Summary
Navax Point sits on the wild St Agnes Heritage Coast of north Cornwall, a rugged headland between St Agnes Head and the Perranporth/Cligga stretch. It’s classic deep-water rock fishing: kelp-fringed gullies, fast-moving tide lines and clear Atlantic water that draws in pollack, wrasse and bass. For competent rock anglers it rewards effort with quality fish and stunning scenery.
Location and Access
Navax Point is reached via the South West Coast Path on the high cliffs between St Agnes Head and the Cligga/Perranporth side. Access is straightforward to the headland path, but getting onto any low ledges involves exposed scrambles and should only be attempted in calm seas and good visibility.
- Approach from the National Trust car park at St Agnes Head or from the Trevellas/Blue Hills end; allow 20–40 minutes’ coastal walk depending on your start point and chosen ledge.
- Paths are well-used but narrow, uneven and exposed to the wind; expect steep, short descents on goat tracks to reach fishing stances.
- Footing is on sloping rock, heather and short turf with areas of loose gravel; stout boots essential.
- Parking is seasonal-pay/NT at St Agnes Head and informal lay-bys around Trevellas; arrive early in summer as spaces fill fast.
- No direct beach access at Navax itself; this is a cliff/rock mark. Not suitable for trolleys or heavy kit loads.
Seasons
This is a mixed rough-ground rock mark with depth, kelp and tide—prime for lure and float fishing most of the year. Expect summer variety and a more specialised winter fishery.
- Spring (Apr–Jun): Pollack, ballan wrasse, cuckoo wrasse (occasional), early mackerel and garfish; bass on onshore blows and around colour lines.
- Summer (Jul–Sep): Pollack (3–6 lb typical), mackerel, scad at dusk, garfish, ballan wrasse (with occasional big fish), bass along the foamy edges; triggerfish possible in warm spells.
- Autumn (Oct–Nov): Bigger pollack inshore, bass peaking around rough weather windows, pouting and poor cod at night; the odd codling in heavy northerlies (rare nowadays).
- Winter (Dec–Mar): Conger eel and bull huss from the rough ground after dark, pouting and rockling; wrasse activity drops right off.
- Always present: Shore crabs, spider crabs seasonally; seals pass by—expect the odd unwanted ‘escort’.
Methods
Clear water, tide and structure make Navax a top lure and float venue, with heavy bottom gear reserved for night huss/conger sessions on calmer seas.
- Lures (daylight/dusk):
- 20–40 g metal jigs and slim spoons for mackerel/scad and prospecting for pollack along the kelp line.
- 4–6 inch weedless soft plastics (sandeel/shad patterns) on 10–20 g Texas/Cheburashka; count down and work parallel to the rock face for pollack.
- Sub-surface minnows and surface walkers for bass in white water pockets and along colour seams.
- Float fishing:
- 10–12 g cigar floats set 10–20 ft over sand/kelp tongues for pollack/wrasse; use ragworm, prawn, crab, or sandeel strip.
- Add a small starlight at dusk and drift baits across tide lines for scad/garfish.
- Bottom fishing (calm conditions/night):
- Pulley or pulley-pennel rigs with rotten-bottom weak links; 4–6 oz leads depending on tide run.
- Big fish baits (mackerel, squid, crab cocktails) for huss and conger; use abrasion-resistant leaders.
- Tackle notes:
- 9–10 ft HRF/LRF rods for finesse; 9–10 ft 20–50 g lure rods for pollack/bass; 12–13 ft beach-style or stout 8–10 ft boat-style rods for rough-ground bait work.
- Carry plenty of spare leads, weak-link clips and fluorocarbon leaders; weedless hooks save gear in the kelp.
- Timing:
- Dawn and last-light are prime for pollack and bass; after dark for huss/conger; bright, calm midday suits wrasse under the ledge.
Tides and Conditions
Moving water is the trigger here. The headland throws off defined tide lines and back-eddies that concentrate bait—read the water and fish the features.
- Tide: The flood into high water is often best, but the first of the ebb can be excellent on the outer points. Avoid peak spring flows with bottom gear—work edges or switch to lures/float.
- Swell: A modest, long-period swell creates white water for bass and brings pollack up; big Atlantic swells are dangerous and shut down access to low stances.
- Wind: Light easterlies/SE winds give clear water for wrasse/lure work; onshore SW–NW adds colour and oxygen, good for bass on the turns.
- Water clarity: Clear-to-green is ideal for pollack/wrasse; if it muddies, scale up lure silhouettes or switch to scent-heavy baits.
- Seasonality: May–October is prime for variety; winter sessions are specialist and mainly nocturnal on settled nights.
Safety
This is an exposed, committing rock mark beneath high cliffs. There are no barriers, and several routes involve short scrambles on sloping rock—treat it with full respect.
- Assess swell from height; watch at least 10–15 minutes before committing, and step back if any set breaks onto your stance.
- Wear a properly fitted personal flotation device, grippy boots, and take a headtorch with spare batteries if there’s any chance of walking out in the dark.
- Use rotten-bottom links over rough ground to avoid pulling yourself off balance when snagged; keep rods leashed on exposed ledges.
- Beware loose ground and old mine workings in the St Agnes/Cligga area; keep to established paths and avoid cliff edges after heavy rain.
- Not suitable for children, dogs off-lead, or anyone with limited mobility; phone signal is variable—tell someone your plan and carry a whistle/PLB.
- Seasonal nesting-bird and erosion fencing may be in place on the coast path—respect any roped-off areas. Angling is generally allowed but do not cross safety barriers or signage.
Facilities
Navax Point itself is wild and unfacilitated; plan to be self-sufficient. Nearby villages offer essentials before/after your session.
- No toilets, water or shelter at the mark; take everything you need and pack out all litter and line.
- Nearest amenities in St Agnes and Perranporth: cafés, pubs, shops, public toilets (seasonal), fuel and cashpoints.
- Tackle and bait available in the wider area (St Agnes/Perranporth seasonal outlets, plus larger shops in Newquay, Truro, Redruth/Camborne).
- Mobile coverage can be patchy along the cliffs; it improves on higher ground but don’t rely on data/maps in gullies.
- Public transport is limited; access is primarily by car plus a coastal path walk.
Tips
Treat Navax like several micro-marks: each finger of rock, gully and rip can fish differently with tide and swell. Travel light, keep moving, and fish the water in front of you methodically.
- Work lures along the kelp line rather than straight out—pollack often sit tight to the rock. Count down your lure and vary retrieve speeds.
- For wrasse, rotate baits: peeler crab first choice, then prawn or rag; if crabs are thick, hard-back peeler halves can outlast pickers.
- Add a short fluorocarbon rubbing leader (20–30 lb) above your lure; the rocks are abrasive and fish hit hard near structure.
- Use weak-link (rotten-bottom) setups on any static gear; a short 8–12 lb mono dropper to the lead saves rigs and reduces seabed litter.
- Dusk often brings scad and better pollack onto the feed—switch to small metals or size 6–8 sabiki under a 1–1.5 oz sinker for fast action.
- Seals are regulars; if one dogs you, move marks rather than feeding it your fish. Land quickly and release quietly.
- Big ballan wrasse are slow-growing—photograph and release the trophies; take smaller fish sparingly if you want one for the table where permitted.
Regulations
There is no general angling ban at Navax Point, but you are within protected coastal designations (SSSI/SAC along the Godrevy–St Agnes coast). Angling from the shore is permitted; avoid damaging habitats and obey any on-site instructions.
- Bass: Minimum size 42 cm for European sea bass. Seasonal recreational bag limits and closed periods apply—check the latest MMO/DEFRA notice before you go.
- Minimum Conservation Reference Sizes (MCRS): Do not retain undersized fish (e.g., pollack, mackerel, wrasse species have guidance; bass is statutory). Keep a pocket measure.
- Shellfish: Berried lobsters/crabs must not be taken; local IFCA byelaws set sizes and gear rules—check Cornwall IFCA for up-to-date limits if collecting.
- Marine protected areas: No specific shore-angling prohibition, but do not remove protected species or hammer intertidal life for bait; respect any seasonal bird-nesting restrictions on access.
- General: No camping or fires on the headland (National Trust land). Take all litter/line home. In emergency call 999/112 and ask for the Coastguard.
