St Anthony Head Fishing

Summary

St Anthony Head sits on the tip of the Roseland Peninsula, guarding the entrance to Falmouth Bay and the Carrick Roads. Deep water close in, strong tidal run and mixed rough ground make it a classic rock mark for bass, pollack and wrasse, with summer mackerel and garfish and winter species after dark.

Location and Access

This is a National Trust headland with a lighthouse and old battery, reached by narrow Cornish lanes from St Mawes. Access is straightforward on the coast path, but most fishing spots are on uneven rock ledges below the path and require care.

• Parking: National Trust St Anthony Head car park (pay and display; free to NT members). The nearest postcode commonly used for sat navs is TR2 5HA.
• Approach: From the car park, follow the South West Coast Path toward the lighthouse/battery; 5–15 minutes to the main ledges depending on where you choose to fish.
• Terrain: Rocky platforms with kelp and boulders, some with a noticeable step down from the path; a few short, steep sections and unfenced drops.
• Alternative access: Seasonal Place Ferry from St Mawes to the Roseland side, then a 30–40 minute coastal walk to the head.
• Roads: Single-track lanes with passing places; allow time in summer and drive considerately.

Seasons

The headland straddles open-channel water and the harbour mouth, so species are varied and seasonal. Expect rough-ground residents with pelagic visitors on clear, warm days.

• Spring to early summer: Bass, pollack, ballan and corkwing wrasse; early garfish; the first mackerel shoals in May/June.
• High summer: Mackerel, garfish, scad (horse mackerel) at dusk, plentiful wrasse, schoolie to mid-size bass; occasional black bream and squid in calm, clear spells.
• Autumn: Bass (often peak), pollack improving at dawn/dusk, wrasse to hardback crab, mackerel/scad into October in fair weather; conger after dark.
• Winter: Whiting and pouting on bottom baits at night; conger; dogfish. Pollack can still show in rougher weather close to kelp.
• Occasional visitors: John Dory on small livebaits, triggerfish in very warm summers, thick-lipped mullet cruising the calmer water inside the Carrick Roads (more sight than catch from the headland).

Methods

Mixed ground and fast tide reward tidy, simple rigs and abrasion-resistant tackle. Lure and float tactics shine in daylight; fish baits come into their own at dusk and after dark.

• Lure fishing: 9–10 ft rod rated ~10–40 g with 20–30 lb braid and 20–25 lb fluoro leader.
  • Weedless soft plastics (sandeel and paddle-tails) for bass/pollack along the edge of kelp and tide seams.
  • Metals and shore jigs (20–40 g) for mackerel/scad and prospecting pollack; count down and work mid-water.
  • Surface/low-diving hard lures at first light on the flood for bass in calm seas.
• Float fishing: Set 10–15 ft to fish mid-water over rough ground.
  • Baits: Ragworm or small strips of mackerel for garfish/scad; sandeel or prawn for pollack.
  • Use a sliding float and fluorocarbon trace; keep shotting neat to avoid tangles in the run.
• Bottom fishing: 11–13 ft rough-ground rod, 20–30 lb mono or 40–50 lb braid with strong 60–80 lb leaders.
  • Rigs: 1- or 2-hook flapper for whiting/pouting; pulley or pulley-dropper with a weak link (rotten-bottom) for bass/conger over snags.
  • Baits: Peeler or hardback crab for wrasse/bass; whole or fillet mackerel/squid for conger and larger bass; lug/rag for general bites.
• Feathering/sabikis: Size 4–6 small Sabiki rigs for mackerel and scad; keep sets short and weighted with 1.5–3 oz to control depth in tide.
• Handling/landing: A long-handled drop net is very useful on higher ledges; avoid gaffs. Use barbless or crushed-barb hooks where practical.

Tides and Conditions

The entrance to Carrick Roads runs hard on springs; work the edges of the flow rather than the full blast. Clarity is key for lures; bait fishing scores when the sea colours up.

• Tide state: Last 2 hours of flood into high water and the first hour of ebb are prime for bass and pollack along current seams.
• Springs vs neaps: Neaps are friendlier for wrasse and float work; springs can be excellent for lure fishing if you position on the lee side of the run.
• Wind/swell: Most comfortable in northerly/easterly winds; exposed to southerly and south-westerly swell which can wrap around the head—avoid big seas.
• Time of day: Dawn and dusk markedly better for bass/pollack; garfish and mackerel show through bright days in clear water, with scad after dark.
• Seasonality: Late May–October offers the widest variety; winter nights can still produce conger and whiting if you’re prepared for the cold.

Safety

This is a beautiful but serious rock mark with unfenced drops, slippery weed and rebounding swell. Take your time choosing a platform and wear appropriate gear.

• Steep/uneven access: Rock ledges require confident footwork; not suitable for wheelchairs or most mobility aids.
• Slips and waves: Kelp-covered rock is slick; never fish low ledges in swell, and watch for rebound and boat wash from the shipping channel.
• Tides: Strong lateral flow; keep excess line under control and avoid positions that can be cut off by the flood (some lower gullies flood on big highs).
• Edges and heights: Keep well back from cliff edges; use a PFD/lifejacket and cleated soles or studded boots.
• Night fishing: Only if you know the paths; carry spare lights and mark exit routes in daylight.
• Site rules: Respect National Trust signage and fenced areas around the lighthouse/battery; do not climb structures or cross barriers.

Facilities

You’re on a scenic headland with limited services on site; plan to be self-sufficient. Nearby villages have what you’ll need before or after a session.

• Parking: National Trust car park at St Anthony Head (charges apply; busy in summer).
• Toilets: Seasonal public/NT toilets may be available near the car park; otherwise use facilities in St Mawes or St Just in Roseland.
• Tackle/bait: Head to Falmouth or Truro for tackle shops and fresh bait; nothing at the mark itself.
• Food/drink: Cafés, pubs and shops in St Mawes; bring water and snacks to the rocks.
• Phone signal: Generally fair on the headland but can be patchy in dips; don’t rely on data.

Tips

Treat it like two marks in one: the open-channel side for swell and predators, the harbour-mouth side for clearer water and tide lines. Small adjustments in position can make a big difference.

• Read the water: Fish the up-tide edge of colour changes and the slicks running out of the Roads; work lures diagonally across the flow.
• Leaders matter: Use 20–30 lb fluorocarbon to resist kelp and rock; check and re-tie often.
• Crab is king: Hardbacks or peelers pick out better wrasse and can tempt bass mooching the gullies.
• Dusk switch: As light fades, swap from metals to slower soft plastics or a float-fished sandeel for pollack.
• Keep it compact: Shorter hooklengths and streamlined rigs tangle less in the run; add a weak link to your lead on rougher spots.
• Be courteous: It’s a popular walking spot; keep gear tidy on the path and be mindful of casting when people approach.
• Noise and light: Tone down headlamps at dusk—garfish and scad can be shy; they’ll often sit right under the glow on a small float.
• Foghorn surprise: In poor visibility the lighthouse fog signal may sound—it’s loud; don’t be startled on a ledge.

Regulations

This headland falls within a National Trust site and near designated conservation areas for the Fal/Helford system. Shore angling is generally permitted, but you are responsible for complying with national and local rules.

• Site conduct: Follow National Trust rules—no fires, no camping, take litter home, and do not enter fenced or signed restricted areas around the lighthouse/battery or bird nesting sites.
• Conservation areas: Parts of the Fal/Helford are protected (SAC/SSSI/MCZ). Avoid collecting from rockpools and respect any on-site notices that restrict bait digging or access.
• Bass: Recreational bass rules change frequently. As a guide, recent years have required a minimum size of 42 cm with a limited retention season and daily bag. Check the latest Marine Management Organisation notice before retaining any bass.
• Protected species: Allis/twaite shad, sharks/skates with protection, and berried/v-notched lobsters must be released immediately if encountered.
• Local byelaws: Cornwall IFCA byelaws apply; check current size/bag limits and any estuary-specific restrictions (e.g. netting/spearfishing) before fishing.
• Ethical practice: Consider catch-and-release for large wrasse (important reef fish), use a drop net rather than a gaff, and measure fish rather than estimating.
• Navigation: Do not obstruct the path or endanger other users; avoid casting across the fairway when vessels are passing.