Summary
Rinsey Cove sits between Praa Sands and Porthleven on Cornwall’s south coast, backed by striking mine ruins and flanked by kelpy rock ledges. It’s a wild, beautiful mark that rewards effort with quality bass, wrasse, and pollack, plus the chance of night-time huss and conger. Surf over sand and rough-ground rock fishing give you two very different options in one compact venue.
Location and Access
Reaching Rinsey is straightforward but the final approach is steep and uneven. Park at the National Trust car park signed for Rinsey near the hamlet of Ashton/Breage, then follow the coast path down to the cove. Expect a short but strenuous return climb. The beach all but disappears at higher tides and the rock platforms can be slippery.
- Parking: Small National Trust car park at Rinsey (limited spaces; arrive early in summer and on spring tides).
- Approach: 10–15 minutes on a rough, steep path with steps; sturdy boots recommended.
- Terrain: Sandy cove with rocky flanks; adjacent ledges on both sides provide higher, safer perches than the beach in swell.
- Access notes: No vehicular beach access; not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.
- Alternative bases: Amenities and additional parking in Praa Sands (east) and Porthleven (west), each a short drive.
Seasons
The cove offers a classic south-coast spread with bass in the surf and wrasse/pollack around the rocks. Seasonality matters: clear, calmer water suits wrasse and pollack; stirred surf draws bass tight in.
- Spring (Apr–May): Bass (increasing from May), pollack off the ledges, early wrasse; occasional turbot/plaice from the sand in calm seas.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): Bass (including lure fishing at dawn/dusk), mackerel and garfish on calmer days, ballan and corkwing wrasse, pollack, scad after dark; chance of bull huss from rough ground.
- Autumn (Sep–Oct): Peak bass time with lively surf; wrasse still strong until the first big blows; mackerel/scad on settled evenings; bigger pollack from the rocks.
- Winter (Nov–Feb): Whiting and pouting on the sand in onshore seas, dogfish, strap conger; an occasional codling in a real blow is possible but uncommon here.
- Year-round targets: Conger (night, rough ground), bull huss, rockling; resident wrasse on mild spells.
Methods
Two styles shine: surf fishing on the sand for bass and flats, and rough-ground rock fishing for wrasse, pollack, and nocturnal predators. Match approach to sea state and clarity.
- Surf/bottom (beach, flooding tide):
- Rigs: Pulley pennel (3/0–4/0) for bass; two-hook flapper (size 1–2) for flats/whiting; clip-down for distance if required.
- Leads: 3–4 oz grip leads; use a weak/rotten-bottom if casting near the rocky fringes.
- Baits: Fresh peeler crab, whole sandeel, squid/mackerel cocktails for bass; lugworm, ragworm, small sandeel for turbot/plaice.
- Lure fishing (rocks and surf margins):
- Clear/moderate seas: 20–40 g metals, slim minnows, and paddletail soft plastics on 20–30 lb braid with a fluorocarbon leader.
- Snaggy ground/weed: Weedless soft plastics (Texas/weightless), surface walkers and subsurface stickbaits at first and last light.
- Float fishing (rock ledges):
- Ballan wrasse and pollack with prawn, crab, or rag; set 8–15 ft and keep moving to find fish. Strong gear (30 lb leader) helps beat kelp.
- Ledger from the rocks (evening/night):
- Big fish baits (mackerel/squid cocktails, fillets) for huss and conger; 60–100 lb mono rubbing leader, large single hooks (6/0–8/0), and a sensible drop-off/weak link.
- Tackle notes: A 9–10 ft lure rod (20–40 g) covers lures; a 12–13 ft surf rod with 3–5 oz rating for bait; always carry spare rigs due to kelp and snags.
Tides and Conditions
Pick your day around wind direction and swell height. Bass like lively surf on the beach; wrasse and pollack prefer clearer, settled water on the ledges.
- Tide state:
- Beach: Mid-flood to high, and first of the ebb for bass; a neat overlap with dusk/dawn is excellent.
- Rocks: Flood or ebb with movement; avoid being cut off—plan a safe retreat.
- Wind/swell:
- Light northerly/easterly winds tend to settle the sea and improve water clarity for wrasse/pollack and lure work.
- A moderate SW–S swell creates productive bass surf; too much swell makes the cove dangerous and unfishable.
- Water clarity:
- Slightly coloured water is ideal for bass; very clear water favours wrasse/pollack and topwater or subtle SPs for bass at dawn.
- Seasonality:
- Late spring to late autumn is prime overall; winter sport shifts to whiting/dogfish and occasional predators in onshore blows.
- Time of day:
- Dawn and dusk consistently out-fish middays, especially in summer when swimmers use the beach.
Safety
Rinsey is a serious, tidal venue with steep access and powerful seas. Treat the ledges and backwash with respect and plan your session around safe exits.
- Steep path with uneven steps; take your time descending and allow for a strenuous climb out.
- Beach is small at high water—risk of cut-off against the rocks; know the tide times and keep an escape route.
- Rock ledges are kelpy and slick; wear studded soles or cleats and take a headlamp if there’s any chance of finishing in the dark.
- Atlantic swell can wrap in hard—rogue waves possible even on seemingly moderate days. Keep well back and never fish low ledges in heavy seas.
- Old mine workings and cliff edges: keep clear of overhangs and unstable ground.
- Lifejacket recommended for all rock sessions; fish with a partner where possible and tell someone your plan.
- Dogs and children: supervision essential near cliffs/ledges.
- Mobile signal can be patchy in the cove; carry a charged phone and, if possible, a whistle or PLB.
Facilities
There are no facilities in the cove itself—plan to be self-sufficient. Nearby villages cover most needs before or after a session.
- On-site: No toilets, water, or bins; pack out all litter and line.
- Nearest amenities: Cafés, pubs, and public toilets in Praa Sands and Porthleven; larger supermarkets, fuel, and ATMs in Helston.
- Tackle/bait: Tackle shops and bait suppliers in Helston and Penzance; pre-order live bait (rag/lug/peeler) in peak season.
- Phone/data: Variable signal around the cove; better reception up near the car park and along the coast path.
Tips
Treat Rinsey as two marks in one: a surf beach and a rough-ground headland. Adapt quickly to the conditions and you’ll cover your bases.
- If the surf is up and milky, fish the beach for bass with crab or sandeel; if it’s clear and calm, switch to wrasse/pollack on the ledges.
- Weedless soft plastics save gear in the kelp; a slow, sink-and-draw retrieve along gullies is deadly for bass and pollack.
- Use a rotten-bottom clip when casting anywhere near the rocky fringes—snags are inevitable.
- Summer evenings see mackerel and scad shoals tight in; a small metal or float rig can salvage a quiet session.
- Wrasse fight dirty: lock up, keep the rod low and turn their heads immediately.
- After heavy seas, give it 24–48 hours for colour to drop from chocolate to “tea with milk”—often the sweet spot for bass.
- Seals patrol the area; if one shows persistent interest, move marks to avoid lost fish and fouled traces.
- The mine engine houses make great windbreaks for a quick lure chuck on the flood—just stay clear of cliff edges.
Regulations
General UK and Cornwall rules apply; some measures change year to year. Always check the latest guidance before you go.
- Bass: Recreational bass rules (bag limits and open seasons) are reviewed annually. Minimum size remains 42 cm; verify current daily limits and dates with the UK Government/MMO before retaining fish.
- Minimum sizes/bag limits: Cornwall IFCA publishes local minimum conservation reference sizes and byelaws for finfish and shellfish—consult their latest tables.
- Shellfish: Strict protections for berried/soft-shelled crabs and lobsters, and MLS for crawfish/spider crab; recreational potting has additional rules—check Cornwall IFCA if you intend to gather.
- Protected species/habitats: Multiple Marine Protected Areas exist along the south Cornwall coast; some have additional restrictions—review official maps before collecting bait or targeting reef species.
- Landowner rules: Much of the access is via National Trust land—no fires, no camping, and respect signage or temporary path diversions.
- General: No setlines or unattended rods; dispose of line and hooks responsibly; observe local seasonal dog restrictions on beaches.
