Hemmick Beach Fishing

Summary

Hemmick Beach is a small, quiet cove on Cornwall’s south coast, tucked just west of Dodman Point. It offers mixed ground fishing with a sandy gut flanked by kelpy reefs, giving options for bass in the surf and wrasse or pollack off the rocks. Its seclusion, lack of crowds, and wild feel make it a rewarding mark for mobile, prepared anglers.

Location and Access

This is a remote National Trust-backed beach reached by narrow country lanes; take your time and expect passing places. The final approaches are steep and the paths onto the sand and rocks can be rough underfoot.

• Access: Signposted locally from Gorran/Boswinger/Penare; approach via very narrow lanes with high hedges.
• Parking: Tiny National Trust parking right by Hemmick fills quickly; a larger NT car park at Penare gives a 10–15 minute walk down to the beach. Arrive early in summer/settled weather.
• Walk/difficulty: Steep descent with uneven, sometimes muddy paths. Rock platforms at either end require sure footing and care in swell.
• Terrain: Clean-to-mixed sand in the middle; kelp, boulders, and rough ground at both ends. At low water, gullies and patches of firmer sand open up among the rock fingers.
• Night access: Straightforward with a headtorch once you’ve pre-scouted in daylight; no lighting on site.
• Note: Do not block gateways or passing places; some lanes are single track for long stretches.

Seasons

Hemmick fishes as a classic south-coast mixed mark. Expect bass and wrasse from late spring to autumn, with nocturnal rays and huss on the sandier tongues, and winter whiting in the darker months.

• Spring (Mar–May):
  • Bass (schoolies to modest fish), wrasse, pollack
  • Plaice/gurnard on the cleaner patches in settled spells
  • Early dogfish and the odd small-eyed ray towards late spring
• Summer (Jun–Aug):
  • Bass (best at dawn/dusk and in surf), wrasse (ball/corkwing), pollack
  • Garfish and occasional mackerel within casting range in calm, clear water
  • Thick- and thin-lipped mullet in quiet corners; dogfish common after dark
  • Bull huss possible from rough ground at night
• Autumn (Sep–Nov):
  • Bass (often the best run), wrasse (until the first real chills), pollack
  • Small-eyed ray and spotted ray on settled evenings
  • Pouting and conger from the rocks after dark
• Winter (Dec–Feb):
  • Whiting and pout on bigger tides at night
  • Strap conger, dogfish; the odd codling is very occasional here
  • Wrasse activity largely shuts down once water temps drop

Methods

A flexible approach pays: fish the surf with baits or lures for bass, then work the rock edges for wrasse/pollack as the tide floods. After dark, target cleaner tongues for rays and huss with robust end tackle.

• Bass (surf and edges):
  • Lures: Surface walkers, shallow divers, and 20–40 g metals when baitfish show; weedless paddle-tails over kelp margins.
  • Bait: Fresh peeler crab, rag/lug cocktails, whole sandeel; fish on a long pulley or running ledger with a clipped-down presentation for range.
• Wrasse/pollack (rocky ends):
  • Wrasse: Float rig or simple running ledgers with hardback or peeler crab, prawn, or rag; weedless soft plastics on 10–20 g heads for snaggy ground.
  • Pollack: Weedless paddle-tails/slugs on 10–30 g Texas/weighted hooks, worked at dusk along the kelp line.
• Rays/huss (cleaner patches):
  • Rigs: Pulley or pulley-dropper with rotten-bottom link; 3–5 ft traces, 4/0–5/0 strong hooks for huss; 3/0–4/0 for rays.
  • Baits: Sandeel (single or launce), squid wraps, mackerel flank. Fish into dusk and first hours of dark.
• General scratching/variety:
  • 2-hook flapper or up-and-over with size 2–1/0 for gurnard/plaice/whiting.
  • Keep a light lure rod ready for sudden garfish/mackerel shows.
• Tackle notes:
  • 12–13 ft beach rod, 4–6 oz grips; 0.35–0.40 mm mainline with shock leader.
  • Use rotten-bottoms and strong snoods in the kelp; keep the rod high to lift over boulders.

Tides and Conditions

Tide timing and sea state rule this mark. Aim to fish a flooding tide into dusk with a bit of push on the water for bass, and calmer, clearer spells for wrasse and pollack.

• Tide state:
  • Best two hours of the flood through high and the first of the ebb for bass.
  • Springs expose more low-water gullies and clean tongues to mark for the flood; neaps can reduce cross-drift and weed.
• Sea/ wind:
  • Bass: A light-to-moderate onshore (S–SW–W) breeze with some surf and light colour is prime.
  • Wrasse/pollack: Settle/clear conditions with minimal swell; easterlies often flatten the sea here.
  • Rays: Prefer a settled sea and steady barometer; dusk into night.
• Time of day:
  • Dawn/dusk for lures; after dark for dogs, huss, rays, and winter whiting.
• Seasonality:
  • Late spring to late autumn is the productive window; winter is mainly a night scratch for whiting/pout and the odd strap conger.
• Weed and viz:
  • After a blow, expect floating kelp and weed lines; give it 24–48 hours to clear for lures.

Safety

This is an exposed, wild-feeling cove with slippery rocks and changeable swell. Plan your exits, wear appropriate footwear, and keep a wary eye on the sea at all times.

• Slippery/uneven ground: Kelp-covered boulders and weeded ledges are treacherous—use studded boots and move deliberately.
• Swell/rogue waves: Ocean swells wrap in; keep well back on rock edges and never turn your back on the sea.
• Cut-off risk: The very ends of the beach and base of headlands can flood quickly on springs—identify escape routes and retreat early.
• Cliff fall hazard: Avoid loitering tight under crumbly faces; do not climb or shortcut steep sections.
• Night fishing: Strong headtorch/spare batteries; ideally fish with a partner; mark safe paths in daylight.
• Personal safety: Consider a waist-belted lifejacket when working close to water; carry a phone/whistle. Mobile signal is patchy at beach level.
• Access notes: No formal disability access; gradients and surfaces are not suitable for wheelchairs or those with limited mobility.
• Restrictions: No known angling ban, but respect National Trust guidance, nesting birds, and any temporary notices.

Facilities

Hemmick is deliberately basic: there are no on-beach facilities, bins, or lifeguards. Plan to be self-sufficient and carry your litter out.

• On-site: No toilets, water, lighting, or café; no lifeguard cover.
• Nearest amenities:
  • Porthluney (Caerhays) beach: Seasonal toilets and café; pay parking.
  • Gorran Haven: Public loos, small shops/café, seasonal food options.
  • Tackle/bait: Mevagissey and St Austell have tackle shops and fuel.
• Connectivity: Mobile reception is variable—often weak at the beach, better on higher ground.
• Public transport: Limited; practically, this is a drive-and-walk venue.

Tips

Treat it like two marks in one: surf over sand in the middle for bass and cleaner-ground species, and rock-ledges at either end for wrasse/pollack. A quick reccy at low water pays dividends later.

• Scout at LW: Note the positions of clean tongues and gutters so you can drop baits back onto them on the flood/dusk.
• Rotten-bottoms: Essential on the rougher edges; a weak link saves leads and rigs.
• Beat the crabs: In summer, use tougher baits (squid heads, crab wraps) and plenty of bait elastic.
• Lure rotation: Start high in the water column (surface/sub-surface) at first light, then step down to minnows and soft plastics as the sun lifts.
• Rod position: Keep rods high and lines tight to steer fish over kelp; a long drop net is handy if you must fish from rocks.
• Rays: Fish sandeel/squid at last light into the first 3 hours of darkness on a settling sea.
• Mullet: Carry a small float rod and bread—mullet often graze around rock pools in calm spells.
• Parking etiquette: Arrive early, park tight, and never block farm access or passing places; lanes are used by locals and tractors.
• Expectations: Winter cod are vanishingly rare here—focus on whiting/pout and the odd strap conger if you’re out in colder months.

Regulations

Angling is generally permitted from Hemmick Beach. Regulations can change—always check the UK Government, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), and Cornwall IFCA before you go.

• European seabass: Recreational rules (bag limits/season) are reviewed annually. Minimum conservation reference size (MCRS) is 42 cm; retention limits and any seasonal closures vary—check the current notice before keeping a bass.
• Minimum sizes: UK/EU MCRS apply to finfish and shellfish; return undersized fish promptly. Cornwall IFCA publishes local minimum sizes and ID guidance.
• Crabs/lobsters: Potting (even recreational) in Cornwall generally requires an IFCA permit and correct tag/marking; berried/v-notched lobsters must be returned. Hand-gathering has strict size limits—check Cornwall IFCA rules.
• Protected species/habitats: Do not target shad, tope for retention, or disturb seals and nesting seabirds. If you accidentally catch a protected species, release it immediately.
• Bait collecting: Follow local byelaws and best practice—avoid any seagrass, saltmarsh, and SSSI features; fill in any bait holes.
• Access and conduct: Stick to public paths, respect National Trust guidance, close gates, and take all litter home. No open fires/BBQs where prohibited.
• Keep only what you need: Many local anglers practice catch-and-release for big wrasse and breeding bass to protect the stock.