Fistral Beach Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Fistral Beach Fishing Map

A west-facing Atlantic surf beach in Newquay with clean sand and rocky headlands at both ends. It fishes best on a flooding tide into dusk and for the first hours of the ebb, especially after a dropping swell with lightly coloured water. Summer and early autumn bring shoals of mackerel, scad and garfish within range; bass patrol the gutters year-round with peaks late spring to autumn. After dark, dogfish are reliable and small-eyed rays show on sandeel over the clean ground; winter produces whiting. The rocks at either end give options for wrasse and pollack in settled seas. Access is easy via North and South Fistral car parks with short walks, but expect strong surf, rips, floating weed and crowds—avoid peak surfing times. Fish from higher, dry sand or the rocks in big swell and be mindful of fast-filling tides.

Ratings

⭐ 6.6/10 Overall
Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 5/10
Accessibility 8/10

Fish You Can Catch at Fistral Beach

🐟 Bass 9/10
🎯 Tip: Surf over sand; dawn/dusk or rougher days on a flooding tide. Shallow-diving plugs, metals, or sandeel/peeler crab baits in the white water, especially near the headlands.
🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 8/10
🎯 Tip: Very common after dark on clean sand. 1–2 hook flappers with small mackerel/squid baits; best 2 hrs either side of high water. Avoid heavy weed after big swell.
🐟 Whiting 7/10
🎯 Tip: Winter nights; small lug/squid cocktails on 2–3 hook flappers at range. Best around high water after a blow as seas settle.
🐟 Small-eyed Ray 7/10
🎯 Tip: Night, settled or neap tides. Long cast to gutters/banks with sandeel or bluey/sandeel cocktail. Spring–early autumn; best 2 hrs either side of low into the first flood.
🐟 Dab 6/10
🎯 Tip: Winter; small lug/rag tipped with mackerel on size 2–4 hooks, long snoods. Target troughs 30–60 m out; often bite in daylight on neaps.
🐟 Turbot 5/10
🎯 Tip: Occasional in summer. Drift a sandeel or fish-strip along the first/second bars with a slow retrieve. Daylight on a flooding tide in moderate surf.
🐟 Starry Smoothhound 5/10
🎯 Tip: Late spring–autumn evenings; peeler crab on running ledger/pulley. Cast beyond first bar; best on the flooding tide with light surf.
🐟 Plaice 4/10
🎯 Tip: Clear, calm spring days; long cast worm/sandeel tipped with squid on blinged rigs. Clean sand at range over low water into the first flood.
🐟 Mackerel 4/10
🎯 Tip: Late summer shoals may push tight at dusk/dawn on calm days. Cast 20–40 g metals or small feathers; best on the flood near the headlands.
🐟 Golden-grey Mullet 4/10
🎯 Tip: Calm summer evenings; tiny rag/Isome on size 8–10 hooks or sabikis worked in the surf line. First of the flood over the outer bar.
🐟 Greater Weever 4/10
🎯 Tip: Warm months in calm surf; small worm baits on size 4–6 hooks, just beyond the backwash. Beware spines—use forceps.

Fistral Beach Fishing

Summary

Fistral Beach, Newquay is Cornwall’s most famous surf strand, flanked by rocky headlands and open to Atlantic swells. It’s a challenging but rewarding shore mark, producing bass from the surf and seasonal species off the rocks at either end. Time it right—outside busy surf hours and when the sea settles—and Fistral can be superb.

Location and Access

Fistral sits on Newquay’s west side, between Towan Head (north) and Pentire (south). Access is straightforward, with large pay-and-display car parks at both ends and clear signage from the town. Expect easy walking on firm sand but rough, uneven rock platforms at the extremities.

Seasons

Fistral offers classic surf-beach targets with rock-edge variety. Species change with the seasons and sea state.

Methods

Match your approach to the state of the surf. The open beach suits surf tables and clipped rigs; the headland rocks reward lures and float fishing in settled water.

Tides and Conditions

Tides and swell dictate everything at Fistral. Look for windows when the sea is easing after a blow or on calm, settled days for the rock marks.

Safety

This is a high-energy surf beach with powerful rips and surges at the rocks. Give the sea plenty of respect and keep clear of flagged bathing/surf zones during lifeguard hours.

Facilities

Fistral is well-served compared with many Cornish marks. Expect seasonal crowds but good amenities.

Tips

Small adjustments make big differences at Fistral. Think like a surfer—read the banks, gutters, and rips—and place your bait or lure on the fish highways.

Regulations

Angling is generally permitted, but beach-use rules and conservation measures apply. Always check current notices at the beach and official sources before you go.