Watergate Bay Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Watergate Bay Fishing Map

A wide, exposed Atlantic surf beach north of Newquay with clean sand and rocky points at either end. Best fished on a flooding tide into dusk or after dark, working the surf tables, gutters and the first/second sandbar. Bass patrol the white water after onshore blows, while dogfish and small‑eyed rays take sandeel or fish baits on the open sand. Summer evenings can see mackerel, scad and garfish within range; calmer spells produce dab, flounder and the odd turbot. Winter nights bring whiting and occasional thornbacks. Access is straightforward from the main car park but expect soft sand walks; exposure to swell and strong rips means picking windows of moderate surf, avoiding big seas, and fishing with care. Sandeel, lug/rag, peeler crab and mackerel strips cover most situations; pulley pennels for rays, light surf rigs or lures for bass.

Ratings

⭐ 6.5/10 Overall
Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 8/10
Safety 6/10
Accessibility 7/10

Fish You Can Catch at Watergate Bay

🐟 Bass 9/10
🎯 Tip: Surf beach; best dawn/dusk on a flooding tide after a blow. Fish gutters and rips. Shallow divers, metals or sandeel/peeler crab baits.
🐟 Small-eyed Ray 7/10
🎯 Tip: After dark on big tides over clean sand. Long casts to outer bar with sandeels or small fish baits. Grip leads; prefer a settled surf.
🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 7/10
🎯 Tip: Common after dark on the sand. Two-hook flappers with mackerel or squid strips; keep baits static on the bottom. Year-round, best spring–autumn.
🐟 Whiting 6/10
🎯 Tip: Winter nights on clean sand. Cast beyond the inner bar with lug/squid cocktails on two-hook rigs. Ebb and slack spells can be busiest.
🐟 Turbot 6/10
🎯 Tip: Late spring–autumn. Medium casts with fresh sandeel on a running ledger across sandbanks and gutters; keep bait inching along in the surf.
🐟 Golden-grey Mullet 5/10
🎯 Tip: Calm summer evenings in the first breakers and near the stream mouth. Light gear, size 8–10 hooks; tiny rag/isome baits or small spinners.
🐟 Weever Fish (Lesser) 5/10
🎯 Tip: Summer over clean sand, very close in. Small rag or fish strips on size 6–8 hooks. Handle with care; dorsal and gill spines are venomous.
🐟 Spotted Ray 4/10
🎯 Tip: Occasional at night on neap to mid tides. Sandeel or small squid baits at range; target gutter edges on clean sand.
🐟 Mullet (Thin-lipped) 4/10
🎯 Tip: Summer around the stream outflow on the flood. Small Mepps-style spinner tipped with isome; ultra-light traces, slow retrieve.
🐟 Brill 3/10
🎯 Tip: Occasional in settled, clear seas. Daylight, medium cast with live or fresh sandeel on a long trace; keep the bait moving slowly.

Watergate Bay Fishing

Summary

Watergate Bay is a broad, energetic Atlantic beach on Cornwall’s north coast, a few minutes north of Newquay. With miles of clean sand, well-defined gutters and consistent surf, it’s a classic open-beach mark for bass, rays and the odd surprise turbot, especially at dawn, dusk and after dark.

Location and Access

Set on the B3276 between Newquay and Mawgan Porth, Watergate Bay has multiple paid car parks above the beach near the hotel complex. The walk down is straightforward but can feel steep on the way back, and the beach itself is firm sand with occasional patches of cobble and rock at either end.

Seasons

This is a surf beach that fishes best from spring through late autumn, with winter producing traditional open-beach species after dark.

Methods

Think surf tactics: read the bars and gutters, fish the first and second banks, and time your sessions for pushing water.

Tides and Conditions

Watergate responds to movement: the flood over newly covered banks is particularly productive, with calmer surf suiting lures and a rolling sea suiting bait.

Safety

This is a powerful surf beach with fast-moving tides and rips; treat it with respect and plan exits.

Facilities

Facilities are among the better on this stretch, reflecting its popularity with surfers and holidaymakers.

Tips

Reading the beach is everything here—find the seams, fish the edges, and time your casts to pass the shore break cleanly.

Regulations

General shore angling is permitted at Watergate Bay, but seasonal bathing zones and lifeguard instructions take precedence. Check beach signage before setting up.