Fishing at Wanson Mouth
A quieter cove immediately south of Widemouth Bay, reached along the sand at low water or down a coast-path footpath — locals fish it for the ray and bass that the busier main beach sees fewer of, but the tide floods the gullies fast so you need to know your escape route.
📍 View on the mapWhat you can catch
| Species | Season | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | Apr–Nov | Fished from the surf gutters on lures or a fish-strip/sandeel cocktail on a running leger as the tide floods. |
| Small-eyed ray | May–Oct | Long-range beachcasting with a running leger and mackerel or sandeel bait over the sandy troughs, best from low water up after dark. |
| Plaice / dabs | Apr–Sep | Small hooks baited with ragworm or fish strip on a two-hook flapper cast into the sandy gutters. |
| Pollack | Jun–Sep | Light lures worked around the rocky fringes at the southern end of the beach on the push of the tide. |
| Whiting | Nov–Feb | Bait fishing with fish strip or worm on a standard flapper rig after dark on the flooding tide. |
Tactics
Fish from low water and up for the first two hours either side, using a 5oz grip lead on a boom with fluorocarbon snoods baited with sandeel wrapped in mackerel strip. The tide comes in fast and can cut off gullies behind you, so scout the beach in daylight before committing to a session after dark.
Best tide: Low water and 2 hours either side · Best time: Dusk into darkness for ray and bass
Dogs
Access & parking
Reached via the car park at Widemouth Bay then a walk south along the sand at low-to-mid tide, or via footpaths dropping down from the South West Coast Path directly onto Wanson Mouth. Sat-nav: EX23 0AW.Get directions → Family rating: ★★☆ — Good low-tide rock pooling but the beach is rocky with strong currents and not recommended for swimming; the tide fills the gullies behind the beach quickly.
FAQs
Is Wanson Mouth dog friendly?
Yes — unlike the main Widemouth Beach car park area, Wanson Mouth isn't covered by Cornwall Council's summer dog restriction.
Can you swim at Wanson Mouth?
It's not really set up for swimming — the ground is rocky with strong currents, better suited to rock pooling and fishing.
How do you get to Wanson Mouth from Widemouth Bay?
Park at the Widemouth Bay car park and walk south along the beach at low-to-mid tide, or pick up a footpath off the South West Coast Path.
Nearby marks
Last updated 7 July 2026 — sources & disclaimer
Compiled from angling guides, forums and the relevant council's dog byelaws, cross-checked where possible.
Rules and conditions change, so always check current signage and tides before you go. We do our best to keep this accurate but can't promise it's error-free.