Where’s The Fish? Logo for Where's The Fish?
Cornwall

Porthoustock

7.1 · Rocks · Cornwall

Steep shingle cove on the east side of the Lizard with rocky headlands and quick access to deep, mixed ground overlooking the Manacles reef. Most anglers fish from the rock platforms either side of the beach for pollack and wrasse; the beach itself sees mackerel and garfish in summer and scad after dark. Best results are typically on a flooding tide through dusk into night, especially in clear water. Expect a snaggy bottom and kelp—use strong leaders and rotten‑bottom links. It’s a working cove with quarry/dive boat traffic, and swell and tidal pull can be significant on springs, so pick settled conditions and keep well back in a sea. Short walk from roadside parking makes access easy, but footing on the boulders can be awkward.

Should you fish Porthoustock?

62 Fair

Today · Best window

Best window: 18:00-21:00 around the rising tide

Most likely species: Ballan Wrasse and Pollack

Fair conditions. Best around 18:00-21:00 around the rising tide. Good chance of Ballan Wrasse and Pollack.

NW 3 mph Rain 6% High tide 10:57

Fishable, but pick your timing carefully.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for Porthoustock — 7-day forecast

Scores and best windows are weighted for .

Met Office Met Office · Open-Meteo

Where the data comes from. Weather and sea-state readings come from the Met Office and Open-Meteo forecast models, refreshed several times a day. High and low water are taken from tide-station predictions for this stretch of coast.

How the score works. Each window is scored 0–100 from the signals that most reliably move fish inshore: tide movement (a running tide carries food, so the last of the flood and first of the ebb are usually the prime spells), wind speed and direction (onshore wind stirs food into the surf — up to the point it makes fishing hard), sea state (a little wave and swell movement helps, heavy swell hurts), and weather — rain, temperature and light. Behind the headline number we score bite opportunity and comfort separately, and run a separate safety check on wind and swell. The size of the tide counts too: spring tides move more water than neaps, so the tidal range for this stretch of coast is weighed alongside the tide's direction, your target species and this mark — and unusually big springs strengthen the safety check, because the water rises faster and covers more ground.

Your target species counts. Pick a species below and the score also weights what we know about it — its season, preferred sea temperature, tide stage and sea state, and whether it feeds by day or night.

The rating is guidance, not a guarantee — conditions change fast on the coast, so always judge the sea in front of you before you fish.

Friday looks better than today. Unlock the week to see its score and exact window.

· windows & tide

Spring vs neap tides. Spring tides have a larger difference between high and low water, so more water moves on each tide — usually stronger flow that stirs up food and gets fish feeding. Neap tides have a smaller range and generally gentler movement. The range here is compared with what is normal for this stretch of coast, and the cycle swings between springs and neaps roughly every week, following the moon.

Big spring tides: the water rises faster and covers more ground than usual — double-check access routes and cut-off points before you fish.

Now

Tide curve will appear once tide data is available.

All windows will appear once the forecast is loaded.

Premium forecast

Unlock exact best windows, tactics and backup options for this mark.

Trip planner

Find the best time to fish Porthoustock

Choose when you're free and what you want to catch. We'll show the best tide, weather window and method for this mark.

Premium unlocks exact windows, tactics and alerts.

Premium Mark Insight

Locked

Porthoustock is a compact, mixed-ground cove where the decision is usually beach versus rock edges. The shingle gives simpler fishing into mixed ground for bass, rays, whiting, mackerel, garfish and night species, while the rock platforms and kelp margins either side are the higher-risk, higher-reward areas for pollack, wrasse, huss and conger. The mark is often strongest on a flooding tide through dusk and into darkness, but presentation matters: kelp, rough patches and tidal pull mean strong leaders, abrasion-resistant traces and rotten-bottom links are usually worth using.

  • Know when to fish the shingle instead of the kelp edges
  • Pick the north or south side based on your target species
  • Use the flood window without getting buried in kelp
  • Turn boat traffic or swell into a better backup plan
  • Fish close with confidence when bass push into the cove

Included with Premium

Cancel anytime · Stripe

Unlock this mark's plan

Jump to towns around this mark for more marks and guides.

St Keverne 1.2 mi Coverack 2.5 mi Helford Passage 4.3 mi Mawnan Smith 4.6 mi Porth Navas 5.0 mi

Explore nearby towns: St Keverne · Coverack · Helford Passage · Mawnan Smith · Porth Navas

Zoom and pan to explore access points and nearby marks.

Jump to guide

Forecast tuning currently supports Bass and Mackerel — more species are on the way.

Overall rating

7.1 /10

Blend of catch potential, access, safety, and overall experience.

Category scores

Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 7/10
Safety 5/10
Accessibility 7/10

Pollack 9/10
Tip: Work metal jigs or soft plastics at dawn/dusk along the kelp-lined rocks and quarry wall on a flooding tide. Deep water close in; keep lures mid-depth to avoid kelp.
Ballan Wrasse 8/10
Tip: Crab or ragworm dropped into kelp gullies from the rock edges; best mid-flood to high on a gentle sea. Use strong gear and a rotten-bottom.
Bass 7/10
Tip: Surface or soft lures in white water around the points on the flood; after an onshore blow fish peeler or sandeel from the shingle at dusk into mixed ground.
Mackerel 7/10
Tip: Summer shoals; feather or cast small metals from the beach or slip on an evening flood in clear water. Float a strip for fewer tangles and better sport.
Pouting 6/10
Tip: Mixed rough ground straight off; small mackerel or squid strips on 2-hook flappers at night on the flood. Keep baits just off the kelp.
Scad (Horse Mackerel) 6/10
Tip: Late summer/autumn nights; tiny metals or sabikis under a float by the wall on the flood. A head torch or pier light draws them in.
Conger Eel 6/10
Tip: After dark from the wall or rock ledges; big fish baits on strong traces into rough ground from dusk through the flood. Keep the rod high and bully fish clear.
Bull Huss 5/10
Tip: Large fish or squid baits dropped into rough patches at night from rock ledges; target neap tides, last of ebb into first of flood.
Corkwing Wrasse 5/10
Tip: Small hooks with rag or prawn under a float tight to kelp and boulders; best mid-flood to high in calm, clear seas.
Garfish 5/10
Tip: Float-fish sandeel or fish strips over clean tongues beside rough ground on a bright, flooding tide. Use long traces and small hooks.
Tompot Blenny 4/10
Tip: Micro hooks with worm or prawn lowered into crevices at low water around the rocks. Short drops and tiny baits.
Long-spined Sea Scorpion 4/10
Tip: Tiny strips on size 12–16 hooks, fished static in kelp pockets and rockpools at low to mid tide. Move and cover ground.

Local knowledge

Porthoustock fishing guide

Practical access, seasons, methods, tides, safety and facilities for this mark.

Porthoustock is a small, east-facing cove on Cornwall’s Lizard peninsula, looking out towards Falmouth Bay and the notorious Manacles reef. It’s a mixed-ground mark with shingle, rock and kelp, offering year-round options from easy beach fishing to more adventurous rock work. Sheltered from many south-westerlies, it rewards thoughtful tactics with bass, wrasse, pollack, rays and winter whiting.

Set on the east side of the Lizard near St Keverne, Porthoustock is straightforward to reach and has near-to-rod parking. The terrain is mostly firm shingle with rocky margins at either end of the cove.

  • From Helston take the B3293 towards St Keverne, then follow signs down the narrow lanes to Porthoustock (postcode TR12 6QW).
  • Beach/foreshore parking is usually available close to the slipway; expect a small charge or honesty box in season. Do not obstruct the working slip or boat access.
  • The walk is minimal once parked, but the steep shingle bank can be tiring under load; rocks either side require care and good footwear.
  • The north side leads on foot towards Lowland Point (various rock marks); the south side trends towards the Manacles area with rougher, kelpier ground.

This is genuine mixed ground, so tailor targets to the season and where you set up in the cove. Expect rough-ground species tight to the rocks and occasional clean-ground visitors over the shingle and patches of sand.

  • Spring (Mar–May):
    • Bass on lures or surf baits during building tides and a little colour
    • Pollack on lures from the rocks, especially evenings
    • Ballan wrasse on crab/rag baits in the gullies
    • Garfish late spring in clear, calm water
  • Summer (Jun–Aug):
    • Mackerel and scad at dawn/dusk; garfish on floats
    • Bass in onshore easterlies or after a blow when the sea settles
    • Wrasse (ballan, corkwing) around kelp; pollack along the ledges
    • Rays (thornback, small-eyed) on the cleaner patches; dogfish common
    • Smoothhound occasional on peeler in settled conditions
  • Autumn (Sep–Nov):
    • Prime bass time with bait or lures
    • Rays and huss after dark; mackerel linger early autumn
    • Pollack in fading light; garfish until the first big blows
    • Whiting start to show into late autumn
  • Winter (Dec–Feb):
    • Whiting and dogfish on night tides
    • Conger and bull huss from rough ground with big fish baits
    • Odd dab/sole/plaice on small baits over cleaner patches in calm spells
    • Codling are very occasional visitors only

Match your approach to the patchy ground: robust end tackle for the rocks, and cleaner-ground rigs for the shingle. Fish often feed surprisingly close at dusk and after dark.

  • Bottom fishing from the beach:
    • Pulley or pulley-dropper rigs with rotten-bottom links for mixed/rough ground
    • 3/0–4/0 hooks and 40–60 lb snoods for conger/huss; 1/0–2/0 for rays/bass; size 2–1/0 for whiting/flatfish
    • Best baits: sandeel or bluey for rays/bass; peeler crab for bass/wrasse; mackerel/squid cocktails for huss/conger; rag/lug for whiting and flats
  • Float fishing around the rocks:
    • Rag/crab for wrasse in 6–15 ft of water; strip mackerel for garfish
    • Use abrasion-resistant mono and a landing net; wrasse dive hard into kelp
  • Lure fishing:
    • Weedless soft plastics and metal jigs for pollack along the ledges
    • Surface/sub-surface hard lures and paddletails for bass at dawn/dusk or in a gentle onshore push
    • Light game tactics (7–14 g metals, spoons) for mackerel/scad in clear water
  • Tackle notes:
    • 12–13 ft beach rods with 5–6 oz leads cover the shingle; 9–10 ft lure rods (20–40 g) suit the rocks
    • Use a shock leader and consider leaders/snoods of 30–40 lb around kelp to reduce cut-offs

Porthoustock fishes well around the flood to high and into the first of the ebb, with options in both calm and lightly stirred seas. Water clarity and wind direction are key.

  • Tide: 2 hours up to high and the first hour or two of ebb often best from the beach; low-to-mid tide can be excellent for wrasse/pollack in rock gullies
  • Neaps: easier presentation in kelp and for rays; springs: more pull and weed but can switch bass on
  • Wind/sea state: light onshore easterly with a slight chop is prime for bass; long-settled clear water suits lures, mackerel and garfish
  • Time of day: dawn/dusk for mackerel, pollack and bass; after dark for rays, huss, conger and winter whiting
  • Seasonality: summer for surface life and wrasse; autumn for quality bass; winter nights for whiting/huss

This is a working cove with boats and divers using the slip, and the nearby Manacles are infamous for swell and tidal movement. Treat the rocks and shingle with respect and fish within your limits.

  • Do not fish from or trespass on any working/quarry structures or the commercial wharf if present; obey all signage
  • Keep clear of the slipway and boat lanes; expect dive boats launching at short notice
  • Kelp-covered rocks are extremely slippery; wear grippy boots, consider cleats, and a personal flotation device on the rocks
  • Swell can wrap in unexpectedly on easterlies/southerlies; rogue waves possible near headlands—stay well back in a surge
  • Strong tidal draw near the points and towards the Manacles—no wading on swell days; avoid getting cut off
  • Shingle banks shift and can be steep; take care when descending/ascending with gear
  • Night fishing: bring a spare headtorch and mark safe exit routes in daylight

Porthoustock is quiet and functional rather than built-up; plan to be self-sufficient. Most amenities are in nearby St Keverne or further afield.

  • Parking on/near the beach with a charge/honesty box in season; limited spaces at busy times
  • No public toilets on the beach; nearest facilities, shops and pubs are in St Keverne village
  • Seasonal café and dive facilities are found at nearby coves (customers only); do not rely on them being open
  • Tackle/bait: nearest full-range shops are in Helston, Falmouth or Penryn—bring bait or pre-order in summer
  • Mobile signal can be patchy on some networks around the rocks; better on the beach and higher ground
  • No bins on the foreshore at times—take all litter and line home

Think in lanes: cleaner water and shingle straight out, rougher kelp edges to the sides. Move a few yards to find a snag-light pocket that makes all the difference.

  • North side towards Lowland Point often gives a little more depth and flow for pollack/bass on lures at dusk
  • The south side is kelpier and snaggy—use rotten-bottoms and fish big, tough baits for huss/conger after dark
  • Bass frequently patrol tight in; a whole sandeel or crab dropped within 20–30 yards can beat a long cast
  • In summer the crabs are relentless—use tough cocktail baits, bait elastic, and check baits often
  • Mackerel and garfish show at first light in clear, calm spells; take only what you need as shoals can be thick
  • If dive/boat traffic is heavy by day, return at dusk when the cove quietens and fish push in
  • After easterly blows, give it 24–48 hours for the sea to drop and colour to hold—classic bass window

Porthoustock lies close to The Manacles Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ). Shore angling is generally permitted, but you must respect protected habitats and any local signage or private property.

  • Working structures/slipways: no fishing or access on the commercial wharf or any signed private/quarry infrastructure; keep the slipway clear for launches
  • MCZ awareness: avoid damaging reef life (do not remove or disturb pink sea fans/maerl); replace any lifted boulders and minimise bait digging impact
  • Bass: the legal minimum conservation reference size is 42 cm; seasonal recreational bag/closed periods change—check current MMO/Defra notices before you go
  • Cornwall IFCA: observe local byelaws and size limits for finfish and shellfish; check the latest CIFCA regulations before retaining any catch
  • Wrasse conservation: while not subject to a statutory MLS for rod anglers, local best practice is catch-and-release for larger wrasse to protect inshore stocks
  • General: use barbless/flattened barbs where practical, carry a disgorger, and follow the Angling Trust/CIFCA guidance on responsible catch and release