Polpeor Cove Fishing

Last updated: 6 days ago

Polpeor Cove Fishing Map

Steep, exposed granite ledges directly beneath Lizard Point at the old lifeboat slip. Deep water within a short cast over kelp and broken ground with strong tidal run. Best in settled weather with small swell and clear water; summer and early autumn bring pelagics and garfish, while evenings and after dark produce pout, scad and conger. Access is via a steep path/steps from Lizard Point; not suitable in big southerly swells or strong winds. Travel light, use abrasion‑resistant gear, and keep a constant eye on the sea.

Ratings

⭐ 6.8/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 8/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 4/10

Fish You Can Catch at Polpeor Cove

🐟 Pollack 9/10
🎯 Tip: Dawn/dusk on a flooding tide; work soft plastics or metals deep along kelp-filled gullies and cliff edges. Keep lures down; only fish in a manageable swell.
🐟 Ballan Wrasse 9/10
🎯 Tip: Crab/limpet/prawn baits into kelp gullies on the flood, summer–autumn daylight. Strong tackle and rotten-bottom rigs; fish tight to the rocks.
🐟 Mackerel 8/10
🎯 Tip: Late spring–autumn. Feathers or small metals into the tide rip on the flood and at dusk; vary depth to find shoals.
🐟 Bass 7/10
🎯 Tip: Dusk/dawn into white water on a flooding tide; shallow plugs/soft plastics or crab baits after a blow. Work points and channels.
🐟 Scad (Horse Mackerel) 7/10
🎯 Tip: Autumn nights; small metals or sabikis tipped with fish, worked midwater under any light. Best on the flood.
🐟 Conger Eel 7/10
🎯 Tip: After dark with big mackerel/squid baits into rough ground. Best last of the flood into first ebb. Heavy mono trace, rotten-bottom.
🐟 Garfish 7/10
🎯 Tip: Clear, calm days; floatfish sandeel or mackerel strip, or small spoons. Near-surface on the flood in summer–autumn.
🐟 Pouting 6/10
🎯 Tip: Dusk onward; small strips or worm baits tight to the bottom among boulders. Best on the flood or first of the ebb.
🐟 Bull Huss 6/10
🎯 Tip: Night over rough ground; large fish/squid baits on heavy mono traces, slack to first of flood. Clip-down casts; let baits settle.
🐟 Cuckoo Wrasse 6/10
🎯 Tip: Warm months; ragworm or small crab baits, or small softs, lowered down the sides into kelp on mid-flood. Slow lift-and-drop.

Polpeor Cove Fishing

Summary

Polpeor Cove sits just below Lizard Point, the southernmost tip of mainland Britain, and offers classic deep-water Cornish rock fishing. Steep, rugged access leads to kelpy gullies and clear, tidal water that hold wrasse, pollack, bass and summer shoals. It’s a spectacular mark when conditions are right, but demands solid sea-sense and tidy tackle work.

Location and Access

Polpeor Cove lies beneath the Lizard Point headland, reached via the National Trust car parks at the point. Access is straightforward to the headland, but the final drop into the cove and onto the ledges is steep and can be challenging, especially after rain or swell.

Seasons

This is a mixed rough-ground rock mark with year-round potential, peaking from late spring to autumn. Expect kelp-loving wrasse and pollack, summer pelagics, and nocturnal predators on big baits.

Methods

The ground is rough and snaggy, so simple, robust tactics shine. Fish light enough to present naturally but strong enough to steer fish clear of kelp.

Tides and Conditions

This area is highly tide-affected with strong races off Lizard Point. Inside the cove and along the flanks you can usually find a workable line, but read the sea carefully.

Safety

This is an exposed, committing rock mark beneath cliffs; conditions can change quickly. Treat it with the same respect you would give a tidal headland anywhere in the UK.

Facilities

You’re close to a popular landmark, so amenities are better than at most rock marks—though there’s nothing at the waterline itself.

Tips

Small tweaks make a big difference here—fish the features and protect your gear from the kelp.

Regulations

Polpeor Cove and Lizard Point sit within protected designations (including The Lizard Special Area of Conservation and a Marine Conservation Zone). Recreational line angling from shore is generally permitted, but specific rules can change—always check current notices on site and official sources before you fish.