peak months.
• From the car park, walk the South West Coast Path north for 5–10 minutes to Dollar Cove; access is via obvious beach paths and short steps.
• Terrain: mixed sand and shingle with rocky ledges and reef fingers; kelp beds at lower states. Boots with good grip advised.
• Note that Church Cove has summer lifeguard flags for bathers; keep fishing activity outside flagged swim zones.

Dollar Cove fishes very seasonally, with bass and rock species in warmer months and surf species through autumn into winter. Occasional surprises turn up after big blows.

• Spring (Mar–May):
  • Bass on a building swell, especially late spring
  • Pollack around reef edges
  • Ballan wrasse (increasing as water warms)
  • Occasional small-eyed or spotted ray over sandy tongues
• Summer (Jun–Aug):
  • Bass at dawn/dusk on lures or crab baits
  • Mackerel, garfish and scad on calmer evenings
  • Ballan and corkwing wrasse tight to rock and kelp
  • Pollack from the deeper gullies
  • Occasional smoothhound and gurnard over sand patches
• Autumn (Sep–Nov):
  • Peak bass season in surf and coloured water
  • Bull huss and dogfish after dark
  • Rays (small-eyed/spotted) on settled, mild seas
  • Pout and poor cod tight to rough ground
• Winter (Dec–Feb):
  • Whiting and dogfish on night tides
  • Bull huss and conger from the rougher fringes
  • Chance of a storm bass tight in the gutter on crab or lug

This is a versatile mark: surf fishing across the sand, rough-ground ledgering on the fringes, and lure or float work around the reef. Scale your approach to the sea state.

• Surf and mixed-ground ledgering:
  • Rigs: pulley pennel (4–5 oz lead), up-and-over for rays, two-hook flapper for whiting/scad in calmer water
  • Baits: peeler/squid cocktail, whole or fillet sandeel, fresh mackerel strip, lug/rag, razorfish after storms
  • Cast to sand tongues between reef fingers; use rotten-bottom links to save gear
• Lure fishing (bass/pollack/gar):
  • Shallow-diving plugs, weedless soft plastics (4–6 in), metal spoons in calm or moderate swell
  • Work parallel to surf lines at first light/last light; fish the white water pockets and channels
• Float fishing (wrasse/gar/pollack):
  • Float-stop rigs with size 1–2 hooks, depth set 6–15 ft around kelp edges
  • Baits: hardback or peeler crab, ragworm, prawn; small slivers of mackerel for gar
• Light game/LRF on quiet days:
  • 1–7 g metals and isome-style worms for corkwing, scad, small pollack and mini species
• Best times: dawn/dusk changeovers, the first push of flood, and the last two hours of ebb when gullies drain and concentrate fish.

Tide timing and swell direction are everything here. Aim to fish forming surf and avoid being pushed onto the reef by big spring tides.

• Tide states:
  • Flood tide is prime for bass in the surf; 2 hours before high through to just after
  • Ebb can shine for lure work as gullies drain and current forms along reef edges
  • Neaps offer safer rock access; springs create stronger rips and faster cut-offs
• Sea and wind:
  • West–northwest swell creates ideal surf tables for bass; slight colour is a positive
  • Moderate SW–W winds good; strong onshores make rock ledges dangerous and fishing ineffective
  • Clear, calm periods suit lures at dawn/dusk; coloured water favours crab/lug/sandeel baits
• Seasonality and light:
  • Late summer to late autumn is the headline bass window
  • Night sessions produce rays, huss and whiting on settled seas
  • After storms, 24–48 hours of dropping swell can be exceptional for bass and rays

This is an exposed Atlantic mark with powerful surf, rips and slippery reef. Choose conditions carefully, fish with a partner where possible, and keep escape routes in mind.

• Wear a personal flotation device on the rocks; carry a headtorch and spare light for dusk or night exits
• Check swell forecasts; avoid rock ledges in heavy seas and never turn your back on the water
• Rips and backwash are common on springs and bigger swells; keep wading to an absolute minimum
• Slippery kelp and uneven boulders: use grippy boots and move deliberately
• Beware cut-off ledges on a flooding tide; note safe exit points before starting
• Limited mobile signal pockets; tell someone your plan and expected return time
• Summer lifeguard flags at neighbouring Church Cove designate swim/bathing areas—do not fish within these zones
• Accessibility: beach approach involves uneven paths/steps; not suitable for wheelchairs or very limited mobility

Facilities are sparse at the cove itself, with seasonal amenities in the immediate area and fuller services in Helston and Porthleven.

• Parking: National Trust car parks at Church Cove; charges/season tickets may apply
• Toilets: usually available seasonally near the Church Cove car park (check National Trust notices)
• Food/drink: seasonal kiosks/cafés around Church Cove and nearby beaches; Halzephron Inn in Gunwalloe village; more options in Porthleven and Helston
• Tackle/bait: available in Helston and Porthleven; phone ahead for fresh bait supplies
• Mobile signal: variable on the beach; generally better on higher ground; no lighting after dark

Small positioning tweaks make a big difference at Dollar Cove. Read the water, travel light, and be ready to move as the tide changes.

• Watch for sand tongues between the reef fingers—those lanes are bass highways on a pushing tide
• Weed can be heavy after a blow; carry spare leaders, clips and rotten-bottom links
• On coloured seas, fish big, scent-heavy baits (crab, squid/sandeel) at short to mid range
• In clear water, go stealthy with weedless soft plastics and keep noise to a minimum on the rocks
• A simple tripod buried into the shingle stabilises in backwash; keep rod tips high over weed
• Gulls and diving terns often mark bait lines at first light—get a lure under them quickly
• Night huss fishing: fresh mackerel or squid on a strong pulley pennel, set just off the rough-to-sand line
• Respect local bathers and surfers in summer; early and late sessions avoid conflicts and fish better anyway

Recreational sea angling from the shore is permitted at Dollar Cove, but several national and local rules apply. Always check the latest official guidance before you go.

• No rod licence is required for sea fishing in England from the shore
• Bass rules: at the time of writing, recreational bass retention has typically been limited to a 2-fish daily bag (minimum size 42 cm) from 1 March–30 November, with catch-and-release only in December–February; confirm current MMO/DEFRA notices before retaining any bass
• Minimum Conservation Reference Sizes (MCRS) apply to many species; measure fish and return undersized specimens promptly
• Cornwall IFCA byelaws restrict some netting/collecting activities; rod-and-line angling is generally unaffected but check for any local prohibitions or seasonal protections
• National Trust land: follow site signage; no camping or fires on the cliffs/dunes; keep access paths clear and take all litter home
• Do not fish within any flagged bathing areas at Church Cove during the lifeguarded season
• If gathering your own bait, avoid protected habitats and observe local restrictions and sustainable collection practices