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Cornwall

Black Rock, Widemouth

7.0 · Rocks · Cornwall

A tide-washed reef and ledge system around the Black Rock outcrop at the south end of Widemouth Bay. Rough, kelpy ground interspersed with sandy gullies offers classic rock-fishing: wrasse and pollack tight to the weed, with summer pelagics moving through and nocturnal species after dark. Best on a flooding tide into dusk when white water forms around the rock. Access is from the Black Rock (south) car park with a short walk; reach is straightforward in calm conditions, but Atlantic swells, slippery weed, and a fast-flooding tide can be hazardous and may cut you off—plan your retreat and avoid big seas.

Should you fish Black Rock, Widemouth?

60 Fair

Today · Best window

Best window: 18:00-21:00 around the rising tide

Most likely species: Ballan Wrasse and Pollack

Fair conditions. Best around 18:00-21:00 around the rising tide. Good chance of Ballan Wrasse and Pollack.

NW 4 mph Rain 2% High tide 11:18

Fishable, but pick your timing carefully.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for Black Rock, Widemouth — 7-day forecast

Scores and best windows are weighted for .

Met Office Met Office · Open-Meteo

Where the data comes from. Weather and sea-state readings come from the Met Office and Open-Meteo forecast models, refreshed several times a day. High and low water are taken from tide-station predictions for this stretch of coast.

How the score works. Each window is scored 0–100 from the signals that most reliably move fish inshore: tide movement (a running tide carries food, so the last of the flood and first of the ebb are usually the prime spells), wind speed and direction (onshore wind stirs food into the surf — up to the point it makes fishing hard), sea state (a little wave and swell movement helps, heavy swell hurts), and weather — rain, temperature and light. Behind the headline number we score bite opportunity and comfort separately, and run a separate safety check on wind and swell. The size of the tide counts too: spring tides move more water than neaps, so the tidal range for this stretch of coast is weighed alongside the tide's direction, your target species and this mark — and unusually big springs strengthen the safety check, because the water rises faster and covers more ground.

Your target species counts. Pick a species below and the score also weights what we know about it — its season, preferred sea temperature, tide stage and sea state, and whether it feeds by day or night.

The rating is guidance, not a guarantee — conditions change fast on the coast, so always judge the sea in front of you before you fish.

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· windows & tide

Spring vs neap tides. Spring tides have a larger difference between high and low water, so more water moves on each tide — usually stronger flow that stirs up food and gets fish feeding. Neap tides have a smaller range and generally gentler movement. The range here is compared with what is normal for this stretch of coast, and the cycle swings between springs and neaps roughly every week, following the moon.

Big spring tides: the water rises faster and covers more ground than usual — double-check access routes and cut-off points before you fish.

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Black Rock is a tide-washed rock, reef and kelp-gully mark that fishes best when the flood pushes life around the outcrop and creates controlled white water. It is strongest for bass, wrasse, pollack and summer pelagics in season, with rough-ground and sandy-bay options after dark. The key decision is whether the sea is safe enough for the reef; if not, move back to the adjacent sand or another nearby mark only after checking access and conditions separately.

  • Know when Black Rock is worth the risk — and when to stay off the reef.
  • Time the flood into dusk for the best bass water around the rock.
  • Switch confidently between kelp gullies and clean sand by target species.
  • Use the right rotten-bottom and lure tactics for this snaggy reef.
  • Have a safer backup plan before the swell or tide forces the decision.

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Jump to towns around this mark for more marks and guides.

Widemouth Bay 0.5 mi Marhamchurch 2.2 mi Bude 2.9 mi Stratton (Cornwall) 3.5 mi Week St Mary 3.6 mi

Explore nearby towns: Widemouth Bay · Marhamchurch · Bude · Stratton (Cornwall) · Week St Mary

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Forecast tuning currently supports Bass and Mackerel — more species are on the way.

Overall rating

7.0 /10

Blend of catch potential, access, safety, and overall experience.

Category scores

Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 8/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 6/10

Bass 9/10
Tip: Work the white water along Black Rock at dawn/dusk on a flooding tide. Plugs or sandeel/peeler crab baits in the surf and gullies.
Pollack 8/10
Tip: Weedless soft plastics or metals at dusk on a flooding tide; cast along kelp edges into deeper gullies. Summer–autumn.
Ballan Wrasse 8/10
Tip: Crab or worm baits into kelp gullies around the rock on the flood; short casts, hold gear up. Best late spring–autumn.
Lesser Spotted Dogfish 7/10
Tip: Night over the sandy bay; 2-hook flappers with mackerel/sandeel, cast beyond first breaker. Best mid-flood.
Mackerel 7/10
Tip: Summer evenings in calmer seas; metals or sabikis from the rock into deeper water, best at dusk on the flood.
Conger Eel 7/10
Tip: After dark into rough ground; big fish baits on strong gear, fish drop-offs beside the rock at low to mid tide. Use rotten-bottom.
Small-eyed Ray 6/10
Tip: Long cast onto clean sand from near the rock with sandeel at night, late spring–autumn; fish mid to flooding tide.
Golden-grey Mullet 6/10
Tip: Light float/ledger with tiny rag or sandeel slivers in surf gutters; early/late on a gentle flood, summer.
Pouting 5/10
Tip: Rough kelp patches at night; small fish/worm baits dropped close in. Use rotten-bottom to beat snags.
Whiting 5/10
Tip: Winter nights from the beach; small worm or mackerel on 2–3 hook rigs, fish into surf on the flood.
Garfish 5/10
Tip: Float-fished mackerel strips or small metals at dusk on a flood around the headland in late summer.
Weever Fish (Lesser) 4/10
Tip: Hot calm days over shallow sand; small worm baits on light gear. Watch where you step and handle with care.

Local knowledge

Black Rock, Widemouth fishing guide

Practical access, seasons, methods, tides, safety and facilities for this mark.

Black Rock sits at the southern end of Widemouth Bay, just south of Bude on Cornwall’s wild north coast. It’s a classic mixed-ground mark of reef, kelp gullies and adjacent surf beaches that consistently turns up bass, wrasse and summer pelagics, with huss and conger after dark. The scenery is spectacular, but the Atlantic swell and tides demand proper planning.

This mark is reached from the Widemouth Bay area via the A39 (Atlantic Highway), following local signs for Black Rock/Black Rock Beach. Parking is available at the Black Rock Beach car park on the south side of the bay; it’s a short walk to the sand and reef. The rock platforms and boulder fields are close, but footing is uneven and can be very slippery in places.

  • Park: South end car park signed for Black Rock (pay-and-display; seasonal attendants in peak months)
  • Approach: Easy beach ramp/steps to the sand; 2–10 minutes on sand and reef to chosen ledges
  • Terrain: Flat wave-cut platforms, kelp-covered gullies and boulders; adjacent open sand for surf fishing
  • Note: Parts of the reef become isolated by the flood; plan an exit that remains dry at all states of tide
  • If arriving by bus or taxi: Ask for Widemouth Bay (south end); the walk to the reef is short but over uneven ground

This is mixed, tide-swept ground with a productive surf line; expect classic north-coast species with summer visitors and a modest winter run of smaller fish.

  • Spring (Apr–May): Bass, pollack, ballan and corkwing wrasse, dogfish; occasional small-eyed and spotted rays on the adjacent sand; early garfish in May
  • Summer (Jun–Aug): Bass, wrasse (best period), pollack, mackerel, scad, garfish; bull huss at night; schoolie bass in the surf; occasional turbot on the beach
  • Autumn (Sep–Nov): Bass (often the best fish), pollack, wrasse (to first frosts), mackerel/scad tailing off, huss and conger after dark; small-eyed/spotted rays on calmer nights
  • Winter (Dec–Feb): Whiting, dogfish, strap conger, the odd codling in a big northerly blow (uncommon); bass still possible in coloured surf after storms
  • Year-round possibilities: Pouting, rockling, pollack in rougher water, and a chance of a surprise ray from the sandy patches

A blend of lure, float and bottom fishing works here. Match methods to the state of tide, swell and water clarity, keeping rigs robust for snags and kelp.

  • Lure fishing (bass/pollack): 9–10 ft rods, 20–30 lb braid, 20–25 lb fluorocarbon leader
    • Weedless soft plastics (4–6 in) in white/ayu/natural over kelp gullies on a slow, steady retrieve
    • Surface and shallow divers at dawn/dusk on a flooding tide with light surf
    • Metals (20–40 g) for mackerel/scad when baitfish show, and for pollack in deeper seams
  • Float fishing (wrasse/gar/mackerel): Large, robust floats set 6–12 ft; present rag/lug/peeler or prawn for wrasse tight to rock edges; small strips of mackerel or sandeel for gar/mackerel
  • Bottom fishing from the rocks: Pulley or pulley-dropper with a weak-link (rotten-bottom) to the lead; 4–5 oz grip leads; short 30–60 cm snoods to reduce snagging
    • Best baits: Peeler crab (prime for bass/wrasse in spring–summer), hardback crab, fresh lug/rag, sandeel, squid/mackerel cocktail for huss/conger
  • Surf tactics from the adjacent beach: Clipped-down rigs for range or a 2-hook flapper short for bass in the white water; sandeel, lug and squid are reliable
  • Night sessions: Big crab, squid or mackerel heads for huss/conger; keep end-tackle simple and strong, and avoid casting into obvious kelp heads

Tide and swell drive this venue. The flood into dusk with a gentle-to-moderate Atlantic swell is a classic bass window; neaps help for precise rock work, while springs open up more ground at low water but can be risky on the push.

  • Best tide: Mid-to-late flood through high, especially into low light; first of the ebb can also fish if swell allows
  • Swell: A light to moderate, well-spaced swell puts life in the water; big groundswell makes the rocks hazardous and colours the water
  • Water clarity: Clear to lightly tinged for lures; coloured surf after a blow can be excellent for baited bass
  • Wind: Light W–NW for surf lines; E/SE gives clearer water for wrasse/pollack but can flatten the sea
  • Seasonality: May–October is prime for wrasse/pollack and summer pelagics; September–November often best for quality bass; winter focuses on whiting/dogs with a chance of codling in heavy seas

This is an exposed Atlantic rock mark with real wave and cut-off hazards. Treat it with respect and fish conservatively.

  • Tide cut-off: Some ledges flood behind you on the push; always keep an exit and retreat early
  • Swell: Rogue sets are common; stay well back from the edge and never fish if waves are washing platforms
  • Footing: Weed and kelp make the rock treacherous; use grippy footwear or rock spikes and take a wading staff if unsure
  • Night fishing: Carry two headtorches, spare batteries and pre-plan your route off the reef
  • Gear: Wear a coastal lifejacket and carry a phone/VHF in a dry pouch; fish with a partner where possible
  • Accessibility: Beach access is straightforward, but the rocks are not suitable for reduced mobility; choose the beach for an easier, safer session
  • Summer lifeguards: Respect flagged bathing/surfing zones; do not cast or fish within or across flagged areas

Widemouth Bay is well served in season, with fewer amenities in winter. Bude is a short drive for full services and tackle.

  • Parking: Black Rock Beach car park (pay-and-display); additional parking at the main Widemouth car park
  • Toilets: Available seasonally at car parks (check opening times outside peak months)
  • Food/drink: Seasonal beach cafés at Widemouth/Black Rock; year-round options in Bude
  • Tackle/bait: Several tackle shops in Bude (fresh/frozen bait, lures, terminal gear)
  • Lifeguards: RNLI patrols on the bathing beaches in summer; they do not cover the rocks
  • Bins: Provided at car parks; pack out all line and waste from the rocks
  • Mobile coverage: Generally good on the headland and beach, but signal can dip in gullies

Local anglers time sessions around tide, swell and crowds. Early and late are your friend, and simple, robust end-tackle saves gear on the kelp.

  • Fish the last two hours of the flood into dusk for bass along the reef edges and surf gutters
  • After a blow, return as the sea drops and clears a shade; that milky-green water can be electric for bass
  • Wrasse love crab and prawn tight to the rock; strike positively and bully fish away from the kelp
  • Carry a long-handled net or use a safe gully for landing; avoid gaffs and plan the landing before you cast
  • Use rotten-bottom links on leads over rough ground; it’s cheaper to lose a lead than a whole rig
  • Summer crowds: Fish away from the main bathing flags, or go dawn/night to avoid swimmers and surfers
  • Weed blooms can be heavy on springs; switch to weedless lures or move to cleaner seams
  • Keep mobile: If a ledge doesn’t show life in 20–30 minutes, hop to the next gully or seam

Recreational sea angling is permitted at Black Rock. There is no known local prohibition on fishing, but you must follow national and regional rules and respect beach management in summer.

  • Bass regulations (England, ICES area 7): At the time of writing, a minimum size of 42 cm applies; a seasonal daily bag limit and retention months are in force. Check current MMO/DEFRA notices before your trip (rules are reviewed annually)
  • Bathing/surf zones: When RNLI flags are up, do not cast or fish within or across the flagged bathing/surfing areas on Widemouth’s beaches
  • Minimum sizes: Follow UK minimum conservation reference sizes (MCRS) for any fish retained; many anglers voluntarily release big wrasse and large rays for conservation
  • Protected areas: Parts of the north Cornwall coast fall under marine conservation designations; recreational angling is allowed, but avoid damage to intertidal habitats and do not disturb wildlife
  • Bait collection: Only collect bait where permitted and in moderation; backfill any holes on the beach and observe any local notices
  • General: No fires on the rocks, take all litter and line home, and be mindful of private property and cliff-top access