Hi Fletc, had a week in Helford Village in July, whilst my shore angling exploits there will not make the headlines, maybe this will help a bit.
As you drive down the twisty bendy road into Helford Village, turn right into the public car park, which is also signposted " Helford Sailing Club " park there, and at top of the car park there you will find the coast path, take the coast path and walk for about ten mins,away from the village,it will take you down some stone steps, turn right there and up the hill,keep following the path, which runs next to the river, you will pass a cottage, on the Bosahan Eatate, then , on the right just past the cottage you will see some disused dog kennels, probably used by the Bosahan hunt in years past, another hundred yards or so you will see a small track leading off to the left, take it and in 5 yards you will see a very small cove which is where I fished, when you get to the cove , look back down river toward Helford, you will see a large sign for vessells navigating the river indicating a 6 knot speed limit. You are in the right place. I had Wrasse, Pollack, and more Wrasse there.Lost something bigger, like to think it was a big Gilt, probably a small something else.

You could also try a very early morning visit to the Ferry landing in Helford Village, it is a concrete landing area with a concrete walkway, in the shallow water around the landing there are shedloads of school Bass, amd some big Mullet as well.
Park in the above car park, walk down into the village ,cross the creek by the bridge or the ford at low tide, turn right and a five minute walk past the Shipwrights pub, along and follow the ferry signs

Helford Village is a small quiet , lovely place, the "Shipwrights" pub is highly recommended, has great food, great river views and some "strange" but amusing and "different "live music.

I have been told by local anglers that the River at St Anthony in Menage can be good for Ray, but it is Tidal, did not try it myself, but visited and it looks to have potential, nearly dries out at low tide. Lovely little cillage though.

I bought my bait in Falmouth at a tackle shop which is situated behind Lidls supermarket, on the Ponsharden roundabout, which is on the riverside ....fresh rag, which was very good, I understand the shop also stocks good frozen as well.

The Helford River should have some prize Gilts showing... I heard from reliable local sources
( Guys who I fish with elsewhere in Cornwall) that Gilts to about 5 lbs had been caught in the Helford in the couple of weeks before I arrived.... Peeler a must if you can get it, failing that try Razor a favoured local bait.

Be warned.. Falmouth is only about 7 miles from Helford Village as the crow flies, but because of the river, if you decide to drive there is is about 24 miles there, and another 24 back !

Phew, fingers hurt !!!

P.S, advice on the Bristol Channel is as much use to me as a chocolate fireguard, but thanks anyway !

Dave

 

Dave,
Many thanks for taking the time to go to all that trouble, much appreciated. I'll be sure to try out the spots you mention and report back.
What tactics were you using to bag up on the Pollack & Wrasse??
Guessing I've missed the boat for the Gilthead's by now!?
Thanks again
Fletch

 

Hi, Just standard single hook running ledger rigs with Ragworm did the work, it may well be that runnng a float along with the tide using frozen sandeel would work as well, I saw a local guy doing that and he was doing OK.

BTW, weed was a problem at times.
I was using two rods, one a standard beach rod , 5 oz with plain lead and 2/0 hook, the second a Bass rod, with a 2 oz plain lead and a size 1 hook, fish came on both.

Dave

 

Thanks Dave, I'll give that a go!
I don't suppose there's anywhere in the Helford river that produces flatties?
Sorry for all the questions!