Summary
The Gazzle is the rugged cliff-line on Newquay’s headland, facing the open Atlantic and a short stroll from the town and harbour. Sheer drops, kelp-filled gullies and deep water close in make it a classic Cornish rock mark for lure, float and bottom fishing. When the swell and wind align, it can be outstanding for pollack, wrasse, mackerel and bass.
Location and Access
The Gazzle runs along the coastal path on Towan Head/Headland at Newquay, Cornwall. Access is from Newquay town, the harbour side, or the Headland Hotel area, with several cliff-top paths leading to fishing ledges.
- Parking: Headland Road/Headland Hotel area (postcode TR7 1EW) has limited roadside/pay-and-display options; additional parking in Newquay town and Towan Beach car parks (TR7 area) then walk out along the headland.
- Approach: Follow the South West Coast Path around the headland; discrete trods branch off to established rock ledges. Some are obvious; others are faint and can be slippery after rain.
- Terrain: Steep grassy banks, uneven rock, narrow ledges and pockets of loose stone. Not suitable for buggies or wheelchairs.
- Access notes: Sections are fenced for safety and to protect nesting birds—only use established, unfenced approaches and heed any temporary closures/signage.
Seasons
This is a productive rough-ground mark with depth and kelp. Species change with season and water clarity.
- Spring (Apr–May):
- Pollack close to the kelp on lures
- Early ballan wrasse (on calmer, clear days)
- Garfish on float in settled spells; bass show after blows
- Summer (Jun–Aug):
- Mackerel (dawn/evening and when birds work bait)
- Pollack to decent sizes, especially at dusk
- Ballan and corkwing wrasse in numbers
- Garfish and scad (horse mackerel) on floats/tiny metals
- Bass in low light or fizzed-up water around gullies
- Conger eel after dark on big baits
- Autumn (Sep–Nov):
- Pollack and bass at their best in onshore pushes
- Mackerel and gar linger into October in fair weather
- Scad at night; pouting and poor cod over rough patches
- Winter (Dec–Mar):
- Pollack on calm, clear days
- Conger after dark; occasional coalie/whiting in colder snaps
Methods
Rocky reef, fast water and kelp call for robust tackle and sensible rig choices. Travel light and fish mobile between ledges.
- Lure fishing:
- 9–10 ft lure rod (15–40 g) with 20–30 lb braid and 30–40 lb fluoro leader
- Weedless soft plastics (4–6 in) on Texas/Chebs for pollack/bass through kelp
- 20–40 g metals and slim spoons for mackerel/scad; shallow divers over cleaner tongues
- Work lures mid-water to just above kelp tips; best at first/last light
- Float fishing:
- 12–15 ft float rod, 12–15 lb mono, size 2–1/0 hooks
- Baits: ragworm, prawn, hardback/peeler crab, sandeel, mackerel strip
- Set depth to fish just above the kelp forest; drift the edges of gullies
- Bottom fishing (ledger):
- Strong gear: 20–30 lb mainline, 60 lb leader, 3–5 oz leads
- Rigs: pulley/dropper with a weak-link/rotten-bottom to sacrifice the lead
- Baits: big mackerel/squid cocktails for conger; peeler crab or worm for wrasse/bass
- Night ledgering brings conger and pout; keep rigs simple and snag-resistant
- General tips:
- Barbless or semi-barbed hooks ease unhooking from kelp and reduce bird/seal risk
- Carry a long-handled disgorger or T-bar for conger; cut off if necessary rather than risk hands
Tides and Conditions
Tide flow around the headland is pronounced; fish use it to ambush prey. Water clarity and swell period matter more than sheer wind strength.
- Tide state:
- Best: mid-flood through high water into first of the ebb; fish push tight to the rock
- Neaps offer easier presentation in the kelp; big springs can rip and create heavy surge
- Sea conditions:
- Small to moderate swell with decent clarity suits lures and float fishing
- A gentle onshore push (without long-period groundswell) can lift bass and pollack
- Prolonged westerly blows colour the water—switch to big, noisy lures or natural baits
- Time of day/season:
- Dawn/dusk are prime for pollack and bass year-round
- Warm months with clear water favour wrasse/garfish; cool, calm winter days suit pollack
- Wind:
- Easterly/SE (offshore) often flattens the sea here and improves water clarity
- Strong W–NW winds create dangerous swell and backwash—often unfishable from the rocks
Safety
This is an exposed cliff mark with serious hazards. Plan conservatively and turn back if swell or wind feel marginal.
- Hazards:
- Sheer drops, loose edges and rockfall zones; never go beyond fencing or worn ledges
- Atlantic swell and surge into gullies; rogue sets occur even on small forecasts
- Kelp-slick rock and algae—excellent boots with grip essential
- Tidal cut-off on lower ledges; know your escape route before you start
- Personal safety:
- Wear a coast PFD (lifejacket), headtorch after dark, and eye protection when spinning
- Fish with a partner; tell someone your plan and return time
- Keep rigs short and tidy to avoid snagging when moving between ledges
- Accessibility:
- Not suitable for limited mobility; steep, narrow paths and uneven footing throughout
- Avoid in heavy rain or after prolonged wet weather when grass banks are greasy
- Wildlife and signage:
- The Gazzle hosts nesting seabirds and resident seals—keep distance and avoid disturbance
- Obey any temporary closures or seasonal notices on the coast path
Facilities
Newquay provides good amenities within a short walk or drive, though there are no facilities on the ledges themselves.
- Toilets: Public toilets near Towan Beach and in Newquay town/harbour area
- Food/drink: Cafés, pubs and shops in town and at the Headland/harbour side
- Tackle/bait: Newquay tackle shops (rag/lug, frozen sandeel, squid, mackerel) in town
- Parking: Pay-and-display and limited roadside options around Headland Road and town car parks
- Mobile signal: Generally good on the headland, but expect patchy data in some hollows
- Waste: No bins on the rocks—pack out all line, hooks and litter
Tips
Local knowledge here is about reading swell, kelp lines and light levels. Travel light and be ready to move if a ledge isn’t producing.
- Work lures just above the kelp tops—count them down and keep them moving to avoid snagging
- In colour, use darker or high-contrast soft plastics; in clear water, natural sandeel profiles shine
- Float a whole prawn or crab under the cliffs for better wrasse than worm-only sessions
- For conger, fish the top of the flood into early ebb with a mackerel flapper; lock up and hold hard
- Watch for bird activity—terns and gannets often betray mackerel/scad pushes at range
- If seals are patrolling your ledge, shift along the path; they’ll outfish you and spook shoals
- Carry a short gaff or drop-net only if you’re confident and it’s safe; most fish can be hand-lined at ledge level—prioritise release and safety
- A simple weak-link made from 8–12 lb mono saves leads when ledgering the rough ground
Regulations
The Gazzle sits on open coastline where recreational sea angling is generally permitted. However, local designations and national measures apply.
- Marine protection: This coast lies within/adjacent to the Newquay and The Gannel Marine Conservation Zone. Recreational angling is allowed, but protections apply to designated features and certain species—check Cornwall IFCA for any species-specific prohibitions or gear restrictions that may apply.
- Bass: Recreational bass fishing is subject to seasonal bag limits and a minimum size (MCRS). Regulations change—check the current MMO/IFCA notices before your trip.
- Minimum sizes/bag limits: Observe national and Cornwall IFCA minimum conservation reference sizes for common species (e.g., wrasse, pollack, mackerel, flatfish) and return undersized fish promptly.
- Shellfish/crustacea: Additional bylaws cover collection of lobsters, crawfish (spiny lobster) and crabs, including prohibitions on removing berried individuals and local minimum sizes. Shore gathering is regulated—check current rules before taking any.
- Access and wildlife: Keep to the Coast Path where signed; do not cross safety barriers or disturb nesting seabirds or seals. Temporary path closures or restrictions may be enforced seasonally.
- General: No fires on the headland, take all litter and line home, and respect other path users and wildlife tour boats operating beneath the cliffs.
