Summary
Droskyn Point sits above the northern end of Perranporth on Cornwall’s Atlantic coast, a rugged headland of slate ledges, kelp-filled gullies and fast-running tides. It’s a classic rock mark that rewards careful timing with quality wrasse, pollack and bass, plus after-dark huss and conger for the rough-ground specialists.
The mark fishes best in calmer spells with a gentle sea, at dawn or dusk on a flooding tide, when predators push tight to the rocks.
Location and Access
Perched on the cliff above Perranporth, access is via the signed Droskyn car park and coastal paths skirting old mine remains. The final approaches to the fishing ledges are steep and can be slippery; choose your route in daylight and travel light.
- Parking: Droskyn/Cliff-top car park above Perranporth (follow signs in town; sat nav area Perranporth TR6). Pay-and-display in season.
- Approach: Well-trodden coast path from the car park; short, steep desire lines drop to ledges on the seaward side. Some routes are loose and exposed.
- Terrain: Slate/killas rock platforms, kelp beds, and broken ground; lower ledges can be cut off by the tide. Studded boots strongly recommended.
- Alternative: At big spring lows, some anglers reach lower reefs from the beach side—only attempt with clear knowledge of the tide and a safe retreat plan.
Seasons
The point fishes as classic rough ground through the warmer months, with winter bringing occasional bonuses on calmer days. Expect predators tight in the kelp and scavengers after dark.
- Spring (Apr–May): Ballan and corkwing wrasse, pollack, early bass, rockling; odd garfish in settled spells.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): Wrasse (best period), pollack, mackerel, bass, garfish, scad at dusk, pout, dogfish; mullet mooching in calmer pockets.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): Bass peak with a touch of colour, pollack at dusk, wrasse tailing off late; bull huss, conger after dark; mackerel/scad linger on mild nights.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): Huss and conger on rough ground in calmer windows; whiting and pout; very occasional codling on heavy seas (now rare).
- Micro-species year-round: Shannies/blennies, rock gobies; good for LRF sessions in clear water.
Methods
This is a close-quarters, rough-ground venue. Fish are often at your feet—precision and abrasion resistance trump extreme casting.
- Lure fishing: 20–40 g metals, slim minnows, and 4–6 inch weedless soft plastics for bass/pollack; work the edges, drop-offs and flood-tide eddies at dawn/dusk.
- Float fishing: Set 6–15 ft for kelp gullies targeting wrasse, pollack and garfish. Baits: live prawn, peeler or hardback crab, ragworm, sandeel strip.
- Bottom fishing (rough ground): Pulley or pulley-dropper with a weak-link/rotten-bottom lead; 40–60 lb leaders. Baits: peeler crab, squid/mackerel cocktails, large mackerel fillets for huss/conger after dark.
- LRF: 1–7 g jigheads or dropshot with isome/gulp baits for blennies, gobies, scad on calm, clear evenings.
- Tackle notes: 30–40 lb braid or 20–25 lb mono mainline; flouro/mono leaders 40–60 lb. Strong, sharp hooks (2/0–4/0 for rough-ground work, size 1–1/0 for wrasse).
Tides and Conditions
The flooding tide draws fish tight to the ledges; clarity and swell dictate whether to pick bait or lures. North coast groundswell can make it unfishable—choose windows with care.
- Tide: 2 hours up to high and first hour of ebb are prime for predators; mid-tide over flood for wrasse in the gullies.
- Swell: Safest and most productive in small, long-period swell (<1 m) or a calm sea; avoid big W/NW swell which sweeps the ledges.
- Wind: Easterly/SE offshore winds give clarity for lures; light onshore with a bit of colour often suits bass with bait.
- Light: Dawn/dusk best for pollack and bass; after dark for huss and conger on static baits.
- Springs vs neaps: Neaps give better lure control/clarity; springs can carry weed and strong run—use heavier leads and rotten-bottoms.
Safety
This is an exposed cliff-and-rock mark with serious consequences in swell or on spring tides. If in doubt, don’t go down—and always wear a flotation aid.
- Cliffs/ledges: Steep, loose approaches; avoid in wet/greasy conditions. Not suitable for those with limited mobility.
- Wave risk: Long-period Atlantic sets can surge well above the wash line—observe for 15–20 minutes before committing.
- Cut-off hazard: Some lower platforms flood early on the push; plan your retreat and leave in good time.
- Footing: Algae and kelp make the rock slick; use studs or cleats and carry minimal, secured gear.
- Mine remains: Stay outside fenced areas and avoid soft ground near old workings.
- Safety kit: Wear a PFD, carry a headtorch, spare warm layer, first-aid kit, and a fully charged phone; fish with a partner when possible.
- Access: No formal disabled access; paths are narrow, uneven and steep.
Facilities
Perranporth is a busy resort town, so amenities are close by, though nothing is on the ledges themselves. Plan to be self-sufficient when you descend to the mark.
- Toilets: Public toilets near the beach and in town; seasonal opening hours.
- Food/drink: Cafés, pubs and takeaways in Perranporth; beach bar at the sands in season.
- Tackle/bait: Small seasonal outlets in Perranporth at times; more reliable year-round tackle/bait in Newquay, Redruth or Truro.
- Parking: Droskyn/Cliff-top car park (pay-and-display peak season). Arrive early in summer.
- Phone signal: Generally good on the cliff tops; can dip on lower ledges.
- Lifeguards: RNLI patrols on Perranporth beach seasonally—note they do not cover the rocks.
Tips
Droskyn rewards stealth and timing. Travel light, fish tight to the structure, and let the tide bring the fish to you.
- Work the edge: Many takes come within 10–20 m of the rock line—don’t overcast.
- Weedless wins: Texas-rigged soft plastics and streamlined float setups reduce snagging in kelp forests.
- Crab is king: Peeler and hardbacks sort out better wrasse; present just above the weed on a short snood.
- After-dark switch: Big, oily baits (mackerel/squid) on stout gear for huss and conger once the light goes.
- Read the water: Bass show after a modest blow when there’s colour but manageable swell; lures on the clear days, baits when it’s murky.
- Watch the birds: Gannets/terns working off the point often herald mackerel and scad pushing in on the flood.
- Leave no trace: Pack out all line and litter—kelp tangles hide lost monofilament that can snare wildlife.
Regulations
Shore angling is generally permitted at Droskyn Point; there is no specific local ban on fishing the rocks here. However, national and regional rules apply—check current notices before you go.
- Bass: Recreational bass fishing in ICES area 7 typically has a seasonal bag limit (often 2 fish per day in spring–autumn, catch-and-release outside those months). Always check the latest MMO/DEFRA notice for exact dates and limits; minimum size 42 cm.
- Pollack: Recent measures have included no-retention (catch-and-release only) for recreational anglers—verify the current status before keeping any pollack.
- Spurdog: Protected for recreational anglers—catch and release only.
- Tope: It is illegal to sell rod-caught tope; best practice is careful release.
- Minimum sizes: Adhere to Cornwall IFCA/UK MCRS for common species (e.g., bass 42 cm, wrasse have no statutory MCRS but consider voluntary release of large breeders). Consult Cornwall IFCA for the full, up-to-date list.
- Marine/land protections: The surrounding coastline includes SSSI and heritage mine features—keep to established paths, respect fencing, and avoid disturbing wildlife or historic structures.
- Bait collection: Observe any local restrictions and avoid digging in vegetated dunes; only collect where permitted and within sustainable limits.
- General: No fires/camping on the cliffs; take all litter and line home. A rod licence is not required for sea fishing from the shore.