Holywell Bay Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Holywell Bay Fishing Map

A wide, surf‑swept sandy beach backed by high dunes with rocky headlands at both ends and Gull Rocks offshore. Holywell Bay fishes best on a dropping swell and during the flood around the surf gutters and channels. Night tides produce dogfish and rays on the clean sand; daylight and dusk are prime for bass in the breakers. The rocks at either end give access to wrasse and pollack in settled weather. Access is via the National Trust car park with a 5–10 minute walk over dunes. Strong rips, heavy surf, and tidal cut‑offs around the headlands demand caution; lesser weever fish are common in summer.

Ratings

⭐ 6.4/10 Overall
Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 5/10
Accessibility 6/10

Fish You Can Catch at Holywell Bay

🐟 Bass 9/10
🎯 Tip: Surf gutters and stream outflow; dawn/dusk or after dark on a flooding tide. Lures (soft plastics/metals) or sandeel/peeler in the white water.
🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 8/10
🎯 Tip: Very common after dark over clean sand. Small fish or squid baits on 2-hook flappers into the first gutter on the flood.
🐟 Small-eyed Ray 7/10
🎯 Tip: Night, calm to moderate surf. Long cast to the outer bar on the flood/high with sandeel or squid on a pulley rig.
🐟 Pollack 6/10
🎯 Tip: From rocky points at dusk into kelp; 20-40g metals or weedless soft plastics. Best on the flood with a light westerly.
🐟 Starry Smoothhound 6/10
🎯 Tip: Late spring–autumn nights; fresh peeler or hard crab. Cast beyond surf tables on the flood; neaps often best.
🐟 Mackerel 6/10
🎯 Tip: Summer shoals off both headlands at dusk on a rising tide; 20-40g metals or small float rigs. Watch for birds and surface boils.
🐟 Ballan Wrasse 6/10
🎯 Tip: Rocky ends on the flood; fish crab or rag tight to kelp, or weedless soft plastics. Daylight, settled sea.
🐟 Whiting 5/10
🎯 Tip: Winter nights over sand; small fish or squid strips at range on 2-3 hook rigs. Best on the first half of the flood.
🐟 Flounder 5/10
🎯 Tip: Near the stream and inside gutters; small rag or sandeel strips on 2-hook flapper. Best in winter, last of the ebb into first flood.
🐟 Golden-grey Mullet 5/10
🎯 Tip: Calm surf and stream mouth; small rag or maddies on size 8-10 hooks, light running rig. Early flood through high in summer.

Holywell Bay Fishing

Summary

Holywell Bay sits on Cornwall’s exposed north coast, just west of Newquay, framed by the iconic Gull Rocks and long, shifting sandbars. It’s a classic Atlantic surf beach that rewards mobile anglers targeting bass in lively seas, with rocky fringes at either end offering wrasse and pollack in calmer windows.

Location and Access

Reaching the mark is straightforward, with a National Trust car park at the back of the dunes and a short walk to the sand. Expect soft, shifting terrain and a little legwork if you’re exploring the rock ends either side of the bay.

Seasons

This is a bass-forward surf venue, with rays and the odd turbot in the sand, plus wrasse and pollack from the rocks in settled, clear water. Night sessions in summer can produce variety, while autumn blows suit bass.

Methods

The beach lends itself to mobile surf fishing for bass, working the bars and gutters as the tide floods. The rock ends reward lure and float tactics in calm, clear water.

Tides and Conditions

Bass sport hinges on lively but manageable surf and moving water. Rays and turbot prefer smaller seas and cleaner water clarity.

Safety

This is an exposed Atlantic surf venue with notable rip currents and changing sandbars. Treat both ends’ rocky ledges with respect—wet weed, swell surges and cut-offs are real hazards.

Facilities

Holywell has decent seasonal amenities, with more options in nearby Newquay. Expect limited services out of season and late at night.

Tips

Read the beach like a surfer: bars, rips and gutters move every blow—finding a fresh seam often beats casting further. The iconic Gull Rocks are a great visual but don’t be tempted offshore; all the action is in the white water in front of you.

Regulations

There is no specific local ban on recreational sea angling from Holywell Bay beach or rocks that is publicly advertised. Standard national and regional rules apply; always check for updates before you fish.