Summary
Predannack Head sits on the wild Atlantic side of the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall, between Mullion Cove and Kynance. It’s a rugged rock-fishing venue with deep, kelpy gullies, fast tide run and real potential for quality pollack, wrasse, bass and nighttime conger. The scenery is spectacular and the walk keeps the crowds down, rewarding prepared anglers with proper West Cornwall sport.
Location and Access
Reaching Predannack Head means a coastal-path walk to exposed rock ledges; it’s National Trust land bordering the Predannack airfield training area. Plan your approach in daylight and expect uneven ground and some short scrambles to reach the best platforms.
- Approaches: from Mullion Cove (north) or from the National Trust access near Predannack Wollas; alternatively from Kynance side (south) for a longer hike.
- Parking: Mullion Cove car park (near TR12 7EP) or National Trust car parks in the area; pay-and-display in season. Arrive early in summer.
- Walk-in: 20–45 minutes depending on route and pace; undulating coast path with exposed sections, narrow trods and occasional muddy or greasy rock.
- Terrain: steep grass slopes, heather and gorse, then rough granite ledges with weed/kelp. Some marks require hands-on climbs down short steps or gullies.
- Access notes: The inland airfield is used for military training; the South West Coast Path generally remains open but occasional diversions may be signposted—follow on-site notices.
Seasons
Predannack produces classic Lizard rock species with a chance of a better fish if you put the time in. Seasonality matters, as does water clarity and swell.
- Spring: pollack (school to mid doubles in March–May at dawn/dusk), ballan wrasse, garfish in settled spells, early mackerel shoals on the flood, pout and rockling.
- Summer: mackerel, scad (horse mackerel) at dusk, garfish, pollack, ballan and corkwing wrasse, bass in surfy pockets, conger and bull huss after dark; occasional triggerfish in late summer during warm, calm spells.
- Autumn: peak pollack, bass in rougher water with colour, scad into October nights, wrasse until the first cold snaps, conger/huss reliable.
- Winter: conger, pout, rockling; odd pollack in clear settled windows; whiting possible but not a mainstay on these rough ledges.
- Bycatch/occasional: launce (greater sandeel), small ling from deeper holes, mullet nosing around calmer coves.
Methods
Rough-ground rock fishing rules apply: keep it simple, fish strong, and adapt to the swell. Lure, float and bottom tactics all have their day.
- Lure fishing (pollack/bass):
- 20–30 g weedless soft plastics (paddle tails, eels) on Texas/Cheb rigs; 20–25 lb fluorocarbon leaders.
- Metals 20–40 g and long-bill minnows when water is clear and there’s pace around the head.
- Fish dawn/dusk along tide seams; count lures down the kelp line and work them up and over snags.
- Float fishing (wrasse/gar/mackerel):
- Sliding float with size 2–1/0 hooks; depth 8–20 ft depending on platform.
- Baits: ragworm, hard/peeler crab for wrasse; mackerel strip or sandeel for gars/macks.
- Use 20–25 lb abrasion-resistant mainline/leader; wrasse will dive hard into kelp.
- Bottom fishing (conger/huss/bass):
- Strong gear: 20–30 lb mono or 30–50 lb braid with 60–80 lb rubbing leader.
- Rigs: short pulley pennel or running ledger with rotten-bottom link; 4/0–6/0 patterns for big baits.
- Baits: whole/half mackerel, squid/mackerel wraps, large sandeel, peeler crab in season, big lug-and-squid for bass in colour.
- LRF/HRF:
- 1–7 g heads with small creature baits for corkwing, pollack schoolies and odd scad in calm water; use snag-resistant presentations and upsized leader.
- Night sessions: focus on conger/huss with big static baits; keep one rod only to manage snags and safety.
Tides and Conditions
Tide run accelerates around the headland and dictates where bait and predators hold. Time your session for manageable swell and productive light levels.
- Tide: a flooding tide into high water often fishes best for pollack and wrasse; last two hours of the flood and first hour of the ebb are prime.
- Springs vs neaps: springs push bait tight to the head but increase snags; neaps are kinder for wrasse and float work.
- Swell and wind: the mark is exposed to W–SW Atlantic swell; choose small to moderate swell or seek slight north/east winds for clearer water. Avoid big groundswell.
- Light levels: dawn/dusk for pollack and bass; wrasse bite well from mid-flood to high in daylight; scad and conger switch on after dark.
- Water clarity: clear to lightly tinged water suits lures and float; a bit of colour and lively chop can spark the bass.
- Seasonal patterns: late spring to autumn is the main window; winter requires calmer spells and heavier bottom tactics.
Safety
This is a serious rock mark with high cliffs, slippery ledges and ocean swell exposure. If in doubt, don’t go down—and never fish it alone in rough conditions.
- Steep, uneven access with short scrambles; unsuitable for wheelchairs and most pushchairs. Good ankle support and studded rock boots/cleats are strongly advised.
- Always wear a PFD (inflatable lifejacket), carry a headtorch and spare, and keep hands free (use a rucksack).
- Weed-covered granite is extremely slick; test every step and avoid green weed at the waterline.
- Rogue waves: observe for at least 15 minutes before committing; do not fish in heavy groundswell or when waves are washing platforms.
- Use rotten-bottom links and keep gear streamlined to reduce time near the edge. One rod only on rough ledges.
- Some gullies can be cut off on big tides—plan an exit route and mark your path in daylight.
- Phone signal can be patchy; tell someone your plan and ETA.
- Respect any temporary path diversions or closures linked to the nearby MOD airfield or seasonal cliff-nesting birds.
Facilities
Predannack is wild and undeveloped—come self-sufficient for food, water and first aid.
- No facilities on the headland: no toilets, lighting, shelter or freshwater.
- Seasonal toilets and café at nearby National Trust car parks (e.g., Kynance in season) and facilities at Mullion Cove/hotel area.
- Tackle/bait: head to Helston for shops and fresh/frozen bait; check opening hours before you travel.
- Mobile signal: variable; generally better on high ground, poor down on ledges.
Tips
Treat it like a mini-expedition: travel light but strong, and match tactics to water state.
- Weedless soft plastics save a fortune in kelp; a 20–25 lb fluorocarbon leader dramatically cuts losses.
- Pre-tie rotten-bottom droppers (5–10 lb weaker than main rig) for ledgering over boulders.
- A small drop-net or long-handled gaff alternative is handy for conger/huss, but most fish can be hand-landed carefully—never lie down on the lip in swell.
- Chum lightly with mashed bread/oil to keep gars and mackerel in the float line on calm, sunny days.
- Watch for seals working bait shoals; when they push in, try moving 50–100 m along the head to find undisturbed fish.
- Summer heath holds adders—stick to paths, wear long trousers and check for ticks after pushing through gorse.
- First visit: go in daylight on a modest swell and recce several ledges; note your safe exits before trying a night conger session.
Regulations
This coastline sits within protected landscapes (SSSI/SAC/NT holdings), but recreational sea angling from the shore is generally permitted. Know and follow current fishery rules and local notices.
- Bass: rules are reviewed annually. As of 2024 in ICES area 7, recreational anglers could retain up to 2 bass per day at a 42 cm minimum during the open season, with catch-and-release outside it. Check the latest Defra/MMO notice for current dates and limits before your trip.
- Minimum sizes/byelaws: Cornwall IFCA sets local MLS and gear byelaws—measure your catch and release undersize fish.
- Tope and spurdog: protected in practice for shore anglers—tope retention by rod-and-line is prohibited; spurdog are commonly released. Handle both with care and release promptly.
- Wrasse: no national MLS; many Cornish marks operate a strong catch-and-release ethic for larger ballans—consider releasing all.
- Protected sites/wildlife: do not disturb nesting seabirds (spring/summer) and keep to marked paths; avoid vegetation damage when accessing ledges. Obey any temporary cliff or path closures.
- Bait collection: follow local byelaws and access rules; avoid digging/turning boulders in sensitive shore habitats on this protected coastline.
- Litter and fish waste: pack out all line/hooks; dispose of fish frames well below the high-tide line or take them home to avoid attracting gulls/vermIn near paths.