Portmellon Beach Fishing

Last updated: 1 month ago

Portmellon Beach Fishing Map

A sheltered south-coast cove just south of Mevagissey with a small sandy beach and easy access via a slipway. Mixed ground: clean sand across the middle with kelpy rock ledges and gullies on both sides that drop into slightly deeper water toward the points. Suits light lure and float tactics in clear, calm weather; bait fishing improves at dusk and after dark. Best around the flood, especially the last 2–3 hours to high water, and at first light or after sunset. Summer and early autumn see mackerel, garfish and scad pushing bait in the bay; wrasse and pollack are reliable along the rough ground; bass patrol the surf line or around fizzing gullies on a little swell. Bread-chum can draw mullet to the slip and weed beds. Avoid peak bathing times in high summer; watch for surging swell on the ledges and slippery weeded rocks. Parking is limited but close by, and the approach is short and straightforward.

Ratings

⭐ 6.8/10 Overall

Catch Potential 6/10

Species Variety 7/10

Scenery & Comfort 9/10

Safety 7/10

Accessibility 8/10

Fish You Can Catch at Portmellon Beach

🐟 Bass 8/10

🎯 Tip: Dawn/dusk on a flooding tide; work surface/sub-surface lures in the surf or fish crab/sandeel baits over the sand after a blow.

🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 8/10

🎯 Tip: Very reliable after dark over clean sand; small fish or squid baits 30–60m on a flooding tide.

🐟 Ballan Wrasse 7/10

🎯 Tip: From rocks at either end; present crab or worm baits tight to kelp/rough ground. Float or weedless soft plastics on the last of the flood to slack.

🐟 Pollack 6/10

🎯 Tip: Evenings into dark from rocky points; work metals or soft plastics along the kelp line on a flooding tide.

🐟 Whiting 5/10

🎯 Tip: Winter nights; small fish/squid baits on 2-hook flappers at medium range over clean sand on the flood or ebb.

🐟 Mackerel 5/10

🎯 Tip: Summer shoals; feathering or small metals from rocky points on flooding tides, clear water, dusk best.

🐟 Garfish 5/10

🎯 Tip: Late spring–autumn; float-fish small mackerel strips or tiny metals near the surface from the rocks on the flood.

🐟 Dab 4/10

🎯 Tip: Winter–spring over clean sand; small worm/squid-tipped baits on fine hooks at distance. Neap tides often better.

🐟 Spotted Ray 4/10

🎯 Tip: Occasional over clean sand; fish sandeel or squid at long range on a steady flood, evening into dark.

🐟 Smoothhound 4/10

🎯 Tip: Late spring–summer; peeler crab baits at medium range over sand/patchy rock on the flood, dusk into dark.

🐟 Golden-grey Mullet 4/10

🎯 Tip: Calm summer evenings; small bread or rag baits on light gear in the surf line over sand, best on a gentle flood.

🐟 Plaice 3/10

🎯 Tip: Spring–summer; long casts with beads/attractors and worm/sandeel cocktails over clean sand on bright days, mid-flood.

Portmellon Beach Fishing

Summary

Portmellon Beach is a sheltered sandy cove just south of Mevagissey on Cornwall’s south coast. It’s a gentle, family-friendly bay with rocky fringes at either end that add real interest for the roaming sea angler. While it’s not a venue for extreme surf fishing, it consistently rewards thoughtful tactics, light tackle, and timing around tide and daylight.

Location and Access

Portmellon sits immediately south of Mevagissey, with the coast road running right along the sea wall behind the beach. Access is straightforward onto the sand via the slipway, and the rock ledges at each end are a short scramble at lower water. In summer the beach gets busy, so early or late sessions are more comfortable for anglers.

Access: Drive from Mevagissey towards Gorran; the road drops straight to the cove and sea wall.
Parking: Limited on-street spots along the sea wall; arrive early. If full, use car parks in Mevagissey and walk (allow 15–20 minutes; parts of the road are narrow with minimal pavement).
Terrain: Firm sand with shallow gradient; weeded, uneven rocks at both ends; slipway in the middle used by small boats.
Public transport: Buses serve Mevagissey from St Austell; it’s a pleasant but narrow coastal walk to Portmellon.
Night access: Simple on the beach; rock ends require care. Keep clear of properties and respect residents.

Seasons

This is a mixed ground beach with shallow sand and rocky fringes, so expect a blend of flatfish, bass, smaller predators, and classic rock-dwellers in season.

Spring: School bass, flounder, occasional turbot and plaice close to the surf line; wrasse and pollack awakening on the rocks.
Summer: Bass (dawn/dusk and in onshore chop), mackerel and garfish on calm evenings, scad at dusk, wrasse (ballan, corkwing) and pollack from the ledges, gurnard, small turbot; dogfish at night; lesser weever in the shallows.
Autumn: Better chance of larger bass in blowy weather, mackerel/gar late on, wrasse until the first big chills, whiting and pouting at night.
Winter: Whiting, pouting, dogfish, flounder on milder spells; odd codling is possible on this coast but uncommon.
Occasional visitors: Sole on still summer nights, small-eyed ray if you can reach cleaner sand beyond the inner bar, thick-lipped mullet mooching under the wall.

Methods

Simple, sensitive methods excel here, with light to medium beach gear on the sand and lighter LRF/float/lure tactics around the rocks. Match your approach to the end you’re fishing and the day’s conditions.

Beach ledgering: 1–2 hook flappers (size 2–6) for flounder, plaice, gurnard; running ledger with 1/0–3/0 for bass. Use 2–4 oz leads; step up to a light grip lead if there’s a push of surf.
Baits: Fresh ragworm or lug for flats and gurnard; peeler or softies for bass and wrasse; sandeel or thin squid strip for turbot and dogs; small mackerel strip for gar/scad on a float.
Lures (rocks and margins): 10–24 g metals and slim minnows for mackerel/gar/pollack; soft plastics (paddle tails 3–5 in) for bass along the surf line; LRF with isome, small creature baits or 5–10 g metals for wrasse, pollack, gobies and scad.
Float fishing (rock ends/sea wall): Small sliver of mackerel or sandeel for garfish and mackerel; depth 6–12 ft, long trace for gar.
Times: Dawn and dusk changes are prime; into darkness for bass and whiting. In summer, fish after swimmers leave; in winter, pick milder weather windows.

Tides and Conditions

Portmellon is shallow, so fish use the flooding tide to push tight in. Onshore movement and colour lift catch rates, while very clear, flat days call for stealth and lighter lines.

Best tide: Mid to high water, especially last two hours of the flood and first hour of the ebb. Springs push fish right under the wall.
Sea state: A modest S/SE onshore ripple builds bass confidence; excessive swell and weed make it unfishable. In glassy conditions switch to finesse lures or float gear.
Time of day: Dawn/dusk and the first two hours of dark are consistently productive. Night tides favour bass, whiting, and dogfish.
Seasonality: May–October for variety and surface-feeders; late autumn blows for bigger bass; winter for whiting/dogs on settled nights.
Water clarity: After a blow, give it 12–24 hours for the colour to settle; fish the remaining lift before it goes gin clear.

Safety

This is a welcoming venue, but rock ends and a narrow seafront road add hazards. Plan around tide height and beach users, and carry a headlamp if you’re out after dark.

Rocks: Weed-slicked, uneven, and cut off at mid-to-high on larger tides. Check your retreat line before starting.
Swell and surge: Southerly swell can rebound off the wall; rogue waves possible near the slip and rock points.
Beach crowding: Avoid casting when swimmers, paddleboarders, or small craft are present. Summer evenings or off-peak days are best.
Slipway: Expect vehicles and boat launching; give way and don’t fish across the channel.
Footwear: Sturdy boots on rocks; water shoes on sand in summer due to lesser weever fish.
Visibility: Carry a bright headlamp and spare light at night; reflective tape on tripod helps. A buoyancy aid/lifejacket is sensible if you step onto the rocks.
Accessibility: The beach and slip are level and suitable for many mobility levels; the rock ends are not.

Facilities

Facilities are modest at the cove, with more options up the road in Mevagissey. Plan bait and provisions ahead, especially for evening or winter sessions.

Food and drink: A seafront pub sits by the beach; seasonal offerings vary. More pubs, cafés, and takeaways in Mevagissey.
Toilets: Limited at the cove; use Mevagissey’s public conveniences or venue facilities if you’re a customer.
Tackle and bait: Head to Mevagissey (harbour shops/chandlery) or St Austell for full tackle and fresh/frozen baits; ring ahead for lug/rag availability.
Phone signal: Generally workable but can be patchy close to the cliffs; step back from the wall for a stronger signal.
Waste: No on-beach bins at times; pack out all line and litter.

Tips

Treat Portmellon as two venues: a gentle sandy surf line and two small rock marks. Keep mobile and let the tide deliver fish to you rather than anchoring in one spot for hours.

Work the flood: Bass and flats track the gutter that forms along the beach; 20–40 m casts often outfish the horizon.
Peeler season: May to July, peeler crab is king for bass and wrasse around the rocks—use abrasion-resistant leaders.
Gar window: Garfish show on balmy, clear evenings—set a float shallow with a long trace and tiny strip of mackerel.
Weed watch: Onshore blows can raft weed along the wall; fish either very short in the first breaker or move to a rock end where the tide scours clearer slots.
Lure colour: Natural/silver on clear days; darker or chartreuse patterns when there’s colour in the water.
Quiet hours: Late evening into the first hour of darkness avoids beach users and regularly produces a quick hit of bass or whiting.
Etiquette: Houses are close—keep noise down after dark, use dimmed headlamps, and leave no trace.

Regulations

Shore angling is generally permitted at Portmellon, but you must work around swimmers/boats and heed any temporary local signage. As regulations change, always check current rules with the MMO and Cornwall IFCA before you go.

Bass rules (England, 2024–2025 guidance): Minimum size 42 cm. Recreational retention typically 2 fish per angler per day from 1 March to 30 November; catch-and-release only in December, January, and February. Verify the current season before retaining fish.
Minimum sizes: Cornwall IFCA publishes a minimum sizes table for common species; carry a measure and release undersized fish promptly.
Crustaceans: It is illegal to take berried or v-notched lobsters/crawfish; minimum sizes apply to edible crab and lobster.
Protected species: If you encounter shad, tope (if prohibited to retain), or any protected shark/ray species, release immediately and unharmed.
Local byelaws: Netting and potting restrictions may apply close inshore; rod-and-line angling from the beach is typically unaffected. Do not block the slipway or impede launching.
Harbours and private land: Nearby Mevagissey Harbour has its own fishing rules; follow posted notices. Do not trespass onto private headlands or closed paths.
General: Use barbless or crushed-barb hooks where practical, and handle fish over wet sand or with a mat for quick releases.