Towan Beach, Roseland

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.

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.

• Drive via Truro > Tregony > Portscatho, then follow brown National Trust signs for St Anthony Head
• Parking: National Trust car parks around St Anthony Head/Porth; a commonly used sat-nav target is TR2 5HA (check on arrival for the closest car park open that day)
• Footpaths: 10–15 minutes’ walk to the beach; uneven, often muddy after rain, with steps near the bottom
• Terrain: Clean sand in the middle; broken ground and kelp-fringed rock ledges at either end; small stream outflow at times
• Note: This is Towan Beach on the Roseland, not the better-known Towan at Newquay

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

• Spring (Mar–May): School bass, flounder/plaice, garfish from May, wrasse on the rocks, early gurnard
• Summer (Jun–Aug): Bass (including better fish at dusk), mackerel and scad on tides, garfish, pollack from rock points, ballan and corkwing wrasse, golden grey mullet around the stream/gutters, dogfish after dark; the odd small-eyed or spotted ray on bigger tides
• Autumn (Sep–Nov): Peak bass window, mackerel tailing off, thicker pollack at dusk, gurnard, sole possible at night, plaice/dab
• Winter (Dec–Feb): Whiting on dark neaps, dabs and the odd flounder; occasional dogfish; codling are rare on this coast but not impossible in prolonged cold snaps

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

• Over sand (middle of the beach):
  • 1–2 hook flappers (size 2–1/0) with ragworm or lug for flatties and whiting
  • Up-and-over or long-trace rigs with beads/spoons for plaice in light surf
  • Pulley/pulley dropper with a pennelled 3/0–4/0 for bass/ray; baits: peeler crab, whole squid, sandeel
  • Grip leads 3–5 oz depending on surf; clipped-down rigs help in onshore winds
• Rock shoulders and gullies:
  • Lures for bass/pollack: 20–40 g metals, slim minnows, and 4–6 inch soft plastics (weedless if kelpy)
  • Float fishing for wrasse/garfish with ragworm or prawn; depth-adjust to skim reef edges
  • Free-lined bread or small wagglers for mullet near calm, weedy corners/stream
• Timing and presentation:
  • Bass: dusk/dawn, especially into a coloured, lively sea; keep moving to find gutters and rips
  • Flats/sole: after dark with small worm baits, tip with mackerel for scent; keep traces long and light
  • Rays (occasional): fish the first of the flood into dusk with sandeel/squid cocktails

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

• Tide state: 2 hours up to high water and the first of the ebb are prime for bass; low-water gulleys can shine for flats in calm seas
• Conditions: A modest easterly or southeasterly puts life on the beach; strong easterlies can create weed and awkward cross-drift
• Clarity: Clear water suits finesse lures and float tactics; coloured water benefits bigger baits and silhouettes
• Time of day: Dusk and dawn are standout, with proper after-dark bites for sole/whiting/plaice in summer–autumn
• Seasonality: Late spring to late autumn is the main run for bass, garfish, mackerel and wrasse; winter shifts to whiting and dabs on neaps

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

• Paths: Steep, uneven and often slippery after rain; good footwear is essential
• Rocks: Seaweed makes ledges treacherous; use cleats or spiked soles, and a PFD if fishing the rocks
• Tide: The rocky ends can be cut off on a fast flood; always hold the high-water line in mind
• Sea state: Rips form around the gutters in onshore conditions; avoid wading beyond knee depth in swell
• Night fishing: Carry spare headtorches and mind the return climb
• Mobile signal: Patchy in places around St Anthony Head; tell someone your plans
• Etiquette: In summer, expect swimmers and SUPs—give wide berth and avoid casting near people

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

• Toilets: Usually at main National Trust car parks around St Anthony Head (none on the beach)
• Food and drink: Seasonal cafés/refreshments around St Anthony Head and in Portscatho/St Mawes
• Tackle and bait: Head to Truro, Falmouth or St Austell for full-service tackle shops and fresh bait
• Lifeguards: None typically on this beach
• Bins: Limited—pack out all litter and waste line
• Phone signal: Variable; data coverage can drop near the cliffs/woods

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

• Find the gutters: Walk the strandline at low water to mark depressions and bars; fish these at dusk on the flood
• When the spider crabs arrive (late spring), elastic your baits tight and consider tougher baits (squid wraps) to beat pickers
• A small sandeel or Isome on a size 6–4 can winkle out gurnard and bonus flats when bites are shy
• Watch the birds: Terns and gulls working tight often mean sandeels—clip on a slim metal for mackerel/bass
• Carry a short handle landing net on the rocks to beat the kelp lip; many fish are lost in the last metre
• Don’t ignore neaps: Clear, small tides can be brilliant for wrasse under a float and sight-fished mullet

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.

• Bass (recreational): Minimum size 42 cm; a seasonal daily bag limit and closed periods apply—rules are reviewed annually. Check the latest MMO/DEFRA update before you go (recent years allowed limited retention Mar–Nov with catch-and-release outside that window)
• Minimum sizes: Observe UK minimum conservation/reference sizes for common species (e.g., mackerel, plaice, wrasse not usually retained); when in doubt, release
• Protected areas: The wider Fal–Helford area includes designated conservation sites; avoid disturbing wildlife, seals and nesting birds, and respect any temporary access restrictions
• Methods: No fires on the beach; no camping in dunes/woods; keep clear of any marked swim/kayak areas in peak season
• Bait and foraging: Only collect bait where permitted; some estuarine zones nearby have restrictions—avoid saltmarshes and protected beds
• Always check Cornwall IFCA byelaws and any National Trust signage on arrival, as local rules can change