Summary
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.
Location and Access
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.
Seasons
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
Methods
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
Tides and Conditions
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
Safety
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
Facilities
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
Tips
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
Regulations
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.
