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Cornwall

Menabilly Beach

6.4 · Beach · Cornwall

A quiet twin-cove (often called Polridmouth) on the Menabilly Estate facing into St Austell Bay. The seabed is mainly clean sand in the bays with weedy, boulder-strewn headlands and short reefy fingers at either end, giving both surfy beach fishing and rough-ground options. Best in settled to moderate seas with a flooding tide into dusk during late spring through autumn. Summer brings mackerel, garfish and scad close in; bass patrol the surf line and gutters; mullet graze in the calm water; and wrasse/pollack hold tight to the rocks. Night tides can produce dogfish and the odd flatfish on the sand. Access is by footpath across the estate (15–25 minutes; no facilities), so pack light and check the return route in daylight. Watch for kelp snags by the rocks, occasional swell wrapping into the coves, and a long, dark walk out after sunset.

Should you fish Menabilly Beach?

66 Good

Today · Best window

Best window: 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide

Most likely species: Ballan Wrasse and Garfish

Good conditions. Best around 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide. Good chance of Ballan Wrasse and Garfish.

NW 3 mph Rain 8% High tide 11:17

Worth fishing if you can hit the best window.

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7-day fishing forecast for Menabilly Beach — 7-day forecast

Scores and best windows are weighted for .

Met Office Met Office · Open-Meteo

Where the data comes from. Weather and sea-state readings come from the Met Office and Open-Meteo forecast models, refreshed several times a day. High and low water are taken from tide-station predictions for this stretch of coast.

How the score works. Each window is scored 0–100 from the signals that most reliably move fish inshore: tide movement (a running tide carries food, so the last of the flood and first of the ebb are usually the prime spells), wind speed and direction (onshore wind stirs food into the surf — up to the point it makes fishing hard), sea state (a little wave and swell movement helps, heavy swell hurts), and weather — rain, temperature and light. Behind the headline number we score bite opportunity and comfort separately, and run a separate safety check on wind and swell. The size of the tide counts too: spring tides move more water than neaps, so the tidal range for this stretch of coast is weighed alongside the tide's direction, your target species and this mark — and unusually big springs strengthen the safety check, because the water rises faster and covers more ground.

Your target species counts. Pick a species below and the score also weights what we know about it — its season, preferred sea temperature, tide stage and sea state, and whether it feeds by day or night.

The rating is guidance, not a guarantee — conditions change fast on the coast, so always judge the sea in front of you before you fish.

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· windows & tide

Spring vs neap tides. Spring tides have a larger difference between high and low water, so more water moves on each tide — usually stronger flow that stirs up food and gets fish feeding. Neap tides have a smaller range and generally gentler movement. The range here is compared with what is normal for this stretch of coast, and the cycle swings between springs and neaps roughly every week, following the moon.

Big spring tides: the water rises faster and covers more ground than usual — double-check access routes and cut-off points before you fish.

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Menabilly Beach is best treated as a mobile twin-cove mark: clean sand and surf gutters for bass, smoothhound, rays and night species, with kelpy rock ribs and short reef fingers for wrasse, pollack and summer pelagics. The strongest all-round plan is a flooding tide into dusk in settled to moderate conditions, especially from late spring through autumn. Travel light, read the water, and be ready to switch between the beach and the rocky margins as the tide lifts.

  • Know when to fish the sand and when to move onto the rocky edges.
  • Time the flood properly for bass in the first gutter.
  • Pick the safer, cleaner ground when easterly swell brings weed.
  • Target wrasse and pollack without donating tackle to the kelp.
  • Use the right backup before wasting the walk-in.

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Fowey 1.4 mi Polruan 1.5 mi Polkerris 1.7 mi Par 2.4 mi Tywardreath 2.4 mi

Explore nearby towns: Fowey · Polruan · Polkerris · Par · Tywardreath

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Forecast tuning currently supports Bass and Mackerel — more species are on the way.

Overall rating

6.4 /10

Blend of catch potential, access, safety, and overall experience.

Category scores

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

Bass 8/10
Tip: Work gullies and surf edges at dawn/dusk on a flooding tide; plugs/soft plastics or peeler crab baits.
Ballan Wrasse 7/10
Tip: Crab or rag tight to kelp-covered rocks on mid-flood; short casts, use rotten-bottom rigs.
Pollack 6/10
Tip: Cast soft plastics or metals along rocky points at dusk on a rising tide; keep lures high to avoid snags.
Smoothhound 6/10
Tip: Ledger peeler crab on clean sand patches at dusk, late spring–autumn; light grip leads and long snoods.
Garfish 6/10
Tip: Float small mackerel strips or tiny metals in summer over the flood; set shallow and retrieve steadily.
Mullet (Thick-lipped) 6/10
Tip: Freeline bread or fish bread under a float in the calm cove/lagoon on the flood; stay quiet and keep distance.
Pouting 5/10
Tip: Small rag/squid baits over rough ground after dark; short casts with 2-hook flappers.
Mackerel 5/10
Tip: Feathers or small metals on clear, calm summer evenings when bait shows; best on the flood.
Golden-grey Mullet 5/10
Tip: Tiny rag or fish slivers on size 8s in the surf line at first light; keep tackle light and unobtrusive.
Gilthead Bream 5/10
Tip: Peeler crab or prawn just behind the surf near estuary flow on the flood; short casts, strong hooks.
Whiting 4/10
Tip: After-dark winter sessions over sand with small fish/squid strips at medium range; clip-down rigs.
Spotted Ray 3/10
Tip: Long-cast sandeel or squid onto clean ground in settled seas; summer–autumn, neap tides help.

Local knowledge

Menabilly Beach fishing guide

Practical access, seasons, methods, tides, safety and facilities for this mark.

Menabilly Beach (Polridmouth Cove) sits just west of Gribbin Head between Fowey and Polkerris on Cornwall’s south coast. It’s a pair of sandy coves with rocky ribs and clean ground in St Austell Bay, offering varied fishing from gentle surf bassing on the sand to wrasse and pollack around the rock fringes. The spot is quiet, scenic and best worked by mobile anglers who don’t mind a short walk.

Access is via the Menabilly/Gribbin Head car parks and estate footpaths, then a downhill track to the beach; the return is a short but steady climb. Allow extra time in summer when paths are busy and fields may hold livestock.

  • Approach: Signed lanes from Fowey or Polkerris for Menabilly/Gribbin Head; follow estate parking signs, then footpath to Polridmouth (Menabilly) Beach.
  • Parking: Pay-and-display/seasonal honesty box style car parks near Menabilly/Gribbin Head. Arrive early on school holidays. Postcodes vary locally; follow brown signs rather than sat-nav at the end of your journey.
  • Walk-in: 10–20 minutes depending on car park; compacted farm track and coast-path sections. The final approach is uneven in places.
  • Terrain at the mark: Two sandy coves (one with a stream and lagoon behind) separated by rocky ground; low-tide rock pools and kelp patches with clean sand further out.
  • Alternatives nearby: Additional rock ledges toward Gribbin Head (more exposed and committing) and more sheltered options toward Polkerris.

A mixed surf-and-rock venue with classic south-coast species. Expect bass and summer pelagics on the move, with wrasse and pollack tight to the rough ground.

  • Spring (Mar–May):
    • School and occasional better bass
    • Plaice and gurnard on the cleaner sand
    • Wrasse and pollack starting up on the rocks
    • Thick‑lipped mullet nosing around the stream mouth in calmer spells
  • Summer (Jun–Aug):
    • Bass (dawn/dusk, small surf)
    • Mackerel, garfish, and scad on settled evenings
    • Ballan and corkwing wrasse; pollack from rough ground
    • Golden‑grey mullet on neap tides over the sand; the odd sole after dark
    • Spotted dogfish; the odd small ray at range
  • Autumn (Sep–Nov):
    • Peak bass time, especially after blowy spells with colour in the water
    • Whiting increasing at night; scad still about
    • Squid possible from rock points in clear, calm nights
  • Winter (Dec–Feb):
    • Whiting, pouting, rockling after dark
    • Occasional flatties on neaps; bass possible in mild, coloured seas

Travel light and adapt to the state of tide and water clarity. The beach fishes differently to the rocky edges, so bring both surf and rock options if you can.

  • Bass (surf and edges):
    • Baits: Fresh peeler crab (prime in spring/early summer), lugworm, ragworm, sandeel or squid/sandeel cocktails
    • Rigs: Pulley dropper or clipped-down single for range; 2‑hook flapper for close gutters
    • Lures: 10–14 cm paddletails on 7–14 g heads, white/pink/ayu; small surface lures at first/last light on calm days
  • Flatfish and general surf species:
    • Baits: Lugworm/ragworm for plaice and sole; sandeel/squid for gurnard/dogs
    • Rigs: Long‑trace clipped rigs, up‑and‑over for distance; 3–4 oz leads commonly suffice, 5 oz if breezy
  • Wrasse and pollack (rock fringes/points toward Gribbin):
    • Float-fished rag/crab for wrasse over kelp patches; 12–15 lb mono leaders
    • Weedless soft plastics for wrasse; small metals/softs for pollack in tide runs
  • Mackerel/gar/scad (summer evenings):
    • Small metals/spinners, Sabiki/feather rigs, or float‑fished slivers of mackerel
  • Mullet at the stream mouth:
    • Stealthy float gear with bread flake or tiny rag; light fluoro and minimal shot
  • Squid (autumn calm, clear nights):
    • Egi 2.5–3.0 jigs from safe, elevated rock points; slow lifts and pauses under headlamp glare kept minimal

Tide strength is modest in the coves, stronger off the headland. Aim to match your approach to surf height and water colour.

  • Best tide windows:
    • Flooding tide from low to mid for bass across surf gutters
    • Mid to high for wrasse/pollack tight to rocks
    • Neaps aid presentation for plaice/sole over clean sand
  • Sea state and wind:
    • Light SW–W winds leave it comparatively sheltered; a 1–2 ft rolling surf with some colour is ideal for bass
    • Easterly/SE blows push in swell and weed; the coves can become messy and unsafe on big easterlies
  • Time of day/seasonality:
    • Dawn/dusk year-round for bass and summer pelagics
    • After rain, the coloured stream outflow can switch on bass and mullet
    • Autumn nights for whiting and potential squid in clear water

This is a natural beach with rocky margins and changeable surf. Take a cautious approach, especially if exploring the rock points toward Gribbin Head.

  • Slips, trips, and weed: Rock ribs are kelpy and slick when damp; wear good-soled boots
  • Tidal cut-off: Don’t get stranded on the rocky fingers between the two coves or toward Gribbin on a rising tide
  • Swell awareness: Easterly swell can surge unexpectedly around the points; keep a safe set-back
  • Climb and carry: The return walk is uphill; pack light and use a rucksack rather than buckets
  • Lifejacket: Strongly advised if fishing off any rocks or elevated ledges
  • Night fishing: Headtorch with spare batteries; watch footing on the farm track and stiles
  • Mobile signal: Patchy in places; tell someone your plan and ETA
  • Estate/footpaths: Stay on marked paths, respect gates/livestock, and heed any temporary signage

Expect few amenities on the beach itself. Plan to be self-sufficient, especially out of season.

  • No toilets, bins or taps at the coves; pack out all litter
  • Seasonal food/drink and toilets available at Polkerris; fuller facilities in Fowey
  • Tackle and bait: Options in Fowey/St Austell area; pre‑order live bait in summer
  • Parking is limited in peak season; arrive early or fish evenings/mornings
  • Phone signal can be inconsistent behind the headland

Little patterns make a big difference here. Keep mobile, read the water, and time your session to the surf.

  • Bass often patrol the first gutter at mid-flood—walk and cast along the seam rather than anchoring in one spot
  • After prolonged dry weather, a small onshore chop plus the stream’s colour is a golden window for bass
  • Crab baits in May–June single out better fish; switch to sandeel/lug when crabs are scarce
  • On bright, clear days, wrasse respond best to natural rag/crab under a float set just over kelp tops
  • Watch for terns working tight to the points; mackerel/gar or schoolie bass usually under them
  • Autumn evenings can see scad tight in—drop to small metals or size 6–8 sabikis for fun sport
  • If weed is heavy, go weedless on lures and keep rod high to skim the line over floating strands

General sea angling is permitted here. Always check for any temporary estate or National Trust notices on path access.

  • Bass rules (check latest on gov.uk): As of recent guidance, recreational anglers in ICES area 7 have a closed/mandatory catch‑and‑release period in winter, with a two‑fish daily bag limit at other times and a 42 cm minimum size. These measures are reviewed annually—verify current dates before retaining any bass.
  • Minimum sizes: Follow Cornwall IFCA minimum conservation reference sizes (MCRS) for species like plaice, rays, mullet, etc. Keep a current size chart to hand.
  • Protected areas: The nearby Fowey Estuary has conservation designations and seasonal bass nursery restrictions for certain methods and craft; this beach sits outside the main estuary, but check IFCA maps if you plan to range into the estuary by boat or kayak.
  • Night fishing and access: No specific local night-fishing bans known, but keep noise/light to a minimum and stick to public rights of way.
  • Tidy lines: No fires/BBQs on dry grass, no camping on the beach, and remove all traces of bait and line.