Summary
Housel Bay is a small, steep-sided cove on the eastern flank of the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall, a short walk from Lizard village. Sheltered from prevailing westerlies and facing the English Channel, it mixes sand in the middle with kelpy rock ledges on either side, offering varied fishing. It’s a compact, scenic mark that rewards thoughtful tide timing and careful lure or bait presentation.
Location and Access
Getting to the mark is straightforward, but the final descent is steep and can be slippery in damp weather. Plan your approach in daylight the first time and carry only what you need.
- Drive to Lizard village and use the main pay-and-display car park by the village green; paths to the South West Coast Path are well signposted.
- From the coast path, signed paths/steps lead down to Housel Bay; expect a steep, uneven descent with some natural steps and sections of compacted earth.
- The beach is small and mostly sand, with boulders and kelp at the edges; rock ledges sit on both the northern and southern flanks of the cove.
- Access to the flanking rocks is via informal fisherman trails off the coast path and/or from the beach at lower states—assess safely and avoid anything that looks eroded or exposed.
- Parking beside hotels/guesthouses above the bay is typically for patrons only; respect any private access or hotel signage.
Seasons
This venue fishes like two marks in one: a sandy pocket for surf species and rough, weedy fringes for wrasse and predators. Expect seasonal variety with summer peaks.
- Spring (Mar–May): bass, pollack, plaice (early spring), gurnard, garfish (from late spring), ballan/corkwing wrasse as the water warms.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): mackerel, garfish, scad, bass, wrasse, pollack, pout; occasional small-eyed or spotted ray on the cleaner patches; dogfish at night.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): bass (often at their best), pollack, wrasse (until the first real chills), mackerel/scad tails off, conger and dogfish at night; chance of triggerfish in warm years.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): whiting and dogfish on calmer nights, occasional bass in rougher spells; fewer lure options but pollack still possible in settled windows.
- Occasional/bonus: turbot (rare), gurnards on sand, squid/cuttle in late autumn around dusk, bull huss from the rough ground at night.
Methods
Match your approach to the ground in front of you: light lures and floats for the weedy edges; cleaner-ground rigs and fresh baits for the sandy pocket.
- Lure fishing (rocks/edges): 7–9 ft rod, 15–20 lb braid, 20–30 lb fluoro leader; weedless soft plastics (10–20 g) in natural colours for bass and pollack; metal jigs and slim spoons (15–30 g) for mackerel/scad at dawn/dusk; switch trebles to singles to reduce snagging.
- Surface/sub-surface plugs: work dawn/dusk on a flooding tide along the gutters for bass; keep retrieves steady and use subtle colours in clear water.
- Float fishing: size 2–1/0 hook, ragworm/sandeel/mackerel strip set 6–12 ft deep for garfish, wrasse, and pollack along kelp lines.
- Bottom fishing (sand in the middle): 2-hook flapper (size 2–1) with ragworm/sandeel for plaice/gurnard; long flowing trace with whole sandeel or sandeel/squid wrap for bass or the odd ray; fish into the last 2 hours of flood or first of ebb.
- Bottom fishing (rough ground edges): pulley or pulley-pennel with a weak “rotten-bottom” link; crab, squid, or fish baits for wrasse, conger, and huss; use abrasion-resistant leaders (40–60 lb) and keep fish moving clear of kelp.
- General: bring spare rigs, clip-down components for tidy casts in a breeze, and long-nose pliers; a compact headtorch is essential if staying into dusk.
Tides and Conditions
Tide state and wind direction make or break this cove. Think shelter and water clarity for wrasse/pollack, and mild surf for bass.
- Best tide windows: mid-flood to high for bass over the sand; low to mid-flood over the rocky edges for wrasse and pollack as water pushes over the kelp.
- Springs vs neaps: springs can quickly swamp the beach and increase surge on the ledges; neaps offer longer, safer fishing windows with steadier presentation.
- Wind: westerly/north-westerly winds often give clear, fishable water on the east-facing cove—great for wrasse, pollack, garfish. Easterlies/SE bring surf and colour—good bass cues but quickly unsafe in larger swells.
- Light levels: dawn and dusk excel for bass, mackerel, and garfish; after dark brings conger, dogfish, and autumn whiting.
- Water quality: after a blow, expect suspended weed and kelp; it usually cleans in 24–48 hours—watch for strings of weed that can foul lines.
- Safety tie-in: avoid fishing the far ledges on a building swell; rogue sets and rebound off the cliffs are a real factor here.
Safety
This is a beautiful but committing cove: steep access, slippery rocks, and fast-flooding tides. Plan conservatively and wear a PFD on the ledges.
- Steep, uneven path and steps; not suitable for trolleys, wheelchairs, or those with limited mobility.
- Slippery rock, kelp, and polished boulders—wear grippy boots/cleats and avoid wet weeded slabs.
- Tidal cut-off: both flanks can isolate you—know the escape route and your tide times; leave before the ledge pinches off.
- Swell and surge reflect off the cliffs; keep well back from edges, especially on easterly winds or spring tides.
- Rockfall hazard under the cliffs; don’t sit or set up directly beneath crumbly faces.
- No lifeguard; expect swimmers in summer—use the flanking rocks and avoid heavy casting when the beach is busy.
- Mobile reception can be patchy in the cove; it’s usually better on the coast path above.
- Night fishing: recce in daylight, mark your exit, and carry a headtorch plus a backup.
Facilities
There are no facilities on the beach itself; base yourself out of Lizard village and carry in what you need.
- Parking: main pay-and-display in Lizard village by the green; limited seasonal on-street options—observe local signage.
- Toilets: public conveniences in Lizard village (seasonal opening times).
- Food and drink: cafés, pubs, and small shops in Lizard village; hours vary off-season.
- Bait and tackle: very limited on the Lizard; head to Helston or Porthleven for full tackle shops and fresh/frozen bait.
- Lifesaving: Lizard RNLI lifeboat station is nearby at Kilcobben Cove (visitor hours in season); always self-reliant for safety.
- Phone signal: generally fair on the clifftop, can drop in the cove.
- No lighting on paths—bring a headtorch if fishing dusk or after dark.
Tips
Small adjustments matter at Housel: fish the right slice of tide, gear up for kelp, and stay mobile.
- Use weak-link “rotten-bottom” setups on the rough ground to save leads and reduce snag losses.
- Single-hook lures out-fish trebles here by snagging less and releasing fish cleaner.
- For bass in clear water, work long casts parallel to the shorelines, not just straight out; subtle, translucent patterns help.
- For rays on the sand, a fresh sandeel or small launce with a squid tip holds well for longer casts.
- Float-fish ragworm tight to the kelp for wrasse, then lift the float depth and switch to fish strip as the light drops for garfish.
- If a seal is working the cove, move marks—predators usually shut down.
- Be considerate near accommodation above the bay if fishing late; keep light spill and noise down on calm nights.
- After big swells, check gutters on the first calming evening with weedless shads—bass often patrol as the water clears.
Regulations
Shore angling is generally permitted at Housel Bay, but you must follow national and local fisheries and access rules. Always check the latest notices before retaining any fish.
- Access: much of the headland is managed for conservation (including National Trust land). Angling from the foreshore is typically allowed—stay on paths, avoid vegetation damage, and take all litter home.
- Sea bass: recreational retention is subject to seasonal daily-bag and minimum-size rules that can change year to year. Check current MMO/DEFRA guidance before keeping any bass.
- Minimum sizes and MLS/MCRS: Cornwall IFCA publishes minimum sizes for several species (e.g., rays, flatfish, crabs/lobsters). Measure fish and return undersized specimens immediately.
- Species-specific measures: management for species like pollack can change; keep up to date with current DEFRA/MMO/Cornwall IFCA notices and follow any catch-and-release requirements.
- Protected species: if you encounter any protected species (e.g., shad, seahorses, angelshark), release immediately and unharmed.
- No selling catch: rod-and-line catches from recreational fishing must not be sold.
- Wildlife: do not disturb seals or nesting birds; maintain a respectful distance and never feed wildlife.
- Local etiquette: avoid casting near bathers and water users; some beaches may display seasonal advisory signs—comply with any on-site instructions.
