Pendeen Watch Fishing

Summary

Pendeen Watch sits on the wild north coast of West Penwith, beneath the lighthouse between St Ives and Land’s End. It’s classic deep, rough ground rock fishing: clear Atlantic water, fast tides and serious fish. Experienced rock anglers come for pollack on lures, night conger and huss, and the chance of a proper bass in a swell.

Location and Access

Getting there is straightforward, but the last part can involve steep, exposed scrambles to reach usable ledges. Plan your route down and back up in daylight before you fish.

• Approach via the B3306 coast road; follow signs for Pendeen Watch Lighthouse from Pendeen village or St Just.
• Parking: small car park by the lighthouse (approx postcode TR19 7ED). Extra lay-bys along the B3306—do not block gates or the lighthouse access track.
• Access: from the car park, pick up the South West Coast Path and choose a descent gully to east or west of the lighthouse. Expect uneven paths, heather, and loose rock; some anglers use a handline/rope for stability in the steeper chutes.
• Terrain: sheer cliffs with a mix of high and low rock platforms; barnacle- and weed-covered ledges; extremely snaggy seabed.
• Not suitable for children, dogs, or anyone unsteady on their feet.

Seasons

This headland offers year‑round options, with summer lure sport and winter nocturnal bottom fishing. Species vary with water clarity and swell.

• Spring (Mar–May):
  • Pollack (improving through spring)
  • Wrasse (ball/corkwing) on calmer days
  • Early garfish and mackerel in May
  • Bass on small swells
• Summer (Jun–Aug):
  • Pollack (lures and float)
  • Mackerel and garfish; scad at dusk into night
  • Wrasse on crustacean baits
  • Bass in white water around gullies
  • Occasional triggerfish in warm spells (late summer)
• Autumn (Sep–Nov):
  • Peak pollack (dawn/dusk)
  • Bass through rougher spells
  • Conger and bull huss at night
  • Coalfish and the odd ling from deeper rough patches
• Winter (Dec–Feb):
  • Conger and bull huss after dark
  • Whiting and pouting during settled windows
  • Very occasional codling in prolonged northerlies (uncommon)

Methods

Rough ground tactics and robust gear are vital here. Expect tackle losses—fish strong, use rotten-bottoms, and keep it simple.

• Lure fishing (pollack/bass):
  • 20–30 lb braid with 30–40 lb fluorocarbon leader; medium‑heavy rod 8–9 ft for metals/plastics.
  • Weedless soft plastics (20–40 g) on 4/0–6/0 hooks; sandeel patterns excel in clear water.
  • Metals/jigs 20–60 g for range; count down to mid-water for pollack, work higher in low light.
  • Diving plugs and surface lures for bass when there’s a manageable swell and moving water around points.
• Float fishing (mackerel/gar/pollack/wrasse):
  • Set 4–10 m deep over 10–20+ m of water; size 1/0 single with mackerel strip, prawn, or rag/lug.
  • Slide floats useful for adjusting depth quickly as tide races change.
• Bottom fishing (conger/huss/bass):
  • 25–30 lb mono or 40–50 lb braid with 60–80 lb rubbing leader.
  • Pulley or pulley‑dropper rigs; 4/0–8/0 hooks; always use a weak‑link (10–15 lb) rotten-bottom to the lead.
  • Baits: whole/half mackerel, squid/mackerel wraps, sandeel, peeler crab for bass/wrasse.
  • Leads 4–6 oz typically; more in strong tide—plain leads often snag less than grip wires here.
• Night sessions: focus on big static baits for conger/huss; keep rigs short to reduce snags and lift fast once hooked.

Tides and Conditions

Tide races hard around this headland and swell rebounds off the cliffs. Choose your window carefully—settled weather makes all the difference.

• Tide state:
  • Flood tide into dusk is a banker for pollack and bass; last 3 hours of the flood often prime.
  • Slack around high can be good for mid-water lure/float work; ebb can fish but is snaggy on the drop-offs.
• Sea conditions:
  • Light to moderate E–SE winds flatten the sea; clear water suits pollack and mackerel.
  • Any sizeable W–NW ground swell makes lower ledges dangerous and often unfishable; backwash is severe.
  • Slight colour in the water and a lumpy push can switch on the bass.
• Time of day/season:
  • Dawn/dusk for lure fishing year‑round.
  • After dark for conger/huss, especially on neap tides with manageable flow.
  • Late summer/autumn offers the most consistent all‑round sport.

Safety

This is a serious rock mark with committing descents, long drops and powerful swell rebound. Only experienced, well-equipped anglers should fish here—and never alone.

• Wear a modern inflatable lifejacket and grippy boots/cleats; consider a climbing helmet on steep scrambles.
• Reccy in daylight; identify safe exits and avoid ledges that could be cut off by tide or surge.
• Keep well back from edges; rogue sets and backwash are common—even on calm forecasts.
• Avoid in W–NW swells or strong onshore winds; the sea reflects off the cliff and doubles up unexpectedly.
• Use a headtorch with spare batteries; mark your ascent route; a short safety line can help on the steeper chutes.
• Mobile signal is patchy—tell someone your plan and ETA; carry a PLB/phone in a waterproof pouch.
• Accessibility: not suitable for those with limited mobility; no rails, steps, or formal platforms.
• If any signage restricts access to specific fenced areas near the lighthouse or for nesting birds, respect it and choose an alternative gully.

Facilities

You’re a long way from amenities on the rocks, so go self‑sufficient. Nearby villages cover basics during the day.

• Parking: small lighthouse car park; no toilets on site.
• Toilets/café: Geevor Tin Mine (daytime opening hours) and venues in Pendeen/St Just.
• Tackle/bait: shops in Penzance, St Ives and Hayle; some garages stock frozen bait.
• Food/shops: Pendeen and St Just have pubs, takeaways and convenience stores.
• Phone signal: variable; some networks drop out near the cliffs.

Tips

Local patterns reward timing, watercraft and traveling light. Expect to lose gear—plan for it and you’ll fish better.

• Weedless soft plastics shine when kelp is up; white and natural sandeel colours are consistent.
• Count your lures down and work a steady ‘lift and glide’ for pollack—most hits come on the drop.
• For conger, keep hooklengths short (12–18 inches) and leads on rotten‑bottoms; lift into fish and wind hard to clear snags.
• Bass often show on the first push of flood around white-water corners; swap to a paddle-tail or shallow diver when the tide starts running.
• Take a compact drop-net if you insist on heavier fish retention; better still, fish lower stable ledges you can safely land from and practice quick C&R.
• Bird nesting season (spring–summer): give cliff faces and obvious nest ledges a wide berth; avoid persistent noise.
• Watch for seals working bait—great to see, but they’ll shut down a mark; consider moving 100–200 m along the headland.

Regulations

Regulations change—always check the latest from the MMO and Cornwall IFCA before you go. A few key points commonly relevant to this coast:

• Bass: recreational rules vary by year. At time of writing, the typical framework is a closed catch-and-release period in winter with a limited daily bag (often 2 fish at ≥42 cm) March–November. Confirm the current dates, bag and size before retaining any bass.
• Minimum sizes and byelaws: adhere to current minimum conservation reference sizes (MCRS) for species like wrasse, mackerel, pollack, etc., where applicable; Cornwall IFCA byelaws may also restrict certain gears and activities.
• Protected areas and wildlife: sections of the West Penwith coast have environmental designations. While shore angling is generally allowed, do not disturb nesting seabirds or seals; obey any seasonal access notices.
• No littering or discarding line/rigs; take all waste home. Gaffs are discouraged for shore angling—use appropriate landing methods and practice responsible fish handling.