Penzance Kayak Fishing Meet 2020

Dates TBC

Venue

The launch venue is dependent on the prevailing weather conditions at the time but will preferably be Sennen Cove - TR19 7DA. Further venue details will be posted nearer the time. Aim to be at the launch venue around 08:00-08:30 on both days – this is to ensure there will be enough parking before the beachgoers arrive. I expect by the time everyone has chatted and set up we will be looking at a 09:30-10:00am launch but of course you can launch whenever you like. Breakfast is available from Little Bo Café approx. 100m from the car park - they tend to open around 9:30-10am. Click here for more information on kayak fishing at Sennen Cove.

This meet is a relaxed affair and often groups will head off to fish at other venues, so please do not feel restricted to fishing the designated launch venue. The campsite is the central hub of the event so make sure you are there in the evenings to find out where people are fishing and when.

Designated Campsite - Ponsandane Campsite, Penzance, TR18 3DN

A kayaker friendly campsite run by proprietor Roger, who does a great job to look after us all - please view their website. Booking is not necessary as there is always plenty of space but phone 01736 351777 if you want to reserve a pitch or book an electric hook-up. Very reasonable prices for August, good facilities, lots of good reviews and next to a 24h supermarket and the beach.
Campfires are also allowed on the provided wheel hubs and firewood is available daily at a small cost per bag - ask Roger on-site. The campsite is set up so you can pitch anywhere you want i.e. all the kayak anglers can pitch together in one section. The campsite is only a 10-minute walk from the main town where bars, restaurants and shops can be found.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE put any litter/rubbish/fish guts etc. in the supplied bins. We had someone at the 2015 meet who thought it would be a good idea to chuck smelly fish guts in the hedge, which Roger had to clean up himself. Please do not ruin the rapport we have built with the owner.

Tariff:

£7.00 per adult per night
£4.00 per child per night (under 12)
Children under 3 FREE
Cars £3.00 per night, Cars are charged per night until 10.30am the next day.
Electric Hook ups £3.00 per night. Electric hook ups are limited so make sure you book one in advance.

Please note these prices include use of toilets and showers. There are no extra charges for hot water etc.

Website: Ponsandane Campsite Website

Tide Times (Newlyn)

Saturday - Low Tide: TBC | High Tide: TBC | Low Tide: TBC | High Tide: TBC
Sunday - Low Tide: TBC | High Tide: TBC | Low Tide: TBC
Source: https://tides4fishing.com/uk/england/penzance

Tackle and Bait

The nearest tackle shop to the campsite is West Cornwall Angling Centre located at No.2 Alexandra Road just off the Seafront/Promenade in Penzance. Well stocked with tackle, fresh bait, rods, reels and more! Open from 9am -17:30pm Mon-Sat and 9am – 13:00pm on Sundays.

Facebook Page: West Cornwall Angling
Post Code: TR18 4LY

Another tackle shop also well stocked with a whole range of fishing tackle and bait is Newtown Angling located on the Penzance to Helston road. Open from 9am - 6pm Mon - Sat and 10am - 2pm on Sundays.

Facebook Page: Newtown Angling
Post Code: TR20 9AE

Kayak Fishing Supplies

If you are driving down through Cornwall to get to the Penzance Kayak Fishing Meet then you will pass Cornwall Canoes, who are located just off the A30 at the Indian Queens/Newquay turn off. They are a Kayak Fishing specialist shop and stock an extensive range of kayak fishing equipment including Fish Finders, Fish Finder Installation Accessories, Anchoring Equipment, Rod Holders, Safety Equipment, Clothing and much more! If you need any last minute bits and bobs then pay them a visit as your passing.

Website: Cornwall Canoes
Post Code: TR9 6PZ

Car Park Charges

Please ensure you have plenty of change for car parks. Car park charges are dependent on the launch site but could be up to £7 for a full day. At Sennen the current price for a full day is £4.00. The harbour car park accepts cash and card payments.

Kayak Security

Please ensure you take appropriate security measures to ensure you do not become a victim of kayak theft. A lock and chain or cable-type bike lock through a kayaks scupper holes and around your roof racks will help to deter thieves. Organisers will not be held responsible for any theft or loss of gear experienced by attendees of the meet.  

Bad Weather

In the event of bad weather conditions the event may be re-located, cancelled or postponed. By holding the meet over two days it is hoped the weather will allow a launch on at least one of the days! If the event is cancelled it due to severe weather then it will be published on the Penzance Kayak Fishing Meet Facebook Group

Useful Post Codes

Ponsandane Campsite - TR18 3DN
Sennen Cove Harbour Car Park - TR19 7DA
West Cornwall Angling - TR18 4LY
Cornwall Canoes - TR9 6PZ

Safety

Please remember this is just a meet - not a competition. There will be no safety boats. We are effectively all just meeting up for a fishing session! We will all look out for each other on the water. If someone needs help then help them, if needed get assistance from others. Safety is in your own hands. I cannot be responsible for your actions and behaviours on the water however I can give you information on the area best I can so you can prepare and be aware of what to expect – I shall supply more detailed information nearer to the time.

Realistically, this meet is not for the complete beginner. In calm conditions Sennen is a relatively safe venue to kayak fish but being very exposed to the Atlantic, this venue rarely has calm conditions. I advise only those with some experience in open water / coastal kayak fishing to attend this meet.

There were no major issues at the 2015 or 2016 meet despite the moderate rolling swell of around 5-6ft in 2015 and brisk winds in 2016. 2017 saw perfect weather but the ebbing Spring tide put some paddlers to their limits. 2018 saw moderate swell with light winds with no issues on the Saturday, but the weather was too rough to fish on the Sunday. If there is a good swell mixed with brisk wind, the associated chop can make conditions challenging. Add in a spring tide and conditions can get become particularly difficult for paddling and fishing. We all know how unpredictable weather forecasts can be, so if you are attending this meet be prepared that you may have to contend with challenging conditions and that there will be no safety boats – safety is in your own hands. Fingers crossed the weather will be favourable! As with previous meets, an assessment of the conditions will be made on the morning and advice given with regards to launching.

Any questions please email me at cornishkayakangler@gmail.com or contact me via Facebook. If I have missed or overlooked anything please let me know. All being well i will be at the campsite on the Friday morning before going fishing if the weather is good.

Hopefully it will be a fun weekend with plenty of fish!

Disclaimer - Please Read

Disclaimer: Recreational kayaking and recreational kayak fishing are high risk sports and it is up to individuals to promote and be responsible for their own safety and not that of the organisers and thus the organisers shall not be held liable or responsible for any accident, injury, loss of life occurred during the event. All attendees will be assumed to hold 3rd party nsurance for themselves and this is the responsibility of the attendees to organise and not the organisers’ responsibility. The organisers strongly recommended the use of VHF radio communication, distress flares and/or whistles to promote your own safety should you find yourself in trouble on the water. Please gather information on the venue/s regarding weather, tides and tidal patterns before entering the competition and consult relevant kayak safety information available online or from the RNLI. By attending the Penzance Kayak Fishing Meet you are thereby agreeing to be responsible for your own safety and not holding the organisers liable or responsible for any accident, injury or loss of life that may occur.  