Mawgan Porth Fishing

Last updated: 5 days ago

Mawgan Porth Fishing Map

Open, sandy surf beach flanked by rocky headlands with the River Menalhyl entering at the southern end. Productive for surf bass in a rolling sea; flatfish and small-eyed rays from the cleaner sand at range, especially after dark. Summer sees mackerel and garfish around the corners, with mullet in the river outflow and pools. Best on a flooding tide into dusk; coloured water after a blow favours bass. Easy parking and amenities in the village, but take care with strong swells and rip currents.

Ratings

⭐ 7.1/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 6/10
Accessibility 8/10

Fish You Can Catch at Mawgan Porth

🐟 Bass 9/10
🎯 Tip: Surf beach; fish rougher water on a flooding tide. Cut sandeel, lug or peeler close in, or work surface/metals at dawn/dusk around rips.
🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 8/10
🎯 Tip: Clean sand; best at night into the flood. Small fish or squid baits at 30–70 m. Regular year-round, strongest spring–autumn.
🐟 Pollack 7/10
🎯 Tip: From rocky heads either side; fish soft plastics/metals on a flooding tide at dusk. Keep lures up to avoid kelp.
🐟 Whiting 7/10
🎯 Tip: Winter evenings on the beach; 2–3 hook flappers with lug or squid slivers at medium range on the flood/high.
🐟 Small-eyed Ray 6/10
🎯 Tip: Night sessions on neaps; long-cast sandeel or mackerel fillet to sandbars/gutters. Best late spring–autumn in settled surf.
🐟 Mackerel 6/10
🎯 Tip: Summer shoals off the headlands; small metals or feathers at dawn/evening over mid to high water.
🐟 Ballan Wrasse 6/10
🎯 Tip: From rock platforms; daylight flood. Fish crab or worm tight to kelp/rocky gullies with strong tackle.
🐟 Turbot 5/10
🎯 Tip: Occasional in the surf; small sandeel/smelt baits worked along the first/second breakers on the flood, spring to early autumn.
🐟 Golden-grey Mullet 5/10
🎯 Tip: Calm summer evenings by the rivermouth/surf line; small hooks with rag or sandeel strips/Isome drifted in the wash.
🐟 Weever Fish (Lesser) 5/10
🎯 Tip: Common in summer in shallow surf; small worm baits on size 6–8 hooks. Handle with care—venomous spines.

Mawgan Porth Fishing

Summary

Mawgan Porth is a broad, west-facing sandy bay on Cornwall’s north coast between Newquay and Bedruthan Steps. It offers classic surf-beach fishing for bass, small-eyed rays and turbot, with rocky fringes at either end for wrasse and pollack. It is scenic, accessible, and fishes best when there is some life in the water but not a raging swell.

Location and Access

Set in a small village, Mawgan Porth is easy to reach and has parking right behind the beach. The terrain is mainly firm-to-soft sand with rocky points at each end and short, undulating coast path sections if you explore the headlands.

Seasons

Mawgan Porth is a productive surf mark through late spring to autumn, with rock species at the edges. Winter brings scratching opportunities on calmer days.

Methods

This is classic surf-beach work with options for lure and rock fishing at either end. Keep tackle simple, present fresh baits tidily, and position them along gutters and the first or second breakers.

Tides and Conditions

Tide and sea state make or break this beach. Aim for movement without dangerous surf, and time sessions around the formation of gutters and banks.

Safety

This is an exposed Atlantic beach with powerful rips and changeable swell, plus slippery rocks at the ends. Plan conservatively and give the sea full respect.

Facilities

The village backs the beach, so facilities are close at hand, with more comprehensive services in Newquay.

Tips

Subtle features make a big difference here; reading the beach and timing your session pays off.

Regulations

Shore angling is generally permitted at Mawgan Porth, but you must follow national and local rules and respect seasonal beach management.