Black Rock, Widemouth Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Black Rock, Widemouth Fishing Map

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.

Ratings

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

Fish You Can Catch at Black Rock, Widemouth

🐟 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.

Black Rock, Widemouth Fishing

Summary

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.

Location and Access

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.

Seasons

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.

Methods

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.

Tides and Conditions

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.

Safety

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

Facilities

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

Tips

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.

Regulations

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.