Gunwalloe Fishing Cove Fishing

Last updated: 2 days ago

Gunwalloe Fishing Cove Fishing Map

A secluded, west-facing cove of clean sand flanked by rough, kelpy rock ledges. It fishes best on a flooding tide into dusk and the first of the ebb. The central beach offers surf tables and sandy gutters for bass and occasional rays/dogfish, while the rocky margins hold wrasse and pollack in the gullies. Exposure to Atlantic swell means powerful shore break and rip currents in lively seas; choose smaller swells, light winds, and clear water for lure work. Expect summer shoals of mackerel, garfish and scad on clearer evenings, whiting after dark in winter, and conger from the rocks at night. Access is steep and uneven, and swell rebound off the cliffs can be hazardous—fish with care and avoid big seas.

Ratings

⭐ 6/10 Overall
Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 8/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 4/10

Fish You Can Catch at Gunwalloe Fishing Cove

🐟 Pollack 9/10
🎯 Tip: Lure or float-fish sandeel/mackerel over kelp gullies at dusk on flooding tide. Cast parallel to rocky ledges. Spring–autumn.
🐟 Bass 8/10
🎯 Tip: Surface/sub-surface lures or bait (peeler crab/sandeel) into surf lines and gullies on a rising tide, dawn/dusk or after a blow. Summer–autumn.
🐟 Ballan Wrasse 8/10
🎯 Tip: Fish hardback/peeler crab or weedless soft plastics tight to kelp and rock holes, 1–2 hours either side of high on small tides. Avoid wire. Spring–autumn.
🐟 Mackerel 7/10
🎯 Tip: Spinning or small feather strings in clear water on flood, evenings in summer; deeper water off points. Keep mobile.
🐟 Pouting 6/10
🎯 Tip: Small strips of mackerel or rag/squid cocktails on two-hook flappers over rough ground, especially after dark on the flood. Year-round.
🐟 Bull Huss 6/10
🎯 Tip: Large fish/squid baits on 4/0 pennel dropped into rough ground gullies after dark, 2 hrs either side of high. Heavy gear, abrasion-resistant leader.
🐟 Scad (Horse Mackerel) 6/10
🎯 Tip: Night sessions late summer–autumn; small sabikis or single size 6 with mackerel strip under a float, mid-water on the flood.
🐟 Garfish 6/10
🎯 Tip: Clear, calm days on a flooding tide; float-fish a thin sliver of mackerel or small sandeel shallow over the kelp. Late spring–autumn.
🐟 Corkwing Wrasse 5/10
🎯 Tip: Small crab or ragworm close to weed and boulders, light gear, short casts on the flood. Return quickly; delicate. Late spring–autumn.
🐟 Conger Eel 5/10
🎯 Tip: Big mackerel/squid baits into kelp gullies after dark, neap highs fish best. Strong mono trace, keep fish up. Year-round but best late summer.

Gunwalloe Fishing Cove Fishing

Summary

Gunwalloe Fishing Cove refers to the surf beaches and rocky ledges around Church Cove and Dollar Cove (Jangye Ryn) near Gunwalloe on Cornwall’s west Lizard coast. Open to Atlantic swell but with pockets of shelter, it’s a versatile mark offering surf-bass, summer mackerel and garfish, wrasse and pollack from the rocks, and rays after dark. It’s scenic, productive in the right conditions, and rewards careful tide and swell reading.

Location and Access

This area sits just south of Porthleven and west of the Loe, with access from National Trust car parks for Church Cove and Dollar Cove. Approaches are straightforward, but paths can be steep and the rock platforms are uneven.

Seasons

Expect classic west Cornwall surf and rock species with a few occasional surprises. Seasonality matters and water clarity makes a big difference.

Methods

Match your approach to the ground: surf tactics over sand; stronger gear and abrasion resistance for the rocks. Dawn, dusk and into darkness are prime.

Tides and Conditions

Tide state and swell direction decide everything here. Watch the surf bars and gullies before you cast.

Safety

This is an exposed Atlantic mark with powerful surf and changeable footing. Treat the rocks and shorebreak with respect.

Facilities

Facilities are basic but adequate if you plan ahead. Expect seasonal variations.

Tips

Reading the ground here pays off more than brute distance. Spend time watching the water before setting up.

Regulations

Shore angling is permitted at Gunwalloe; there is no local byelaw prohibiting fishing from the beaches or rocks. Obey any on-site National Trust and RNLI signage, and never fish into flagged bathing areas in summer.