Gwithian Beach Fishing

Summary

Gwithian Beach sits on the eastern flank of St Ives Bay, backed by the Towans dunes and looking out to Godrevy Lighthouse. It’s a classic Atlantic surf strand that screams bass in the right conditions, with options on the adjacent Godrevy rocks for wrasse, pollack and huss. Long, clean sands, shifting bars and gutters reward mobile anglers who read the water.

Location and Access

Getting there is straightforward and parking is plentiful, with short walks through dunes to miles of fishable beach. Choose your access according to whether you want open surf (Gwithian Towans) or mixed ground and tide run (Godrevy headland).

• From the A30, follow signs to Hayle/Gwithian; then to Gwithian Towans or Godrevy.
• Main parking: Gwithian Towans car parks (pay-and-display; commonly signed near postcode TR27 5BT).
• National Trust parking at Godrevy (charges apply; members free; commonly signed near TR27 5ED).
• Walk-in: 3–10 minutes over dunes/boardwalks to the beach; longer at low tide to reach the waterline.
• Terrain: soft sand, shifting bars and gutters; rocky platforms and ledges around Godrevy Head.
• The Red River enters the sea at the north end of Gwithian; the outflow can colour the water after rain.

Seasons

This is a surf beach first and foremost, with a seasonal cast of characters. The rocks at Godrevy add wrasse and predators when seas permit.

• Spring (Mar–May):
  • Bass (schoolies building to better fish from April onward)
  • Flounder and dabs on calmer days, especially near gutters and the river outflow
  • Smoothhound possible late spring on peeler crab
  • Pollack and wrasse from Godrevy rocks as the water warms
• Summer (Jun–Aug):
  • Bass (prime time; dawn/dusk and after blowy days)
  • Mackerel and garfish on lures around Godrevy when clear
  • Dogfish; small-eyed ray occasional on settled, clear nights
  • Wrasse (ballan/corkwing) and the odd bull huss from rough ground
  • Scad at dusk into dark in July/August
• Autumn (Sep–Nov):
  • Bass peak runs (often bigger fish in lively surf)
  • Whiting from late autumn; dabs and flounder return in numbers
  • Pollack after dark off the rocks; huss on big baits
• Winter (Dec–Feb):
  • Whiting and dabs on calmer windows
  • Bass still possible in mild spells, especially after storms
  • Rock marks may give conger eels at night (use strong gear)
• Occasional/bonus:
  • Turbot very occasional in summer surf
  • Small gurnards on sandeel baits

Methods

Bring both surf gear and a lure rod, and choose your approach based on sea state and water clarity. The beach fishes best when you find a live gutter or the edge of a rip.

• Surf bait tactics:
  • Rigs: 2-hook flappers (size 2–1) for flats/whiting; pulley pennel (3/0–5/0) for bass/rays; clipped/down-and-over rigs for neat long casts.
  • Baits: peeler crab, fresh lug/rag, sandeel (whole or sections), razor, squid/mackerel cocktails for rays/dogs; crab and worm cocktails for bass.
  • Distances: often 20–60 yards into the first gutter; don’t automatically blast to the horizon.
• Lure fishing:
  • 9–10 ft rod, 20–30 g rating; shallow-diving minnows, white/olive paddletails (10–14 cm), surface walkers on calm dawns.
  • Metals (20–40 g) for mackerel/garfish/scad around Godrevy in clear water.
• Rock fishing (Godrevy):
  • Float-fish ragworm or hardback crabs for wrasse (use abrasion-resistant leaders).
  • Ledger big fish baits (mackerel/squid) for huss/conger; use rotten-bottom links.
• Timing:
  • Bass: first half of the flood to high, and into dusk/dark; also the first hour down.
  • Rays/whiting: top of the tide into darkness on settled nights.

Tides and Conditions

Tide height and surf quality make or break this mark. Think colour, oxygen and food in the water, without too much weed or a dumping shore break.

• Tide:
  • Best from mid-flood to high water and the first of the ebb; springs reveal more gutters but add sweep.
  • On neaps, fish tighter to structure (river mouth edges, bar tips, Godrevy rocks).
• Sea state:
  • Bass thrive in 1–3 ft rolling surf with some colour; 24–48 hours after a blow is classic.
  • Calm, clear nights can suit small-eyed rays and lure fishing around Godrevy.
• Wind and clarity:
  • W–SW winds raise surf and colour; onshore but manageable is good for baited bass.
  • Offshore (E–NE) cleans the water; great for lures but can push fish further out on bright days.
• Time of day/season:
  • Dawn/dusk are premium for bass and mackerel; full dark improves whiting, rays and huss.
  • After heavy rain, the Red River can turn the northern end chocolate-brown—either avoid it or use smelly baits and fish the colour line.

Safety

This is an Atlantic-facing beach with powerful rips and fast-rising tides; the Godrevy rocks add swell and slip hazards. Treat it with respect and plan exits before dark.

• Rips and surf:
  • Expect strong lateral sweep and shore-dumps; avoid wading beyond knee/thigh depth in surf.
  • Wear a wading belt; never turn your back on the sea.
• Rocks (Godrevy):
  • Swell wraps onto ledges; weeded rock is extremely slippery—use studs/cleats and a PFD.
  • Use a headtorch and spare light; mark safe routes off the rocks before dusk.
• Tidal cut-off:
  • On springs, bays and ledges can flood behind you—keep an eye on your retreat line.
• Lifeguarded zones:
  • In season/daylight there are flagged bathing/surf areas—do not cast or fish within these zones; comply with any RNLI, council or National Trust directions.
• Wildlife and protected areas:
  • Seals frequent Godrevy/Mutton Cove; keep distance and never approach pups.
• Accessibility:
  • Soft sand and dune paths make access challenging for reduced mobility; some boardwalks exist but the final approach is on sand.
• General:
  • Carry a phone in a waterproof pouch; signal is usually good on the dunes but can patch near cliffs.

Facilities

Amenities are good by Cornwall surf-beach standards, with seasonal variations. Expect parking, toilets and cafés; tackle shops are a short drive away.

• Parking:
  • Gwithian Towans car parks (pay-and-display; TR27 5BT area).
  • National Trust Godrevy (charges apply; TR27 5ED area).
• Toilets:
  • Public toilets near the main beach car parks (seasonal opening hours).
• Food and drink:
  • Beach cafés at Gwithian and Godrevy operate seasonally; check hours outside summer.
• Tackle and bait:
  • Several tackle shops within 10–20 minutes in Hayle, Camborne and Redruth; buy bait in advance in peak season.
• Bins and water:
  • Limited bins—take all litter and line home. Bring water; taps may be seasonal.
• Phone signal:
  • Generally good on the dunes and car parks; can be patchy under the headland.

Tips

Local patterns repeat year after year here: read the sand, fish the edges, and don’t outcast the fish. Small changes in where you stand can double your bites.

• Use polarized glasses from a dune vantage to locate gutters, bar tips and rip seams before you set up.
• On bass days, make 10–15 fan casts, then move 30–50 metres; treat it like beach lure fishing even with bait.
• After big swells, look for freshly-dug razor and dislodged clams—prime bass baits if you can source them legally.
• Whiting nipping short? Switch to long-shank size 2s and elastic your baits slim.
• Weed can be brutal in late spring/early summer—seek cleaner water along the bay rather than fighting it.
• If surfers and swimmers are out, fish first light or after the lifeguards finish, or shift to the Godrevy rocks away from flagged zones.
• Seals will shadow hooked fish—keep leaders strong and land/return fish quickly.

Regulations

Rules here are typical for Cornwall but do change—always check current guidance from the MMO, Cornwall IFCA, the National Trust (Godrevy) and any RNLI/lifeguard signage on the day.

• Bass regulations:
  • Recreational bass rules (bag limits, seasons, minimum size) are reviewed annually. In recent years a 42 cm minimum and a seasonal retention limit have applied—verify the current year’s rules before retaining any bass.
  • Bass Nursery Areas exist in local estuaries (e.g., Hayle); restrictions may apply within defined boundaries and seasons—consult the official list and maps before fishing by boat or targeting bass near estuary mouths.
• Shellfish and crabs/lobsters:
  • Cornwall IFCA sets minimum conservation reference sizes and bans taking berried lobsters/crabs; check the latest size charts before retaining any crustaceans.
• Protected wildlife/sites:
  • The nearby Hayle Estuary is an RSPB reserve/SSSI with its own restrictions; follow on-site signage and avoid disturbance to birds and seals.
• Beach management:
  • Do not fish within lifeguarded bathing/surf zones when flags are flying. Respect any National Trust or council notices regarding access, cliff safety and seasonal restrictions.
• General:
  • No specific byelaw bans on rod-and-line sea angling at Gwithian/Godrevy are in force as of the latest known guidance, but carry out a final check before your trip. Catch-and-release is encouraged for bass and large wrasse.