Summary
Nanjizal, also known as Mill Bay, is a wild, picture-book cove a short hike from Land’s End on Cornwall’s far west. Towering granite, kelp-filled gullies and a small surf beach make it a classic mixed-ground mark with clear water and Atlantic energy. It’s remote, spectacular, and rewards thoughtful fishing when the swell and tides line up.
Location and Access
This is a walk-in mark on the South West Coast Path with no road access to the cove itself. The approaches from either side are beautiful but exposed, and the final descents to rock ledges are uneven and can be slippery.
- Parking options: Land’s End visitor car parks (TR19 7AA, pay-and-display) then follow the coast path south-east; or Porthgwarra car park (TR19 6JR, pay-and-display) then follow the coast path west.
- Walking time: 30–45 minutes from either Land’s End or Porthgwarra depending on pace and photo stops; expect steep sections, steps and narrow paths.
- Alternative footpath: A public right of way runs down the Nanjizal valley from the lanes near Trevescan/Polgigga to the beach; limited verge parking only and be considerate to residents.
- Terrain at the mark: Barnacle‑covered granite ledges, boulder fields, kelp gullies and a pocket of sand at low water. No railings, no lighting, and some ledges require short scrambles.
- Access notes: Stick to waymarked paths; avoid crossing cropped fields or disturbing livestock. Plan your approach and exit in daylight before any evening session.
Seasons
Nanjizal offers classic West Penwith rock fishing with a surfy twist on the beach at lower states. Expect rough-ground residents with seasonal pelagics in settled weather.
- Spring (Apr–May): Ballan and cuckoo wrasse, pollack, early bass on sandeel runs, garfish by late spring; occasional scad on calm evenings.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): Wrasse (ballan, cuckoo), pollack, mackerel, garfish, scad; school and better bass at dusk/dawn in the surf; occasional bull huss after dark from deeper gullies.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): Peak bass time around building tides and a gentle swell; mackerel/scad shoals persist through early autumn; solid pollack fishing; conger and bull huss on big baits after dark.
- Winter (Dec–Mar): Slimmer pickings but still pollack on lures in calmer windows; conger, huss and rockling at night from the rougher ground; odd whiting on very calm, clear nights.
- By-catch/occasionals: Shore clingfish, blennies and small wrasse on LRF gear; avoid over-claiming for rays or flatfish as ground is predominantly rocky.
Methods
Rough-ground tactics rule here, with lure and float fishing shining in clear water and bottom fishing producing after dark. Carry a long-handled net or drop-net for safe landing.
- Lures: 20–40 g metals, 110–150 mm shallow-diving minnows and 10–20 g weedless soft plastics for pollack and bass along kelp edges; work dawn/dusk or during overcast spells.
- Float fishing: Sliding float with mackerel strip, sandeel or prawn for garfish and pollack; set depth to run just above the kelp tops on the flood.
- Bottom fishing: Strong gear, 30–50 lb abrasion-resistant leaders, size 2/0–5/0 hooks. Use pulley or simple running ledgers with a rotten-bottom/weak link; baits include peeler crab, hardback, king rag/lug cocktails, squid or fish fillet for huss and conger.
- Bass in the surf: Long trace running ledger with fresh sandeel or a surf‑capable 20–30 g soft plastic; best in hissing white water on a flood towards dusk.
- LRF: Micro metals, isome, and tiny crustacean imitations in calm, clear conditions around pools and under ledges for minis (mind the tide).
- General tackle notes: Stout rod (2–4 oz lure rod or 4–6 oz bottom rod), reliable reels and fresh braid; fluorocarbon or mono leaders of 30–40 lb minimum over barnacled granite.
Tides and Conditions
As an exposed Atlantic mark, Nanjizal is heavily condition‑dependent. Moderate movement is your friend; big swell is dangerous and usually unfishable.
- Tide state: Mid to high water fishes well for wrasse and pollack along the kelp line; bass favor the flooding tide over the beach and into white water around features.
- Springs vs neaps: Neaps give calmer presentation and safer ledges; springs can push strong surges through gullies—great for bass if manageable but risky on low ledges.
- Swell and wind: Light easterlies/north‑easterlies flatten and clear the sea; a small W–SW groundswell (0.5–1.5 m) can switch on bass but avoid larger pulses. Any long‑period swell magnifies surges.
- Water clarity: Often crystal in settled weather—ideal for float and LRF. A hint of colour improves bass and reduces lure shyness.
- Best times: Dawn and last light year‑round; after-dark ledgering for huss/conger in autumn. Avoid dead slack water in bright sun unless sight‑fishing wrasse in holes.
Safety
This is a serious rock mark with no easy escape if conditions turn. Only attempt in safe seas, with appropriate footwear and a personal floatation device.
- Hazards: Atlantic swell, sudden surges in gullies, slippery weed, sheer drops and loose boulders. Many spots are cut off or wetted at higher states.
- Footing and gear: Wear grippy/studded boots, carry a headtorch with spare batteries, and use a PFD. Take a first-aid kit and keep hands free for scrambles.
- Positioning: Choose high, dry ledges with a clear retreat; never fish low platforms in swell. Rehearse your exit route in daylight.
- Solitude and comms: Mobile signal is patchy in the valley and at cliff base; tell someone your plan and consider buddy fishing.
- Wildlife and nesting birds: Give seals wide berth (especially Aug–Dec pupping) and do not disturb cliff-nesting birds; stay on paths and keep dogs on leads near livestock and wildlife.
- Accessibility: Not suitable for those with limited mobility, prams or trolleys. No lighting, handrails or lifebuoys.
Facilities
There are no facilities at Nanjizal itself—treat it as wilderness. Come self‑sufficient for water, food and waste.
- Nearest toilets/food: Land’s End complex has year‑round facilities; Porthgwarra has seasonal toilets and a small café.
- Tackle and bait: Available in Penzance, Newlyn and St Just; consider sourcing bait before driving out to the peninsula.
- Phone signal: Intermittent—generally better on exposed headlands, poor in the valley and close to the waterline.
- Parking: Pay-and-display at Land’s End and Porthgwarra; limited lay‑bys inland. No parking at the cove.
Tips
Little things make a big difference at this mark. Think stealth, abrasion resistance and choosing a ledge that matches the swell height.
- Leaders matter: 30–40 lb mono/fluoro leaders resist barnacles; upsize to 60 lb for conger/huss on rough ground.
- Rotten-bottoms: Always use a weak link on sinkers—snags are inevitable in kelp and boulder runs.
- Read the water: Fish the edges of white water and current seams; bass patrol the fizz around the ‘Song of the Sea’ arch area when there’s manageable swell.
- Polarised glasses: Spot wrasse in holes on bright, calm days and drop baits precisely; short casts often outfish long ones.
- Landing: A long-handled net or drop-net saves fish and tackle; avoid gaffs on catch‑and‑release species.
- Etiquette: It’s a photography hotspot—keep lines clear of walkers and photographers, and pack out all litter. Big ballan wrasse are slow-growing—handle carefully and release promptly.
Regulations
Angling is allowed at Nanjizal, but the area sits within protected landscapes and sensitive wildlife habitat. Always check current rules before you go.
- Bass regulations: Recreational bass rules (size limits and seasonal keep/retention limits) change occasionally—check the latest for ICES area 7e on gov.uk before your trip; minimum size has been 42 cm in recent years.
- Minimum sizes and bag limits: Cornwall IFCA publishes minimum conservation reference sizes for many species (e.g., crab, lobster, crawfish) and other byelaws; consult Cornwall IFCA for up-to-date details.
- Berried/soft-shelled crustaceans: It is illegal to take egg‑bearing lobsters and crawfish; size limits apply to all retained crustaceans.
- Protected wildlife: It is an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb nesting seabirds; grey seals are protected—keep your distance, especially during pupping. Dogs on leads near livestock and wildlife.
- Designations: The coastline is within the Cornwall AONB/Heritage Coast and near an offshore Marine Conservation Zone; rod‑and‑line angling is permitted, but treat the site as a sensitive environment.
- Landowner guidance: Much of the coast is cared for by the National Trust—no fires, no camping, use established paths and remove all litter.
- Safety expectation: No formal access infrastructure—your safety is your responsibility; wear a lifejacket on exposed ledges.
- Always verify: Regulations can change; check gov.uk and Cornwall IFCA before retaining any fish.
