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Cornwall

Tregonhawke Beach

6.5 · Beach · Cornwall

A broad south-west facing surf beach in Whitsand Bay beneath high cliffs, mostly clean sand with occasional broken ground near the ends. Best on a flooding tide into dusk and after dark, especially as a swell drops following a blow. Bass work the white water tight in; rays and flats sit beyond the inner bars and outer gutters. Summer brings mackerel, scad and the odd turbot or smoothhound; winter nights see whiting and dabs. Access is via steep cliff paths from Tregonhawke, with little shelter on the beach and strong rips in heavy seas—plan exits around tide heights.

Should you fish Tregonhawke Beach?

58 Fair

Today · Best window

Best window: 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide

Most likely species: Bass and Small-eyed Ray

Fair conditions. Best around 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide. Good chance of Bass and Small-eyed Ray.

NW 3 mph Rain 0% High tide 11:29

Fishable, but pick your timing carefully.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for Tregonhawke Beach — 7-day forecast

Scores and best windows are weighted for .

Met Office Met Office · Open-Meteo

Where the data comes from. Weather and sea-state readings come from the Met Office and Open-Meteo forecast models, refreshed several times a day. High and low water are taken from tide-station predictions for this stretch of coast.

How the score works. Each window is scored 0–100 from the signals that most reliably move fish inshore: tide movement (a running tide carries food, so the last of the flood and first of the ebb are usually the prime spells), wind speed and direction (onshore wind stirs food into the surf — up to the point it makes fishing hard), sea state (a little wave and swell movement helps, heavy swell hurts), and weather — rain, temperature and light. Behind the headline number we score bite opportunity and comfort separately, and run a separate safety check on wind and swell. The size of the tide counts too: spring tides move more water than neaps, so the tidal range for this stretch of coast is weighed alongside the tide's direction, your target species and this mark — and unusually big springs strengthen the safety check, because the water rises faster and covers more ground.

Your target species counts. Pick a species below and the score also weights what we know about it — its season, preferred sea temperature, tide stage and sea state, and whether it feeds by day or night.

The rating is guidance, not a guarantee — conditions change fast on the coast, so always judge the sea in front of you before you fish.

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· windows & tide

Spring vs neap tides. Spring tides have a larger difference between high and low water, so more water moves on each tide — usually stronger flow that stirs up food and gets fish feeding. Neap tides have a smaller range and generally gentler movement. The range here is compared with what is normal for this stretch of coast, and the cycle swings between springs and neaps roughly every week, following the moon.

Big spring tides: the water rises faster and covers more ground than usual — double-check access routes and cut-off points before you fish.

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Tregonhawke is a broad, exposed surf beach where the best decisions come from matching distance and target to the water in front of you. Bass and smoothhound can be very close in the first gutter, while small-eyed rays, spotted rays and flats usually need a cleaner presentation beyond the inner bars and gutters. The most reliable pattern is a flooding tide into dusk or after dark, especially as a swell eases after a blow, but heavy surf, big springs and weed can quickly make the beach poor or unsafe.

  • Know when to fish close for bass instead of overcasting.
  • Pick the cleaner ray line and avoid wasting baits in dead surf.
  • Time the flood, dusk and dropping swell window properly.
  • Spot the conditions that make Tregonhawke unsafe or unfishable.
  • Have nearby backup beaches ready before the climb down.

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Millbrook 1.5 mi Cawsand and Kingsand 1.7 mi Torpoint 3.0 mi St Germans 4.7 mi Saltash 4.8 mi

Explore nearby towns: Millbrook · Cawsand and Kingsand · Torpoint · St Germans · Saltash

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Forecast tuning currently supports Bass and Mackerel — more species are on the way.

Overall rating

6.5 /10

Blend of catch potential, access, safety, and overall experience.

Category scores

Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 8/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 4/10

Bass 9/10
Tip: Best on a flooding tide with a bit of surf, dawn/dusk. Fish the first gutter close in with peeler crab or sandeel; lures also score. Work along the beach to find rips and baitfish.
Small-eyed Ray 8/10
Tip: After dusk, 2–3 hrs either side of low into the flood over clean sand. Clip-down rig with sandeel/bluey at 60–100 yds; 25–30lb trace and a rotten-bottom if near rough patches.
Lesser Spotted Dogfish 8/10
Tip: Very common after dark over sand. 2-hook flappers baited with mackerel or sandeel; gentle lobs work. Fish any state of tide.
Whiting 7/10
Tip: Winter nights on the flood. Small mackerel or worm baits on size 2 flappers; cast 40–80 yds into the surf. Clip-down rigs help in wind.
Spotted Ray 6/10
Tip: Clear water evenings into night. Sandeel or squid strip at medium range over clean patches; avoid heavy swell.
Starry Smoothhound 6/10
Tip: Late spring–autumn evenings on the flood. Fresh peeler crab on strong mono snoods; fish the first gutter and let the lead hold steady.
Dab 5/10
Tip: Winter/early spring. Small worm baits tipped with fish on size 4 hooks, long snoods; cast 40–70 yds onto clean sand. Neap tides fish best.
Golden-grey Mullet 5/10
Tip: Calm summer surf on the flood. Small rag on size 8–10 hooks fished in the wash with light gear; keep baits tiny.
Plaice 4/10
Tip: Spring neaps, daylight. Lug/rag on a blinged trace; long cast to clean sand and slow retrieve to locate fish.
Weever Fish (Lesser) 4/10
Tip: Summer over clean sand. Tiny worm baits on size 8 hooks close in. Wear footwear—venomous dorsal spines. Best in calm, sunny spells.

Local knowledge

Tregonhawke Beach fishing guide

Practical access, seasons, methods, tides, safety and facilities for this mark.

Tregonhawke Beach sits in the heart of Whitsand Bay on Cornwall’s Rame Peninsula, a sweeping surf beach backed by dramatic cliffs and scattered rock patches. It’s a classic South West surf mark for bass and small‑eyed rays, with room to spread out and plenty of water movement to work with. Expect productive night tides, fast‑forming gutters, and a proper workout on the steep paths.

Reaching Tregonhawke is straightforward by car along Military Road on the clifftop, but the descent is steep and not suitable for limited mobility. Parking is at cliff‑top lay‑bys and car parks serving the Tregonhawke chalets and beach paths. Nearest reference postcode often used for the cliff access is PL10 1JZ (by The View restaurant).

This is a mixed surf and broken‑ground beach with year‑round potential. Expect different targets as the water warms and clears through the year.

  • Spring (Mar–May): schoolie and early bass, small‑eyed ray, dogfish, occasional plaice and turbot, wrasse and pollack off nearby rocks
  • Summer (Jun–Aug): bass (dawn/dusk in surf), small‑eyed and spotted rays, gurnards, mackerel and garfish in clearer spells, wrasse from rocks, the odd smoothhound and huss after dark
  • Autumn (Sep–Nov): peak bass, consistent small‑eyed rays, increasing whiting, better chance of huss; odd turbot closer in on calm days
  • Winter (Dec–Feb): whiting, dogfish, bull huss, chance of a ray in settled windows, occasional codling in cold snaps; flounder in calmer corners
  • Occasional/bonus: tope pup, spurdog (must be released), conger from rougher ends, sole in very calm, warm nights

Traditional beachcasting dominates, with distance useful for rays yet many bass coming in close to the first breaker. Work the gutters and seams; move if your ground isn’t lively.

  • Rigs: pulley pennel (3/0–4/0) and up‑and‑over for rays; clipped 2‑up/1‑down for whiting; long‑snood single hook for turbot/plaice on calm days
  • Leads: 5–6 oz breakout grips for surf; plain leads for short‑range bass work in gentle seas
  • Baits: sandeel (whole or halves) and squid strips for small‑eyed rays; peeler crab or fresh lug/sandeel for bass; mackerel/bluey cocktails for huss; rag or lug for gurnards/flatfish; mackerel slivers under a float for gars in clear water
  • Lures: 20–40 g metals and slim minnows in clear, moderate surf; weedless soft plastics in the close gutters; surface lures at dawn/dusk on calmer days
  • Distances: bass often 10–40 yards in the churn; rays commonly 70–110 yards onto slightly firmer sand
  • Times: dusk into dark is prime for rays, huss and larger bass; daytime sport possible after a blow or on overcast, onshore days

Tregonhawke fishes on both states, but tide size, swell and colour decide the target. Plan your session around safe access—the beach can narrow quickly on springs.

  • Best states: last 2 hours of the flood and first 2 of the ebb for bass in the surf; rays often build from mid‑flood through high and into the first of the ebb, especially after dark
  • Tide size: mediums to small springs suit rays; big springs with heavy swell can be unfishable and risky
  • Swell and wind: a moderating SW/W surf with some colour is ideal for bass; a settled window with gentle surf and clearer water favours rays and flats
  • Water clarity: coloured = bass/whiting/dogs; clear and calm = rays/turbot/garfish potential
  • Seasonality: late spring to late autumn is the headline period; winter is about picking settled gaps for whiting, dogs, huss and the odd surprise

This is a serious surf beach below high cliffs. Access is by steep paths and steps; plan your exit before you start fishing and watch the tide and swell constantly.

  • Steep access: long, steep paths and steps; not suitable for wheelchairs or those with limited mobility; travel light and use a backpack
  • Tidal cut‑off: beach narrows rapidly near high water, especially on springs; identify escape routes in daylight
  • Surf/rips: powerful Atlantic surf and shifting rips; never wade deep, and keep clear of the swash zone in larger sets
  • Cliffs: avoid sitting beneath unstable cliff faces; rockfall is possible after wet or windy weather
  • Night fishing: headtorch plus spare, fully charged phone/power bank; mark your path up in daylight
  • Footing: wet weeded rocks at either end are very slippery; wear cleated boots and consider a buoyancy aid/lifejacket if working close to rocks
  • MOD range notices: the Tregantle Firing Range is to the east; respect any red flags/signage that may close parts of Whitsand Bay beyond Tregonhawke
  • Lifeguards: seasonal RNLI patrols operate here—do not fish into flagged bathing/surfing zones in season

Facilities are limited once you’re on the sand; plan as if there are none. Cliff‑top amenities are seasonal and scattered along Military Road.

  • Parking: cliff‑top lay‑bys and car parks serving Tregonhawke access paths (pay‑and‑display in places)
  • Food/drink: cafés and a restaurant near the cliff top (e.g., The View) operate seasonally/daytime; nothing on the beach after hours
  • Toilets: no guaranteed public toilets on the beach; customer facilities at cafés/holiday parks when open
  • Tackle/bait: options in Plymouth, Torpoint and Looe; bring bait with you if fishing late or off‑season
  • RNLI: seasonal lifeguard presence at Tregonhawke; check board signage for flagged swimming areas
  • Mobile signal: generally better on the cliff; patchy down on the beach and in coves

Think ‘mobile surf fishing’: read the water, find the gutters, and don’t be afraid to move 50 yards to freshen your chances. Rays love a clean presentation and fresh sandeel.

  • Gutters: look for darker seams and first/second breakers—bass often patrol here at surprisingly short range
  • Fresh sandeel: whole launce or neat squid/sandeel cocktails out‑fish old, mushy packs for small‑eyed rays
  • Lead choice: step up to firm 6 oz grip leads on punchy surf days; drop to plain leads to roll and search close‑in for bass
  • Hooks: strong, sharp 3/0–4/0 pennels for rays and huss; size 1–2 for flats and whiting; crush barbs if you’re practicing C&R
  • Weed watch: after a big blow, suspended weed can be brutal—fish the dropping surf 24–48 hours after the peak when it clears
  • Etiquette: give surfers and swimmers generous space; in summer, avoid flagged zones and fish at dawn, dusk or after lifeguards finish
  • Backup plan: if the swell overruns Tregonhawke, try more sheltered corners of Whitsand Bay or nearby rock marks on the flood

Rod‑and‑line sea angling is permitted at Tregonhawke Beach. However, you must follow national and local rules and any on‑site signage.

  • Bass (England, 2025): recreational limit typically 2 fish per angler per day from 1 March–30 November; catch‑and‑release only in December–January; minimum size 42 cm. Always check the latest DEFRA notice before you go.
  • Spurdog: retention by recreational anglers is prohibited—return alive
  • Skates/rays: handle carefully and return brood fish; check Cornwall IFCA minimum sizes and guidance; do not retain undulate ray if encountered (protected in many areas)
  • Wrasse: a regulated live‑wrasse pot fishery exists in Cornwall; rod‑and‑line anglers are not directly restricted, but many locals release wrasse and avoid using them as bait
  • Whitsand & Looe Bay Marine Conservation Zone: shore angling is allowed; avoid disturbing features and follow any local notices on bait collection or protected species
  • MOD range: if red flags/lamps are flying at Tregantle (east of Tregonhawke), affected beach sections are closed—do not enter
  • Seasonal lifeguard zones: no fishing into flagged bathing/surfing areas when operational
  • General: observe size/bag limits (Cornwall IFCA/DEFRA), dispose of line/hooks properly, and respect private property on access paths