Summary
Polly Joke Beach, also known locally as Porth Joke, is a quiet, unspoilt cove on Cornwall’s north coast between Crantock and Holywell Bay. Framed by rocky headlands and clean sand, it offers classic surf-fishing for bass and rock marks for wrasse and pollack, with occasional surprises on the sand for the roaming angler.
Location and Access
Set between West Pentire and Kelsey Head, Polly Joke is reached on foot via coastal and valley paths. There is no parking at the beach itself, so plan a walk-in and pack light.
- Best approaches are from National Trust car parks at West Pentire or Cubert Common, with 10–25 minutes on foot depending on route and pace
- Paths can be narrow, uneven, muddy after rain, and slippery with dew; gradients are moderate with some steeper sections near the valley bottom
- Terrain is soft sand with cobbles and bouldery rock at both ends of the cove; the rock shelves are rugged and weeded
- No lighting and little shelter on the beach; a headtorch is essential for dusk or night sessions
- In peak season, arrive early for parking; in winter, some car parks may have reduced hours or facilities
Seasons
This is a seasonal mark with classic north-coast patterns. Expect bass in surf and wrasse on the rocks, with summer visitors and winter shoal fish adding variety.
- Spring: School bass from April, with better fish as waters warm; ballan and corkwing wrasse wake up; pollack from the rock fringes; the odd plaice on worm baits
- Summer: Bass at dawn and dusk in the surf; mackerel and garfish from the headlands in clear water; dogfish common at night; small-eyed ray possible on settled, clear nights over sand; the odd turbot or brill on sandeel
- Autumn: Peak bass period Sept–Oct; persistent dogfish; whiting arrive after dark; wrasse hang on until the first proper chills; occasional gurnards
- Winter: Whiting and dogfish dominate; chance of a storm-run bass in heavy seas; rock fishing becomes more hazardous and selective
Methods
Match your approach to the ground: surf tactics on the sand, lure or float work around the rocks. Mobility and reading the water are key here.
- Surfcasting for bass: Short-range work with rolling leads or 3–4 oz grip leads; pulley pennel or single hook running rig with crab, lug, rag, or sandeel
- Ray and turbot attempts: Up-and-over or long pulley with sandeel, mackerel or squid strip; fish the cleaner sand tongues and gutters at night in settled seas
- Winter scratching: 2-hook flapper or wishbone with size 2–1 hooks and lug, rag, mackerel strip for whiting and gurnards
- Lures for bass and pollack: Shallow divers, surface walkers, and 10–20 g weedless soft plastics along the edges of white water and rock seams; metals or sabikis for mackerel and garfish in clear, calm spells
- Wrasse tactics: Float-fished crab, prawn, or rag over rough ground, or simple running ledger with abrasion-resistant leaders; expect powerful lunges
- Keep traces short in lively surf to avoid tangles, hold the rod high to lift line over waves, and move to fresh water if a spot goes quiet
Tides and Conditions
Tide pull and swell shape this mark. Bass love the flood over new bars and gutters, while calm, clear spells suit rock and lure work.
- Best states: Last two hours of the flood and first hour of the ebb for bass on the beach; mid-water over the rocks for pollack and wrasse
- Sea state: A small to moderate onshore swell with some colour works for bass; too big and the cove becomes dangerous and unfishable
- Wind: W to NW puts life in the surf; E to SE flattens things for lure work but can make surf fishing scratchy in bright, clear water
- Springs dig new gutters but strengthen rips; neaps are kinder for presenting baits and for wrasse on the rocks
- Time of day: Dawn and dusk are prime; after-dark sessions produce rays, dogfish, and whiting in settled conditions
- After a blow, give the sea 24–48 hours to drop and clear just enough for confident bass hunting
Safety
This is a committing walk-in beach with energetic surf and real rock hazards. Plan conservatively and put personal safety first.
- No lifeguards and limited phone signal in the valley; tell someone your plan and carry a charged headtorch and backup light
- Powerful shore dump and rips form near the rock points and in the main channel, especially on springs and during sets
- Weed-slick rock, undercut ledges, and sudden surges make the headlands hazardous; wear a lifejacket and grippy footwear if fishing the rocks
- Avoid being cut off by the flood when exploring rock platforms around West Pentire or Kelsey Head; only venture on a dropping tide
- Keep well back from cliff edges and do not climb vegetated dune faces; the area includes protected habitats and friable ground
- Not suitable for those with limited mobility due to uneven paths, gradients, and soft sand
Facilities
Polly Joke is undeveloped and quiet. Come self-sufficient and plan for a lack of on-site amenities.
- No toilets, no tap water, and no bins at the beach; pack out all litter and line
- Seasonal toilets and refreshments are available at nearby car parks in Crantock or Holywell Bay; pubs and cafes in West Pentire and Holywell
- Tackle and bait in Newquay, including fresh and frozen options; check opening hours outside peak season
- Phone signal is patchy in the valley and better on the headlands; payment at some car parks may require coins or an app
Tips
Think mobile and read the sand. The cove reshapes often, and the fish follow the structure.
- Identify fresh gutters and bars at low water; return to fish the same features on the flood with crab or sandeel
- After a lively blow, try dawn of the second settling day for a classic bass window
- Keep traces short in tumbling surf and consider a rolling lead to search laterally without constant recasting
- For wrasse, use strong abrasion-resistant leaders and keep pressure on; do not give slack near kelp
- Carry a light lure rod to work the edges between baits soaking; a surface plug at first light can save a slow session
- Night whiting respond to small baits and bright pop-up or luminous beads; keep headtorch light low to avoid spooking in the shallows
- Expect floating weed lines on onshore winds; adjust position rather than fighting it
Regulations
Shore fishing is permitted at Polly Joke, but you must follow national and local rules. Regulations change, so check official sources before you go.
- Bass rules change annually; in 2024, recreational anglers could retain up to 2 bass per person per day at a minimum size of 42 cm from 1 March to 30 November, with catch and release only outside those dates; check current MMO or DEFRA guidance before retaining any bass
- Cornwall IFCA byelaws and UK minimum conservation reference sizes apply to common species; measure fish and release undersize or spawning fish promptly
- The surrounding headlands and dunes include protected sites such as SSSI land; keep to paths, avoid disturbing nesting seabirds and seals, and do not damage or remove vegetation
- Bait collection should be minimal and responsible; fill any holes and avoid sensitive areas; some car parks and land are managed by the National Trust with local guidance on access and conduct
- No specific local byelaw bans shore angling here were in force at the time of writing, but seasonal restrictions, event closures, or safety advisories can occur; observe any on-site signage
