Cligga Head

Cligga Head sits on Cornwall’s wild north coast between Perranporth and St Agnes, a granite headland with deep water and rugged, kelp‑strewn ground. It’s a classic rock mark for lure and bottom fishing, producing pollack, wrasse and bass in clear, moving water, with conger and huss after dark. If you like dramatic scenery and serious fishing, this spot rewards effort and careful timing.

Cligga Head is reached from Perranporth via the lane toward the old explosive works and cliff‑top parking; from there, the South West Coast Path leads to various ledges. Access ranges from straightforward path walking to steep, exposed scrambles—choose a ledge within your ability and carry only what you need.

• Approach: Drive out of Perranporth toward Cligga Head along the signed lane (Cligga Head/old quarry area). A small cliff‑top parking area is usually available near the end of the road; spaces are limited and unlit.
• Postcode (approximate area for satnav): TR6, Perranporth. Follow local signs to Cligga Head rather than relying solely on postcode.
• Walk-in: 5–20 minutes on the coast path to different stances; some options require a steep descent over loose rock. Footing can be sandy, gritty and slippery in places.
• Terrain: High granite/greisen cliffs with kelp gullies and boulder fields below; landing spots are limited. Some old industrial ruins and fenced-off areas—do not climb fences or enter unstable structures.
• Parking notes: No overnight security; don’t leave valuables on show. In peak season, arrive early or late to avoid walker congestion.

The headland fishes differently through the year; clear water and tide flow are key. Expect quality rather than quantity when the sea is settled and green/blue.

• Spring (Apr–May)
  • Pollack (increasing numbers on the flood and at dusk)
  • Ballan and corkwing wrasse (from May as water warms)
  • Early garfish and occasional bass in onshore breeze
• Summer (Jun–Aug)
  • Mackerel and scad (horse mackerel) shoals on calm evenings
  • Pollack to good size tight to the kelp line
  • Wrasse (ballan dominant), with occasional chunky fish
  • Bass at dawn/dusk on surface activity or in white water after a blow
  • Garfish on floats, odd launce (greater sandeel)
• Autumn (Sep–Nov)
  • Bigger pollack and late mackerel/scad runs at dusk/night
  • Bass in rougher conditions and on spring tides
  • Conger and bull huss after dark over rough ground
  • Whiting may show later in season on calmer nights
• Winter (Dec–Mar)
  • Pollack on metals/softs in clearer windows
  • Conger and huss at night; lesser-spotted dogfish common
  • Occasional spurdog reported on big tides (uncommon)
  • Bass possible in surfy spells but not a numbers game

This is a versatile rock mark: lures excel around the kelp edges, while heavy ground tactics score after dark. Travel light, use abrasion-resistant leaders, and accept tackle losses as part of the game.

• Lure fishing (daylight/dusk)
  • 9–10 ft lure rod, 20–30 lb braid, 40–60 lb fluoro/mono leader.
  • Metals 20–40 g (slim profiles), weedless soft plastics 12–20 cm on weighted belly hooks, and 20–30 g jigheads where ground allows.
  • Work parallel to the rock/kelp line for pollack; surface/sub-surface stickbaits and paddletails for bass at dawn/dusk.
• Float fishing
  • Set 8–15 ft for wrasse, pollack and garfish; use mackerel strip, sandeel, ragworm or prawn.
  • Clear floats in calm, bright water; larger cigar floats if swell is rolling.
• Bottom fishing (evening/night)
  • 12–13 ft rod with 5–7 oz rating; 30–50 lb leader, strong 3/0–6/0 hooks.
  • Pulley/pulley dropper and up-and-over rigs with rotten‑bottom (weak link) for leads.
  • Baits: mackerel/squid cocktail, whole squid, crab, or big worm baits for huss/conger; peeler crab or hardback for wrasse (catch-and-release recommended).
• LRF/HRF options
  • Small metals and jigheads for scad/mackerel in summer evenings; scale up leaders to survive kelp and granite.
• Landing fish
  • A drop-net is strongly advised from higher stances; avoid gaffing and plan your landing before you cast.

Cligga fishes best with movement in the water but becomes dangerous in heavy Atlantic swell. Aim for flow, clarity, and low light when targeting predators.

• Tide state
  • Flood to high water often best for lure work (depth under your feet); the first of the ebb can also fish.
  • Springs produce stronger side pull; adjust lead size and expect more tackle losses.
• Sea state and wind
  • Light northerly/easterly winds give clear, settled water for pollack/wrasse.
  • A moderating SW/W blow can switch on bass if it leaves manageable white water; avoid long‑period groundswell.
• Time of day
  • Dawn and dusk are prime for pollack and bass; full dark for conger/huss and scad.
• Seasonality
  • Best consistent lure fishing from late spring through autumn; winter requires picking calmer windows between swells.

This is a serious rock mark with high, exposed cliffs, loose ground and sudden swell surges. It is not suitable for children or those with limited mobility.

• Wear a modern fishing PFD and cleated/rock boots; consider a helmet on exposed scrambles.
• Keep well back from edges; rock can be undercut and crumbly. Never climb fences or approach unstable ruins/mineshafts.
• Assess swell for at least 15–20 minutes; rogue sets are common on the Atlantic coast.
• Use a drop‑net for landing; do not descend wet weeded rock to gaff or handline fish.
• Fish with a partner, carry a headtorch and spare light for any session that may run into dusk.
• Mobile signal is variable—generally decent on the headland, poorer in coves. Share a plan with someone ashore.
• In winter or after heavy rain, paths can be greasy; trekking poles help on steep returns.
• If new to the mark, recce in daylight and choose conservative ledges first.

Facilities are minimal on the headland itself; plan to be self‑sufficient and pack out all waste. Perranporth has everything you need before and after a session.

• Parking: Small cliff‑top area near Cligga Head; no lighting or formal security.
• Toilets: Public conveniences in Perranporth (town/beach car parks, seasonal opening hours).
• Food and drink: Cafés, pubs and shops in Perranporth; closest options are a short drive away.
• Tackle and bait: Options in Newquay and Truro; limited or none at the mark. Consider bringing frozen baits and a lure selection.
• Bins: Rare to none—take all litter, line and bait waste home.
• Phone signal: Generally OK on the tops; patchy lower down.

Cligga rewards stealth and watercraft—watch the tide lines and kelp edges before committing. Local anglers often carry both a lure rod and a compact bottom setup to adapt to conditions.

• Work metals fast for mackerel/scad at dusk, then switch to larger softs for pollack as light fades.
• Count your lure down and note the depth of takes; repeat the same fall line along the contour.
• In clear, bright conditions, natural sandeel patterns and fluorocarbon leaders out‑fish loud colours.
• After a blow, look for pockets of green, fizzing water tight to rock for a chance of bass on a paddle tail or shallow diver.
• Use rotten‑bottom links religiously—this ground eats leads. Carry spare leads and pre‑tied rigs.
• A small, folding drop‑net saves fish and gear; plan the landing before you cast to a big pollack.
• Wrasse are slow to grow—crush barbs and release the bigger ballans quickly from higher ledges.
• Keep an eye out for gannets working—bait shoals often drift within range on evening tides.

Recreational sea angling is permitted from Cligga Head. The coastline forms part of the St Agnes Heritage Coast and sits within or adjacent to the Godrevy to St Agnes Marine Conservation Zone, where hook‑and‑line angling is allowed but sensitive habitats are protected.

• Bass (European seabass) rules: Check current MMO/IFCA notices; recent years have typically allowed a 2‑fish daily bag, minimum size 42 cm, during a defined open season (often Mar–Nov), with catch‑and‑release outside that window. Verify before fishing.
• Minimum sizes and ethical retention: Observe UK minimum conservation sizes and Cornwall IFCA byelaws; return undersized fish and consider voluntary release of larger wrasse.
• Protected sites/structures: Do not disturb cliffs, nesting seabirds, or enter fenced ruins/mineshafts; SSSI/heritage protections apply to land features.
• Tackle and safety: No specific local angling ban is posted, but you fish at your own risk—use appropriate safety gear and avoid obstructing the public path.
• Bait collection: Abide by local bylaws for shellfish/weed; only collect where lawful and sustainable.
• Always check Cornwall IFCA and MMO websites for the latest regulations, closures, and seasonal changes before your trip.