Summary
Gorran Haven Pier, just east of Mevagissey on Cornwall’s south coast, is a small, friendly harbour wall that fishes well for summer species and offers easy family access. It’s a classic light-tackle venue with clean sand outside and weedy edges along the wall, ideal for float, lure and LRF approaches. Expect mackerel and garfish on warm evenings, with wrasse and pollack tight to the stones and the odd bass after a blow.
Location and Access
This compact pier sits on the eastern side of Gorran Haven’s sheltered, sandy cove. Access is straightforward, and the walk is short, but the village lanes are narrow and busy in summer.
- Drive via St Austell and the B3273 towards Mevagissey, then follow signs for Gorran Haven; use the main village/Beach car park (approx. postcode PL26 6JG).
- From the car park it’s a short stroll down to the beach and harbour; allow 2–5 minutes to the pier top.
- Do not attempt to drive onto the quay; space is limited and resident/harbour traffic only.
- Terrain is easy: paved lanes, slipway and harbour wall. The pier surface is uneven stone with low edges.
- Arrive early in high season; the car park fills quickly on fine days.
Seasons
A modest but varied species list revolves around summer visitors and resident mini-species. Expect faster sport at dusk and into darkness.
- Spring (Apr–Jun): Pollack, ballan wrasse, plaice and flounder (on the sand outside), occasional school bass, early garfish.
- Summer (Jul–Sep): Mackerel, garfish, scad (horse mackerel) at dusk, wrasse, pollack, corkwing, blennies, gobies; the odd gurnard and school bass.
- Autumn (Oct–Nov): Scad in numbers after dark, late mackerel runs, pollack, wrasse (until first real cold), chance of squid on calm, clear nights.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): Whiting and pout after dark on small baits, the occasional dogfish; generally quieter.
Methods
Light, precise tactics out-fish heavy gear here. Treat it as a float/lure/LRF venue and scale down when it’s clear and calm.
- Float fishing: Set 2.5–4.5 m (8–15 ft) over depth along the outer wall for wrasse and pollack. Baits: ragworm, prawn, small strips of mackerel/sandeel. Use size 4–8 hooks.
- Lure fishing: 15–30 g metals for mackerel and scad; small soft plastics on 3–10 g jig heads for pollack around dusk. Work parallel to the wall or across the harbour mouth.
- LRF/mini-species: Split shot or dropshot rigs with size 10–14 hooks and small pieces of prawn or isome to pick off corkwing, rock gobies and blennies.
- Ledgering: Two-hook flapper or a single running ledger with a weak/rotten-bottom link if casting towards rough patches. Baits: rag/lug, mackerel strip, sandeel. Keep casts modest to avoid boat channels and snags.
- Feathering: If attempted for mackerel, use a short 2–3 feather string or a single lure to avoid tangles when families are crabbing nearby.
- Night sessions: Scale down to size 6–8 hooks with small baits for scad, pout and whiting; glow beads can help in slightly coloured water.
Tides and Conditions
The pier fishes best around higher water and into dusk, with summer evenings a highlight. Being a south-coast cove, wind and clarity matter.
- Tide state: Mid-flood to high and the first of the ebb are most consistent for float and lure work at the harbour mouth.
- Time of day: Dusk into the first two hours of darkness is prime for mackerel, scad and pollack in summer/autumn.
- Sea state: Light swell and clear water favour mackerel/garfish; a bit of colour after a blow can switch on bass and flatfish.
- Wind: Easterlies flatten the sea here; strong southerlies can push swell and weed onto the wall, making presentation tricky.
- Seasonality: Peak action June–September; winter fishing is mainly a nighttime small-fish proposition.
Safety
It’s a family-friendly spot, but it’s still a working, drying harbour with slippery stonework and low edges. Take basic precautions and respect harbour operations.
- Slips and trips: The wall and steps can be slick with algae—wear grippy footwear.
- Low wall height: No railings at the head; a waistcoat-style inflatable lifejacket is wise, especially after dark.
- Swell and wash: In onshore conditions waves can overtop the wall; step back from the edge and avoid the outer face in rough seas.
- Boats and bathers: Do not cast inside the harbour when boats are moving or when swimmers are present—expect summer crowds and kids crabbing.
- Night fishing: Limited lighting—bring a headtorch and keep walkways clear.
- Mobility: The approach is short and mostly level, but the pier surface is uneven and narrow in places; not ideal for wheelchairs or walkers.
Facilities
Gorran Haven is well-served for basics right by the beach. Expect more comprehensive tackle/bait options in nearby towns.
- Toilets: Public conveniences by the beach/car park (seasonal opening hours may apply).
- Food/drink: Beach cafés and seasonal kiosks for coffee, ice cream and light meals.
- Tackle/bait: Head to Mevagissey or St Austell for fresh bait and tackle (check opening hours, especially off-season).
- Parking: Pay-and-display village/Beach car park a short walk from the pier; no parking on the quay.
- Mobile signal: Generally fair, but can vary by network around the cliffs.
Tips
A little finesse and local etiquette go a long way here. Keep it light, tidy and considerate in peak season.
- Use a weak/rotten-bottom link if bottom fishing off the outer corner—there are weedy snags close to the wall.
- For garfish, fish tiny slivers of mackerel or sandeel under a pencil float and keep the bait moving.
- Scad often stack up after sunset from late August—switch to small sabikis or size 8–10 hooks with thin mackerel strips.
- If mackerel are scarce, cover water with slim metals retrieved fast near the surface rather than standing and feathering.
- Arrive an hour before dusk to secure the pier head; it’s small and fills quickly in summer.
- Check harbour noticeboards on arrival—some Cornish harbours impose seasonal rules about casting inside the harbour or during bathing hours.
Regulations
There’s no rod licence for sea fishing in England, but national and local rules still apply. Always check current notices and byelaws before you start.
- Harbour rules: Obey any Gorran Haven Harbour signage—there may be restrictions on fishing within the harbour basin, during lifeboat/boat movements, or at peak bathing times. If in doubt, ask locally.
- Bass regulations: Recreational bass fishing in England is subject to seasonal bag and size limits. Check the latest MMO/UK government guidance before your trip; take only legal fish (typical minimum size is 42 cm, with seasonal bag limits).
- Minimum sizes and byelaws: Cornwall IFCA enforces minimum conservation reference sizes and protected species rules (e.g., no taking berried or v-notched lobsters/crabs). Measure your fish and return undersized specimens promptly.
- Shellfish and crabbing: Return undersized crabs and any soft/peeler not intended for immediate use; do not retain berried females. Avoid placing pots or lines where they could foul boat propellers.
- Night access: Some small harbours restrict access after dark; comply with any posted hours.
- Litter and fish waste: Take all litter home and dispose of fish remains away from the beach/harbour to avoid attracting gulls and causing odour.
