Whitsand Bay Fishing

Summary

Whitsand Bay stretches in a wide arc between Rame Head and Portwrinkle on Cornwall’s south coast, offering miles of surf beaches with pockets of rough ground and rocky headlands. It’s a classic venue for bass and small-eyed rays, with summer smoothhounds and winter whiting keeping the rods nodding. The scenery is spectacular, but the descents are steep and the sea can be unforgiving.

Location and Access

Access is from the cliff-top Military Road (B3247) between Rame Head and Portwrinkle, with multiple signed paths down to the sands. Expect steep paths or steps and allow extra time for the return climb, especially with gear. Check for live-firing closures around Tregantle Fort (red flags/lamps) which temporarily restrict beach access in that sector.

• Approach from Torpoint via the A374/B3247, or from the A38 at Trerulefoot towards Portwrinkle and along the coast road.
• Parking is in cliff-top lay-bys and small car parks at Tregantle/Sharrow, Freathy, Tregonhawke, Treninnow and near Portwrinkle; most are pay-and-display. Postcodes in the area include PL10 1 (Rame–Freathy/Tregonhawke) and PL11 3 (Tregantle–Portwrinkle).
• Paths are steep, sometimes uneven, and can be slippery when wet; not trolley-friendly. Allow 5–20 minutes down, longer coming back.
• Public transport: seasonal bus services run along the coast road with stops near Freathy/Tregonhawke; useful for one-way wanders.
• Access during MOD range firing: when red flags/lamps fly at Tregantle, do not descend or cross that section of beach. Closures are usually posted online and on local signs.

Seasons

Whitsand Bay produces a mix of surf and rough-ground species. Bass and small-eyed rays headline, with seasonal visitors rounding things out.

• Spring (Mar–May):
  • Bass (increasing from April, especially after a blow)
  • Small-eyed ray (late spring arrival; picks up fast on settled seas)
  • Plaice/sole oddities on clean patches
  • Wrasse from rocky fringes (Polhawn/Portwrinkle)
• Summer (Jun–Aug):
  • Small-eyed ray (prime time, evenings and after dark)
  • Smoothhound (peeler crab, dusk/night)
  • Bass (dawn/dusk, surf or lures in calmer water)
  • Mackerel/garfish from rocky ends in clear, settled weather
  • Dogfish and occasional bull huss on rougher ground
• Autumn (Sep–Nov):
  • Bass (storm surfs and coloured water can be excellent)
  • Small-eyed ray (hangs on until the first big autumn blows)
  • Whiting increasing into late autumn nights
  • Conger from rockier ends after dark
• Winter (Dec–Feb):
  • Whiting, pout, dogfish on night tides
  • Codling are occasional visitors in prolonged cold snaps
  • Ray very occasional in settled spells; expect quieter fishing overall

Methods

Match your approach to ground type and conditions. Clean sand favors clipped-down distance rigs; mixed/rough patches call for strong, simple gear.

• Surf/bottom fishing:
  • Rigs: pulley pennel (4–5 oz leads), long pulley or up-and-over for rays/flatfish; 2–3 hook flappers for whiting and general scratching.
  • Baits: sandeel (fresh/frozen) is king for small-eyed rays; squid/sandeel cocktails, mackerel strips, and bluey. Peeler or soft crab for bass/smoothhound; lug/rag for flatties/whiting.
  • Hooks: 3/0–5/0 for rays/bass on pennels; size 1–2 for whiting/flatfish.
  • Casting: clipped-down or pulley rigs to reach outer bars on medium surf; keep rigs streamlined and bait elastic tight.
• Lure fishing (calmer, clearer water):
  • Bass: surface walkers and shallow divers at first/last light; 20–40 g metals/soft plastics along gutters and around Polhawn/Portwrinkle rocks.
  • Garfish/mackerel: small metals and floats with strips in summer.
• Rough-ground/rocky fringes:
  • Heavy mono/fluoro rubbing leaders (60–80 lb) and strong hooks for huss/conger after dark; keep rigs simple (pulley dropper) to reduce snagging.
• Timing:
  • Dusk into night boosts ray, hound, and whiting catches; bass bite windows around dawn/dusk and on a building surf.
  • Fish the flood to high for rays; first push and last hour of flood are often best.

Tides and Conditions

Tide and sea state make or break Whitsand Bay. Read the bars and gutters at low water and plan sessions around them.

• Tides:
  • Flood to high water is prime for small-eyed rays (often 2–3 hours up and 1–2 down).
  • Bass favor the first push and the last hour of ebb on a lively surf; neaps can be kinder for presentation, springs help with movement.
• Sea conditions:
  • Rays prefer settled or moderate surf with clear-to-tinged water; bass switch on in coloured water after a south-westerly blow as it eases.
  • Onshore SW winds raise heavy surf and rips; NE/E winds flatten the sea and improve lure sport but can reduce bass in the surf.
• Time of day/season:
  • Dusk-through-dark markedly improves ray, hound and whiting; hot, bright afternoons are slower.
  • Summer–early autumn is peak for rays/hounds; late autumn–winter for whiting.
• Reading the beach:
  • Look for defined gutters and outer sandbars at low tide; set up opposite deeper runs rather than uniform shallows.

Safety

This is a committing surf beach under tall cliffs. Steep paths, powerful surf, rips and changing sandbanks demand caution.

• Steep access: long climbs with uneven steps/paths; unsuitable for those with limited mobility. Descend in good footwear and travel light.
• Surf and rips: powerful rips form around bar ends—avoid wading beyond knee-thigh depth, especially at night; never turn your back on the sea.
• Cut-off risk: some coves pinch out at high water against the cliff. Note your escape route and avoid being trapped.
• Falling/landslips: cliffs are actively eroding; keep clear of the base and avoid sitting under overhangs.
• Weed and snags: floating kelp can swamp lines in summer; mixed ground at either end can cost gear—use rotten-bottoms where sensible.
• Night fishing: carry spare lights and a whistle; fish with a partner where possible.
• Lifejackets: recommended on rocky ledges and if wading in surf; use a stable, well-buried tripod on soft sand.
• MOD range: when red flags/lamps display at Tregantle, do not access that beach sector; obey wardens and signage.
• Phone signal is patchy in places; pre-plan tide times and firing schedules before you descend.

Facilities

Facilities are scattered along the cliff road with limited provision on the beach itself. Plan to be self-sufficient.

• Parking: multiple cliff-top car parks/lay-bys at Freathy, Tregonhawke, Sharrow/Tregantle and near Portwrinkle; mostly pay-and-display.
• Toilets: seasonal/public toilets near popular access points such as Tregonhawke and Portwrinkle; none on the sands.
• Food/drink: beach cafes operate seasonally (e.g., Tregonhawke area) and there’s a well-known restaurant on the cliff road; hours vary.
• Lifeguards: RNLI lifeguards typically cover selected beaches (e.g., Tregonhawke/Sharrow) in summer—observe swimming flags and avoid casting in guarded swim zones.
• Tackle/bait: nearest shops are in Torpoint and Plymouth; additional options inland (Liskeard). Limited or no bait sales on the beach.
• Connectivity: mobile signal can be inconsistent under the cliffs; better on the road tops.
• Bins: take litter home; facilities are limited and wind scatters waste.

Tips

Local knowledge pays at Whitsand. A little scouting at low water and the right bait choice can transform results.

• For small-eyed rays, sandeel is number one. Fresh launce from local beaches is gold; otherwise quality frozen sandeel tightly whipped to a 3/0–4/0 pennel.
• Mark gutters at low water with visible landmarks so you can line up after dark on the flood.
• Bass often patrol the first breaker line—fish a single large crab or squid bait on a long flowing trace, or work surface lures at grey light.
• Use a rotten-bottom link if you’re near rough patches or the rockier ends; it saves leads and fish.
• Bury tripod legs deep and angle the rod high to keep line clear of backwash and floating weed.
• In summer, avoid lifeguarded swim zones and busy bathing times; evening into night is quieter and fishes better.
• Check MOD Tregantle firing times before you set out; closures can shift and are enforced.
• Carry spare clipped-down rigs—weed and whiting can chew through delicate snoods quickly on lively nights.
• After a big blow, give it 24–36 hours for the swell to drop and colour to remain; that’s often the bass sweet spot.

Regulations

Most of Whitsand Bay lies within the Whitsand and Looe Bay Marine Conservation Zone, but rod-and-line angling is generally allowed. Know current fishery rules before you keep fish.

• Bass (as of 2024): minimum size 42 cm; recreational bag limit two fish per angler per day from 1 March to 30 November; catch-and-release only in December–February. Always check for updates before your trip.
• Pollack (2024): recreational catch-and-release only in SW waters under UK measures—no retention. Verify current status for your visit.
• Tope: it is illegal for recreational anglers to retain tope or any part thereof; release safely.
• MCZ: no blanket ban on rod angling, but avoid damaging sensitive habitats (e.g., seagrass) and follow any local voluntary codes.
• Cornwall IFCA byelaws: apply to the area, including minimum sizes and protections for certain species (e.g., berried lobsters/spider crabs must be returned). Consult Cornwall IFCA and the MMO for the latest rules.
• MOD Tregantle Byelaws: beach access is prohibited during live firing (red flags/lamps); obey signage and directions from range staff.
• General: observe size/bag limits, only keep what you need, and respect lifeguarded swim zones and private property on access paths.