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Cornwall

Sharrow Beach

6.5 · Beach · Cornwall

Part of Whitsand Bay on the Rame Peninsula, Sharrow Beach is a long, exposed sand beach with patches of reef and gullies around Sharrow Point. It fishes best on a flooding tide through dusk into night, especially with a mild onshore wind that forms surf gutters for bass. Clean sand produces rays and flatfish; the rocky fringes can throw up the odd pollack on lures in clear water. Summer brings mackerel and scad at dusk; autumn–winter sees whiting and dabs. Access is via steep paths/steps from the Military Road lay-bys; expect a demanding climb and limited facilities. Hazards include powerful surf, rips, large tide range, and cut-off risk near the point—plan for the tide and avoid heavy swell.

Should you fish Sharrow Beach?

58 Fair

Today · Best window

Best window: 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide

Most likely species: Mackerel and Bass

Fair conditions. Best around 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide. Good chance of Mackerel and Bass.

NW 3 mph Rain 0% High tide 11:29

Fishable, but pick your timing carefully.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for Sharrow Beach — 7-day forecast

Scores and best windows are weighted for .

Met Office Met Office · Open-Meteo

Where the data comes from. Weather and sea-state readings come from the Met Office and Open-Meteo forecast models, refreshed several times a day. High and low water are taken from tide-station predictions for this stretch of coast.

How the score works. Each window is scored 0–100 from the signals that most reliably move fish inshore: tide movement (a running tide carries food, so the last of the flood and first of the ebb are usually the prime spells), wind speed and direction (onshore wind stirs food into the surf — up to the point it makes fishing hard), sea state (a little wave and swell movement helps, heavy swell hurts), and weather — rain, temperature and light. Behind the headline number we score bite opportunity and comfort separately, and run a separate safety check on wind and swell. The size of the tide counts too: spring tides move more water than neaps, so the tidal range for this stretch of coast is weighed alongside the tide's direction, your target species and this mark — and unusually big springs strengthen the safety check, because the water rises faster and covers more ground.

Your target species counts. Pick a species below and the score also weights what we know about it — its season, preferred sea temperature, tide stage and sea state, and whether it feeds by day or night.

The rating is guidance, not a guarantee — conditions change fast on the coast, so always judge the sea in front of you before you fish.

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· windows & tide

Spring vs neap tides. Spring tides have a larger difference between high and low water, so more water moves on each tide — usually stronger flow that stirs up food and gets fish feeding. Neap tides have a smaller range and generally gentler movement. The range here is compared with what is normal for this stretch of coast, and the cycle swings between springs and neaps roughly every week, following the moon.

Big spring tides: the water rises faster and covers more ground than usual — double-check access routes and cut-off points before you fish.

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Sharrow Beach is an exposed Whitsand Bay surf beach where the key decision is whether to work the clean sand for bass, rays and flatfish, or move toward the Sharrow Point fringes for rougher-ground options and summer pelagics. It fishes best when there is enough onshore movement to form gutters, but not so much swell that the beach or point becomes unsafe or unfishable. Flooding tides through dusk and into darkness are the main window, with low-water-into-flood especially useful for rays over clean sand.

  • Know when to fish the clean sand instead of the point.
  • Time bass around the late flood and first ebb.
  • Use low-water scouting to find the gutters that matter.
  • Pick the right tide window for small-eyed rays.
  • Avoid the Sharrow Point trap on bigger tides.
  • Have a nearby beach backup before you climb down.

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Millbrook 2.2 mi Cawsand and Kingsand 2.7 mi Torpoint 3.2 mi St Germans 3.8 mi Saltash 4.5 mi

Explore nearby towns: Millbrook · Cawsand and Kingsand · Torpoint · St Germans · Saltash

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Forecast tuning currently supports Bass and Mackerel — more species are on the way.

Overall rating

6.5 /10

Blend of catch potential, access, safety, and overall experience.

Category scores

Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 8/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 4/10

Bass 9/10
Tip: Surf beach; fish a flooding tide at dawn/dusk. Pulley rigs with sandeel or peeler in the gutters, or metals/surface lures when the surf is small.
Small-eyed Ray 8/10
Tip: Best May–Oct. Night over clean sand; sandeel or bluey wraps on a pulley. Aim just beyond the first breaker; neap to mid tides fish well.
Lesser Spotted Dogfish 7/10
Tip: After dark year-round; small fish or squid baits on two-hook flappers, 30–60 yd onto clean sand.
Mackerel 6/10
Tip: Jun–Sep; feathering or small metals from the rocky points at high water or dusk. Watch for birds and keep retrieves brisk.
Plaice 5/10
Tip: Spring–early summer; daylight long casts onto clean sand. Rag/lug tipped with squid on long snoods; add beads to draw takes.
Dover Sole 5/10
Tip: Warm nights Jun–Sep; short lobs 10–30 yd onto sand. Small hooks with rag/lug or sandeel strips; use light leads to slowly trundle with the tide.
Thornback Ray 5/10
Tip: Occasional; calm nights in spring/autumn. Sandeel or crab on a pulley, medium range over sand.
Scad (Horse Mackerel) 5/10
Tip: Aug–Oct after dark; small metals or Sabiki under a float from rocky edges. Keep lures midwater with a steady retrieve.
Garfish 5/10
Tip: May–Sep; float fish mackerel strip or small lures near the surface at dawn/dusk from the rocks at either end of the beach.
Flounder 4/10
Tip: Winter–spring; short casts with rag/lug just behind the surf line on the flood. Coloured water helps.
Spotted Ray 4/10
Tip: Summer; odd fish where sand meets rock. Night, calm seas. Sandeel or squid at medium range.
Starry Smoothhound 4/10
Tip: Jun–Sep evenings; peeler or hardback crab on a pulley over sand/patchy ground, medium range. Neap tides often best.

Local knowledge

Sharrow Beach fishing guide

Practical access, seasons, methods, tides, safety and facilities for this mark.

Sharrow Beach (Whitsand Bay, SE Cornwall) is a broad, surf-washed sand backed by high cliffs and broken by the rocky spur of Sharrow Point. It offers classic surf bassing, summer ray fishing on clean sand, and wrasse around the point’s rough ground. Anglers come for the mix of beach and rock options, the dramatic setting, and productive dusk and night tides.

Sharrow sits between Freathy and Tregonhawke on the Rame Peninsula, within the long arc of Whitsand Bay. Access is via steep cliff paths and steps from the clifftop lay-bys, making it a committing venue in poor weather or on big tides.

  • Approach via the B3247 (often called Military Road) along the Whitsand Bay cliffs; look for lay-bys signed for Freathy/Whitsand. Parking is in informal bays and pull-ins; arrive early on fair-weather weekends.
  • Nearest general postcode area: PL10 (Rame Peninsula). Individual lay-bys don’t have precise postcodes; use Freathy as your navigation target and then choose a path down.
  • Multiple paths descend to the beach; expect a steep, sometimes uneven stair/track with sections of loose gravel. Not suitable for those with limited mobility.
  • Allow extra time for the return climb, especially after dark. Bring a headtorch for night sessions.
  • Public transport: Cornwall/Go Cornwall Bus services between Plymouth and Rame stop along the clifftop road (check current timetables; service numbers often 70/70A).
  • MOD Tregantle Range closures occasionally affect the western stretches of Whitsand; obey red flag signage and any beach closure notices.

The mark produces surf and rough-ground species with a strong summer/autumn bass and ray reputation. Expect different fishing on the clean sand versus the rocky point and gullies.

  • Spring (Mar–May):
    • Bass (schoolies building to better fish as temps rise)
    • Small-eyed ray (from late spring), dogfish
    • Wrasse and pollack around Sharrow Point on calmer days
    • Garfish in May on bright tides
  • Summer (Jun–Aug):
    • Bass (dawn/dusk and after dark), small-eyed ray, occasional thornback
    • Smoothhound (patchy but possible on crab baits)
    • Mackerel and scad in settled spells; garfish
    • Wrasse (ball/corkwing) and pollack off the rocks; occasional gurnard on the sand
  • Autumn (Sep–Nov):
    • Peak bassing, especially in lively surf and on spring floods
    • Small-eyed ray remain; increase in whiting and pout after dark
    • Bull huss from rougher ground at night; stray turbot very occasional on the open beach
  • Winter (Dec–Feb):
    • Whiting, pout, dogfish
    • Bass in on rough, mild spells
    • Conger possible from the point/rough ground after dark (experienced anglers)

Both surfcasting over clean sand and rock fishing around Sharrow Point are viable; pick your ground to match species and conditions.

  • Surf bassing (clean sand):
    • Light surf gear with 2–4 oz rolling leads to let baits wander in the gutters; 2-hook flapper or single long-snood rigs.
    • Baits: fresh lugworm, ragworm, peeler crab, sandeel, or mackerel strip. Scale down hooks (1–2/0) and keep snoods 2–3 ft.
    • Lures at first/last light: shallow divers and topwaters (e.g., 120–140 mm) and weedless soft plastics over the bars and rips.
  • Rays and bigger fish (clean sand):
    • Pulley pennel or pulley dropper with 40–60 lb abrasion leaders; 3/0–4/0 hooks.
    • Baits: whole/split sandeel, squid/sandeel wraps; fish 2 hours up from low and the first hour down from high.
  • Rough-ground/point fishing:
    • Wrasse: simple paternoster, 20 lb mono leaders, small strong hooks (1–2) with crab or rag; keep tackle tight to avoid snags.
    • Pollack: float-fish rag/sandeel or work soft plastics on 20–30 g heads along the kelpy edges.
  • General rig tips:
    • Use clipped-down long-range rigs (1-up/1-down or long flapper) on breezy days to hit outer bars.
    • Shockleader: 60 lb mono minimum for beach casting; wade only if safe and visibility allows.

Sharrow rewards reading the sand: look for gutters, bars and rips formed by the Atlantic swell. The rocky point offers options when the surf is too boisterous for the open beach.

  • Tide state:
    • Bass: last two hours of the flood and first hour of the ebb over newly covered bars and gutters.
    • Rays: around low water into the flood is reliable, especially on neaps to mid-range springs.
    • Rough-ground species fish best on a making tide with some flow.
  • Swell and wind:
    • W–SW swells of 2–4 ft with a light onshore or cross-on breeze suit bass.
    • Clearer, calmer nights are better for small-eyed rays.
    • Big groundswell and spring highs can make the point unfishable; choose the sand or stand down.
  • Time of day/season:
    • Dawn/dusk and after dark significantly improve bass and ray odds.
    • Late summer through autumn is prime across the board; winter whiting runs can be hectic after dark.
  • Water clarity:
    • A touch of colour helps bass; very dirty water after storms usually fishes poorly until it settles.

This is a serious cliff-and-beach venue with powerful surf and tidal movement. Plan your exit route, watch the sea continuously, and avoid pushing ranges in swell.

  • Steep cliff paths and steps: good footwear essential; take your time, especially on the return climb.
  • Cut-off risk: at higher tides sections of beach back right up to the cliffs/point; keep an eye on the flood and do not get boxed in.
  • Rock hazards: weeded, kelpy, and polished rock at Sharrow Point is extremely slippery; expect sudden surges and backwash.
  • Waves and rips: frequent shore dumps and strong lateral currents; wading is often unnecessary and can be hazardous.
  • Wear a PFD if fishing the rocks, use a headtorch at night, and fish with a partner where possible.
  • Cliff stability: avoid standing or sitting directly beneath crumbly faces; rockfall is possible after heavy rain.
  • Lifeguarded bathing zones may operate on adjacent beaches in summer; keep clear of flagged swim/surf areas and cast well away from water users.
  • MOD Tregantle Range: if red flags are flying and closures are in force, obey all signage—do not access closed sections.

Facilities are limited at clifftop lay-bys; plan to be self-sufficient for long sessions. Seasonal amenities operate along the bay.

  • Parking: free/informal clifftop lay-bys along the B3247 near Freathy; no marked bays; do not block gateways or private access to chalets.
  • Toilets: none on the beach; seasonal/public facilities exist at some nearby beach cafés or holiday parks—don’t rely on them outside peak season.
  • Food/drink: seasonal cafés at Freathy/Tregonhawke and a year-round selection in Millbrook and Torpoint.
  • Tackle/bait: tackle shops in Plymouth and Looe; some stock fresh lug/razor/sandeel in season—ring ahead.
  • Mobile signal: reasonable on the clifftop, often weaker down on the sand and by the point.

Sharrow rewards mobile fishing and careful water-reading; an extra 20 minutes scouting gutters can be worth more than another 20 yards of casting distance.

  • Look for a defined rip or deeper gutter running obliquely along the beach—fish it on the flood with rolling leads and small baits for bass.
  • After onshore blows, give it 24–48 hours to settle; a light stain is good, heavy soup usually isn’t.
  • Clip-down rigs punch into the prevailing wind better; keep snoods long for bass and short, heavy mono for ray rigs to reduce tangles.
  • Fresh bait matters: pump lug at low on the outer flats or bring quality frozen sandeel for rays.
  • Lure anglers: work the first and last hour of light; switch to topwater if the surf backs off, or weedless soft plastics around the kelp fringes.
  • Night sessions are often best for rays—keep lamps low and noise down; there are chalets on the cliffs, so be considerate.
  • Respect private paths and beach huts; stick to public access routes and stiles.

Sea angling is generally permitted at Sharrow Beach; there is no specific local fishing ban. However, the area lies within wider conservation and seasonal management frameworks—check before you go.

  • Bass (recreational) rules change annually: in recent years a daily bag limit with a 42 cm minimum size has applied during an open season, with catch-and-release outside it. Check the current MMO/UK government notice for exact dates and limits.
  • Minimum Conservation Reference Sizes (MCRS) apply to numerous species (e.g., rays, bass, crab, lobster). Measure your catch and release undersize fish.
  • Whitsand and Looe Bay Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ): recreational angling is allowed, but protect sensitive features (e.g., seagrass) and avoid damaging habitats.
  • MOD Tregantle Range: when red flags or lamps indicate live firing, certain sections of beach are closed—access and fishing are prohibited within closures.
  • Lifeguarded beaches: do not fish within flagged bathing/surf zones when operating; lifeguards’ directions take precedence.
  • Bait and shore foraging: adhere to Cornwall IFCA guidance; take only what you need, avoid disturbing protected species/areas, and never take berried lobsters/crabs.
  • Always check the latest Cornwall IFCA byelaws and any temporary notices before fishing.