Bedruthan Steps Fishing

Last updated: 5 days ago

Bedruthan Steps Fishing Map

An exposed Atlantic rock mark beneath the Carnewas/Bedruthan Steps cliffs between Mawgan Porth and Porthcothan. Deep, kelp-filled gullies, fast tide run-offs around the sea stacks and ledges, and quick-flooding platforms. Best in calm to moderate swell with clear water from late spring to early autumn; winter swells usually make it unfishable. Most productive at dawn/dusk on the flood. Expect heavy ground—use strong leaders and rotten-bottom rigs. Access is via very steep National Trust steps that are sometimes closed after storms; check access, tides and swell, and beware of cut-off and rockfall risk.

Ratings

⭐ 6.3/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 8/10
Safety 3/10
Accessibility 3/10

Fish You Can Catch at Bedruthan Steps

🐟 Bass 8/10
🎯 Tip: Surf beaches and rock gullies; plugs, soft plastics or live sandeel; best at dawn/dusk on a flooding tide with a bit of swell.
🐟 Ballan Wrasse 8/10
🎯 Tip: Kelp-filled gullies; fish hard crab, prawn or rag on float or light ledger; fish the flood to high in settled seas.
🐟 Pollack 7/10
🎯 Tip: Work soft plastics/metals along kelp edges from rock points; dusk on the flood; let lures sink and retrieve slow and deep.
🐟 Mackerel 7/10
🎯 Tip: Summer shoals; feathering or small metals from headlands; clearer water and a flooding tide; try dusk for bigger fish.
🐟 Pouting 6/10
🎯 Tip: After dark over rough ground; small worm or fish baits on two-hook flappers; mid-to-late flood.
🐟 Corkwing Wrasse 6/10
🎯 Tip: Small hooks baited with rag or small crab tight to rock/weed; float-fish mid-water on the flood in calm conditions.
🐟 Garfish 6/10
🎯 Tip: Calm, clear summer spells; float-fished sliver of mackerel or small spinners; rising tide around headlands.
🐟 Bull Huss 5/10
🎯 Tip: Night in kelpy gullies and boulder fields; big fish or squid baits on strong gear; neap tides, last of the ebb into first of the flood.
🐟 Scad (Horse Mackerel) 5/10
🎯 Tip: Late summer/autumn after dark; small metals or sabikis worked midwater in bays; fish the flood.
🐟 Conger Eel 5/10
🎯 Tip: After dark among boulders/ledges; large fish baits on 80lb trace; neap tides with light swell; low to mid tide to access gullies.

Bedruthan Steps Fishing

Summary

Bedruthan Steps, between Newquay and Padstow on Cornwall’s wild north coast, is a spectacular but serious rock mark overlooking deep gullies and powerful Atlantic surf. It rewards careful, experienced anglers with bass, pollack and wrasse around the kelp-fringed headlands, and occasional surprises in summer. Access to the beach itself is often closed; most fishing is from safe rock platforms either side of the famous stacks.

Location and Access

This mark sits around the National Trust site at Carnewas/Bedruthan Steps on the B3276 coast road, with parking at the National Trust car park (often signposted Carnewas at Bedruthan; postcode TR8 4BU). Expect a short but uneven walk to the cliff-top and longer, more demanding scrambles to any fishable ledges.

Seasons

This coast fishes very seasonally with a classic north-coast mix of surf and rock species. Expect wrasse and pollack on the rocks, with bass on the surf and in the white water.

Methods

Rugged ground calls for robust tackle and thoughtful presentation. Fish light and mobile for lure work, but step up gear for bottom fishing among kelp and boulders.

Tides and Conditions

Tide and swell dictate what’s fishable here. Aim for manageable swell creating white water without booming onto ledges.

Safety

This is a serious, high-cliff venue with changeable Atlantic swell. If you’re unsure, don’t fish it—there are safer marks nearby.

Facilities

Facilities are focused around the National Trust site; there are no facilities on the rocks or beach.

Tips

Bedruthan fishes best when you match the day to a safe platform, the tide, and the swell. Travel light, keep moving, and let the water tell you what’s feeding.

Regulations

There is no blanket ban on angling at Bedruthan Steps, but parts of the site are fenced or closed for safety—do not cross barriers or ignore National Trust signage. Much of the cliff-top is within the Carnewas and Park Head SSSI; shore angling is allowed, but protect features and nesting birds.