Porthgwarra Fishing

Summary

Porthgwarra is a small, working cove tucked between Porthcurno and Gwennap Head on Cornwall’s far south‑west tip. It offers classic West Penwith rock fishing: kelp‑filled gullies, deep water off the points, and a sheltered slipway inside the cove. Anglers come for wrasse and pollack in clear summer seas, with night sessions turning up conger and huss, and the chance of bass when the surf folds into the beach.

Location and Access

Set in the parish of St Levan (TR19 area), Porthgwarra is reached down narrow, high‑banked lanes typical of Penwith. Access is straightforward to the cove, but many productive rock marks on either side involve rough ground and some scrambling.

• Drive: Follow signs toward Land’s End/Porthcurno, then St Levan and Porthgwarra; expect single‑track lanes with passing places.
• Parking: Pay‑and‑display private car park above the cove; charges apply year‑round (seasonal attendants in peak months). Do not block the slipway or fishermen’s access.
• Walk‑in: 3–8 minutes from the car park to the slip/beach; additional 10–25 minutes on uneven coast‑path to reach rock marks east (Hella Point side) or west (toward Gwennap Head). Steep, uneven steps and sloping paths.
• Terrain: Mixture of sand in the cove with weed‑covered boulders; outside the cove it’s rough granite ledges, kelp beds and deep gullies. Studded boots help.

Seasons

The cove and adjacent headlands fish differently by season. Expect rough‑ground regulars, with pelagics in settled summer weather and nocturnal predators after dark.

• Spring (Mar–May):
  • Ballan and cuckoo wrasse (improving through spring)
  • Pollack on lures in clear water
  • Early garfish on calm days; occasional bass on a building swell
  • Rockling; conger after dark
• Summer (Jun–Aug):
  • Wrasse (prime time), pollack, mackerel, garfish
  • Bass in the cove on lively surf or at dusk; occasional thick‑lipped mullet mooching inside
  • Bull huss and conger at night from the rough ground
  • Odd triggerfish or black bream some years in late summer
• Autumn (Sep–Nov):
  • Pollack peak at dusk; wrasse steady until the first big blows cool the water
  • Bass during onshore winds and coloured water
  • Huss and conger continue after dark; whiting occasionally later on
• Winter (Dec–Feb):
  • Whiting on calmer nights; conger still possible
  • Bass only in the right surf windows; generally quieter

Methods

Porthgwarra rewards mobile lure work in clear water, classic float fishing for wrasse and gar, and stout bottom tactics for the rough ground species. Match the approach to the ground in front of you.

• Lure fishing:
  • 9–10 ft rod, 20–30 g metals or sandeels for pollack/mackerel/gar; work dawn/dusk along the points
  • HRF/soft plastics (weedless paddletails, 10–20 g heads) through kelp gullies for pollack and bass
  • Surface/sub‑surface lures in the cove on a building surf for bass
• Float fishing:
  • Ragworm or prawn over rough ground for wrasse (set depth to just clear the kelp)
  • Small slivers of mackerel or sandeel for garfish and mackerel on calm, bright days
• Bottom fishing (rough ground):
  • 12–13 ft rough‑ground rod, 25–30 lb mono or 40–50 lb braid + 60–80 lb leader
  • Pulley‑dropper or pulley‑pennel with rotten‑bottom link; 4–6 oz leads
  • Baits: whole or fillet mackerel/squid wraps for huss/conger; peeler crab or big rag for wrasse/bass
• Light game/LRF inside the cove:
  • Isome, small metals and micro‑plugs for mini species and schoolies in settled conditions
• Night sessions:
  • Keep it simple: strong pulley pennel, oily baits, minimal end‑tackle bling to reduce snagging

Tides and Conditions

Tide strength increases toward the headlands, with clear water the norm on the south coast unless recent swell or algae bloom colours it. Choose state and conditions to suit your target.

• Tide state:
  • Flood and the first of the ebb are productive for bass in the cove, especially 2 hours either side of high on a swell
  • Mid to low water opens wrasse/pollack gullies; fish the last 2 hours of the ebb and first push of flood on the points
• Conditions:
  • Clear, settled seas: wrasse and pollack on float and lures
  • Moderate onshore swell into the cove: bass on metals, SPs or bait; avoid heavy groundswell
  • Dusk/dawn are standout for pollack and bass year‑round
• Seasonality:
  • Best overall from late May to October; winter windows exist for conger/whiting/bass
• Wind:
  • Light S–W winds are fine; strong SW groundswell wraps hard around Gwennap Head and makes ledges dangerous

Safety

This is exposed Atlantic rock fishing with swell, surges and steep approaches. Treat unknown ledges with caution and avoid anything that requires committed climbing.

• General hazards:
  • Slippery weeded granite, sudden swell surges, and deep kelp gullies that snag end tackle
  • Some ledges toward Hella Point and Gwennap Head require scrambling and are not beginner‑friendly
  • Parts of the area are high cliffs; do not attempt non‑standard descents
• Practical precautions:
  • Wear a flotation aid, cleated/studded footwear, and carry a headtorch/spares for dusk/after dark
  • Use a long‑handled drop net or plan safe gaff‑free landings; many ledges are several metres above the water
  • Fish with a partner; mobile signal can be patchy
• Working cove etiquette and restrictions:
  • Keep clear of the slipway and moorings, especially when boats are launching/recovering
  • In peak summer, expect swimmers in the cove; avoid casting across bathing areas and heed any local notices
• Accessibility:
  • The slip/beach area is the easiest platform at high water but space is limited; most rock marks are unsuitable for limited mobility

Facilities

Facilities are modest but handy for a remote cove; plan supplies and tackle beforehand in Penzance/Newlyn.

• Parking: Pay‑and‑display above the cove (private estate)
• Toilets: Usually available near the car park/cafe (seasonal opening)
• Food/Drink: Porthgwarra Cove Café operates seasonally
• Tackle/Shops: Nearest in Penzance/Newlyn; none at the cove
• Phone signal: Patchy; some networks drop out near the cliffs
• Other: South West Coast Path passes through; popular with walkers and birders

Tips

Local knowledge helps you avoid snags and time the fish. Treat it as two venues: the gentle cove for bass/mullet in the right surf, and the gnarlier headlands for wrasse/pollack/huss.

• Watch the water first: note where the swell lines wrap and where kelp gullies funnel bait
• Use rotten‑bottom links on any bottom rig; even floats can hang in kelp—step up trace strength
• Carry both metals and SPs: switch to slimmer, faster metals when tide rips around the points
• Wrasse respond to fresh crab/prawn; avoid stainless hooks and crush barbs for easier unhooking
• Dusk “two‑rod” trick: a float for wrasse close in while slow‑rolling a SP for pollack along the edge
• Mullet often browse inside the cove on calm mornings; bread flake or tiny spinners can bring surprise sport
• Check swell using the Runnel Stone buoy reports/forecast; if it’s booming out there, don’t push exposed ledges
• Seals patrol the area—expect abrupt slow‑downs when they’re about; give them space and never feed them

Regulations

Shore angling is generally permitted at Porthgwarra, but it is a working cove and part of a sensitive heritage coastline. Follow national sea fisheries rules and any local notices on site.

• Bass (recreational): Minimum size 42 cm; seasonal daily bag and retention rules apply. As these change, check the latest MMO/DEFRA notice before your trip.
• Tope and spurdog: Prohibited to retain in England for recreational anglers—release alive.
• Rays, wrasse and other species: Observe current minimum conservation reference sizes (where set) under Cornwall IFCA/MMO guidance; return undersized fish promptly.
• Protected sites/wildlife: The surrounding coast includes designated conservation areas (e.g., SAC/heritage coast). Do not disturb nesting birds or seals; keep to established paths.
• Methods/areas: No fixed engines or net setting from the beach/slip; keep clear of the boat channel. Heed any temporary bathing or event restrictions in peak season.
• Bait collection: Follow local byelaws and avoid damaging rockpools/SSSI features; take only what you need.
• Litter and tackle: Pack out all line and leads; lost gear is a hazard to seals and seabirds.

Always verify up‑to‑date regulations with the Marine Management Organisation and Cornwall IFCA before fishing.