Summary
Rame Head crowns the eastern end of Whitsand Bay and guards the entrance to Plymouth Sound, offering dramatic rock ledges and fast, deep water. It’s a classic rough-ground mark for lure and bait anglers alike, with wrasse and pollack by day and bass, conger and huss after dark. The scenery is spectacular, but so are the tides—this is a serious venue for prepared anglers.
Location and Access
Reaching Rame Head is straightforward by road via the lanes from Cawsand/Kingsand, finishing at the headland car park on National Trust land. From there, a short climb to the chapel is followed by steep, rough paths down to ledges on either the Whitsand (west) or Plymouth Sound (east) side.
- Parking: Small car park at the end of the lane near the headland; pay-and-display/NT membership often required; spaces fill in fine weather.
- Approach: Narrow Cornish lanes with passing places; drive cautiously, especially in summer.
- Walk-in: 5–10 minutes to the chapel, then steep, uneven goat tracks to fishing ledges; hands-and-feet in places.
- Terrain: High cliffs, sloped grass, and barnacle/kelp-covered rock; very rough ground underfoot and in the water.
- Access notes: No lighting, no barriers, and no easy exits; not suitable for trolleys or heavy kit. Choose east or west side based on wind and swell.
Seasons
Rame Head produces a mix of rough-ground and pelagic species, with the best variety from late spring to autumn. Expect fewer—but often bigger—fish than on easier marks.
- Spring (Apr–May): Bass, pollack, ballan/cuckoo wrasse, garfish; first mackerel shoals late spring.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): Pollack to good size, mackerel, garfish, scad, bass, wrasse, pout; conger and bull huss after dark.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): Peak pollack and bass, scad, late mackerel, wrasse (until first big chills); conger/huss remain.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): Conger, bull huss, rockling; whiting and pout on calmer nights; codling are very occasional.
- Occasional visitors: Triggerfish in warm spells, launce in the tide runs, odd squid on very clear, calm nights.
Methods
Both lures and bait work well—match your approach to the tide and the ground. Keep rigs sacrificial and gear strong.
- Lure fishing:
- Metals (20–40 g), casting jigs and slim spoons for mackerel/gar/scad and prospecting tide edges.
- Soft plastics (14–28 g) on 20–30 lb leaders for pollack and bass; work shads along the drop-offs and kelp lines.
- Surface/sub-surface minnows at dawn/dusk for bass when baitfish show around the point.
- Float fishing:
- Rag/lug, prawn, peeler crab, or sandeel under a float for wrasse and pollack tight to the rocks.
- Adjust depth constantly; bites often mid-water on the flood.
- Bottom fishing (rough ground):
- Strong rods, 25–30 lb mainline, 60–80 lb leaders; pulley or pulley-dropper with a weak “rotten-bottom” link for leads.
- 4–6 oz leads on neaps; more on springs if you must fish them. Expect to lose gear—carry spares.
- Baits: Whole or large mackerel/squid for conger/huss, crab and squid cocktails for bass, rag/lug for general fishing.
- Times:
- Dawn/dusk for bass and pollack on lures; after dark for conger/huss.
- Short, sharp feeding windows around tide turns—be ready with pre-tied rigs.
Tides and Conditions
The point is all about tide runs and edges. Neaps are friendlier; springs can be extreme and snaggy.
- Tide state:
- Flood tide pushing round the head can be excellent, especially the last 2–3 hours into high water.
- First hour of the ebb can be productive before the run rips; slack is brief.
- Sea state and wind:
- Avoid big south or southwest swells—dangerous and unfishable on the west face.
- East/northeast winds flatten the west side; westerlies can make the east side more comfortable.
- Water clarity:
- Clear water favours lures/float for pollack, wrasse, garfish; a bit of colour can switch on bass.
- Seasonality:
- Best sustained sport from May–October; winter fishing is tougher but can yield conger/huss on calmer nights.
Safety
Rame Head is an exposed, committing rock mark—treat it with full respect. If in doubt, choose a safer venue.
- Steep, unprotected descents; slips have serious consequences. Wear studded boots or rock spikes and gloves.
- Swell and boat wash can surge onto ledges; never turn your back on the sea.
- Strong tidal flow around the point; avoid wading and keep kit well back from the edge.
- Some ledges can become partially cut off at higher states—know your exit routes and tide heights.
- Fish with a partner where possible; carry a charged phone and tell someone your plan. Dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard in an emergency.
- A modern, well-fitted PFD is strongly recommended. Head torches with spare batteries for any low-light sessions.
- Not suitable for young children, dogs off-lead, or anglers with limited mobility.
Facilities
This is a wild headland with minimal on-site facilities. Plan to be self-sufficient.
- On-site: No toilets, water, bins, or lighting; limited phone signal near some ledges.
- Nearest amenities: Public toilets, pubs, and cafés in Kingsand/Cawsand; basic shops there and in Millbrook.
- Tackle and bait: Best options in Plymouth and Looe; many anglers bring frozen bait and a small lure box.
- Parking: Small headland car park; charges/NT membership may apply; no guaranteed overnight parking.
Tips
Travel light and think tactically. The ground eats tackle but rewards tidy presentation and mobility.
- Use rotten-bottom links on every ground rig; a cheap lead is better than losing the whole setup.
- Work lure angles: cast up-tide, count down, and sweep through the seam—pollack often hit as the lure lifts.
- Float baits just off the rocks for wrasse; move if crabs are stripping you.
- Watch the birds: gannets or terns hitting bait can herald frantic mackerel/bass minutes later.
- West face at dusk with a rolling swell often produces bass; east face can shine for pollack on clear, neapy evenings.
- Carry a long-handled or cliff-safe landing net and a pair of long-nose pliers; many fish are hooked deep in rough ground.
- Pre-tie pulley droppers and keep them in zip bags to maximize fishing time during short feeding windows.
Regulations
Rame Head lies within the Cornwall Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (Cornwall IFCA) district and near marine protected areas. Recreational line fishing is generally permitted, but you must follow national and local rules.
- Bass: England has a 42 cm minimum conservation reference size and seasonal retention rules that can change; check current MMO/Defra notices before your trip.
- Size/bag limits: Observe national MLS/MCRS for species such as bass and elasmobranchs; Cornwall IFCA also sets shellfish sizes and gear rules (if you ever set pots/nets).
- Protected sites: Parts of the surrounding coast fall within designated MCZ/SAC areas; rod-and-line angling is allowed, but do not disturb wildlife or damage features (no bait-digging on fragile cliff/SSSI turf).
- No-take/bans: There is no general ban on angling from Rame Head, but obey any temporary local signage or closures and keep clear of military or emergency operations offshore.
- General: Take only what you need, return undersized or out-of-season fish quickly, and dispose of line and leads responsibly.