Park Head Fishing

Summary

Park Head is a dramatic National Trust headland on Cornwall’s north coast between Porthcothan and Bedruthan Steps. It offers classic deep, kelpy rock fishing into clean-to-mixed ground with real potential for pollack, bass and big night-time species. Access is straightforward along the coast path, but most productive perches are high and exposed, so this is a mark for experienced rock anglers.

Location and Access

This mark sits on the South West Coast Path between Porthcothan and Carnewas/Bedruthan Steps. Access is via well‑made paths, then short trods to the cliff‑top fishing stances; lower ledges are few and often hazardous.

• Parking options: National Trust Carnewas at Bedruthan Steps (nearest signed car park; postcode TR8 4BU), then walk north on the coast path 20–30 minutes to Park Head.
• Alternative: Porthcothan Beach parking (village facilities; postcode roughly PL28 8PW), then walk south 30–40 minutes on the coast path.
• Terrain: Grassy headland tops, exposed cliff edges, and kelp-covered rock below. Most fishing is from high platforms rather than wave-washed ledges.
• Footing: Mostly firm grass/earth with some uneven rock; final approach to any lower perches can be steep and slippery. Good boots essential.
• Public transport: Seasonal buses run along the B3276; expect a 10–20 minute walk from stops to the coast path.

Seasons

This stretch fishes like the rest of the north coast: summer lure fishing and mackerel over the rough, with wrasse under your feet and nocturnal predators after dark. Winter brings fewer species but some quality fish in the right sea.

• Spring (Mar–May):
  • Pollack on lures from the first settled spells
  • Early bass in a little colour, especially around dusk
  • Ballan wrasse on crab and worm baits as the water warms
• Summer (Jun–Aug):
  • Mackerel and scad shoals on calm evenings
  • Pollack to lures and float‑fished sandeels
  • Ballan and corkwing wrasse tight to kelp
  • Garfish on floats in clear water
  • Night species: conger eels and bull huss from the rougher holes
• Autumn (Sep–Nov):
  • Peak pollack fishing on overcast, lively seas
  • Bass in building swells and on dusk tides
  • Whiting and poor cod at range on calmer nights
• Winter (Dec–Feb):
  • Weather windows for conger and huss after dark
  • Occasional codling/coalie in northerly systems (uncommon but possible)
  • Rockling and pout as by‑catch

Methods

Think rough-ground rock fishing: strong tackle, rotten‑bottoms and lures that cut through tide over kelp. High platforms mean long drop nets or gaffs are required to land better fish.

• Lures:
  • 20–40 g metal jigs and slim spoons for mackerel/scad and searching for pollack
  • 20–35 g weedless soft plastics (sandeel/paddle tails) fished mid‑water down the rock face
  • Surface/sub‑surface hard lures for bass in a little colour, dawn/dusk
• Floats:
  • Float‑fished sandeel or strips for pollack/garfish in clear water
  • Float crab or ragworm for wrasse tight to the kelp edges
• Bottom fishing:
  • Pulley or pulley‑dropper with rotten‑bottom for huss/conger (4–6 oz leads typical)
  • Big fish baits after dark: whole mackerel flapper, squid/mackerel cocktails
  • Daytime rough‑ground scratching: size 1–2 hooks with rag/lug/peeler for wrasse, pout and occasional bass
• Tackle notes:
  • 12–15 ft rock rods or 9–10 ft H lure rods; 30–50 lb braid leaders for abrasion
  • Carry a drop net or gaff; many takes will be far below your stance
  • Use clip‑down rigs for casting clearance and a weak link to save gear in kelp

Tides and Conditions

Park Head faces the open Atlantic; choose your windows. Moderate swell and movement suit predators, but big west/north‑west seas make it unfishable and dangerous.

• Tide state:
  • Mid‑flood up to and through high water often best for pollack and bass
  • First of the ebb can switch fish on, but weed lift increases snag risk
• Springs vs neaps:
  • Springs give more movement for bass and nocturnal species
  • Neaps favour wrasse and controlled lure presentations in clear water
• Wind & sea:
  • Light easterly/north‑easterly winds give clear, fishable water from the cliffs
  • Avoid strong W–NW winds and long‑period swell; rebound and surges are severe here
• Time of day/season:
  • Dusk into night is prime for huss/conger and for bass in mild surf
  • Overcast summer evenings and autumn blow‑throughs are excellent for pollack
  • Bright, clear middays suit float fishing for wrasse/garfish in calm seas

Safety

This is a serious cliff mark. Most fishing is from high, exposed positions with sheer drops and unstable edges—best left to experienced rock anglers with the right kit.

• High cliffs with sheer drops: keep well back from edges; avoid undermined turf and crumbly faces
• Swell rebound/rogue waves: never attempt low ledges in swell; observe for a full tide cycle if new to the mark
• Landing fish: use a drop net or gaff; do not handline heavy fish up the cliff
• Footing: studded boots recommended; wet grass and sea spray make slopes treacherous
• Access: limited or no safe routes to sea level; do not climb fences or descend unofficial goat tracks
• Weather: fog rolls in fast; carry a headtorch, warm layers and spare light
• Comms: signal is generally good on the tops, patchy in coves; tell someone your plan
• Safety gear: wear a modern PFD/lifejacket and carry a knife to cut free if snagged
• Wildlife/bird nesting: respect any seasonal restrictions or diversions and keep noise to a minimum

Facilities

Facilities are sparse on the headland itself; plan to be self‑sufficient and carry out all litter, including line and bait packaging.

• Nearest toilets/café: National Trust Carnewas at Bedruthan Steps (seasonal opening hours)
• Porthcothan: seasonal beach shop, café and public toilets
• Tackle/bait: Newquay and Padstow have year‑round tackle shops; call ahead for fresh bait
• Parking: pay‑and‑display at Carnewas; limited village parking at Porthcothan
• Mobile signal: generally fair on cliff tops; can drop out in valleys/coves
• Water: no taps on the headland—bring plenty, especially in summer

Tips

A little local know‑how goes a long way at Park Head. Read the water, fish the layers, and travel light enough to move between lies.

• Watch for gannets or terns working tight to the headland—pollack and bass won’t be far behind
• Work soft plastics down the face: count them down and retrieve slow to mid‑water hits
• Use weedless hooks and light fluorocarbon leaders for wrasse in clear water to reduce snagging
• In summer calms, scale down to 10–20 g metals and small paddletails; bites often come on the drop
• After dark, set big baits well off the bottom with a long snood to keep them above kelp fronds
• Carry spare rotten‑bottom links and premade rigs—snag losses are part of the game here
• A gentle colour in the water (not chocolate) often outperforms gin‑clear conditions for bass
• Keep noise and headtorch use to a minimum; this area holds nesting seabirds and is popular with walkers

Regulations

Fishing is generally permitted from the National Trust headland, but always obey on‑site signage and any temporary path closures. This coastline falls under Cornwall IFCA and national sea angling rules—check the latest before your trip.

• Access/respect:
  • Keep to the South West Coast Path and permissive paths; do not cross safety fencing or descend unstable cliffs
  • Seasonal diversions may be in place for cliff erosion or bird nesting—follow all notices
• Bass (recreational):
  • As of recent years, typical rules are a closed/catch‑and‑release period in winter and a limited daily bag with a 42 cm minimum size in the open season—verify current dates and limits with the MMO/DEFRA before fishing
• Minimum sizes/byelaws:
  • Adhere to UK MLS for species such as pollack, bass, wrasse, cod, and flatfish; measure fish and return undersize immediately
  • It is illegal to keep berried (egg‑bearing) lobster or crab; v‑notched/berried lobsters must be returned
  • Respect potting gear—do not tie to or tamper with buoys and lines
• Protected areas:
  • Parts of the north Cornwall coast intersect with Marine Protected Areas; some restrictions on methods/species may apply—check Cornwall IFCA maps before you go
• General:
  • No fires or camping on the headland; take all litter home
  • Consider voluntary catch‑and‑release for large wrasse, which are important reef residents