Swanpool Beach Fishing

Last updated: 6 days ago

Swanpool Beach Fishing Map

Sheltered shingle/sand cove on the Falmouth coast with clean ground in the middle and rough, kelpy rock arms at either end (Swanpool/Pennance points). Fishable most states of tide; best on a flooding tide into dusk and after dark. Summer brings mackerel, scad and garfish close in, while the rocky margins give consistent wrasse and pollack. Night sessions over the sand produce dogfish and occasional flatfish; winter adds whiting and small cod family fish. LRF is excellent for blennies and gobies around the boulders. Easy access with parking, cafe and toilets, but expect swimmers/daylight pressure; mind weever fish in warm months and slippery rocks.

Ratings

⭐ 7.1/10 Overall
Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 6/10
Accessibility 9/10

Fish You Can Catch at Swanpool Beach

🐟 Bass 8/10
🎯 Tip: Dawn/dusk on a flooding tide; work shallow lures or present peeler crab/sandeel in the surf and around the rocky corners. Summer into late autumn.
🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 7/10
🎯 Tip: After dark over clean sand; small mackerel or sandeel on 1–2 hook flappers. Best mid-flood to high. Year-round, peak autumn/winter.
🐟 Mackerel 7/10
🎯 Tip: Summer evenings; cast metals/feathers from mid-beach or rocky ends when shoals are in. Watch for birds and surface activity on the flood.
🐟 Ballan Wrasse 7/10
🎯 Tip: Float fish crab or rag tight to the rock arms at either end; keep baits just off the kelp. Best on the flood, late spring–early autumn.
🐟 Garfish 7/10
🎯 Tip: Float tiny slivers of mackerel/sandeel set shallow from the rocks or beach lip; dawn/dusk on a flooding tide, late spring to autumn.
🐟 Mullet (Thick-lipped) 7/10
🎯 Tip: Stealthy float-fished bread or small rag near the outflow and rocky corners in calm, clear water. Best on a rising tide, summer to early autumn.
🐟 Pollack 6/10
🎯 Tip: Work soft plastics or small metal jigs along the rock edges at dusk into darkness on the flood. Summer/autumn.
🐟 Whiting 6/10
🎯 Tip: Winter nights; 2–3 hook flappers with small fish baits at range over sand. Productive mid-flood to high.
🐟 Scad (Horse Mackerel) 6/10
🎯 Tip: Dusk into dark, late summer–autumn; small metals or sabikis cast and slow-reeled from the beach. Let lures sink before retrieving. Best on the flood.
🐟 Golden-grey Mullet 6/10
🎯 Tip: Calm summer evenings; size 8–10 hooks with small rag/sandeel slivers drifted in the surf gutters on a flooding tide.
🐟 Pouting 5/10
🎯 Tip: After dark near rocky ground; small strips of mackerel/squid on a simple running ledger. Year-round, better autumn/winter.
🐟 Corkwing Wrasse 5/10
🎯 Tip: Float or dropshot small ragworm tight to kelpy rock margins at either end. Best mid-flood, summer months.

Swanpool Beach Fishing

Summary

Swanpool Beach sits on the edge of Falmouth Bay, Cornwall, with a sandy/shingle cove and rocky points at either end. It’s a versatile, easy-access mark that produces bass, rays, wrasse, pollack, mackerel and winter whiting.

Sheltered from many prevailing winds, it’s a reliable option for evening and night tides, with the adjacent headlands offering excellent lure and float fishing when the surf is small.

Location and Access

Set between Gyllyngvase and Maenporth, Swanpool is well signed from Falmouth and simple to reach by car or bus. The beach backs onto a pay-and-display car park and the South West Coast Path.

Seasons

The bay holds a mix of clean-ground species while the headlands provide classic reef fishing. Seasonality matters, with the most consistent action from late spring through autumn.

Methods

Most anglers fish the clean sand from the main beach and switch to float or lures around the rocky corners. Keep rig choice simple and match baits to the target species and ground.

Tides and Conditions

The cove faces roughly south–southeast into Falmouth Bay, giving shelter from many westerlies. Tide and sea state dictate the target: a gentle surf for bass, settled and clear for rays and plaice.

Safety

This is an accessible venue, but respect the usual beach and rock-fishing hazards. The lagoon behind is a protected nature reserve—do not fish the lagoon.

Facilities

Swanpool is well served by amenities, making it comfortable for longer sessions. Expect peak-season crowds and typical seaside services.

Tips

Small tweaks make a big difference here—treat it as two venues: a clean beach and rough-ground corners.

Regulations

Sea angling is permitted from the beach and adjacent rocks, but you must respect local bylaws and national rules. Always check the latest MMO and Cornwall IFCA notices before you go.