Summary
Pentireglaze Haven—better known locally as Baby Bay—sits just west of Polzeath on Cornwall’s north coast. It’s a compact, sandy cove fringed by kelpy rock ledges that give way to open, surf-washed water, making it a versatile mark for bass, wrasse, and summer pelagics. Fish it for close-quarter lure sport at dawn, or tuck into the rocks for classic North Coast rough-ground tactics after dark.
Location and Access
This mark lies between Polzeath Beach and Pentire Point, within National Trust countryside. Access is straightforward at low water via the sand from Polzeath, or via steps/paths from New Polzeath and the coast path, but it can be cut off at higher tides.
- Parking options: Polzeath Beach car park (PL27 6TB) for an easy 10–15 minute walk; limited roadside/seasonal parking in New Polzeath above the cove; National Trust Pentireglaze (Lead Mines) car park inland (PL27 6QY; sat-nav gets you close) for a scenic 15–25 minute coast-path walk.
- Approaches: At low tide you can walk around from Polzeath across firm sand and low rock; at mid–high water use the signed coastal path and steps down to Baby Bay.
- Terrain: Firm sand in the cove, weeded/barnacled rock shelves either side, and progressively rougher, kelpier ground towards Pentire Point.
- Cut-off risk: The cove isolates quickly on springs—always plan your exit route and time your session around the tide.
Seasons
The mix of clean sand and rough kelp offers year-round variety. Expect bass on stirring seas, wrasse and pollack in the clear months, and summer pelagics over the flood.
- Spring: Bass (schoolies to decent fish), ballan wrasse, pollack, garfish in calm spells; spider crabs move in; occasional thick-lipped mullet in quiet water.
- Summer: Bass (dawn/dusk), mackerel and scad (evenings), garfish, wrasse, pollack; dogfish after dark; chance of small-eyed ray if you reach adjacent sandy runs.
- Autumn: Peak bass with baitfish shoals, pollack at dusk, wrasse tailing off late; scad thick at night; bull huss possible on bigger baits.
- Winter: Whiting and pouting after dark into the bay; pollack on calmer nights; occasional conger from rough ground; bass still possible in blows but patchy.
Methods
Two distinct zones fish well: the sandy cove for bass on lures or light bait tactics, and the rock legs for wrasse, pollack, and night-time rough-ground species.
- Lure fishing for bass: Shallow divers, surface walkers, and weedless soft plastics (white or sandeel patterns) worked over the flooding tide at first/last light.
- Wrasse tactics: Float-fish or ledger peeler crab, hardback, prawn, or shell-on prawn close to kelp-lined edges; medium gear, abrasion-resistant leader.
- Pollack methods: Weighted soft plastics, metal jigs, or float-fished sandeel at dusk along the kelp line and tide seams.
- Bait for the sand/runnels: Peeler crab, lug, rag, sandeel, or razor on a pulley or running ledger; keep casts modest to find gutters and seams.
- Pelagics: Light spinners or small sabikis under a casting float for mackerel/scad on summer evenings; swap to a slim metal when they’re mid-water.
- Night rough-ground: Pulley pennel with 3/0–4/0 hooks and tough trace for huss/conger; big mackerel or squid baits, keep tackle locked up and fish tight to structure.
- Rigs/line: 20–30 lb braid with 25–40 lb fluoro/mono leader for lures over kelp; 40–60 lb rubbing leaders for rough-ground bait work.
Tides and Conditions
Pentireglaze Haven fishes best with movement: a pushing tide, a touch of colour, and manageable surf. Clarity brings wrasse and pollack; a fizz of surf wakes bass along the edges.
- Tide: Flood and first of the ebb are prime, especially the last two hours up and first hour down. Springs increase energy but raise cut-off risk.
- Sea state: Small to moderate swell with light colour for bass; clearer, settled water for wrasse/pollack. Big W–NW swell wraps in and creates dangerous surges.
- Time of day: Dawn and dusk for lures and pelagics; after dark for huss/whiting and opportunist bass.
- Seasonality: Late spring to early autumn is most consistent; autumn often peaks for bass as baitfish congregate.
- Wind: Light onshore or a slight cross-shore ripple helps bass; prolonged easterlies can over-clear the water for rough-ground bait fishing.
Safety
This is an exposed Atlantic mark with a tidal cove—treat it with respect. Rock ledges are slippery, and swell surges can be significant even on seemingly calm days.
- Cut-off hazard: Baby Bay is isolated around mid-to-high on springs; identify exit paths before starting and carry a headtorch if fishing the evening flood.
- Swell/surges: Long-period swell wraps into the cove; keep well back from edges and avoid low platforms on building sets.
- Footing: Weed, barnacles, and sloping shelves demand studded boots; use a wading staff on sketchy traverses.
- Heights/scramble: Some productive ledges require minor scrambling—unsuitable for young children or anyone unsteady on rocks.
- Lifejacket: A self-inflating PFD is strongly recommended on all rock marks.
- Accessibility: Not wheelchair-friendly; steps and uneven terrain throughout. Mobile signal is generally good but can dip in gullies.
- Crowds/overlap: In summer, avoid casting anywhere near swimmers/surfers; do not fish inside lifeguarded flagged zones on the main Polzeath beach.
Facilities
Polzeath is well serviced, but Baby Bay itself has no on-beach facilities. Plan to stage from the village and carry what you need.
- Toilets: Public toilets at Polzeath Beach car park (seasonal hours).
- Food/drink: Multiple cafés, pubs, and takeaways in Polzeath; shops for basics.
- Tackle/bait: Nearest full-range tackle is typically in Wadebridge (e.g., Wadebridge Angling Centre); limited seasonal bait/freezer options in Polzeath/Rock—check hours.
- Lifeguards: RNLI patrols the main Polzeath beach in season (not Baby Bay). Respect flagged swim/surf zones.
- Phone signal: Generally good on the headland; weaker in some recesses.
- Parking: Pay-and-display at Polzeath; National Trust parking inland; limited on-street options in New Polzeath with seasonal restrictions.
Tips
Think like a mobile lure angler on the flood, then switch to precision bait or float tactics as water fills the kelp lines. Subtle shifts in tide angle change everything here.
- Work the edges: Bass patrol just where the surf fingers into the cove—cast along, not just straight out.
- Colour counts: A faint tea-stain after a blow often outfishes gin-clear water for bass. In clear water, go stealthy with natural soft plastics.
- Match the hatch: Sandeel imitations are killer on summer evenings; swap to crab-pattern soft plastics for wrasse tight to weed beds.
- Travel light: Backpack, single lure rod, and a small box let you hop ledges as the tide floods.
- Night moves: For huss/conger, fish big baits tight to kelp gullies you’ve marked in daylight; a short drop from rod tip to lead helps feel ground.
- Wildlife: Seals sometimes work the bay; bites can switch off when they’re close. Gannets diving off Pentire Point often herald pelagics pushing in.
- Etiquette: In peak season, fish dawn or late evenings to avoid beach users, and keep clear of surfers on the main beach rips.
Regulations
Shore angling is generally permitted at Pentireglaze Haven, which sits on National Trust coastline, but normal national and local byelaws apply. Always check for the latest notices on-site and review official sources before retaining fish.
- European sea bass (recreational): Typically a seasonal retention fishery with a 42 cm minimum size and a strict daily bag limit during an open period (commonly 1 March–30 November), with catch-and-release outside that window. Verify current-year rules via the UK government or MMO.
- Minimum sizes and protections: Observe UK MLS for species (e.g., bass, wrasse not usually retained, flatfish, etc.) and protections for berried/v-notched lobsters and soft-shelled crabs. Do not retain undersized shellfish.
- Bait and foraging: Hand-gathering only; no mechanical bait collection. Respect rockpool wildlife and local no-collecting signs if posted.
- Marine/heritage areas: The wider headland includes protected habitats (SSSI/NT). Stay on paths, avoid nesting cliffs, and follow any seasonal access advisories.
- Beach management: Do not fish within RNLI flagged swimming/surfing areas on the main Polzeath beach during patrol hours; lifeguards may move anglers for safety.
- Waste and hooks: Pack out all line and litter. Discarded tackle endangers wildlife and can jeopardize future access.
