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Overview

How to target

Five-bearded Rockling
Species ID: five-bearded-rockling

Five-bearded Rockling

A small, nocturnal rockfish found tight to rough ground around the UK—kelp gullies, boulder beaches, pier walls and harbour rockwork, and mixed ground near estuary mouths. Best aft...

🌊 Tide: flood 💨 Wind: calm 📅 Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Best tide

flood

Moon

neap

Season

Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Wind

calm

Max weight

0.8 kg

Day vs night

Day 30%
Night 90% (best)
A small, nocturnal rockfish found tight to rough ground around the UK—kelp gullies, boulder beaches, pier walls and harbour rockwork, and mixed ground near estuary mouths. Best after dark on a flooding tide, especially from late autumn through spring. Fish under the rod tip: drop baits into holes, cracks and the edges of kelp. Use a light 1–2 hook paternoster/loop rig with short 10–20 cm snoods, size 6–10 hooks, and small baits—ragworm/maddies, lug, mussel, peeled prawn, small crab or slivers of mackerel/squid. Keep leads just heavy enough to hold and use a weak-link (rotten-bottom) to beat snags. Expect rapid, rattly bites. Commonly 15–35 cm; handle gently and unhook with forceps. ID note: five small barbels under the chin distinguish it from other rocklings.

Temperature

6–16°C

Depth range

0.1–15 m

Baits

  • Harbour Rag (Maddies) 9.4/10
  • Mussel 8.8/10
  • Lugworm 8/10

Rigs

  • Running Ledger 9/10

    Classic for rockling on rough ground and piers. Presents small baits tight to the seabed with minimal resistance. Use size 2–6 hooks with rag/lug or fish/squid strips; add a weak-link to the lead over snags. Best at dusk/night.

  • Two-Hook Flapper 8.4/10

    Great from piers and rock gullies. Two short snoods keep small worm or fish baits near the bottom and reduce tangles. Lets you try two baits or depths when fish are close in, especially on winter nights.

  • Long & Low 7.8/10

    Keeps bait hard on the deck in tide or light surf; long snood gives a natural presentation for shy bites. Good along estuary mouths and sandy patches between rocks where rockling forage.

  • Split Shot Rig 7.6/10

    LRF option for harbours and rockpools. Inch small ragworm pieces or scented soft plastics along the bottom. Very sensitive and snag-light for fishing tight to structure at night.

  • Dropshot 7.3/10

    Works down harbour walls and around structure. Keep the weight on the bottom with a very short drop so the bait hovers just off the seabed. Subtle twitches with isome or small rag tempt rockling.