Summary
Towan Head is the rocky headland between Fistral Beach and Newquay Bay in Cornwall, offering varied ground and quick options to switch sides for shelter. It is a classic lure and rough-ground mark for bass, pollack, wrasse, and summer pelagics. With fast-moving tide lines around the tip and kelpy gullies, it rewards mobile anglers who read the water.
Location and Access
Access is straightforward from Newquay, with short walks from nearby car parks to the cliff-top paths and rock ledges. Choose the Fistral side or the Newquay Bay side depending on swell and wind.
- Approach via Beacon Road for Towan Head and Huer’s Hut; limited on-street parking nearby (seasonal restrictions).
- Fistral Beach North car park (approx. postcode TR7 1HY) gives an easy path to Little Fistral and the headland in 5–10 minutes.
- Towan Beach and Newquay Harbour car parks (around TR7 1DU) also work; walk 10–15 minutes up onto the headland.
- Terrain is uneven grass, compacted paths, and rock; some short scrambles to reach lower platforms. Good boots essential.
- Some cliff sections are fenced for a reason; do not cross fences or descend unstable goat tracks.
Seasons
Expect mixed rough-ground species with summer pelagics and predators hunting the tide rips. Winter can produce whiting and conger on the bay side.
- Spring (Mar–May): Bass returning, pollack, ballan wrasse as the water warms; first mackerel late May in clear spells.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): Mackerel, garfish, scad at dusk, pollack, bass on lures in white water, ballan and corkwing wrasse in the kelp; mullet mooching on the Newquay Bay side.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): Bass peak after onshore blows, steady pollack, scad after dark, mackerel into October, conger at night; increasing whiting late autumn into the bay.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): Whiting, pouting, poor cod, shore rockling on the bay side; conger from rough ground; a rare codling after a big northerly blow.
Methods
Both lure and bait tactics work well. The ground is rough, so adapt leaders and use rotten-bottom set-ups to save gear.
- Lure fishing: 9–10 ft rod rated 20–40 g, 3000–4000 reel, 20 lb braid, 30–40 lb leader. Metals (20–40 g) for mackerel and scad; slim soft-plastic sandeels and shads (10–20 g heads) for pollack; surface and shallow divers at dawn/dusk for bass along the foamy edges.
- Float fishing: 6–8 g floats set 6–15 ft for wrasse, garfish, and mackerel. Baits include ragworm, prawn, small crab, or mackerel belly strip.
- Bottom fishing: Running ledger or simple pulley with a weak-link (rotten bottom). Plain leads help roll free; use 40–60 lb abrasion-resistant leaders. Baits: peeler or soft crab, ragworm, sandeel, squid or mackerel for conger/pout.
- Night sessions: Scad under the surface on small metals and glow beads; conger and pout on bigger baits dropped into gullies.
- Tackle notes: Weedless rigging for soft plastics reduces snagging. Carry a drop-net for high ledges to land better fish safely.
Tides and Conditions
The headland fishes best when you align side and method to the swell and tide. The tip can be superb around the rips but respect the power of the sea.
- Tide: Flood and first of the ebb are prime, especially the last two hours of the flood for pollack and bass. Springs create strong tide lines at the tip; neaps are easier for bottom fishing.
- Swell and wind: In westerly swells, try the Newquay Bay side for shelter; in easterlies and calm weather, the Fistral side clears and suits lures. Avoid big groundswell on exposed ledges.
- Water clarity: Clear to lightly tinted for lures and float; coloured water after a blow can switch bass onto big natural baits.
- Time of day: Dawn and dusk are reliable for bass, pollack, and pelagics; after dark brings scad, pout, and conger.
- Seasonality: Summer pelagics arrive with settled weather; autumn storms lift bass sport; winter is quieter but bay-side whiting runs can be brisk at night.
Safety
This is a cliff and rock mark with changeable swell and slippery kelp. Choose conservative ledges and fish with a partner.
- Steep drops and unfenced edges: keep well back; do not climb over fences or descend eroded goat tracks.
- Swell and wash: rogue sets wrap around the tip; never turn your back. Avoid low ledges in long-period swell.
- Slippery ground: wear studded or felt-soled boots; consider a personal flotation device and carry a headtorch if staying late.
- Tidal cut-off: some lower ledges near Little Fistral can flood quickly on the push. Plan exits and watch the time.
- Hooks and crowds: surfers and swimmers are often close by; do not cast if people are within range and obey lifeguard instructions and beach flags.
- Landing fish: some spots are high above the water; a drop-net is safer than hand-lining.
- Mobility: not suitable for wheelchairs or those with limited mobility due to uneven paths and steps.
Facilities
Newquay is well served for parking, cafes, and tackle, with seasonal lifeguards on the nearby beaches.
- Parking: Fistral Beach car parks (pay and display, TR7 1HY approx.) and Towan Beach/Harbour car parks (around TR7 1DU). Limited on-street near Beacon Road.
- Toilets: At Fistral Beach complex and near Towan Beach/Harbour (seasonal opening).
- Food and drink: Fistral Beach bars and cafes; numerous options in Newquay town within a 10–15 minute walk.
- Tackle and bait: Newquay has dedicated angling shops for lures, bait, and drop-nets.
- Mobile signal: Generally good across the headland.
- Bins: Use seafront bins or take litter and line home; keep ledges clear.
Tips
Towan Head rewards observation. Watch the birds, read the rips, and swap sides to find clean water.
- Use Huer’s Hut area as a vantage point to spot bird activity and colour lines before choosing a ledge.
- When the Atlantic is lively, the bay side often remains fishable; when it is flat or easterly, try the Fistral side with surface lures at first light.
- Work metals and soft plastics diagonally across the tide lines around the tip; step up to heavier jigs when the flow picks up.
- Wrasse love crab and prawn fished under a float into kelpy holes; keep moving to fresh gullies.
- Dusk into dark brings scad high in the water; small metals, sabiki tipped with fish strip, or glowing beads help.
- Use a weak link on leads and weedless rigs to beat the snags; carry spare leaders rigged and ready.
- Seals patrol the area and can shut sport down; if one appears repeatedly, change ledge or take a break.
- After summer storms, bass often work the white water tight to the rocks; keep casts short and deliberate.
Regulations
Shore angling is generally permitted here, but you must follow national fishery rules and any local notices on the beaches. Regulations change, so check before you go.
- Beach safety and access: Lifeguarded bathing zones on Fistral and Towan beaches are not for fishing while flags are flying and swimmers or surfers are present. Lifeguards or council wardens may direct anglers to move during busy periods.
- Bass regulations: Recreational bass fishing in Cornwall is subject to seasonal retention limits and a minimum size (commonly 42 cm). The details are updated periodically; check the latest from the Marine Management Organisation and Cornwall IFCA before retaining fish.
- Minimum sizes and byelaws: Observe UK and Cornwall IFCA minimum conservation reference sizes for species such as bass, wrasse, pollack, mackerel, and crustaceans.
- Protected areas and habitats: The Newquay coastline includes designated conservation areas. Rod-and-line angling is allowed, but avoid damaging intertidal habitats and heed any on-site signage regarding collecting bait or accessing sensitive areas.
- General: No license is required for sea angling in England, but you must not obstruct lifeboat or coastguard operations, and you should keep clear of marked no-access zones.
