Penzer Point Fishing

Last updated: 6 days ago

Penzer Point Fishing Map

A prominent granite headland just south of Mousehole with deep, clear water and kelp-lined ledges. Strong tidal movement wraps around the point, bringing fish tight to the rocks. Best on a flooding tide, at dawn or dusk, and after dark in calm or slight seas. Summer sport is excellent for pollack, mackerel, garfish and wrasse; nights produce conger and bull huss; autumn–winter see pollack and some whiting. Access is via the South West Coast Path from Mousehole with steep, uneven sections and short scrambles to limited ledges. Very exposed to swell and westerlies; only fish in settled conditions and consider a drop-net for landing.

Ratings

⭐ 6.7/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 8/10
Safety 3/10
Accessibility 4/10

Fish You Can Catch at Penzer Point

🐟 Pollack 9/10
🎯 Tip: Soft plastics or float-fished sandeel along kelp gullies at dusk/dawn on a flooding tide. Deep water off the point; watch swell and snags.
🐟 Ballan Wrasse 8/10
🎯 Tip: Ragworm or crab dropped into kelp-lined holes; short casts with strong gear. Best on the flood in daylight; expect snags and surging swell.
🐟 Bass 7/10
🎯 Tip: Rising tide with a bit of swell; work surface or shallow divers through white water around the ledges at dawn/dusk or after dark. Keep mobile.
🐟 Mackerel 7/10
🎯 Tip: Summer into autumn. Spin small metals or use feathers in the evenings on a flooding tide from the point into deep water. Handle safely on the rocks.
🐟 Scad (Horse Mackerel) 6/10
🎯 Tip: Late summer nights. Small sabikis or size 6-8 hooks with fish strip, fished mid-water under a float or slow retrieve. Best on the flood, often close in.
🐟 Conger Eel 6/10
🎯 Tip: After dark with big fish baits into rough ground. Use 80lb mono or wire trace; keep rods high to avoid kelp. Slack or first of the flood fishes well.
🐟 Garfish 6/10
🎯 Tip: Calm, clear evenings on the flood. Float a sandeel or mackerel strip near the surface with a long trace; keep hooks fine.
🐟 Pouting 5/10
🎯 Tip: Dusk and night down the side into depth. Small strips of mackerel or worm on size 2-4; keep baits just off the bottom to reduce snags.
🐟 Bull Huss 5/10
🎯 Tip: Night sessions with big oily baits from the ledges to rough ground. 40-60lb abrasion-resistant trace; neap tides help presentation.
🐟 Corkwing Wrasse 5/10
🎯 Tip: Small hooks and light gear with rag or prawn tight to kelp edges. Short underhand casts on the flood; lots of small bites.
🐟 Tompot Blenny 5/10
🎯 Tip: LRF tactics: size 10-14 hooks with bits of prawn lowered into crevices and under ledges. Daylight or calm evenings, very close in.
🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 4/10
🎯 Tip: Bottom-fished squid or mackerel at night to sandy patches between kelp. Use weak links for leads; neaps and gentle swell are kinder.

Penzer Point Fishing

Summary

Penzer Point is a rugged granite headland on the South West Coast Path between Mousehole and Lamorna in West Cornwall. It offers classic deep-water rock fishing into kelp-filled gullies and tide-swept ledges, rewarding careful anglers with wrasse, pollack, bass and night-time conger. The scenery is sensational, but it’s a serious venue that demands sound footwear, tidy tactics and strict attention to safety.

Location and Access

Penzer Point sits on the western side of Mount's Bay, reached on foot along the South West Coast Path from Mousehole or Lamorna. There’s no road access direct to the mark; expect a scenic but committing walk and uneven rocky approaches to the ledges.

Seasons

The point fishes like a classic deep rock mark, with a good summer wrasse and pollack show, migratory pelagics in season, and rough-ground predators after dark. Winter brings fewer species but still possibilities in the right sea.

Methods

Think rough-ground tactics: abrasion-resistant rigs, rotten-bottoms, and lure gear tough enough for kelp and granite. Dawn/dusk are prime, with night sessions for conger and huss.

Tides and Conditions

Penzer fishes on movement. The point accelerates tidal flow, creating seams and back-eddies that switch on with the flood and early ebb. Swell wraps around quickly here—pick your day.

Safety

This is an exposed granite headland with committing ledges and no barriers. Treat it as a serious rock mark—if in doubt, don’t go down.

Facilities

There are no facilities at the mark itself. Nearby villages cover the basics before or after your session.

Tips

Penzer rewards stealth and tidy presentation. Travel light, watch the water for ten minutes before casting, and fish the runs rather than anchoring in snags.

Regulations

Shore angling is generally permitted at Penzer Point; there are no local signs prohibiting fishing at time of writing. Always check on-the-day notices and respect any temporary restrictions.