Summary
Great Molunan is a sheltered cove tucked under St Anthony Head on the Roseland Peninsula, opposite Falmouth at the mouth of the Fal. With clean sand framed by kelpy rocks and quick access to deep, tidal water, it offers varied shore fishing in beautiful, quiet surroundings. It’s a versatile mark for lure and bait anglers alike, especially through late spring to autumn.
Location and Access
Reaching the mark involves a scenic drive along narrow lanes from St Mawes to the National Trust land at St Anthony Head, then a short but steep walk. The final descent to the beach uses steps and a rough path, so pack light and wear decent footwear.
- Parking: National Trust car parks on St Anthony Head (pay-and-display; free for members). Signed from St Mawes; sat-nav can be unreliable—follow brown NT signs.
- Approach: 10–20 minutes on foot depending on the car park used; final section is steep with steps and uneven ground.
- Terrain: Sand and shingle in the cove; kelp-covered rock platforms and boulders on the fringes and toward the headland.
- Notes: No vehicular access to the beach; arrive early in summer as car parks fill on fair-weather days.
Seasons
The cove and adjacent rock fringes hold a classic Cornish mix, with summer variety and some winter options. Expect reliable sport with wrasse and pollack, plus bass and seasonal pelagics in the right conditions.
- Spring (Apr–May): Pollack, ballan and corkwing wrasse, early bass; garfish show late spring; odd plaice or gurnard on the sand.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): Mackerel, garfish, bass, pollack, wrasse, scad (horse mackerel) at dusk, thick‑lipped mullet in calm water; dogfish on baits after dark.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): Peak bass, consistent pollack and wrasse, scad and late mackerel; conger after dark from rough ground; occasional squid on calm, clear nights.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): Pollack on lures/baits, whiting and pouting after dark on the sand; dogfish; bass possible in rougher, coloured water.
Methods
Both lure and bait tactics work well here, with lure fishing shining in clear water and mobile approaches reducing snags. Adjust to the ground—lures and float for the rough, light ledgering on the sand.
- Lure fishing (rocks/kelp):
- HRF/weedless soft plastics (3–5 inch paddletails or eels) for pollack and bass; Texas/cheb rigs to beat weed.
- Surface/sub-surface hard lures at dawn/dusk for bass when baitfish are present; slim sandeel profiles excel.
- Metals and slim spoons (20–40 g) for mackerel, garfish, and distance; count down for mid-water pollack.
- Float fishing: Ragworm, prawn, or strips of mackerel; set 8–15 ft over kelp edges for wrasse, pollack, and garfish.
- Bottom tactics (sandy patches):
- Running ledger/long link (1–3 oz) with sandeel, peeler crab, or worm cocktails for bass, gurnard, dogs.
- Two-hook flapper size 2–1 for smaller fish; scale up to 1/0 for bass baits.
- Night options: Big fish bait (mackerel head/half) for conger from rough ground; small metals/sp minnows for scad under the stars.
- Tackle notes: Use snag‑resistant rigs, rotten-bottom links if casting near rough ground, and fluorocarbon leaders in clear water.
Tides and Conditions
The mark fishes best with movement and manageable swell. Clear, calm days suit lures; a touch of colour and chop can switch on the bass.
- Tide: Flood to high water is a prime window; last 2 hours of the flood and first of the ebb are productive. Neaps are easier to present baits/lures; springs can sweep hard around the head.
- Sea state: Light to moderate northerlies/easterlies give shelter and clarity; heavy southerly/westerly swell can make ledges unfishable but may suit bass on the sand when it settles.
- Time of day: Dawn and dusk are standout for bass, pollack, mackerel, and scad; wrasse bite well through daylight over kelp.
- Water clarity: Clear water favours natural lure colours and stealth; after a blow, try darker/contrast lures or crab/sandeel baits.
- Seasonal pattern: Late May–October is peak variety; winter is quieter but still worth a mobile lure or short bait session after dark.
Safety
This is a beautiful but committing shore mark with a steep approach and slippery rock. Treat swell and ship wash with respect and plan your retreat route.
- Steep steps and uneven paths; not suited to those with limited mobility. Wear grippy boots; keep hands free for balance.
- Kelp and weeded rock are very slippery when damp; avoid green weed and wave-washed lips.
- Swell and ship wash: Large vessels in the shipping channel can create delayed surges—stand well back on rock ledges.
- Snaggy ground and cut-off potential on some outcrops near high water—know your exit and fish with a partner if possible.
- Carry a headtorch even for evening trips; a personal flotation device is strongly recommended on rock marks.
- Respect fenced areas around the lighthouse and the old battery—no access beyond railings or signage.
Facilities
There are no facilities on the beach itself—treat it as a self-sufficient session. Nearby villages have what you need before or after.
- Parking: National Trust car parks on St Anthony Head (charges apply; seasonal attendants at busy times).
- Toilets: Seasonal/public toilets may be available at NT sites on the headland—check current opening times; otherwise use facilities in St Mawes.
- Food and drink: Cafés, pubs, and shops in St Mawes and St Just in Roseland.
- Tackle and bait: Bait and tackle in Falmouth; limited/seasonal options in St Mawes—ring ahead.
- Phone signal: Generally good on the headland; patchy to poor down in the coves.
- No lighting or water on site; take everything you need and pack it out.
Tips
A little local knowledge goes a long way here. Travel light, read the water, and adjust quickly to the tide run.
- Recon at low tide to map sand tongues, kelp lines, and safe ledges; fish them on the flood.
- Keep lure choices simple: one surface walker, one mid-depth minnow, and a couple of weedless soft plastics cover most scenarios.
- Long casts aren’t always needed—many bass and pollack patrol the kelp line within 30 yards.
- For wrasse, fresh ragworm or live prawn under a float outfishes most; strike late and use a tight drag to turn fish from the weed.
- Evening into dark brings scad right in—switch to small metals, Sabikis, or size 8–10 single-hook jigs and enjoy fast action.
- Watch for bird activity and bait dimples on a flooding tide; have a metal ready for passing mackerel shoals.
- After a blow, try a natural crab bait in the surfy corners for a surprise bass.
- Bring a lightweight long-handled net if you plan to fish the rocks; it saves fish and tackle.
Regulations
Angling is permitted from the beach and accessible rocks, but you must follow national and local rules. Always check for the latest updates before your trip.
- European sea bass (Area 7): At the time of writing, recreational retention is typically limited to a short open season with a daily bag and a 42 cm minimum size; outside that, catch-and-release only. Check current UK/Defra guidance and dates before keeping any bass.
- Minimum Conservation Reference Sizes (MCRS): Observe UK size limits for common species (e.g., pollack, mackerel, gurnard, etc.). When in doubt, release.
- Cornwall IFCA byelaws: Hand-gathering and shellfish rules apply locally; do not collect shellfish or bait from protected areas and never take berried crabs/lobsters. Verify specific CIFCA byelaws if you plan any foraging.
- Conservation areas: The headland sits near designated conservation sites; angling is allowed, but avoid trampling seagrass/eelgrass and leave no trace.
- No rod licence is required for sea fishing in England, but freshwater/estuarine species upstream may be regulated differently—stay within the tidal mark.
- Private property: Keep outside fenced/posted areas around the lighthouse and historic battery; follow National Trust access guidance and any onsite signage.
