Summary
Rosemullion Head sits between Maenporth and the mouth of the Helford on Cornwall’s sheltered south coast, offering mixed rough ground, kelp beds and tidal seams. It’s a classic rock mark for wrasse and pollack with summer mackerel runs and a real chance of bass in the right conditions. The scenery is superb and, with care, it rewards mobile, lure‑led fishing and traditional float tactics alike.
Location and Access
This is a National Trust headland with coastal paths, small cliff-top fields and several goat-track descents to rock ledges. Access is straightforward in dry weather but can be slippery after rain and is not suitable for limited mobility.
- Approaches: From Falmouth/Penryn, head for Maenporth or Mawnan Smith, then follow lanes toward Rosemullion Head; the South West Coast Path skirts the headland.
- Parking option 1: Maenporth Beach car park (approx. postcode TR11 5HN); 20–30 min scenic walk south on the coast path to the headland.
- Parking option 2: Mawnan Church area (approx. TR11 5HY) with limited on-road or small parking; follow footpaths toward the coast and headland (20–25 min).
- Parking option 3: Small, informal National Trust parking/lay-by near the end of the lane toward Rosemullion Head; space is limited and lanes are narrow with few passing places.
- Walk difficulty: Easy to moderate on the main path; descents to ledges involve steep, rough tracks, short scrambles and tussocky grass.
- Ground: Killas slate-like rock, kelp-fringed gullies, rough ground shelves and some cleaner patches toward the bay side; boots with good grip strongly advised.
Seasons
The headland fishes as mixed rough ground into Falmouth Bay on the east and toward the Helford mouth on the west. Species shift with season and water clarity.
- Spring to early summer:
- Ballan and corkwing wrasse
- Pollack (increasingly active at dawn/dusk)
- Bass on small sandeel imitations and soft plastics
- Garfish on calmer, clear days
- High summer:
- Mackerel and scad (horse mackerel) shoals
- Wrasse at their peak (big ballans among kelp)
- Pollack tight to weedlines
- Occasional black bream and triggerfish in warm spells
- Thick‑lipped mullet in nearby sheltered coves inside the Helford (not typically off the exposed tip)
- Autumn:
- Pollack and scad at dusk into dark
- Bass during onshore pushes and lively chop
- Conger eel from deeper rough pockets after dark
- Occasional squid on calm, clear nights
- Winter:
- Pollack on metals and soft plastics in settled weather
- Pouting/poor cod and whiting over the bay side in darkness
- Rockling and the odd dogfish from cleaner patches
Methods
Mobile lure fishing and classic float tactics excel here; bottom fishing works but snag risk is high, so plan your end tackle accordingly.
- Lures for pollack and bass:
- 20–40 g metals, sandeel-pattern jigs, and 4–6 inch soft plastics on 10–20 g heads; fish tight to kelp edges, especially at dusk.
- Weedless soft plastics (Texas/weightless) reduce losses in heavy weed; slow lifts and drops along the face are effective.
- Float fishing for wrasse/gar:
- Set 8–15 ft with a cigar float, size 1–2 hooks; baits include hardback crab, peeler, prawn or ragworm for wrasse; small mackerel strip for garfish.
- Bottom tactics in rough ground:
- Pulley or pulley‑pennel with a weak/rotten-bottom link; large fish baits (mackerel/squid) after dark for conger and pouting.
- Two‑hook flappers (size 2–4) with rag/squid slivers for mixed species; keep leads just heavy enough to hold (3–4 oz typical).
- Feathering and sabikis:
- Small, slim patterns score for mackerel/scad on summer evenings; add a 20–30 g casting jig as a weight.
- Light rock fishing (LRF):
- 1–7 g metals and micro soft plastics tempt corkwing, pollack schoolies, scad and odd bream; use fine fluorocarbon leaders.
- Times:
- Dawn and dusk are prime for predators; wrasse feed confidently mid-tide in daylight when there’s some movement but not heavy swell.
Tides and Conditions
Tide flow wraps around the point creating seams and eddies; clarity is often good after westerlies but drops quickly with onshore easterlies.
- Best tide states:
- The flood into high water and the first of the ebb often fish best for pollack and bass; avoid total slack when predators drift off.
- Wrasse fishing is reliable on the middle of the flood with moderate movement.
- Wind and swell:
- Most sheltered under prevailing south‑westerlies; exposed and weedy on fresh easterlies and southerlies.
- Long‑period swells can wrap the point—if swell is running, choose higher, safer ledges on the bay side.
- Water clarity:
- Clear water suits lures and float tactics; coloured water pushes bass closer but hampers wrasse/gar.
- Time of day/season:
- Dawn/dusk year‑round for pollack and bass; summer evenings for mackerel/scad; autumn nights for conger and scad.
- After storms:
- Allow 24–48 hours for kelp and weed to drop out unless specifically targeting bass in churned water.
Safety
This is an exposed rock headland with steep, uneven approaches and no barriers. Plan your route in daylight and fish within your limits.
- Slips and trips: Rock, grass and kelp are very slippery when wet; wear studded boots or rock shoes and take trekking poles if unsure.
- Swell risk: Rogue waves hit outer ledges—stay high if any swell is running and never turn your back on the sea.
- Cut‑off considerations: Some low shelves flood on big tides; identify exit routes before you start.
- Tackle management: Use a lifejacket, headlamp with spare batteries and keep kit minimal to stay mobile.
- Accessibility: Not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs; children only with experienced supervision.
- Wildlife and nesting birds: Keep clear of roped‑off or signed areas seasonally; avoid disturbing cliff‑nesters.
- Night sessions: Mark safe paths during daylight and avoid solo night trips if conditions are unfamiliar.
Facilities
There are no facilities on the headland itself—come self‑sufficient with water, food and a first‑aid kit. Nearby villages and beaches offer basics.
- Toilets: Seasonal public toilets at Maenporth Beach (TR11 5HN); limited facilities around Durgan/Helford in season.
- Food and drink: Beach café and restaurant at Maenporth; pubs/shops in Mawnan Smith.
- Tackle and bait: Tackle shops and fuel available in Falmouth and Penryn; ring ahead for live bait availability.
- Mobile signal: Generally good line‑of‑sight 4G on the headland, but expect patchy reception in coves.
- Parking: Limited and often busy in peak season—arrive early or fish evenings outside beach hours.
Tips
Little adjustments make a big difference at Rosemullion—fish the structure, keep moving and match the water state.
- Carry spare leaders and use weak links; the ground is unforgiving and you will snag.
- For wrasse, fresh crab or prawn consistently out-fishes worm in clear water; strike firmly to set hooks away from snags and keep fish up and moving.
- Pollack sit under the weed canopy; count lures down and work them just above kelp tips—if you’re not occasionally touching weed, you’re probably too high.
- Summer evenings can see fast scad action—switch to small sabikis or size 6–8 hooks if you’re bumping fish without hookups.
- Watch for gannets and surface dimples; baitfish pushed around the point often herald mackerel or bass within minutes.
- Use dark, slim metals or natural soft‑plastic colours in bright, clear water; switch to chartreuse/white in chop or colour.
- Travel light: one lure rod, a small float kit and a handful of end tackle covers most eventualities here.
Regulations
General sea angling is permitted at Rosemullion Head, but regulations apply and some nearby waters carry additional protections. Always check the latest official sources before retaining fish.
- Cornwall IFCA bylaws: Minimum conservation reference sizes (MCRS) apply to many species; measure fish accurately and release undersized specimens.
- European seabass: Bag limits, size limits and open/closed periods change periodically—check current MMO/DEFRA guidance for ICES area 7 (south‑west England) before keeping bass.
- Helford designations: Parts of the Helford are designated and operate additional protections (including a Bass Nursery Area and conservation measures). If you cast or boat fish inside the estuary side of the headland, ensure your activity complies with the current nursery area rules and any seasonal restrictions.
- Marine protected areas: The Fal & Helford Special Area of Conservation and local voluntary conservation measures encourage low‑impact angling; avoid disturbing seagrass and maerl and follow any posted notices.
- Bait collection: Observe local restrictions on digging and the Helford Voluntary Marine Conservation Area code of conduct if collecting bait in nearby creeks and beaches.
- National Trust land: Respect signage, keep gates closed, no fires/BBQs, and take all litter and line home.
- Night and lighting: Use headlamps responsibly to avoid dazzling wildlife and other path users.
- If in doubt: Release fish you are unsure about and verify current rules via Cornwall IFCA/MMO before your trip.
