Summary
Longrock Beach sits between Penzance and Marazion on the sweeping curve of Mounts Bay, Cornwall. It is an easy, open sandy mark that rewards thoughtful tide timing with bass, flatfish and the odd ray, and it stays remarkably fishable in a range of conditions.
Location and Access
This is one of the most accessible beaches in West Cornwall, with level approaches and multiple car parks along the bay. You are fishing a broad, gently shelving sand and fine shingle beach with occasional patches of weed and a stream outflow near Longrock village.
- Access via the A30: signed turn-offs for Longrock, Penzance Promenade and Marazion; follow beach or seafront signs
- Car parks at Longrock (beachside), Marazion (long-stay by the seafront), and Penzance’s Eastern Green end; all are pay-and-display in peak season
- Flat, easy walks from all car parks; soft sand can make barrow pulling a little heavy but gradients are minimal
- Best fishing areas: around the stream outflow at Longrock, the gutters that form mid-beach on big tides, and the slightly rockier fringes near the Penzance end
Seasons
This is a mixed surf venue where season and sea state shape the catch. Expect bass and flats through most of the year, with summer variety and winter whiting after dark.
- Spring: plaice, flounder, tub gurnard, school bass; first small-eyed and spotted rays on calmer evenings
- Summer: bass (including better fish after a blow), mackerel and garfish on clear days, golden grey mullet in the surf, occasional gilthead bream, smoothhound in warm spells, rays after dark, dogfish
- Autumn: prime bass time, mackerel hanging on during settled spells, rays, gurnards; whiting start to show late
- Winter: whiting after dark, flounder, dabs, dogfish; the odd codling is possible but rare in Mounts Bay
- Occasional bonuses: turbot on sandeel or small fish baits, thick-lipped mullet near outflows and along the Penzance fringe
Methods
Standard surf tactics work well here, with lure opportunities when the water clears and a gentle swell lines up. Match the approach to the day’s surf height and clarity.
- Bottom fishing: two-hook flapper with size 2–1 hooks for plaice/whiting; up-and-over or pulley/dropper with 1/0–3/0 for bass; pulley with 3/0–5/0 and strong snoods for rays
- Leads: 4–5 oz grip leads to hold in a pushy flood; 3–4 oz plain in calmer water to let baits roll and find gutters
- Baits: ragworm and lugworm for flats and bass; peeler or soft crab for bass and gilthead; sandeel (whole or sections) and squid strips for rays and turbot; mackerel strip for garfish and general picks
- Lures: shallow minnows, surface walkers and soft plastics for bass at first/last light; small metals for mackerel and garfish when it’s glassy clear
- Float fishing: effective for garfish on calm, bright days with small slivers of mackerel
- Presentation tips: long snoods with small beads/spoons for plaice; clipped-down rigs for distance on neaps; keep baits neat and aerodynamic for headwinds
Tides and Conditions
Longrock responds to moving water and pressure changes across the bay. Plan around the flood for surf species and calmer evenings for rays and flats.
- Tide: flooding tide into high water is prime; first hour of the ebb can stay lively, especially around the stream outflow
- Time of day: dawn and dusk for bass and mackerel; full dark for rays, smoothhound and winter whiting
- Wind and swell: a fresh SW/W wind with 1–3 ft surf colours the water and brings bass tight in; easterlies flatten the sea and favour lures and flats
- Water clarity: slightly coloured for bass; clear for plaice/garfish; avoid heavy weed days (the bay can suffer May-rot and post-gale rafts)
- Springs vs neaps: springs carve distinct gutters that hold bass and flats; neaps can be better for rays when the surf is modest
Safety
This is a forgiving, open beach, but surf, shore dump and water users demand awareness. Good lighting and simple precautions go a long way.
- Watch for strong shore breaks on bigger swells and hidden holes when wading; shuffle, don’t stride
- Keep clear of lifeguarded swimming zones and any flagged watersports areas; do not fish between red-and-yellow flags when in place
- Kitesurfing and windsurfing are common in onshore blows; give them wide berth and avoid long casts across active zones
- Slippy weeded rocks at either end near Penzance and the Marazion fringes; use boots with grip
- Night fishing: headtorch, spare light and reflective tape on tripod; mark exits off the beach
- Accessibility: level approaches from car parks; firm paths at Penzance Promenade and Marazion; soft sand may limit wheelchair access beyond ramps
- Personal safety: a wading belt and waistcoat lifejacket are sensible if you step into the surf
Facilities
Facilities are excellent by West Cornwall standards, with amenities at both ends of the bay and in Longrock village.
- Toilets: seasonal beach facilities at Marazion and near Penzance Promenade; check opening hours in winter
- Food and drink: cafés and takeaways in Marazion and Penzance; the Mexico Inn in Longrock is handy post-session
- Tackle: several tackle shops in Penzance town centre for bait and end gear; book rag/lug in advance during peak months
- Parking: multiple pay-and-display options close to the sand at Longrock, Marazion and Eastern Green
- Public transport: Penzance railway and bus links; Eastern Green is within walking distance of the station
- Mobile signal: generally strong 4G across Mounts Bay
Tips
Small tweaks make a big difference on this simple-looking beach. Read the sand and use the outflow and gutters as ambush lines.
- Target the Longrock stream mouth on a flooding tide for bass and flounder; fish baits downtide so scent washes into the channel
- Don’t overcast for bass: many fish patrol in the first 20–40 yards, especially in a lively surf
- On clear, calm days, add small luminous beads or red/black spoons above the bottom hook for plaice
- If weed is heavy, switch to streamlined baits and clipped-down gear; move up or down the beach to find cleaner water lines
- Summer evenings often see garfish and mackerel show suddenly; keep a small lure rod rigged to capitalise
- After a blow, give it 24–48 hours as the swell eases and water stays tea-stained; that window can be outstanding for better bass
- Keep moving: work along visible gutters and bars rather than sitting static over lifeless flat sand
Regulations
Sea angling is generally permitted from Longrock Beach. Keep up to date with national and local rules and observe any on-beach signage, especially in lifeguarded zones.
- Bass rules: as last updated, recreational anglers in the English Channel/Celtic Sea area have a 2-fish daily bag limit with a 42 cm minimum size in an open season typically 1 March–30 November; January–February and December are catch-and-release only. Always check current MMO/UK Government notices before you go
- Minimum sizes: adhere to UK minimum conservation sizes for commonly retained species (plaice, flounder, rays, etc.) and release undersized fish promptly
- IFCA byelaws: Cornwall IFCA prohibits taking berried lobster and crawfish and sets local MLS for shellfish; check current CIFCA byelaws if you hand-gather bait or retain crustaceans
- Marine protected area: Longrock sits within Mounts Bay Marine Conservation Zone; recreational angling is allowed, but avoid damaging habitats and follow any posted restrictions
- Lifeguarded areas: do not fish between red-and-yellow flags when lifeguards are on duty in summer; move outside flagged zones
- Bait collecting: respect any local signage near Marazion Marsh and follow the regional bait digging code (backfill holes, avoid sensitive areas)
- Access: obey parking bylaws and seasonal beach rules; no open fires on the beach where prohibited