Newlyn Cuttlefish at First Light
Newlyn Harbour: Cuttlefish on the Egi
Newlyn Harbour wakes beneath the granite of Mount’s Bay, and the latest Cornish landings are showing a useful sign for shore anglers: cuttlefish are moving through the English Channel close to port. The first-light window is the one to fish, before boat traffic, bright sunshine and a strengthening breeze push them away from the walls.
The best starting ground is the outer harbour edge, especially corners where the tide sweeps past weed, mooring chains and broken stone. A falling or slackening tide keeps the egi working close to the bottom without dragging it into snags. Clear water rewards subtle colours, while a little cloud or surface chop makes pink, orange and white patterns easier for cuttlefish to find.
How to Work the Newlyn Shore
A short, balanced spinning rod gives enough control for the slow lift that cuttlefish prefer. The egi should be allowed to sink, then raised with two gentle hops and left motionless for several seconds. Most takes feel like extra weight rather than a sharp pull. The rod tip stays low, and steady pressure brings the cuttlefish upward without tearing the crown hooks free.
Light fluorocarbon helps in calm water, but abrasion resistance matters around Newlyn’s harbour stone. A headlamp is useful only for landing the catch; its beam should stay off the water while the egi is being worked. A small landing net prevents the last-second drop at the wall, where a cuttlefish can release a cloud of ink and slide back into the dark.
As dawn spreads across Mount’s Bay, the quiet signs are unmistakable: bait flickering beside the wall, a slow swirl below the surface and the soft weight of a cuttlefish loading the rod. Newlyn’s first boats ease out towards the English Channel while the egi sinks again through the green Cornish water.
Recommended: Rechargeable waterproof fishing headlamp