Summary
Pentire Headland sits on the western edge of Newquay between Fistral Beach and the Gannel estuary. Its Atlantic-facing rock ledges, kelp gullies and tide-swept points hold bass, wrasse and pollack, with mackerel, garfish and scad pulsing through in summer. It’s a classic Cornish rock mark that rewards mobile fishing and close attention to swell and tide.
Location and Access
Pentire is easy to reach yet feels wild once you step off the path and onto the granite. You can approach from either the South Fistral side or via the Lewinnick Lodge end on Pentire Avenue.
- Parking: South Fistral Beach car park (approx. TR7 1HY, pay-and-display; seasonal charges and ANPR in place). Limited on-street parking along Pentire Avenue by Lewinnick Lodge (around TR7 1QD) with time restrictions in peak season; respect residents-only bays.
- Approach: Follow the South West Coast Path around the headland; several trodden side paths drop to ledges. Expect a 5–20 minute walk depending on your chosen platform.
- Terrain: Rough, uneven granite with barnacles, kelp and occasional wet grass. Some ledges are high above the water; a drop-net helps for safe landing.
- Public transport: Newquay town is a short bus/taxi ride; from town it’s a 25–35 minute walk to the headland.
- Night access: Straightforward on the main path, but final scrambles are exposed—use a good headtorch and arrive/depart in daylight on first visits.
Seasons
A mix of resident rough-ground fish and seasonal pelagics frequent Pentire. Peak action is late spring through autumn, with winter windows when swell eases.
- Spring (Mar–May): School and early-season bass, pollack on lures, ball and corkwing wrasse from April, garfish late spring, first mackerel by late May, mullet around the Gannel mouth on calm days.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): Bass (surf lines and points), pollack (dusk), wrasse (kelp gullies), mackerel, scad after dark, garfish in bright conditions, occasional squid on clear evenings, rare triggerfish in very warm summers.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): Peak bass runs, better-sized pollack at dusk, mackerel/scad linger into October, wrasse until first cold snaps, squid often best Sept–Nov on calm, clear nights.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): Conger eel and bull huss after dark from the rougher ground, pollack in settled spells, rockling; whiting more likely from adjacent beaches than the headland itself.
Methods
Mobile lure fishing and selective bait work both shine here. Match tactics to the ground in front of you and the state of tide.
- Lure fishing for bass/pollack: 9–10 ft rod rated 10–40 g, 20–30 lb braid, 30–40 lb fluoro leader. Work 4–6 inch soft plastics weedless (texas or belly-weighted), 20–40 g metals, shallow divers and surface walkers at dawn/dusk.
- HRF/LRF wrasse tactics: Texas-rigged creature baits, whole prawn or crab imitations with 20–30 lb leader; probe kelp gullies on the flood and first of the ebb.
- Float fishing: 8–12 g wagglers or coastal floats with 6–10 ft traces; baits include ragworm, whole prawn and mackerel strip. Set depth to skim kelp tops. For garfish use fine wire size 6–8 hooks and slivers of fish.
- Bottom fishing: Simple running ledger or one-up-one-down with a weak-link/rotten-bottom; 4–6 oz leads depending on tide. Baits: peeler crab, squid, mackerel, sandeel. Targets include bass on the push, huss/conger after dark.
- Livebaiting: Small mackerel or sandeel under a float or freelined at dusk can be deadly for bass/pollack—only from safe, elevated ledges.
- Squid (eging): Size 2.5–3.0 jigs on calm, clear evenings in late summer/autumn; work around lit water or edges of white water.
- Landing: A drop-net or long-handled net is very useful from higher ledges; avoid gaffing, especially if practicing catch-and-release.
Tides and Conditions
Tide flow and swell dictate everything at Pentire. Plan sessions around movement and manageable sea states.
- Tide: Best from mid-flood to high and the first of the ebb; fish 2 hours up to 1–2 hours over HW for bass/wrasse. Pollack often switch on at dusk regardless of state if there’s movement.
- Swell: Light to moderate W–NW swell is fine; big Atlantic groundswell makes many ledges unsafe and unfishable. Slight colour helps bass; clear water favours pollack, garfish and squid.
- Wind: Easterlies flatten the sea; moderate southerlies can give shelter on the north face; strong northerlies rough up the Fistral side—choose aspects accordingly.
- Time of day: Dawn and dusk are prime for bass and pollack. After dark brings scad, huss and conger; squid prefer clear, calm nights.
- Seasonality: April–November is most consistent. Winter windows appear after a few settled days when swell drops.
Safety
This is an exposed Atlantic rock mark with changeable swell and surges. Treat every session with caution and plan your exit route before you cast.
- Waves: Rogue waves and backwash are common—never fish low platforms in a swell and never turn your back on the sea.
- Footing: Weed- and barnacle-covered rock is slippery; wear grippy boots/cleats and consider gloves. Avoid wet, shiny rock.
- Cut-off risk: Some lower ledges flood around mid-to-high—note your approach and retreat points.
- Heights: Several platforms are high above the water—use a drop-net and strong leaders; don’t attempt risky climbs to land fish.
- Night fishing: Use a quality headtorch with spare batteries; mark exit paths in daylight on first visits.
- Comms: Mobile signal is generally good on the tops but can dip near gullies; in an emergency dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
- Accessibility: Not suitable for wheelchairs or those with limited mobility; scrambles and uneven ground are unavoidable.
- PPE: A personal flotation device (lifejacket) is strongly recommended on all rock marks here.
Facilities
Facilities are close by without spoiling the wild feel of the ledges. Plan self-sufficiency once you leave the path.
- Food/loos: Lewinnick Lodge on the headland offers food and facilities for patrons; seasonal public toilets at South Fistral car park (check opening times).
- Tackle/bait: Newquay Angling Centre (town centre) stocks bait and gear—summer hours extend, winter hours shorten; pre-order ragworm/peeler when possible.
- Parking/payment: South Fistral car park uses machines/apps and is enforced—check the boards for times and tariffs.
- Water/bins: No water or bins on the rocks; pack out all litter and waste line.
- Phone signal: Generally decent 4G on the headland, patchier down by some ledges.
Tips
Pentire rewards anglers who read water, move with the tide and fish tight to structure. Keep gear simple, strong and as snag-proof as possible.
- Go weedless: Texas-rig soft plastics and use rotten-bottom links on leads to save rigs in kelp and boulder fields.
- Work the windows: Bass sport is often best 90 minutes either side of HW, especially 24–48 hours after a blow as the sea cleans.
- Follow life: Diving gannets/terns and surface sprat showers often herald mackerel, scad and bass pushing bait onto the points.
- Respect the swell: If surfers are on Fistral because of a big pulse, think twice about rock marks—try the estuary side or postpone.
- Baits that score: Whole prawn for wrasse, peeler for bass, squid/fish cocktail for huss. Small strips of mackerel under a float pick out garfish.
- Wildlife: Grey seals patrol the headland—if one dogs your lures, move marks to avoid foul-hooking and wasted time.
Regulations
Rules here are typical for Cornwall’s north coast, with additional environmental protections nearby. Always check for on-site signage and the latest official notices before you fish.
- Bass (recreational): As commonly set in recent years for ICES area 7, a two-fish daily bag limit at a 42 cm minimum size applies during an open season (typically 1 March–30 November), with catch-and-release only outside that period. Regulations can change—check the current MMO notice before your trip.
- Minimum sizes and protections: Observe Cornwall IFCA minimum conservation reference sizes for all species; return undersized fish. Berried or V-notched lobsters and berried crabs must be released.
- Newquay & The Gannel MCZ: Pentire lies adjacent to/within this Marine Conservation Zone. Rod-and-line angling is permitted, but do not disturb protected features (e.g., seagrass/saltmarsh in the Gannel) and avoid bait collection in sensitive habitats.
- Beach zones: Do not cast into lifeguarded swim/surf zones on Fistral during patrol hours; obey lifeguard instructions and beach signage.
- Access: Keep to the coast path and respect any private property or safety fencing; if an area is signed “no access,” don’t climb it with tackle.
- General: Take all litter and waste line home; disposing of fish remains in bathing areas is discouraged. If in doubt on sizes or seasons, consult Cornwall IFCA and the MMO.
