Cornwall Spearfishing 2006

[stuckinsurrey]

Was camping at Par Sands - near Polkerris a couple of years ago and there were loads of mullet and bass in the surf on the sandy beach. Was wading off the beach, its really shallow sloping and they were between me and the beach, in probably only knee deep water. Had a very frustrating afternoon with some spinners catching naff all as they swam all around me!:head Have been thinking about going back down with Podge but taking the spearguns this time.

 

[podge]

Is that Praa Sands? I am just planning a trip down late Summer. I like cottages but for some reason "the team" want to try a caravan ... anyway it turns out that caravans are often located with access to out of the way beaches (due to lack of planning laws for mobile homes perhaps?).

I was looking at several places around the Lizard/Helston/Penzance/St. Ives/Hayle area; Lizard being the main draw for this trip. Wondered if anyone had any recommendations for spearing, snorkelling & kayaking spots, caravan sites (/cottages/etc.)?

This area is all new to me, my past experience in Cornwall has mainly been on the N. coast, W. Penwith & one trip to Liskeard & the coast south of there.

Some areas that caught my eye so far: Praa Sands, Kennack Sands, Kenneggy Sands, Cadgwith, Poltesco, Polbream Cove, Polpeor Cove, Bass Point(...always suspicious about places with such names tho!). The whole of the Lizard looks pretty interesting to me .

Sea view holiday park on the lizard very cheap but very basic stayed there at the end of May and its right on Kennack sands.
I’ll try and find some contact details if I’ve still got them.

 

[podge]

Some areas that caught my eye so far: Praa Sands, Kennack Sands, Kenneggy Sands, Cadgwith, Poltesco, Polbream Cove, Polpeor Cove, Bass Point(...always suspicious about places with such names tho!). The whole of the Lizard looks pretty interesting to me .

Church cove right on the bottom of the lizard is worth a shot had a look last time I was down there (had the family so didn’t get in) looks as fishy as you like.
Also cape Cornwall is worth exploring but the tides look like they need a bit of respect.

 

[Mr. X]

... there were loads of mullet and bass in the surf .... Had a very frustrating afternoon with some spinners catching naff all as they swam all around me!:head Have been thinking about going back down with Podge but taking the spearguns this time.

That'll teach 'em not to take the spinners!

 

[Loveboater]

Theres a good camp site / caravan park at Praa Sands (Praa Sands Holiday Village I think). The shop on the beach rents sit on top kayaks as well.

 

[Greenheart]

Was camping at Par Sands - near Polkerris a couple of years ago and there were loads of mullet and bass in the surf on the sandy beach. Was wading off the beach, its really shallow sloping and they were between me and the beach, in probably only knee deep water. Had a very frustrating afternoon with some spinners catching naff all as they swam all around me!:head Have been thinking about going back down with Podge but taking the spearguns this time.

I'll have some of that!!! Getting quite excited now. Anyone else got any info on the area? rofl

 

[Jep]

Hi Guys - I'm new to this forum. Thought I'd join as I went spearing with a borrowed gun in St Austell early last year and had a great time (only caught a Spider Crab though...).

I used to live near Mullion and the whole area is great for fish in the summer. The Lizard is great for Mackerel and Pollack and also a few bass. Try the walk around past the lighthouse and go off the rocks (be careful though and watch the tides). Coverack (bit off the beaten track), Poldhu Cove round the corner from Church Cove , Mullion Cove all great. Theres a few hidden coves/beaches you can walk to as well, on the side roads between Helston and St Michaels Mount - ask a local for directions

I've just got hold of an Omer SpearHunter Float to get me out a bit further this year, although I need to buy my own weapon. Has anyone got any preferences on buying a speargun? I'm thinking about pump rather than band (perhaps another thread though?).

 

[Jez]

Mr X, I think Pekka did a Lizard tour last year. Try using the search facility on the forum to see if its still around. He had pictures if I remember. He also showed me some video on his pc of some pretty decent pollack. Oh, yeah, watch out for seals, he was followed on several occasions!

 

[podge]

. Oh, yeah, watch out for seals, he was followed on several occasions!

Seals bloody nightmare myself and stuckinsurrey had a bit of trouble with one or two up the coast a bit from St Just.
I’m pretty sure that the biggest of them had a bit of a thing:inlove :inlove for stuckinsurrey!!!!!

 

[Robbo66]

Hi Guys - I'm new to this forum. Thought I'd join as I went spearing with a borrowed gun in St Austell early last year and had a great time (only caught a Spider Crab though...).

I used to live near Mullion and the whole area is great for fish in the summer. The Lizard is great for Mackerel and Pollack and also a few bass. Try the walk around past the lighthouse and go off the rocks (be careful though and watch the tides). Coverack (bit off the beaten track), Poldhu Cove round the corner from Church Cove , Mullion Cove all great. Theres a few hidden coves/beaches you can walk to as well, on the side roads between Helston and St Michaels Mount - ask a local for directions

I've just got hold of an Omer SpearHunter Float to get me out a bit further this year, although I need to buy my own weapon. Has anyone got any preferences on buying a speargun? I'm thinking about pump rather than band (perhaps another thread though?).

Hi Jep,

just read your post, though in wales I know your area very well. Coverak, Mullion, Gweek etc.....very good fishing. Go band not Pneumatic, Omer T20 vey good but a pig to reload as open muzzle, or Beuchat Mundial very good, size 90. Good luck.
Rob

 

[stuckinsurrey]

Seals bloody nightmare myself and stuckinsurrey had a bit of trouble with one or two up the coast a bit from St Just.

I’m pretty sure that the biggest of them had a bit of a thing:inlove :inlove for stuckinsurrey!!!!!

He was looking at me a bit funny, could'nt wait to get out! Unfortunately it seems as though i look a little bit too much like a seal in my wetsuit which made the seal come over all amourous! :inlove

 

[podge]

need to buy my own weapon. Has anyone got any preferences on buying a speargun? I'm thinking about pump rather than band (perhaps another thread though?).

Going for your first gun
have a word with spearo dave (www.spearo.co.uk)
I’ve got one of his venom 75’s as a first gun and it’s been fine.

 

[Jep]

Hi Jep,

just read your post, though in wales I know your area very well. Coverak, Mullion, Gweek etc.....very good fishing. Go band not Pneumatic, Omer T20 vey good but a pig to reload as open muzzle, or Beuchat Mundial very good, size 90. Good luck.
Rob

Hi Rob, Cornwall is nice this time of year - dismal in Winter though, I'm off to Pentewan Sands in St Austell again this summer - camping (caravan) right on the beach - fantastic!. Saw quite a few big Wrasse and a couple of 'edible' Crabs down there last Easter but not much else. Good kelp beds and gulleys to explore.

Do you know an internet site where I could have a look at/buy a Beuchat?

Cheers
Mike

 

[Robbo66]

Mike,
this is the gun I have, very good, accurate and light. I bought the 100 as have a 90 already. Look at the site and they will offer info on stockists. Apnea in Jersey have also just started stocking beuchat.

http://www.beuchat.fr/catalogue/index.cfm?action=voir_sous_categorie&scat=13


Rob

 

[Greenheart]

Hi Rob, Cornwall is nice this time of year - dismal in Winter though, I'm off to Pentewan Sands in St Austell again this summer - camping (caravan) right on the beach - fantastic!. Saw quite a few big Wrasse and a couple of 'edible' Crabs down there last Easter but not much else. Good kelp beds and gulleys to explore.

Do you know an internet site where I could have a look at/buy a Beuchat?

Cheers
Mike[/quote

Hi Mike, when are you down in Cornwall? I shall be at Par in St Austell bay for 7 days from 24th June.]

 

[Jep]

[/quote

Hi Mike, when are you down in Cornwall? I shall be at Par in St Austell bay for 7 days from 24th June.][/quote]

Hi,

I'm down mid July I'm afraid - perhaps another time? Always looking for a reliable Buddy. Picture of Pentewan attached. To the far right is some good snorkelling. They sometimes have a try dive boat which you can sign up for - I think it goes to/from Mevagissey. Many thanks Robbo66 & Podge for your recommendations, I'll have a look at both those guns.

Spot my van? its the one right on the beach (I wish!)

 

[Andrew@Rockface]

Do you know an internet site where I could have a look at/buy a Beuchat?

Seaways Diving in Penryn (nr. Falmouth) stock a few Beuchat guns. Can't remember any other info.

 

[SurfnSpear]

I jumped in on Saturday and trawled all over Little Fistral/Cribbar Point in Newquay and saw no bass. There were a few pollock, loads of Wrasse and heaps of bait fish. Vis was very clear. Left me wondering if the bass had even arrived!
Then Sunday I jumped into the mouth of the Gannel Estuary on an outgoing tide and tested my knowledge of the place. It was a little tricky with patches of crystal vis, strong current, clouds of weed and sand stripping out. I have changed my opinion on the bass. There were some good sized ones (3-4lb) wizzing around in amongst it all in the shallower parts. The big BUT was that they were very skittish and I could not get a bead on them. I think I will try again in a few weeks on the incoming. :head

Regards

 

[Huw]

Hi to all of the guys out there who are planning a trip to par sands!

As a few of you know, i am a fairly new spearo and am still working on breath holding before i put it into practise with a speargun! At the moment i still just snorkle with the gun and occasionally shallow dive when needed. I am based in Fowey... 3miles from par and am familliar with all of the nearby beaches.

Polkerris would be a very tricky beach to spear around because of the popularity of the place and the vast number of holiday makers on the beach. I have never speared Par sands, although i have fly fished in a few gullies for bass before and there are definatly fish around. My only concern with that beach in particular would be visability, due to the openess of the bay i suspect that even a small wind/swell would stir up the water and result in very poor vis ( if i am wrong someone shoot me down).

However if any of you guys are planning to be in the area, i do have a small 14ft dory with a 25hp engine on the back which is fine for getting me and my buddies to the quieter, deeper, and clearer spots ( polridmouth, lantic, cannis rock and other areas around the gribben etc) and i would be happy to take a few of you out to some locations, so that i could watch some more experienced guys at work and hopefully gain some more insight into aspetto techniques and things.

I am hoping to get into the water during this week as a local guy caught 10stone of pollack in two hours off the gribben last night, the biggest of which was 14lbs about 100yards offshore. Sounded too good to be true as vis at the moment is at least 8m.

Huw

 

[Doc]

I'm in plymouth so not far at all and would be keen to get out to cannis etc
I've got a Sailing Catamaran and meen to get out to the eddystone some time.
give me a ring at home Plymouth 774187.
Steve