Summary
Greenaway Beach sits between Polzeath and Daymer Bay on Cornwall’s north coast, a rocky, reefy stretch with gullies, ledges and kelp beds. It’s a classic rough-ground mark for bass, wrasse and pollack, with summer pelagics passing tight to the rocks on clear, calm evenings.
Location and Access
Reaching Greenaway is straightforward via the South West Coast Path that links Polzeath and Daymer Bay. The descent is via rough steps to a boulder/reef platform that all but disappears at higher stages of the tide.
- Approach from Polzeath or Daymer Bay and follow coast path waymarks; allow 10–20 minutes’ walk depending on start point.
- Parking options: Polzeath village car parks (Polzeath, PL27) or Daymer Bay car park (Trebetherick, PL27); charges apply in season.
- The final access is steep and uneven with slippery, seaweed-covered rocks; good footwear is essential.
- Terrain is mixed reef, boulders and kelp with pockets of sand in gullies; expect snaggy ground.
Seasons
This is mixed rough ground with kelp and gullies, suiting hard-fighting inshore species through the warmer months.
- Spring (Apr–Jun): Bass, pollack, early ballan and corkwing wrasse, garfish late spring; occasional dogfish and pout.
- Summer (Jul–Aug): Wrasse at their peak, bass in low light or fizzing surf, pollack at dusk, mackerel and garfish in clear water, scad after dark; odd bull huss and conger from deeper holes at night.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): Bigger bass around storm surges, pollack, late mackerel/scad if water stays warm/clear, conger and huss on heavier gear; whiting and pout on calmer nights.
- Winter (Dec–Mar): Weather dependent; pollack on lures in clearer spells, conger and pout after dark; bass possible around stormy surges but sessions are hit-and-miss.
Methods
Rough ground tactics shine here. Travel light, use abrasion-resistant leaders and accept you will lose some gear.
- Lure fishing (bass/pollack):
- Surface and subsurface hard lures for bass (pencils, walk-the-dog, shallow divers) at dawn/dusk or in fizzing white water.
- Weedless soft plastics (weightless or 3–10 g jig heads) for bass/wrasse/pollack across kelp lines and gullies.
- Slim metals and spoons for mackerel/gar on clear, calm evenings; vary retrieve speed and depth.
- Float fishing (wrasse/gar/pollack):
- Set 6–12 ft, drift along ledges; baits include ragworm, prawn or small crab for wrasse; mackerel strip for gar.
- Bottom fishing (bass/wrasse/huss/conger):
- Pulley or pulley pennel (3/0–4/0) with rotten-bottom link for bass/huss; baits: peeler crab, sandeel, squid/mackerel cocktail.
- Short-snood 2-hook flapper (#1–1/0) with ragworm, crab or prawn for wrasse/pout; keep snoods short to reduce snagging.
- Tackle notes: 30–40 lb leader over clean/kelp edges, heavier mono traces (60–80 lb) for conger/huss; carry spare leads and rotten-bottom clips.
Tides and Conditions
Tide height dictates access as well as success. Plan your exit before you start fishing, and work the water movement around the gullies.
- Tide states: Productive from mid-flood through high and the first of the ebb; many ledges are only safely accessible from mid to low—you must retreat early.
- Swell: A light rolling swell and fizz over the reefs often brings bass in close; avoid big groundswell which can wash the ledges.
- Wind and clarity: Easterly/SE winds flatten the sea and clear the water (good for wrasse/pollack/gar). Strong W/NW winds push swell and colour (good for bass, risky for safety).
- Time of day: Dawn and dusk are prime for bass and pollack; bright days with clear water suit wrasse under the float; after dark brings conger, huss and scad.
- Seasonality: Late spring to autumn is the main window. Winter sessions are weather-limited and best seized during calmer spells.
Safety
This is an exposed, rocky mark with real cut-off potential. Treat it as a rock mark rather than a beach and kit up accordingly.
- Check tide times carefully; parts of the platform flood quickly—identify exit routes in daylight and leave with ample time.
- Wear a PFD/lifejacket, grippy boots (studs/felt) and carry a headtorch if there’s any chance of fishing into dusk.
- Swell can wrap into the gullies; keep back from edges and never turn your back on the sea.
- Ground is very snaggy and weeded; expect unstable boulders and slippery kelp.
- Not suitable for those with limited mobility due to steep steps and uneven terrain.
- Fish with a partner where possible; phone signal is generally fair on the cliffs but can dip down in the coves.
Facilities
Greenaway itself has no facilities, but both ends of the path are well served in season.
- Parking: Polzeath village car parks (PL27) and Daymer Bay car park (PL27); seasonal charges.
- Toilets: Public toilets in Polzeath; seasonal facilities at Daymer Bay.
- Food and shops: Cafés, pubs, convenience stores and surf shops in Polzeath; limited offerings at Daymer/Trebetherick.
- Tackle and bait: Nearest options in Polzeath/Rock, Wadebridge and Padstow; check opening hours in winter.
- Lifeguards: None at Greenaway; Polzeath Beach is lifeguarded in summer (swimmers/surfers only).
Tips
Think like a rock angler: stay mobile, fish the water in front of you and time sets for when fish move tight to the ledges.
- Work surface lures over the white-water seams on a flooding tide—bass often hit right at your feet.
- For wrasse, feed small pieces of prawn or chopped rag to keep fish interested; keep tackle stout and snoods short.
- Use a weak link/rotten-bottom for leads and carry spare weights; kelp and boulders will claim gear.
- A small landing net or long disgorger helps on high ledges and for safe release, especially with wrasse.
- Summer evenings can see garfish and scad right under the surface—drop line diameter and use fluorocarbon leaders for extra bites.
- Spider crabs move in during late spring; peeler crab is deadly for bass but be prepared for crab attention on static baits.
Regulations
Angling is permitted at Greenaway Beach, but you must follow national and local byelaws. Regulations can change—check Cornwall IFCA/MMO before you go.
- European seabass (as of 2024): Recreational fishery typically 2 fish per angler per day, minimum size 42 cm, with an open season usually Mar–Nov. Always confirm current rules before retaining bass.
- Minimum sizes and general byelaws: Observe UK/IFCA minimum conservation reference sizes for common species; return undersized fish promptly.
- Shellfish/crustaceans: It is illegal to take berried (egg-bearing) lobsters or crabs; respect local MLS and v-notching protections.
- Marine protected areas: This coast falls within wider conservation designations; rod-and-line angling is allowed, but extra restrictions on netting/collecting may apply.
- Access: Use public rights of way and marked paths; avoid climbing fences or disturbing cliff-nesting birds.
- Litter and fish care: Take all line and litter home; consider releasing large wrasse which are vital to local populations.
