Towan Beach, Roseland Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Towan Beach, Roseland Fishing Map

An east-facing sandy beach on the Roseland Peninsula with rocky fringes at both ends and clear water. Sheltered from prevailing south-westerlies but exposed to easterlies; a gentle slope over clean sand with patches of weed and gullies. Best on a flooding tide into dusk. Summer brings mackerel, garfish and scad close in; nights produce dogfish and the chance of small-eyed rays. The rock ends hold wrasse and pollack. Winter sees whiting after dark. Beware lesser weever in the shallows, slippery weeded rocks and being cut off around the rocky points at high water. Access is via National Trust paths with a moderate walk from nearby parking; facilities are limited but scenery is superb.

Ratings

⭐ 7.2/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 6/10
Accessibility 6/10

Fish You Can Catch at Towan Beach, Roseland

🐟 Bass 8/10
🎯 Tip: Work the surf line on a flooding tide; dusk/dawn best. Lures (metals/soft plastics) or sandeel/crab baits in a light swell. Try gullies and rocky ends when the sea is calm.
🐟 Small-eyed Ray 7/10
🎯 Tip: Clean sand, night into 2 hrs either side of high. Long casts just beyond the first bar. Sandeel or launce baits, summer–autumn, settled seas.
🐟 Starry Smoothhound 7/10
🎯 Tip: Late spring–summer on peeler/hardback crab. Fish dusk on the flood into high across gutters and sand patches; 2/0–3/0 hooks on long snoods.
🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 6/10
🎯 Tip: Very common after dark year-round. Small fish/squid baits on clean sand; short to medium casts. Good bite-finders while waiting for rays.
🐟 Mackerel 6/10
🎯 Tip: Summer evenings when bait is in; cast metals/feathers to working birds or visible shoals. Best on the last of the flood into dusk.
🐟 Golden-grey Mullet 6/10
🎯 Tip: Warm, clear seas; target the surf tables just behind the first breaker with small rag/shellfish on size 6–8 hooks. Dawn/evening on neap tides.
🐟 Whiting 5/10
🎯 Tip: Nov–Feb after dark. Twin-hook flappers with small fish/squid/worm baits at range over clean sand. Often show on the first of the flood.
🐟 Plaice 5/10
🎯 Tip: Spring–early summer in clear water. Long casts over clean sand with beads/spoons; rag/lug tipped with shellfish. Daylight on neaps with light surf.
🐟 Dover Sole 5/10
🎯 Tip: June–Oct on warm, calm nights. Short casts to the surf line with rag/lug on long snoods; minimal lead movement. Try 2 hrs after dusk on the flood.
🐟 Ballan Wrasse 5/10
🎯 Tip: From rocky ends only. Float or light ledger with crab/worm tight to kelp on the flood; summer–autumn. Avoid pure sand sections.
🐟 Garfish 4/10
🎯 Tip: Late summer–autumn in clear, calm seas. Floatfish small sandeel/mackerel strip at 2–6 ft, especially near the rocky points at dusk on a flooding tide.
🐟 Weever Fish (Lesser) 4/10
🎯 Tip: Common in summer in the shallow surf. Small rag or sandeel strips on size 6–8 while scratching. Handle with care—venomous spines.

Towan Beach, Roseland Fishing

Summary

Towan Beach on the Roseland Peninsula is a quiet, east-facing sweep of clean sand with rocky shoulders and deep gullies near St Anthony Head. It fishes best when there’s a little sea on it for bass, yet its clear-water days also suit lure work and species hunting from the rocks.

Location and Access

This mark sits on the St Anthony-in-Roseland side of Gerrans Bay, reached via the narrow lanes signposted from Portscatho/Gerrans towards St Anthony Head (National Trust). Access is via woodland and coast path trails; expect a short but steep walk with steps down to the sand.

Seasons

A mixed venue with surf-zone predators over sand and classic south-coast rock species on the shoulders. Seasonality matters.

Methods

Both beach ledgering and rock tactics work here; pick your ground and fish to the conditions.

Tides and Conditions

Towan prefers movement. A gentle to moderate onshore and a flooding tide transforms the venue, but it still rewards stealth on calm days.

Safety

It’s a natural beach approached by coast-path tracks and steps. Plan for the walk and treat the rock ends with respect.

Facilities

This is a low-key, National Trust-backed stretch with minimal amenities on the beach itself. Come self-sufficient.

Tips

Towan rewards watercraft. Read the sand and the edges, not just the horizon.

Regulations

Shore angling is generally allowed here. There’s no known blanket ban on fishing at Towan Beach (Roseland), but follow posted National Trust guidance and local byelaws.