Summary
Gillan sits on the south side of the Helford mouth on Cornwall’s Lizard fringe, with the rocky promontory of The Dennis and the pocket beaches of Gillan/Flushing Cove. Clear water, mixed rough/sand ground and gentle tidal shelter make it a versatile mark for bass, wrasse, pollack and summer pelagics. It rewards mobile, light-tackle approaches and careful tide timing.
Location and Access
Reaching Gillan involves quiet, single‑track lanes from St Keverne/Manaccan, then short coast‑path walks to the rocks or coves. Expect limited parking in the hamlet itself; most anglers base themselves at St Anthony‑in‑Meneage and walk. Terrain is typical Lizard: undulating path, gorse-lined sections, and short scrambles to low rock ledges.
- Best parking: small church/village car park at St Anthony‑in‑Meneage (donation box; arrive early in summer). Very limited roadside space in Gillan—respect residents and signage.
- Walking time: 10–25 minutes to The Dennis and Flushing/Gillan Cove; allow longer if skirting the creek at high water.
- Seasonal footbridge: a temporary pedestrian bridge is usually installed across Gillan Creek (typically spring to early autumn). Outside these dates, either time crossings for low water or detour inland—do not attempt to cross soft mud.
- Access paths: South West Coast Path is well‑defined but narrow/steep in places. Final descents to ledges can be greasy with algae; good footwear essential.
Seasons
Gillan produces a classic south-coast mix with seasonal variety and clear-water specialists. Expect wrasse and pollack from the rocks, bass around the flood, and summer visitors in bright weather.
- Spring (Mar–May): bass (schoolies to mid), pollack, ballan wrasse, early thick‑lipped mullet in the creek, occasional garfish late spring.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): bass (dawn/dusk best), mackerel, garfish, scad (nightfall), ballan/cuckoo wrasse, pollack, grey mullet in still water, chance of gilthead bream around sandy patches near the creek mouth.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): bass (often the peak), scad, mackerel (early), pollack, wrasse (until first big blows), mullet, occasional conger after dark.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): pollack on calm days, rockling, conger after dark; flounder possible higher in the creek during settled spells.
Methods
Mixed ground calls for adaptable tactics. Travel light, alternate between lure, float and simple bottom rigs, and scale gear to the water clarity.
- Lures (roving): 10–28 g metals and slim casting jigs for mackerel/scad; 3–5 inch paddletails or eel‑style soft plastics for bass/pollack. Use 12–20 lb braid with 10–15 lb fluoro leaders; rig weedless/texas over kelp.
- Float fishing: sliding float with size 2–1/0 hook; ragworm or prawn for wrasse/garfish, sandeel or mackerel strip for mackerel/bass. Set depth to fish above the weed line.
- Bottom fishing: 1–2 hook paternoster or short pulley with a weak/rotten bottom link. Baits: peeler/soft crab, ragworm, sandeel, squid/mackerel strip. Target bass/gilthead on clean patches around the creek mouth on the flood.
- Mullet tactics: bread mash and flake on size 8–12 hooks; long, light fluorocarbon and minimal hardware. Stalk quietly along the creek on calm mornings/evenings.
- Night sessions: small metals or glow jigs for scad at dusk; larger soft plastics or big fish baits for conger/pollack from deeper ledges in settled seas.
Tides and Conditions
Tide choice matters more than casting distance here. The mark fishes best when water moves but isn’t raging, and at low light with a slight ripple.
- Tide state: bass and pelagics on the flooding tide, especially the first two hours and last hour of the push; wrasse/pollack through mid‑tide over kelp. Ebb can fish if there’s residual chop.
- Springs vs neaps: neaps are kinder around the headland; springs push hard near The Dennis—fish shorter windows around slack.
- Wind/sea: easterlies/northerlies bring calm, clear water (great for wrasse/pollack, mullet). Prolonged SW groundswell can surge into the coves—fish higher, float/lure above weed, or choose another day.
- Time of day: dawn/dusk markedly better for bass, mackerel, scad and garfish; bright midday suits wrasse under ledges and mullet in the creek.
- Water clarity: after big rain the creek colours—shift to scent baits for bass or wait 24–48 hours for it to settle.
Safety
This is a natural, unfenced shoreline with slippery rock and variable swell. Plan exits, wear appropriate footwear, and treat the creek mud and eelgrass with care.
- Rock risks: weeded ledges and algae are extremely slick; use cleated boots/spikes. Some perches can be cut off on the flood—identify escape routes.
- Swell/surge: Atlantic swell wraps in unpredictably. Avoid long, low ledges in swell; keep well back and wear a lifejacket.
- Creek hazards: soft mud and eelgrass—do not wade across except on firm sand at very low water; use the seasonal footbridge where provided.
- Remoteness: limited phone signal in coves; carry a headtorch, whistle, and tell someone your plan. Night sessions are for experienced rock anglers only.
- Wildlife/terrain: ticks/gorse on the path; carry a basic first aid kit. Respect fenced earthworks on The Dennis—do not climb or damage heritage features.
Facilities
Gillan is light on services, so go self‑sufficient. Nearby villages cover the basics, but not on the shoreline.
- No facilities at the coves or ledges: no bins, water or lighting. Pack out all litter and line.
- Toilets/food: seasonal/public toilets and cafés are available in nearby villages such as Helford or St Keverne; hours vary by season.
- Tackle/bait: head to Helston or Falmouth for tackle shops and fresh bait; pre‑order rag/lug in summer.
- Parking: small car park at St Anthony‑in‑Meneage (donation) and very limited roadside spots—arrive early peak season.
- Mobile signal: patchy to poor at water level; better on higher path sections.
Tips
Think stealth and precision rather than heavy casting. Clear water means fish see everything—finer leaders and natural baits pay.
- Use fluorocarbon (10–15 lb) and longer leaders in bright, calm water.
- For wrasse, fish float‑presented rag or hard crab tight to kelp edges; release big ballans—they are slow growing and key to the reef.
- A small bag of bread mash can turn a quiet evening into a mullet session; keep noise and casting to a minimum.
- Weedless soft plastics let you work right through the salad—count them down and retrieve just above the weed tops.
- Scad gather at dusk in late summer/early autumn—fast wind 10–20 g metals; add a starlite above the lure to reduce tangles.
- After a modest blow that just tinges the water, the first of the flood along the cove lips can be electric for bass.
- Carry a short drop‑net or long-handled lip‑grip for safe releases from higher rocks.
Regulations
Angling from the shore is permitted at Gillan, but the area forms part of sensitive conservation designations. Always check the latest national and Cornwall IFCA rules before you go.
- Conservation: the Helford is within nationally important marine habitats (including eelgrass). Avoid disturbing eelgrass beds and do not dig bait on vegetated mud/sand.
- Bass (recreational): subject to seasonal bag limits and a 42 cm minimum size in recent years; typically catch‑and‑release only in winter months. Check current MMO/DEFRA notices before retaining any bass.
- Minimum sizes: UK and Cornwall IFCA minimum conservation reference sizes apply to many species (e.g., wrasse, breams, flatfish, crabs, lobsters). Measure fish; return undersize immediately.
- Gear/permits: rod‑and‑line from shore requires no permit, but setting nets or pots is regulated and may require permits. Do not set gear from shore without confirming legality.
- Protected/voluntary: adhere to any on‑site signage, seasonal access notes, and local voluntary codes (e.g., avoid removing wrasse from reef marks). If in doubt, practice catch‑and‑release.
- General: no open fires on the coast path or heath; respect private land and scheduled monuments on The Dennis; pack out all litter and line.
