Porthallow Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Porthallow Fishing Map

Sheltered, east-facing shingle/pebble beach in a small cove on the Lizard, with rocky headlands at both ends and mixed-to-clean ground in the middle. Short walks from roadside parking put you on the beach; the rocky points offer slightly deeper water and kelp. Summer brings shoals (mackerel, garfish, scad) and good wrasse/pollack sport along the edges; winter sees whiting and pout after dark. Flats (plaice, dab) are possible over the cleaner patches with a longer cast, and conger/dogfish show at night from the boulders. Best on a flooding tide through high and into the first of the ebb, especially at dawn/dusk. Very sheltered in prevailing south-westerlies; easterlies can push weed and chop. Take care on weeded rocks and around boats/slip.

Ratings

⭐ 7.1/10 Overall
Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 7/10
Accessibility 8/10

Fish You Can Catch at Porthallow

🐟 Mackerel 8/10
🎯 Tip: Summer shoals on the flood; cast metal lures or 1-3 hook sabikis from beach or rock ends. Dawn/dusk best in clear water.
🐟 Ballan Wrasse 8/10
🎯 Tip: Crab or rag close to the rocky points and kelp on the flood; fish tight to structure with lift-and-drop. Best May-Oct.
🐟 Pollack 7/10
🎯 Tip: Work small metals or soft plastics along kelp edges from the headlands at dusk or dawn on a flooding tide; autumn strong.
🐟 Scad (Horse Mackerel) 7/10
🎯 Tip: After dark late summer-autumn; tiny sabikis or size 6-10 hooks tipped with mackerel, fished mid-water under a light on the flood.
🐟 Corkwing Wrasse 7/10
🎯 Tip: Small hooks with rag or squid strips down the sides of rocks and boulders; steady on the flood, May-Sep.
🐟 Rock Goby 7/10
🎯 Tip: LRF with size 14-20 hooks and bits of rag or prawn among boulders and weedy margins at low to mid tide; year-round, best in summer.
🐟 Bass 6/10
🎯 Tip: With an onshore breeze and some surf, fish plugs or cast crab/sandeel from the shingle; first push of the flood and dusk/dawn, May-Oct.
🐟 Pouting 6/10
🎯 Tip: After dark from the rocky ends; small fish or worm baits on size 2-4 hooks, keep baits just off rough ground; fish the flood and high water year-round.
🐟 Garfish 6/10
🎯 Tip: Calm, clear summer days; float small sandeel or sliver of mackerel set shallow over sand patches on the flood from the beach.
🐟 Mullet (Thick-lipped) 6/10
🎯 Tip: Quiet, clear conditions; feed bread and drift a flake along the weed line and slipway; neap tides and early mornings best, late spring-autumn.

Porthallow Fishing

Summary

Porthallow is a quiet, east-facing shingle cove on the Lizard peninsula in Cornwall, sheltered from prevailing Atlantic swells and famed for its clear water. It offers relaxed beach fishing and productive rock marks nearby, with summer mackerel and wrasse, autumn bass and scad, and winter whiting providing year-round interest.

Location and Access

Tucked between Nare Point and Porthkerris, Porthallow is reached via narrow lanes off the B3293 through St Keverne. Access to the beach is straightforward, with only short walks needed unless you explore the rocky headlands.

Seasons

Fishing here is varied across the seasons, with clean-to-mixed ground in the cove and kelp reefs on the points.

Methods

The cove fishes well with simple beach tactics, while the flanking rocks reward float fishing, LRF/HRF, and soft plastics. Clear water often favours lighter, stealthier approaches.

Tides and Conditions

Being east-facing, Porthallow is often fishable when the Atlantic side is blown out, and it clears quickly after westerlies. Timing and light levels matter more than extreme casting distance here.

Safety

It’s generally a benign venue, but the combination of steep shingle, slippery weed and boat activity means you should stay switched on. Treat the rocky points with respect and avoid being cut off.

Facilities

Facilities are modest but adequate for a day session, with more options a short drive away. Expect seasonal variations in opening times.

Tips

Local anglers treat Porthallow as a dependable “plan B” when the west side roars—settled evenings can be superb for surface action. Little tweaks to presentation make a big difference in the clear water.

Regulations

Recreational shore angling is generally permitted from Porthallow beach and surrounding rocks, but always heed any local signage (e.g., no fishing within marked bathing/launch lanes or around working gear). Regulations can change—check current rules before you go.