Summary
Talland Bay sits between Looe and Polperro on Cornwall’s south coast, offering a pair of sandy coves framed by rock ledges, kelp beds and gullies. It’s a scenic, sheltered mark that rewards mobile, thoughtful fishing with wrasse, bass and summer pelagics, plus night-time chances for huss and the odd ray on the sand patches.
Location and Access
Talland Bay is reached via narrow country lanes off the A387 between Looe and Polperro. There are two small beaches with easy access and a fringe of rock platforms either side that provide numerous short-range marks.
- Parking: Pay-and-display by the beach; arrive early in summer. A useful postcode for sat-nav is PL13 2JA (beach cafés/car park area).
- Approach: Single-track lanes with passing places; drive cautiously in peak holiday times.
- Walk-in: 1–5 minutes to the sand; 5–15 minutes to pick your way onto rock ledges either side of the coves.
- Terrain: Mixed—firm sand, pebbles, weed-covered rocks and low ledges. Studded boots help. The South West Coast Path runs along the cliffs for exploring further marks.
Seasons
This is classic mixed-ground fishing with seasonal variety. Expect reliable wrasse and pollack in clear weather, summer shoals on the surface, and nocturnal predators after dark.
- Spring: Ballan and corkwing wrasse (building from April), schoolie bass, pollack, occasional plaice/smaller flatfish on sandy tongues, early smoothhound in late spring on crab.
- Summer: Wrasse (prime time), pollack, bass (dawn/dusk and surfy days), mackerel, garfish, scad, mullet in calm corners, pout/poor cod, dogfish; night chances for bull huss and the odd small-eyed ray; occasional smoothhound.
- Autumn: Bass peak, wrasse until the first frosts, mackerel/scad tailing off by October, whiting start showing, conger after dark; occasional squid on clear evenings.
- Winter: Whiting, pout, dogfish, conger from deeper crevices, odd pollack on lures in settled spells; a bonus ray is possible on the cleaner patches.
Methods
Mobile, light-to-medium tactics score here, tailoring approach to the ground in front of you. Fish the rocks actively by day and switch to bottom tactics after dark.
- Rock wrasse/pollack: Float-fish ragworm, prawn or crab along kelp edges; or work 10–20 g weedless soft plastics for pollack. Use 20–30 lb fluoro leaders around rough ground.
- Bass: Surface and sub-surface lures (pencils, walkers, slim minnows) at first/last light on a gentle swell; or ledger peeler crab/sandeel into sandy seams on the flood.
- Summer pelagics: Metals and feathers/sabikis for mackerel and scad; add a float with strip for garfish.
- Bottom fishing: 2-hook flapper with size 2–1/0 for mixed species on cleaner sand; pulley or running ledger with 3/0–5/0 and a weak link/rotten-bottom for huss/ray around rough patches.
- Night tactics: Big fish baits (mackerel/squid cocktails) for huss/conger; keep rigs simple and strong (60 lb rubbing leader).
- LRF/micro: Isome, small metals and tiny creature baits will find blennies, gobies, small wrasse and pout around the boulders.
- Baits to bring: Rag/lug, peeler or hardback crab, sandeel, mackerel strip, squid, prawn. Fresh crab is a standout for wrasse, bass and smoothhound.
Tides and Conditions
Talland is fairly sheltered; clarity can be excellent after easterlies, making it great for sighty lure work. A modest swell perks up bass and wrasse, but heavy surf makes some ledges unfishable.
- Tide state: Flood into high water fishes well, especially the last 2 hours of the push; wrasse also feed briskly mid-tide over the reefs. Low water is good for prospecting gullies and accessing lower ledges—watch for cut-off.
- Time of day: Dawn and dusk are prime for bass and pollack; night fishing brings huss, conger and whiting on the sand tongues.
- Conditions: Clear, calm water favours lures and float gear; a light onshore roll adds bass opportunities. After storms, expect weed and coloured water—switch to scent-led baits.
- Wind: Easterlies flatten the sea (great for surface lures), strong southerlies can push swell onto the rocks; westerlies funnel chop into the bay and can load weed.
Safety
The rocks are low but can be treacherous with weed, swell and rising tides. Treat Talland as a classic mixed-ground rock mark—plan your escape routes and gear accordingly.
- Slippery ground: Wear cleated/studded boots; avoid green weeded plates and wet kelp.
- Swell and wash: Rogue sets rebound off the ledges—stay well back and keep bags high. Avoid very large swell on spring highs.
- Cut-off risk: Some lower ledges flood early; note the tide and step back before you need to.
- Night fishing: Bring a headtorch with spare batteries; keep your route simple and tidy your area to avoid trip hazards.
- Safety kit: A flotation aid/lifejacket and a throw line are sensible on any rock mark.
- Accessibility: Beach access is easy; the rock platforms require scrambling and are not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. Mobile signal can be patchy at water level but improves up the path.
Facilities
Despite its tucked-away feel, Talland has seasonal amenities right by the sand. Stock up on bait and terminal gear before you descend the lanes.
- Parking: Pay-and-display by the beach; it fills quickly in summer.
- Toilets: Usually available seasonally near the car park/cafés (check opening times outside peak season).
- Food & drink: Two seasonal beach cafés operate at Talland Bay.
- Tackle & bait: Head to Looe for tackle shops and fresh/frozen bait; limited or no tackle retail at the bay itself.
- Signal & lighting: Patchy phone signal; no lighting after dark—bring headtorches. No freshwater taps on the rocks.
Tips
Think small distances and precise placement—most fish are tight to kelp edges, seams and sand/rock boundaries. A little stealth pays off, especially in clear water.
- Recon: Arrive an hour or two before low to map gullies, weed beds and sandy tongues; fish the push back up.
- Rotten-bottoms: Use weak links on any lead dropped near boulders or reef; you’ll save gear and fish more confidently.
- Crab rules: Hardback crabs from rockpools are superb wrasse bait—use sparingly and return small ones; never strip a pool bare.
- Mullet moments: On calm, bright days, mullet cruise the corners and stream outflows—bread flake under a light controller float can be deadly.
- Summer crowds: Swim zones and kayaks/SUPs proliferate on hot days—fish early/late and avoid casting near bathers.
- Squid watch: Clear, still autumn evenings can see squid under headtorch light—carry a couple of Egi jigs just in case.
Regulations
Sea angling is permitted at Talland Bay, but you must follow national and local rules. Regulations can change—always check current guidance before your session.
- Bass (recreational): Check the latest MMO/DEFRA notice. Recent rules have allowed a limited daily bag with a 42 cm minimum size during a defined open season, and catch-and-release outside that window.
- Minimum sizes: Observe minimum conservation reference sizes for any fish you retain (e.g., bass 42 cm) and for shellfish. Cornwall IFCA enforces byelaws—verify current MLS and any seasonal closures.
- Shellfish/crustaceans: Do not take berried or soft-shelled crabs/lobsters. Respect any local notices restricting collection, and avoid disturbing seagrass beds.
- Protected areas: Parts of the south Cornwall coast fall within Marine Conservation Zones and SSSIs. Shore angling is generally allowed, but some activities (e.g., commercial gathering) may be restricted—heed local signage.
- Access and courtesy: Keep clear of bathers and watercraft, don’t block lanes or gateways, and take all litter and line home. If signage temporarily restricts fishing in busy swim areas, comply and move along the coast path.
- Licensing: No rod licence is required for sea fishing in England, but a permit is needed for some estuary/harbour piers; none is typically required at Talland’s open shore.
Always confirm the latest rules with the Marine Management Organisation and Cornwall IFCA before retaining fish or shellfish.
