Pedn Vounder Fishing

Summary

Pedn Vounder is the stunning, sandy cove beneath Treen Cliff near Porthcurno and Logan Rock on Cornwall’s far west peninsula. Crystal-clear water, fast-flooding “lagoon” sandbars and flanking rock ledges create classic, mobile bass ground with bonus summer species in calm conditions. It’s a rewarding but committing mark that demands careful tide and safety planning.

Location and Access

Set in West Penwith between Porthcurno and Logan Rock, Pedn Vounder is reached by a steep coastal path and short scramble. The approach is beautiful but serious—pack light and plan around the tide.

• Park in Treen village’s signed car park (by the Logan Rock Inn). Charges usually apply and it fills quickly in summer; arrive early.
• From the car park, follow the coast path towards Logan Rock/Porthcurno. A waymarked path drops to Pedn Vounder; expect a very steep section and a hands-on rock scramble at the end.
• Allow 15–25 minutes down, longer back up. Footing can be dusty, slippery and exposed in wet weather.
• Alternative: at very low tide some locals walk from Porthcurno beach around the rocks—do this only with an exact tide plan, as you can be cut off rapidly on the return.
• Terrain: fine sand, shifting bars and gullies on the beach; rough granite ledges and kelp on the flanks towards Logan Rock. Not suitable for trolleys or heavy boxes.

Seasons

Expect a bass-led venue with a classic summer mix in settled weather. Rock borders hold wrasse and pollack; clear water brings in mackerel and gar.

• Spring (Apr–Jun)
  • Bass (schoolies building to better fish on the flood)
  • Ballan wrasse (rocky edges), pollack
  • Thick‑lipped mullet in calm pockets; occasional early garfish and mackerel late spring
  • Chance of gilthead bream in gullies on crabs/shrimp in warm spells
• Summer (Jul–Sep)
  • Bass (lures or natural baits); best at dawn/dusk and first-of-the-flood over bars
  • Mackerel, garfish, scad on calm evenings; pollack from the points
  • Ballan wrasse (all sizes; handle and release carefully)
  • Mullet (bread/prawn tactics), occasional triggerfish in very warm, clear spells
• Autumn (Oct–Nov)
  • Bass (often the peak for better fish in onshore fizz)
  • Pollack on lures near dusk; sporadic whiting at night on small baits
• Winter (Dec–Feb)
  • Generally quiet and exposed; odd winter bass in mild spells
  • Pouting/rockling from rough ground; conditions often too hostile for comfortable access

Methods

Fish it as two venues: a mobile, lure‑friendly surf lagoon on the sand and classic Cornish rock‑ledges at the edges. Keep gear minimal and versatile.

• Lure fishing (bass, pollack, mackerel/gar)
  • Bass: surface walkers, shallow divers and 4–6 inch weedless soft plastics (pearl/sandeel) over bars on the flood, especially first light/last light
  • Pollack: 10–20 g jigheads with paddle tails, or slim metals at dusk along the rock tongues
  • Mackerel/gar: small spoons/metals (10–30 g), sabiki/feathers sparingly
• Bait fishing (bass, gilthead, mullet, occasional autumn bits)
  • Bass: running ledger or simple pulley with fresh sandeel, peeler crab or whole prawn; size 1/0–3/0 (circle hooks reduce deep‑hooking)
  • Gilthead bream: peeler/crab or shrimp in the gullies on a light running rig; long fluorocarbon snoods
  • Mullet: bread flake or small prawn under a float; size 6–10 fine‑wire hooks
• Wrasse tactics
  • Soft plastics weedless over kelp (natural browns/greens) or hard crab baits; strong abrasion-resistant leaders
• Tackle notes
  • 9–10 ft lure rod (10–35 g) for the beach and points; 10–11 ft medium rod for light bait work
  • 15–20 lb braid with 20–25 lb fluoro leader around rocks; step down over clean sand for bite rate
  • Pack a compact selection: a few SPs, a surface lure, a slim diver, and small metals cover most scenarios

Tides and Conditions

Pedn Vounder is all about timing the flood and reading the sandbars. The beach transforms quickly; a small window can be exceptional for bass.

• Tide state
  • Best: first two hours of the flood and into dusk; bass push over the newly covered bars and into the lagoon
  • Mid-to-high water: work rock margins for wrasse/pollack; beach space rapidly reduces on springs
  • Avoid being stranded: springs can cover the sand at alarming speed—plan an exit before the turn
• Sea conditions
  • Lures excel in clear, calm to slight seas with a little ripple
  • Baits score when there’s gentle onshore “fizz” stirring the shorebreak (not big surf—this cove gets dangerous fast)
  • Strong SW groundswell wraps in; easterlies flatten it but can make it ultra-clear
• Time of day and seasonality
  • Dawn/dusk are prime, especially in summer and early autumn
  • After prolonged calm, expect spooky fish—long casts, finer leaders, natural colours
  • Post-storm settle often brings a short, productive window for better bass

Safety

This is a committing, tide‑cutoff venue with a steep scramble. Treat the approach and the sea with respect, and don’t attempt it in marginal conditions.

• Access hazards
  • Final descent is a hands‑on scramble; not suitable for heavy loads, children, dogs or anyone with limited mobility
  • Do not rely on any fixed ropes you may find—they are unofficial and may be unsafe
• Tide and sea
  • The beach all but disappears at high water on springs; plan arrival/exit around low and leave early
  • Powerful rips form along bar edges; avoid wading deep and never turn your back on the sea
  • Swell rebounds off Logan Rock creating rogue surges near the points
• General safety
  • Avoid the descent/exit in the dark; headtorches don’t make the scramble safe
  • Wear grippy footwear; consider a rock‑fishing PFD and carry a whistle; fish with a partner
  • Phone signal is unreliable in the cove—tell someone your plan and expected return time
  • If rock fishing the points, only do so in calm seas with full safety gear and escape routes; many experienced locals give the ledges a miss in swell

Facilities

Pedn Vounder is wild—arrive self‑sufficient. All amenities are away from the beach.

• No facilities on the cove: no toilets, water, bins or lifeguards
• Nearest services
  • Treen: pub (Logan Rock Inn) and seasonal village parking
  • Porthcurno: public toilets (seasonal), café(s) in season, larger car park and RNLI lifeguard cover on Porthcurno beach (not Pedn Vounder)
  • Tackle and bait: head to Penzance/Newlyn for shops and fresh bait
• Communications: mobile reception is patchy to none at beach level
• Note: the cove has a long‑standing naturist presence—be respectful and discrete

Tips

Think light, time the flood, and keep moving. Little details make a big difference here.

• Dawn patrol pays: two hours at first light on a making tide often beats a whole afternoon
• Polarised glasses help read bars and spot bass riding the current seams
• A single sling bag with lures, long‑nose pliers, spare leader and a compact drink is all you need
• Weedless soft plastics save gear over kelp tongues; change colours if follows don’t convert
• If bait fishing, fresh local sandeel and peeler crab outfish frozen most days
• Release wrasse promptly—they’re hardy if unhooked over the water and not laid on hot sand
• Summer crowds: avoid busy bathing times; fish the edges or go very early/late
• Respect the naturist tradition—no photos, keep a low profile, and pick a quiet corner

Regulations

Rod-and-line sea fishing is generally permitted at Pedn Vounder; there is no known local ban. Always check the latest national and Cornwall IFCA rules before you go.

• European sea bass (recreational)
  • Minimum size: 42 cm
  • Retention (typical recent rule): up to 2 bass per angler per day from 1 March–30 November; catch‑and‑release only outside those dates
  • Use rod-and-line only; check MMO/Cornwall IFCA for any updates before your session
• Size limits and protected species
  • National MLS apply to many species; never retain undersized fish
  • Tope: recreational retention is prohibited in England—release immediately
  • Spurdog and several skates/rays are sensitive; release carefully and consult current guidance
• Local considerations
  • If lifeguards are operating at neighbouring Porthcurno, obey any signage and keep well clear of swimmers; do not fish into bathing zones
  • Do not disturb seals or cliff‑nesting birds; keep 100 m+ from hauled‑out seals and move if wildlife is reacting to you
  • Bait/shellfish gathering has local bylaws (e.g., no taking berried lobsters/crabs; size limits apply)—see Cornwall IFCA
• General
  • Take all litter and line home; leave no trace on this sensitive, scenic cove
  • In an emergency at sea or on the cliffs, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard