Summary
Porthmeor Cove (Zennor) sits on Cornwall’s wild north coast between St Ives and Zennor, a steep, rugged amphitheatre of granite, kelp and Atlantic swell. It’s a classic rough-ground rock mark offering wrasse, pollack and bass in clear to lightly coloured water, with night options for conger and huss.
Remote, dramatic and unforgiving in a blow, it rewards careful timing and tidy, snag-aware fishing.
Location and Access
Reaching the cove means a scenic drive along the B3306 and a steep walk-in through fields and granite outcrops. The final descent is uneven and can be slippery after rain, so pack light and wear proper boots.
- Approach via the B3306 between St Ives and Zennor; look for signed footpaths towards Porthmeor/Porthmeor Farm and the coast path.
- Parking is limited: small lay-bys/roadside pull-ins near Porthmeor Farm and options in Zennor village. Expect a 15–25 minute walk depending on start point.
- Zennor village has a small car park near the church/pubs (TR26 postcode area); do not block farm gates or lanes.
- Terrain: sheep-grazed fields, stone stiles, narrow coast-path sections and a steep, loose final path into the cove; not suitable for trolleys or heavy beach gear.
- Fishing platforms are mainly natural rock ledges and boulder shelves on either side of the cove; sand patches lie just off the beach inside the arc of reefs.
Seasons
This is a mixed rough-ground venue dominated by kelp, reef and broken ground, with seasonal pelagics over summer and nocturnal predators after dark.
- Spring (Apr–May): ballan wrasse, pollack, early bass, rockling; occasional launce.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): wrasse (best period), pollack, bass, mackerel, garfish, scad; occasional triggerfish in settled, clear spells.
- Autumn (Sep–Oct): bass (often best month), pollack, wrasse, mackerel/gar tail end; huss and conger at night.
- Winter (Nov–Feb): whiting on calmer nights, pout/poor cod, conger, huss; occasional codling is possible but uncommon on this coast now.
- Year-round possibilities: wrasse (weather permitting), pollack, conger; dogfish on softer patches.
- Outside the rough ground onto sand tongues: chance of small-eyed or spotted ray if you can reach clean patches between reef fingers.
Methods
Rough ground dictates robust tackle and presentation that finds fish while avoiding snags. Lure and float tactics shine in daylight; big baits work after dark.
- Lures (HRF/LRF/bass plugging):
- Weedless soft plastics (4–6 inch paddletails/creatures) Texas-rigged into kelp gullies for wrasse and pollack.
- Metals and slim minnows for mackerel/gar/pollack; surface or sub-surface plugs at dawn/dusk for bass along reef edges.
- 9–10 ft lure rod (10–40 g), 20–30 lb braid, 20–30 lb fluoro leader; go heavier (40–50 lb leader) around sharp granite.
- Float fishing:
- Sliding float, 6–15 ft depth over the reef line with ragworm, prawn, sandeel strip or mackerel belly for pollack/gar/mackerel.
- Use 20–30 g floats and size 1–1/0 hooks; set to just above kelp tops.
- Bottom fishing (rough ground):
- Pulley/pulley dropper with rotten-bottom/weak link; 4–5/0 pennel for huss/conger with squid, mackerel or bluey.
- 2-hook flapper (size 1–2) with worm/sandeel for general fish on cleaner tongues; clip-down if casting to sand.
- 30–50 lb mono or 50–80 lb leader to resist abrasion; strong, snag-resistant grapnels or short wires that trip.
- Baits: peeler crab (spring bass/wrasse), rag/lug, fresh sandeel, prawn, limpet, squid/mackerel for bigger predators.
- Night fishing: big static baits for huss/conger from safer, higher ledges; keep rigs short to reduce snagging.
- Always carry a long-handled disgorger/forceps and a spare spool/leader for inevitable rub-offs.
Tides and Conditions
Timing and sea state matter more here than almost anywhere. Modest swell with some movement is ideal; big groundswell wraps into the cove and makes low platforms dangerous.
- Tide: fish the flood into high and the first of the ebb; wrasse and pollack are very dependable on the push.
- Springs vs neaps: neaps offer easier presentation and fewer snags; springs create strong lateral pull and surge.
- Swell/wind: light E/SE flattens and clears; W–NW winds and long-period swell build surge—avoid if sets are booming.
- Water clarity: clear water favors lures and float tactics; a slight tinge suits bass and reduces wrasse wariness.
- Time of day: dawn/dusk for bass and pollack on lures; bright days still good for wrasse tight to kelp pockets.
- After a blow: as the sea drops from rough to manageable, bass often move tight to the reef fringes and wash lines.
Safety
This is an exposed rock mark with a steep approach and real swell risk. Plan conservatively and wear appropriate safety gear.
- Steep, uneven descent; grippy boots and light kit essential; not accessible for wheelchairs or buggies.
- Atlantic swell wraps into the cove—never fish low platforms with any significant swell; watch multiple sets before committing.
- Use a PFD/lifejacket, headtorch with spare batteries, and cleated soles or studded boots; consider a throw line in a small team.
- Snaggy terrain: keep rods high, rigs short, and always use a weak link for leads.
- Some ledges are tide-affected; identify a safe exit in daylight and avoid getting cut off on a rising tide.
- Loose granite and occasional rockfall—don’t linger under crumbly faces, especially after heavy rain/frost.
- Mobile signal can be patchy in the cove; tell someone your plan and expected return time.
Facilities
Remote and undeveloped, so assume no amenities at the water. The nearest basics are in Zennor or St Ives.
- No toilets, lighting or bins at the cove—pack out all waste.
- Nearest public toilets and cafés/pubs in Zennor village; more options in St Ives.
- Tackle and bait: available in St Ives, Hayle and Penzance—buy before you go.
- Public transport is limited; occasional bus services run along the B3306 between St Ives and Zennor—check timetables in advance.
- Mobile coverage is intermittent; better on higher ground than down in the cove.
Tips
Treat it like the rugged rock mark it is: travel light, fish smart, and read the water constantly.
- Mark clean tongues between kelp beds at low tide; return on a flood to target them with clipped-down worm/sandeel for bass/whiting.
- Limpet, peeler crab and prawn are superb wrasse baits when fish get lure-shy in clear water.
- For bass in fizzing white water, try big profile soft plastics or metal lures fished quickly across the wash lines.
- Pollack sit above kelp edges at dusk—count down lures and retrieve just ticking the tops; expect hard hits.
- Use 60–80 lb rubbing leaders around sharp granite; you’ll lose less gear in the long run.
- Seals patrol the cove—when they’re close, switch to hardier tactics or move a short distance along the coast.
- After storms, give it an extra tide or two for swell to settle; surge can remain deceptive even when the wind drops.
Regulations
Angling is generally permitted from the shore here, but local and national rules apply. Regulations change—always check current Cornwall IFCA and UK Government/MMO guidance before your trip.
- Minimum sizes and method restrictions: follow Cornwall IFCA byelaws for finfish, shellfish and bait collection; return berried/soft-shelled crab and all berried lobsters.
- European seabass: bag limits, size (minimum 42 cm) and closed periods vary by year—check the latest MMO/IFCA notices before retaining any bass.
- Tope: recreational anglers must not retain tope; release alive as quickly as possible.
- Protected/rarer species: do not target shad, bluefin tuna or any species listed under protective designations; release if incidentally hooked.
- Marine designations: this coastline includes sensitive habitats—respect any seasonal or on-site restrictions and stay on marked paths.
- Land access: keep gates closed, avoid blocking farm access, and follow the Countryside Code; no fires or littering.
- If signs on-site restrict access or angling on particular ledges (e.g., for safety or nesting birds), obey them.
