Porthminster Beach Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Porthminster Beach Fishing Map

A sheltered, gently shelving sandy beach on the east side of St Ives with clean ground and rocky fringes at either end. Best fished at dawn, dusk, and after dark, especially the last two hours of the flood into high water. Summer brings mackerel, garfish and scad close in, with bass possible along the edges and in calm, clear conditions on lures. Over sand, expect dabs, plaice, gurnards and lesser spotted dogfish; whiting show in autumn and winter. The rocky ends can hold wrasse and pollack. Easy access via St Ives station and nearby car parks, but avoid lifeguarded bathing zones in daylight during the main season. Watch for lesser weever in the shallows, slippery rocks at the ends, and a narrower beach at high tide.

Ratings

⭐ 6.9/10 Overall
Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 7/10
Accessibility 9/10

Fish You Can Catch at Porthminster Beach

🐟 Bass 8/10
🎯 Tip: Best at dawn/dusk or into darkness on a flooding tide; work the surf gutters and rocky ends. Shallow-diving plugs, soft plastics, or peeler crab/sandeel baits.
🐟 Plaice 7/10
🎯 Tip: Spring–summer in clear, calm seas. Long cast over clean sand; lug/rag tipped with squid on clipped rigs. Daytime on a flooding tide.
🐟 Mackerel 7/10
🎯 Tip: Late spring–autumn. Metals or feathers at dusk on a rising tide when shoals push tight to the beach or off the rocky points.
🐟 Whiting 6/10
🎯 Tip: Autumn–winter nights. Small strips of mackerel or lug at range over clean sand on a flooding tide; keep baits moving with a slow retrieve.
🐟 Dab 6/10
🎯 Tip: Year-round, peak in winter. Small worm baits on size 2–4 hooks over clean sand, medium range. Flooding tide fishes best.
🐟 Dover Sole 6/10
🎯 Tip: May–Sep, warm settled nights. Fish close-in over clean sand with rag/king rag on light snoods; best on neap tides and a gentle surf.
🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 6/10
🎯 Tip: Reliable after dark; small mackerel/sandeel baits on the clean sand. Fish 30–70 m on either tide, slight swell helps.
🐟 Golden-grey Mullet 6/10
🎯 Tip: Summer evenings; tiny rag/sandeel slivers on size 8–10s in the first gutter. Light float or small running ledger on a rising tide.
🐟 Pollack 5/10
🎯 Tip: From the rocky ends at dusk on a flooding tide; cast soft plastics or metals, or float-fish sandeel tight to kelp edges.
🐟 Ballan Wrasse 5/10
🎯 Tip: Target rocky patches at either end on the flood. Fish crab or worm straight down or short casts; daylight, some swell for cover.
🐟 Garfish 5/10
🎯 Tip: Late spring–autumn. Float a small strip of mackerel or use slim metal lures from the points; best on a flooding tide and clear water.
🐟 Mullet (Thick-lipped) 5/10
🎯 Tip: Calm, clear water near rocks/stream outflow. Float-fished bread or small rag; feed little and often. Best at first light on a flooding tide.

Porthminster Beach Fishing

Summary

Porthminster Beach sits just east of St Ives Harbour, a sheltered, sandy crescent with clear water and easy access via the branch line station above the sand. It’s a relaxed, family-friendly mark that still offers rewarding fishing for flatties, schoolie bass, rays and summer species, especially at dawn, dusk and after dark.

Location and Access

Porthminster is on the St Ives side of Carbis Bay, below the railway station and a short stroll from the town. Access is straightforward over firm sand with occasional steps or sloped paths, and it’s an excellent option when Atlantic swells make the north coast unfishable.

Seasons

This is primarily a clean-sand venue with useful rocky edges. Expect a core of flatfish and school bass, with summer visitors and winter shoalers.

Methods

Light, tidy tactics shine on this clean beach, with close-range presentation often out-fishing long bombs. Work the rocks at either end for variety when the sand is busy.

Tides and Conditions

As an east-facing, sheltered bay, Porthminster is a go-to when the Atlantic pushes heavy swell onto the open coast. Clarity is often good—scale down and fish fine when it’s gin-clear.

Safety

This is a generally safe, family beach, but summer crowds and lifeguarded bathing zones demand extra care and courtesy. The rocky fringes can be slippery—treat them like any other rock mark.

Facilities

Being in St Ives, amenities are excellent, making this a comfortable venue for longer sessions. Expect busy trade and higher prices in peak season.

Tips

Subtle, well-presented baits close in will often out-fish heavy gear hurled to the horizon. Treat this as a finesse beach and save the big gear for the open coast.

Regulations

There is no blanket ban on fishing Porthminster Beach, but you must respect beach management and national recreational sea fishing rules. Always check the latest notices on-site and official sources before your trip.